Affirmations. Positive associations to words and activities that you want to bring into your life. You’ve seen the memes, and the quotes mashed over beautiful images that float through our home pages, Pinterest boards, and streaming Twitter feeds.

The thing is, in this time of growth, I am choosing to surround myself with these beautiful images that make my heart swell and remind me to breathe.

This one, posted on the Facebook Page, Raising Ecstasy, seemed delightful to me this week as I choose to venture among new waves. And waves there have been as I juggle new responsibilities, and realize that with these new responsibilities comes new schedules and routines, and the letting go of what once was.

I know, I know, I’ve been using this space as an outlet for my process – thank you for those are still choosing to join me in my journey in career exploration. Some of you may want me to sugar coat the process of my job transition and neglect to share the true colors of the overwhelming swells of new. I feel to do so would be unfair to the process. Swells also have moments where the waves are calm, and I rest here.

I hope that for all of you readers who are embarking on your dreams, you can remember that the switch to pursuit of a dream come true isn’t fantastically easy over night. Or over, well, a few weeks. It takes time, and self-love and the ability to work a few extra hours in the hopes that the next morning may be a little bit easier to handle.  I stand on my ship and breathe in bravery – leaning over, and leaning in, one day at a time.

 

 

This past week I dabbled between overwhelmed and incredibly amazed at the beautiful potential unfolding before me. When Friday rolled around, I was ready for dinner with friends.  As six sets of hands picked at a massive pan of nachos resting on my kitchen table, I smiled a sigh of satisfied relief. I do have people that choose to invest in me – even if they live far away and we don’t hang out every week.

I also feel I conquered a major choice in our home ownership. When we moved in, our lower den was painted a shockingly bright, lemon yellow. Paired with an accent wall of sky blue, the colors didn’t exactly scream, “Come sit and relax.” When you put our dark blue couch and red lounge chair in the mix, the achieved rainbow effect was shocking to say the least. This weekend, with Dylan’s tasteful guidance, we transformed our den with coats of soothing gray and an accent wall to boot. Even though the paint was named, “Squirrel Tail” (eww, who wants squirrel on their wall?) I do find the achieved effect to be much more desirable. Ahh, I may be able to rest and breathe in this space too.

If you want to reflect on imperfection, though, as the purpose of this blog suggests, I have to laugh that the lower portion of the walls perimeter remain in their shockingly bright, original hues. We have plans for wainscoting, but have to wait until next month to budget accordingly. Our banisters remain down, and the ladder sits poised in our living room, anxiously waiting the second coat of cutting in.

One step forward. Pause. Two steps forward. Pause.

This too, shall pass.

This transition, this covering of old, this beautiful evolution of a house into our home, shall become a reality.

What other affirmations do you find to be useful in times of self-doubt? How about when things feel under control, manageable, delightful and enjoyable? Do you whisper small statements of truth to bring you good and beautiful things?