Monday, December 27, 2010

JOY = Success.

"The only true measure of success is the amount
of joy we are feeling."
Abraham Hicks

How do you measure or define success? The dictionary says success = the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. If you asked me as a child in school, I may have defined success the same way. I may have thought my box of 64 crayons w/ a built in sharpener was the pinnacle of my success. But you know, those crayons brought me joy! I think we should chase the things that bring us joy... but, I don't think we should chase what others think we should be obtaining. Like, should I be buying the Crayola factory and then I'll be successful? Or will my box alone do? We are taught things, especially an abundance of things = success. It's due time we redefine history, don't you think? What about you? Are you hard on yourself and think you must live up to someone else's expectation or idea of what success really is? I mean, it is written in the dictionary and all, but without joy, whats the worth of anything? Will you be successful with just your amazingly creative imagination and your heart + mind alive w/ JOY?? With this feeling stock piled in your bank, will you be able to chase down the biggest things in life that bring you joy (maybe it is owning the Crayola factory?!) and actually live the most successfull life imagined? I say YES. Own your JOY. And then skip gleefully down this path you've created for yourself.
What brings you JOY?! What makes you skip down the sidewalk? Really! I want to know :)

Life update: My friends, I have been paralyzed slightly w/ some decisions in my life. Fantastic opportunities. Fantastic as they may have been, I decided just weren't right. Last night I posted this: "when you're stuck: its amazing how just making A decision on something, no matter if it's right or wrong, is so much better than suffering in indecision. especially if you're so weighed down by this decision you can hardly move. i was in this place, and feeling a thousand tons lighter today..." on my facebook page and Sabrina Ward Harrison "liked it" (I am big lover of Sabrina!) I felt like such a geek jumping around w/ excitement... because simple as it may be it really cemented the fact I felt the decision I made was right - no matter if it was "right or wrong." It was right. And I feel so much lighter. I was ready to pop a bottle of champagne, but it was too cold to drive to the store.

I will share more thoughts on this later.... For now I am working in some ideas for a major overhaul of my blog, and I've created a website: www.carissapaige.com which needs some major work too. Also! I'm excited to announce I'm starting a Sparkly New NEWSLETTER! You can sign up for it at the link up top of my blog. I promise I won't be blowing up your email box, but I would like to make a very meaningful, inspiring, creative newsletter that you'll be excited to receive! It will begin sometime in January.


Happy Holidays to you!!!! I hope you had a joy filled Christmas.... I am so looking forward to all the good things 2011 is going to offer!!!!

Love & Light,
Carissa Paige
"Student of Joy. Seeker of Freedom. Maker of Art." <- my new tagline

17 comments:

  1. dear lovey, i just subscribed to your newsletter & peeked at your new website (love that header!!). all of these creations is like a box of crayons...all YOUR colors, delicious & true! honey, you are also coming out of the box! flying, soaring, with crayola wings!
    i am blown away. i have so much to learn from you. keep chasing that joy down w/those sweet knees & magic socks! i love you so. xoxoxxx

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  2. oh my goodness....how do i come after our radiant Rachel???

    i DO second
    EVERY.
    SINGLE.
    WORD.
    she typed!!!

    you amaze me.....my sweet sweet student of joy.
    you inspire me...my sweet sweet seeker of freedom.
    you radiate...my sweet sweet maker of art.

    i am a subscriber and feel so blessed to have you as my soul sister.

    oxoxoxoxoxoxox
    k

    (i totally dig sabrina too!!!!!)

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  3. Far out Carissa! I don't know how to put into words what you have just done for me! Much love for you!

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  4. Rachel & Kolleen, you guys are so sweet. Thank you!!!

    Michele, thats amazing! If you could only see my *perma-grin* right now :)

    I am cookin' up ideas for the newsletter & really looking forward to the new creative venture (including reworking this blog & my site!)

    xoxo, carissa

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  5. Carissa thanks for inspiring me with your words! So lovely! And I love your art . . . . I am looking forward to seeing where this journey takes you in the new year! :)

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  6. HI Carissa,
    We are in the Stretching Within Class together, and that's how I found your blog. I love it!
    I love your art, your quotes, that you love Sabrina Ward Harrison, etc.
    We have a lot in common.
    Sounds like you have big goals for 2011. That's awesome. I'll look forward to seeing it all.
    Peace and Smiles,
    Briana

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  7. Love this! Joy has been following me lately. The other day someone told me that I wear joy, that made me smile.
    Making art brings me so much joy, I love it!
    Hugs to you,
    jenny

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  8. Dearest sweet sweet Carissa, this is such a sweet and beautiful post! Im loving it so much! Yu website is gorgeous! Im going to sign up for your newsletter too. :) How exciting. Wishing you JOY and LOVE for a wonderful New Year my sweet friend. Thank you for all the blessings, love and support you have given me this year! have a lovely merry happy last week of 2010! Love to you!

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  9. Hi! I just found you through Misty Mawn's art workshop fb community... your blog is adorable and I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

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  10. Thank you all for the love! I am so happy to meet new pals via Stretching Within, and connect w/ kindred spirits out there!!! I'm ordering new supplies tonight from Dick Blick and very much looking forward to stretching myself even more this coming year.

    Cheers to Joy & Art & Stretching & You!

    Hugs & Love,
    Carissa

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  11. Congratulations on the new site and newsletter. it looks smashing. and yes, I agree if you aren't joyful it isn't really success after all.
    wishing you all the best in 2011. looking forward to watching your journey.

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  12. I want to grab you and SQUEEZE you! The pictures of you are too sweet. LOVE Your tag line is perfect. I'm off to visit your site. And I'm so glad you were able to make a decision- indecision is the worst!

    Happy new year Carissa. I am sending you a mountain of love and butterflies and rainbows.

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  13. Oh, Lori! Let's make a Carissa sandwich! Hugs galore! I am just getting around to reading blogs I've been missing over the holidays and simply love this, Carissa. Love that you quoted Abraham Hicks. Love that you're following your joy (btw - check out my friend Michelle's blog at followingyourjoy.com). And my word for the year is OVERJOYED. Now I just need to get some funky socks and Mary Jane's so I can kick my heels up like you. Cheers to a joy-filled year, sweet girl.

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  14. I have so much to learn from you. keep chasing that joy down with those sweet knees & magic socks! Happy New Year!

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  15. carissa....i am so happy i finally found your blog. and how i love it so. your joy is catching!

    peace. kelly

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  16. The indecision quote is so powerful. We were under a cloud of indecision for years. BUt we made a major decision and the cloud has lifted. Right or wrong, just deciding makes room for whatever's next. xox

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  17. I ADORE your tagline and look forward to all you will be doing in your life this year.

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