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Think about These Things

You’ve heard of the Instagram Weekly Round Up haven’t you? It’s usually a post on Sunday from the Instagram team that fills a space in your usual feed of friend’s photos. Sometimes the pictures are intriguing, artistic, or overly creative. Sometimes, I skip right over them. However, one a few weeks ago caught my eye. There is a woman named Taylor Tippet who uses the Instagram handle @taylortippet. This girl is onto something. Taylor is a flight attendant who chooses to use her job for good. Each day, or maybe every flight, she posts an anonymous note on a window seat of the plane. The words range from “you’re golden” to “do what matters” and beyond. All the little notes are subtle reminders that we have a responsibility to love ourselves, and to take care of one another. What a beautiful message and a simple delivery of an absolutely necessary reminder that life matters. Now, Taylor now has over 70 thousand followers on Instagram, so that tells you what kind of promotion the Weekly Round Up gets you. Mega-Exposure. I don’t want to steal her photos and put them on here; rather I strongly recommend her photos on Instagram, or check her out on Twitter @taylortippet as well. What an amazing reflection of beauty.

In light of disheartening news this week in Missouri, which I admit I am privileged enough to just send my heart and my prayers to, I find it an extremely important practice to seek out hope, community, and connection. Answer what that means for you, and start from there. In an effort to build more connection for me to this space here, I started a Pinterest account for the blog. Of course I would love for you to follow along. In doing so, I was so excited to find that others, many others, have vision boards and virtual collections of beautiful things. It was an exercise in connection to others and to that ache in your heart to remember the things that are good. No, of course I am not naive enough to think that I am the only one on a journey such as this. Too, I know making a self indulgent board on Pinterest will never compare to trying to solve hurt and issues of racism, power, or politics. However, this small step was so encouraging to me to find that people find solace, peace, or maybe just enjoyment in the collection of beautiful images, words, creativity, experiences.

Social media is really a fascinating thing these days. Pressure to create an ideal image of you, or a highlight reel of the grand and glamorous things going on in your life at times feels insurmountable. I spend quite a few moments thinking about what I want to post on each of the different modes of communication, and who do I share what information with (that can’t be grammatically correct, can it?). What is the goal of these different outlets and should we critically analyze these ways we spend our time connecting with others? It is easy to be overly selective in creating the “Katie” represented on my social media accounts. Too, many people choose the opposite path and selectively complain, argue, and pull others down into the depths of darkness that is tempting in this world.

I suppose I was just blown away by these two examples of how social media can extend positive energy and ooze the loving light of inspiring others to take time to appreciate themselves, and appreciate the world.  All I can think of is this scripture verse that keeps running through my head. Take or leave religion, I don’t care either way, but this verse to me, holds immense truth.

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New Living Translation – Phillipians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Tonight, for me, that includes the simplicity of a delightfully smelling candle, a cold glass of white wine (don’t judge the ice cubes) and catching up on Real Simple Magazine.

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Do you use social media for good? Is it a challenge to manage yourself here? What brings you peace, solace, and enjoyment?

Wow! A Nomination

Isn’t blogging space fun? And weird, and kinda vulnerable? You never know who is out there reading your stuff. I was encouraged today because I noticed some are reading and liking what they see. I got nominated for an award! Yay! So, I’m bombarding your inbox twice today, but what can you do. Read below and I’m making up for those lost weeks in January way back at the beginning.

Thank you to Chelsea, at The Chelsea Page for nominating me for the ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD. Neato!

The One Lovely Blog Award recognizes blogs considered to be lovely, written by bloggers who share their story or thoughts in a beautiful manner to connect with their viewers and followers. The nominees are chosen by fellow bloggers, and the nominations are presented to new and up-and-coming bloggers. The purpose of the award is to not only give recognition, but to help the new blogger reach more viewers as well.

If nominated, in order to “accept” the award, you must follow these guidelines:
* Thank the person who nominated you for the award.
* Add the One Lovely Blog logo image to your acceptance post.
* Share 7 facts/or things about yourself.
* Nominate other bloggers you admire and inform nominees by commenting on their blog.

7 facts about Me:

1. I was born orange. Carrot orange. Not an alien, just had no oxygen in my blood.
2. I really enjoy using things one at a time until they run out – pens, chapstick, nail polish – I’m rather OCD
3. I am an older sister.
4. I ran cross country in high school because it was the only no-cut sport. I always finished last on our team in races.
5. Mashed potatoes are my favorite food.
6. Alice in Wonderland is my favorite Disney movie.
7. I never ate meatloaf growing up. Never.

Isn’t it fun thinking about yourself. And now, for thinking about others. I nominate the following blogs!

Girl on the Contrary – her short little blips of info each post are funny and quirky and so spot on.

Kathleen Bean – this lovely lady was my mentor in college whom I still call upon for wisdom, laughs and support. Her honest approach to parenting and life is so refreshing.

Mikey is in My Kitchen – Can you say yum? This gal is so great at reflecting on life and talking about how food brings us joy and comfort. I love her recipes and thoughts.

Allison Ramsing – Her site looks so great! I aspire to make my blog looks so professional. And she writes with her husband, how neat. I love the appreciation for the ordinary celebrations in life and honesty about life’s ups and downs.

Stepping Stones – my sweet friend and I have very similar approaches to life. We walk together through all kinds of things and her generous heart pours out in this space. Check her out.

Welp, there you have it. Some inspiration for the day, and a grateful heart for a bit of promotion in this big thing called cyberspace.

If you accept this nomination please read the rules under the picture above. Pay it forward yo – pass it on

“Once”

I think I was six or maybe seven the first time I got to go to the theater. I remember a lot of details about my first outing to “The Nutcracker”. I went with my cousins, both of whom are close to me in age, and their nanny, who dressed us up and encouraged us to behave for the evening that would be very special. I wish I had a copy of the picture of the three of us, sitting on the top arm of the couch as we anxiously awaited our evening out. I remember what I wore, a floral velvet dress with a lace bib that had a lovely print of Snow White across the front. I remember holding hands with Lauren and Leah in the back of the car, and getting to order a special treat in the lobby. I remember the thrill I had as the sugar plumbs danced across the stage, and the way the music floated through the air and into my heart. And, I remember how I stepped on a Junior Mint,  and it melted all over my little Mary Janes and the nanny spent a lot of time scrapping the minty goo off of my shoes until she would let me back in that car so we could go home. For those of you who know me, this spilling, making a mess incident is nothing new – not surprising that while falling in love with theater and the stage I also had a “Spilling Incident.” For a couple of months whenever I encountered the nanny I would glare at her, hoping to communicate my shame and embarrassment at that spill directly into her heart. Not my fault I stepped on the chocolatey mess. Don’t you know that’s just what Katie does?

While I may have grown out of that Snow White dress, and am getting better at managing my spilling incidents…… I have not outgrown my love of theater. I have had the immense privilege of a few outings to the Buell Theater, shows on Broadway, and appreciation for the arts and singing and dancing and the wonderful creation of stories acted out on stage. This week I got to go to the performance of “Once” at the Buell Theater. The tickets were my Christmas present, and I had waited five months to see the show. What a wonderful demonstration of talents, acting and beautiful music. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, check out the documentary style film, and listen to the music and take any opportunity you can to acquaint yourself with a story that so many longing people can relate to. I don’t act, and don’t play instruments, and I was blown away by the small cast that not only acted, but performed all the music themselves.

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This story, too, has a little bit of back story in my life. A few years ago, when my brother was in the midst of turmoil with drugs and alcohol, and our family was on his roller coaster, I had the opportunity to see the band The Swell Season that performs this music. That one night brought life to my aching heart, and I could connect with the music in a way that was just what I needed for that time in my life. That is what is so wonderful about music and about stories isn’t it – it gives us something to connect to? This story will always have a special place in my heart; these musicians too portray every day live with amazing simplicity. Humor, love, desire, passion for life and owning one’s stories. I can get behind all of these things. I’m sure I’m not portraying the beauty well myself here, and so I turn, instead, to my heart, and let the joy bubble and simmer within itself in appreciation for what this story does for me. Check out the music, tap into the story, and see what “Once” can bring to you.

Below is the funniest clip of the music done by The Swell Season below. I love it… and hope you will too.

 

 

“I know, Katie, I know”

February 8th, March 16th, early May, June 28th, October 4th. What do these dates have in common? They are my friend’s wedding dates. How exciting! Wouldn’t miss it! As each new Save the Date rolls in I am thrilled to be a part of such a significant day in the life of someone I love. But when I also sit and am quiet, there is a part of me that comes out that I don’t quite love about myself. Beauty in self acceptance – right? Beauty in where you are at? Because when I admit it, with each new Save the Date that shows up in my inbox, or is posted on my fridge, I also get pretty jealous and my competitive nature roars its ugly head.  I was supposed to be first – that was supposed to be me. I am still, at times – ok right now, struggling with the reality that I chose to postpone my wedding. As we are getting back on the horse, so to speak, with the wedding planning I secretly hate parts of the decision that I chose to put things on pause. And while I love my friends dearly, and can not be happier for where they are at – a part of me wishes I was there too with the showers, and the dress, and the cake tasting too.

I am reminded about a post Jon Acuff wrote in his blog “Stuff Christians Like” (which is a hilarious blog by the way) called The Soft X. In it, Jon addresses how God speaks to us in times of disappointment, struggle, and unmet expectations. ” I know, my son, I know”, he says of God, and at times like this in my life it is hard for me to remember that God cares about the way I am feeling. There is beauty in the suffering. Perhaps suffering is a strong word here, as I know I am learning SO much about myself when expectations are unmet, or rather, life takes a detour you really could not anticipate. I have pretty high expectations for myself – Lighten up Katie, Lighten up! I, however,would like a little break from what my mom and I affectionately call a good ol’ FGO – Fucking Growth Opportunity – excuse the language.

And so, for this week, I am choosing to turn my attention towards the beauty in walking along side others through life – through the ups and downs, from the ouch that’s tough, to the celebrations and the Hooray look at you! This weekend, Dylan’s cousin got married, and it was a beautiful wedding, methodically planned out and a great expression of a wonderful couple I hope to get to spend more time with.  I hope they become better friends, and our go-to Fort Collins buddies! They are both so neat, passionate, funny, and committed people!

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While there were some moments in the weekend where I caught myself thinking, “I wish that was us”, I tried instead to focus my energy on what a blessing it is to be included in something so significant. To be a part of a large, wonderful extended family that I SO look forward to making my official “in-laws” and my friends and to walk through their joyous moment as I know they will walk through mine. My time will come and in the meantime it is helpful to remember that God is up there saying, “I know Katie, I know.”  Too, their is so much beauty in the opportunity to learn about yourself in the midst of unanticipated life changes. I am learning that it is ok to say, “Hey, this is where I’m at – all the pretty, all the ugly, all the unsure, all the confident for 5 minutes until something makes me tip just a little bit in a direction I didn’t even know was possible.” But I hope you will continue to walk with me through all of those questions. Maybe Brene Brown @BreneBrown would be proud. Maybe beauty doesn’t always need to be masked in optimism, maybe beauty is accepting exactly where you are – a mix of dark and light, of joy and jealousy, and of me and of you.