"Find Joy in the Sky" Henri Matisse Quote Card

"Find joy in the sky, in the trees, and in the flowers. There are flowers everywhere for those who wish too see them." -Henri Matisse

In the past ten years, I've learned that my daily walk/run outside is what saves me when life feels overwhelming. 

I love appreciating the trees, the sky, and the flowers; even if those flowers are dandelions and little weeds like violets. 

As I worked on this card, I wondered how this quote could be true for everyone, including those in prison. I thought about the dandelions, and how I'm sure that even in such an austere place, flowers would still persist. Surely we've all seen flowers that grow through cracks in cement. Life and beauty always find a way.

I used to revel in running with my dogs on mountain trails. It made me feel so alive. After I lost my ability to walk, let alone run, I let myself sit in that grief and that huge loss. Then I challenged myself to find joy in all those activites I still could do. There were still flowers there for me, even though life had changed so drastically.

No matter how dire your current situation is, you can still watch a sunset and appreciate that beauty. You can still appreciate the intricacy of an insect. If your eyesight has faded, you can feel the breeze against your cheek.  

I hope this card can bring beauty to the endless stream of junk mail and be a little light in the dark, calling us all back to the everyday miracles that envelope us.