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Entries in adventure (37)

Sunday
Dec302012

One Day More

From what I’ve been gathering, I’m not the one who has got the soundtrack of Les Miserable running through my head. The lyrics arise within me when I wake, I hear the melodies when I drift to sleep, and I singing all through the day. Although I was expecting to enjoy the movie, I wasn’t expecting the kind of reaction I’ve had. There is a passion and fervor that has permeated my very soul.  

Fight. Dream. Hope. Love.

It’s not just me, is it? Can you feel it? Does it speak to you?

And it all feels so timely. I can think of no better way to end 2012 and begin 2013 but to hold onto these ideals, these words, this music…the celebration of the power, strength, and resilience and of human spirit.

“One more dawn
One more day
One day more!”

Friday
Dec142012

Finding Appreciation

 

I recently had a garage sale to get rid of some of the stuff I've accumulated over the years so that I don't have to carry it all with me when I move next month. I'm moving because I can no longer afford my rent. 

When I first realized I would have to move, I was despondent. Why didn't I get as many opportunities as my friends, I wondered? Why did I continue to struggle while others had it so easy?

But as I looked around the garage sale, I realized that almost everything I had was given to me (either by friends, family or the side-of-the-road gods). I had been given furniture, TVs, books, dishes, clothing, everything I really needed.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. I realized that there have been so many times that I've been the recipient of good fortune and generosity.

My focus shifted from depression and indignation to thankfulness and appreciation. Now, I am grateful that I have another home to go to and that it has turned out to be even better than the last.

Are there things in your life that need a second look? Can you find appreciation where and when you might need it most?

Image and words courtesy of Gennifer Carragher. You can find her on her blog or on Facebook, where she created a community for other Gratituders in The Year of Gratitude.


Wednesday
Nov142012

Election Night

 

On election night, we loaded up the car with lawn chairs and a picnic dinner and headed to a friend's house to watch the results roll in. The news broadcast was projected onto the side of the house and several computers were set up in the yard to track the results. At one point there were more than one hundred friends, neighbors, and passers by squeezed into the small front yard. The conversations were primarily of the political nature, from the smallest local propositions and bond initiatives to the house/senate races to the presidential election. This election-watching party was a family event to be sure. There were so many young children that night running around without a care in the world...children of loving straight couples, children of loving gay couples, children of loving single parents, children of loving affluent parents, children of loving parents struggling to get by. You hear a lot about voting as a civic duty, and I love and appreciate that our children are learning that the act of voting is truly an individual's chance to voice how they want their world to be. All the worry, all the hand wringing, all the emotional investment that bound us together that night represented the world we want for our children—a better, kinder world. A world that embraces the diversity around us and affirms that differences can deepen our understanding of one another instead of driving us apart.

Show us a better, kinder world today through your lens.

Images and words courtesy of Jote of Bless Her Heart.

Monday
Nov052012

safety nets

 

Taking risks is not easy for everyone. Who am I kidding? Taking risks is not really easy for anyone. Because taking risks usually means doing something that makes us feel unsure, uncomfortable, unsafe, or uneasy. And that is hard.  Yet, people  take risks every day. Some big and some small. But, no matter the size, or the significance (or even insignificance) of the risk, what does matter is that we stepped out of comfort zone for a while. We pushed ourselves, put ourselves out there, leaped, took the plunge, dove in.

One of the best part of a community like this one here at Shutter Sisters is that in each other, we have a support system, a cheering section, a life ring. It doesn't always make taking risks less scary but knowing that there is a safety net of sisters here for you can really help remind us that we're all in this together.

Are there risks you've taken that you'd like to share? How about risks you want to take but are afraid to? The more we share our fears, the less power they have over us. Remember, you are not alone. We're here for each other.

Tuesday
Oct232012

just play

While here at Oasis, we are connecting on so many different levels yet each person takes away their own experiences.  In just the 24 hours that we've been here I've heard: be in the moment, take care of you, laugh, connect, relax, breathe but  most importantly, just play and have fun.  I know, so much easier said then done sometimes.  But here at the gorgeous and fantastically fun Ace Hotel, there are no hard and fast rules.  From hulahoops to tutus to just laughing and having a good time (and of course, having a camera present makes it even that much better!), there is definitely a lot of playtime goin' on and that is always a good thing. 

How about you? Show us how you connect through play.  We'd love to see.