CAPTURED BY BEAUTIFUL LIGHT

The wonders that can be captured through a camera lens, are delightfully highlighted by the proper use of light, and without a doubt; the beautiful work done by Sue Bryce; a portrait photographer based in Sydney, far exceeds this reality.

On her lovely documentary titled "The Light that Shines"; which begins with the quote "beauty is the light in the heart", she portrays the story of a beautiful and inspiring woman, Jill Brzezinski-Conley, who has been able to inspire love and joy in the midst of difficulty, and a battle with cancer. This talented photographer speaks of the moment she came across Jill's story and describes her feelings. "Something incredible resonated in my intuition and my soul", Sue describes, marking a start for a beautiful project.

Jill strolled the streets of Paris, wearing a lovely and magical Steven Khalil gown; yet, what truly makes the images come to life is Jill's inner beauty; which, so clearly reflects and tells the story of every experience lived within her life; specially within the past three years.

I invite you to watch this moving documentary; which touches on many levels and aspects of our human dignity, through the perspective of joy and strength.

Images via SUE BRYCE | PORTRAIT

CELEBRATING A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

AN INVITATION TO HELP CELEBRATE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

If you are reading these lines, be happy and celebrate, for it is an indication that you are indeed enjoying one of the most beautiful gifts; the one to have been given life!

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet a new baby boy, born to dear friends two weeks ago. Everyone around this little one would not cease to be amazed at the beauty of new life; so filled with possibility and a capacity for love and goodness.

During each birthday, one usually receives good wishes; not only from those who were present on the the actual birth date, but even those that came into your life much after. It is a celebration worth mentioning and it would serve us to stop every single day and remember the valuable gift we have been given.

But what would you do with such a treasure? Before I give you a few words related to this very question, allow me to share the story of a wonderful and beautiful lady that has been given the amazing gift of one hundred and four years! Her name is Edythe, and she will be celebrating her 105th birthday on January 22nd (just a few days way).

She has always been concerned with helping others and making the most out of her time on this earth. In honor of her birthday, she would like to challenge others to help out with a cause close to her heart.

I would like to invite you to join her and celebrate her amazing spirit of joy and generosity. You may find the challenge right here!

And going back to preserving a beautiful treasure, I leave you with a few lines I wrote many years ago. I believe these words can be applied both to life and loved ones, so I hope they make an impression of beauty on each one of you:

How to Preserve a Given Treasure

Do not let the everyday debris cover the beauty
of that wonderful treasure you have been given.

Go ahead; dust it off, as dust is superfluous
and worthless; it is nothing but particles of matter,
regarded as the result of disintegration.
It makes it opaque; impenetrable by light.

Quite the contrary, try to polish it, to remove
the outer layers, so that its shine and beauty are everlasting.

Remember; dust is inevitable, but with a good piece of cloth,
and the willingness to make it shine; its beauty will be preserved
for years to come ..............

Do not let this happen to you, that when a day comes
that your treasure appears dusty and useless,
you dispose of it thinking it has lost its worth.

Someone then may unbury such wonder and polish it to perfection,
finding great enjoyment, in the midst of an ever dusty world ..............

lovely image found via Julie Blanner

FRUIT OF OUR LABOR

A REFLECTION ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF LABOR + SUFFERING INTO BEAUTIFUL OFFERINGS

A few days surrounded by silence can do wonders for body, mind, heart and soul. It is in the depth of that silence, that I pondered deeply about the direction of my goals in relation to eternity.

Some of these thoughts include the fact that a few things are inescapable for human kind, no matter what the state of life. A couple of them being labor and suffering.

Everyday offers new opportunities and possibilities, and if one is to profit and fully live; idleness is not a choice. Many books have been written on more efficient ways to cut labor time in half or less. I remember reading the 4-hour workweek a while ago, and agreeing with the fact that truly a day's duties could be accomplished in the least possible amount of time; yet, there is always something else that could be done in order not to waste the day away.

Many work in the fields, under the sun; others inside large skyscrapers under fluorescent light. Each one with their own set of challenges to conquer the day; yet given the same exact opportunity: the one to offer one's labors for a bigger purpose; beyond the sweat of our forehead.

Labor and suffering; the existing conditions of our humanity from the beginning of time. The unavoidable reality for each one of us; therefore, our choice remains:

To labor each day with a great sense of love and purpose, or to drag ourselves into the unending rhythm of the working class. To understand that our work can transform the world and bring maturity and fulfillment to the one that labors. Placing labor to the service of humanity and not the other way around.

So wherever one may be in life, let us ask ourselves, what are the fruits of our labor?

lovely image via milk

HOLIDAY GIVING

During this season, it is amazing how streets and shops seem rather crowded. Everyone looks quite busy searching for the perfect gift, and I cannot help but wonder how much thoughtfulness goes into each one of these purchases. I believe that no matter how simple or extravagant each gift turns out to be; 'thoughtfulness' is the main ingredient in perfect giving.

With the above in mind, I would like to share a few of my favorite gift guides. I hope you get to stop for a minute or two and consider which little gifts will make someone's life more beautiful.

01. L+C holiday gift guide with gifts that give back

02. Gifts for the ladies from Note to Self and Hip Hip Gin Gin

03. Gifts for the gents from Note to Self and Hip Hip Gin Gin

04. Gifts for the hosts from Note to Self 

05. Stocking stuffers from Hip Hip Gin Gin

07. Gifts for kids from Note to Self and Leuie

06. Holiday gift guide from IHOD

I hope you enjoy this season of giving and for those of you who wonder about Santa ..............

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

lovely image via pinterest

WITH DEEP GRATITUDE

Dear October: You have been an amazing month and I cannot help but look back in deep gratitude. From the very first day, you surprised me with feasts and celebrations that made my soul sing. Moments that reassured me of the love that exists both around and within me.

I look back a year ago, and you were filled with pain, suffering and trial; yet, I remember reading lines which spoke about the fact that "everything is a gift". Every lived situation; whether good or bad, easy or hard, is a gift; an opportunity to grow. Those words carried me forward in the middle of the storm, and I cannot help but smile at the fact that twelve months later, I am filled with joy.

That is how I welcome November; with a deep sense of gratitude, and with the security that indeed, everything is a gift. It is how I intend to live my life; always grateful and with determination. Finding beauty in every circumstance.

Thank you October, because throughout the years, you might be presented to me with distinct wrappings; some of them more bright and cheerful than others; but nonetheless, you will never cease to be a beautiful gift.

lovely stairwell via pinterest

THE BEAUTY OF WILL POWER

'NO ONE LACKS STRENGHT, WHAT MANY LACK IS WILL' - VICTOR HUGO

It all began with a water bottle; a perfectly portable transparent one that I bought with the idea to make myself drink more water. I had been carrying this with me for several days and I began to notice real progress.

One night when arriving home, I realized I had left behind my lovely bottle. During a meeting, I took a sip and positioned on the floor next to my seat. Given the late hour, going back did not make sense. I could have picked up another bottle, but practicality was not intended. The object represented a goal I had polarized, and leaving it behind was not the best choice.

 I made plans to go back early in the morning, but as to make the trip even more significant, I decided to attend morning Mass and hit the trail.

I am not one to rise early; yet, I left before dawn. After a beautiful Mass celebration I felt glad to be there. I had been trying to attend on weekdays as to receive the graces and benefits on a daily basis; instead of just once a week.

The forgotten water bottle made its way back into my hands and I walked towards the running trail. About half a mile into it, I saw a doughnut truck parked right next to the trail. On the occasion for celebrating 75 years their tasty treats were being offered.

The latter combination was senseless; making people seemingly confused by the juxtaposition. Sadly, those being lured to the doughnuts were the ones who needed them the least; those who probably struggle with eating habits and are trying to make progress. What a test of will power.

I continued down the trail being passed by different types of runners. One of them caught my attention, as he ran wearing a heavy army vest. He was seemingly training, and about twenty minutes later, I spotted him again, as he had made an entire loop. His face dripping with sweat; yet filled with determination. I looked at him and smiled as to convey my admiration.

All of the above events helped me to ponder on the importance of exercising our will and taking steps on a daily basis in order make our lives more beautiful.

lovely image of Evgenia Obraztsova via tumblr

CALL TO ACTION : A HAPPY LIFE

One of the lessons I learned this summer, is to take better care of myself. I tend to get busy with too many projects or over commit to help someone else in need; only to find myself stressed or with several alarms triggered by my worn out body.

Over the last couple of months I have come across many wonderful sources to help my very unbalanced lifestyle, but two very particular ones have proven truly insightful. The first one of these; a cleverly written book, The Happiness Project, by author Gretchen Rubin. I am only half way through her writings; yet, from the very first chapter I was forced to think of the ways in which I could improve my quality of life, and therefore that of others.

I know that helping people and being there for them when in need makes me deeply happy, but not when that takes me to the extreme of neglecting my own self, so I made a commitment to gain some 'catch up' time from here to the end of the year.

I had been making small changes into my overall routine; yet another providential find made my resolutions even more concrete. I ran across a recorded conference given by Matthew Kelly on the topic of Becoming the Better Version of Yourself. I began listening to it and it all came to a full circle!

Matthew Kelly describes the four areas which need to be balanced in order to be happy and the best version of ourselves. He touched on the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, and it made me realize that some of these had been somehow neglected by my 'busy' days. I realize that although my life is great, it could be a lot better and I could have so much more to offer to others.

I have been thinking about concrete means for each of the four areas, and this morning I realized that in order for me to be encouraged through the process, I would commit to doing one thing to help myself and another to reach out.

To give you a better example, allow me to share a bit on the physical agenda:

~ to myself:

• I commit to eating healthier meals and not skipping any of them
• I commit to exercising every week in order to feel less stressed and energized

~ to others:

• I commit to contributing to an organization that provides meals to those in great need
• I commit to contributing to an organization that values life and the dignity of a person/body from conception to death.

I am convinced that this will have an effect on multiple lives and therefore create beauty. Please stay in touch as I plan to share more information on my new little plan for life.

Lovely image by photographer Trent Bailey via firefly events

EVERYDAY BEAUTY

Recently I found myself moving things around the house as there was to be a change in flooring, and it was from that little task, that I was able to have a wonderful reflection. I could notice with greater ease, the beauty of each little accessory or piece of furniture, and I realized that as much as I love my home and the overall look and feel of it, we get used to our surroundings and cease to be constantly amazed.

Everything had a new glow when taken away from the usual place, and even when I thought I did not own many pairs of shoes, I changed my mind as these were placed outside the closet. My mind kept thinking of how important it is to appreciate and be grateful for what we have been given; even when it becomes monotonous. This applies to everything and everyone, from a home, job, loved one, or even our relationship with God.

Not long after this little reflection, I found myself putting everything back into place and sorting through old paperwork, and as I went trough every old statement or medical bill, I suddenly came across bits and pieces of previous years; including several letters from my now husband, written to me back when we were still dating and going through discernment in many areas of our life. It was fun to thread it all together and see that every moment and decision has led us to where we are today and that as the years go by, we are responsible for continuing to find virtue in one another and building each other constantly.

The letters now reside within a small box, next to other great reminders of the wonderful life I have been given and I intend to make a conscious effort to look at these often and with gratefulness.

About eight years ago, I wrote a few lines that may illustrate the above reflections in a more abstract; yet relevant way:

How to Preserve a Given Treasure

Do not let the everyday debris cover the beauty
of that wonderful treasure you have been given.

Go ahead; dust it off, as dust is superfluous,
it is worthless; it is nothing but particles of matter
regarded as the result of disintegration.
It makes it opaque; impenetrable by light.

Quite the contrary, try to polish it, to remove
the outer layers, so that its shine and beauty are everlasting.

Remember; dust is inevitable, but with a good piece of cloth,
and the willingness to make it shine; its beauty will be preserved
for years to come ..............

Do not let this happen to you, that when a day comes
that your treasure appears dusty and useless,
you dispose of it thinking it has lost its worth.

Someone then may unbury such wonder and polish it to perfection,
finding great enjoyment, in the midst of an ever dusty world ..............

 interior details image found via reasons to breathe
love letters image by laura makabreku found via pinterest

ON LIVING WITH DIGNITY

When I was 12 years old, I visited a small town where houses were built out of cardboard and tin, and as I met some of the members of the community, I noticed a little hut where dishes piled up and dust abounded. I was then prompt to ask the lady within the little dwelling, whether I could help to 'beautify' her little home. She agreed, and I gladly set out on a mission.

I began by taking care of the pile of dishes and sweeping the entire little hut. I then proceeded to rearrange the few pieces of furniture available to achieve the proper balance and make it more pleasing to the eye. The final touches were given with little things she had available and voila! A quaint little place to call home.

I remember vividly the excitement and gratefulness from the lovely lady. She thanked me by giving away some of the candy that she sold for a living and I left fully convinced, that no matter how many or how little resources one is given, one can make a home truly dignified.

I believe that when we are surrounded by beauty it is easier to remember our worth and dignity, and carry ourselves according to that truth....


lovely images image found via pinterest