Here & there.
I've been jotting down things on little notes all over my desk the last week or so to share. No scrapping today - took a break - hung out. My parents stopped by. They brought freshly caught crab from the Pacific ocean. I cleaned, cracked and picked it just now. Seriously, very few things beat fresh Dungeness crab.
Things on my mind:
• Bus Project : it has been awhile since something has really inspired my politically. The idea is simple "drive Oregon to be a progressive example for the nation. Engage, educate, and elect. That’s our mission."Click here to read the history. I have had the pleasure to meet some of the people involved recently and to hear Jefferson Smith (the dude behind the idea) speak. Seriously inspiring. This is grassroots politics - getting young people involved and excited and wanting to talk politics and educate others and decrease the apathy that is so prevalent these days - proving that volunteerism is not dead in America. I will not be surprised to see the bus moving across the nation...
• 2006 Scrapbook Hall of Fame Contest : ok, if you are not a scrapbooker this probably sounds like one of the silliest things ever. But since I am guessing that many of you out there are probably scrapbookers this is something that may be of interest to you. Each year Creating Keepsakes magazine holds a contest called Hall of Fame. And each year they select 25 scrapbookers who are showcased in an idea book. I was one of the 25 people selected in 2003 (Totally cracked up looking at my photo and layout). And for me, it really did signal the beginning of my relationship with the magazine. If you have ever considered it and then thought, "nah, I couldn't do that..." I want you to reconsider. Forget the hype and the drama and any fear you may have - do it simply as a challenge to yourself. And do it because you love scrapbooking. And because you love telling your stories. And because you know that whether you are selected or not you are still a creative soul who is telling the stories of your family and having a wonderful time playing and creating in the process. Deadline February 9.
• Born Into Brothels + Kids With Cameras : watched it the other night. Consider it a must watch. Especially for people who love photography, who love celebrating creativity, who are interested in the world we live in, who love kids. It is at the same time heartbreaking and inspiring. Highly recommended.
And one more thing: When I was at an event sponsored by the Bus Project early last week I wrote down a note to myself:
who are you and what are you doing with who you are?
Just something I want to throw out there. Thinking about kids and politics and contests and volunteerism and getting out the vote and scrapbooking and poverty and the world in which we live. Who are you in this world? What is your place? Where have you been? Where are you going? What do you need to do to get you there? Are you living the life you want to live? And, if not, maybe this is the time to do something about it.
Traveling around this year has impacted me tremendously. I have a different world-view than when I began 2005. I believe I traveled more in the last 12 months than I ever have combined in my 30 years of life. There are so many things to see. So many people to connect with. Ideas to be transformed. Realities solidified. Dreams to be created & realized. Permission to be given. Photos to be taken. Words to be written. People to be helped and healed and comforted.
Simply remembering that we are each human. Each with passions and saddness and desires and dreams. What can we do to help each other along the way...locally and globally and within our families.
Wow. Same question has been bugging me all day. Am I living the life I want to live? Sadly, the answer is no. But to find the way to change it -- whole different kettle of fish. Maybe it's just an introspective time for many of us. The holidays (and the pouring rain) can do that to us. I'll keep pondering the questions. Maybe travel is the answer. Or writing. It's definitely time to change gears.
And man, I'm so jealous about the fresh Dungeness crab!! I had the pleasure of eating crab fresh off the boat a couple of years ago. I swear I ate two huge crabs myself. So darn good. My mouth waters just thinking about it. :)
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travelling does definately open your eyes and
that's why i love it so much. you hear different
perspectives, different views on essential stuff.
take care A - a very happy christmas!
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So strange that you come up with THIS question today... who am i? And am i who i really want to be..? Well, hell no... and thats why i'm going to see a psychiatrist today.. to get (hopefully)an end to all that clutter in my head that i'm carying around with me for so long...
But i'm happy to say that scrapbooking also helps to sort things out a bit... putting your thoughts, dreams, hopes and memories onto a piece of (patterned)paper can be very therapeutical. Maybe a good tip for all of you who have unanswered questions or 'gears to change': write it down, walk around it a few time to look at it in different angles and make it into a lay-out!?
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Holy moly, did this post ever get my fires burning to move, create, change....just DO! I love the Bus Project!!! I'm leaving that info up for my husband to read. It speaks to me. Truly. It gives me hope. Truly.
Can I just say! AMEN!
I've entered HOF two years straight, then sat out last year for some weird reason. Thanks for the reminder, I might have missed it coming up so soon.
I'm going to carry your question with me all day today "Who am I and what am I doing with who I am?" Powerful! That will be some good thinking fuel on my long drive to Indy tonight.
Thanks again for the inspiration, Ali!!
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Your question is something I have been pondering for a little while... and yet I don't have all the answers. Thanks for provoking thos throughts though.
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Hey Ali...boy do I know what you mean about "Are you living the life you want to live?" I left my fiance...job...university degree in law...and friends to move across the country and get myself on the right path in 2004. It was tough, but so worth it. (I feel a scrapbook page coming on...LOL!)
Speaking of travelling...I'm SO excited you're coming to New Zealand in August! As soon as I saw it under your workshop schedule I hysterically emailed KiwiScraps for details! Can't wait to (hopefully!) meet you in person.
Peace!
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I've been thinking a lot about the "who am i and what am I doing?" question lately, so it was interesting to see it on your blog today. You know they say there are no coincidences :) I think it's the end of year that gets us looking back and thinking these thoughts. The phrase "Start Somethng" has been ringing in my head lately.
I'm also glad that you posted about the HOF. I'm not eligible to enter (I live in France) but I did save the rules a while back because I plan to challenge myself to make an "entry" if only to motivate myself to really start scrapping again.
I also wanted to say that I have been inspired by your art journal. I hope to take one of Shimelle's classes next year.
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Thanks for the gentle push to self challenge and volunteer and EXPLORE. Your blog inspired me to create my own (now I'm blog obsessed!) and I've learned creative inspiration blooms into so many other areas...looking so forward to tending this growing garden. Happy Monday to you!
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wow. wow. wow. So many simple thoughts. So many powerful ideas. So glad you're blogging and sharing and inspiring. Really, really glad.
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Beautiful, Ali. Very simple and powerful.
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Just a lurker, saying thank you for your inspiration, Ali. The "Kids with Camera" site made me think of this project... you might be interested (I'm not affiliated with them... just inspired by them.)
http://www.soulumination.org/home.html
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Ali,
I admire your optimism; especially today, as I awoke to find that the Artic had been opened up to drilling, etc. as a last minute sneak into the Defense Appropriations Bill. I have e-mailed and phoned my political representatives, donated to the NRDC - everything I could think of to stop them from opening ANWR to drilling - but alas to no avail.
How do you remain hopeful? I want to just say, o.k. Washington, you win - I quit - why try to change things when it just doesn't work. Not enough people care deeply anymore it seems?
Would love to know how you keep the faith so to speak.
Michelle
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Very powerful questio that got me pondering, Ali. Thanks for asking it and putting it out there.
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Kudos to you for speaking out and using your name recognition for the good of all.
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Ali...the "who are you and where are you going" question has really got people talking. A resource I love and shared with my husband a year ago when he was in serious funk about job and direction is Barbara Sher and her books "WishCraft" and "I Could Be Anything if I Only Knew What It Was" (Amazon has got 'em!)--this women is VERY inspirational and motivating! Artistically, a great read is Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" and just for some really good cheap therapy, try Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance" and "Romancing the Ordinary". I was in a real low place years back and picked up "Simple" and I have found myself going back to it year after year when I really need a pick up. As for HOF...by golly, I am trying it this year, win or lose! Thanks for the pep talk.
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What an inspiring and powerful post Ali. Thanks for the HOF pep talk too. I've been thinking about being a weenie (again). I may just have to go for it. =)
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Love all your thoughts. What struck me strongest is this... your last sentence..."What can we do to help each other along the way...locally and globally and within our families."
I find it particularly powerful when people BELIEVE in somehting... we don't all have to agree... but just take a stand and form an opinion. Apathy is very sad.
Thanks for sharing! ;)
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amen, sister. amen.
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This is such a fabulous post Ali. I love your perspective on life and this world. You seem to have such a kind and honest spirit and view the world as I do, as we are all in this together and need to make changes for the better.
I'm not doing HOF this year (I just moved and all that stuff is in boxes), but next year I am no matter what! Its my biggest scrapping-related dream to win one day... We'll see ;)
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I am taking you up on the challenge. I will enter CK's 2006 HOF just for the pure challenge itself. To push myself, to be more creative (in the least it will enable me to complete 10 LO's) LOL! Thanks for all the insights...here's to a more simple 2006!
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Very thought provoking question...ans one we should ask ourselves on a regular basis...It's got me thinkin' anyway...thanks for the inspiration!
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Ha! I love that pic of you...wow...ch..ch..changes!!
Moving quote Ali..lots to think about!
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I think I almost found out who I am and what I stand for but it will always change as things happen around me. i searched for 10 years to find the answers to find it only in my heart and soul. I searched outside myself to be happy and like so many others felt frustrated that I couldn;t find it. Untill I went inside, into the silence and there it was, waiting to be touched. Just as simple as that.....
Corinnexxx
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Been thinking a lot about where my "place" is lately, too. Thanks for sharing those questions. I just picked up the HOF idea book from the year you won last week (cuz it was on sale at CK's online shop)--I felt like I was looking at your launching pad. It was very inspiring!
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What a great question to throw out there! That was something I was thinking about last night when I was writing my new years intenetions - now I can add a bit of extra journaling to my page! Thanks for the inspiration!!
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