Beauty of Barrenness

Most of the time we see artists, musicians, & designers as creatives. Maybe its because their creativity comes in artistic forms. Being creative has nothing to do with art. It has everything to do with your imagination & the ideas that are given to you. Engineers are creative. So are fitness trainers, scientists, and even history teachers. Bottom line is, EVERYONE is creative.  We all have thoughts. We have our own imaginations and ideas. Therefore, we are creative. Not just that, but our Maker. The Creator of the heavens & the Earth. The One who knew us & created us before we were even in our mother's womb, He designed us each unique & special in our own ways. Yet He also created us in His image as well. This means that we also inherited the gift of creativity. Creativity was hardwired into our DNA's before birth by God himself. When you take a step back to enjoy the beauty of the world around you does it not inspire you? Move you? If God made the plant...

My story started about 4 years ago. With PCOS  , I had gained weight and at the time, it seemed like the darkest days I'd ever experienced. I was depressed, discouraged, & insecure. PCOS had brought me to a place of complete misery. Not only did I not feel good internally, but externally, I couldn't even stand the sight of myself. I went from a size 0/1 on the day of my wedding, and in 4-6 short months, I had shot up to an 8/9. Spring 2007              Winter 2015 Everyone around me noticed it too. But they were just "being nice." Complimenting at the assumption that I must be so happy after I got married that I didn't care about my body or weight anymore. That wasn't the case. My eating habits didn't change. Yet I had gained massive weight in such a short time. Little did I know at that time that PCOS had crept up on me. It explained the hormone changes and the weight gain. The depression roller coaster I was on & also the gro...

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. This is an issue. A BIG one at that. Over and over again, we see what is happening. We see this & we think, well? What can I  do? I'm only one  person.  Human trafficking is becoming more and more the case for men, women, & even children. 27 MILLION .   That's the number of people that are trapped in slavery. Now more than ever, we are seeing that slavery is as real as it was before the Civil War. We may have passed laws in supposedly "securing" freedom for those enchained, but this is not the case any more. Whether within the US or not, this industry has multiplied over the course of the past few years more than ever. From the things we consume, purchase, wear, and eat to porn, & buying sex. All these things link back to men, women, and children in slavery. There are sweatshops around the world with children sewing your clothes. Women forced to sell their bodies on the streets because their fami...

In a nutshell, I am the worlds most indecisive person ever.  Senior year of high school, I remember one occurring  question.  "What are your plans after graduation?"   Honestly, I didn't know and I most certainly did not want to just apply for a community college with no passion & then drop out at some point where I've lost my will power to drag myself into the unknown. I've seen it happen plenty of times. So I thought I'd take a year to just work & figure out who or what I wanted to be.  A year came by so quickly. Then 4 years, then 5, and now I've been out of school for over 8 years. When did I lose myself?  Its strange. For a season I was inspired to go into beauty school & become a cosmetologist. I enjoyed the thought of pampering others. After that I fell in love with children. I committed to working in a day care center, a nanny, family assistant, and a local non profit shelter for women & children over the course of 7 yea...

In light of the new year & a fresh new canvas, we can't hold onto the things that we failed in 2015. Say good bye to the things that we didn't do or the things that we did do but regret. As I was contemplating on what to share this morning, I remembered a song that I had stumbled upon on Youtube a few days ago. It's a great anthem for those who forget that whats in the past can no longer be brought into the future. We can only take tomorrow as it comes. So lets take it one day at a time. As best as we can. Lets make this year "the best one yet." And because, I want to do more of what sparks joy in my life, I'm sharing my cover of this song. The original singer/songwriter is a beautiful gal named JJ Heller. Enjoy! Whats something you're holding onto from last year that you should let go of? What are some new things that you want to fight for this year? Some more time for yourself? Creating more memories with your family? Making new friends? I wa...

January 1st. The first day of the year, Roger (my awesome husband) & I went out for coffee for the first time and made that our "2016 planning date". We've never really been that intentional about making plans together. We have casually pointed out a few resolutions we had & maybe even scribbled it onto a restaurant napkin or post-it note, but that's about it.  We've been married for 10 years going on 11 next month!!!!!  10  YEARS?!?!? Time surely does fly, but it's slow in the midst of it. 10 years is equivalent to a decade. I've dedicated & committed 10 years to him & him to me. The thing is though, that between all those years, we've never actually made it a priority for us to be intentional. With each other, with our family, or our friends. But, we've recently just really felt a movement of people moving in a more purposeful way of living. Enough with the impossible resolutions. Its more about making realistic goals. Settin...

What causes you to be moved? What breathes life back into your lungs? What motivates you? What inspires your very being? I've learned that life is precious. While I could sit in shame & self pity, I realize I have the choice. The choice to change my perspective & find contentment in the beautiful things that surround me or lock myself up in prison. A prison of depression, failure, & doubt. Inspiration comes to me in so many various ways. God himself was the original creator of all things. Therefore, we as His children share that gift. Our inspiration comes in different forms, shapes, and sizes. I hear inspiration through words of life & truth and even in beautiful melodies. I'm inspired by the ever-changing leaves & skies. I'm inspired by communities of love & support. Art & creativity moves me & compels me to get my mind into a place where I can express myself. Nothing beats sharing inspiration though. I love being inspired, but wh...