I Am Powerful

As you know I've been traveling on a wonderful journey with my daughter over this past year.  It's our very own self-image awareness journey (more here).  When we first started this project it really was all about helping her to realize every wonderful thing about who she is and what she deserves in this life.  I quickly learned that it was a journey that would be better tackled as a duo rather than cheering her on from the sidelines.  I realized this when I would encourage her to see things in herself that she couldn't, and then turn around and criticize myself.  Eventually she started calling me on it.  I'm grateful that she did.  I needed to learn to practice what I was preaching.  I needed to begin seeing things in myself that I loved, and so the journey switched from one set of feet on the path to two.  It's been so good for us to do this together.  I know from experience that it's easier to meet your goals and to work hard when you have a partner to push you and make you better while standing right by your side.  We have not reached the end of our path, and honestly I'm not certain that we ever really will.  The self-image journey is continuous.  It's one that we constantly need to work on, but it does get easier.  With each step that we've taken, I've learned that I am powerful.  I have the opportunity to make choices each day.  I have learned to pray constantly for help to think before I act and speak.  The things that I say and do effect those around me, and often times the effects can be long lasting if I allow my tongue to unleash words that are better left unsaid.  My focus has been on seeking kindness and trying to give it because I have learned how much power there is behind a single kind word.  It moves me to hear kind words and softens my heart more each time I hear them, and that is powerful.  I have realized that if I want my daughter to think about herself as the magnificent being that she is, then I need to start seeing magnificent things in myself.  I need to treat myself kinder.  I need to harness my tongue, and stop criticizing myself.  If I want her to see all of the beautiful gifts and talents, and magic that I see in her then I need to do the same with myself.  My influence over her is powerful.  Much more so than I think I realized, and that is a big responsibility that should not be taken lightly.  The first step for me in acting on this duty was to step on the path next to her and gently take her by the hand because she is not alone in her need to do this.  We will find our way together, and we will share ideas, happiness, and hopefully a few laughs along the way.  I will do this by her side because I Am Powerful.

I Am Enough

Yesterday I met a new friend.  Her name is Maddie, and she is joining Seej and I on our self-image awareness journey.  We are so excited to begin sharing this experience with friends, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet this beautiful girl and her mom.  One of my very favorite things about photographing people is seeing all of the beautiful things about them.  As you will see in these images Maddie is stunning, but when I looked through my lens I saw more than this.  I saw strength.  I saw courage.  I saw a beautiful spirit finding her smile.  I saw innocence.  I saw kindness.  I saw a young girl with so much to offer, and I saw an example for so many others including myself.  We decided that the best words for her images would be I Am Enough because although the world may not have Maddie or any other girl her age think she is enough, all of the things that I saw in her face make her exactly that.  She is enough.  She is valuable.  She is loved.  She is worthy of happiness and peace. She is deserving of everything that life has to offer.  She is all of these things wrapped up in one beautiful package and that makes her more than enough.  She reminded me that it takes courage to believe in these words, and the fact that she was willing to wear them proudly on her hand and step in front of my camera tells me that she is well on her way to knowing these words are true.  These words were perfect for her, and my time with her was perfect for me.  I will do better this week.  Seej and I will be joining Maddie in believing that we are enough too because the best part about making new friends is finding their best qualities and trying to adopt them yourself.  Thank you for allowing me to photograph you Maddie, and thank you for sharing who you are.  You are beyond beautiful.

Hair by Rachel from Saloon Hair.

I Am Worthy

"Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is feeling you're worthy of the trip." -Glenn Beck

Feeling a little weary lately, but we are still learning.  Learning together.  Learning that we are worthy.  Of peace, of love, of opportunities, and of every single thing this life has to offer.  We are worthy and so are you.  Don't forget it.

I Am Happy

It's been a while since we have taken a photo for our self-image awareness journey. Seej has done so much growing over the past few months. When I look at her it's like I see a whole different person in front of me. She is becoming a young lady. A little miss who I truly love spending time with. Her kindness and good heart remain, but beyond that there is more. She has a love for life and a love for learning, and a love for the new directions that her life is headed in. She is excited for the upcoming school year and the new opportunities that are in front of her. When I asked her to choose what our theme for this image would be she quickly came up with "I Am Happy". She is right where she wants to be in her life right now and that is evident in the peace that emanates from her. When I sat across from her to take this picture I could see it. Right before my eyes I could see her happiness, and my heart wanted to scream and dance for her. It has been a long journey for her to get to this place, and I hope that she will do whatever it takes to hold onto it. It hasn't happened by chance, but rather through hard work on her part. Finding her smile has not been easy, but this is her true smile and I can't tell you how happy I am to see it.

I Am Healthy

Today Statement #116:

Today I will be an example. I will be kind to myself and be happy with who I am. I will be aware of the things I say and the way I treat myself, because I have little girls in my home watching and learning from my behavior.

Today is International No Diet Day, and I pledge to have a greater awareness of loving myself. My daughter is in learning mode, and she is gaining tools right now that will help her in her future. She is learning to be healthy, and she is learning exactly what that means. This includes exercise and eating good foods, but most importantly it includes having a positive self-image. It means liking who she is no matter what, and it means not worrying about being "labeled". It means not letting others or the media influence her to be discouraged with the beautiful being she is. It means having positive thoughts and encouraging others to do the same. It means being kind to others as much as she is kind to herself because her words and actions could influence someone who might be struggling. It means being less aware of her measurements and more aware of her happiness and overall health. Being healthy is a challenge, but it's one that she's up to meeting. On this day I will be more aware of the way I talk about myself, and start forming better habits because in reality I am truly her biggest teacher whether I want to be or not. I hope you will all be kind to yourselves as well. There is beauty in each of us, and it's something we should celebrate. Today I pledge to be healthy.

I Am Peaceful

She is a peacemaker and she is loving, therefore she has many friends. She always tries to include everyone so that no feelings are hurt. It's one more quality I love and admire about her. Our self-image awareness journey continues on...

I Am Talented

She is talented at many things, but right now she is growing her soccer skills. She is good. She is generous. Always looking to pass the ball to a teammate. It's one more thing I love about her, and one more thing I hope she recognizes in herself. Her team is Wicked, and they are lovely.

Our self-image awareness journey continues on...

P.S.- My girl Lou had a big birthday last week. More details about her special day are coming soon.

Being Kind To Me

Today Statement #68:

Today I will discover more about who I am. I will follow on the path of who I am becoming and be kind to me because I realize that when I desire to be someone I'm not, I wish myself away.

If I want my girls to have a better self-image, I need to be a better example and love who I am too.

I Am Smart

Seej is one smart girl. She is in fact brilliant in my book. She has an avid love for learning, and someday she will be an excellent teacher because she not only loves learning, but she loves to share what she learns.

"Knowledge is love and light and vision." -Helen Keller

Our self-image awareness journey continues...

I Am Loved

Messing around on a rainy day. We have realized that as long as we have each other, we are loved. Our self-worth awareness continues.

"You, yourself, as much as anyone in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." -Buddha

(You can see this image featured on MCP Actions website in their 52 week project under "The View from Here" theme. My view from here is lovely. I hope she can see herself from the same perspective I do.)

Words

We are working on making a few changes around our house. We are changing the way we think, and we are changing the way we speak. Words are powerful, and I truly believe that we become what we think about. I started off with my today statements at the beginning of this year to help me focus on living in the moment each and every day. I have to admit that narrowing down my priority for the day and putting it into words has been difficult. Some days it is just plain hard, but it has also been very rewarding. It has helped me to slow down and stop thinking two to three steps ahead so that I can enjoy the present. It has been a challenge I have enjoyed. Several weeks ago I had a discussion with Seej. She has been struggling, and it has been painful for me to watch her. I hate to see her beat herself up the way that she does, and so we implemented a plan for her. She is writing down one thing she likes about herself every day in her own little notebook. She wasn't sure that this would be effective in helping her to realize that perfection isn't necessary for her to love who she is. It was very difficult in the beginning, but it is becoming easier and she is actually starting to enjoy it. It is also making a difference. She is slowly letting go of the pressure she puts on herself, and she is having fun. It feels good to watch her discover the beauty of who she is. It feels good to see her recognize her own talents and gifts, and it feels good to witness her learn about her value. It also sets a standard for me. I have to remind myself to take the boxing gloves off and give myself a break once in a while too, and watching Seej go through this experience has helped me to do that. I have had a rough few weeks. I have struggled with my own sense of self-worth. I have questioned if who I am is good enough. It has been painful, but just like I see the value of Seej, I know that others see that in me as well, and in the end I need to see it in myself. I am reminded of that by so many people through their actions, and their words. Their powerful words mean so much to me, and I hope my words can carry that same power for someone else. So, in this house we are all learning together that each one of us does indeed have value. We're also learning that it's a good thing that we have each other to remind us of that sometimes. It's one more reason I'm so grateful we have each other.

"Most of the shadows of this life come from standing in one's own sunshine." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

(This image was taken for MCP Actions 52 Week project. The theme was words, and you can see it featured on their site here).

Who She Is Becoming

Last week Seej and I had a baking adventure. Actually Seej did all of the baking. I mean all of it. By herself. I sat back to provide advice and assistance when needed, and of course had my camera in hand to document her process. I did this for two reasons. One was to practice shooting indoors and utilizing window light. It really is something I struggle with, and it's also something I really want to improve upon; however photography aside, the most important reason I wanted to photograph her doing this was because I wanted her to see herself. I wanted to show her not only how beautiful she is, but also that she is amazingly talented at so many things. My girl Seej has a hard time believing this about herself, and I worry about her. She is so young, and already so, so hard on herself. No matter what she accomplishes it just isn't ever quite good enough in her mind. It's hard for her to accept compliments and realize her value. It's painful for me to see her so upset with herself so much because I am truly amazed at the things she can do. It seems that she is a natural at anything she tries her hand at, and she is smart well beyond her age. Sometimes I wonder who she will become. I wonder where her talents will take her, and who she will influence in her lifetime. I wonder when the time will come that she realizes her great worth, and just how much everyone around her loves her because life just wouldn't be nearly as wonderful without a little girl named Seej in our home. It would be a lot less lovely, a lot less colorful, and a lot less serene. I hope she doesn't keep me wondering on that last concern too long, but in the meantime we will continue to encourage her. We will take small steps with her each day to help her see who she really is, and I will continue to enjoy witnessing who she is becoming.

These images are for her. I hope they will be a reminder to her that she is accomplishing amazing things for a girl her age. She is beautiful on the outside and she has a spirit that is equally as beautiful on the inside. A girl of light and truth. A girl with many gifts. A girl who serves others, and a girl we all love.

You have great value and worth Seej. Don't let anyone stop you from finding that feeling and holding onto it. Not even yourself. Thank you for spending the afternoon baking with me. It is a memory I will love to pull out and look back on in the future. Bringing me joy is just one more of your many gifts!