Delight

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

-Khalil Gibran

Clarity

This week has been a struggle.
I haven't had one like it in quite a while. Every day, it seems, has been a sharp reminder of the choices I have made...

If, in this circumstance, I had done that instead, this is how things would be.

I know that in some ways we obviously can't know all the alternate paths things could take...but this week, I am certain that I have seen how it would have gone two years ago. If things were different. I can't go back and live it, but I can see it very clearly. The exact path things would have taken.

Or really, not even two years ago. I can see how things would have gone if they had changed many times in the past year as well.

None of it matters now. Every day, the future gets more set in stone and there's less of a chance of any of that coming true.

I've cried over it many days and nights.

But you know what? There are so many different paths that can be taken. I'm on this one, and it's going to end up being the right one for me.



I just wish that I wouldn't get these random bursts of clarity and windows into how things would be if I had followed all of the other options.

National Humour

It seems that everyone knows that humour differs around the world, but nothing I've found online so far (still looking) can map it out exactly by types, or say what contributes to the differences.
I posted this on my facebook as well, but I'm looking for input.

So, to anyone who reads this: What do you think is unique about humour in your country compared to the rest of the world...and, if possible (you might have no idea, which is a valid response), what do you think helped to develop that specific variety of humour? Do you think it is based on national history, or geographic location, or something else entirely? If you reply to this, state your general location as well please...

This is mostly aimed to people outside of the United States, but anyone within it is welcome to respond as well--either to say "when I visitied ____ I noticed _____ about their humour" or "hey in my part of the United States _(basic location)_ I believe we are unique in that ______"

Thanks everyone in advance for any contributions. :)   Oh, and if you know of any specific examples of what you're expressing, feel free to either link me in that direction or tell me the name of something to look up. 

Views

For reasons unknown to my, the number of readers on this blog is apparently rising steadily. I have gone from an average of 200 views per month during the second half of 2011, to well over that for the first half of 2012...I went from 241 views total in the month of January, to 1300 in June alone. I just checked the stats and am already at 1100 for the month of July which is not even half over.

Apparently I'm doing something right, which is nice because this is really just for fun :)

Split

As a heads up, I may be distracted from updating this as much as I would like to for the next little while. I'm finally motivated and making huge steps in the direction of setting up my photography business--officially.

The largest most daunting task for me is the bulk of stuff necessary to legally have it set up and running. Plus before officially launching in the professional realm and charging money, I wanted to have a strong presence set up online so that everything looks nice if anyone contacts me.

I'm not releasing any details yet, but everything is definitely falling into place beautifully. In fact it's starting to look as if it is actually the perfect timing ... in addition to all of the preparation that has been going on behind the scenes over here, I've also been arranging with some people for portfolio building shoots, and have been accidentally falling into great networking opportunities.

Now I just have to keep from getting too overwhelmed. One step at a time. Then another. Then another. I've made enormous project in the last few weeks alone, and my goal is to have everything finished (online) before the middle of September.

Any input from people with online marketing/design/web-building experience, feel free to leave tips!

A&C

I'm looking for some cool DIY project ideas. I've been feeling artsy.
Anyone have arts and crafts ideas or cool do-it-yourself projects?

Photo from Make And Takes

By Halves

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” 

-Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Glimpses of Me (#2)

When I was younger, if I concentrated while looking at people, I would see small outlines of light around each of them. I told myself that my eyes were playing tricks on me, and that there obviously is no outline around people. I convinced myself of this. Over time I gradually trained myself to almost not notice the outline. It is still there, just much fainter than when I was five or six years old.

Recently, I read something that said that to some people—especially children—it is possible to see auras. Auras of people, of animals, etc. As with most psychic abilities, it is something believed to be strongest in children, but adults still can have the ability too.

Photo from Wikipedia

It makes me wonder. Is that what the light was that I was seeing so clearly surrounding people? Their auras?

First Step

Picture something you’ve always dreamed of.  A goal that you’ve wanted to achieve, but kept telling yourself “one day.” It may be the first step toward moving, or changing careers, or starting the hobby you’ve always wanted.

Photo from Flickr

Now take that step this week… just the first one. It’s so easy to get caught up in end goals that seem so far off…the first step toward a goal is rarely world-shattering. In many cases, the first step is simply planning and figuring out what the best way to accomplish a goal may be. Whatever the first step is, take it this week.

In most cases, at the end of the day it is us, not any outside force, that is holding us back from our dreams. 

Glimpses of Me (#1)

I've decided that every once in a while I'm going to make a post with little unknown facts/weird tidbits about me.
Here's the first:

Photo from The Artful Stencil

The person in my family whom I am apparently the most like, died a few years before I was born. She was the odd one out, especially considering that she lived in a small town. I would have loved to have met her.

Open Call

Recipe Card by Vol25

Anyone have interesting recipes to share with me? I'm looking for suggestions to try in the next month or so. It doesn't matter what they are, if necessary I can substitute ingredients.