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Life is too short. Make it happen!
Friends: it’s never too late to rearrange your focus and live your dreams! Go get it!
You know that decision you need to make? Make it. Think of how you will feel when you can just MOVE FORWARD. No matter how much planning and calculating and talking it out and preparing you do, you never know what will happen when you finally take action on a dream. 9 times out of 10, the outcome is better and bigger than we ever expected when we finally act on love and make some tough decisions. You have to literally step out on faith. Faith means not knowing the final outcome. Not having complete assurance of what’s ahead, but having full assurance in hope. In what matters. Belief in what you cannot see. Life is too short, y’all. Take that risk. That step. That giant leap. Make life happen. - Lara
P.S. Yes, as per usual, this post is a note to self as well. We can do this, friends. We can do anything if we act on LOVE.
Every once in awhile, a couple comes along that takes you completely by surprise.
They weren’t picky. No shot list from a mother in-law. No worries about … anything. They just wanted to be married. It was a breathe of fresh air into my soul. I needed that!
Weddings are about… love. Not decorations or dances or how many photographs you have of posed things and what kinds of cups your drinks were in. At the end of a day it’s a story of boy meets girl. They fall in love. They get married. They live happily ever after.
This is what makes me get out bed everyday… the hope of real love. The love that says, “nothing matters but us.”
And photographing it is just a true pleasure. Nothing beats couples that just authentically LOVE each other. I’m so lucky that I get to see it all the time!
Thanks Nathan and Lucy, for making my summer!
NOTE TO SELF:
I have all the strength needed inside me to go the distance, to run with a faithful heart, and to persevere. I have courage to try. I have truth in my heart, which dissolves all fear. I have it, it’s there, and honestly, it needs to come out.
When I get discouraged, I need to tap into this fire inside my heart. I will not leave this world the way I found it. I will love and give and fall and get up again.
Every. Single. Day.
And I will do it knowing that no matter what happens, I fought with all my heart, to run strong.
I’ve had this thought brewing in my head the last few days… You do not need a fancy website or the perfect equipment or the perfect ANYTHING to do what matters. You don’t need to have all of your ducks perfectly in a row (where did that phrase come from anyway?!). You don’t need to know exactly how each step of your dream will unfold. To start making things happen, You just have to DO. This is a giant note to self. I can obsess about “perfect” and I always end up realizing that DONE is way better than perfect. Chasing perfect is paralyzingly. Love DOES. You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do? You should go DO them. You will make mistakes. You will “fail”. But, the risk is worth the reward, right? For me, risking for what matters ends up being no risk at all. The greater risk is staying stuck and not making the impact that I know I am capable of and called to make. We ALL have greatness inside of us waiting to be released. Go and DO. - Lara
Exactly what I’ve been living this week! Do!!!!
Dishes: the moral of the story
In a house of five, four being hungry boys, the dishes (and laundry, but that’s another post) NEVER EVER EVER stop.
Just when I think I have my arms wrapped around it, it’s piled up again. Today, was no exception.
As I stood at the sink, once again, washing everyone else’s dishes and muttering under my breath that I detest dishes with all my heart, I was overcome with gratitude. I have FOOD to eat, and it’s really good food at that. I have DISHES to eat them on. A sink with CLEAN WATER and SOAP to wash them in. I have two strong arms and feet and hands to get the cleaning done.
Yes, I have a bad attitude mostly about chores, but honestly, it’s all a huge BLESSING. I am blessed. Even if I were to loose any of the things mentioned above, like my legs or my dishes or my sink… at least I live in family that loves me and I serve a God who always gives second, third, fourth, and one hundredth chances to us. A God who takes what feels impossible and uses it to make a blessing. A God who pours out his love to my heart whether I deserve it or not. Sometimes my heart is too clouded with my selfish feelings or my own desires, but today, I was overcome with just how blessed I am to be doing dishes for my family. I am blessed.
You are, too.
That’s the moral of the story.
Listen to YOURSELF!
I posted this over six months ago… and boy, do I need reminding today.
http://shellypeters.tumblr.com/post/13427706135/photo-by-gina-zeidler-www-ginazeidler-com-in-one
Life isn’t easy… the hits just keep on coming sometimes. I often, especially this last week, want to curl up and cry. But, I can’t. I mean, I can, but not all day long for several days in a row. There are proofs to edit, kids to take care of, packages to deliver, a business to run, a family to run, dishes, laundry, bedrooms that look like bombs went off in them, etc. etc.
I think God is rolling his eyes at me. Saying, “Enough now. Haven’t you had your tantrum long enough?”
I am worth fighting for. I am worth putting my best self forward. I love what I do. I love the work I do. I love the people I meet doing the work I do. I love that my family comes first. I love that I answer, ultimately, after God, to ME, and only me. If I fail, my fault. If I succeed, my fault, too.
About a year ago I reread every journal I’ve ever written in. I’ve been keeping them pretty consistently since I was about 12. Boy, have I learned some stuff. Mostly the hard way. But, that’s how I roll. I learn better the hard way apparently. You know what surprised me though? How much I already knew about my situations or problems, and yet, went headlong in the wrong direction at warped speed… even though I journaled it all out and knew in my heart what to do.
Shelly: LISTEN TO YOUR HEART! You already know the right way! Do it!
Duh!
How about you? Listen to your heart. Look inside and do what’s best. Reread the old advice you’ve given yourself, if necessary. LISTEN!
Life is whizzing by, it’s over in a nano-second, believe me. Why not live your best life? Why not? YOU ARE WORTH IT! I am worth it. Let’s do this!
Saying Goodbye
No matter how prepared you can be in knowing that the time of death is near for someone, your heart still breaks at the end.
My favorite Auntie passed on today. She lost a long battle with cancer. She fought very hard, and even on her last day was full of love, grace, and sincerity. I loved her so much. Even though I did not see her often, there’s a vacant spot in my heart today. The sunshine seems dimmer, the world a less beautiful place because she’s not here.
I love you, sweet Auntie. I know that the cancer is totally healed today. I know that you are free and full of joy and dancing. We will miss you. Thank you for impacting us and making life more beautiful every second that you were in it.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” —Dr. Suess
On days like today, where my head is pounding, my stress level to the max, and my heart somewhat crushed, these eyes are all I need to see to remind me to keep going.
Make “what matters” happen. I can do all kinds of things. But, there are certain things that I’m ordained to do. Being momma, no matter how hard, how frustrating, how wearing, is the MOST important work. Being wife, even more important. Being right here, right now, living inside this moment, inside these lives… well, it’s my greatest calling and my most treasured honor.
Life goes by quick and is fast and short. These days are numbered. These loved ones are what matters to me. Most.
I challenge you to go hug yours a little tighter tonight, too.
Have a BEST weekend. Not good, or better. BEST!
Shelly
Nothing beats time with my boys, in the country, being. Nothing. Beats. It. Ever.
