Georgina also creates the most incredible pet portraits on commission. (She calls them PAWtraits. Isn\u2019t that adorable?)<\/p>\n
There being no end to this artist\u2019s talents, Georgina has recently become an author as well, having written and illustrated her first children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n
Be inspired, and discover:<\/p>\n
Georgina\u2019s gorgeous CHRISTMAS RANGE.<\/p>\n
PLUS:<\/em> a BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED STORY for three- to eight-year-olds.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n Art, Life & Soul Design and Illustration<\/strong> <\/a>covers many types of graphic design, from logos and branding — particularly for start-ups — to advertising for local event companies and menus for pubs and restaurants.<\/p>\n Georgina also creates the most incredible pet portraits on commission. (She calls them PAWtraits. Isn\u2019t that adorable?)<\/p>\n There being no end to this artist\u2019s talents, Georgina has recently become an author as well, having written and illustrated her first children\u2019s book.<\/p>\n Be inspired, and discover:<\/p>\n Georgina\u2019s gorgeous CHRISTMAS RANGE.<\/p>\n PLUS:<\/em> a BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED STORY for three- to eight-year-olds.<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I know the last two years have been extremely challenging for most people. Devastating, in a lot of cases. As if life wasn\u2019t challenging enough, in walked COVID.<\/p>\n What amazed me was the resilience of many. To see how different people dealt with financial hardship, mental and physical health issues, and the like, was an eye-opener.<\/p>\n I am a hopeaholic by nature. A cockeyed optimist, sure. Absolutely. Always will be. No matter what happens to me, I am keenly aware that there are countless others who have it much, much worse. It\u2019s all about perspective.<\/strong> Right?\u00a0But for a lot of people \u2013 creatives especially \u2013 negativity, depression and, oftentimes, hopelessness, are the norm; and seeing things from a different perspective seems impossible.<\/p>\n I find that when life threatens to get me down \u2013 and believe me, I am no stranger to the hypnotic lure of depression \u2013 it helps to see the beauty in nature. And the kindness strangers still show each other. The goodness that still remains in this world.<\/p>\n You know what also helps? Being grateful.<\/strong> There\u2019s so much we take for granted\u2026 until it\u2019s no longer there.<\/p>\n Every day I wake up and thank God for the air in my lungs \u2013 being able to breathe without difficulty. Being able to smell the jasmine and vanilla notes of my favourite perfume, and taste the freshly baked brioche and that occasional Starbucks eggnog latte. The ability to see the burnt orange of sunsets and the myriad stars above me. And hear my cat Tallulah pitter patter into the bedroom on the wooden floor (and then miaow at me \u2013 a new sound from her, at thirteen!). I have so much to be grateful for. My husband. Family. Friends. Being able to follow my passions (despite the lack of income from them at present). My faculties (organs, brain, body) all in working order. My health. The lack of worry in my life. Peace in my soul, no matter what\u2026<\/p>\n I\u2019ve volunteered at various places around the world, including: homeless shelters in the UK; a leper camp, a prison and an orphanage in rural India; and centres for troubled youth and disadvantaged families in Africa. As a result, I am keenly aware that so many people don\u2019t have access to even the most basic living requirements: a roof over their head or a warm bed, or fresh, clean running water, or hot showers, or even one solid meal a day; many don\u2019t have the freedom to be who they are or to speak freely; many are denied education or the freedom of religion… I could go on and on.<\/p>\n January on my blog is all about New Year, New You. An Attitude of Gratitude! Perspective.<\/strong> Something we could all do with a change of every once in a while, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n I know that countless people are suffering from mental health issues that have seemed insurmountable during this pandemic. The links I\u2019ve included at the end of this post all take you to fabulous sites full of anxiety-free news<\/strong> from around the world. Doesn\u2019t that sound great? Uplifting true stories that are excellent for our mental health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n I thought I\u2019d give you a few samples. Fourteen bites of delight, if you will.<\/p>\n Come with me and enjoy this delicious High Tea of uplifting story appetisers. Just enough to encourage you to keep going. Sustenance, joy and motivation for the week ahead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have you heard about the restaurant owner who used to be a mechanic? In honour of his father, he fixes up used cars and donates them to those in need in his community. Isn\u2019t that wonderful?<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s the veterinarian who regularly searches dark alleyways and underpasses for homeless people \u2013 so he can give their pets free medical attention. Knowing that their pet is their \u2018home\u2019, he\u2019s helped over 400 animals so far. Mostly dogs, some cats, and one python!<\/p>\n And what about US rapper Logic\u2019s<\/strong> suicide-prevention song<\/strong> \u20181-800-273-8255\u2019? It appears to have made a life-affirming impact. There were 245 fewer suicides during the 34-day period when the song received considerable public attention. Wow, right?<\/p>\n Say what? You\u2019ve not heard about the mystery couple who came from poverty and so they anonymously pay the restaurant bills of people who look like they could do with a helping hand?<\/p>\n And what about this: A sixty-year-old janitor who took three buses then walked two miles to get to and from work every day was given the surprise of his life when his co-workers gave him the keys to a new truck. They\u2019d raised $7,000 by pooling their money and organising an online fundraiser to buy the vehicle. The janitor was so overwhelmed with gratitude, he dropped to his knees and cried as he hugged them.<\/p>\n As far as unsung heroes go, I can\u2019t leave out the more than two dozen volunteers who braved -40 degrees Celsius to travel for seven hours on snowmobiles trailing sleds laden with provisions for a COVID-quarantined indigenous community.<\/p>\n They say animals are therapeutic. I wholeheartedly agree. Take, for example, the service dog provided for an autistic boy who cannot be touched. His mother burst into tears of joy as she watched her challenged son voluntarily lay his head on the animal\u2019s belly, their bond unmistakable.<\/p>\n I must admit, I\u2019m such a sap. I can\u2019t watch these videos or read these stories without bawling. One such story has to do with someone who adopted the oldest, sickest dog in the pound<\/strong>. When they walked into his cage, the old dog didn\u2019t even look at them; he\u2019d given up hope. Then they hugged him and told him he was going home with them, and he looked up at them as if he was seeing an angel. Now he sleeps on their lap, content, his joy complete.<\/p>\n Have you heard of \u2018Cleaning for a Reason\u2019? It\u2019s a service in the US and Canada that cleans homes of cancer patients for free, leaving them time to rest and heal. Since 2006 these wonderful cleaners have helped over 40,000 people.<\/p>\n And as far as seemingly ordinary people go, I have to mention the pastor and his wife in India who rescue abandoned babies from dumpsters<\/strong>; and then not only do they raise them in their orphanage but they also educate them and prepare them for life as adults. Talk about making a difference!<\/p>\n I bet you\u2019ve not heard about the policeman and his wife who, although they already had four children, including a ten-month-old, selflessly adopted a homeless woman\u2019s heroin-addicted newborn.<\/p>\n OK, this is another one that got me deep \u2018in the feels\u2019. When coffee shop staff and patrons noticed a woman \u2013 a stranger to them all \u2013 celebrating her birthday all alone, they all left their seats and stations and surrounded her, clapping and celebrating and overwhelming her with love.<\/p>\n See how easy it is to make someone\u2019s day? It doesn\u2019t have to be a big or expensive gesture. Just taking time out of your schedule to spend a moment with someone who is alone can make a huge difference<\/strong> to them.<\/p>\n These stories are proof. Proof that everyday, ordinary people are capable of so much more than we realise. Little acts of kindness, a word of encouragement, a compliment, a helping hand to someone in need. We are all capable of these things, if only we would step outside of our own heads, rise above the challenges that plague us, and take a look around.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for someone in need. You never know when YOU could be the person making the difference<\/strong>. Saving someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nick Vujicic<\/strong> \u2013 a man born with no arms or legs \u2013 is a huge inspiration. There is nothing this man cannot do. His book is titled Life Without Limits<\/em> \u2013 Inspiration for a Ridiculously<\/em> Good Life. Now if a man without limbs can have a ridiculously good life \u2013 why can\u2019t everyone? If you\u2019re needing a change of perspective, Nick is just the tonic. From his website<\/a><\/strong>: \u2018Nick faced tremendous obstacles in life, from living life without limbs to being bullied at school and fearful for his future with no purpose in sight.\u00a0Without hope, his feelings of helplessness and isolation led him to attempt suicide. Nick persevered through life\u2019s challenges and discovered key principles which enabled him to find his purpose and turn obstacles into opportunities; making him one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world!\u00a0Millions of people have found hope, purpose and the strength to overcome their challenges through Nick\u2019s inspirational speeches and powerful coaching.\u2019<\/p>\n Pop over to Nick\u2019s site<\/strong><\/a> to get weekly inspirational videos.<\/p>\n Have you ever read the book Run Baby Run<\/em>? Or maybe you\u2019ve seen the movie The Cross and the Switchblade<\/em>? It\u2019s the true story about notorious ex-New York Gang Leader Nicky Cruz<\/strong>, whose life was changed by an encounter with a meek street-preacher called David Wilkerson. Over time, David disarmed Nicky, using just one weapon: relentless brotherly love. Nicky humiliated him, beat him up and, once, seriously threatened his life. David retaliated by turning the other cheek and coming back for more. Then, one day, Nicky listened to what David had to say. It changed his life. Since then, Nicky has dedicated his life to setting people free. As his website<\/strong><\/a> states: \u2018Dignitaries and countries looking for solutions to the violence and hopelessness ravaging their communities seek him out.\u2019<\/p>\n You can read Nicky\u2019s incredible story on his site<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n That\u2019s all for this week. Thank you for joining me for Inspirational High Tea. I hope you\u2019re uplifted, motivated and energised!<\/p>\n To keep your batteries charged, I highly recommend following some of the sites listed below. Get your daily dose of energy & joy in seconds. (And you could subscribe to my blog too. For your weekly dose of sunshine directly into your inbox!)\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n On INSTAGRAM:<\/strong><\/p>\n @upworthy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n @the_happy_broadcast\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n @goodnews_movement\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n @DelightfulNews<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n @AllThingsGood<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Can\u2019t afford to keep a pet? Pop over to @theDoggoDose<\/strong><\/a> for beautiful and cute doggie videos. \u00a0(And as soon as you\u2019re ready and can afford a pet, remember: #AdoptDontShop<\/strong> \u2013 OK?)<\/p>\n Need a belly laugh? A neat guy called Goodwin makes me laugh out loud every day. He\u2019s the host of \u2018Mornings @ Home\u2019 on 106.9 HOME.fm \u2013 PD\/MD @ 106.9 HOME.fm & 89.3 The Arbor. And his Instagram posts are hilarious & feel-good. You can find him @GoodwinOnTheRadio<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On TWITTER:<\/strong><\/p>\n Check out @MarshaWright<\/strong><\/a> for uplifting, inspiring, motivational tweets every day. Or just search for the hashtag: #ThinkBIGSundayWithMarsha<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On FACEBOOK:<\/strong><\/p>\n Two of my favourite go-to pages are:<\/p>\n Weird, Wonder And Strange<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And Good People News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Not on Facebook? Just pop onto the Good People News website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And for those of you who, like me, are Believers (followers of Christ) \u2013 or if you\u2019re merely intrigued by the celebrities who profess to have a relationship with Jesus, like Chris Pratt<\/strong> and Mark Wahlberg<\/strong> \u2013 the site GodUpdates<\/strong><\/a> will surely appeal to you.<\/p>\n There are so many more. Something for everyone, and too many to list here.<\/p>\n Do you have awesome, inspirational, encouraging pages or sites you follow? Or maybe you\u2019ve got a short, inspirational story to share? Comment below<\/a> and let us know.<\/strong><\/p>\n (If it\u2019s a long story, I\u2019d love to hear it too. Get in touch with me \u2013 pop over to my Contact<\/strong><\/a> page \u2013 and send me an email.)<\/p>\n Until next week, take care of yourself and be kind to each other.<\/p>\n With Love,<\/p>\n Vx<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tweetable TAKEAWAYS<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE\u00a0<\/p>\n HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE<\/p>\n RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS GO A LONG WAY<\/p>\n BE KIND — YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT SOMEONE MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH<\/p>\n MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS WHAT LIFE’S ABOUT<\/p>\n ADOPT DON’T SHOP<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Just so you know\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n I don\u2019t receive any reward\/commission for promoting any of the businesses on my blog. Having bought something from each company, I just can\u2019t help but LOVE these brands and want the world to know about them.<\/p>\n ” content_phone=”<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Just so you know\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n I don\u2019t receive any reward\/commission for promoting any of the businesses on my blog. Having bought something from each company, I just can\u2019t help but LOVE these brands and want the world to know about them.<\/p>\n ” content_last_edited=”off|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n FYI…<\/strong><\/p>\n I don\u2019t receive any reward or commission for promoting any of the people\/businesses\/websites on my blog. I just want to inspire & motivate as many people as possible to fulfil their purpose & potential.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If any other key points stood out for you, or you just want to let me know what you thought about this article, feel free to comment<\/strong> <\/a>below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n NEXT WEEK <\/strong>on The Hopeaholic blog. . . <\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have a passion you\u2019d love to turn into a money maker? Take a leaf out of this South African woman\u2019s book: she decided to follow her bliss and hasn\u2019t looked back.\u00a0<\/p>\n Inspiration. Motivation. Hope. You\u2019ll find it all here.<\/p>\n If you subscribe<\/a><\/strong> to my weekly news blurb (it\u2019s brief, honest!) you’ll be in the know. Ready? OK, let\u2019s dig in.<\/h2>\n
I\u2019m going to end with two stories about famous people you may have heard of…<\/h2>\n
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