 |
| Source Image |
It should come as no surprise that I have a deep love for Ali Edwards and the many principles she has brought to the craft of storytelling. When I started scrapbooking - there were two books that stood out to me in a little store in Burbank (now closed) - A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking by Ali and Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - The Sequel by Cathy Zielske. At the time, it was a "safe" way to be creative. It was an opportunity for a journaling girl with bad hands to continue to tell her story. I had no idea it would be a life changer.
Almost six and a half years later - I know only one thing for sure - telling my story in a visual way has changed my life. It has changed the way I see the world - how I shape my experiences. It reminds me to go out there and live. It has helped me navigate the course of chronic illness and debilitating moments of sadness and loss without looking for the nearest emergency exit. It has also been instrumental in celebrating the moments that give life true meaning - the births of babies, retirements, family functions, and the list goes on. It has also helped me document the everyday - which in so many ways is more powerful than the big, monumental parts of my life. It has helped me to see the small things that really do make life big.
Sometime last year - I started seeing a book by Brene' Brown cropping up all over scrapping blogs. The book, The Gifts of Imperfection, was recommended by my beloved scrapbooker and written by a social worker. Being a social worker myself and loving the aforementioned scrapbooker - I broke down and bought the book some time in March around the time of my unraveling. I am so glad I did. I would love to put into words what the book meant to me - but I know there are none that would give credence or justice to my experience. I went on to buy Brown's previous book - another game changer. I'm considering making these books annual reads - but for today - I thought I would link to a few of her speaking engagements and blog. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you go out and buy or borrow these books. I hope they bring more meaning and hope to your life.
Brene' Brown got me on the path of embracing my imperfection and vulnerabilities. She got me to start thinking about wholehearted living. And just today...she reminded me to be present - to refrain from numbing the pain. I want to nourish this message in my life. I hope everyone has had a lovely Tuesday. Blessings all around. Until then...
No comments:
Post a Comment