Everyday Beautiful

Once again the time of year rolls around in which we Americans are told to give thanks.  Yet a thought continually nabs at my heart.  What about the other 364 days of the year?  Is it not just as important to give thanks on those days?  A variety of sources give a resounding "yes"!  Scientific research shows that brain chemistry alters to fire positive emotions when a person takes time each day to say what they are thankful for.  Popular Pinterest posts urge viewers to "see the good".  Even the Bible speaks of thankfulness in all circumstances providing peace.   Today I post what I am grateful for this month.  Yet in light of the above paragraph, I want to begin randomly posting photos of things, people, concepts and places I am thankful for throughout the year. I encourage you to do the same.  My sister gave me the idea of writing down three things I'm thankful for every night.  My bedtime experience has declined in anxious ho...

I was recently introduced to the idea of focusing on commitment rather than motivation.  What's the difference?  According to the dictionary, motivation requires having a strong reason to do something.  On the other hand, commitment is pledging oneself to a cause, person or belief.  Personally, I see another difference.  Motivation is associated with emotion.  People often talk about "feeling motivated" (or the lack thereof).  Commitment takes deeper roots.  I'll explore those with you throughout the pictures bellow.  First, though, I must emphasize: neither motivation nor commitment is bad!  Both are highly beneficial and have their place.  Often, it's most helpful to utilize both.  Only you can look within your soul and determine what pushing force you need. Commitment holds onto growth, even when it's slow or painful.  Growth is the only ladder to new heights, the only foundation upon which greater strength is built. Co...

 You might want to run away from your device as soon as I bring up the topic for this post... but I urge you to sit through any discomfort rising up.  I prelude today's post this way because I'm showing through pictures how to "feel all the feels", or approach your emotions instead of avoiding them.  I've seen in my own and countless others' lives that we chase "positive" emotions: happiness, love, peace, joy, success, confidence.  However, when "negative" emotions arise (anger, hatred, shame, sadness, grief, discomfort), we reach for our emergency escape button no matter what we have to step over on the way to it.  Now I'm gonna turn your world on its head: what if emotions are not negative or positive?  What if they each serve a specific, necessary purpose?  What if in order to have the capacity to feel pleasant emotions, we have to feel uncomfortable ones as well? I recently read The Giver , and was deeply intrigued by the idea of ut...