I am a happy camper these days! You might well ask why that is. My answer is that I recently stumbled across several episodes of “The Joy of Painting” starring Bob Ross from back in the day and now available on Netflix. Every one of Ross' thousands of oil paintings is at one and the same time both unique, and yet remarkably similar in its theme.
I have to tell you that my wife and I never tire of watching this gifted man create astounding nature scenes with what he called “happy little” trees, bushes, brooks, lakes, mountains, and clouds in a rapid manner through his technique of wet-on-wet oil painting.
Ross’ show appeared on Public Broadcasting in the United States 1983 to 1994. It also aired in Canada, Latin America and Europe. Sadly, Ross died from cancer. Much too soon he left this world. Nonetheless, he lives on today as an internet celebrity, especially though such websites as YouTube and streaming media services such as Netflix.
As we have been watching these thirty-plus year old programs, we have been reminded that Ross ended each episode with two simple words: “God bless.” Indeed, Bob used his God-given talents to bless and inspire a great many people. Even now, decades later, his testimony serves to challenge us to follow his example and to use our own God-given talents to do things that inspire, motivate, and bless others in turn.
And even if you and I are not be gifted painters like he was, we invariably still have something to offer others – something given to us by God that will inspire and motivate our fellow man. Even if your and my talents are few, we can still have a powerful impact on others just by our attitude and outlook on life.
Some time back, Isle of Man resident Beverley Williams wrote a wonderful little poem titled "If You Painted Your Life". I felt it fitting to post it here today.
If you painted life, would it be mostly grey?
With rare flames of scarlet for each special day
And odd strands of silver where you kept your illusions
Mixed in with the blues showing loss and confusion.
If you painted your life, would there be storms?
For the times you lost courage and agreed to conform
Perhaps you'd paint stars, one for each dream
That gave life a meaning, or so it once seemed.
Has anyone else painted clouds in your sky?
And dulled your bright colours as your chances passed by?
Maybe it is time to take back the brush
Start painting your own life, enough is enough.
You can paint rainbows, banishing grey
And splash on some gold, starting today
Puddles of silver: shimmering: bright
Walk out of the shadows, come into the light.
Perhaps you need mellow, golden nut brown
Are you running too fast, is it time to slow down?
Paint yourself peace and space just to be
Gentle blue mornings, a soft lilac sea.
In your painting of life let the beautiful days
Shimmer in gold and light up the greys
Paint it with courage, thread silver strands
Pick up your brush, life's in your own hands.
Bob would surely agree. He would very likely challenge each of us to pick up our respective brushes. And as he did, he would also likely say, “God bless!”
I follow his example and say, "May God indeed bless you as you pick up that brush and paint away on the canvas of life!"
SOURCES:
https://www.netflix.com/
https://www.bobross.com/
https://52best.com/painted2.asp?utm_source=Sunday+01%2F20%2F13++*+If+
You+Painted+Your+Life+*&utm_campaign=Sandy+Test1&utm_medium=email.
I have to tell you that my wife and I never tire of watching this gifted man create astounding nature scenes with what he called “happy little” trees, bushes, brooks, lakes, mountains, and clouds in a rapid manner through his technique of wet-on-wet oil painting.
Ross’ show appeared on Public Broadcasting in the United States 1983 to 1994. It also aired in Canada, Latin America and Europe. Sadly, Ross died from cancer. Much too soon he left this world. Nonetheless, he lives on today as an internet celebrity, especially though such websites as YouTube and streaming media services such as Netflix.
As we have been watching these thirty-plus year old programs, we have been reminded that Ross ended each episode with two simple words: “God bless.” Indeed, Bob used his God-given talents to bless and inspire a great many people. Even now, decades later, his testimony serves to challenge us to follow his example and to use our own God-given talents to do things that inspire, motivate, and bless others in turn.
And even if you and I are not be gifted painters like he was, we invariably still have something to offer others – something given to us by God that will inspire and motivate our fellow man. Even if your and my talents are few, we can still have a powerful impact on others just by our attitude and outlook on life.
Some time back, Isle of Man resident Beverley Williams wrote a wonderful little poem titled "If You Painted Your Life". I felt it fitting to post it here today.
If you painted life, would it be mostly grey?
With rare flames of scarlet for each special day
And odd strands of silver where you kept your illusions
Mixed in with the blues showing loss and confusion.
If you painted your life, would there be storms?
For the times you lost courage and agreed to conform
Perhaps you'd paint stars, one for each dream
That gave life a meaning, or so it once seemed.
Has anyone else painted clouds in your sky?
And dulled your bright colours as your chances passed by?
Maybe it is time to take back the brush
Start painting your own life, enough is enough.
You can paint rainbows, banishing grey
And splash on some gold, starting today
Puddles of silver: shimmering: bright
Walk out of the shadows, come into the light.
Perhaps you need mellow, golden nut brown
Are you running too fast, is it time to slow down?
Paint yourself peace and space just to be
Gentle blue mornings, a soft lilac sea.
In your painting of life let the beautiful days
Shimmer in gold and light up the greys
Paint it with courage, thread silver strands
Pick up your brush, life's in your own hands.
Bob would surely agree. He would very likely challenge each of us to pick up our respective brushes. And as he did, he would also likely say, “God bless!”
I follow his example and say, "May God indeed bless you as you pick up that brush and paint away on the canvas of life!"
SOURCES:
https://www.netflix.com/
https://www.bobross.com/
https://52best.com/painted2.asp?utm_source=Sunday+01%2F20%2F13++*+If+
You+Painted+Your+Life+*&utm_campaign=Sandy+Test1&utm_medium=email.