I'm having a blue hair day myself.  At least I was. Yesterday.

Today, all is well. Except I cannot find out what who this bird is. My trusted wikipedia cannot extract enough information from my description to find out what this species is. So I will settle on my memory of this beautiful, crested chicken like creature that I love to look at when we go to Disney's Animal Kingdom. You could find it in the Aviary in the Pangani Forest there. You can walk around this close with them. They don't seem to have a wild side at all.

It amazes me that there is no more information available on this bird. I am only assuming that of course. I would love to hear from people if you know more details. I am reminded to ask for what I desire to know. 

It gives me even more gratitude that I have seen such a rare species with my own eyes. So beautiful. It was nice to walk on their wild side, with them.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/kevintang/late-blooming-artists

I can only think of, oh let me be conservative, a thousand things I used to think I would never do. The older I get, the more important I look at the never-ending possibilities of what is being realized every day by so many people. When I came across this article today about late blooming artists, hope sprang eternal. It (hope) does that, alot with me, I know! And I am compelled to continue to beat the drum in these times of needing it more than ever. I believe I can influence at least one other person today to look at the bright side. In my gratitude for the many things that surround me, I know that I can make a difference in my own world that has a positive spin on the rest of the world, even if only a nudge.

So, if you need a little departure from what is spinning in your own mind, or the wah-wah-wah that the news KEEPS on tauting toxic ICK!, consider the talents of the artists mentioned in this article. I mean for it to inspire you, if you could use some of that. I encourage you to journal your thoughts if they are taking up valuable space in your mind. Get them out on paper where you can see them for what they really are. These are the things that you are telling yourself. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good-will and betterbfriendship? Is it beneficial to all concerned? Are you using your God-given talents to the best of your ability?

Deep questions. Do the real work. Make room for good things to think about. It's never too late for that.

Thank you for reading my post today. I appreciate your being here. If you would like to, please leave a comment or share this with your tribe. You never know who it might benefit.

Artfulacknowledgment.com is beginning to grow out of the toddler stage. Kitty Cleo has appointed herself to the vision board of directors. The wordsmith in me loves the play and artistry of the words, written, spoken and intentionally used to protray emotions, inspire growth and development and manage change. The vision board has always been a daunting task, as I thought I had to be artistic with creating pictures with paint and brush. More challenged that capable, in my own mind at least, I was elated when I was told to use images and any piece of 'artwork' that spoke to me. I could collect them to piece together to tell my story, at least something similar to what is on my mind. My stick people are still stick people. I am the one with the curly hair. That much I could manage. Kitty Cleo watched over it all, constantly assuring me that it was only a simple exercise in exploring my imagination. She seemed to be reminding me not to take it all so seriously. Let it just unfold. See where we are when we are done. And, by the way, we are never done. I enjoyed her company as I proceeded to create something that I continue to add to and develop. As a Chamber of Commerce board member, I reflected not to take myself too seriously. Just let that also unfold. See where it takes me. It's all an interesting journey, coming ang going. And looking at it from her seat on the board, I can see her point of view.

Very early in the morning about a week ago, I was in the Walmart store buying something for work. As I walked past someone arranging a new delivery of fresh flowers, I thought to myself, "I would like some flowers in my home office while I work on my creative projects during the limited time I have this week." I made a mental note to stop on the way home and pick fresh flowers up. From that point on, the day was rocketed into the next stratosphere, from one duty to the next, and meetings ran one into another. At one of those meetings, I got a text from a co-worker that someone had delivered flowers for me. For me? I wondered who would have done such a nice thing. And the memory of my mental note gave me a little nudge. I am quite certain a smile came across my face that had nothing to do with the meeting I was sitting in. When I found out my friend sent them, I can only reference the feeling of pure joy. How wonderful it feels to be appreciated like that. And the appreciation for a friend that even thinks to do that has been on my heart all week. I have dutifully changed the water, and the arrangement is still being enjoyed a week later. An amazing gift that continues to inspire me. I want to encourage you to do something totally unexpected for someone else in this next week. Acknowledge them in some unusual way. Drop off flowers or send a card. Pick up the phone and call someone just to say hello. I heard from someone this week relating to a visit with someone who was amazed that the visit was for no reason other than "how are you doing?" When was the last time that happened to you? If, as in my own experience, you think about it and then, as if by magic, they appear, turn around and pass it on. Give it from your heart and it will go forward for quite some time to come. Gratitude goes a long way. Thank you friend, for the beautiful flowers.