How paying attention to small moments of bliss can elevate our lives

One day this week I found myself scrolling through Instagram for over 2 hours in a red haze. I realized in a moment of breathtaking lucidity that I was seeing only angry politics. I wasn't seeing art, music, world wonders, gardening tips and delight in my feed. And it was distressing. I was feeling distressed.  Distracted. Hopeless. Helpless.

Oh, right. Here I am, reaping the rewards of my attention and Likes.  Uh oh.

This isn't a monograph against Instagram or any other social media. I love Instagram, as it usually brings me delightful little bites of inspiration and joy. But it is a clear illustration of how we influence our own reality by our attention, then our action.

It's important to stay informed, and to share and connect and act on our beliefs. And in concert, it's important to feed our hearts and souls with inspiration and bliss. We need to experience inspiration and bliss so we remember how.

It doesn't take much. A small moment of wonder can come on the wings of a dragonfly. It can fall quietly from the right light on the petal of the lilac blooming in the garden. It can come through the window, an unexpected moment, a new perspective on an old idea. These are the small muscles of an artist's life force. And you know what we say about muscle - use it or lose it.