Monday, March 02, 2026

Monday Moods: Spread the Adventure not the Ugliness


I am not 95, yet, though at times my knees feel like I should be, but I so identify with this quote from the painter Grandma Moses. 

There is a lot of sadness and ugliness in the world, but I don't think the world is improved by spreading or repeating it. I get angry, I get political, things around us can be very depressing, even terrifying. I feel all of those things. I do what I can. (VOTE!) 

But, I try hard to keep Travel Penguin a retreat from it all. A place of peace, and reinforcement.  Most of the time, I keep my comments on other's blogs positive and upbeat, if I can't do that I try to skip commenting on that post. Not because I haven't read, or don't care, but I don't want to amplify the angst. With very rare exceptions, (is there room at the Tower for a former Prince?) I don't comment on politics in other countries. I can't truly understand the full picture in another country, it is challenging enough to understand the politics in this country.  

I try my best to not paint or write sadness or ugliness. 

Pause today and breathe. Look around you at the awe and wonder. Find the good in others. Notice the beauty around you. 

When you think of the things that need to be changed, think of what you can do to make them better, focus on the solution not the problem.  Spread the beauty, not the ugliness. 

I am reading blogs this Monday morning, this post was written last week, not as a reaction to anything anyone has posted today or yesterday, it was written in reaction to the Quote in the top image. Love you all! 

16 comments:

  1. Yes...your right...vote...while we still can. And we must not allow this to go down this road again. We the People expect better than what we get to represent us and do the job. And I can agree with you. I want to post more to get it out...but there are so few places to escape from any news anymore. To much negative takes a toll on health, mental well-being ,and just plain burn out.

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    1. We always look forward to your candy shop posts and mood boards.

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  2. Grandma Moses remains an inspiration.

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    1. I was surprised by the works, very original, very colorful.

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  3. Thank you for The Adventures of Travel Penguin! I appreciate your positive messages in the midst of turmoil. News is everywhere and Blogland is my little haven for an hour or so. You've written another beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you, I will keep trying.

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  4. Sage advice, as always.
    It can get ugly and be depressing and sad so take some time to turn that shiz off and focus on what's good in your life and your world.

    And the CAST A GODDAMNED VOTE!!!!

    Now, back to the pretty ....

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    1. VOTE, Virginia has a special election coming up on a state Constitutional amendment on redistricting.

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  5. You express yourself so well. Yes, we have to keep up with the news but we can't let it paralyze us. And of course, VOTE!

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    1. I limit the time I spend on news, and often just read the headlines.

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  6. Keep a positive outlook and by all means, VOTE!

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    1. Your posts are filled with beauty and wonder.

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  7. I comment endlessly on American politics because you don't need to be an American to see how insane it is. And American politics affect the rest of the world too. That's all the permission I need, LOL!

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    1. WIth our current chief executive, it is easy to see he is - - - - unfit ---- I could come up with a lot of adjectives. January 20, 2029 sanity will return.

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  8. One of our famous painters, Albert Tucker, excelled at painting the ugliness of war works. But I do like the sentiments expressed by Grandma Moses.

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    1. We need to see war to remind us why it is almost always a bad idea.

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