ignite the spark

Happy Friday!  This week has been filled with dancing, laughter, and so much inspiration. Filling my well this week has been:

This past weekend there was a family wedding and in our family that means dancing!  I was inspired by the photographer from Dove Photography who busted out his moves on the dance floor as he snapped pictures.  There is nothing better than watching someone love what they do, and have so much fun doing it.  

This video from "The Do Blog" is making me think about what it is I truly desire. 

You really can fake it until you make it and Amy Cuddy will encourage you to do just that.  

A couple from Australia is traveling the world for 365 days and capturing 365 documentaries with strangers.  365 Docobites is inspiring, intriguing, and raw.  They just posted videos from NYC and one of the interviews is with Amy and Maya who have a neat project of there own.  

Christine Mason Miller announced a course that falls directly in line with the dream I am currently building.  You will find me in the virtual classroom for sure.  

A dear friend of mine reminded me of how far I have come.  She is able to look in on the outside and see the journey.  Sometimes when you are in the thick of it you are unable to appreciate the lessons you are learning.  But when you take the time to go back you see with fresh eyes where you were and where you are.  As a part of my ignite the spark series I am going to share a post that speaks to me from this week in years past.  

I found the perfect one to start with:  Showing up -- from April 1, 2012.  Reading these words reminds me of how deep this lesson is.  And how each day I need to show up.  One foot in front of the other, time and time again.  

camera in hand

Through the lens you see the world with new eyes
Focusing on the details
Slowing down in attempt to capture the moment

You do not rush to the next thing
You make adjustments
You seek out the perfect image

Connecting with where you are standing
You find the beauty
You seek the light

With camera in hand your pace is slower
Eyes wider
Heart open

If only we could always see the world this way
Soakign in the beauty
Savoring the moment

Each capture reflects where you are
The mood you feel
The light that is shining upon you

In this moment
Right now
What beauty can you capture?

For beauty is all around you
Allyou have to do is seek it out
Open your eyes, and find it

let's talk about the {m} word

When it comes to finances I take two steps forward and one giant step back
I cannot seem to get it under control
Navigating the course is a rough one
And student loan repayment seems never ending
One thing I have learned along this course 
Is the only way to get a good grasp is to put it all on paper
Take a real look at it, instead of my usual avoidance
I need to get into more of a cadence of doing this
Budgeting better
And consciously spending my money
I need to slow down
Take a step back
And learn how to move forward wisely

There is so much shame and avoidance associated with money
It is a topic we don't want to talk about
One we aren't sure how to approach
Yet one we could probably all use a little bit of help with
I would love to hear your thoughts on money management
Favorite tools you use to keep yourself in check
Systems you have adopted
Ways you stay on budget
Or games you play with yourself so you stay on track
All thoughts, tips, and ideas are welcome

Maybe here we can begin the conversation
Ease into this realm and learn from one another
Are you with me?

ignite the spark

There are so many things that inspire me through out the week.  Little pieces of inspiration that lift me up and encourage me to keep going.  I wanted to share some of the things that ignite my spark with each of you, and hope to do this weekly.  Below are somethings from this week.  

If you are in the Virginia Beach Area gather for a day of Book making with my sweet friend Donna Wynn at An Artful Spirit.  Oh how I wish I lived close enough to go.  It is going to be a day of inspiration for sure.  

Love how Artsyville covered here soap dispenser bottle.  Doing this would add some color to my kitchen.  I think I need to give it a try. 

Kelly Barton has been knitting these adorable granny squares and I am itching to give it a try myself.

Coveting these glasses and wondering how they would look on me 

Listening on repeat the soundtrack of 'My Mother has 4 Noses'.  If you are in NYC you must go see this play.  It is so good!  Bring tissues!

write on!

photo credit :: thea coughlin

For so long a book has been living and breathing in my heart.  I have said time and time again that I was going to write it, but I have yet to really truly begin.  

At work I have deadlines.  If I don't hit them I am held accountable.  That accountability pushes me to get it done . . .  even if it is done in the last moment.  When you are working on a project alone, you don't have that accountability.   I set goals for myself, but never stick to them.  I struggle with this big time.  I have learned that I need that accountability from others to keep me on track.  

So I am boldly stating right here, right now, that by August I want to have the first draft of my book complete!  That gives me four months to get it done.  Oh my goodness, I can't believe I just actually said that out loud to all of you.  

In order to have that accountability I have opened up a new mailing list that you can subscribe to.  Each week I will send out a piece of writing from that week, sneak peeks of the book, thoughts on the writing process, or whatever else surfaces as I try to accomplish this life long dream.  

I would love for you to join me on this journey.  This is new terrain that I am traveling so I have no idea what else will unfold as I continue to take the steps towards my goal.  I would love for you to allow me a little space in your email box to help me stay on track.  

Click here to Sign up for the Write On! mailing list here

seek out your happiness

photo credit :: thea coughlin

This is your on wild and precious life
What are you going to do with with?  
Do not worry about what others are doing
That is their path, not yours
Do not try to please them
Focus on finding your happiness
Seek out what brings you joy
Search far and wide for that one thing that opens your heart
You will not get a second chance at life
This is it
What mark will you leave?
Whose lives will you change along the way?
How will you spend your days?
Time flashes by
Before you know it, it is 2014 and here you are
You can't believe it
And you know deep in your heart you need to make every day count
How will you make those days count?