Joy

Pay it forward…and keep a little for yourself too.

I almost can’t believe that I worked a live event at Nordstrom in Pennsylvania last weekend. Like, I (as in me)…I was out of the state of Delaware!

That almost never happens!

The event involved painting bottles and decorating Christmas ornaments. I did more of the latter.

The guest who purchased a bottle of fragrance wanted lettering. Although I did have my engraver, contractually, I wasn’t sure I was cleared to do it, I wasn’t set up, and he looked a bit rushed to ask him to wait. But, he loved the paint marker on the bottle just the same. The message was simply, “I love you! Merry Christmas!”

But, we did better with Christmas ornaments overall. As a person who has always celebrated Christmas, I still never knew that each type of ornament has a historical root or that personalized ornaments were such a thing. But, after this experience, I can definitely see why.

I remember from a class on licensing artwork to pay attention to trends, and I noticed, the most common word that was requested at the event was ‘joy’.

I think it’s something everyone wants—maybe even needs, especially now after having endured the collective trauma of the pandemic.

Coincidentally, I and many others felt the opposite of joy over the recent passing of Stephen tWitch Boss. I loved watching him and his wife dance through all the murkiness of 2020 and 2021. I was so saddened to see that someone who brought smiles to the faces of so many people all over the world, was not experiencing any joy for himself at the time of his death.

We all need joy and one way of experiencing that is to share what we have to offer and pay forward the gifts we have been given…and maybe even to learn to hold a little of it for ourselves too.

And this is the perfect season to do that.

For instance, these adorable little fragrance bottles by Tory Burch were shared with me last weekend from the wonderful folks at Nordstrom in the King of Prussia Mall.

Can I just say I love how generous Nordstrom is! Any time I have engraved at one of their sales events, they have always given their VIP guests complimentary trials, services (i.e. engraving/art), etc. I know they expect greater sales through these kinds of offers, whether immediate or not. But, I think that is generous in a way that is uncommon and I always take note.

These little bottles are such cute, little treasures all their own. I was very tempted to keep them just to look at them sometimes. They were pretty, little joy-inducers! 😍

But, since I have an every day scent that I wear, I decided to adorn these bottles with some bottle painting and pay the joy forward a little…one to my school daughter and one to a co-worker who always gives me her coffee cans for art class projects. 🥰

Of course, the season is not all about giving gifts. I’m a believer, so the message of the Savior’s birth is what it’s truly about for me. But, after He was born, He just lived and went about doing good. To everyone. All the time.

I know I fall short because people can work my nerves sometimes. But, I try my best.

Case in point, my school daughter has been showing up in my classroom a lot lately. I see her every day at school. But, lately, she has been showing up at my classroom door all throughout the day…even later in the day when she should be staying put in her classes. 😑

Then, I considered school will be closed for over a week for the holiday break.

I know one of her biggest love languages is time. So, every so often I come up with projects for us to do together during the school day…which is code for, I start it and she takes over. 😬

Take a look.

Now, I have been sharing the gift of lettering and calligraphy with her for years. This particular day, I shared lettering on windows and some cool paint pen markers she had never used before. But, that day, all she shared with me was her cold. 😂

Either way, she did a great job and even got a request to do some lettering on her homeroom window!

And take a look at what she gave me today. ❤️

It sure sparked joy for me!

Another way you might spread joy is by supporting the work of artists you enjoy. I recently bought some books that have work by artists I follow like Love Your Amazing Self with work by Ndubisi Okoye and and The Truth About Mrs. Claus that has the title lettered by Alanna Flowers, one of my favorite lettering artists.

I bought them because I wanted to share how these are great gifts for the holidays. But, I also got them just to pass on a little joy to some other creatives.

There are two ways I know to spread joy to an artist.

One, give the artist you know space and time to create. Our overall mental health and well being is attached to being able to do what we are wired to do in healthy ways.

Two…Well, there’s nothing like seeing your work out in the wild as an artist. For those you know of, purchasing or promoting their work is one of the best ways to spread joy.

The holidays, as beautiful and wonderful as they are, can still be a difficult and dark time for many. Spread joy lavishly…and don’t forget to keep a little joy for yourself. ❤️

Educate yourself on the signs of suicide, if possible, seek therapy before you need it, and if you or someone you know is considering suicide, call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).