Pardon my tardiness... it's finally Giveaway time!!

I meant to post this weekend but life happens... then this morning and I had connectivity problems.

This is my 100th post!! And to celebrate it's giveaway time!

As you know, I'm taking a photography class. I would like some critiques. So... scroll back through my blog... comment on one or two of my photos. Tell me what you like, what you don't. I want marketable photos. All critiques will be appreciated. And each one will get your name in a hat for a prize.

So, what's the prize? Go to my etsy shop (link to the right)... there you can see an 8X10 called "The Wise Tree". You can choose that or a journal. I will pick a name tomorrow evening, and get the info from the winner on Wednesday.

Thank you for reading me! Thanks for sharing this part of my life with you.

Friday at last!

This week has seemed so long. Work has been slow so the time spent there has seemed never-ending. I have had a lot of time to network on Etsy and figure a few things out. And I have done a bit of creative writing. So, some good has come out of it.

I am looking forward to the weekend! For my giveaway, for one thing! The very next post will be the giveaway post, so stay tuned! Also, I am so looking forward to sleeping in :-). I am a morning person and I get up at 4am every week day. My work day starts at 6:30, but I absolutely love a slow, relaxed morning to prepare for my day. On the weekends, sleeping in may only mean til 7, but I always feel like I've gotten so much sleep.

This weekend, I hope to put more photography on Etsy. I am really enjoying my new camera, and seeing the results so quickly. So many of you have been very encouraging about my photography and I am grateful for that! I am taking a photography course, so hopefully the technical elements of my photos will improve.

When I was in 3rd grade, there was a girl named Norma in my class. She could draw very well, and when she showed the teacher, she was told that yes, she had a lot of talent, and she should possibly consider art school after she graduated. I did not understand! She had skills, we could all see that, so why would she need to go to school for it? I now understand. Natural talent is a wonderful thing, but one always has room to grow. And, as an adult, I may not choose to learn in 'normal' environments, but still, everyday I learn.

In fact, I wonder what I will learn today?

Changes

With the election over, so many are talking about change. I've heard many people optimistic about the change that can now occur. The question I ask is this: many of the changes I've heard people refer to are personal change... why did it have to wait? Are we not each responsible for our own change?

So many people I know are followers. And they live their day to day feeling helpless, held down by the man. But the power is within! We want a new job? Go out, gain the skills, and get it! We want to stay at home? Great! Do your research and do all you need to do to attain that. We want a new car? Save up, shop around, get it. We want to pay off debt? List it all out and make a plan, get advice if needed, and pay it off.

None of it is easy. And it's not instant. That's another thing... we live in an instant society. We want it all and we want it NOW. And if we don't get what we want instantly, we throw tantrums that would make a 2 year old take notes. I am not pointing fingers here. I am guilty of the wanting change but not working towards it mentality.

But today... with the air of hope, we should each begin our own personal change. I honestly feel that if each person worked on themself, then we would be a more cohesive, happier nation. If we each tapped into the power within, imagine all of that power as a group. It's a pretty amazing thought.

Today I am going to continue to work on some of the changes in my life. I am going to be mindful, and present, and take baby steps. And it won't be instant. But I will get there! The change will be mine.

A new day

I sit here, blank this morning. Yesterday was a difficult day for so many reasons. And as soon as I awoke this morning, I was dreading today. So... I already put it out there, today is going to be an awful day. So, now it will be.



Time to change that! I so often forget that the power is within ME... it does not belong to other people unless I give them the power. So. Today I am in the driver's seat. If conversations are occurring that will affect me negatively, I will not participate. I will not own any fault for things that are not mine... I will not be made to feel bad about other's choices.



Some days, I am around the most awesome people who motivate and inspire me. Others, I'm around negative, hateful people. I need my force field. I wrote about my emotions the other day... they have been getting the better of me, and I need to take them off of autopilot.



So... before I go to work, I am activating my force field, and I will be filling it up with happiness, hope, and optimism. Sorry, no room for anything else! And... I really need to get to that place where my force field is automatic. That might require a change of jobs though... one never knows what the future holds.

The long windy road

I am still doing my 100 days. It feels like this road in the picture... windy, where you can't tell what is around the next corner. This picture was taking on a picture taking exhibition on Sunday, along a historic highway. It made for a beautiful day. Around each and every corner was a site more beautiful than the one before... just like my 100 days.

I am doing my 100 days with my sister in law. She's not doing it online, but she is with me nonetheless. We send a lot of texts... texts to check in, texts to encourage. And so far, it's pretty amazing. We will be out of touch, then text one another at exactly the same time. Or I will send her a text of gratitude and she will tell me how much she needed exactly that.

Since I've done the Artist's Way several times, sometimes I use terminology that you become very familiar while reading Julia Cameron's work. Crazy maker. Synchronicity. It's so nice to be able to respond to her rants about a very troubled, meddling person with a story about crazy makers from the book.

Crazy makers pry into your life. And they pick things apart. They criticize every aspect of your life... sometimes in the sweetest manner. They say the meanest things with a smile on their face... often leaving the recipient reeling. Once you can identify the crazy makers in your life, it is so much easier to deal with them. So, we help one another out.

Update on my lost sister. Lynda is still lost. Still no contact. Lynda, if you see this, please just leave a comment on here, or send me a quick email... I love you.

Life is interesting. It's such a windy road. Sometimes there are roadblocks, detours, or accidents slowing your travel. But it's always worth it!

The Inner Dragon Comes Out

Before I begin, this is post 95. So, by the end of the week will be my giveaway.

I am a rational person. I am generally on an even keel. My moods don't sway. I can get angry, if provoked, but I usually need reason.

Yesterday, though... my inner bitch was raging. I could see myself swirling out of control, and I could not really control it. Well, I controlled it some. Anyway, I don't know what the deal was. I am hoping it's pms. For the male readers, sorry if that bothers you... but it can be a real thing. I was in control enough to not verbalize all the crazy thoughts in my head, but man, was I driving myself nuts!!

Today, much better. I knew I needed a good night's sleep. And I started the day with some physical activity and positive thinking. I think the trick is just not letting it in... like a bad house guest... once they are there, it can be hard to remove them. However, if you have some advance notice then you can prohibit them from coming.

So... my no vacancy sign is up, I am at peace, and I am ready to conquer the world. Yesterday we went on a picture taking expedition, looking for waterfalls... I will start tweaking the pictures. There are some I LOVE that I will definitely be putting on Etsy!

*raising glass* Here's to a very creative, sane week! *clink*

Brave

My friend Connie from www.dirtyfootprints.blogspot.com challenged me to write a blog post about being brave. Her challenge was in response to a post I had written about fears... and one she had written as well.

Yes, Connie... we are brave. Every moment of every day. We are brave when we go to work, when we do our jobs, when we choose to create, and when we choose to make a difference.

But more specifically, I will talk about me. It seems so difficult, because won't this be like bragging about myself? We are taught modesty from a very young age. But... here I go.

I was so brave at the age of 14 when I planned my mother's funeral. I was brave when I moved from the only home I had ever known when I was 18... I packed up my belongings, and got on a Greyhound bus. I moved from South Texas to Idaho, and shared an apartment with my brother.

Recently, I have been brave with putting my art up on Etsy. I am brave daily when I post my thoughts on here.

My family and I were all brave when we stopped on the 4th of July to assist a family whose vehicle was broken down hours from home.

I am proud when I think of all of these instances. As we all should be. We are brave way more often than we even realize.

How are each of you brave? I am sure that you'll be surprised by the many examples of your own that you can come up with.