2015: Dreams, Themes and Goals

I like dreaming.

I prefer dreaming to reflecting probably about 95% of the time. I really only prefer reflecting when it’s masked with reminiscing about happy memories, and sentiments of ‘this should happen again’, ‘I loved this’, or ‘wow, what a great time’.

This preference is both exhilarating and debilitating, depending on the scenario I find myself in. Example; when thinking of all the possibilities 2015 can hold, this dreamer preference is pretty fantastic—There is no end to the things I can visualizing myself accomplishing in the New Year. I can try absolutely anything, succeed, and find a sense of self in the variety of futures I can imagine and place myself into… I’m basically living out everything on my Pinterest account.

While all this dreaming is simply marvellous, it is only when matched with reflecting on the year past I am able to pin point what it is I should actually be doing; where I should be focusing my time and energy, and creating a vision for what I want to see happen in the new year. This reflection needs to take into consideration all moments during the past year which were monumental to me; the good and the bad, every event that was life changing in some way.

These ‘life changing’ episodes are different for everyone. They can be the moment you realized, despite your best efforts, you still genuinely dislike olives, the times you realized your life isn’t going to continued as planned, and even the times you felt lively crafting a handmade card or playing with your cat. All these little moments give insight into what makes us feel alive, what fuels us and where our true passions are—which is where we need to spend more time channelling our energy. Start identifying them in your own life as I continue.

Now, yes, OK, playing with your cat is the best thing in the world, but let’s look a little deeper into that. Why is it fun? Is it because you weren’t doing anything all day? Is it because you were having a bad day and that quality cuddle time with your furry friend made you happy? Seek out the reasons behind the things you either enjoyed or disliked and you’ll find where to establish the focus for the New Year. In this hilarious (yet oh so true) cat situation, I enjoy fun times with my cat when I’ve been really busy and need a bit of a break. What I learn from this is my life needs to involve easy ways to take a few moments to recharge and re-energize after a long, busy day. Keeping some easy and creative projects around, like say knitting that winter scarf I’ve never started, leaves me an opportunity to knit a few rows which will de-clutter my mind and leaves me feeling like I am accomplishing something fun that I enjoy doing, but don’t always have time to do. Hanging with my cat fits into this same category, as well as reading a book or magazine.

Take a look at the rest of life’s moments that stand out as monumental from the past year and examine them for their deeper meaning. Write them out and soon you’ll find yourself easy themes to help navigate your goals for 2015.

When I look back at 2014 I realize I had a year of ups and downs, challenges, overcoming those challenges and, overall, making a lot of decisions that change the course of any plans that were once had. A few themes that stand out for me are how I thrive when I get to be creative, make beautiful things and capture their beauty the best I can, when I get to spend meaningful time with those who hold value in my life (even if it’s a short amount of time), intentionally growing my faith, and helping people in some sort of way whether in the form of travelling over seas, or helping friends with areas of need. 

Follow me on Instagram: @LoveInspiresChange

In shorter form, my themes for 2015 become:

- Creativity

- Relationships

- Faith

- Serving

- Health

A theme has more rooting to it. It creates an expression of following passions and living out the deeper callings of your life, embedded by God, to keep you moving in the direction to be His light to the world in all you do. My chosen themes, while somewhat vague, give me an amazing focal point for the New Year. Anything that doesn’t fit itself easily into one of the above themes is not going to serve me well. It’s kind of like creating a filter for yourself to live your best in 2015, which is pretty amazing.

My 2014 goals were accomplished, and I’m looking forward to growing on them and sifting all my dreams through the theme filters I’ve created to create an amazing 2015. I can already tell you a few of my goals:

- Blogging to take more of a lead role (which easily passes through every filter!)

- Baking to continue to be a focus, including collaborating and sharing my creations via my blogging platform and customers

- Take at least one workout classes (instead of just working out at home like I always do!) 

- More dedicated Faith pursuits (attend conferences, studies... you name it, I want in on it!)

So this year, as you dream, reflect, and visualize where you want to go in life, I challenge you to figure out the themes of where you thrive, and pursue all your goals and dreams with your themes shining brightly, guiding every step.

Cheers to an absolutely amazing 2015!

*Interested in setting goals? Check out my post last year on Positive Goal Setting

Collaboration

When writing goals for 2014 I decided spending more time collaborating with others was going to be at the forefront of what I do with the majority of my free time. There is something so magical about collaborating with people—the way inspiration and creativity feed off the ideas being formed in your head and let loose into the world without inhibition, the way a simple sketch can be envisioned as the grandiose image already in your head and the involved parties not only understand, but are anxious to see it brought to life, and how bonding during the process is viewed to be just as valuable as the end result.

This, my friends, is magic. This is like glitter raining down on a sunshiny day where a warm breeze tousles your hair and someone catches the moment on film… no filter required.

I haven’t participated in much collaboration in the past—one absolutely lovely session with Lani Elias Fine Art Photography and Bloom Petals& Gifts (check it out here) was all I needed to know I wanted to do it again…. It was like eating a slice of the most amazing pie and knowing you just had to have another slice…or two… (or in my case, the recipe).

In Winkler I had friends who were doing things. Lani is one of my closest friends and Meg from Bloom is our go-to florist who is just as awesome as her floral arrangements. It was a simple collaboration—it worked well, was easy to arrange, and went beautifully.

Enter the move to Hamilton.

I arrived in Hamilton and realized I didn’t really know anyone—no local florist to visit, no hidden gems of creative talent I could tap into for easy experimental fun. Little did I know the lovely lady we ended up living with is a photographer who wants to, get this, get into food photography! *Insert harps and hallelujah choir here.*

As an individual who is pretty much down to be involved in anything creative I jumped at the chance to help her brainstorm and execute ideas for a course she was taking and, since then, have taken almost any opportunity to make something delicious and then get pictures of it.

Aside from a recent mini-shoot of Birthday Crepes, the most recent shoot consisted of process shots and a few final shots of cupcakes Meag hired me to make for a baby shower. It’s fun to live with someone who enjoys sharing the magic during the process.

As the year is only beginning, I am looking forward to the collaborations that will arise and where they will take me. It’s always humbling and inspiring to work with individuals who have talent and are willing to share it with you for a collaborative vision. I look forward to those photographers, florists, stylists and all other creative beings I will be honoured to work with this year. Know that I am grateful for the opportunity, educated through the experience, and inspired for the future by the simple act of collaboration.

 

Process shots by Meagan Tutti.
Final shots by me.

Positive Goal Setting

Image from Justina Blakeney

Oh, hey 2014.

I saw you sauntering towards us as we were nearing the end of our time hanging out with 2013. You were kindly waiting for us to finish our epic session before you took your turn with us—I appreciate that, you’re so kind.

So, what’s up? Are you happy to be here? I am sure glad you showed up. I enjoyed 2013 quite a bit—a lot of changes, opportunities, challenges resulting in growth and a lot to be thankful for. Many blessings are worth reflecting on, and I fondly look back at the wonderful moments of 2013. But, 2014, I am excited you’re here.

I’m not sure what 2014 will hold, but I do know it is in my hands with how I am going to shape it. I could leave it is as is, no ideas on how to shape it, leaving it flat—with no desires, goals, or excitement mixed with moments of calm and contentment changing it to mountains on my palms…

But I want those mountains.

While my wonderful husband and I were casually discussing 2014 on the last day of 2013 over Thai food, I asked what he is most looking forward to in 2013. I love asking questions like these. It’s probably a combination of my radio-dj-interviewer background, mixed with my genuine interest in my significant other and how I always thought being a counselor would be nifty. I like asking questions that make people think and examine themselves. My answer to the question returned to me is simply that I am looking forward to ‘overcoming the challenges’. An answer such as mine requires at least a bit of an explanation—I think it’s safe to say enjoying an actual challenge is difficult. I welcome a new challenge knowing I will overcome it and will have learned lessons, grown personally, and come out better for it. So it’s not the challenge itself I am looking forward to (or, let’s be honest, challenges—since I know there will be many), but I am looking forward to what happens after you overcome—the other side, which is accomplishment and further knowledge, gained.

I don’t know if I necessarily think the idea of ‘New Years Resolutions’ work—especially if they are decided on a whim and are not planned out. (That being said, I have totally made resolutions in the past where the end of the year is the first time I look at them again and I really have accomplished some.) I do believe in having goals. Goals for 2014 are great to have—and although I won’t be sharing my “how-to achieve your goals” guide on here (as it varies by individual), I am going to share with you a few of my general goals for the what is sure to be a remarkable 2014.

This is how I start my goal setting for the year.

These may seem generic to you, but I have visions of where I want to see them go and a few steps for how to see those made real in the present. One thing I truly believe is how a positive view is always more effective than a negative view. Example; I have on my list ‘Give More’. That is a positive statement. That is more uplifting and inspiring than reading ‘Work on Being Less-Selfish’ or flat out ‘Stop Being Selfish’. When you read those more negative statements, your mind automatically draws ideas of what the negative is like—You think of how you are being selfish, the way being selfish makes you feel, and generally all other negative emotions. When you read ‘Give More’ you are automatically brought into a positive mindset—it motivates you, gives you ideas and uplifts you to feeling the potential the statement holds.

As Mother Teresa said;

“I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.”

I challenge you to write your goals, resolutions, or dreams in a positive manner. You’ll feel encouraged, ready for the challenge, and your mind will already be thinking of the amazing ways you can accomplish what you have written down. Believe me, it is amazing what being ‘pro’ instead of ‘anti’ can do.

Goals for 2014

- Give More

- Love More

- Serve More

- Gain Self-Confidence and, within that, 

Achieve a Realistic View-Point on Physical Wellness

- More God

- Blog Regularly

- Collaborate

- Strengthen My Marriage

This is just the beginning of the year and as the minutes turn into hours, hours to days, days to weeks and weeks to months, it is guaranteed these general goals will become refined, defined and challenged. I welcome all of those. As I get older, and as time passing arrives with mixed feelings, this year I will welcome the change of seasons and availability of the time I find myself blessed with. I will accept how not everything happens ‘over-night’ and my goals for 2014 are truly that—goals set for the course of the year, designed to be accomplished only as the time passes and brings us closer to 2015.

Be brave, display courage, seek guidance from God, love without abandon and know you have the ability to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

**Other things I will be doing to set up my year in a positive mindset will be shared later on the blog so keep checking back!**

Excitement of the New Year

Who needs resolutions when you set goals?

I'd say I know my husband pretty well. He is a very goal oriented individual. Example: one of his favourite books is titled GOALS! Capitalization and exclamation marks not even added by me-- which is something I normally do to add emphasis. When he makes goals, I often want to be involved in the process. I mean, I started reading the book GOALS! once before. I even made it... maybe... a quarter way through. I have set personal goals before but never concrete-well-thought-out-execution-plan, kind of goals. Just things I want to accomplish in a generalized time frame.

This year is different.
This year we have BIG GOALS! (Emphasis added by me to show how truly exciting it is.)

On New Years Day we ventured to the empty coffee shop to read and have some "shoulder to shoulder" time. This is not uncommon. It's actually something we do quite often when the coffee shop is closed for a holiday. The coffee shop is such a wonderful place to be. Big windows letting in incredible light, all the delicious tea I could drink, and comfy chairs that swallow you up while you get sucked into a good book. JP arrived before I did to do work. Upon my arrival, I started into my current read, Crazy Love by Francis Chan. An incredible book that I received from on my "Christmas List" that is challenging, encouraging, inspiring, and overall a book I was highly recommending even before I finished the first chapter. Before I knew it, JP had whipped out a page titled "S.M.A.R.T Goals for 2013". Goals. For 2013. That we are making together. My heart leaped for joy and I was SO EXCITED to be able to create some goals with the goal master himself, Jon Plett.

Upon assessing our upcoming year, we set goals in a variety of areas. We didn't only "write goals", we created our Purpose Statement for each area, wrote out our Envisioned Future, set Specific Commitments to help us reach our envisioned future and-- my favourite part-- found a supporting verse for each area.

Being able to keep ourselves God centered when creating goals is the most encouraging and amazing process. To consistently keep in mind what God has created us for when writing out our year gives me so much excitement. It lets you know that they aren't really "your" plans. They are His plans. His plans don't fail. His plans come to life. His plans are more amazing than you could ever imagine.

And that is how this year is shaping up to be.
Within in the next couple of weeks I will turn 25 years old and JP and I will celebrate our third marriage anniversary. This year we plan to move and pursue passions-- how helpful that we have goals to help us accomplish all that we would love to do.

While creating these Team Goals, I created my own personal goals with the same flow-- for consistency sake and because I absolutely love how in-depth the process was. To write out my envisioned future in my marriage, pursuit of a new career, my faith life, friendships, volunteering and humanitarian work, is so encouraging. God uses each and every one of us for things more amazing than we could ever think of. If you allow yourself to search out His reasoning behind why you were created, you will be able to envision a future you originally never thought possible. This time last year, I never would have envisioned my future including the things it currently does. Sure, some things stay the same-- you want to volunteer, have a solid faith life and marriage, pursue a career you are passionate about-- but to have specific commitments, scripture to support it... Wow. Awesome.

Welcome 2013. This is a year for big change, big dreams, big blessings, and big opportunities. My door is open to you, and I am warmly inviting you in.

The Beginning of Reflection

As I begin to write this I am sitting in the Calgary airport. I have made it through security with no issues (unlike the trip TO SFO) and am anxiously awaiting returning home and surprising my amazing husband with an arrival two days before he thinks I am supposed to come home.*

I'm sitting here being beyond excited to see JP and also excited that, while sitting at a Gate 19, with barely anyone else around, the delightful folks at Starbucks brought around samples of Caramel Brule Lattes and Brownies. I also see snow when I look out the giant airport windows to the right. We know that the cold, and the snow, aren't necessarily my favourite. But we also know that I enjoy snow when viewing it from a place indoors that is warm and cosy. And although the airport wouldn't really classify as "cosy" to me, the warmth of the Caramel Brule Latte is enough to make it feel like I really am coming home.

Five months and one day ago I was heading to San Francisco to volunteer alongside the Not For Sale staff as part of their Fellowship Program. I remember the day I left so well (If you don't, I posted a blog about it, check it out!)-- So well it feels just like yesterday. Not For Sale kind of swallows you up into this strange place in time. It feels like no time has passed at all, yet the proof is there when I turn my head to the right and see the ground covered in a sparkly while blanket composed of millions of snowflakes.  When Jackson was driving me to the airport this morning we discussed this abnormal feeling with time. Part of it definitely has to do with the weather-- in Half Moon Bay, the weather basically stays the same. It was warmer than normal in early November and has been raining the week before last making everything bright green and spring-like. The other part has to do with the Not For Sale bubble we have been living in. The bubble consists of the same people, day in, day out. The work topic may vary but the tasks are the same. The house conversations may vary but the lead back to Not For Sale often happens and the people are always the same. While this was a delightful constant that really is part of the experience, it is strange to be headed back.

Upon arriving home I'm sure to be asked the at least two of the same things:
1- How was your trip?
2- What are you going to do now?

Yes, the classic two questions. These are questions I have known people will ask but hadn't put much thought into the answer. These same questions coming from my peers at Not For Sale are easier to answer. They've seen me grow. I've been living out a passion with them. We've been connected by a common thread-- justice for those who can't help themselves. Coming home makes answering those same questions so much harder. They weren't there, they didn't live the experience, they aren't pursuing their passions the same way I have just done. It's bold to say but needs to be said-- They just won't get it.

I was discussing this "how was your trip/what will you do next?" question experience we are all guaranteed to experience upon arriving home with a housemate not too long ago. I made reference to my time spent with Live Different where we prepare the 30 second and 3 minute stories. The stories about your time condensed into small segments for you to use after assessing the amount the individual doing the questioning really wants to hear. It's funny to be condensing 5 months into 30 seconds but it is 100% necessary-- unfortunately or fortunately, depending who is asking.

To be thinking of these stories right now is interesting. A select few know I am arriving home in a mater of hours, most have no idea when I return. There is definitely something so wonderful about being "under the radar". I feel mysterious. I like that, right now, a very select awesome few know my whereabouts. It's nice to be able to reflect with no pressure of people asking those two questions.

What are my answers? What are my 30 second and 3 minute story?
My trip was great. I accomplished the goals I set and for that, I feel grateful and blessed. On top of accomplishing those goals, which wasn't a guarantee when they are large life and future questions, I feel truly blessed that I have been able to remove myself from the life I was living with friends, the most amazing husband a lady could ask for, a job, and all those generic standards we so easily judge our lives by, and serve others for five months. Going where needed, volunteering and doing work that helped not only the greater movement of ending human trafficking and modern day slavery, but helping the staff at Not For Sale. To know you have been able to live a life of helping others is possibly the most amazing blessing of all. Just knowing I had served others with my time, one of the most precious things we have, makes me smile from ear to ear.  There is something exciting, yet calming at the same time, about knowing that. A sense of peace. It's delightful.

What am I going to do now? Go home, surprise my husband, see my wonderful friends I have missed, keep in touch with the new ones & enjoy Christmas. I have some long term goals I am working on sorting out. Ideas that I am formulating into short term and long goals to attain that will pursue passions and living a life with love at the centre of it. I love serving others, helping people and baking, being crafty. Let's say, the ideas are running around my head and I am so very excited for the next chapter of life and new adventures to begin. And what makes it all even better is doing this all with JP by my side.

Note: As this is only my first blog doing some reflecting, I'm sure there will be a lot I stumble across to discuss in the future. I'm sure there will be many things I have to say, many discoveries waiting to be found, many insights wishing to be shared. I will do all of these things.

*Blog posted AFTER arriving home. No surprise ruined by social media. ;)

Sunshine in Half Moon Bay

As I am typing this a few of us fellows are sitting in the living room, windows open, and are all busy on our laptops. While all doing various different things, one thing we all have in common is the fact that we are enjoying what is referred to as a "BSD". BSD, if you didn't know, stands for Blue Sky Day. It is something that doesn't happen very often here in Half Moon Bay and when it does, you need to take a few moments out of your day and enjoy it.

Enjoying the day and enjoying what we are doing here are two things that we do, however we don't do with enough intent and realization behind it...

The weeks are busy and I find myself doing so many things in one day that when it's time to submit my dashboard on a Sunday afternoon, I find myself surprised at all the things I did. The thought "I did all that this week?" often comes into my mind, thinking whatever the task was, I did it weeks ago. Things are fast paced and always changing and it's an environment I am adjusting to and beginning to love.

Laughter. As we all sit at our laptops, the random sheep in an unknown yard nearby yard starts to bleat. And not just a regular one, but a long, awkward sound.  We all look at each other and burst out laughing. Wonderful.
Back to being busy. When working with NFS, there's never a moment where you feel like you are done. I am all too familar with the "I've done all my work for the day and I still have a couple hours/all afternoon left to work!" feeling. This is simply incredible for me. My last job left me feeling quite bored and like I had so much left to offer at the end of the day. With the Fellowship, the end of the day comes and I am beat! I feel accomplished in the tasks I completed, excited about the work yet to be done, and satisfied knowing that there is always  more work to be done. We are ending modern-day slavery. Your work never ends at 5pm.





First bottles of REBBL

Over the past couple of weeks we've had a chance to do some amazing things! REBBL has been launching and we've been working at launch parties. The most recent being at the Causes head office in San Francisco. The view from their 21st floor space is the best view I've seen in San Francisco and the event left us all pumped about NFS, REBBL and Causes!  The Causes staff are friendly and into the work that NFS and REBBL are doing.






The View from the Causes Office



A Fashion Movement for Change

This past week us lady-fellows went up to San Francisco to a Sustainable Fashion show.  We got all dressed up and headed into the big city. It was a fun experience and I definitely feel at home in San Francisco. The sustainable fashion show featured {r}evolution Apparel who are the makers of the Versalette, and Sew Love Style showing their top and new Tulip Skirt. I felt so trendy being there and seeing a fashion show that is so forward thinking. A couple of the girls really got their networking on and told everyone they could about NFS and exchanged business cards. Myself and another girl just took it all in; the environment, the different people, the venue. We wanted to relish the experience. At the end of the fashion show part of the evening they had the Versalette present for people to try on. I jumped at the chance of trying it on since I want to get one when they are on sale. It was a blast and I will for sure remember it.



Posing with the Versalette

Moments like the fashion show, laughing at the house and enjoying the BSD make it easy to take moments to realize what you are doing, I mean REALLY doing, and appreciate it. It's easy to take a few steps back and enjoy the atmosphere.

My goal for  this week is to take moments in the middle of the day and while taking a sip of water, waiting for an email to load, or walking to or from work, is to take that brief moment, that moment that could be as easily fleeting as a quick ocean breeze while going for a jog, and acknowledge where I am, what I am doing, and really enjoy it.

When you think about it, we really are working to end modern-day slavery. We've been selected from over 30 applicants to come to Half Moon Bay and work with those who are already devoting their life to seeing justice prevail and, for me, to see Love overcome. We are small but are part of the bigger picture. The first part of my day, aside from checking my personal @nfs email account is checking the general email account. While at times, it can seem annoying to be the person that needs to respond to all these random emails, and when you're tired and it's been cloudy and cold for a week it can be exhaustive.  However, looking through those emails is one of the biggest sources of inspiration in my day. The emails from people that read along the lines of 'How can I get involved?', 'What can I do to help?", 'How can I join the movement to end slavery in our time?' get me SO pumped! People are encouraged by the work we do. People care.  People want to be involved. People are feeling called to be involved. If moments like that can't make me enjoy what I am doing  here, nothing will. That one of the many reasons I am so happy to be here.

The more people that know slavery exist today, the more people will a stand against it. The more people who gain knowledge of slavery in supply chains and how they are part of it due to their consumerism, the easier it will be for them to make smart choices. The more people out there making informed decisions, the more businesses and companies will change their ways.  The less demand, the less slavery. All of this results in more people like you and me working to change the cycle and lives of those at risk and provide them them with sustainable new future options!

Those moments sipping my water, waiting for an email to load, walking to or from work, those moments will be spent this week full of gratitude to be here, thankfulness for the opportunity, encouragement from the blessings in my life allowing me to be here, and enjoyment, soaking in every moment.