Have you ever? | Things that define me.

I have a confession to make.

I am in L-O-V-E with Brandi Carlile. If you don't know who she is, she is an awesome singer/musician/songwriter from Seattle, WA. You can check her out HERE. Honesty, emotion, and vulnerability shine through her performances. That's like the holy trinity of music, right? :) Think about it... it grabs us, makes us think, makes us feel. It's real.


Realness is important to me. I seek out the organic (and I'm not talking the whole-foods movement here...); the raw and real. The vulnerable. I am inspired by people who wear their flaws openly and proudly. Part of me knows that's why I loved my career in Mental Health so much. There's no pretense.. everyone is who they are. Crazy, not crazy; none of it matters. Everyone has a story. Most want to share it, if only someone would listen. My grandmother - she was that someone. My father - he is that someone. Me, I strive to be that someone. I have been blessed with amazing people to guide my philosophies on life and love and kindness and gratitude. But- that's another post. Another time.

Everything I do in my everydayness - I try to stay real. I try to love. I try to share stories. That's all our lives are... a story. When all is said and done.. what will yours say?

In my photography, I try to capture the realness. The organic. The story.
The biggest compliment I could ever, ever imagine is a mother saying "THAT is who my child is". I try to stay real and honest, so if I ever stray away from that, feel free to send a swift kick my way. Really, I'll love you for it. :)

So, I wanted to post some song lyrics that really stick with me. They are to Brandi Carlile's song "have you ever?" and go like this:

Have you ever wandered lonely through the woods?
And everything there feels just as it should
You're part of the life there
You're part of something good
If you've ever wandered lonely through the woods
if you've ever wandered lonlely through the woods

Have you ever stared into a starry sky?
Lying on your back you're asking why
What's the purpose I wonder who am I
If you've ever stared into a starry sky
Have you ever stared into a starry sky

Have you ever been out walking in the snow?
Tried to get back to where you were before
You always end up not knowing where to go
If you've ever been out walking in the snow
If you'd ever been out walking you would know


See why this resonated within me?
Welcome to my church, my sanctuary, my meditation:


Enjoy this day! For the ups and downs, and the for the story that is being created. Right. Now.

♥