Norman Rockwell ? The Man Who Created His Own Reality

In preparation for a class I taught today, I spent some time this week studying the life and works of American artist Norman Rockwell. His idealistic paintings, portraying the innocence of a simpler time, were featured for decades in publications such as The Saturday Evening Post and Boy's Life. They were and still are beloved by millions. His critics in the art world, however, are many and outspoken.

Fellow artisans accused him of trying to dictate to Americans how they should view America. Rockwell's work was said to conjure up "a fantasy of a virtuous America". His paintings were thought to have almost a brainwashing effect over their admirers. It was once said of Rockwell that his illustrations convinced people that they were happy when they really weren't.

The more I studied Rockwell's life, art, and words, the more I realized how wrong his critics were. Rockwell actually was painting life as he personally saw it. His reality ? the reality that he created for himself - really was that idealistic. He saw and therefore painted an America where people were good and kind, patriotic, simplistic, and truly blessed. Virtue was in abundance in Norman Rockwell's corner of the world.

While I don't believe that his intent was to brainwash his many fans, he did change the way Americans saw America, when they saw it through Rockwell's eyes. People were inspired to be and do better.

Norman Rockwell once proclaimed of himself that he was "addicted to idealism". How was he able to feed his addiction and create an idealistic reality in which to live and work? From tidbits of his writings, I firmly believe that he must have lived by the following principles: We are whatever we see ourselves to be. How we choose to view our lives will create our reality. Our chosen reality, not fate, will determine our happiness and prosperity in this life.

Rockwell's critics could not see past the reality they had created for themselves. They lived in the same America, but sifted for what was decrepit and evil. Their choice was to live in a country devoid of innocence and virtue.

Rockwell's life and work are just more proof to me that if we choose to see the good around us, we will create more good. It doesn't matter if we are talking about idealism or money, the principle is still the same. "As a man thinketh, so is he."

Heidi Whitaker is an author and speaker on the topic of nutritional support of autoimmune disease. She is also the co-owner of http://www.healthydivas.com. To read other articles written by Heidi or to learn how to participate in her next free teleseminar, visit her blog at http://autoimmune.myblogsite.com/blog.

---

Happiness - A Choice You Must Make

Over the course of my life's journey I have come... Read More

A Great Life? How to Score Your Life

Is your life really the life you want?Quickly determine how... Read More

Love, Uncles, and Etymology

Thwack! . . . Thwack! . . . Thwack! Steven... Read More

Keeping You Confident!

We can all be confident when we are sure of... Read More

Love Yourself First ? Im Happy. Youre Happy. Were All Happy!

As a teenager growing up reading 'Blue Jeans' and 'Jackie',... Read More

Smile

How do we smile at each other? Is there a... Read More

The Happiness of Others

Is there any necessary connection between our actions and the... Read More

7 Things Happy People Know How To Do

Ever notice how some people just seem to be able... Read More

Why Choosing To Be Happy Is Not Enough

I talked in a recent article about how every moment... Read More

The Personal Cost of Shyness

Has someone nearby been sending you emails rather than calling... Read More

What Is Happiness?

What is it that everyone is seeking? Happiness with no... Read More

Principles of Human Misery / Happiness

Sometimes we are so occupied with our daily routine in... Read More

Are You Doing What You Love Each And Every Day?

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day... Read More

Today It Is ... Tomorrow It Will Be ...

What is your life like today? What do you want... Read More

About Happiness and Fulfillment

During a FULFILLMENT seminar, at the University of Arizona for... Read More

Breaking the Cycle

Breaking the cycle is a term we have all heard.... Read More

Mexican Living: What Makes You Happy?

Many ask me this question: "Did moving to Mexico make... Read More

7 Gifts that Multiply Happiness

Did you know that there are gifts that will multiply... Read More

Growing Up Backwards

It seems like I set out in this life to... Read More

Self Identity: Who Are You?

Self-identity? Who are you really? We identify with many things,... Read More

Acts of Kindness Benefit Everyone

Do you really want to be happy? Everyone says yes,... Read More

Top 25 Happiness Quotations

"There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a... Read More

Have You Ever Tasted The Fruit Of Pure Happiness?

Have you ever been really happy? Have you ever tasted... Read More

Getting Connected

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise... Read More

The Secret to Staying Centered and Happy in a Troubled World

Many of us are probably so used to crisis in... Read More

Quick Steps On Being Happier

Want to be happier?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and... Read More

Have Fun, Make Friends, Be Happy

I always marvel at the way people shine when they... Read More

See for Yourself : 12 Step Tools Can Bring Happy, Joyous and Free into Everyones Life

We are all familiar with or have heard of the... Read More

Why Do We Feel Happiness?

Although many for us strive for happiness in our daily... Read More

Life or Lifestyle?

"When you live the life you were meant to live,... Read More

Boosting Your Success with Six Easy Happiness Tips

In what areas of your life would you like to... Read More

Shhhhh?

Like enough of the noise awready! Geesh, people?No, I'm not... Read More

May the Budgie of Happiness Sit on Your Head

My grandmother, Mimi, was a great solitaire player. My family... Read More