24 Hours Left in 2008!

So here's a photo from Times Square in NYC! I love NY, especially during the holidays! Luckily, I crossed this madness off of my "List of Things To Do Before I Turn 30" years ago.

I've been off of work for the last week and a half. And I've spent many days reflecting on my life (nothing too deep), but it's nice to reflect on where we've been, where we are in the present, and where we'd like to go. Maybe I get this way because not only is it a new year, but my birthday comes 10 days later.

I must admit that this reflection process has been a bit difficult. Some days are easier than others. I find myself thinking a lot about my personal choices. But in these last 24 hours I must remind myself of a thing or two. I believe that when we make choices and do things at the most honest and pure level of our soul, then we can't regret those decisions. And if it doesn't work out the way we wanted, its not a mistake - it's simply an experience.

So here's to the last 24 hours of 2008!!! I lived, I loved, and I'm still learning!

My bedroom remodel inspiration!

"Everything in life has meaning. The bigger the fall, the greater the lesson."

My Turks Island Point of View

(upside down photo - land or sea?)


The vibrant color. The feeling of powdery sand underneath my feet. A feeling unlike any other in this World. The photos of this gorgeous beach were taken in Turks and Caicos at a family reunion 5 years ago. Being an island gal (born in the Bahamas), I'm drawn to majestic ocean water. The ocean and its infinity reminds me of life's infinite possibilities - endless.

Joy Comes in The Morning!

"Waikiki Dec'04" - EMC Photography

...Weeping may endure for a night,

but Joy Comes in The Morning.

Psalm 30:5

This is the promise we have from God,

that Joy will Come in the Morning !

So patiently endure the night, and wait for

the Joy to Come!

Feeling Sad

By nature, I'm not a sad person. I'm usually rather even-tempered. And I have a lot of patience- but I can get angry. But whatever the emotion may be, I've always managed to find a way of being present and acknowledging my feelings. Then I move through the process attempting to heal. Sometimes that happens quickly and sometimes it takes a long while. I know I'll make it through this funk I'm in, but today - and in this moment, I'm present in sadness.

Love Heals All

When all else seems to be failing. Love heals all. When life's gotcha down. Love heals all. When people try to bring you down. Love heals all. When anger feels like it's taking over your soul. Love heals all. When someone you love and care for refuses to see how their toxic behavior affects your life. Love heals all. No matter what the challenge. Love heals all.
Plain and simple. Love Heals All.

I went to the Mary J. Blige concert last night and WOW! I've been a fan of hers since the 90s, when I was in college - and I own every album. Her music got me through those broken heart moments. Mary (that's what I call her), she embodies the strength and power of a woman. I've cried at a Coldplay concert. I've raised the roof at a John Legend concert. But the passion in Mary's voice touches your soul, because she herself sings from her gut/soul. We should all approach our passion in life with the same vigor. How awesome would life be, if we did?

Aspiring media moguls take note!

Oprah Winfrey recently opened up to talk about the lessons she's learned during her many years in the biz.
She's built a $2.5 BILLION empire. To us, she's definitely worth hearing out.

O is guided by instinct. She says none of her business ventures have come out of forethought, "I haven't planned one thing — ever. I have just been led by a strong instinct, and I have made choices based on what was right for me at the time."
She also doesn't judge a business venture by its profitability. "I don't care about money. It throws people off all the time in business meetings. They start shuffling papers."

Well, after you have a couple billion in the bank, it's easy not to care about money - you never need any more!
Despite her surely crazy schedule, for the most part, Oprah keeps all her scheduled meetings! Oprah revealed during the interview that she remembers canceling only three meetings due to dire situations. Miz Winfrey explains, "The greatest fear for me of ever canceling is that you're going to disappoint somebody."

Most importantly, Oprah believes in treating her staff well. At Harpo Inc. in Chicago, employees are treated fabulous office amenities. There's a cafe on premises as well as Club Harpo, a workout facility, AND the Spa at Harpo. Winfrey seems to be as cool off camera as she is on. The Opes says, "I don't yell at people, I don't mistreat people. I don't talk down to people, so no one else in this building, in this vicinity, has the right to do it."

Drawing at the LACMA- Week 5; "Color"

As a "graduation from drawing class" gift, our instructor gave us a set of pastels and showed us how to blend color. It's a lot of fun, but man no room for mistakes (you can't erase the pastel the way you can with a pencil). But nonetheless, I'm having a blast with color. And I've really enjoyed my class.

Thanks to LACMA for helping me expand my creative mind and teaching me a thing or two about Art. Now, on to painting......

Sketching for Fun

Here are some sketches I did - just for FUN!!!! The magazine cover was my inspiration for the first sketch. Does it look anything like Sarah Jessica Parker?

Drawing at the LACMA- Week 4; "From Above"

This week I'm challenged to create movement with my pencil and eraser. This piece really spoke to me because it reminds me of where I get my guidance and my strength.....from above!!!!

Driving Along PCH

This one of the great things about living in Los Angeles in the summer - Pacific Coast Highway. I spontaneously decided to drive along the California coast to take in it's beauty.

Drawing at the LACMA - Week 3; Faces

I can't stop drawing faces. The instructor says they're difficult to draw because of all the details. And I agree. But I think it's kind of fun! And the more faces I draw, the freer I feel. My pencil even feels lighter when I draw. Enjoy the many faces!!

Happy Father's Day

As you grow older, it's amazing to watch your relationship with your parents grow. It was the best Father's Day ever with my dad. We literally talked for 8 hours (I left my parents house after 1am). We discussed family, marriage/relationships, sports, and politics. My dad and I are alike in ways and different in others ( I think that's pretty normal for most people). But even with our differences he is able to honor, respect and appreciate who I am and the standards I live to uphold. "Don't lower your standards", he said. Now as much as this sounds like common sense and I know it to be true, often in life our standards are challenged and we allow them to be compromised. And it's at those times that we must honor our true selves. It's one thing to differ in opinion with someone (that's what makes this world unique) - but it's another to completely forfeit the core of your being for someone else (that is dishonest).

Thanks dad for a great Father's Day. Thanks for loving me unconditionally. Thanks for making me feel special. Thanks for reminding me to honor my true self as I strive to live life on a higher level.

Drawing at the LACMA - Week 2; Rodin

 

Auguste Rodin, French artist and famous sculptor. "Sculpturally, he possessed a unique ability to model a complex, turbulent, deeply pocketed surface in clay." How can I top that? I can't, I won't and I shouldn't have to. I've applied the lesson I learned Week 1 - to draw what I see, not what I know. And here comes my version of Rodin's torso...

Not too shabby, right? Well, if you saw what was drawn prior to this, you'd understand. On to week 3.....

If you think A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle is phenomenal, read The Power of Now. I've been staying up the last 2 nights reading til 2am. Its truly eye opening and reaffirms so much that I already know to be true. With so many insightful nuggets, I've been highlighting this book like crazy. Here are a few....

pg. 30 - "Real love doesn't make you suffer."
pg. 35 - "Make the Now the primary focus of your life." "Surrender to what is." Say "yes" to life- and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you."
pg. 37 - "Pain can only feed on pain...pain cannot feed on joy.

I just started chapter 5. More to come...

Drawing at the LACMA - Week 1

So, I'm taking a Drawing class at LACMA. I am by no means an artist, I usually draw stick figures, but I've always wanted to give it a try. So I decided to challenge myself. In all honesty, I felt a bit intimidated by some of the other students in the class who can actually draw. I had a feeling of wanting to flee and never return to the class. But I quickly got over it and decided to embrace my journey into the Art world.

When I returned home from class I couldn't help practicing all that I'd learned in class. Then it hit me....I need to release my mind from 30+ years of preconceived ideals. Because drawing is not about drawing what you know something to be, it's about drawing what you actually see. So, I'm going to take my new found discovery of Art to the next class.

The orange drawing (left) is from my instructor. The black drawing (right) is my interpretation... yikes!!!! Well it's only week 1...4 more weeks to go.

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My Blog

Life is full of possibilities. Enjoy the journey!

The Reason

Photo by EMC Photography



This blog is a reminder that in the midst of darkness exists great light and in the still and quiet we hear truth. I'm not a preacher, philosopher, or spiritual guru. I'm just a 30-something year-old woman trying to live my best life. I have lots to give and lots to learn. This is designed with love and serves to inspire us all to live a purpose driven life. Life is meant to be lived, so let's live it on a higher level!

Inspiration is not just found sitting alone on a mountain top. It can be found in our daily life - a stranger's smile, a bird chirping, the sound of the rain, the laughter of a child, a piece of art, a song we feel in our soul - just to name of few. Basically, inspiration is all around us.