Good Things, Illustrated Edition
March 18, 2004Martha Stewart may have popularized the term “good thing,” but I made it my own.
I started keeping Good Things lists in my journal two years ago, during a dreary time in my life. I had gotten so used to seeing the bad stuff — too used to it — that I was losing sight of the good. Making a conscious effort to list them down every week helped me snap out of it. Soon, I realized there were far more blessings than curses in my life.
Making the lists in my journal has become a pleasure of its own. I make up hand-drawn fonts. I add color with crayons or watercolor. I get creative. I get messy. Tonight, I drew the latest Good Things list, and I had so much fun I thought I’d share. This is the first official illustrated edition and probably not the last, so you better like it! There will be more to come.
P.S. If you want a weeklyish dose of goodness in your life, sign up for the list. Go to maganda.org, enter your e-mail address in the handy little form and click “Yes, Please.”
I'm Christine, and this is a slice of my life—a sweet, rich, wildly indulgent slice that would taste really good with a scoop of Breyers vanilla bean ice cream. Read more >>
I run a darling, friendly, little graphic design studio.
I look on the bright side.
I take photos. Lots of photos.
I wish on stars and on websites.
I built my first web site 7 years ago and got 15 seconds of fame. (It changed my life.)
I launched, then relaunched, an online magazine.
I admitted to several embarrassing crushes.
I consumed more bacon than any human should and lived to tell the tales.
hello u! what a kawinkadink. i was thinking to myself today… you know, i really miss writing my good things list. since i’ve stopped (life got in the way) things around me weren’t the same anymore. the spark of life was gone. so driving home today, i thought… i need to do it again. and long and behold, one of my favorite superheroes wrote about her good things. :) your illustration edition is so delightful! i’m thinking this is sign for me to start again *hug* you know…i think i’ll put you first, on my list of good things!
your good things drawings are so cute and uplifting. you have inspired me to make my own lists of good things.
I love the sketches and your idea to write down “Good Things.” (Congrats on finding the shoes on sale!)
So beautiful! You are cooler than a polar bear’s toenails.
You never cease to amaze me Christine. You are really a natural talent. Thanks for sharing it. ^_^
You really are an inspiration. Keep it up!
Micron 05! [heart]
It’s such a great idea to compile a Good Things list. It makes one realize how wonderful their life is. Thanks for inspiring me all these years Christine.
your list made me smile, as does this whole site. :)
Great minds think alike. I started keeping similar lists last December. I call mine “Treasures”.
At the camp I’ve attended 2 summers in a row (one as a “camper” on a college trip, one as a counselor), we’ve done a “Today I’m thankful for” where everyone in the group picks a piece of the day to thank God for. A lot like the list. It’s a great idea. One of my friends started writing hers down too.
That Good Things was a lot of fun to look at!
Next time, make it a GREAT THINGS! Like bubble gum, warm sunshine, tender kisses, knowing.
i absolutely LOVE your good things lists! thanks so much for always brightening my days.
sooo cute….as always :O)
can’t wait to see more!
Your talent is amazing, your thoughtfulness feeds the world and I am blessed to have you as a dear, dear friend.
Hi Christine, you don’t know me but I have been reading your blog for a while now. I think you are truly fabulous and what a creative spirit you are. I enjoy coming onto your site and receiving mounds of inspiration, motivation, and laughs. And to show you how much I think you are the artistic and inspirational spirit that you are, I put you under my Inspiration link on my site at http://www.girlreflected.com . Keep it up!
cute!!#%
Love it!
i really like your site it is very pretty. and i love your drawings, they are beautiful! and on your good things list i like all of thoses things to.
I like your good things list.Quite a lovely idea. I love the micron 05 too. I want those shoes! Thanks for the inspiration
Your site is a good thing. Your sketches are quite lovely. I love the micron 05 too and I want those shoes! Thanks for the inspiration.
I stumbled across your site awhile ago and every since then I have taken in your words like I take in air. Even though I do not know you personally I feel your spirit and I think it’s amazing. I love the fragments that you wrote awhile ago and every now and then I read them and cry not because they are sad (some are) but because I can relate and they touch a part of me. I read them again tonight and I think they are wonderful, you should really write some more.
The “first official illustrated edition” of good things is just lovely! I can’t wait for more.
(i subscribed to your newsletter with another email address. i have been missing them for a while because i can’t get into my email! what a bummer.)
oh, christine. you never do disappoint us, do you? i’m impressed.
Wow. Thank you, everyone! Your kindness is at the top of this week’s Good things list.
I love your illos! So simple yet lovely. And it’s a very good ideas to remember the good things. You’ll find there are always more of them than the bad things:)
Ooooooooers