We’ll get to a bliss book in a sec…
The other night, my sister and our friend Ofelia came over to my house after sorting through Theresa’s (my sis) storage shed. They were purging all kinds of evidence that would make my sister look like a hoarder. I’m talking heavy stacks of magazines, posters, old toys, JUNK! Theresa wanted to lighten her load on the inside and out.
As we stood on my driveway, Theresa pulled out her journal from 1994 and read The Saddest Poem In the World. About being alone. One of many she penned. She flipped the pages, cleared her throat, and was about to read another.
I stopped her because I couldn’t handle hearing it.
Just when I was about to give her a perky lecture on whining, Ofelia spoke up and reminded me that Theresa’s words were true and meaningful. It choked me up. I’ve been blessed in that I’ve found my soul mate, but my little sister is still on that journey. I tried to feel it from her side and tried to relate the best I could. It’s like being trapped in a weird spot that you don’t have full control over. Subconsciously you are waiting for someone to pull you out because you don’t know (or think you don’t know) how to do it yourself. You want to be found and be discovered, or noticed. To feel like you matter.
Sometimes you just can’t do anything to make it happen (whatever IT is). For example, if you are single and in search of that perfect guy (my sister’s is a NYC fireman!). Time passes and it’s easy to get discouraged and started picking apart who you are. Our first thought is to add up all the short-ends-of-the-sticks we have stored internally.
I’m the kind of person who will go there for a bit.
I’ll cry, eat, rant, cuss. But then I feel like I have to do something to help things tip in my favor. It’s hard to stay mad or sad for a long time. And the frown lines!
So I make bliss books.
These are blank books that I fill with all the things that make me happy. It’s a reminder that no matter what, I’ll always have these things to look forward to.
Sure there are times when I’ll say “Screw the bliss book, I want to be mad!”, but after a day or so, I’m in there gluing or writing something.
A bliss book is an informal, personal way to identify all the positive things that come your way.
It’s like a good karma scorecard. It’s not a pretty scrapbook or art journal, it’s simpler. It’s raw. You don’t need catchy, witty headlines, or fancy doodles. (But you can include those if you want!) It’s just about writing down all the things that make you happy. Things you come across during the day, or things you see, taste, feel. Nice things people did for you, etc.
I truly believe that by writing these things down and acknowledging them, good energy will come your way – or at least train your mind to notice the happy over the crappy. When you are aware of all the happy things in your life, you radiate light, and when you radiate light, you attract people. Maybe even a NYC fireman (or close).
I told Theresa and suggested she try it. She looked at me like “Here we go again, another weird Kathy idea…”
That was last weekend and yesterday Theresa told me that she and Ofelia went to the bookstore and bought their bliss books (blank journals). Not only that, but they also started a blog called “me encanta” (I love…) where they are posting about all the little things in life that make them smile. I think that is an awesome start!
Again, this is nothing to stress over.
Celebrate the good things! When life gets you down, when you have the worst day ever or are home sick or your date stands you up, force yourself to write something positive that happened to you – even if it was just a yummy iced mocha you had.
It can also be your brainstorm ideas for your master plan to take over the world!
It can be obstacles you overcame!
It can be something funny you heard!
It can be about calories you saved!
It can be about a cute guy who held the door open for you.
It can be about finding that missing earring under the sofa cushion!
It can be the goods you scored with a 40% off craft store coupon!
Every. Little. Bit. Counts.
Do you keep a bliss book? Please post links or share your story about it in the comments!
These are my three bliss books. Notice how they are so different from one another? It reflects my mood at the time I worked on them. The cover is coming off of one of them because I used it so much. I like to decorate the covers and then fill them with anything and everything. Or you could just leave the cover blank, or add stickers or patches.
I don’t keep a “Bliss” book, but I do keep a gratitude journal, which is like a bliss book. I write everything I am gratful for that day. It does make me blissful. I agree with what you said about attracting the positive energy. I am always happy even when I’m sad. If that makes sense. It is something we have to work on everyday. It is automatic now, but keeping a bliss book or a gratitude journal is a great tool to keep us on track. I also believe that thoughts become things (mike dooley), so I am always thinking happy positive thoughts, and guess what? Happy and positive things are happening to me. These things really work and I thought that you must follow the same idea after meeting you at the Glitter Rally. You attracted such happy positive people to your event! Which, btw, I met some great people and we have become friends. My latest story started in March. I started my own blog to put my dream out there, you know, to the Universe. And things started happening faster than I could blog about them. As I write this my body is sore, I have injuries, I have paint in my hair, all my finger nails are broken, I’m exhuasted, but I’ve never been happier in my entire life. I guess you’ll have to read my blog to know why. This is not a plug. Haha I’ll be here all day if I start writing about all the details!
With you and the Universe on her side, your sister will soon start to notice how easy this is. It sounds like she’s one step closer to what we know. You’re a great sister, and for that I know she’s grateful.
Thanks for posting about the bliss book. I’ve been wondering what one was. I think I might make one. I think I might also have my 8 yr old make one for the summer. She is so ‘bored’ her words and I think if she pasted in things that make her happy we might both be happier for the summer.
Thanks, love both your comments! I was worried this post might be to syrupy and scare people away. I just want my sister to be happy and appreciate all the cool things she has going on in life! She seemed to like the idea, so I thought it would be nice to share it here. The more bliss books, the happier the world will be!
I’ve been keeping a bliss book since 1996. I have three. Interestingly enough, one of my favorite and most provactive samples would be a scrap of Christmas wrapping paper my now grown son wrapped a gifts in for me and his newborn sister. It makes me so happy to see this wonderful design and keeps me close to the boy who is now a man.
OK, I’m starting one. Today. I get down in the dumps on rare occasions, but when I do, I go down HARD! This will be great therapy for those times!
I even have a journal – the one I got on the Crafty Chica cruise! It has been sitting in my studio awaiting inspiration since March. Excellent.
my bliss book doesn’t look as fabulous as yours! i need to git more crafty wid it! i can always count on you for inspiration & a bit of glitter. Great Post! 🙂 marg
ps. i’m still visualizing you on Ellen.
I like this, Kathy. What a nice idea. I keep a journal where I write down the things I’ve achieved that week (because I’m the type of person that can get a million things done and come to the end of the week depressed because ONE thing I wanted to do didn’t get done), and special moments I’ve shared with those I love. Not as beautiful as your bliss book, but keeps me positive, and reminds me of all the good in my life : )
it’s so cool to read all these comments about the different names we have for our books! we should make a flickr gallery and post pictures of them!
I think this is a great idea! I have an old photo album sitting around waiting for something spectacular to happen; I will transform it into a bliss book!
I love this idea. I really believe that positive ideas bring on a positive life, and visa versa. If you think negatively, then well, that’s what you’ll get.
Thank you so much for your post!!! I so desperately needed to be reminded to find my BLISS today! Sometimes you get so caught up in all the daily garbage that you forget that the good is always there just waiting to be noticed and embraced. I want you to know that thanks to your post I will not sit and eat a half pint of Ben and Jerry’s but I’ll get started on my own take on a bliss book. Bless you for the gift you give to all your crafty sisters of the universe!!! Yvonne
Hi Kathy —
What a treat to find you — I found your link on Nancy Marmolejo’s blog.
I’ve made several books like you’re describing but never knew what to call them. Bliss Book is a great description. I happened to pull mine out just the other day and I must say it gave me alot of pleasure to go through them.
I put everything in there – – quotes, collage, drawings, cards, memorabilia – – I guess more than anything they are very colorful and creatively expressive – – and I guess that’s what I’m all about!!
It’s always so nice to find other creative spirits who are putting their beautiful souls out into the world!!
Please visit me at my blog http://www.susanschanerman.blogspot.com
Warmest regards,
Susan
What a wonderful post! I need to pass this onto a friend who might make use of this creative way of keeping sane. :O)
HI Kathy…..this is a wonderful post……very inspiring….i truly do believe in what you say about focussing on the positive things – you will indeed attract more of them to you! About 8 years ago i was mentoring a teenager….she came over to help me with my art business. She was a funky little monkey….really quirky. Anyways i enjoyed Amanada’s energy – very positive and upbeat. ONe thing she taught me was to create a “joy book”. In the joy book she would put everything that made her happy – blue popsicles, jones pop, smiles, giggles, crayola crayons etc. Then she would refer to her book when she was sad. Naturally after seeing Amanda’s book i had to create one too!
Thanks for reminding us to focus on that which we have! As always you are an inspiration Kathy! I’m so excited that you are getting your product line ready….the colors, glitter and everything is sooo YOU!
Love, violette xoxo
Years ago I had written things down that made me happy in a book.
I’ve been thinking about it again since I have the book 14,000 thing’s to be happy about. The Happy Book by Barbara Ann Kipfer next to my bed. Something to read if needed.
Thanks for reminding me about that,
book. I think I should get it out and start writing in it again.
God Bless You and Yours and Your Creative Life!!!
i like this idea. i was just wondering what to do with my old address books. i can make them into a bliss book with collage and paint!
I intermittently keep a gratitude journal. What a great idea to keep a bliss journal! Love love love it!
Kathy, I wanted to tell you that I finished reading your book last week. I loved it! Initially, I wondered if I would be able to relate but really found aspects of your characters to be universal. I caught myself thinking “I do that…” a number of times. It makes me want head to Phoenix for a First Friday if I could stand the heat.
This is such a great idea. You sound inspirational and practical, not sappy!! Sort of mustering us up to live happy. It’s a little silly but when I’m down, I’ll listen to the Youtube of Bing Crosby singing ‘Counting Your Blessings’ from White Christmas. Thanks to this post, it’s been running thru my head all day and I really needed it. Next up–my own Bliss book, with Bing Crosby included!
This is a lovely idea, and I’m going to try it.
I’ve been advised to make a list of things I’m grateful for, but that just puts me right off. It’s as if I “should be grateful”, or I owe somebody gratitude, or something.
Anyway, a list of happy things, that I could do, I think.
Thanks Kathy! You can’t imagine how much I needed to read this blog entry. I will start making bliss books right away. I get so depressed – lately things have been so weird — but I will try this.