My greatest fear is that I will reach the end of my life and realize I wished away so many of my days... that I spent so much time thinking about where I was going that I forgot to appreciate the beauty of where I was, right then.
That's why I was so excited to take part in Stacy Julian's blog blitz, Be Here Now. Stacy asked a group of bloggers to document one ordinary day and find the beauty and grace in the process. She even sent us these adorable tiny little albums to house our photos. Here's what I came up with:
My belief is that we often wait to tackle our dreams until... until we're thinner, smarter, richer, more talented, braver, stronger, blah blah blah. But the problem with that is, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED RIGHT NOW.
No one is better equipped to live your dreams than you are. And no one is better able to tell your story than you are. The moments you are living right now, today, are just as important as the ones you lived when you had a 25" waist and are just as important as the ones you will live when the kids are out of the house and you finally have time to think.
This is it, my friends. If you wait until tomorrow to take the picture, make the page, pursue the dream, there are no guarantees that life will be any better suited to your pursuits than it is right now.
That's an important point, so I'm going to say it again: THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.
But that is what makes life exciting! We wouldn't watch the trapeze artists with our hearts in our mouths if we knew there was no danger involved. We wouldn't watch American Idol if we knew from the beginning who was going to win. Risk is actually a fantastic byproduct of living!
You stopped by for a little light-hearted chatter, and I'm getting all philosophical on you -- don't you love it?
Anyway, all that came from doing a little album. Ten snapshots. Fifteen minutes to pull it together.
Now it's your turn:
"You have everything you need right now to be vibrant and fully engaged in the creative process. Join me and dozens of other scrapbookers in a challenge to 'Give Yourself a Present.'
-Snap 10 pictures of your life right now
-Compile these photos into a really small mini-album
-Keep or carry this album with you for one year (in your desk drawer is fine)
-Promise to glance through it every time you stumble upon it
-On October 1, 2009, create a scrapbook page about your experience.
Ready?
Set?
Go!
This is such an awesome idea!!
Posted by: Amy | October 01, 2008 at 04:24 AM
I love this idea- I have been checking out lots of blogs this morning, and I LOVE your album- what are the adorable circle embellishments, please? I'm not one to really focus on enbellies, but I really like those. Also, would you print the whole quote you used along the bottom of your pages? Thanks- love your blog- my son is now playing baseball in college, so you bring back a lot of memories!!
Posted by: Andrea Adams | October 01, 2008 at 04:26 AM
Oh so cool -- I am on it! I am doing the Ali Week In A Life thing right now -- it is similar and I am finding that you really stop and look at things differently. We live in a fast passed world and it is so easy to get caught up in it -- life is so much better when we slow down and appreciate things a bit! Great album! What is the size of yours and od you know the manufacturer???
Posted by: Heather | October 01, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Ready, set, gone! This is such a fun idea! I already have 4 pics and a page in my planner started with notes. Looking forward to putting it together TONIGHT!!!
I am SO distracted checking out Stacy's Blitz List. You are such an ENABLER - lol!
Posted by: Lisa | October 01, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I was just reading Cathy's take on the mini album. You did a great job! I am using those circles and papers from Ali's kit right now.
Posted by: sue Treiber | October 01, 2008 at 07:52 AM
'Risk is actually a fantastic byproduct of living!'
amen sista
Posted by: tammy b | October 01, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I'm really excited about this. I'm taking today as a "mental health day" so I'm gonna have plenty of time to snap pictures. Stop by my blog. I updated...finally!
Posted by: Jennifer Mattix | October 01, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Oh . . . my . . . goodness, Lain! I just found your blog from the link you left on mine. I just LOVE all of the bright colors and creativity here! Eeek!
I have added you to my already bulging Google Reader so I can keep up with the gorgeous projects that you're working on. By the way, your new photos of you are beautiful! :)
Posted by: Julie - On the Dot Creations | October 01, 2008 at 09:43 AM
will definitely be doing this. Gotta wait for the munchkins to get home from school to take the photos. What is my life without the boys and the hubby. Oh yeah, yarn, scrapbooking and laundry. LOL
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | October 01, 2008 at 12:05 PM
i'm in, i'm going to make mine now & i'll have it up on my blog in a little bit.
Posted by: Katie Scott | October 01, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Very cool idea. I'll work on it and share as soon as I'm done!
Posted by: JenMc | October 01, 2008 at 06:09 PM
ok got mine up - i did a mini book with pictures from september. i guess this would be easy enough to do at the end of every month, you know?
Posted by: Katie Scott | October 01, 2008 at 07:48 PM
You are awesome. Thank YOU so much for playing.
Good LUCK on your run this weekend.
Posted by: stacyj | October 02, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Love your happy yellow take on the book Lain. Lovely! :)
Posted by: Jessica C | October 02, 2008 at 05:57 AM
Okay Lian I will have to get mine done but I sure don't have one of those cute little albums like the rest of you do! Oh BTW, are you participating in the same run as Stacy J this weekend??? have fun!
Posted by: Ann Grounds | October 02, 2008 at 11:04 AM