I haven’t been blogging as much as usual for the past month or so. I’m going through some life changes, including a change of my diagnosis, which I’m still processing. I will writing more after the first of the year about that. I’m still undergoing tests, so I want to get that finished with before I write much about it
But I want to take the time to thank all my readers and supporters for the dialogue and kindness that you’ve shared with me this year. I usually post a picture of my pile of journals for the year at the end of the year. I moved from Portland back to my hometown of Memphis, and I haven’t totally recaptured my organization systems. Most of my journals are on shelves but they aren’t sorted by date yet. That’s one of those chores I just haven’t gotten around to yet.
I’ve created a lot of painting outside my journal and I feel good about that. I’m grateful for the patrons who bought my art, and for those who are supporting me through Patreon. You are the reason I can blog and stay connected to the world.
2017 was a year of changes. It’s been year of uncertainty, especially for those of us dependent on healthcare and the Affordable Care Act. Contention and outrage has bubbled up around us. Kindness hasn’t been featured much in the public discourse. But in my own life, I see it everywhere around me. And that’s the key to surviving through hard times — practicing kindness. To others and yourself.
Despair can hang like a veil over us and distort our vision. The only thing, though, we have some control over is our own lives. What we contribute to the world is what defines our world. I know it’s not that simple, but in many ways it is.
I hope in 2018, whatever challenges present themselves, we all hold on to our sweetness, our humanity. Love is always the most powerful force. If you don’t see that reflected in current event, you will see it in your heart, and in those you hold close.
Happy New Year!
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If you’d like to support my art and writing, please consider becoming a patron on Patreon. It costs as little as a dollar a month and makes you eligible for exclusive content and free give-aways of my art. January 15, I will be giving away this painting:
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=8001665
Some of my original art and crafts are for sale on Etsy: \
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyJoyMurray?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
You can get prints and cards of some of my work on Redbubble:
joy murray art~stories~life 
Happy New Year (almost)!
What options are available for buying a print of “she sees things”?
Sizes? Prices? 8×10?
Xx Lynn
On Dec 30, 2017 11:49 AM, “joy murray — life ~ art ~ dreams” wrote:
> Joy Murray posted: “I haven’t been blogging as much as usual for the past > month or so. I’m going through some life changes, including a change of my > diagnosis, which I’m still processing. I will writing more after the first > of the year about that. I’m still undergoing tes” >
Sorry but that one has already sold. It was 16×20″. I’ll be doing more work on that theme in the coming year, so perhaps another one will capture your interest. Thanks for enquiring and happy New Year to you, too