Fear-less adventure #1: Play in a drum circle-CHECK!!!

https://www.facebook.com/BongoBoyMusicSchool?fref=ts

                                                                                                                             
I was so excited to head out to Bongo Boy last night for their free community drum circle.  This was the first adventure I tackled on my "fear-less" list!  I smiled the ENTIRE time and look forward to doing it again :-)

Thanks to Caylee, Christy Vance, and Al for sharing the experience with me!

***Stay tuned in the coming months for a special project Bongo Boy is helping me with!  It's fun and exciting, and well, I'll leave it at that for now...!!!

I've always wanted to be an artist...

                             

https://www.facebook.com/artsapoppin

Since school has been out, I've experienced so many exciting things with the business!  I've been really busy with custom orders, meeting new people, and planning for upcoming events!  I have been inspired by the heroic stories of others, grateful to be a part of their journey, and humbled to hear of lives that have been touched by my book or a piece of jewelry.  I can't say thank you enough.


Thought #4:

I've always wanted to be an artist-

https://www.facebook.com/Funkyard.Indy

I have, but let's be honest...I can't draw! or paint! (hence the adventure of taking a painting class) or anything else I would have believed was "artsy".  I've spent days dreaming about visiting art museums (another adventure on my list) hoping to spend hours there, analyzing each piece of work, talking with others, leaving with a new perspective.

But yesterday, after meeting with a couple who own a little art/coffee shop in Fountain Square called Funkyard, I left feeling more like an artist than ever before.

Maybe I haven't been to art museums, or spent time in an art/painting class learning how to.  But something I have done is teach myself how to make this jewelry...jewelry that inspires others to to create themselves, to love themselves, to embrace who they are, where they came from, what they've been through, where they're going, and to find joy in it all.

And although I didn't draw the pictures in my book, shout out to Christy Vance and her creative, artistic talents, the story and the meaning behind it is its own work of art.

I am so thankful to have met the owners of both Arts A Poppin' and Funkyard, and for the opportunity they have given me to display my work in their shops!

I've attached a link to each of their facebook pages!  Check them out, like their page, then find a time to stop in and take a look around.  You'll leave with warmth in your heart, a smile on your face, and maybe...a piece of work from this "artist" :-)

No thoughts to ponder today, but feel free to leave me questions or comments below!

   

Storms!?! Oh I REALLY dislike them :-(

So after our weekend getaway, I couldn't wait to get back and share all of the exciting things we had experienced and the wonderful memories we made as a family!  What I didn't share was that our trip ended abruptly as we were hit by a terrible storm on the water :-/  

As the rain fell harder, the water became rougher, the thunder got louder, and the lightning crashed in front of me...I found myself in one of the places I feared the most-the eye of a raging storm!  

Thought #3:

-Storms!?! Oh I REALLY dislike them :-(

Any of you who know me, know I have pretty much feared storms all of my life, literally.  But as I have gotten older, the term "storm" has taken on different meanings.  The last few days I've listed the adventures I'd like to go on and some things I feel proud to have accomplished, all of which bring me hope and excitement!  None of which have come without the passing of a storm or two...or three...or, well, you get the point.  

The scariest part of the storm is the middle...you can't go back, you're not sure how to move forward, you don't know if you will make it, and you somehow have to find the courage to pull yourself through.  

The cool thing is, once you make it out...you are different somehow, changed in some way.  

So, though this is hard to share openly, here are my thoughts as we pulled out of the cove and headed back to shore:

• lightning!...I hate lightning!  please, please, please Dear God, be with us and keep us safe from the lightning~
• will Caylee be okay?  I love her and don't want her to be afraid, how can I help her? (and yes, I busted out my chant from the lesson I do with kids when I'm sharing my book)
• these waves, oh my, these waves are soooooo scary, how will I get this boat onto the trailer with these waves???
• oh I don't want to stay out here in this storm BY MYSELF and be responsible for this boat...what if I hit someone or something?  what if I get struck by lightning?  
• why didn't we leave earlier?
• why is this taking so long?
• AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, that was me...Mrs. Always Worrying!

But guess what?!?  We made it out...I stayed on the boat BY MYSELF...I didn't hit anyone or anything...Caylee was good...nope, not struck by lightning...and the boat went on the trailer on my first try :-)

And after loading the car, wiping down the boat, and getting some dry clothes...I realized I was different.  I had gathered up my COURAGE when I felt afraid and was BRAVE in the face of my fears.  I had gotten through it and I walked out changed.  

"That's what the storm's all about"...challenging you to face your fears, forcing you to make choices, and keeping you just outside your comfort zone.

I'm not gonna lie...I don't want to be stuck out on my boat in the middle of a storm anytime soon!!! But I am    grateful to have made it through the experience and for the lesson that I walked away with :-)

How do you feel about storms???  Leave me a comment below!

Being proud of "fearing-less"!

Yesterday, after reading my post, a friend challenged me to make a list of things I had already "fear-lessly" done.  Sometimes, it's easy to forget all that we have accomplished on our journey because we're so focused on what we'd still like to accomplish.

Thought #2:
Being proud of "fearing-less"!

The above is a picture of the sign hanging above my display at Best of What's Around.  Meeting Danie Leever, and having the opportunity to share my work in her shop has been one of the best moments on this journey.  I believe the opportunity to be a part of her shop has helped me become less fearful of putting myself out there and more confident that each of my pieces serve a purpose for others on their journey. The sign, made by a friend and fellow vendor, Sarah Kruer from Imy's Joy, was a perfect addition to my display there.  I feel blessed to have found this amazing group of ladies and proud that I continue to "fear-less" each day.

Links to Best of What's Around and Imy's Joy:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Best-of-Whats-Around/368139286573932?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/imysjoy?fref=ts

What are you proud to say you "fear-less" today than you did yesterday?!?  Leave a comment below :-)

Seeking Adventures!

We are back from our fabulous weekend getaway!  So many great memories made with my family :-)  

Stepping out of the digital world gave me an opportunity to live in every moment without the added worry that I was forgetting to do something, respond to someone, etc. and gave me some time to feel at peace, to relax, and to reflect on where I am on my journey.

I had an opportunity to journal some things, which I haven't done in a while, and over the next few weeks will be sharing some of the thoughts I added to my list.  Hoping you can relate and will be willing to share your thoughts on each!

Thought #1:

Seeking Adventure-

Before now, I would't have considered myself an adventurous person.  In fact, I was less seeking out adventures and more worrying about what could, would, or might happen if I were to go on one!

Spending the weekend away from everything digital, focusing on my family, and enjoying the fresh air gave me some time to think about some adventures I'd like to go on.

So...I decided to create a "fear-less list" of things (sort of like a bucket list, but without that creepy name) of things I'd like to fearlessly do in the coming months.  I plan to continue to add to it as I think of new things, but this is what I have so far:

• go ziplining
• visit several art museums
• go on a road trip out west
• go horse back riding
• try water skiing
• play in a drummer's circle
• take a painting class
• write more
• attend a theatre/ballet performance
• see New York City
• watch the sunrise/sunset on the beach
• have a fire at night on the beach
• go to the park and picnic
• ride a bike on the cultural trail

I want to explore new things, be open to new ideas, and find new ways to enjoy life!  

I am interested in what you would add to your "fear-less list"???  

Post your thoughts in the comment section below!

Stepping outside for a while...

This weekend we're trying something new as a family! We are headed to the lake for a few days of rest and relaxation with friends!

I couldn't be more excited to spend some quality time with Chad and Caylee and to take a break from reality.

I'm hoping this weekend will help relax my body, refresh my mind, and rejuvenate my spirit :-)

I hope to focus solely on the moment, to make lasting memories with my family, and to feel joyful and relaxed by doing so.

I'm taking myself out of the digital world for a few days, but I'll be back Monday morning to tell you all about it!

Until then...

Hello Again!!!

Okay, okay...so I've been out for a while!

My last post about the fork...um yeah, totally hit it.  I've hit a few storms since then too.

All I can say is, I'm glad to be alive today: to be breathing the fresh air of the world around me, to be clearing out the clutter in my life, to be focusing on the good, for all my many blessings; to have a family that loves me, friends who sincerely care about me, fellow artisans and followers that truly believe in and support me.

I'm letting my heart lead the way, I'm loving every moment, I'm leaving the past and mistakes behind (even those most recent)...and putting one foot in front of the other.  I have no idea where I'm headed.  I'm definitely scared out of my mind.  But I know this part of the journey will serve a purpose...and that friends, gives me hope.

Glad to be back!  And excited about this new adventure!

More to come soon!!! :-)

Absolutely LOVE this <3 and just HAD to share :-)