the heart of life is good

Never underestimate the power of a little Girls Night Out fun.

I went with my dear friends Christie and Mina to see John Mayer, Colbie Caillat and Brett Dennen play last night, and had such a wonderful time. The warm summer nights are one of my favorite things about living here, and listening to live music under the stars with these amazing girls was, in a word, magic.

I realize how easy it is to get so wrapped and consumed by our roles and responsibilities as mothers, wives, employees, etc. that we can sometimes forget how important it is to carve out time with our women friends. I came home feeling so grateful for all of the relationships I have in my life; the people who support me, nurture my well being, challenge me, make me think, make me laugh, make me feel whole.

The heart of life is good.

my mosaic

this mosaic idea was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers bohogirl. it was such a wonderful way to unwind from a hectic tuesday; thinking about these questions and selecting these photos. some were actually quite a bit harder than they might seem! (shocking. i know. see: #11)

I realized how infrequently i ask myself many of these questions; questions I believe should always be at the very front of our minds and hearts keeping us alive and aware of where we've been, what we want, love, enjoy, desire, dream to be. it was interesting to see where i found ease and where i struggled.

certain answers were easy: burnt orange.
then hard: which photo is my favorite and what about it do i love more than that other one over there...?

it is amazing how these random questions and answers and photos (while chosen by me) were all completely new, and yet the moment my mosaic was revealed it felt so familiar. the images came together in a way that reflected a mood or energy that embodies me somehow; that i connect with.

take some time for yourself and give your right brain a chance to play. here's how you make your own mosaic:

type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search. using only the first page, click on your favorite image. then copy and paste the URL for that image into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows as i did, or any arrangement you choose).

The questions:
1. What is your first name? (isis)
2. What is your favorite food? (soul)
3. What high school did you attend? (marlboro)
4. What is your favorite color? (burnt orange)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (david beckham)
6. Favorite drink? (mojito)
7. Dream vacation? (majorca)
8. Favorite dessert? (sweet potato pie)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (free)
10.What do you love most in life? (intimacy)
11. One word to describe you. (contemplative)
12. Your Flickr name. (maat)

Here are the links to the photos in my mosaic above
1. Autumn Dawn on the Isis (The source of the River Thames) near Lechlade England, 2. What Your Soul Sings, 3. Marlboro Reds, 4. Hold me close, under the sunset, 5. Scoring sun, 6. Mojito, 7. Palma Fountain - Majorca, 8. Sweet Potato Pie, 9. Of Earth And Sea And The Oceans Free, 10. Watching winter light, California sunset, 11. . Sachie at Ninna-Ji (redux) . さちえさん - 仁和寺 ., 12. The Ma'at Ensemble

happy wednesday : )

seven

seven years ago we stepped into that beautiful sunlight completely unaware of the blessings and miracles that would manifest in our lives. miracles named sienna sojourner and olivia marley; blessings of abundance in our home and jobs and relationships. i remember saying a prayer asking God to keep us in that light unchanged.

thanking God now, for unanswered prayers.

i realize now, that what i should have prayed for was for God to keep us in that light as we changed.

in seven years we have seen more than our share of change. we've lived in apartments, condos, garages, and this house. we've changed jobs, changed cities, changed interests, changed friends. we've climed mountains (literally and figuratively) and seen our family double before our very own eyes. and only through all of this change have we been able to to grow more fully into ourselves; only through our challenges have we been able to question and test and clarify the purpose we each have here.

ours is a love that has never been placid or simple, but rather the kind that stirs the soul.

i came across a passage in Eat, Pray, Love, recently that says it best:

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."

Adam, thank you for bringing me to my own attention. I love you.

surfacing

wondering where i've been? (that's makes two of us)

i'll spare you all of the details of the various circumstances that led to my disappearance, but let's just say: june won.

so here we are. it's july. and i can feel myself finally surfacing (albeit slooowly). so thank you for being so patient and thoughtful and supportive (you know who you are). i'm looking forward to back posting all the good parts...just as soon as i fully emerge. standby.