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Category Archives: Thoughts on Self

twice

Twice this morning, the green monster visited me. Twice I had to elbow it out of my office. Twice I let it back in. Twice I had to remember I am good enough as ME, that I don’t need to be jealous of the photographer who is a katrillion years younger than me (the gal who is getting work and her photos rock!), nor do I need to be jealous of the writer who just landed a book deal (and deserves it).

Twice I looked at the set-up for the photo below and reminded myself that I am me, different, that I stand out differently because I am me, and that all the hard work toward my goals is paying off, not that it WILL LATER but that it IS.

Twice I’ve had to chastise myself that the others have worked just as hard and this is their turn to shine. Twice I’ve looked in the mirror and smiled because my time will come around again. Twice I read the verse, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3). Twice I’ve also remembered I should not worry.

Twice I’ve sent thanks upwards for the life that I have and the person that I am.

stand out
Canon EOS 40D, 24-70mm lens

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Maryanne Williamson

Don’t read this blog entry…

…if my glass being half-full makes you want to gag. :D

This morning, I sat outside for a long time. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze, which would normally at this time of year be chilly, but not today. (I think I have a fever, which would account for the not feeling chilly part, but bright side! It felt good.)

I soaked in that sun, listening to the wind blowing, taking in the scent of pine. Squirrels chased each other in trees, and crows squawked overhead. Only every once in a while did the sounds of traffic carry to my ears. It was a blessed time, especially after the long night and a tough Friday.

(more…)

20 Beautiful Things I Love About My Life

For this week’s Love Thursday, I thought I’d share about what I love about my life, why I call this blog “this woman’s beautiful life.” You see, I’m not financially comfortable (not even close, says the unemployed woman), and things haven’t always been easy for me (and still aren’t, but I’m conquering those demons every day), but I love my life all the same.

1 - I am a child of God.

2 - I have an amazing husband who loves me and treats me with respect.

3 - I have three beautiful children who are AMAZING, each in their own way.

4 - My dog adores me. He’s the best!

5 - Two funny kitties live here — one mine, one my son’s. They provide so much humor.

6 - I live in beautiful Colorado! I chose this! It happened!

7 - We recently got to move into a house that I love, and I have a wonderful view of Pikes Peak and plenty of room for a studio and my husband’s art studio.

8 - I have a great many friends, who — though online only — delight me every day with their warmth and humor.

9 - In my “real” life, I have several people who are beautiful and caring and funny.

10 - I have wood to heat my home, electricity to see by, and phone/DSL service to be able to connect with others.

11 - We live in a wonderful small town with a great school system for my kids.

12 - I am able to attend college!

13 - I’ve been blessed with so many talents that I am learning to use fearlessly.

14 - My bills are (currently) all paid.

15 - We have two working vehicles, one of which was a true blessing in our lives. (Ask me to re-tell that story sometime.)

16 - Even if we didn’t, we live in a community where we could walk if we needed to, without fear, and without keeling over from having to go so far.

17 - The sun shines here all the time! Like, sometimes even during the snow, the sun is shining. Gray days are few and far between.

18 - I love that if I want to get out of the house, there are CHOICES that are FREE! Beauty surrounds me.

19 - I love that I’ve been through so many experiences that I have something to share to help others.

20 - I love all of you, my readers, my visitors…who take the time to come in and see me, see what I have to say, what photos I have to share. Thank you!

It’s too easy these days to focus on what we don’t have in life, what we want but don’t get. Let’s try to remember what we love about our lives.

What beautiful things do you have in your life?

To see shots of my thankfulness, see here.

meaningful conversation

“Listen.”

“OK, I am.”

“REALLY listen.”

“OK.”

“What do you want?”

“I think–”

“No! Don’t think. What do you really want?”

“I…ummm…”

“Do you want to be a journalist?”

“No.”

“Do you see yourself in business? Being a speaker all the time?”

“No.”

“What do you WANT?”

“I…”

“Why can’t you say it?”

“I can!”

“Then say it.”

“I want…”

“JUST SAY IT!”

“How about I just do it?”

“Then do it. Begin now.”

end of the day |10/365
Canon 350D

burning sunset
Canon 350D

burning sunset
Canon 350D

If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven’t done much today.
-Author Unknown

PhotoHunt: Hope

PhotoHunt: Hope

When the world says, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
-Author Unknown

I always keep this quote in mind…because I have to remember to always try one more time.

-PhotoHunt-

Reflections


Canon 350D

I really thought I’d want to take some time to look back and reflect on 2008. But the truth is, not so much. It’s hard to focus on the present and look toward the future if you spend too much time looking back.

From a new group project at Flickr –

52 Stories: Week One

52 Stories: Week One
Canon 350D

Two-thousand-eight was not a bad year. It wasn’t a great year, either.

There was loss, pain, happiness, and gain. There were ups, downs and all-arounds. There were days I was ready to toss in the towel, and others when I wanted to embrace everyone I met, dance on mountaintops, and sing as loudly as I could.

I have a bad habit of reflecting on the past too much, though. What could I have done differently? What could I have changed to turn things from the way they went? Second-guessing what can’t be changed is a terrible trait to have, and so with the passing of 2008, I too shall work toward letting go of this.

Into the trash with 2008. The good memories will always remain, but the bad are welcome to the same trash bin. I am not now who I was yesterday, the day before, a week ago, a month ago, especially 12 months ago. Out with the old, in with the changed.

The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions. ~Ellen Glasgow
 
 
The present…the future is only what you are willing to make of it, how you choose to respond to the things that are out of your control, and how you choose to respond to what IS in your control. How will you choose in 2009?

each new day offers the chance to begin again

sunset
Sunset

moonset
Moonset

This week has been one of those truly eye-opening times for me. I’ve got to get back home. The time I’ve spent just being me again, not a manager at a restaurant, but a mom and wife and self…it’s been wonderful. The husband and I have gone on two hikes, watched movies, brainstormed about our arts, and just enjoyed each other without talk of work. The children and I have talked about their days in school, what’s new, etc., and it’s been my extreme pleasure to cook dinner for them every night.

Plus, I’ve heard new things about work. And I know my hours are about to be cut. Everyone’s will be. Part of me doesn’t care at all, while another part of me knows I need my job right now. However, I’ve not stopped looking for other opportunities. Most are day jobs, where I can be at home with my family at night. One…one I’m REALLY hoping to get called on for an interview…is an at-home position. (A legit business in town.) That’s what I truly want, to be able to work from home again.

I’m slowly working on all the ideas I’ve had sitting on the backburner. I’m rebuilding my Etsy store, have officially launched my Colorado Day Trippin’ site (an idea from months ago, where I bought the domain name and that’s where it ended), and have made a final decision about my book. I know things will be slow to re-grow, but I have to keep moving forward and away from what is making me miserable.

I want more time for this:

IMG_4182

And this:

IMG_4266

And this:

030206a 041c
OK, this is a pretty old shot of the boy, but he barely lets me
take his photo anymore, and this has always been a fave of mine…