'Til Monday: The Ebb & Flow Of Life

I've admired this cactus from my car window for some time.  Yesterday, I finally decided to stop and take a closer look.  With many years behind it, there are signs of times when it struggled to grow and also of times when growth seemed effortless.  I was taken by the strength of its massive trunk, the calluses on some paddles and the vibrant green of others.  This week has been a bit challenging both personally and professionally.  My children are fully engrossed in school and I miss them.  Work seems stagnant.  We've all caught colds, and I feel distant from family.  Getting up close to this cactus made me realize that there are ebbs and flows in everything we do and that patience, faith and forgiveness are vital to us all.

This weekend I'm taking note of where I am and what I need to address without forgetting who I am and what's most important in my life.

Here's to a weekend of accepting life's ebbs and flows...

The Creative Residency & Room Forty

Over the weekend I flew to LA to work on my Social Media skills with Justina Blakeney and Dabito of the The Creative Residency.   This Social Media Practicum was held at Room Forty,  where 13 other creatives and I shared professional goals, critiqued each other's web presence,  advanced our camera skills and learned of ways to hone our brands and maximize our social media platforms.

I left feeling totally inspired!  With both short and long term goals in place, be ready for some changes around here (all good).    Take a look at a few images from the day:

Being a part of The Creative Residency was an invigorating experience and one that I highly recommend.  Be sure to check out all of their offered seminars here.

Many thanks to Justina and Dabito for lending themselves full heartedly to us, the folks at Room Forty for feeding us so well and to Kelly Cuadra of Brown Paper Designs for providing the beautiful botanical arrangements.

The Creative Residency

I have fantastic news!  I was just accepted to be a fellow at The Creative Residency, a seminar series founded by  Justina Blakeney and Dabito.  They are both  leaders in the blogging, photography and styling stratosphere.  Simply put, they're kick ass creatives!   At the end of the month I'll be attending their Social Media Practicum in LA.  It took courage to apply but I'm so glad I did and now I'm in it!

I feel like great things are happening ahead and I'm fully engaged to embrace them.

Be sure to check out all of the seminars at The Creative Residency here and follow their Instagram feed for inspiring images and words!

Life Happens

In a previous "Life Happens" post, I expressed my thoughts (in a somewhat dour way) on the of effects of time on me, our children and my parents.   On the flip side, as time continues to pass, our kids are maturing into very distinct individuals and each one is SO enjoyable.  In the photos recently taken in Big Sur, one can get a sense of the unique personalities captured by my camera.

I'm looking forward to a slow summer in their very entertaining company.

Here's to many happy and safe life happenings this summer!

Learning To Relax***Dolce Far Niente

With 3 kids and their schedules, our schedules, work, household chores, social and  personal obligations, there seems to be NO down time anymore.  Whenever a free moment appears, I find myself filling it with a yoga class, garden work, walking the dog or some type of screen time.  I see this in my husband, too.  We never sit for a moment and do absolutely nothing.  Lately, however,  my body has been practically forcing itself to try it, as if it's applying its own internal brakes.  At times, I feel both mentally and physically fatigued, and I'm learning to recognize it and let go of things that "have" to be done.  I'm hopeful that my current need for quiet moments will also affect Alex and our children.  It's OK to do nothing.  Perhaps even sweet...

Do you find it difficult to slow down and relax?  I'd love to hear how others find the time, or even the will to let go and enjoy a state of true relaxation.

Image via Pinterest