The Perspective Of Longevity

Excellent post!

Hi Ali. Congratulations on the emerging next chapter of your life story...your beautiful new home! As always thank you for the inspiration and the caring philosophy for a life approach to scrapbooking. Enjoy the triathlon and the experience of your mind, body and spirit enjoined! At least that is how sports seem to work for me -- it is a time when all three come together and it just, well for lack of a better expression...ROCKS! Cheers to you this weekend!

How did you get so Zen?
--good luck in the triathlon!

Good Luck Heather,
Your words were so meaningful to me. I am right there with you. I make lots of cards and little books for others but mine own albums only have supplies and photos that are sorted and organized to be attached.
Your words reflect a heart that is full of love and truth--great tools for telling stories.
We both have the capacity to do this. Thanks for your story.

Hi Ali,
This was a lovely post and very meaningful.
I added your phase: "Instead there is enjoyment and fulfillment and love" --Ali Edwards to my desktop.
Thank you.
Ellen

Thanks, Ali!!! I have big plans. LOL
Ellen, thank you so much for your kind words. So nice.
I am going to pledge to make one layout next week. One may not sound big, but I'd say 90% of my problem is that I set goals that are too big and then freeze. Like this: setting a goal in November to be done a whole year of scrapbooking by December 31st. Yeahhhhhh. Right.
So one. I'll make it one.

Heather I know you wrote to Ali but I caught your post and wanted to respond. I love scrapbooking but I easily get caught up in the "shoulds" and perfection path. Ali has helped me tremendously in focusing on the story, limiting products to those that are fun or support the story and the beauty of simple layouts. What has also helped me is to experiment with different styles just for play and learning. I did a HUGE overhaul on my scrap/art room and wow, what a difference. I created a lovely and organized big box of things I have not used, or didn't "feel" like me and I have donated them to a local kids art center (who were in dire need of art goodies). This one step alone changed the energy in my room. It is light and free energy that has helped me to reconnect. And finally, my family and I recently pulled out some older scrapbooks that I made for my nephews. I was horrified to see my creations. They were overworked, lacked a flow, etc. However, as I sat in quiet shock and deep feelings of embarrassment, what I saw were all of my family members gathered around smiling, laughing at stories the photos evoked, sharing memories, talking about our yearly traditions, amazed at how these beautiful children are growing up (I can still see this in my mind as I write this and tears are in my eyes) when my BIL came over to me (and this guy is far from expressive) and said, "Bonnie, thank you for creating these treasures, these are beautiful works of art that I cannot ever thank you enough for making." That was my "I get it" moment in scrapbooking. That moment reminds me of what it's about. I also love now seeing how my work is changing, how I am learning new things and stretching my creative soul. Truly, this moment changed everything for me and I hope by sharing this really long post (longest I have ever written!) that my story supports you in telling your cherished stories. You really don't need luck, you just need to tell the story.

I remember feeling so overwhelmed at how behind I always seemed to be with my scrapbooks. I would always scrapbook in a hurry so that I could catch up but it never really happened. Then one day I realized that it wasn't a race! No one was going to show up at my door one day and haul away all of my cool stuff and say, times up!
Now I take my time and do what i feel inspired to do! My layouts aren't perfect and I'm pretty sure most aren't worthy of a magainze, but my boys love to sit and look at them. They love when I read the journaling out loud to them and they get excited when they remember the stories behind the pictures.
Thanks for your post! When I come to your blog I remember exactly why I love doing this so much!
Good luck on your triathlon!

One is the perfect number!

Amen to this: You really don't need luck, you just need to tell the story.

HA! Every time I write something like this it's because I need to hear it for myself. I was stressing out this morning big time...writing this was a good way to chill and gain some much needed perspective :).

Oh, my. I'm crying over here. Good tears though. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story.

GREAT post...I was just chatting to a friend who is on a similar path to me...at home, with the kids...working whilst they sleep or are at school...and trying to do a million and one things...
Take it slow, and get as much done as you can...no stress...one day at a time.
HUGS
Char.x.

Between this: "You really don't need luck, you just need to tell the story. " and your "I get it moment" - WOW!!!
This is very encouraging and inspirational to me right now, as is Ali's post.
I've been struggling so much with the "why" of scrapbooking and wanting to be published, commented on or "recognized" for my work. Well, ultimately, my family and friends praise should be enough, right? I guess that means I need to start sharing with them and not just the world wide web.

phew. and (hugs) Nikki. not easy, but it sounds like you're strong enough!

Welcome home.

:) Inspiring.

Ali, I find your approach and that you still scrapbook w/ supplies, paper, scissors so refreshing. Truthfully, while some of the 365 day projects in one album might look cute or appealing to some, they just look generic and not like the scrapbooking that I enjoy or enjoy looking at. I love the approach of scrapping what you want, when you want, not being stuck to a specific period, year, etc. Scrapbooking, I think, should be therapeutic and relaxing and something that gives you time to reflect. I, like others who commented, have a scrap area with tons of supplies, and I've even put photos, paper, etc. together (where all I have to do is scrap)--and while I don't have a ton of time, I'm excited about when I'll be able to do it. I'm working on my space now, organizing, and would love to read any of your scrapbk organizing tips now that you are moving and likely starting a new space. Your scrapbook pages (that you post here, and that I would see for yrs in the magazines, etc.) are so, so wonderful. Please keep posting.

Dear Ali, I am learning to embrace the long-haul as well because the must-be-done-right-now was starting to make life unhappy. Have you heard the song, Overnight by Amy Grant? Please iTune it and give it a listen. I have it playing at mile 3 on my morning run playlist and it gives me the 4 minutes of peace that I need to engage my mind and my heart for the day ahead. Blessings on your new home.

love this ali. fantastic concept for everything, including life in general!