What we show the world may not be a reflection of what we have inside.
You can change to make your inside match your outside.
Welcome back, friends!
We are guilty of hiding our negative experiences, thoughts, or characteristics behind a smile and friendly greeting. I’ve done it many times.
Putting on a happy face is a survival mechanism to get through the day.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I’m not suggesting you change your appearance. Change what’s inside.
When I go on artist dates with myself (my July 6 post), I often search antique and thrift stores for antique frames. I always have a picture in mind that I want to frame.
When I see a framed piece, it may give the appearance of a timeless decorative item you might find in any home. If the size and price are right, I look closer. The outward-facing side of the picture doesn’t tell me all I need to know. Is the frame unique and antique? I intend to transform it.
I take it off the wall to look at the back. That is often the key to what’s hiding inside.
A close-up look may show a dirty, scratched-up frame. Is the back paper covering intact? Antique pictures often have a torn paper backing. Sometimes, the paper crumbles. How is the picture secured? Small, often rusty, nails are a give-away.
This tells me the framed picture has a story that the world can’t see.
You and I are like those pictures.
We present the world with our best face. We don’t tell the stories we have inside.
When I refurbish the frame, I remove the picture for repairing and cleaning. I never know what I will find inside, much like the sentiment, “You never know what someone is going through, so be always kind.”
We are not like framed pictures waiting for someone to come along and change us.
The pictures will hang indefinitely, waiting for someone to take action. We don’t have to wait. We can choose to change.
First, we must see the need for change.
Choose what you want to improve: positivity, gratitude, leadership, active listening. Through consistency of practice, we change what’s inside. You feel the difference on the inside first. Then, your outward-facing self changes to match.
Our stories never leave us completely. We add to our stories. With intent, we add stories that are better than before.
Have you looked inside yourself to see if you need change?
This past week, I bought a picture of a French street scene ready to hang on any wall. The frame was carved with curves, possibly from the Art Nouveau period. The back indicated a long life. When I removed the back, it revealed its hidden history. The backboard used to frame the print broke easily in my hands. I turned it over to find an Eskimo Pie advertisement dating back to the 1920s.
I transformed a 100-year-old framed picture. Now, it has a new story to tell inside and out.
7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good
“The beautiful thing about life is that every moment that we’re blessed to live, we have the opportunity to change the story.” Matt Augustin
How do you know you might need a change? Check out this article with seven signs to consider. 🛑
It’s good to define your values. Mark Manson has a list of values on his website. The article is a longer read. Scroll a little more than halfway to find the list.
This article outlines the steps for intentional change. It references change as a professional, but the same steps apply to personal change. 🚶♀️
My gratitude for writing bears repeating. I’m grateful for my journaling habit. It has brought the most change to my life. ✍
Speaking of change, scientists are documenting the change in accents among the scientific community in Antarctica. This short article explains how. Unintentional changes happen.
Finally, it’s August. You need to know the history of the Eskimo Pie. 🌞
Thank you for reading!
Have you ever transformed yourself through consistency of practice? If so, leave a comment and tell me about it. You will be reading more about mine next week.
❤
Susan
I received your email and I will call you soon! 🥰
Hi Susan!
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon your beautifully written pieces! You may have evolved over the years, but your beautiful essence is still the same! You have always been such a positive force. I saw it in you at Howard II Elementary--many moons ago. I was lucky to have you as a friend and mentor there! It's been fun getting glimpses of your family life and work through occasional FB posts over the years, but allowing access to your writings and inner thought is very cool! You are the real deal and you don't seem or need to sugar coat life. You are who you are and sharing the good things in life is a wonderful thing!
I'm new to Substack. I joined recently to follow a wonderful artist (Sandy Allnock) who I followed on Instagram and currently take online art classes from. She's funny and talented and skilled. She's a thinker, an optimist, eclectic, a wonderful writer and speaker. Tech wise--she's also going it going on there as she produces YouTube videos and the lesson for her online classes. She's a total workaholic!
I've been having fun learning how to draw and I'm exploring and experimenting with watercolor paints now too. I've found a new piece of myself and I'm enjoying new challenges.
I walk past the picture you drew for me almost every day. It's hung in every home we lived in--we are now in our 17th one! I have always loved that picture, but now that I am drawing a bit, I have much more of an appreciation for what you created! I hope you are still drawing and creating art!
It's a treat to know I can easily climb into your gratitude filled world and see it through your eyes on Substack. I love that you will make me think and delve into areas I may be neglecting. One think I know for sure is I will get a dose of Susan Abel positivity! :-)
BTW, one more thing, do you remember the cross stitched music box you made for my youngest son 37 years ago?! My grandkids loved it too! I have it hanging in my Art Studio!
We will need have a phone conversation soon and really catch up!
Hugs!