How are you, my friend? It is almost the end of the week and I’m thinking of you. No matter how your week has been going thus far, I hope you will find a reason to appreciate who you are and to be extra kind to yourself.
I know you have a good heart and you deserve LOVE.
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I’m excited to introduce you to a Celebration Superstar, Michelle Willis.
Michelle is someone who has been a part of my Olly Olly Oxen Free group coaching program for a couple years. Throughout the time I’ve known her, she has consistently shown up with presence, sparkle, and color.
Michelle loves to create spaces that are bright, joyful, and inspiring to her!
During our last coaching circle, I noticed (once again!) that there was a lot of color in Michelle’s space. Behind her were these beautiful paintings.
I asked her about them and she said they were by an artist named Lori Portka. Michelle said she had nine of Lori’s artworks and had created a happy gallery for herself. (Scroll down to the bottom of this email to see Michelle’s gallery!)
I immediately thought how uplifting it might make Lori feel to know that she had such a dedicated fan and that her art was adorning a room in that special way.
I encouraged Michelle to send Lori a photo.
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Now, as you know, I frequently encourage people to “say it now.” But they don’t always do it!
Michelle did!
In fact, she did it right away. She found the artist on Instagram and messaged her a note of gratitude, along with a photo of the beautiful gallery.
Michelle said, “I thought she would be pleased to see that I had made a focus of her art in my house, and I also I was happy with the way I had put it together and wanted to show her.”
She added, “It didn’t feel like a big risk, because it was unlikely she would react negatively, so the worst that could happen was to not get a reply.”
I hear what Michelle’s saying, but I also know that many people don’t want to reach out in this way because it can feel like “too much” or can feel vulnerable. They do feel like there is a big risk.
However, just imagine about how good it must have felt to the artist to receive appreciation out of the blue!
Michelle said Lori was very grateful and that she responded with some heartfelt and teary emojis! “I was surprised at how emotional her emojis were, so I feel good about having sent her the photo.”
Michelle also told me that years ago she thought of contacting an author who had been influential to her as a child. When Michelle looked up how to contact this author, she discovered that the author had passed away.
“It is important to acknowledge people who have had a positive impact on your life, while you have the chance,” Michelle reminds us.
I wholeheartedly agree!
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Do you get a sense for Michelle’s thoughtfulness?
To me, a Celebration Superstar is someone who goes out of their way to create memorable moments of joy and love.
Michelle did JUST that for this artist.
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Michelle, when you read this, I hope you will appreciate yourself for being thoughtful enough to put appreciation into action.
It sounds like a simple thing, but it isn’t!
So many people might think something thoughtful or might imagine a loving gesture, but they don’t follow through.
Michelle, I see you celebrating sparkle and color — over and over and over!
Thank you for sharing all that JOY! I’m celebrating YOU today!
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Let’s all learn from Michelle!
- Do YOU own artwork that brings you joy?
- Would you be willing to photograph yourself with that artwork or to photograph the art hanging on your wall?
- Will you take the essential step of sending that photo and a grateful note to the artist?
One of the most wonderful things about life is that we can be inspired by and learn from others.
Will you help me celebrate Michelle by doing something celebratory for an artist in YOUR life?
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Celebration is waiting for us.
It is right here, in this moment, when we love who we are, the people around us, and the shape of our lives.
It is right here, in the middle of our courage to put love into action.
I love you and am cheering you on, always.
Thanks for who you are.
Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,
xo Sherry
💝 P.S. Email me and tell me what artist you contacted and how it felt!
💝 P.P.S. Michelle just emailed me a little follow-up note that is PERFECT. She discovered that her artist, Lori, had done a beautiful project called “A Hundred Thank Yous,” in which she made a list of 100 people she was grateful for and created a painting for each of them, expressing why she is grateful. Before she gifted them, Lori hosted an exhibit of the paintings. Isn’t that a perfect “Say it Now” addendum to our celebration story about Michelle?!