Looking Back and Giving Back

I'm loving my break from work deadlines to tackle some of the lingering projects I continue to push to the back of the list...you know...like taxes, backing up computer flies, packing the winter clothes and getting ready for spring.  Taxes have to be done this weekend.  Then, it's deciding which seeds to start planting for our garden. And after that...the project I'm the most excited to conquer is sifting through my digital photos and videos of the boys.

Here's my plan...  First, to organize my iPhoto library - clear out the old photos, organize the ones I'm keeping and back them up!  Then, I'm going to pick my favorites and make a photo book for each boy.  Then, I will go through all of our home videos and make DVD's so we can actually watch and enjoy them, and not let them get lost in computer-land.

I started organizing just a few photos this morning and I am so excited to dedicate some quality time to this project.  It could be daunting if I really take a look at just how many photos I have to go through, but I am enjoying moving at a slow pace.

And for some reason...this project is just a little more fun while wearing a cowboy hat.

I'm realizing that one of the reasons I am falling in love with photography is that it is giving me the visual tools to document my children's history.  Isn't that cool to think about?  Someday, they will look back on all of these memories and be reminded of the special times and love that they were surrounded by during these precious years.

As I look through my photos I've been reflecting a lot about what it means to be a mother. With all the devastation going on in the world, sometimes I question what life is all about. It makes me think about how I'm contributing to the world and how I can continue making it a better place.  A friend and past Inside Out participant reminded me yesterday that one way to give back to the world is to raise our children to be responsible, loving, and compassionate beings. 

And that is why I am passionate about creating the life I love, and inspiring others to do the same, because when our life-purpose is aligned with how we are living each day, then we have no other choice than to be joyous and happy.  And teaching our children that happiness comes from within, is a great, wonderful gift.  When we feel happy at our core we feel moved to share that happiness by being of service to the world.  

Growing, being, laughing, doing, documenting, sharing, giving, receiving...  That's what my photos remind me of, and that's why I am dedicated to being more present in my life...and going deeper along the way...

Your Personal Reflection:  What do your photos say about your history and how are you making the world a better place?

Giving Birth & Apple Kisses (reverb#10)

Hope you are enjoying your holidays!  Sending you lots of love for a joy-filled, peace-filled New Year.  Let this be a time for deep reflection of the past year, celebration and excitement for the New Year, and inspiration to fully enjoy this moment.  

I'm taking time this week to contemplate my 2010, and I've stumbled across some fun prompts that I'd like to share with you.  

Reverb#10 is an online initiative that encourages you to reflect on this year and manifest what's next.  Here are the two prompts that struck me today:

December 25th Prompt - Photo - A Present to Yourself:

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year.  Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words.  Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.  (Author: Tracy Clark)

This past year was the year of giving birth and living more fully, boldly and freely from the inside out.  I launched my first e-course Inside Out, a creative adventure that inspires deep change on the inside so participants can live more vibrant, authentic lives on the outside.  

AND I created a new human being, one that started growing inside me in January and came outside and into the world in October.

Living from the inside out has made me come alive in ways I had never imagined before!  This photo montage (Ok...so I didn't pick just one, but decided to share a small collection), best captures the life, love, vitality, celebration, exuberance, truth, growth and pure joy that I experienced and embraced in my life over the past year.

(My husband took these photos in an urban area of downtown Kansas City.)

December 27 Prompt - Ordinary Joy:

Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments.  What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?  (Author: Brené Brown)

These photos were taken at a rest area in the flatlands of Kansas on our way back from a family trip to Colorado.  Kestan and I have a game where we give each other funny kisses.  We do the common Eskimo or butterfly kiss, but we especially like making up our own.  This one is our "apple kiss" because Kestan reached to give me the biggest, wettest kiss while eating apples.  We laughed and tickled and hugged and rolled around and it was a very special, tender, ordinary moment that I'll always remember.  (Another one my husband, Chris, captured.)

Your Personal Reflection:  What about you?  What photo best represents YOU or what ordinary moment from this past year really stands out?