{day nineteen}

My brain is ALL over the place. I think I'm having camera withdraws. Even typing that sounds silly and pretentious, but there it is. If you know me at all you know that I'm nothing if not obsessive. Once something gets into my brain I can't get it out for anything. My love of all things picturey (just go with it) has seeped into my veins. I don't want to stop, and am often times afraid to pick up my camera to "snap a few pictures" because I know a few pictures will quickly turn into an hour. Oops.

Things have to get done, and I'm the only one to do them. This party must be planned, hot glued, baked, fretted over and stressed upon. My house fairies have up and quit, which means my household is in desperate need of some Am time. My daughter and husband still like me to be, you know, involved and stuff. These aren't things I mind doing. I take pride in my home, I love pouring myself into a party that will make my little love happy. I obviously cherish every second I'm involved in this family and all that entails.

And yet. I miss my camera. So I took it on a walk yesterday (well we walked the dog and the kiddo, not the camera so much.) My wonderful friend (who also loves and rocks at this little obsessive hobby) was patient enough to let me stop whenever I got a hunkering to snap, taking charge of both the 2 year old and the Great Dane while I traipsed around our undeveloped neighborhood.

I got a few pictures. I quickly realized that we are in desperate need of landscaping in our neighborhood.

But also I realized there is beauty everywhere. In every thing, big or small, it all depends on the eye that beholds it. It depends on a heart that is willing to see the good, the pure, the awesome in something as simple as a brick wall or sun streaming through the pines. Nothing is unimportant. No one thing we do as individuals is insignificant. Everything has a purpose, it is our job to surround ourselves with those people and things that see the beauty in our own flawed selves.

It becomes our responsibility to take a second from the hectic whirlwind that is life and breathe. Do something that ignites your heart and spirit. Listen to that still small voice that has already told you your purpose. Love hard and know this, we are each beautiful in our own, still way.