Welcome:
Hi there, I'm so glad you're here! I'm Melissa, the creative mind
behind Soul Mates Photo. I enjoy spending time with people - with or
without my camera.
Twitter:
OVERWHELMED.
I know you wouldn't be able to tell from my blog, but I've been busy. Lots of things have been happening, some of them have to do with me, and some of them are happening around me. Nevertheless they are pulling me in different directions. If you asked me yesterday I would have described myself as overwhelmed. Rushing around only allows me to enjoy life half as much as I should, or more importantly, could. I enjoyed a all too short girls retreat last weekend, installed my show this week... make sure you stop by! I'm working on branching my brand (more exciting news on that later) and planning my upcoming boudoir weekend for some fabulous ladies. AND I'm hosting a baby shower this weekend in the middle of Easter services. Breathe in, Breathe out. See, told you. Busy.
PAUSE.
Yesterday I was rushing around trying to get double the amount done in half the time. Typical Melissa fashion. I impatiently sat at a red light and casually looked to my left. My heart stopped for a brief moment. What I saw completely changed my perspective for the week. What I saw through my drivers window has made me so grateful yet feel so selfish at the same time. What I saw was this: a under nourished man slowly climb the steps of the bowling alley. He was heavy with the weight of the world on his back in the shape of a garbage bag. Gingerly he leaned on the stair railing. He painfully bent down as he stretched out his hand to reach for something. A used cigarette.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
THANKFUL.
Today I cry as I write this. How silly am I living my life sitting in my heated car feeling stressed because I have to plan things. Fun things, nevertheless. I have a life that is so, so full. How can I not enjoy everything I have "to do"? So, right there sitting in traffic I decided two things; 1. Be thankful for everything. No matter what this life throws at you, be thankful. I know a lot of people are going through hard times these days. I don't think you should ignore them be any means, but recognize them and be thankful for what you do have. And by all means write that out so you remember! 2. Enjoy today. Enjoy the process, enjoy the little baby steps that allow you to reach the top and come back down.
I journal almost every morning. Recently, I've made it a point to write one full page of things I'm thankful for. In the end, Most turn out to be simple joys. I truly believe life is more about who you live your life with, rather then what you life your life with. Breathe in, Breath out.
Speaking of crying and breathing, I'll share one of my favorite images of my dad and I in honor of his 60th birthday. I'm thankful I have a wonderful dad who is ALWAYS smiling through think and thin. Happy Birthday Dad, I love you. Thank you for walking me down the isle to meet the love of my life.
I know you wouldn't be able to tell from my blog, but I've been busy. Lots of things have been happening, some of them have to do with me, and some of them are happening around me. Nevertheless they are pulling me in different directions. If you asked me yesterday I would have described myself as overwhelmed. Rushing around only allows me to enjoy life half as much as I should, or more importantly, could. I enjoyed a all too short girls retreat last weekend, installed my show this week... make sure you stop by! I'm working on branching my brand (more exciting news on that later) and planning my upcoming boudoir weekend for some fabulous ladies. AND I'm hosting a baby shower this weekend in the middle of Easter services. Breathe in, Breathe out. See, told you. Busy.
PAUSE.
Yesterday I was rushing around trying to get double the amount done in half the time. Typical Melissa fashion. I impatiently sat at a red light and casually looked to my left. My heart stopped for a brief moment. What I saw completely changed my perspective for the week. What I saw through my drivers window has made me so grateful yet feel so selfish at the same time. What I saw was this: a under nourished man slowly climb the steps of the bowling alley. He was heavy with the weight of the world on his back in the shape of a garbage bag. Gingerly he leaned on the stair railing. He painfully bent down as he stretched out his hand to reach for something. A used cigarette.
Breathe in, Breathe out.
THANKFUL.
Today I cry as I write this. How silly am I living my life sitting in my heated car feeling stressed because I have to plan things. Fun things, nevertheless. I have a life that is so, so full. How can I not enjoy everything I have "to do"? So, right there sitting in traffic I decided two things; 1. Be thankful for everything. No matter what this life throws at you, be thankful. I know a lot of people are going through hard times these days. I don't think you should ignore them be any means, but recognize them and be thankful for what you do have. And by all means write that out so you remember! 2. Enjoy today. Enjoy the process, enjoy the little baby steps that allow you to reach the top and come back down.
I journal almost every morning. Recently, I've made it a point to write one full page of things I'm thankful for. In the end, Most turn out to be simple joys. I truly believe life is more about who you live your life with, rather then what you life your life with. Breathe in, Breath out.
Speaking of crying and breathing, I'll share one of my favorite images of my dad and I in honor of his 60th birthday. I'm thankful I have a wonderful dad who is ALWAYS smiling through think and thin. Happy Birthday Dad, I love you. Thank you for walking me down the isle to meet the love of my life.
Oh, Melissa, such a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing. I needed to be reminded of this. I too have been feeling overwhelmed, and all by good things. So much to be thankful for, but thankfulness is a discipline, isn't it? I miss you and your insights. =)
Love,
(03.31.10 @ 04:18 PM)Christina
I'm thankful to have met YOU! Your dad looks so proud in the photo. *hugs*
(04.01.10 @ 10:37 AM)Beautiful, what an excellent reminder! I love how poetic this is. I love you so very much!
(04.01.10 @ 11:47 AM)I loved this day! Your wedding was so beautiful! I finally got around to checking out the new blog and of course, I love it. Keep up the fantastic work. xoxo
(04.01.10 @ 02:19 PM)Loved the post! It's so hard to remember sometimes to be thankful... and then that man in your story comes along or your post comes along and it makes you remember
(04.01.10 @ 11:34 PM)you are all so wonderful. i'm so happy you read this post and i hope it made you think... just a little more. i don't know why, but sometimes its hard to remember we have such wonderful lives!! thanks you all for being my friends. Much love. M
(04.02.10 @ 03:47 PM)I'm thankful I have a new job yay! I am also thankful I stopped worrying about things I cannot do anything about. :)
(04.05.10 @ 02:35 PM)That my friend is beautiful!! your dad is so cute!!! thanks for the reminder@
(04.05.10 @ 04:35 PM)Awww...love this. I wish I had a pic like this with my dad ;)
Miss you!
(04.07.10 @ 01:43 PM)Lovely to read those words and be reminded to look at life as a "cup half full and not half empty" Being content and thankful with what you have. Many times there is not enough minutes in our days to accomplish all the tasks needed to be done. Take a deep breath, there is always tomorrow.
(04.14.10 @ 10:59 AM)I am continually reminded of my many blessings when ever I hear my childerns voices. I love this picture Melissa of you and Dad. Love Mom