light

Lately, I've been trying to challenge myself beyond the realm of daily grind activities, like picking out collected lint from the dryer…Monday marathon grocery shopping…work, school, you get the idea. Ever feel like you get stuck in that sticky routine? I don't know anyone that doesn't need a break from the ordinary every now and then.

Today I'm sipping a warm chai tea in a coffee shop and typing out this lovely masterpiece. Yesterday I drove outside of the county exploring sunlight with my camera. Getting out of the house and breaking out of routine…think I'm off to a good start.

Sunlight. It's such a vital source. Probably my all time favorite quote about it (I've already shared a few times):

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.            -Galileo Galilei

Chasing the sun brought me into the ghostlike town of Bostwick. Okay so it's far from ghostly, but the past is still very much present.

It's amazing what a small trip outside of life as we know it can awaken your soul. I'll be up for more challenges. How about you?

good

I consider my self a good person.

I open doors for strangers.

I don't ride someone's bumper that cuts in front.

I even have this fairly convincing polite laugh that I'll use in awkward silences. To make them less awkward, of course.

In the grand scheme of good-ness I would rate myself at about a 7 out of 10. Because you can always do better, right?

Don't get me wrong, doing good things is great and all but is there more that we can do for our fellow man? More than just making us feel all warm inside, but actually making a difference in those we meet? I believe there's unlocked potential there, just waiting on the green light.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet a woman going through struggles. I won't name who, what, where, and when. Let's just say we're at a grocery store. In the produce aisle. And we both reach for the last pomegranate or something like that. If I liked pomegranate…

She started telling me of some personal struggles. Bad habits she wanted to quit, the better person she wanted to become. Most of us in that busy grocery store would think "eh, great for you" and move on because that's what we do. Take the path of least resistance. Wish someone good journeys ahead and move on with your own. Why would we linger and interact? This time I did.

Listening to her story, finding out who she was, what made her tick. I stood there, as if I had all the time in the world. I asked her what she wanted, what she needed to make the changes. "A new frame of mind," she said. "You have it in you," I replied. We talked and together the two of us hashed out a plan. As if we were the best schemers you could find. People would hire us to plan events. We had it down to the details.

I don't remember her name. And it doesn't matter. All I know is at that moment we were partners. On ordinary days where I'd go about my business as usual, I decided to walk another path. I don't know about her follow-through, or if our plan needed tweaking. I just hope that she remembers the last thing I said to her.

"I believe in you."

If there's something to that whole theory of "at the right place, at the right time" then I'd say we need to seek out these opportunities to push beyond the veil of routine. See our world for what it is: connection. Instead of putting assumptions and previously conceived ideas about others in the forefront, try putting yourself out there. You may be surprised by what you find. That store, or playground, or gas station, or work place is just there...waiting.

this week

We've been wrapping up birthday celebrations...

he enjoyed every bit of his week :)

I've been drawing inspiration and perspective...

and finding areas in which to grow...

Beginning a new year has a funny way of reminding us that we have opportunities to push ourselves a little more, to become better people or simply try something new. No matter what happens, I'm going to make sure that this year it's all about enjoying the ride…

2014 Bucket List:
camping trips, moonlit walks on the beach, trips to Kansas, reserved writing time, reading 10 new books, hiking trails, burnt marshmallows, bike rides, cabin weekend, 4th of July sparklers, baking cookies, library checkouts, homemade crafts, tubing rivers, living room dance-offs, breakfast for dinners, building fires, farmer's market mornings, photo shoots, mountain visits, and much much more…and the list will go on

inside

Not gonna lie.

Things at work have been tough lately. Call it burnout. Call it coping attitude. But I'm starting to hit limits that I haven't hit in a long time. I do apologize if it seems I'm ranting, but I'm following through on a promise I made to myself at the start of the year to be more authentic.

Instead of burying my thoughts into the negative, disappointing things that I cannot change right now, I'm going to realign my focus:

the little things

Because sometimes when you focus too much on the gigantic, vast, overwhelming things in life it's easy to feel like you're losing and not winning. But with the little things you're always winning.

Right now I'm loving Regina Brett's advice:
"We really do know the truth deep inside. To really listen, you need to stop acting helpless and stop interviewing everyone else for answers. You have to take time and stay silent to listen to your own soul."

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to listen. What did I hear today?

you are beautiful.

you are smart.

breathe.

baby, breathe.

take inventory of what you have. see it for what it is: miraculous.

I've often found that I like to make life harder than it needs to be. Like the journey to discovering my strength was to linger in the struggle. It's only recently in my adult life, that I've found that is so backwards than what it needs to be. Our strength is in those quiet, solitude moments of reflection and presence. What we've needed is right there, and has been there all along.

It's in us. And always will be.

10 must be code for...

a whole new level of cuteness…

Dear Caleb,

I'll never forget the first year with you, son. You were so tiny and new. We had no idea how much all that tiny could bring huge, gigantic warmth to our hearts. It's a beautiful thing.

Through the years we have found out many things about you. You have a light that is all your own. And your laugh. Oh my. Son, your laugh is the most infectious sound I have ever heard. 

For as long as I live I will know that I can take {partial} credit for bringing that laugh onto this earth. 

Pair that with your incredible sense of empathy, compassion, loyalty and genuine kind-heartedness. Kid, you will go places in this world. 

My heart loves you so much it hurts. But I know that it's going to be that way, baby. You taught me that. 

I love watching you grow, Caleb. You are such a beautiful soul and I'm proud of the young man you're becoming. Be great. Be daring. Be who you are. Don't ever forget that you are going to be fantastically talented at whatever you do in this life. We love you, son.

Happy Birthday!