Artist Statement
Each flower is a symbol for the year 2025, there are 25 poppies and 25 forget me nots. It has been 80 years since the end of World War II, and we must not forget to keep peace as a priority, in the world and in our own lives. The vessel has a hidden image at the bottom, an array of hearts, as often the unseen is as important as the seen. The thoughts we have inside our own head are as important as the ones we speak aloud. We must always work towards peace, putting aside conflict.The vessel is the shape of a sand timer as a reminder that time is always flowing and we must constantly seek peace and not conflict.
In the face of life’s challenges, it is sometimes hard to stay positive, see the light at the end of the tunnel and to feel grateful. The hedonic treadmill of life makes even the joy of getting through a difficult time short lived. The world moves at an alarming pace pushing gratitude and introspection to the side.
The root of the word gratitude is the Latin word gratia, meaning graciousness or gratefulness. A thankful appreciation for what we receive inspires gratitude. It allows people to acknowledge the source of goodness in their lives, which usually lies outside of us. Gratitude allows us to connect to others and to something larger than ourselves.
We become so accustomed to the positive events happening each day in our lives that happiness becomes a moving target. If we stop taking for granted all that life has to offer, recognize how fortunate we are to be living in this time, we will be better prepared to work through the challenging times. There is strength in the foundation of gratitude.
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
According to research, grateful thinking promotes the savoring of positive life experiences. When you realize how much people have done for you or how much you have accomplished, you feel more confident and efficacious. Gratitude helps people cope with stress and trauma. The expression of gratitude encourages moral behavior. Expressing gratitude tends to inhibit invidious comparisons with others. If you are genuinely thankful and appreciative for what you have (e.g., family, health, home), you are less likely to pay close attention to or envy what the Joneses have. The practice of gratitude is incompatible with negative emotions and may actually diminish or deter such feelings as anger, bitterness, and greed.
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