Tag: blogs

A Second Look | Pink Nabi

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“Seeing Again,” Photo by Cy of Pink Nabi

Sometimes I miss the full beauty of my own path because it’s a dark mental day or because it’s raining in my life. I withdraw from opportunities or invitations because I can’t really see the beauty of the proposal the first time around. This month was a pretty dreary month physically and mentally. I was forced to “see” something that I had been ignoring for a year. But I also took a second look at something that had frightened me. I still want to run from this new thing, but it is an opportunity to have a very beautiful experience that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Thankfully, second chances exist to reset our lives. It’s good to pause and take a second look just in case we miss the value of a thing the first time around.  –Cy, “Seeing Again,” Pink Nabi

Today’s post features an image and quote from my friend, Cy at Pink Nabi. I introduced her to #ThursdayTreeLove as a way for us to take a photo walk together although we are miles apart. She willingly plays along. Her meditation on her latest tree love resonates because I’m familiar with trauma and the need to take a second look–to grow, to move forward, to heal. For the full context, visit her original post: Seeing Again.

In a Certain Light | Ty 4 Thoughts

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“In a Certain Light,” iPhone Photo by Tyhara Rain

What if we already are
Who we’ve been dying to become
In certain light I can plainly see
A reflection of magnificence
Hidden in you
Maybe even in me
“Four,” Sleeping At Last

Today’s post features an image by my multitalented teaching assistant, Tyhara Rain. She found and captured this beauty on one of our escapes from the office. She featured the image and quote in a blog post a month ago. With her permission, I’m sharing here. Visit Tyhara’s blog, Ty 4 Thoughts,  to read about her experience with the leaf. She’s new to the blogosphere, so maybe, your visit will encourage her to post a little more frequently.

Reviving the Inner Warrior

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Image by Dmytro Tolokonov on Unsplash

Yesterday my friend, Dee, wrote on her blog, Keep It Tight Sisters, about rediscovering her inner warrior. This resonated with me because more and more my own inner warrior has been revealing herself. I call her “Ur Chandra”–the person I was before life and challenges forced many of the things I appreciated about myself to retreat.

I invite you to read Dee’s blog post, consider the reflection prompts at the end, and reacquaint yourself with your own inner warrior: Release Your Inner Warrior: The Rebirth of Coco.

March on…

A Double Dose of Cute

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All day midterm grading has left me completely exhausted, but my “wiring” will not allow me to miss “Microblog Monday,” so here’s a cute notecard Arielle W., a new pen friend sent:

Papyrus Stationery. Art by Betsy Snyder.

The art is from Betsy Snyder’s “over-the-top” cute Haiku Baby.

While we’re on the subject of “cute,” check out my little “sister” Brittany’s latest blog post, Doll Yourself Up, Mama.  She encourages us to be our cutest selves–even if we’re no longer 20–and invites us to join her Fall Challenge.

Have a cute week!

I Am “One Lovely Blogger”

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lovelyblog

I finally read comments on my July 17th blog post a couple of days ago and found that I’d been nominated for the “One Lovely Blog Award” by the inspirational blogger Evangelist Jeanie Shepard.  If you’re looking for a “brighter life in Christ,” you should take a moment to check out her blog.  Thanks for the nomination, Jeanie!

Blogger awards typically come with a set of rules and here they are:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you and link to his or her blog.
  2. List the rules and display the award.
  3. Share 7 facts about yourself.
  4. Nominate 5 bloggers and contact them on their posts to let them know they have been nominated.
"Just a Touch." The cafeteria tables at my son's school are adorned with "lovely" photo arrangements. Such a nice touch that I'm sure elevates the mood of students as they partake of their midday meal.

“Just a Touch.” The cafeteria tables at my son’s school are adorned with floral arrangements. They are such “lovely” touches that I couldn’t resist pulling out my phone and snapping  a few shots.  I’m sure the flowers elevate the mood of students as they partake of their midday meal. [iPhone Photo.  August 2014]

Chandra Lynn Facts:

  • I am a recovering perfectionist.  I’ve been in recovery for about a decade+ now.  I have to remind myself almost daily that everything does not depend on me and that there’s something beautiful and useful even in imperfection. Otherwise, my tendency for perfectionism–and extreme self-criticism–would consume me.
  • I need a larger home office or a workshop just for crafting.  I like the second space idea a little better–then, I wouldn’t be tempted to defer “serious work” for playtime.
  • I have no rhythm for dance.
  • I have at least 7 books in my head that need to come out.  I’m making a concerted effort to get at least two of them out of my head by the middle of next year.
  • I do not like driving and would gladly welcome a full-time chauffeur.
  • I’m really missing my baby boy.  Every day, the little boy departs a little and I can feel his need for me lessening. His growing independence is a good (and necessary) thing, but my Mommy heart still aches.
  • I do not like hierarchies.  I have a new “higher” position at work that reminds me every day that we live in a world in which hierarchies and power really matter to a lot of people, but it bothers me, and I’m trying to figure out how to deal with the psychic clash.

My Nominees:

  • Amy Saab of 2me4art.  Her blog features striking images of, as she puts it, “Alabama as seen through the eye of a Vermonter.”
  • Broken Light: A Photography Collective which features the art of those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness.  The blog features the work of a different artist in each post.  We learn a little about the photographers and get a glimpse of their work.
  • Laura Lynn’s Cancer: My Journey Back to Health–Kicking and Screaming the Whole Damn Way.  Her blog is meaningful to me because she is brutally honest about her experience with cancer and it gives me quite a bit of insight into my sister’s feelings when she was on that journey.
  • J. Patterson’s You Can Shout Now, an inspirational blog that uses our (extra)ordinary experiences to discuss the Christian walk and relationship with the Divine.
  • Kollette Hall of The Art of Choosing Joy.  Read her “My Story” post and you’ll understand why I find her (and Jason, her husband) “lovely” and inspiring.

If you have a little time to spare, take a moment to check out these blogs.  There are so many more I would love to nominate, but rules are rules!  Happy reading!

 

 

I’ve Been Nominated–Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

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Very Inspiring Blog AwardThanks to Noor Gharbo, I’ve been nominated for a “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.”  How cool is that?  There are a few things the award requires.

  1. I love children’s art.  If it weren’t for the pesky issue of time, I would cut and paste and doodle with my son all day just to have loads of his work to mount and post and place in our journals and scrapbooks.
  2. I can hardly draw a stick figure, but my son thinks I’m a good artist. I appreciate that.
  3. I enjoy cooking, but haven’t found (or created) my dream kitchen, the one I actually enjoy cooking in.  While we’re on the subject of cooking, I am looking forward to my six-year-old developing more sophisticated tastes.  How much longer will I have to endure rice and pasta?!
  4. I admire my parents probably more than anyone else in the world.  I seek to emulate their courage, strength, faith and integrity in parenting and in life in general.
  5. I really can live without chocolate, but I don’t want to.  I lived without it (and did not miss it) for about 8-10 years (from pre-teen years to maybe early twenties) and then later all throughout my pregnancy and the first 10 or so months of my son’s life. I just like it and it helps me get through the emotional rough spots.  Do I sound like an addict?
  6. I write and decorate postcards when I’m feeling the crafty urge, but don’t really have time to create.  When I have “even less” time, I just pick up my camera and snap whatever is around me.
  7. I really like people and, in spite of the few not-so-good people I’ve encountered directly or indirectly, I believe people are generally good and want to “do good.” I typically give people the benefit of the doubt–unless the issues of domestic violence, molestation and/or rape come up.   Then, I assume guilt first and ask questions later.
  • Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.  My choices are varied. I’m sure you expect mail, art, and photography.  Other blogs I’m nominating (and I’m inspired by) comment on academia (teaching, writing, research), feature creative writing and artistry, shed light on (seriously and humorously)  parenting and womanhood and  inspire self and spiritual awareness and growth.  And the nominees are…(drum roll, please):
  1. Mictlantecuhtli
  2. Wacky Womanhood
  3. Writing for Daisies
  4. Studio Mothers: Creative Practice and Life Design
  5. Unbound Boxes, Limping Gods
  6. Friperee(n)
  7. Small Matters: Taking Time to Notice
  8. Cakers & Co.
  9. Brent’s iPhone 4s and Japan
  10. Stillness of Heart
  11. Jo’s Little Pictures
  12. Scott Fillmer: Life in Faith and Photos
  13. Glenrosa Journeys
  14. Edith Levy Photography
  15. Leanne Cole Photography
  • Now, I must inform the bloggers of the nomination.  I will do that as soon as soon as I click “publish.”

Please take some time to peruse the blogs listed.  Maybe, you’ll find them very inspiring too!

Here’s a quick review of the rules (just in case you missed something).

  • Display the award logo on your blog 
  • Link back to the person who nominated you
  • Post 7 things about yourself not listed on your About Me page
  • Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them 
  • Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements

Happy Reading!