Author: Christine

Prayers Please

Published on by Christine17 Comments

When an event happens that shakes you to your core, you remember what you were doing at that exact moment.

I was editing a photo of a Father cuddling his children when my Mom called to tell me that my Father had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  My mouth dropped open and time stopped. I asked her to repeat it as there was no way my vivacious, talkative, charismatic Father could have cancer…this just couldn’t be happening.

Yes, it was true.  I called my Father and we talked and we cried.  As soon as my hubby got home from work, I drove home to Vermilion as I needed to see him and he’s only a couple of hours from me. The next week I met up with my Mom, Dad, and sister at the Hys Centre so my Dad could have a bone scan to see if the cancer had spread beyond the prostate. Our family came together and for those sisters (there are 6 girls in my family) that couldn’t make the trip for the appointment, we texted back and forth through out the day.  The wait for the results seemed like an eternity, but I am so happy and thankful to tell you that the cancer did not spread to his bones.

This week, he is seeing the doctor to discuss where to go from here.

So with the permission of my Dad, I am posting this to ask for your prayers as he undergoes treatment for prostate cancer.  He is such a strong man, but he needs support and prayers.

This summer I wrote a post on my photography blog about my Dad.  Give it a read if you have time and you want to put a face to his name…Ralph Dicke.

http://christinehopaluk.com/blog/2010/08/07/at-the-farm-with-my-dad/

I will leave you with a favourite song of Dad’s. It’s also fitting that this version is by Johnny Cash.  My Dad reminds me of Johnny Cash and he loves his music.

Thank you so much for your support.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Confessions of a Woman

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In the past I’ve blogged a couple of these posts called “Confessions of a Mom” part 1 and part 2. Today, I’ve been thinking about not just the role of Mom, but how easy it is to lose yourself in all of the roles we have. And I’m speaking of women today, because…well since I am one, that’s what I know :).  We have roles we play: that of wife, mom, daughter, friend, business owner, employee, …whatever hat you wear.

It makes me sad when we as women tear one another down, rather than lift one another up.  Why are we so hard on each other?  I am at fault for judging another woman when I know little about her.  It’s a trait I’m aware of that I’m going to throw out the door because it’s ugly and wrong.

If we as women could be truly authentic with one another, admit our weaknesses and faults, support one another and give time to lift one another up…wouldn’t that be amazing?  We would have to lose the masks though.  You know, that mask we all wear that when we need support, and don’t ask for it.  When we are struggling in an area of our lives, but we pretend it’s OK.   Of course in life, you certainly have to be careful of who you put your trust in, but even those relationships can be authentic…just bring the REAL into it.

I asked my Husband this question not long ago:  “How many people do you have in your life that you can be totally yourself around, that you aren’t aware of how you look when they come into a room (you could be in your PJ’s, sticky uppy hair, like you just got out of bed sort of look), that you can say whatever you want to them without fear of being judged or that your comment could be taken wrong, and that you are 100% authentic with?”

His Answer?  “Everyone”  and he means it!  That’s my favourite thing about him, he is exactly who he is around everyone he comes into contact with.  How refreshing is that?

My Answer to that question?:  I have less than 10 people in my life that I’m THAT comfortable around. I want to change that though.

Now, this could be because I’m a worrier.  People really don’t care as much as I think they do about what my house looks like, or that I may resemble someone who sleeps in a box without access to shower facilities at times.  And I believe a lot of it comes from the fact that we as women are hard on one another.

Have you ever been scanned by another woman’s eyes when you enter a room?  I have and I hate it!  Now, granted who knows what she’s thinking as she’s eye scanning, but it’s a form of judgement based on my outward appearance so I don’t enjoy it.

Anywhoooo, here’s where I’m going with this!  Just in case you think otherwise, I’m going to put this out there…

I am not put together.

I have many many faults.

My office is unorganized, I have so much to do for my business as far as paper work goes that I put on the back burner.  It will get it done eventually. I’m more of a deadline crisis worker.

I am self-conscious about my appearance when I meet new people..especially women.

I am a worrier.

I feel like a failure as a Mom a lot.  I know I’m a good Mom, but I still let my kids down in some area often.

I don’t tell my husband enough that I’m so grateful for how hard he works for our family.

I am selfish of my time. I like being alone. I do. If I can go for a walk by myself, I love it.

I can’t keep up with my laundry pile. A small village of people could hide under that mound some days.

I don’t show how much I love my family enough, and when I’m in a big room of people (which accompanies my large family get togethers), I try to hide. I hate large groups…the noise level gets to me.

I am insecure at times, and other times I’m quite confident. The timing is off when I’m in certain situations so I come off as bitchy.

I know that I’ve lost the weight, but my mind doesn’t always know that.  I still feel like the big girl at times.  I’m not sure how to explain this. It is what it is.

I feel overwhelmed some days with all the things that are squeezed into my day…work, kids, daily business, e-mails, I have nothing in the fridge for supper, extra-curricular activities, homework, the phone won’t stop ringing, there’s a solicitor at my door I want to flick on the forehead, etc. On those days, I want to run out of the house for a while just until that overwhelmed feeling goes away.

I exercise more for the benefits for my mind than for my body. The stress just melts away when I’m working out. The physical pain of an intense workout is real, and when I’m done, I feel on top of the world.

Now, the purpose of these confessions is not to be down on myself, but rather to put out there a few of my struggles right now.  I look at so many women who appear to have it all together and I think what’s wrong with me!  But, the blessing I have found in finding a support network of friends where we can be 100% authentic is that they have shown me that they too struggle as much as I do.

I admire so many of the women in my life, but I forget to tell them. What good does that knowledge do when it’s never said out loud to those women. I’m going to tell them! They inspire me, motivate me, make me want to be a better person…I owe it to them to let them know that.

So, my goal for the future is to be more authentic. To put out there exactly who I am. To steal a quote from Dr. Seuss:  “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

Do you have a confession to share today?  Who knows, it may not only take a load off of your mind, but it may just show another woman that we are not all perfect, we all struggle, and we can support one another…even if it’s just to laugh about it over a cup of coffee.  🙂

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Mind, Body, Spirit

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I was reminded this past month, that the quest for a balanced happy life full of purpose needs to involve not only the body, but the mind and spirit too.  It can’t just be about weighing X amount of pounds, or fitting into a certain size, it has to be more than that.  I’m not defined by what I weigh, my happiness doesn’t revolve around what the scale reads in the morning.

These three elements need to work together because when one area is lacking, the other two also shift as well and the balance just isn’t there.  The trick is to find what it is that feeds your mind and spirit too!  That special something that fills you with purpose, happiness, and thankfulness within.  It can be difficult because the demands of daily life often get in the way of taking time for yourself…which you need to do.  It’s not selfish to put value on yourself.  It’s essential.  When you are fulfilled within, you have so much more to give to others.

There are moments when I feel like a failure, when I let people down, when I feel completely overwhelmed, when I feel sorry for myself, when I lose track of what’s important in life.  Then there is a life changing event that occurs that snaps me back to reality and forces me to re-evaluate what life is all about.  That’s just life…you take the good with the bad. The hard times remind you how important it is to cherish the good times.

Life is all about perception.  We can choose to dwell on the things we wish we could change, the things that annoy us, the things that are hard to deal with.  It’s a part of everyone’s life!  Or we can choose to focus on all the amazing things in life to be valued and treasured; most importantly the relationships that are built on acceptance and love.  Surround yourself with people who bring you up and make you want to be a better person, and in exchange give that back in return to those you love.

At times I get caught up in the complaining game about the little things that put me out.  How selfish is that!  I am healthy. I have three healthy children. I have a warm home to live in. I have a big, funny, loving, supportive family. I have amazing friends.  I have a career where I get to document love and connection.  I have the freedom to choose to follow whatever path in life I like. What do I have to complain about?  Absolutely nothing!

Life is good and I want to live it! I want to truly experience the best of life.  I have found the most freedom in taking control of my health and changing my perceptions.  Life is a gift and it’s my responsibility to choose to live it with a heart full of gratitude.

When I go for a run, and my mind starts doubting that I can keep going or that it would be better just to park my butt on the couch, I just have to remind myself of my sister who can physically no longer run but would absolutely love to.  I CAN run. It’s a gift I take for granted. It’s all about perception.  It’s humbling when I actually stop and take stock of all the blessings in life that I take for granted.

So today I am going to take some time out of my day and go for a walk, and I’m going to use that time to count my blessings which are too numerous to count.  I am thankful for your support and the time you take to encourage me.  I want to encourage you as well to enjoy the amazing life you have been given, and to remember that you are loved, valued, and cherished.

And at the top of my iPod playlist today will be this song…

From my heart to yours,

Christine

A Life with Purpose

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Sometimes I lose sight of what is truly important in life.  I forget how blessed and lucky I am just to live in a free country where I’m able to express my opinions openly.  I am able to purse my passions and to go after my goals with whatever amount of energy I choose.

We are lucky my friends.

Even with this knowledge, it still doesn’t make life any less confusing at times. There were years when I didn’t have a voice.  Now  that I’ve found my voice, it’s hard to shut me up.  😉  Sometimes life is hard. It can be unforgiving in its timing.  As my Mom used to say “Who said life was fair”. Through every life event that brings a “WTF” to my lips, I have now learned that there will be great lessons that come out of it.  With every life lesson, the confusion melts away.  There is always something good to find within every bad moment.  There just is, and it’s within our power to choose to view it that way.

If you are in a place in life that holds some uncertainty, I want to encourage you to listen to that inner voice that holds within it what you truly value and treasure most in life.  Hold onto to the things that bring you the most joy and peace, and let go of the things that do not.  Remember that you are loved, you are cherished, you are valued.  Know that you are stronger than you think you are. Remember that your life is one of purpose.  The best part about life, is that each one of us get to figure out what that purpose is.

When you find your purpose in life, joy most certainly accompanies it.  I’m still not sure what my purpose is, but I do know that I find purpose in showing others what is already their reality…sometimes they just don’t see it.

I am blessed that I am able to pursue this through photography as well.  It took me years to build up the courage to follow my dream of being a photographer.  Now, if I imagine my life without photography it would be like living in a world without colour or eating foods without flavour.  Wow, would that suck! lol When I get the opportunity to photograph love, connection, and that special spirit within each person that shows who they are, there is joy and peace in my heart that I’ve never felt before.  I smile the ENTIRE time I’m taking pictures.  I can’t keep the joy inside.  I have no idea if that looks crazy to those I photograph! ha ha!

I realize more and more, that as a photographer the energy that I bring into a session is transferred to those I photograph.  This is true in life as well!  I often ask myself…am I an energy-giver today or an energy-sucker?!  Nobody wants to be an energy-sucker but it’s easy to fall into that trap sometimes when life gets hard.  If you put out the good, it will come back to you!

What is your purpose and most importantly how bad to do you want to go after it?

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Thoughts On Love

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Holy life lessons this year!  I’m so thankful for that!

Before I lost the weight, I was miserable.  You might think that the weight was the  reason I was miserable but it was not.  I lived in a cloud of negativity, judgement, and anger and I didn’t understand that I brought all of that into my life.  Sometimes you don’t see a lesson clearly until you’ve lived through it, get to a better place, and then look back.  It was so obvious, I’m not sure how I missed it.

So here are my thoughts.  These are just my opinions based on the life I have lived (and I have so much more life to live!)  Take them or leave them! 🙂

I believe the only person I can cast a judgement upon or try to change is myself.  If there is negativity in my life, absolutely I should do what I can to remove it; however, casting judgment, criticizing in a negative way, or putting another person down actually hurts me more than the person I am directing it towards. Anger can eat a person alive and most of the time the person I am angry at is oblivious to it.

If I truly love myself, and focus on bettering myself as a person, it is then that I can truly love others and accept them for exactly who they are.  I may not like everyone I meet, but that’s my right and I can then establish boundaries or chose how much I allow them into my life.

I believe there is a purpose for every single person that comes into my life.  Some are close friends, some are comic relief, some bring me peace…and yes, even the ones that have hurt me in the past are there for a reason. They teach me to cherish what I have, not to sweat the small stuff, and to value what’s important in life.

Forgiveness is essential for true inner happiness.  That doesn’t mean I am passive, it means that I need to let go of the anger and put it behind me.  I’ve learned that it is impossible to understand where another person is coming from because I haven’t lived their life or walked in their shoes.  Let go of the anger and move forward. That’s true freedom.

I have learned that when I let go of expectations I impose on others, then I am no longer disappointed in people.   If I’m angry at someone, I just have to look at the root of that anger to realize that it’s often because I “expected” something from them that they didn’t deliver.  People are busy, life is busy, I’m busy…I most likely disappoint someone somewhere daily!  I remind myself often to simply drop expectations.

I’ve heard this saying “You do you, and I’ll do me”. It’s so true! Why should I worry myself with what someone else is doing?  Who cares!!!  If the only support I give another person is understanding, love, and acceptance, that’s all anyone can ask for in a friend.

I have learned, that it is COMPLETELY FREEING when I focus on the good. The positive. The Love. The Kindness. The brighter side of life.  I don’t live life with rose-coloured glasses, I just search for ways to find purpose, wisdom, strength, and good through every negative event that comes my way. And I’ve also learned to be thankful for the negative because it’s only through times of adversity that I have come to appreciate the positive so much.   Say you are trapped in a dark room for months and suddenly there is light.  You don’t focus on the darkness you have experienced for months, you embrace and are thankful for the light!

Life is good when you let the goodness in and share it by lifting others up!

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”  I lose sight of the golden rule sometimes.  I continue to pray for humility, understanding, and a heart full of love.  Life is meant to be lived with joy and it’s hard for that joy to come in where there is anger standing in the way.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

The Beginning

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It’s been a pattern this year to learn a life lesson from a few people all at once.

This week I’ve had the pleasure of real honest conversations with a few friends, all of whom want to make a change. I realized that I may not be putting out there the reality of how things began for me. The place I was in when I started this journey.

It hasn’t been easy.  I didn’t make the change overnight, and I still have a long way to go.  Changes on the outside begin first on the inside.  There were days, and there still are days, that I wanted to give up and go back to the familiar lifestyle that I lived for years…because there was a part of that lifestyle that felt safe.

Back when I weighed 242 pounds, even though I was miserable in my own body, I also felt comfortable in other ways.  I was OK much of the time with living on the sidelines and feeling invisible.  I was always the big girl among my group of friends and it was a role that I was used to and had accepted in many ways.

The first major hurdle when I finally decided to make a change, was realizing that I COULD make changes.   I recently found my old journal that I started in 2003.  When I read through the pages of daily records of what I ate and what I did for exercise, I realized that even at the beginning I had resigned myself that I was always going to be overweight. I randomly chose a goal weight of 180 pounds as I had a memory of once weighing that in high-school.   But even beside that declaration of goal weight, I wrote “I’m very out of shape” and “I would love to be 165 pounds” but I didn’t believe that I would actually get there.  I only wrote 180 pounds because I had read in a book that I needed some sort of goal to work towards.  In my mind, I just wanted to weigh under 200 pounds.

I remember that I tried not to think of the end goal, and would just focus on the day at hand.  Focus on upping my daily steps, fitting in a workout every morning, figuring out how to eat healthy.  I had no idea what eating healthy was about.  No clue!  But I was determined to figure it out and poured over books, health magazines, and resources online.  I was so confused over everything I read.  There were so many different opinions out there.

I decided to use common sense.  I would eat foods that came from the earth as close to their natural state as possible.  As far as the meat protein was concerned, I had read that if it swims, runs, or flies it’s more lean and has less fat content.  Made sense to me!

I also had no idea how much food to eat.  I had spent so many years never being hungry, that I didn’t really understand what it was like to just eat the proper amount to fuel the body.

I remember sitting out on the deck at our acreage, and looking out at the wildlife around me.  How is it there are no overweight animals (unless they are raised by humans)?  Because it’s instinct to know how much to eat. We lived in a society of super-size portions and we have forgotten to listen to our bodies to tell us when we are full.  I read that it takes about 20 minutes to realize you are full when eating a meal.  I started eating my meals slowly and really paid attention to when I was full…not stuffed…but rather not hungry anymore.

Drinking enough water was another issue I had!  I had no idea that my body would confuse hunger for thirst.  So I started drinking 8 glasses of water a day and I just naturally ate less.

Exercising was not easy at the beginning. I felt big, clumsy, and was worried what people would think about seeing a big girl “trying” to work out.  I worked out in my basement at the beginning and chose to jog on country roads by our acreage as it was private.  I don’t think I went into a gym until I was under 200 pounds.  Looking back, it’s too bad that I didn’t feel I had a right to be in the gym with everyone else.  When I go to the gym now and see a person struggling through a workout I have so much respect for them.  It takes real courage to put yourself out there for others to see in an area that is difficult and unfamiliar.

One of the most important steps was to find a support system. To actually declare out loud that I was going to lose the weight by changing my lifestyle.  I didn’t want to say it out loud because I thought there was a good possibility that would fail.  I forced myself out of that comfort zone, and started sharing publicly my intentions.  It was the first time I admitted to others that I wasn’t OK with being the big girl, that I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin, that I was sick of being scared to try new things.

But the truth was, I wanted to go swimming with my kids, to go to a gym and feel comfortable, to ride a bike, to walk up stairs without being winded, to walk into a clothing store and buy clothes off the rack, to feel confident when I walked into a room full of people, to wear shorts!!!!  I didn’t wear shorts for decades!

So every time I feel like I want to go back to the old way of life, I have to remind myself of where I came from, and of the sadness I carried inside that I rarely showed to others.

I exercise today not only for my body, but more for my mind.  I have NEVER felt such joy and pride within myself until I began exercising.  It just clears the mind of negativity.

So as much as I want to say that losing the weight was difficult, I also have to tell you that it was easy at the same time. It was easy because my zest and love for life was awoken and for the first time I challenged myself to never give up, to quiet the negative self-doubt, and to believe in myself.  The loss of the weight was just a tangible visual result of finding out who I was.

It doesn’t make life easier or less confusing at times but it’s a journey that continues on today. There is more life to be lived and I am lucky that I have my health and the knowledge that I am the one in control of how I chose to live it through good times and bad times.

I have this song on my iPod, and often listen to it when I run.  I’m not sure what it is about the song that is so meaningful for me, but it gives me shivers every time I hear it.  Maybe it’s because for much of my life I felt like I needed someone to “fix” me.  But I have  learned that although it’s important to lean on others for support and motivation, the responsibility to “fix” the areas of my life that require change ultimately comes from within.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Why Out comes before In

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I can’t remember if I shared this story with you yet!  If I have, pretend I haven’t and politely nod your head while I babble on.  At the end of it all, you can inform me that you have already heard this before and I will blame my bad memory and worry what I’m going to be like when I get really old.

Since moving to Leduc from my home town Vermilion (which I lived in for most of my life prior to the move), I’ve been told a few times that I have found great friends that are just as weird and crazy as I am.  I am an odd duck…this I know. I had (still have) great friends in Vermilion.  They are amazing and I love them, so I had my doubts when I moved to Leduc that I would be able to make great supportive friends in a new town because I’m not that outgoing.  Well, I’ve forced myself to be outgoing since I’ve moved.  It just doesn’t come naturally to me.

When I first moved to Leduc, my husband and I stopped into a Piano bar.  At the piano bar, there was a table of crazy, fun chicks sitting together with balloons at their table laughing, singing, dancing around.  It made me smile, but mostly it made me envious.  However, the reason I remember that moment at the piano bar so well is because I had the WEIRDEST vision of one day sitting there myself with a bunch of fun-loving friends.  Still even though I saw that in my future, I felt a challenge of how that was going to be a reality since I have never been one to put myself out there much, especially when it comes to meeting new people.

It was around that time when we first moved here that I started realizing that it was up to me to bring into my life all those things that I wanted…non of which were material possessions.  In the past, there was a lot of drama that surrounded my life. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I was the reason for a lot of it.  The changes and realities that I was craving in my life were right in front of me.

I also had a hard time putting out there exactly the person I am.  Which is a reason I started this blog months and months ago. I know now that I missed out on a lot of great friendships back in my home town because I didn’t put myself out there.

It’s easy to be envious of the things I want to bring into my life, but what good does that do?  If I want it bad enough, I should go get it.

To me, that’s why “positive OUT” comes before “positive IN“.  You have to put it out there.  Do you wish you were more outgoing?  Than be more outgoing!  It may not come easy to you, but the only way you can change patterns is to make changes.  I guess part of the reason that it’s hard to be outgoing is there is a fear that people may not like who I am.  But do I like every person I come in contact with? No! So why should everyone like me?  If you are truly yourself, you will bring into your life like-minded people.  That’s the best part about it!

I just returned home from holidays with a mission to get back into my exercise routine. It’s a big part of who I am today, because of what it brings into my life…clarity, a sense of control, and a feeling of power and pride.  It just enables me to see things in a more positive light.  It enables me to put Positive Out.

And guess what happens when you put the positive out my friends…the positive comes in 10 fold.  That’s great news!

Oh and by the way, I had that night out with friends at that same Piano Bar a year later.  When I walked in, the table that was reserved (complete with balloons) was the very same table I saw before. We celebrated the birthday of a friend who has become one of my very best friends in Leduc.  Our crazy table of friends laughed, danced, and sang. It was a blast. I am grateful.

Below: pictures from that night at the Piano Bar two years ago.

And just for fun…Pictures from last night:

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Living in the Moment

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I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day, and I was immediately struck that what I see within her and what she sees within herself are totally different.

This is how I view her.

A stunning and talented self-less mother who would do anything for her family.  She puts the needs of everyone else before her own.  Her vivacious personality is matched to her beauty. She has no idea how amazing she is.

I have had conversations over the past two weeks with a few women.  There was a universal theme for all of us.  We feel stuck in some area of our lives, and don’t know how to move out of it.

It happens so often to me. I’m in a stage of life, and rather than enjoying the stage I’m at now, I’m looking ahead to the next stage.  The problem with that is I don’t live in the moment and miss valuing the great events happening NOW.  It’s only after I’ve moved onto the  next stage that I realize I should have enjoyed the previous stage because now it’s passed me by.  Does that ever happen to you?

It’s tough sometimes to find the balance between moving forward and enjoying the moment. When you are constantly looking ahead and wondering how you are going to arrive at whatever destination you’ve deemed as the “end goal” it’s overwhelming.  It also brings with it a feeling of failure because we aren’t at the stage we want to be.

I realized this week, that sometimes moving forward means focussing on the now.  The stage of life I am in at this moment.  When I say that out loud, I feel freedom to just enjoy life rather than wish I was doing something more with it.  There are so many ways to enjoy the now.

Here I go again, pushing the exercise wagon…but seriously, it only takes a 1/2 hour of exercise to change my mindset.  Eating the right foods gives me energy.  You couple exercise and eating healthy and it’s a recipe for feeling value and pride in ones self.  As moms we often put ourselves last, but taking time for ourselves is essential and allows us to give more of ourselves to those we love.  Really, the most important thing in life is family.

Find the things that bring you the most joy to your heart…and run with it.  We only have the one life to live…we often forget that until we’ve lost someone we love. It’s completely in our control how we chose to live it.  Life is about choices and we know deep inside which choices are the best for ourselves and those we value most.  Pay attention to that inner voice, and enjoy the ride.

For the Bon Jovi fans out there… 🙂

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Confessions of a Former Couch Potato

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I went for a run a few times these past couple of weeks.  The hardest part of any run is taking the initiative to put on my running shoes.

The last couple of times I ran my 5 Km route, I found it tough for a couple of reasons.

1. I was chased by a flock, a pack, a herd (whatever they are called when there are too many to count) of hissing Geese.  Add to that my fear of birds and feathers and it was quite the traumatizing experience.  I gave them my crazy eyes and ran for the hills screaming on the first 10 strides.  On the upside, I improved my pace on that particular Km by a minute.

2.  I had a hard time running the entire time.  My legs felt like I had strapped weights to them.  I forced through it, but it wasn’t easy where it has been easier on other runs.

As I pushed through it, the discouraging thoughts kept running through my head…

“Run faster”

“Your pace is slow, pick it up”

“Other people run this route minutes faster than you”

Yes, my internal banter is odd.  But a few minutes after all of the discouraging stuff I realized this and actually said it out loud…

“You’re a former Couch Potato, be proud, you are running 5K”

When I first started this journey I couldn’t run more than 30 seconds without everything in me screaming to stop.

Running does not come naturally to me.  I worked up to running 1 minute, walking 5 minutes over the length of 30 minutes.  Then I worked up to 2 min. run/5 min walk.  Then 2 min. run/2 min. walk.  Then 5 min. run/2 min. walk…and so on until I could eventually run for 10 minutes straight…then 20 minutes…then 30 minutes…then 45 minutes…and my next goal is to run for a full hour.

I used to live my life on the sidelines.  I didn’t think there would ever come a time that I would be a runner, or a writer, or a photographer, or even confident in my own skin for that matter.

I believe healthy competition is good for the soul and can drive you further.  But comparing yourself to anyone else is not productive in anyway.

We are all different, have different strengths and weaknesses, and different goals.

Last night during my run, I spent the first 2.5 Km discouraged, and the last 2.5 Km proud at the progress I’ve made over the past 5 years.

I can tell you that the first half of my run was harder than the last half. I actually ran the last half with a big smile plastered on my face and pride in my heart.

Life is good, especially when you stop looking at it from the sidelines and actually jump in and live it.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Finding Beauty in the Everyday

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“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Herman Cain

This quote is so true!  When I think back to the time in my life when I demanded change from within, it was because I wasn’t happy with the choices I was making in life and as a result, it translated negatively into many areas of my life.  When you finally get to the point where your desire, need, and vision of a different future is greater than staying on the same course that clearly isn’t working, that’s when change truly happens.  When your desire to pursue your dreams to be the person you KNOW you can be takes over, there is no stopping the wheels of change. The positive momentum carries you forward and little by little life begins to take shape in a way that it hasn’t in the past.

I’ve needed some extra motivation and inspiration lately, and I’m so thankful that I have amazing people in my life that continue to support and constantly remind me what is truly important in life.

I have to confess that I’ve been struggling lately with finding the almighty, seemingly unachievable balance.  My life is overwhelmingly busy right now.  It seems that the only time I have to myself is after the kids are in bed, and by then I’m tired!  I have missed out on my workout nights for a while now.  I decided last night, I needed to drop everything and go for a 5K run.  It took seconds for a huge smile to return to my face.  There’s a feeling when I run that I can’t get from anywhere else.  It’s both uncomfortable and completely freeing at the same time.

I’m once again reminded to do the things that bring the most joy and pride to my heart.  It’s important to create an environment that is the most conducive to keeping the positive in, while at the same time keeping the negative out.  Sometimes that feels selfish, but it’s an area that has taken me years to realize is essential in order to maintain a positive and healthy lifestyle.  But I also realize that positivity starts first with me.  I haven’t been as positive as I should be lately.

If you are struggling right now, I want to encourage you.  We are all stronger than we even realize.  We rarely tap into our true potential for fear of failure or because it’s difficult!  The best rewards in life come with hard work, dedication, and stick-to-it-iveness (yes I’m sure that’s a word). I believe you have to embrace failure to not only be successful, but to truly appreciate it!  It takes time to figure out the right path because we are all unique, so it only make sense that each of our paths are different.  We all fail!  It’s part of life and the sweet taste of success is seasoned with failure.

Change can be so scary.  I so often hold back because of fear of the unknown.  But change is necessary.  A good life is about learning, earning, and yearning (I think I read that somewhere once).

So, today I am going to stop in the midst of the busy, and find a bit of peace that’s essential to the heart and soul.  I think the reason I’m so completely addicted to photography, is because it’s the constant drive to find beauty and magic in the every day.  To walk into a venue that is common to the eye, and find angles and  yummy dreamy light that you miss unless you look for it is mighty delicious.  We so often miss the beauty that is all around us.

You see, one of the greatest blessing photography has brought into my life is that many people don’t realize how unique, amazing, and beautiful they truly are.  Their eyes hold a story…some of pain, some of innocence, some of wisdom, and some of joy…but all are authentically beautiful and deserve to be captured.

Different is Beautiful.

Coming through adversity a better person is Beautiful.

Change and growth is Beautiful.

Quirky is beautiful.

I have great memories attached to this song (although there are many opinions about what this song is really about)…it makes me break out into shoulder dance…that’s a good thing! 🙂

I hope you find beauty in the everyday.

From my heart to yours,

Christine