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Here’s My 29 Drawings That Will Hopefully Inspire You To Look On The Bright Side Of Life
I've been an educator for most of my life, starting as a volunteer math teacher in Africa many years ago, then a human rights educator working primarily in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia. For the past 11 years, I've been an independent consultant and supported governments and international organizations in promoting human rights education and diversity & inclusion, as well as facilitated workshops to train other facilitators.
When I was 10, I came across a trove of drawings and paintings my father created when he was younger, and these inspired me to explore my own creative talents. He passed away when I was much younger, so I examined his work and became a self-taught artist.
I created an introspective character several years ago who quietly contemplated signs he would see—some obvious, others less so—that encouraged him to look on the bright side of life.
I've drawn him occasionally over the years, but since the start of 2022, I've had my beloved character face new signs and situations every day, and hopefully, I can continue creating a drawing a day as long as he inspires me (and hopefully others).
More info: Instagram | paulmcadams.com
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#1
Final score:
104points
Heather Glomb 3 years ago
It takes a lot of practice. Counter self-deprecating thoughts with "would you say this to your best friend?"
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Linda Riebel 3 years ago
What is that thing on the left holding a balloon by the string. Looks like a football with nipples.
Early inspirations were my father's illustrations - tall ships, cabins in the woods, fall scenes - and that gave way to pop culture influences in my teens from superheroes to sci-fi characters. I spent several years away from the easel, but eventually returned to drawings in pencil, comic art in pen and ink, paintings in acrylic, and murals in my children's rooms when they were younger.
RELATED:
#2
Final score:
80points
Josephine 3 years ago
Thank you for this. Because right now I really need some time to be 'not ok'. That might help me to be ok somewhere in the future.
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Samuel Pelatan 3 years ago
Yes, fighting depression you often strive for hapiness. Just not feeling jack s**t is already a huge improvment and should be reconised as such
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
Unless you've committed to living life to the fullest. I think wherever you are on the continuum of life, its OK to be there for as long as you need to be.
#3
Final score:
77points
Helen Haley 3 years ago
So they can tell you to suck it up, or laugh at you, or get tired of hearing about it?
Heather Glomb 3 years ago
You can also reach out to see how they're doing and if they're interested in a fun evening of movies and video games.
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Camilo Is best 3 years ago
My introvert side is saying "shut up," ehile my extrovert side is saying "listen to the human," and my ambivert side is saying "idk who to believe anymore"
Zachary Stevens-Walter 3 years ago
Reach out to others even though they may tell you to suck it up, or laugh at you. some of them will be tired of hearing it before you even say it. In case they tell you they feel the same way. Or they wanted to say something but didn't know how.
Crystal Braun 3 years ago
Don't mind me... Just trying to bring positivity to the comment section : )
The idea to create these drawings was born when I was facilitating a workshop in Nepal about 15 years ago. At the end of the training, participants were asked to complete a written evaluation. One participant wryly noted, "The facilitator should smile more." I took that to heart. The world needs more smiles.
#4
Final score:
76points
Steven Thawnghmung 3 years ago
You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.
Load More Replies... #5
Final score:
72points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
The older I get, the more I realize that it doesn't have to be some big occasion or event... just coffee with friends in the morning, or a game night with family, or a typical weekday dinner are the moments I cherish above all others. The trips and holidays and events are all great, but they're nothing compared to normal days.
Steven Thawnghmung 3 years ago
How is this comment cringe? Explain why you think this because I just don't see it.
Load More Replies... There are two underlying and interconnected messages in these recent drawings. On the one hand, many of them present a message reaffirming our need to reach out to others when we're feeling down; life in the past couple of years has been hard on many of us, and connections to friends, family and others help lift our spirits. The other message is one of self-care and finding comfort in either doing the things we love (which can sometimes be nothing more than sitting in front of a fire) or challenging ourselves to do something different.
#6
Final score:
71points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
It is very fragile, and we have no backup. I worry about what our children's children will say about the way we've treated the world... if we survive that long.
Kelly Boekhout 3 years ago
At this rate with climate change we have about another 950,000,000 years. We're gonna survive it, our kids will too, but they'll feel the effects
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Nessy 3 years ago
I totally get the message of this post, however, I think the Earth is one hell of a fighter. It knows how to reset itself. Who knows how many times it's done it? It's the human race that is fragile. By slowly destroying the Earth we're just destroying humankind. Earth will just enjoy a glow up for 500 million years once we're gone
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Thats more of a reflection...cause the earth has gone thru a lot...we are fragile and project that into our world.
felicia wills 3 years ago
Never had kids and this was one of the reasons. Why leave them with trash?
Yanky Lazar 3 years ago
Don't worry so much, you're not that significant. Your children's world will be just fine.
bugsway Frisk 3 years ago
FRAGILE I don't know what do we say about our parents who created this mess in the first place? MORE LIKE DESTROYED!
JustGiveMeSomeTruth 3 years ago
It is so fragile, this will be up to technology innovators to improve things not democrats who just talk
#7
Final score:
65points
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
Make Ukraine air space off limits and show the world you care and damn the outcome
Paul McAdams (Submission author) 3 years ago
I'd heard it from Lester Holt on the news, but yes, Mr. Springer predated this.
Load More Replies... Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Why tf does a cartoon have a mask??? Even your make believe world is oppressed by tyranny
The yellow balloon to me symbolizes the innocence and openness of a child's creative spirit - it's a reminder to the character (who is an adult) that you need to remain young at heart. As for yellow, well that was just my mother's favorite color.
For me, drawing means to escape. For others: people have told me that some of these drawings resonate powerfully with who they are and what they're going through, and I'm grateful for that.
#8
Final score:
63points
#9
Final score:
59points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
Even if it's just your neighborhood, or your thoughts. You can travel the world using books and imagination.
Daniel Keith 3 years ago
Wait... was he not holding the balloon the whole time? Was it just the camera angle that made me think that?
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bugsway Frisk 3 years ago
Oh this is one of my favorites... Go to the Nile and live in denial.... LOL
#10
Final score:
57points
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
🇨🇦 Mandate respect & consideration for area stores who have had to stay closed because of all this. Covid has been hard enough on small businesses without this happening now. Mandate respect for the people who live in that area. Mandate respect for people who need to commute along that major street. Mandate respect for your fellow truckers. Mandate respect for truckers that just want to do their jobs, not sit on a bridge for days & days. Mandate respect for auto workers who are losing pay. If the truckers in Ottawa want to protest, knock yourselves out. YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO ASSEMBLE & PROTEST ON THE FRONT LAWN OF THE PARLIMENT BUILDINGS ALL YOU WANT. Truckers at the Ambassador Bridge had no business doing something that effects people in another country. We can't mandate anyone to respect their own country or their fellow citizens, so I can't be mandated to respect them or their selfish actions. Thanks guys. Canada gets to be something we usually aren't. Totally embarrassed.
Jordan T 3 years ago
Canada should be embarrassed about becoming a dictatorship. The government caused drastic protests, not the other way around.
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Alana Voeks 3 years ago
That truck's not gonna last super long with the grill being that covered.
Matt Lansell 3 years ago
Mandate freedom... and accepting the consequences of the choices you make with that freedom. Freedom comes with consequences.
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Respect is earned not just given...things are going to hit a boiling point and push people wth problems already over the edge....all over something man made and no worse then the flu
#11
Final score:
56points
#12
Final score:
48points
#13
Final score:
44points
Lorna Skinner Emmons 3 years ago
Do YOUR best. Don't judge your best by someone else's best. Be you
Matt Lansell 3 years ago
Even if you only get part of the way to "to the fullest" it's still better than "meh".
#14
Final score:
43points
Daniel Keith 3 years ago
I'd be the one who turns around and goes all the way back home to get suction cups and comes back and tries to suction cup the door and pull it open before I realize I'm supposed to push it.
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Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Pushing hate insinuates that no one can ever learn which is in its self hateful...kind of a oxymoron..like most of these cartoons here
#15
Final score:
41points
bugsway Frisk 3 years ago
Yes nothing like a snow day in southern Texas and no electricity for days....
#16
Final score:
40points
#17
Final score:
40points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
And I do appreciate you being 'round. Help me get my feet back on the ground....Won't you please, please help me.
Heather Glomb 3 years ago
I like how it says "if you can". Being mindful of others having the available emotional or mental or physical range to lend help in the moment is important.
#18
Final score:
38points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
Why not? Some of my happiest moments have happened while I was just wasting time.
Kelly Boekhout 3 years ago
Saying that to a large group of people fumbling around on BP right now
#19
Final score:
37points
#20
Final score:
36points
#21
Final score:
34points
#22
Final score:
33points
Matt Lansell 3 years ago
Possibly, but up until that point you're soaring. Life has ups and downs, and even splats.
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#23
Final score:
32points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
With your family, with your friends, with people you'd like to be friends, and with yourself.
#24
Final score:
32points
Kerry King 3 years ago
:-) Smiling feels good! So does seeing that yellow balloon! Yellow is my favourite colour, too!
Bender Bending Rodríguez 3 years ago
AHHHH. Stop telling me to smile! I am not smiling because I have nothing to smile about. Forcing me to smile won't solve it or make me happy.
Lorna Skinner Emmons 3 years ago
It makes me think "how many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop" commercial
#25
Final score:
32points
#26
Final score:
31points
Jude Fire 3 years ago
Cuz if you knock,knock me over I will get back up again
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#27
Final score:
31points
#28
Final score:
30points
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
I agree with this one. There will always be something that needs doing somewhere.
colin dinsdale 3 years ago
What the hell? Is this a light or something to hit that character in the head?
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What do you think ?
Alya 3 years ago
These are super sweet. The comments under most of the pictures make me sad though 😔 guys, you don't have to argue a positive message or bash it down. I'm sorry if life feels that bleak, I really am.
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Got it your opinion matters, others dont...seems like you got the one with a closed door but said be open minded..lol
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Carolyn Larocque 3 years ago
Just so dear! Love the messages of kindness and the yellow balloon of hope - very sweet. 💕
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Some were ok others made no sense..whole point of cartoons is being symbolic or just funny...not to try and push a unnatural narrative to seem relevant
Alya 3 years ago
These are super sweet. The comments under most of the pictures make me sad though 😔 guys, you don't have to argue a positive message or bash it down. I'm sorry if life feels that bleak, I really am.
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Got it your opinion matters, others dont...seems like you got the one with a closed door but said be open minded..lol
Load More Replies... Carolyn Larocque 3 years ago
Just so dear! Love the messages of kindness and the yellow balloon of hope - very sweet. 💕
Dark Fafnir 3 years ago
Some were ok others made no sense..whole point of cartoons is being symbolic or just funny...not to try and push a unnatural narrative to seem relevant
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