Sometimes, happiness is....

a plastic container filled with paint, some paper, and your own two hands.  Today, the art "lesson" for my class of toddlers was finger painting.  Each child had a container with four colors of paint and a large sheet of white paper pinned to a kid-sized easel. 

Since none of them had finger painted before, I showed them how to dip just one finger in to make a dot.  After a bit of initial hesitation, each child explored what happens when fingers, paint and paper come together.  I loved watching them see the shapes their hands made on the paper, the swirls of color in the containers (some of which looked like the coolest marbled paper!), and the looks of sheer joy on their faces.  The mothers got into the act too, and it was great fun to see them enjoy it almost as much as their kids. 

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could take some time out of our hectic days for some finger painting?  Here's why: 

1.  Finger painting is much more about the process than the finished product, kinda like life. 

2.  No plan?  No problem!  Finger painting isn't about a plan, unless it's a plan to just enjoy it.

3.  Getting messy is a plus, not a problem.

4.  Happy accidents in finger painting are just that:  happy.  Paint spills, colors going where you didn't intend them to go, and swirly messes are all reasons to smile. 

So, the next time you're stressed beyond belief, think about (or even better, do some) finger painting...you'll be glad you did! 

In the words of Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus:  "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"

Words to live by.