Love Thursday: messages for your heart

Over the last few months, I've been going through a bit of a transformation -- and it culminated yesterday, when I formally turned in my resignation at my job:  I'm going to be leaving the practice of law to pursue a more artistic and creative living.

As you can imagine, it's been a bit of a tumultuous ride -- it still is, and likely will be for a while, until I get my groove on.  That said, it gets better every day:  a few months ago, while I was still formulating my plan, I was in a pretty emotional state.  But as it happened, I decided to take a few days vacation from my life:  I went to a place I'd never been, with a bunch of women many of whom I didn't know, and rested and reflected.

It was there that my decision to leave law, a career about which I was never particularly passionate, was solidified.  It was also there that I wandered into a little shop, and found the tiny silver pendant you see in the image above.  I bought it on the spot, and made the decision that I would wear it every day until I submitted my resignation, as a reminder to stay true to my heart, and to my soul.  And I have, too:  because sometimes, even while we take care of our partners, our children, our friends and our families, it's good to take a little time to show yourself a little love, too.  For me, it was good to have this little token on me to remind me to do just that.

* * * * * * *

Happy Love Thursday, all.  Please leave your links to your images of love in the comments below -- and if you have them, images of the little messages you've come across that help remind you to show yourself a little love.  The images uploaded by she saw things and barilynn8 into the Shutter Sisters Flickr Pool are great examples.

And try to remember to show yourself a little love today.

Comments

[tracey]

gorgeous photo karen!
i'm celebrating the little things today.
http://maypapers.blogspot.com/2008/10/cool-places.html

[michelle of bleeding espresso]

Brava! As a fellow former lawyer, I can fully appreciate your decision to leave the profession for something that truly inspires you. Best of luck!

This week, a flashback to my childhood via a package from Mom (or There's a Mouse in my Cappuccino):

http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/10/love-thursday-theres-a-mouse-in-my-cappuccino.html

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

[Naomi]

My love Thursday necklace
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2906825226/

[Chris]

I am so excited for you! It's scary, but your story will inspire others. You're already one step ahead. Good for you!
My "Love Thursday" story is inspired by family today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2895472037/

[Shawna]

Back to basics for me. Sometimes she fills me with enough love for the entire world to share, and sometimes I want to hoard it all for myself.

http://tumblieweed.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html

[Jeana]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/2906281891/

congratulations on your resignation - best of luck to you in your pursuit!

HLThursday:)

[Jamie]

Woot! Best of luck!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2902844927/

[Busymomma66]

Happy Love Thursday!

Nature loves to leave love notes all over the place!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016956@N05/

[cindy k]

good luck with your transformation, karen! i made the same change from law a few years ago and never looked back.

my 'love thursday' has to do with the nail polish my husband picked up for me. i'm still learning how to use my camera, so have mercy. i hope you like the story and it is right on target with special messages
http://quainthandmade.blogspot.com/2008/10/pics-paint-me-red.html

[kristen]

love in hope.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/acumamakiki/2905942658/

[ELK]

Karen this is exciting!

love thursday ~ be "true" to your voice
http://www.redorgray.com/

[shelli]

Wow. I congratulate you! What a courageous step! I wish you the best.

I don't have any notes that I have photographed, so I'm sharing this fascinating moth I found in our backyard, which also happens to be shaped like a heart. I've never seen anything like it before.

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#29

[Kate Baumert]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30172877@N02/2907264690/?eOrig=2896814577

[Jessi]

Sweet.

http://www.frozeneights.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html

[Sandi]

congrats on your new career! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandis_art/2907316424/

[cotterpin]

Happy Love Thursday!

http://cotterpinhouse.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/where-the-deer-and-the-antelope-play/

[jen lemen]

we're on the same page! ;)

to thine own self be true
http://jenlemen.com/blog/?p=512

[FireMom]

My SIL is getting married on Saturday: http://stopdropandblog.com/2008/10/02/love-thursday-theyll-be-just-fine/

[jag]

What a wonderful post - bravo for your courage!!
I saw this message on the side of a bus shelter last weekend:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2893267671/in/set-72157607328527864/

To which I would add:

"There is a mystic in every one of us, yearning to play again in the universe."
— Matthew Fox

jag xox

[margie]

many years ago my late husband quit the practice of law to bake bread. he was never happier. if your chosen path is not your passion, and you are able to find your way to something that is, then never look back. go forward and good luck karen.

happy love thursday, my hidden heart and two obvious hearts. margie

http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/

[kristin]

congratulations karen that is "true"-ly wonderful and brave.
one love happy lt all,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2906548269/

[Elizabeth]

Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine who left the world of medicine and nursing to follow her dream of music and performing.

Today she would have been 42.

Staying true to her heart she didn't wait to follow her dreams. Jennifer died in March. She left her songs and the example of one fearless heart in the pursuit of the life she dreamed of living. She didn't wait.

http://www.giftsofthejourney.com/Elizabeth_Harper-Gifts_of_the_Journey/Blog/Entries/2008/10/2_What_We_Leave_Behind_When_We_Go.html

[renee@ FIMBY]

Not exactly a message to love myself but a message of hope. And I'm taking it personally because there is lots I'm hoping for as I move into new areas of creativity
"http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/2880298149/

[Terri]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mondaysmemories/2650058571/

I've used this one before, but you can say that he's on my mind today. In two hours he'll be back on a plane and flying home from Germany. He travels there once a month for work.

[Elaine]

I so admire you for your courage. It takes a lot to step into the unknown and feel empowered and at peace. I will be thinking about you as you start on your journey...have a wonderful metamorphosis.

[Gayle]

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

http://planetmfiles.com/2008/10/02/love-thursday-and-rock-band-2/

[spread your wings]

my message of love was sent last night

http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/

I admire your bold step. All the best to you.

[benzismama]

HLT!

http://photosbytracie.blogspot.com/

[Nicole]

I'm so envious of your courage. I hope one day to take the same leap of faith you have. I wish you the best!

[Ashley]

Happy LT! Congrats to Karen on the bold move...I hope to do the same some day.

Here's a shot from a recent vacation to Vancouver...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleydano/2904962945/

[Katie in MA]

Good on you! That kind of courage - that's inspriring. That's the kind of woman I want to be. The kind of model I want to be for my girls. The kind of story I want to be able to write about!

From the brave and bold and big-life-moment kind of story, to the small, every-day-moment kind, here's my Love Thursday post:

http://cantgetthere.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/love-is-living-the-everyday-moments/

[jfrancis]

life is a journey
without a roadmap
guided by your heart

[Christina]

What a courageous story to start my morning with. Following your dreams can never be a bad thing, scary but never bad. : ) We're all cheering you on.

The roads you will pave for those who walk the journey after you is a beautiful thought.

[daniela]

inspiring. congratulations!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danisoul/2902856799/

[Diane Schuller]

How exciting that you've chosen to become true to yourself. A huge leap but with those feet planted in the right soil it will make all the difference.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/2907782544/

Happy love Thursday,
Diane

[Chocolate on my Cranium]

Bravo! Staying true to yourself is sometimes scary and hard but it helps us be better women, friends, sisters, wives, and mothers.

My Love Thursday is about the love my daughter and husband share.
http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2008/10/youre-my-chicken.html

[Ursula]

Congrats on new starts!

We had a new start in a new home over the weekend. Soon my son will start his new school, but he still misses his old class and friends. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuzamora/2902935408/in/photostream/

Happy Love Thursday....

[Kim]

I love this photo and the message it sends. Oh how I would love to quit my job (as a student) and make photography and art my job. Good for you for having the courage to follow your dreams.

http://kimberpic.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html

[carolbrowne]

Congratulations on your new venture. I hope to follow in your shoes one day. Here's my picture of love today - my pumpkin harvest - http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolbrowne/2893437007/ I grew these bad boys in the front yard.

[Cartwheels At Midnight/Paige]

I changed my course two years ago and couldn't be happier. I wish you the best of luck.

My message is in the form of a bracelet from a girlfriend who knows my soul:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelsatmidnight/2907960514/

My image of love is my second chance at love:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelsatmidnight/2883375385/

[Debbie]

http://debbiebrenner.typepad.com/thats_in_my_book/2008/10/love-thursday.html

Not as huge as resigning from the law, but out of my comfort zone all the same.

[Karen G]

Congratulation! Good luck!

Happy love thursday!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23132596@N07/2907995188/

[Kyla]

Congratulations! It's never easy to "break away", but I think you'll find it very, very rewarding. Sending lots of hugs your way.

And here's a little love from my part of the world:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/2901788419/

[Steph Wiese]

Congrats Karen on being true to your heart... I wish all the joy, peace and fulfullment you could ever dream of! Isn't it interesting all the little tokens that remind us of our true self - here's one of mine.

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/

[Robin-bird]

your love thursday post touched me most deeply. thank you!
XO

http://robinbird.typepad.com/bird_tweets/2008/10/day-173-the-cry.html

[Melanie]

messages:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2204850773
http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2615178076

[Jackie]

Seems like love has different expressions. With my boys it takes the form of wrestling and making each other giggle!

[Jackie]

Ooops, forgot to link the photo!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22609510@N03/2907339371/

[Farrah Braniff]

Congratulations on a great step Karen!

For me today, love is all about mess:

http://farrahblog.squarespace.com/my-photo-life/2008/10/2/love-thursday-life-with-boys.html

[Aia]

what an amazing journey & story...congrats! i have an image for love thursday here:

http://liveforthosewholoveyou.blogspot.com/