30 August 2011

what door?

A few years back, I went on an Ontario "Family & Friends" visit.  Pretty much, everyone that I knew in Ontario, I visited over the course of 14 days.  Pretty packed as I spent time with every person (!) but pretty awesome as I was able to go from T.O. to Ottawa to Missasauga to Hamilton to North Bay and Sturgeon Falls...

One day that I was in Hamilton, while my Aunt and Uncle were at work, I got up to some serious people-watching (guilty!) and curious wandering about.  I thought I had covered major distances until I plotted it on the map.  When you look on a map to see how far you have walked, it can be discouraging after walking for nearly 9 hours straight and only covering the distance of a few inches!  It was just on the fringe of fall and there were so many colors and old, interesting things to photograph on that sunny day.  I kept noticing a trend of aged houses that had their front doors painted differently than the next.  It wasn't until I was almost half-way through my trek that I started to photograph them...









Currently, there are some significant changes on the horizon for my work ... altering ideas exist,  but no actions have yet taken place.  My role will be changing again and certain dynamics of the company will be formulating from our big meeting this Thursday.  I am excited of the potential that this position holds, but I am also fighting inner "creative" concerns.  Although it can be exciting and new, am I limiting myself to not thinking past this one opportunity?  Am I really working towards my goals, my path, my direction?  

Right now, I am more than blessed to have this job and am so thankful for all that I have learned within it.  But, it's like I've reached the point of, "With the skills that I have and am interested in attaining, this may be as far as I can go here."  I feel it very difficult for me to see outside of the "building" and perimeters that I have put up for myself creatively and industrially during my day to day life ... it's like an entrapment and dissatisfaction of my own doing.

While skimming through old photos and trips previously taken, when I again saw these snapped doors, I thought to myself, "If only these were opportunities.  Colorful, whimsical, classy, stylish, yuppy, and trendy...what if I had the choice to walk through the one I felt like, when I felt like it?".  That's when it hit me...there can be no doors that bound me to stay inside and no doors that will lock me out of entering!  EVERY day, I have been given the choice (by privilege and freewill) to select the door of my choosing.

In a previous post, I talked about how there are opportunities waiting to be had ... right in front of us.  As long as we have our eyes ready to see these portals, I believe God will reveal them to us.  Visually, these doors remind me that I need to take a walk to look outside my own agenda and invite the adventure in and just not day-dream about it.  There is so much out there waiting to be discovered that I need to capture, analyze, and appreciate before I settle on a specific doorframe.

If or when you think that you are trapped within a certain perspective, rut, job, or attitude, seriously, just take a look around you.  Opportunity is not limited to one entrance, with a certain style or framework...

What door do you walk through today?  What door(s) exist around you?

18 August 2011

tiny blues and links

tiny blues and links
Though, I haven't had time for my own writings (the second meaning to tiny blues!) ... here are some "objects of today" that have at least kept me reading, absorbing, and feeling challenged this week.

I like how the girl at ThisCabinLife wants to live simply ... this post she mentions how she wants to blog with humility.  Good reminder when we are sharing words to the world. (thanks for the link Calista!)

Over at the Anchor and the Bird, CC (a girl, as she so puts it, with "split personalities"!) is working on a project to do a kind deed every day and blog about it.  Look how long her hair WAS!!  She's inspired me to look for new openings to in turn be blessed from.

I really like the colors and perspective this photographer shares.  Especially the macro section.

My sister talked about being positive the other day ... thanks for the honesty and reminder to do the same, mi German(!) xo

Out of the Ordinary Dreamer seems to put words out there that my mind can flow with, "...it’s been rumbling in my heart brain..." as she shares what she is learning, seeing, and feeling.


pic pix: tiny mountain blues, Upper Spray Lakes, Canmore AB, Jul.2010

12 August 2011

the (more than) happy hat

The other day I wore a hat ... a new hat, at that.  I am a "hat person" by nature, and love wearing them as much as I love buying them!  Even while we were at Lollapalooza last weekend (awesome!!  post coming soon!), I could not believe the amount of hats that I saw on guys and girls alike ... it was almost like looking back on the '20s (tidbit: Wall Street Journal did a piece last year about what they thought about this generation wearing hats)!  But, as present as ever, when I wore my hat just the other day, I seemed to attract a seemingly large amount attention and got a stockpile of comments just for wearing it!


It is from the men's section...but how were those onlookers supposed to know that?!  Normally, I try to smile at people when I make eye contact with them, but that day, I felt like I was smiling non-stop!  In a funny way, them seeing the hat either made them feel comfortable to talk to me or something...conversation starter, perhaps?  Whatever it was, it drew my attention to how people come to view or perceive me in a day by what I "put on".

Obviously, I'm not suggesting that you have to wear a hat to give others a good impression of yourself!  The hat only sits on the brim of it(!).  Digging deeper, I as myself, "what does everyone receive from me?  If it be a second or an hour encounter..."  You can be smiling and wearing a hat, but that means nothing when your heart is not ready to love or when it's not at peace.

In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul warns us that everything we face here on earth is a battle, not between man to man, but against an enemy and his accomplices in the spiritual realm.  Though, usually, our outer selves represent the state of our hearts, it goes much farther than how we look outwardly.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17
  
I encourage you, and myself, to put on your armor today.  Be confident as you walk in the protection, love, and grace of God and be ready to share why your countenance is sweet, full, and sure.

And...if you wear a cool hat, bonus!

pic pix: the happy hat, Calgary, AB Aug.2011

09 August 2011

...reaches to the clouds

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.  I will sing your praises among the nations.  
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.  Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 108:3-5




pic pix: yesterday morning's sky, Calgary, AB, 08.Aug.2011

05 August 2011

the secret's out!

I let the surprise out!!  We are off to see ColdPlay at Lollapalooza in Chicago ... TONIGHT!!!  SO excited ... I could barely sleep last night!  We are just heading on the plane very soon from the good 'ol YYC.  I'm so glad Matt's pumped to go too (though I never seriously doubted, but maybe just a little!).






pic pix: me and my cousin excited at the YYZ airport, Sept.2009

s'more of the simplicity...

What a great long weekend camping in Kananaskis - Blue Rock Campground (can't believe that it's already "last weekend"!).  Away from it all...phones, internet, work, busyness.  How is it that not showering, sleeping on the ground, and making food over an open fire makes you never want to leave the mere simplicity of it?  It's when I break it down that I ask myself,"Why is it so appealing?!"

It comes down to getting back to the basics, the rawness, the foundation of who we are created to be.  Jesus even reminds us to:  

 
 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  
Matt 7:5-23-25


It seems way too easy, to just listen and follow ... to become strong and confident on solid ground.  Have you simply listened or obeyed today?  Today, do you abandon your complicated reasonings and seek to know Him and find His unvarnished strength and wisdom? 


Here are a few simple moments captured from this weekend:





pic pix: simple camping fun, Blue Rock Campground, Sheep River Provincial Park, AB Aug.2011

03 August 2011

shhhhh...

A couple weeks ago, I told Matt that I had a surprise for him but he wouldn't be able to know what it is for a month.  Do you know how difficult it has been to keep this in?!?!  Aye!  It doesn't matter what we are talking about, I am literally on the verge of spilling the beans!  When he leaves the room, or is gone from the vicinity, I quickly fill in anyone around me to be a part of this little secret.  I hope he has no idea what it is ... because, it wouldn't be as fun if he just found out.  I'm glad I put a time limit on it (which could be anytime within this month!), otherwise, I might not be able to keep it in.  I am so tempted to write it here ... but do not want to chance it IF he happens to read this.  Gah!!!

Yet, on the flip side, it is SO hard to be excited about something without sharing it with him.  I can't think of anything (besides other surprises for him) that I don't share or communicate.  Actually, I probably relay a little too much sometimes!  It's an amazing thing to be able to say that I get to share this life - my thoughts, emotions, dreams, aspirations, fears, songs, etc - with him.  What a treat, what a delight ... what a blessed woman am I.    

But for the moment, I am going to keep this secret hush-hush for a little while longer ...


pic pix: some "surprises" we found in the Pacific Ocean while snorkeling on our honeymoon, Manzanillo, Mexico, 

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