this past month has been spent deep within quiet contemplation...
i'm at a crossroads right now, my little family is at a crossroads...
some big changes are coming our way, some scary changes that will effect us financially...
i've been torn between following my dreams, and passions or going back to school to finish my degree in something my heart really isn't into...
that nagging voice within telling me to do the safe, more secure route has been tough...
i see ladies who are following they passions, living their dreams and i think why can't i???
which mom is best for my family?? a mom who is full of joy and really living...or a mom who is bringing in a a steady paycheck and feeling stuck???
today i've come to a decision and i cannot tell you how {intentional} my day was...
just one day and the heavy burden on my heart has been lifted...
i feel the warmth and light upon my soul, knowing i am heading in the right direction...
i know the doubts will return, i know i will feel insecurities...
so i'm putting my dreams {out there} hoping they will be heard and a path will be opened...
* i would love to be able to continue with my photography and have it make some money!! LOL!! either by way of prints or to do some event photography. photo styling brings me such joy and i have one in the works that i can't wait for! this one is SO tough, the photography market is really saturated, so finding my niche is a little daunting...
* i'm crazy for e-courses and would *love* to be able to one day create my own. teaching photography, photoshop and mixed media techniques would be *amazing*...
* to create my own e-magazine...
* to become a contributor for a magazine, either as a writer or photographer...
* to continue doing vintage shows and sharing my passion for {what once was}...
* to write a children's book...
sheesh...this is tough...
the nerves are abundant right now...
i've taken the first baby steps to obtain my loftiest goals, i've taken the first steps in believing in myself...
i will be working and living each day with {intention}...
i believe that is the mom that is best for my little family...
i'm opening comments again...we've gotten a little more settled and i've created some things that hopefully will help in organizing my time. i've missed you all and will be SO glad to get back to visiting with you all again...xoxox
27 comments:
If it's at all possible, follow your dreams:) Have you heard the expression "happy wife, happy life"? I think the same goes for the "happy mom";) Wishing you all the best, Kristin!
Kristin...follow your heart!
I can tell you from personal experience the road ahead will be cold and sad if you put a cage around your heart and put off living your dream!
The inspiration you can offer your children by being who you were born to be will be invaluable to them in their futures. They will thrive watching you grow and letting your passion free.
You are a wife, a mom, daughter, sibling...etc., but most important of all you are Kristin and she was born to share her talent with the world and in so doing make it a better place for everyone!
Have faith, enjoy the journey and remember we are all out here cheering you on! God bless you and keep you.
Tina xo
Welcome back, Kristin.
I only know you in spirit but I'm feeling so proud of you for what you've said here. I think it will touch a lot of us out in blogland. Know that you are not alone and that many of us will be here to cheer you on as you pursue the life that will bring you closer to your dream.
Hugs, hugs, hugs~
Tina
follow your dream. your family will benefit from you being fulfilled in a creative way. you have amazing talent and the world is yours for the taking. xo!!
Kristin, I hear you and I remember how frightening it is to make the jump way far away into your passion when a steady paycheck is standing there, right there, just looking at you like you'd be a dum dum to choose otherwise.
I completely respect whatever choice you make, only you know your actual circumstances. But remember some of the things you have on your side. A loving and supportive husband willing to help pick up the slack. Your children are young which is good, you will find when they are grown that so many of the struggles you have will be some of their best memories becaue that is you work the hardest to make them happy and I don't mean with things like Disneyland trips but with things like working together as a family to make things happen. Ask me how I know.
You're uber talented. Sure there's a lot of photographers and stylist out there but define what makes your work special and shout it out. It's there, you can do this.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams". Henry David Thoreau
You have BEAUTIFUL intentions!!!! That is such a hard decision and I applaud you for jumping in and going for it. At the beach this weekend...this crazy kooky hippy car pulled up next to us. Stickers all over the car...back seat and trunk area jammed packed with colorful "junk". Totally made me laugh and I love that I live in an area where so many different people live. But one thing stuck with me all weekend...the bumper sticker that said "money is not wealth". I have heard this saying before of course...but I can't help thinking that it was put there at that moment for me. A message that I needed reminding of.
I hope you have a beautiful...intentional day!!
xoxo..Kristin
When doing what is best for your family and being the best mom for them that you can be, I am certain that God will bless you as well! You might not know how yet, but He'll let you know some day. In His time. {Which is always the hardest thing to understand!}
Once you get your farm {prairie} kid book written, I will buy a copy! Shoot, I'd even 'test' it out for you if you want. :)
Enjoy your intentional day!
It is very difficult to know what to do and through our own family financial struggles I have learned to choose love over money. We chose when our first child was born 21 yrs. ago for me to remain home out of love. This choice has been tested many times. It is not easy for a family to live on one income nowadays. And last year when my husband lost his job it was the worst trial yet that weve been through. I have a B.A but in order to get a job in the field of my degree I would have to return to school for a few years. I don't have any interest in doing that. It would be a choice for money. I have applied for simple part time jobs around town and with the school system for the past three years with no luck at all. So I have remained home and God has provided and I have been able to pursue my lifelong dream of being an artist...and in those baby steps I opened an etsy this summer and it is doing well. I hope this encourages you to follow your heart, pursue your dreams, and choose love rather than money. God provides for our every need. We are not to worry, but trust.
just the mere act of voicing out loud what you want to do is the first step in making it a reality - congrats to giving your dreams a voice! they sound do-able...now just break them down step by step - there's a book that you might find helpful - "Wishcraft" by Barbara Sher...just my two cents worth and a resource I found helpful years ago....
amy of four corners design
Blessings to you and those you love. You will succeed. Sea Witch
dear friend,
know you are such a wonderful mother...it is so obvious in the way you write about your kids. no matter what-know, know, know that you are a WONDERFUL mother...
everything else comes second.
so happy to hear about your journey in life. your creative soul is such an inspiration and your blog is a thing of beauty.
I had to chime in when I saw your post because I've been in your position.
I hope you will follow your heart. I made so many mistakes in my life choosing the safe/money making way. In the long run it cost so much more to stay in that stuck path. Mostly, you loose your life, and your sense of self.
Your children will be inspired to do what they love by watching you. Give your children permission to follow their dreams by following yours.
Blessings to you!
Follow your heart and reach for your dreams. Wishing you much success in your journey!
My advice to you is do what's best for you. Follow your heart. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't! Try, what do you have to loose? I can relate as a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Woman. Good luck to you!
xxx Liz
Pray and trust, Kristin. God will show you the way and provide completely for you! :)
xoxo laurie
You go, girl! We are holding out for happy instead of having money and so far, it's pretty trying and scary, but we haven't gone down yet. God does provide as long as you are "intentional" and open to the possibilities. I'm so glad you made the choice you did. In the end, I think your kids (and mine) will be glad they had happy parents even if they didn't have every new doo dad that came down the pike. I hope and pray I'm right for both of our sakes! Good luck on your adventure. Putting some positive vibes out your way.
Hugs,
Judy
It will be an amazing life you have chosen, not only for your sweet family, but for those who will learn from your talent. I am excited for you! You are a true artist, a down-to-earth, sweet person who has lots to offer.. I look forward to seeing you FLY!
I am a BIG
believer in
listening to
your heart,
as the mistakes
I regret came
when my head
tried to reason
something out
that my gut did
not feel felt
right. I hope
you will find
peace with whatever
decision that you
make! You are such
an awesome stylist
that I bet you could
do home staging part
time? I bet you
would be amazing at
that and the friend
I have that does it
sets her own hours.
Just a thought : )
xx Suzanne
I am so glad you are following your dreams! You will succeed! And I love your list of goals!
xo
Dear Kristin,
Congratulations on your decision to follow your dreams. Believe in yourself and you will succeed. Enjoy the journey!
I'm cheering for you!
Joyce
aka Calamityjaneslifestyle.blogspotspot.com
These decisions are the hardest ones we make and then we we have made the decision we feel that weight lift from our heart and we start breathing again. Having goals and dreams is the only way we can ever see the change we wish to create...sending you much joy and much positive thought that what is possible will be yours! xo
I only know...Do what you love...follow your dream. Create the job that you love...it's as simple as that and as complicated...raising a family and giving them 'you' is very important to you...I know you will make it work. You can do it.
I am sure you have seen Donna's posts this month over at Funky Junk...they have been all about this subject.
stopping by with a hug and xxoo!
I thing, It will be an amazing life you have chosen, not only for your sweet family, but for those who will learn from your talent. You are a true artist, from starting of your first blog.
antifatigue mat
Hi Kristen, I just arrived at your blog today and had to chime in, since dreams are SO important! (My blog is called "In My Dreams", so I'm walking that statement).
For me, it was years before I formulated practical ways to go after my dreams/goals. I've read extensively and poured over and devoured other's journeys toward their dreams too. So I hope my suggestion makes sense as I try to pass along the short version of marrying dreams to actual goals:
You want to write a childrens book and you want to contribute to magazines- why not combine the two ideas into one goal- in other words, begin the journey of creating a child's book by documenting your steps (a long version step by step that you can reduce later if wanted)- with PICTURES of your process if possible- because believe me, there are 10,000 other moms out there that want to do the same thing, for every 1 mom that actually does it! And THAT, is a magazine article (or spread). So you basically fulfill one dream with the idea of sparking another.
I do wish you luck. If you get overwhelmed, break things up more, just don't quit!!
hello my friend, so glad you are going with your heart. you are SO talented. i wish you much success! i've missed you!! xo susan
honey...you are an amazingly gifted photographer.
you know i would buy your prints.:D
follow your heart...i know it is hard.
haven't you noticed that the worthwhile things mostly are hard?? i hate that. you can do it though!
you're a tough cowgirl!!
can't wait to spend some time with you this weekend!
we are going to *SPARK* it up!!
Post a Comment