Live & Let Live...

In the same style and spirit of yesterdays post, here is another life lesson I've learned over the years. Probably because I want people to let me be me... but also because I have a tendency to *think* I know what you should be doing too!

Oy... seriously humbling when you put it out there for the world to read. *Sometimes* I think I know better than you, and how you should be living your life. But you want to know the silver lining to this beautiful Life Lesson? I don't, I don't know better than you do! I don't know all of the details of your life, I don't need to know all of the details of your life, it's your life. As a friend, a family member, a co-worker, a human... What I do need to know, is that you are ok. Period.

And in the spirit of honesty, I have learned many of my life lessons the hard way :)
Get authentic, be real with yourself- it is kinda freeing to not have to pretend you are perfect - trust me I know, I am the least perfect person out there, I make mistakes all the time, and you know what- I am ok with that...

Go be awesome today and- 
Share the love,
M.

By the way, this print along with yesterday's print: Be Brave- would be an awesome addition in a little persons room :) 

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Be Brave.

Sometimes I mutter this to myself, Be Brave. Just be brave, you can do this... But I know my strength (pathetic weakling that I am) doesn't come from me 'white knuckling' my fear... it comes from a higher power that "will not leave me or forsake me" (Deut. 31:6).

I carry a sense of security with me because I know I am never alone. Even so... when fear does grip me, and it does, sometimes more than others, and sometimes in weird and different ways:

I had a weird bout of this in China where it took my breath away, a fear so overwhelming that I had a physical reaction to the thought: what if we never have children. 

Be Brave.
The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (ME!).

We are dealing with some serious stuff as a family and we could use prayers for peace in our hearts...

Be Brave.
The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (Me!).

Some of you are dealing with illness in your family.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are dealing with issues of fear.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are dealing with loss.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are overwhelmed with life.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Be brave. Be Brave. Be Brave.


I worry, I get scared, freak out a little, sometimes I have to do sheet therapy (i.e. take a nap). But I have a secret, I have a constant reminder, I know, that I know, that I know... "There is no fear in love; instead perfect love casts out fear..." (1John 4:18)  and I know... "The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (Meeeee!).” (Deut. 31:6)
and I know.... "that all things work together for good to those who love God..."(Rom.8:28)

Rest in knowing that you are not alone,
and that you are loved.
Share the love,
M.


Update: I added a second version - Scroll down, there is a version without the Bible verse for those who prefer it :) Have an awesome Day!
Share the love,
M.

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Micah 6:8

I keep mulling this over in my mind, thinking about it, talking about it, wondering about it... trying to live by it. It is quickly becoming a daily meditation and a mantra in my heart and life.

What is your daily mantra and meditation? What are you mulling over?
Share the love,
M.

For another version of this printable  >>click here<<

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Comparison

So, you know when you skulk around Instagram, your favourite blogs, and Facebook instead keeping your head in your own work... well... Have I got a little story for you;

Yesterday I took a day off from "working" and I did domestic stuff. In the spirit of honesty,  I finally unpacked from our China trip (some stuff but not everything),  I did some laundry, I cooked a meal, I cleaned out a closet and I stalked all of my favourite people online.

I went to bed last night feeling overwhelmed -not because I was so excited to see what other's were doing and feeling encouraged. No, I was overwhelmed because I felt like I wasn't doing enough. I don't have enough Christmas prints ready to go, I haven't even thought about doing a new Advent Calendar yet, I don't even have my own christmas cards printed. I need to be printing things and having them available on Esty. I need to have an open house and sell some of my Printables all ready to frame for our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015 trip. I need, I need, I need- ack!

What have I been doing all year? How am I not being as creative, as productive, as awesome as everyone else.

WAIT!  STOP!  HOLD THE PHONE GIRL! 

Melissa! (or insert name here___________________) Stop comparing yourself to others and get your head in your own work and just be creative.

Stop worrying about what other's are doing, stop looking into their proverbial 'bowl' to see if they have more than you do. I once read somewhere:  the only time you should look in someone else's bowl, is not to see if they have more than you, but instead to see if they have enough. Are they ok? 

This sweet image is from:
www.chibird.com

So I'm being honest... because frankly, I dislike this feeling, I dislike looking at others and feeling that I am not enough, and I think I'm probably not the only one...

I saw this awesome little design from ChiBird and I wanted to share it, because we're all different, we are all kinda awesome. And when it comes to creative work, creativity and productivity... the only person to compare yourself too is you. Am I doing all that I can do? Am I the person I want to be?




There are only 24 hours in the day, (Melissa, or insert your name here______________) you can't do everything, but do what you do well... and sleep tight at night knowing you are awesome.

Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt for saying:  Comparison is the thief of Joy. How true. Yesterday I had my very own experience with this. So I've created a print that I will be printing off and sticking to my forehead,  because it is all too true. Comparison IS the thief of Joy.  Booyah!

Share the love,
M.

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Messy Missie.

I just looked around my house, and this is all I can say...
"creativity is messy, and I am *very* creative"

In all seriousness though, I've always kept my house tidy, but this year, my creative year, it has really gotten away from me. I need someone -anyone- to help me... I have so much stuff! I know I need to get rid of some of it... but when I look around my home I love to be inspired by beautiful things that I love,  that make me laugh or that bring back memories. I think I can give myself a pass on those things... but let's talk about the fact that I have not unpacked from my previous trip and I ought to be packing for my next trip. The next trip means serious packing, long haul, not just blasé packing. Oy! Get it together Messy Missie!

Oh well! for the moment I'm ignoring the mess and enjoying my coffee!
Happy Thursday!

Share the love,
M.

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Before it was cool.

I drank coffee before it was cool.
So does that mean I've been cool all this time?

It's a thought provoking day here :) Happy Wednesday.

Share the love and pass the coffee,
M.

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Tea?!

I've been slightly incognito lately and that wasn't by choice. My body revolted, got sick, and threw me under the bus along with it. The way I was feeling coffee just wasn't an option, at all. I know, I know, very unlike me. You can tell I was really sick if my drink of choice was hot water or tea! This little print is in response to my past week...

Share the love and pass the tea please...
M.


three colours to choose from- if you like these, please Pin them, share them on Facebook,  and g+ them :) Thank you!

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Magic.

It's Monday, let's be honest...

Happy Monday!
Share the love,
M.

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I'm Not Messy!

I'm not messy, just creatively organized.
see.

I've got a cute little print just for you :) to remind people, you aren't messy, you are creatively organized.

Share the love,
M.

Yup this is what #Studio809 looks like :)

 

seriously I know where everything is.

Where the magic happens.

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Sharing the Love: How I do some of what I do...

I made this little ditty of a video because I had someone ask me how I started calligraphy and hand lettering and how I did what I do... I thought about it, what if i share my secrets??? lol then I thought, wait a second, my entire blog and being is about collaborating and sharing work, prints, love... what the heck was I thinking? I guess my old self crept back up there for a second... so I made this little video... take a peek! 

Try a little hand lettering yourself :)

Make something beautiful and share the love,

M.

Life is better on the Farm.

I think so :)
If you know me, you'd know that my dream since I was a little girl has been to have a farm...
The goal is a little tiny hobby farm some day- a few chickens, a cow and a team of oxen.

What is your dream?

Share the love,
M.

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You & Me.

I made this for me. A reminder to myself and others that even though we have no children (yet)... we are a family. We are a family made up of you & me, and that is ok.

So if you need a reminder, this one is for you: If you are 2, like us... 2 people, (a child & parent, two adults, 2 siblings, 2 friends), 2 people who love each other, this one is for you- You are Family. You are okay. You are loved.

Share the love,
M.

Ps. Mine is already printed and up :)

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