beauty.

 

Beauty. 

What does that word mean to you? It's really such a subjective idea. But that's no reason to go through life without finding the beauty in everything that surrounds you. Sometimes you can hang on to the beauty you view, but other times it's such a fleeting thing. Fall, for instance, is something that we really get to appreciate here in the Midwest. Not everyone sees the changes we see here. It's a really lucky thing, if you ask me, being able to see the beauty in the release of the dead things. The trees show us how beautiful letting go can be. The colors are so rich and vibrant this time of year, but the season is always gone before its time. It never lasts long enough. So, we just have to hold on to it while we can and then let it go until we meet its beauty again. Yes, there's so much beauty in nature. 

Nature. 

That word refers to more things that I think we take into account. A mother-child relationship, for instance, is pure nature. The nurturance of one's offspring. Making sure diapers and clothes are clean. Making sure the water is running and heat is on. Making sure the environment that surrounds them is clean. Making sure bellies are full. Now, whether that means using formula or breastfeeding, that's up to you. But why is breastfeeding such a taboo thing for so many people? Why does it just rub some people the wrong way? Why have I heard it referred to as "unnatural"? Because I mean, isn't it the most natural thing a mother can do for her baby? Now, I mean no disrespect to mothers who choose to bottle feed or aren't able to breastfeed. But let's just all take a moment to see breastfeeding for what it is: beautiful. 

Yes, there's beauty in all that surrounds us. And I guess that breastfeeding rant is just to remind us that we truly can find beauty even in things that may make us uncomfortable--if for no other reason than a simple lack of understanding. But all the same, it's important to remember that there is beauty in everything, and just because it's not your definition of beauty, it is a thing to be respected as it means something to someone else. 

Take a moment to find the beauty around you today. You'll thank yourself.

xo-

chelsea

time.

I think I might just surprise us all if I could ever manage to keep up with this thing. The days keep flying by, which in turn makes the weeks fly by, which in turn makes the months fly by, which in turn makes the years fly by. Yes, the time is flying by and I sometimes feel as though I'm stuck on autopilot. But I know that there's much more to my life than just coasting through it. I'm active it in, at least I try really hard to be. I like to participate in life. I do my best to keep up with friends and family and obligations and Ilena's ever growing agenda. My so-called "free time" is spent going to birthday parties, play dates, community activities, school functions, dance team shenanigans and the list just goes on. Phew. I always ask myself how on earth I find time for these things.

Time.

What a strange concept time is. It feels like everything is accelerating faster than a blink of an eye, but each day the changes are hard to find. However, when you look back over the past year of your life, you can see so many changes. You probably aren't even the same person. Well, you're you. But you're a newer, up-to-date version of you. You've learned things. You've gained things. You've lost things. Some details you remember and others you probably wish you could forget. But it's all there in the past now. And you're forever changed because of it, whether you like it or not. I suppose some of us never change too much, but I just cannot fathom what that must be like. I always feel the need to submerge myself into foreign things because this world has so much to offer us.

This world is so big, and in the grand scheme of things I suppose we as individuals are so small. But we can have big experiences that forever affect our being if we so choose. I mean, we only have so much time here on this Earth. And who knows what our next destination will be? Maybe you know. Maybe for you it's this place we all know as heaven. You know the place. You've probably worked hard to reach that destination one day. Or maybe you'll become one with the universe and reappear as a beautiful willow tree or a sunflower or the next big thing in pop culture, or who knows what else? I suppose in a world of unknowns, the possibilities are endless.

All I know it that time is a funny concept to me, and I never know when I will have used all of mine up. So, while I'm here on this planet, I'm doing my best to make my experiences count. I hope I can have a positive impact on the nature and the people that surround me. And I hope they will all have an impact on me. I'll just keep enjoying this beautiful journey life I'm living and hope that the road will bring more beautiful people and places my way.

I suppose I'll end this with a slew of pictures I've been meaning to post. Fall is my favorite. My people are my favorite. This life is so beautiful.

These humans are a few of my favorites. 

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I was given the opportunity to capture these beautiful moments at my beautiful friend, Sarah's, wedding. I feel so honored to have shared these memories with her. 

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This day was coffee, meeting new friends, creating filters with random items from nature, driving aimlessly with friends, lots of laughs and more coffee. 

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Halloween fun with a young Coraline Jones and friends. 

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And last but certainly not least, a little experimentation with Christmas lights and my favorite dude. 

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~xo

chelsea

Happenings.

I'm probably the worst blogger ever. I can't keep up, man. No matter what I'm doing with my life, I always feel like I could be doing more. I'm really trying to focus on eliminated the "not enough" feelings in my life. I'm finding that it's honestly just counterproductive.

Lately, I've been really going hard trying to graduate. These next ten weeks cannot pass quickly enough. I'm kind of in the place in which I am feeling just completely done with college. I'm thankful for the knowledge I've acquired and for the people I've gained. It's just that my mind is in different places now.

I am completely focused on my physical and mental well-being. That focus has forced me to eliminate many, many things and people. I'm just finally accepting the fact that not everyone you meet is meant to remain in your life. You just can't start a new chapter in your life if you keep re-reading the last one.

So, I've been focused on the here and now. A friend reminded me about a week ago that the past is in the past, the future doesn't exist, therefore all we have is now. This present moment. So, why not focus on that? Why not focus on the things you CAN change? Why not focus on the things that matter most? My journey in doing just this has led me to live by one statement: Be here now. That's all we have. Now.

Realizing and living by that rule has brought so many positive changes to my life. I'm more in touch with my body than I've ever been. I am remaining committed to my yoga journey. My diet is pretty much on point. I've only allowed myself to spend my time with those who lift me up. I no longer settle for the company of those who do not make a positive impact on my life. I know now that I love and appreciate myself enough to not allow myself to settle out of fear or loneliness. It's a really good feeling.

I found a yoga program I will be starting next September in Nashville. It's everything I dreamed it would be and more. I'll be learning the basics of teaching and then moving on to maternity and restorative yoga. I also definitely want to explore children's yoga. I'm just so excited about things to come.

I've posted some heavy things on Dear Ilena recently. I suppose you could check it out if you're interested in what's going on in Ilena's world.

This is what our lives look like lately:

As you can see, Ilena is becoming a rather skilled photographer :)

And I guess that's all I have for you now. Life is changing at a forever increasing rate, it seems. Stay tuned for further chaos. 

xo-

Chelsea

great expectations.

So, as it turns out, life is kind of one of those things that doesn't slow down for anything or anyone. Furthermore, MOTHERHOOD is one of those things that doesn't slow down. Ever.

These are truths I'm learning to accept.

Yes, it doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in, what happened at school or work or among my friends or in my life love. Nope. There is always this tiny--well, not so tiny, but forever tiny to me--human who expects what I will pick her up from school, drive her to her activities, provide her food, read her Harry Potter, take her on adventures (such as the ones shown below) and, well, this list goes on. 

Expect. Yes, she expects these things. Why? Because it's what she knows. It's all she knows, really. And I mean, duh. It's just my job, right?

So, my point of this post is to talk about expectations. I mean, come on, we all have them. Whether it be what you expect when you walk into a restaurant. Ya know, what kind of service you'll get, what the food will taste like, what the bill will look like… Or how about when you take a class? You have expectations then, too. You have expectations as to what your professor will offer you, what the course material will be, how you'll study and what grade you'll come out with. 

And then there's this part of your life that, whether you like it or not, is there…

Love.

Yep. That's right. I said whether you like it or not. Because it doesn't matter if you want to be a part of it or not, love will find you. It will, you guys. And even when you've made a vow that you want no part of it, the desire for it is there. Why? Because you're human, that's why. 

So, how does this tie in with expectations? Well, duh. I guess I don't even have to say it, but since you're here on my blog reading my thoughts, we both know I'm going to tell you what I think about love and expectations. 

Here goes:

They are there, those damned expectations. It doesn't matter what kind of relationship you think you're getting yourself into. Expectations are there. You cannot get away from them. And I honestly feel weird saying that, as I read an amazing article the other day on Elephant Journal that discussed how love should be about letting the one you are in a union with be free--allowing that person to do what he/she wants and pursuing what makes him/her happy without having so many expectations of that person to the point that you're molding that person into your image of him/her instead of allowing that person to freely be whoever he/she is. 

Make sense? Sure. That seems like the healthiest way to go about things, right? Yes. It is. I agree 110% with that idea, although I have repeatedly made the mistake of unintentionally expecting someone to morph into my idea of the perfect guy. And that's just unfair, right? It really is. Why can't we just learn to love what's there without having any expectations? Because we just innately have expectations. They are a part of us from birth. 

So, is there a solution to this problem of expectations and how some lovers feel that they just shouldn't exist? I don't think so. However, I do think that there is a healthy way to express those expectations and there is a healthy way for your partner to meet those expectations without the whole "change who you are to please me" nonsense. Because that'll never do. 

I guess the only thing that I can tell you is to just love your partner for what is there. Go into a relationship knowing what you deserve and what you'll stand for, but know that you may have to…brace yourselves…wait for it….MAKE SACRIFICES… Yes, sacrifices. You may have to learn to accommodate that schema you've created in your head as to what your perfect partner should be. And visa versa. 

It's a really hard thing to learn how to balance, but I think it could be done. You just have to decide if that person is worth it. 

So, love freely. Don't expect someone to rearrange his/her life goals and/or personality to fit your image of the perfect mate. But try not to beat yourself up when you realize that try as you may, you're human and you will have expectations. 

Oh, and speaking of expectations..

I saw Eisley and Merriment for the..well, I lost count a year ago…time! And as expected, they were amazing. Yes, they were. 

That's all I have for you now.

xo

-chelsea