Tal’s feathers ruffle and her voice rises above soprano. “Sooooo mihhhhs-uhn-drrrrr-stood!” Nią reads aloud. “We can’t live our lives in ignorance and bliss… like a rosy Pollyanna-themed dream.” Another blogger has throws Pollyanna Whittier’s genius under the bus.
Even the dictionary defines Pollyanna as: an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.
We understand.
The word has become removed from the true spirit of the character.
The truth we see is that Pollyanna's ability to reframe negative thinking not only transformed her life, but the lives and connections within an entire community.
So right, Gail. That dictionary meaning is the one I grew up hearing. Not from the book, of course. Instead our Golden Books (smile) featured stories mired in themes like David and Goliath. Jack and the Beanstalk, which arose from Jack foolishly trading the cow at market for magic beans, ended with Jack cutting down the beanstalk (in panic since the giant was descending) which resulted in the giant’s death.
The Brave Little Tailor made his adventure a success using deceit! Squeezing whey from a milk curd but pretending he had the strength to squeeze water from a stone. Lots more where that came from. Mayhem and death advance this storyline too.
As you can see, PollyAnna would have been “too girly.” Perhaps I was being raised to become a hunter! (The live animal variety) The thrill of the kill. Not.
Reminds me of a song from Gentlemen Without Weapons, a pro-environment + anti-war group from England. Late 80’s perhaps. 🤷🏽
“Slay your dragons, with compassion” contains the advice for such activity. Quickly following is “In your tribal tents.” That strikes me as an inside job. Done with community support. Enlightenment from the eighties. How quickly we forget...
Yoga teacher Sarah often says, “It is in our nature to forget.” In fact, she said it last night. She is referring to our personal forgetfulness of our divine nature. She proposed this cycle of forgetting and remembering is what gives life… life! Could the same be said for humanity collectively?
We just got ours this week as well! Delaney was super excited and jumped right in with a painting. I'm off to get some new watercolors. :) Thank you again.
I have two sets of paint palettes — both inexpensive and yet one seems to be of a much better quality? I am in no position to have much of an opinion on materials though. My experience is limited.
That said, I am finding I like to mix straight up water color with using my watercolor pencils which allow me a little more control. 🤷♀️
The great news is all of these supplies are affordable!
A note from LoveLetterist:
Even the dictionary defines Pollyanna as: an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.
We understand.
The word has become removed from the true spirit of the character.
The truth we see is that Pollyanna's ability to reframe negative thinking not only transformed her life, but the lives and connections within an entire community.
She was really that powerful!
So right, Gail. That dictionary meaning is the one I grew up hearing. Not from the book, of course. Instead our Golden Books (smile) featured stories mired in themes like David and Goliath. Jack and the Beanstalk, which arose from Jack foolishly trading the cow at market for magic beans, ended with Jack cutting down the beanstalk (in panic since the giant was descending) which resulted in the giant’s death.
The Brave Little Tailor made his adventure a success using deceit! Squeezing whey from a milk curd but pretending he had the strength to squeeze water from a stone. Lots more where that came from. Mayhem and death advance this storyline too.
As you can see, PollyAnna would have been “too girly.” Perhaps I was being raised to become a hunter! (The live animal variety) The thrill of the kill. Not.
Interesting to think about...
Some stories are a hero's journey of slaying outside dragons while others offer inspiration to slay inside dragons?
I haven't thought about it that way before. Thanks for making a new awareness possible!
The fewer inside dragons the better!
Reminds me of a song from Gentlemen Without Weapons, a pro-environment + anti-war group from England. Late 80’s perhaps. 🤷🏽
“Slay your dragons, with compassion” contains the advice for such activity. Quickly following is “In your tribal tents.” That strikes me as an inside job. Done with community support. Enlightenment from the eighties. How quickly we forget...
Yoga teacher Sarah often says, “It is in our nature to forget.” In fact, she said it last night. She is referring to our personal forgetfulness of our divine nature. She proposed this cycle of forgetting and remembering is what gives life… life! Could the same be said for humanity collectively?
Indeed! AND guess what I received in the mail today...That exact watercolor postcard! Oh Gail I love it. Thank you for your kindness and being YOU!
My pleasure! Sending the postcards is so much fun!
We just got ours this week as well! Delaney was super excited and jumped right in with a painting. I'm off to get some new watercolors. :) Thank you again.
🎉
I have two sets of paint palettes — both inexpensive and yet one seems to be of a much better quality? I am in no position to have much of an opinion on materials though. My experience is limited.
That said, I am finding I like to mix straight up water color with using my watercolor pencils which allow me a little more control. 🤷♀️
The great news is all of these supplies are affordable!
Good to know! Watercolor pencils sounds like a great option.