As written for the blog on 365 Grateful, a film about the extraordinary power of gratitude.
a painting for my Hundred Thank Yous project for a dear friend, with peaceful and loving energy
I can be a stressed-out kind of person.
This is why I love to surround myself with people (like this beautiful friend in the painting) who consistently have a relaxed and peaceful energy around them. Just being near this person fills me with peace.
See, I want to be the kind of person who rolls with life’s ups and downs. Who is quiet and composed in the center, even when the rest of the world is loosing their marbles.
The truth is that I am so much closer to calm since I have started my Hundred Thank Yous Project. I am not sure exactly why this project having such an effect on me, but I do notice that I am less reactive than I used to be. What I notice is that when I am super grouchy or stressed out, gratitude is missing. I notice that I am not being grateful and instead have “the complaining tape” running on repeat in my brain. That tape is not helpful for a happy life.
I think my gratitude project has made being grateful a normal part of what I do every day. So when I am not in my grateful space, I notice it and am better able to switch my thoughts from what’s wrong to what is good in life. Even if I am so grouchy that I can only think of one good thing – that’s a start – a little bright spark and eventually things begin to look up again.
I may never be as calm as my friend who I adore. But I can bask in her peaceful glow and know that one day it may begin to wear off on me.
Hello friends! I'm Lori Portka. I make art with the intention to radiate love and healing. 
whether you’re grateful, grouchy, calm or stressed, i like you just how you are — no matter what state you’re in! xo
I wish I could be that sort of person, too. The type to let things flow through me. You know what, though? I have noticed that I am a lot less stressed out than I used to be. Could be because my kids are older, but now when I have a stressful day, I realize that it has been a while since the last. That’s a good thing. Being grateful sure helps.
Lori, your art is so uplifting. Thank you for sharing it with the world!
the last few months i stopped writing out 5 gratitudes in the morning…and boy can i definitely tell the difference…so i’ve gotten back to it, just not consistently yet. but i’m the same way…i can tell i’ve started complaining waaayyy too much. it’s so totally amazing what the energy of gratitude can do!
Dearest sweet lori, that sounds like a wonderful project! I’ve been feeling a little stress and grumpy lately and i think you are right that gratitude is missing when such situations occured. Thanks so much for such a beautiful reminder of a wonderful sentiment! Have a lovely merry happy mid-week and love to you!
Amen to that!!
Great saying to a wonderful painting :]
Lovely artwork.
Happy Wednesday <3
Lori – I love, love, love this post! I’ve been a fan of your artwork for awhile and found your guest blog post and completely agree with you. What I’ve learned and realized is that the more I am thankful for what I have the happier and calmer I feel. When I consciously say what I am happy about and grateful for, I feel refreshed and just like you said – my thoughts shift. Thanks for writing this – I’d love to share your artwork in an upcoming blog post. xoxo
-Andi
http://www.polish-my-crown.com
I opine that to receive the loan from creditors you ought to have a firm reason. But, once I’ve received a term loan, because I wanted to buy a bike.
My beautiful friend..I so relate to every word you write here about gratitude. Thank you for reminding me of something that can be so easy to forget–this is just what I needed to read this evening.
In all of my busyness I’ve been missing you. Please know that i carry you around in my heart–even when I appear to be absent.
With love,
Julia
it always amazes me as to how the power of positive thinking and being truly grateful..can change our points-of-view. Your work is always so upbeat and inspiring!