The Love Notes Postcard Project is starting again tomorrow. We have people writing from the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, and Ireland. I invite you to gather on our virtual dock with some of these individuals. There is so much inspiration to be hold Stop by and say hello. Get a glimpse into there world. Be inspired by there magic.
The hours spent indoors during the week weighs heavy on my heart. I seem to be unable to remember the last time I saw the sun. The air is crisp, but I knew I needed to get outside. Nature heals me. It brings me back to center and reminds me of the goodness that this world has to offer.
During the week I lose my motivation to get outside. Leaving for work in the dark and coming home in the dark pulls all the energy I had stored up from my soul. The chill in the air pushes me to want to curl up under the covers and drift off into dream world.
With my camera in hand I am pushed to walk beyond the four walls of my home and into the world. I get to experience the beauty that is living and breathing right outside my door. The camera forces me to slow down, breathe deep, and seek out moments to capture. Taking photos reminds me to savor the opportunity for this moment even if the air is freezing.
I am so grateful to have a partner in crime who will step out into the cold with me and capture the things we find. I love going on photo walks with him because we each come home with different images in our cameras. He is drawn to the bigger scene and I am drawn to the details. Even if we are looking at the same thing we both capture different angles. I love seeing the contrast between our photos and what the other was drawn to.
The winter challenges me. It takes work for me to stay creative and feel inspired. This year I have mentally prepared myself by making a list of ten ways to prepare for the blues. These words are tucked into my heart and have set me off on the right foot mentally. Having this small list and being more conscious of battling the blues has helped me navigate this journey. Sharing it with others has reminded me that I am not alone on these battle grounds.
I have also been using instagram to share my moments in hopes of inspiring others to brave the blues as well. Sometimes just seeing a photo of something someone is doing gets me inspired and takes me out of my funk. You can find my images through the hashtag #bravingtheblues
I invite you to join me in braving the blues. Tag your photos and together we will bravely step through winter and create beautiful memories along the way. What are your go to self care moments to get you through the winter?
Gratitude
For the way he stands beside me
The look in his eyes
How I know he will aways be there
Gratitude
For deep friendships
Heartfilled conversations
And and easy way of being together
Gratitude
For expansive families
Welcoming you in
Cheering you on and loving deeply
Gratitude
For new life
Watching little ones grow
Seeing the world from a whole new perspective
Gratitude
For the day to day life
Having the opportunity to take a risk
Being appreciated for the handwork put in
Gratitude
For the bright shining sun
The opportunity to explore outdoors
And the way nature invites me to come play
Gratitude
For the strength in my legs
The courage in my heart
The ability to risk
Gratitude
For this one precious life
Filling me up
And guiding me home
Dustin loves the winter and get's excited for big snow storms. It is his favorite time of year. With his birthday happening mid November I wanted to do something to surprise him. What better surprise than to bring the outside in and make it snow indoors.
With the help of my Mom and Aunt we had lots of fun with paper cutting up snowflakes, gingerbread men, and paper chains. We were on a covert secret mission. The night was filled with so much laughter and reminded me that it truly is the little things in life that bring so much joy.
The plan was to hang everything up while he was at work on Tuesday night and get to experience the surprised look on his face as he walked through the door. But as luck would have it he unexpectedly had off that night so plan B went into affect.
On the day morning of his birthday I set my alarm extra early in order to allow time to hang up every last flake before I had to leave for work. I tiptoed around the apartment that morning keeping my fingers crossed that he wouldn't wake up as I worked my elf magic. I crafted a snowman on the door, strung lights, made the snow fall, and hung an advent calendar on the door.
I light a candle that smells just like christmas to fill the air with the wondrous scent. The time flew fast and before I knew it I had to jump into the shower. I didn't get a chance to do everything I wanted but I was able to light the netflix fireplace, hang the stockings with care, create a tree out of lights on the wall, and write a note from the secret decorating elf.
It was such a thrill to know that he was going to be surprised. I was giddy with excitement as I kissed him goodbye and I couldn't wait for him to wake up to the indoor snowstorm.
While at work I received this awesome text: "It's SNOWING!"
Yes, yes it is snowing. Each flake filled with love. Each light strung a reminder of the goodness that we have with one another. This winter wonderland creation made just for him. It was so much fun to work on and even more fun to surprise him.
Gathering with Kindreds is an integral part of my self care. These gatherings ground me and ignite the spark that fuels the creative fire in my soul. When Jen Lee offered up the opportunity to meet with other local creatives in the area at The Park in NYC I couldn't say no. However, I knew when the day came I would have to push myself to get into the city.
The city is not far from me, but it is a journey to get there. Traffic is unpredictable, finding parking can be a hassle, and I always end up getting extremely lost. The morning before the gathering I tried coming up with a million excuses not to go, but I knew in my heart it was the best thing for me.
Interacting with strangers can be difficult for me. I am reserved until I develop a connection with someone and then my heart spills wide open. However it takes time for me to get to that point. I don't have it in me to immediately begin sharing what I am working on and what my dreams are for the future. Slowly I peel away the layers revealing the truth in my stories.
Gathering around the table with like minded souls reminded me how important it is to share our stories. To open up and let others see what really matters to us. It is our stories that connect us and we will not know the thread that weaves us together until we open up.
There were two other women that I was talking to and we each revealed our love stories. It was fascinating to me how they each met there respective others and I loved getting a glimpse into an intimate part of their lives. Everyone has a unique story but in the end we are all looking for the same thing. We want to share our voice with the world and we want to be loved and respected.
Everyone at that table had a different background, different passions, and did something different for work. However we were all drawn there because we understand the importance of community. You cannot survive in this world alone. You need to gather with others, share your ideas, and swap stories. These are the connections that fuel us. They take us further than we thought we could go and remind us that we are not alone.
These gatherings do not have to be grand and opulent. It can be a quant meeting at a coffee shop gathered with a few like minded souls. A half outs time spent connecting will give you more energy to go out and chase your dreams than you could ever image.
You can create these gatherings wherever you are. All it takes is courage and action! Courage to say yes and invite others in and action in actually going forward with it. Start small with one or two people and see where it leads you. You never know what could happen when you open the door to opportunity. Go ahead and ignite the spark by opening the door and inviting others in.
What I really want to tell you is there was a moment in time when I didn't think I would make it to this day. I felt invisible to the world, fearful even of being forgotten. I fell deep into a dark place. Navigating my own path seemed impossible.
Yet here I stand today in full bloom. Lifting my head up to the sun and reaching for my dreams. Grateful for choosing to push through, even when I wasn't sure how. It wasn't always easy but with each step I found myself a little bit more.
Know that your travels through this life may not always be easy. There will be times of darkness and you will be tested. The sun may not be shining today, but there will come a day when it will shine again. Be grateful for the moment, even if it may seem bleak.
You will rise above. Light will shine on your path helping to guide you home. You will be more courageous than you thought you ever could be. Happiness will be infused through you. For this is your life, yes your life.
open your heart & share your story
Hello I'm Jennifer! A writer, podcaster and heart-centered guide. I believe in the power of the written word and am here to guide you in opening your heart.
