Where I’ve Been Writing Lately!

Friends! I was going to title this blog post with “Where I’ve Been!” but that’s another story (fade to black, cue credits). I just want to let you know where I’ve been parking my proverbial pen lately: over at A Quarter Young, an awesome lifestyle and young-somethings blog with a gaggle of ridiculously talented contributors writing about relevant, beyond-interesting topics. I hold my own with some quirky, mildly inspiring pieces about life, career stuff, and generally being happy.

Go take a peek at my latest soul explosion and browse the other articles; it’s a good place to be!

Some Soul Stuff – Why You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To You

This “Soul Stuff” is catching on… and guess what? I’m liking it. Also, my dog is gorgeous and this photo has nothing to do with anything. Hurray!

I’ve had another one of those brain itches that just won’t go away until I proverbially scratch at it. I’ve resisted bringing up this topic because it’s still a tender one for me, and while I’m totally a work in progress, I’m at a place now that I can understand myself enough to talk about it. I hope it will help at least one person out there struggling with the same invisible monster. 

Don’t You Dare Apologize For Your Joy

Wow, April went by fast. Like in a heartbeat. Can’t even believe it.

I just had to post about something I came across recently. It’s been bugging my brain for days and I can’t shake that feeling of “I need to tell someone this”. So I’m telling you, dear readers, if you’re still around since my last post ages ago!

The story is this: I was in a department store, shooting for a promotional day they were having, which featured a DJ. A great DJ. Playing all the right mixes and hits. Everyone had a little mamba in their step that day, and you could watch people trying to resist the sway of their hips as they browsed through the beauty department. This guy was good. There was one particular woman who had the most beautiful curves, and had a shake to go with them, if you catch my drift. She was sashaying and swaying, bouncing and grooving, until… she saw me. I’ll admit, I was watching her. Not in a creepy voyeur kind of a way, but in a fascinated, jovial, gosh she’s so happy! thought kind of way. And immediately she stopped, giggled for a second, and said, “Sorry, sorry…” and slunk behind the counter.

I immediately raced over and said “No! No! It’s ok!” and did a little jive of my own, but the moment had passed.

What I’ve taken from this moment, friends, is this: do not, DO NOT apologize for your joy. Whatever that may be. Whatever may bring that to you. Do not apologize for having a great time in a moment that is fleeting.

Watching my beauty department dancer made me smile, and she was embarrassed, I could tell. But don’t you for a second think that you have to apologize for being yourself when no one is watching (or when they are, for that matter!)

Dance your dance, jive your jive, and live your joy. xo

 

Some Soul Stuff

It’s a warm, cozy Sunday night, and I’ve stumbled across the most gorgeous… beautiful… inspirational… blissfully soul-satisfying site.

Unsplash.com is a compilation of free images, and the quality of each and every photo is just… beyond. I’m speechless. My heart is filled with that feeling I had when I first fell head over heart for photography, and I feel like you could use a dollop of that too. Not a photo nut like me? Channel your thing, whatever it is, and consider this your daily dose of happy soul. Don’t think, just look.

*Sigh*. I want to go rambling in a field with my camera. Or along a shoreline. Or an airport… and just fly  somewhere. Right now. Let’s go.

When I find something that makes me swoon, I can’t help but feel like I have a duty as a photographer to catalogue the world through my eyes, through my lens, and leave behind something worthwhile. Anyone else get that tug of “common now, we can do this!” when you’re inspired by greatness?

Spend your evening scrolling through these photos… and start your Monday refreshed, and inspired. You’re welcome.