Bob Ross- The Spiritual Life Coach We Never Knew We Needed
We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents
I’m not ashamed to say that I love Bob Ross. Hell, I’m downright proud of being a Bob fan and wear my badge of love with delight.
He’s adorable. You can’t deny it. Maybe it’s the beard, maybe it’s the epic barnet, or maybe it’s his wise words, dispensed delicately while decorating happy little trees.
What many people don’t know about Bob is that he actually had a tough childhood. He served in the US Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant long before he graced our screens with his sweet ASMR tones.
It was in this position that Bob had to be the ‘tough, mean guy’ that he never wanted to be, and promised himself that if he ever changed career, he would never yell or raise his voice again.
Enter ‘The Joy of Painting’
Bob’s backstory is amazing because it proves that no matter how far off your path you get, you can always manage to bring it back. With a positive attitude to boot.
Rewatching ‘The Joy of Painting’ now, I can’t help but consider Bob a quiet genius. His one liners wouldn’t sound out of place among profound quotes by Buddha, and I think we could all do with some of Bob’s wise words in our life.
Here are some of my favourite quotes by Bob and a perfect way to perk up your happy little day.
‘The secret to doing anything is believing you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe’
Wise words indeed B.
‘You can have anything you want in the world- once you help everyone around you get what they want’
How profound?! Are you there Bob, it’s me H.
‘Believe that you can do it, cos you can do it’
He’s like the best soccer coach ever.
‘This is your world, you’re the creator’
Amen brother.
‘Don’t forget to tell these special people in your life just how special they are to you’
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
‘Just let go, and fall like a little waterfall’
And please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.
‘Be a gentle whisper’
That’s samurai-level wisdom right there.
‘Gotta have opposites dark and light, light and dark in painting. It’s like in life. Gotta have a little sadness once in awhile so you know when the good times come’
I don’t want you to ever be sad Bob.
‘There’s nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend’
And don’t let anybody tell you different!
‘Isn’t it funny that you can change your mind and create all these happy things?’
It is funny, and awesome.
‘You can do anything. And if anybody challenges that, you tell them Bob said you could do anything’
Now after that level of spiritual enlightenment, I don’t anticipate much pushback when I propose that Bob should henceforth be known as ‘Buddha with a Paintbrush.’
It’s only right. You know it is.
