6 x 6 in.

There has been a lot of talk online about how we live with the tragedies experienced by Japan last week. Liz wrote a great post here.

Do we mourn, do we go on with our daily lives? Do we do both? 

The world is so much smaller than it used to be. We learn of the world’s tragedies in an instant and our hearts immediately go to those in need. We recognize that we are all in this together.

However as I mentioned before, I often feel helpless when an event like the earthquake and Tsunami’s of Japan happen so far away. What can I do to help? 

What I do know after my experience last month is that prayer and sending good thoughts do make a difference. I also know that I am best able to help someone when I feel happy, not when I am sad and mourning loss. This means that the way I have coped with the events of the past week, because we also received news that one of our kitties, Riley, is terminally ill,  is by appreciating all that I do have, and by focusing on activities that bring me joy. Believe it or not, all the organizing was one of those activities. And as you know, the other is painting.

I’m always so moved by the ways in which the hand made community in particular offer support during times like these. I would like to help too.

I loved painting this piece. I felt better and I sent good thoughts to anyone out there who might need it today, especially in Japan. I am also donating 30% of the sale of this painting to the Red Cross. I will be listing it as a limited edition print in my Etsy shop as well, with 15% of each sale of the print also going to the Red Cross.

{original is sold}