Rise up
image via pinterest
Well, I have exactly ten days until the final deadline for Knack book two is here! In those ten days I have a final photoshoot and much sketching and writing to accomplish! I am nervous, sick to my stomach, excited, coming out of my skin, and everything in between! The nervousness comes from wanting everything to be in on time, but that will go away as soon as I hit the send button. The excitement comes from knowing that months and months of planning and hard work are coming to an end and it feels good....oh so good to turn in this work and get excited about what it means for me and for my family.
Thank you to all of you who continue to cheer me on and let me know that you see me! Your friendship and words of encouragement are so awesome and life giving! I absolutely cannot wait to share this project with you all!
xo, Barb
in the heat of the moment, remember
image via pinterest
These past few weeks {and the next two weeks} are so full. We are charging toward the finish line of Knack Book 2 and it is both exhilarating and painful all at the same time. I compare writing a book to the marathons I have competed in. That finish line is such a beautiful sight, the emotion runs strong, and the tears flow because you are so excited and empowered by what you have just accomplished...while at the same time your entire body hurts from the huge task you just asked it to complete. Marathons are physically and mentally challenging and tap into every ounce of strength that you have in both of those areas.....and a book is no different. By the time a project of this magnitude is finished, both the body and mind are tired yet strengthened and exhilarated by the work that has been accomplished.
I am so proud of this work. I am super proud and thankful for the team of women who have helped accomplish this work. I absolutely know I could not have done it without them...and am at a loss as to how to put into words my grateful heart.
It is awesome to look back and remember, and even better to look forward with a renewed strength and confidence in what can be done when you set your sight, heart, and mind on one of life's marathons.
steps of growth
Is this not the truest thing? I mean to tell you, I love to repeat one of my favorite mantras... "never stop learning"....but it is a bit more challenging when the learning or "growth" is hard.
I love to learn fun things, or learn about things that I am interested in, but when the things I am learning propel me out of my comfort zone and force me to face the giant named Uncomfortable... I suddenly lose courage and wish someone else was doing the learning for me.
Yet, in the end, growth and learning always lead to the slaying of giants, increased faith, and peace.
So....grow on with your bad selves.
never settle
It always seems like big exciting things come in huge waves for me. Right now there are so many opportunities presenting themselves and it feels heavy, exciting, and overwhelming all at the same time. I feel like I can't breathe because I am so stinking excited and scared, and I fluctuate between the two constantly.It is important to remember, in these times, to step back and breathe. Never ever rush into anything, weigh out all of your options, talk with those who know you best {and who will most likely be affected by your decision}, and make the decision that is going to be the best and the healthiest. The best decision should not add more pressure but rather freedom....and this is where the rubber meets the road. There may be things that you really want to do, but they would not be best, even though they seem so exciting and glamorous....and that is where true courage and wisdom steps in.Not all open doors are meant to be walked through.
Shake it off
image via pinterestIsn't this a wonderful mental picture? I know how fun it was to throw confetti everywhere for my book launch party....and I still find pieces of it every time I move something to sweep...no joke. It just keeps coming and coming....and I think that is what kindness should do to. It should show up over and over and we should never be rid of it.