I’ve decided to take a few days and unplug. What from? Well…just about everything. Mainly, media. No TV, movies, emails, facebook or twitter. Yes, I said twitter and yes, I know it’s gonna hurt. I’m even going to turn my iPhone off. It’s time for some peace and quiet. To cut out the distractions.

Why am I, the media girl, doing this? Well, honestly…I need change in my life. I get so distracted looking at what’s going on around me that I forget to look at what’s going on inside me. I put off helping myself because I want to help others. While that may seem like a noble thing, it’s not. Why? Well…because I’m hiding. I don’t want to see the broken person that I am on the inside. I don’t want to see that I don’t have it all together. I don’t want to deal with the pain that others have caused me. I’d rather put on a fake smile and pretend I’m fine.

But really…I’m tired of doing that.

So, I’m making the time for prayer and meditation. I’m seeking God for what He has for my life at this time. I want healing for those broken places. Clearing my mind of all the lies I’ve been told and filling it with Truth. No matter the cost.

Please be praying for me during this time. Especially on Saturday. Some friends are getting together with me for prayer. I am expecting great thing to come from this.

(I’m still doing Project: Today. Just finishing up day #10. Learning so much through it.)

Hope you all are doing well. I’ll catch you again Sunday…at the earliest.

Today, I learned a few things about myself. Kinda funny how certain situations cause people to reflect.

What did I learn?

I learned that I’m not a complete scatterbrain – I’m a lot more “with it” then I’ve given myself credit for.

I learned that I’m still optimistic about life – even though I thought stupid stuff happens.

I learned that I shouldn’t take common sense for granted – not everyone has it.

I learned that I still have a temper – but I can choose to fly off the handle or calm down.

I learned that I see things differently – what is painfully obvious to me, is not at all to someone else.

I learned how powerful encouragement is – as I encourage others, I get encouraged.

I learned I am exceedingly blessed – with family, friends, provision and opportunities.

Here’s a little story about that last one. Today, I signed paperwork to begin classes for my Adobe Certified Expert Ceritication. When I moved up here to Nashville I went back to school, majoring in Graphic Design. All I wanted to take was classes on Adobe’s Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash and all that good stuff. But, as with many colleges…there were all this other lameo classes that I had to take first.

Unfortunantely, my money for college ran out before I could get to the “good stuff. I started to try to wrap my mind around the idea that I would never get to take these classes and learn, I’d just have to teach myself. But here I am today, enrolled for classes that start Monday. And I’m not paying a dime.

I learned that I’m overwhelmed with gratitude – and that’s a good thing to be overwhelmed by.

Pleasantly surprised. That’s how I would describe today. It’s the first complete day that I’ve put the Project: Today into action. So…what did I do?

I went to the pool, enjoyed the sun and relaxed with a book. I sent the email I had been putting off for months. Decided on a travel schedule and sent off another email to get tickets squared away (yes, Tammy…I finally did my part .  Finalized my move out date (from my current apt). Booked a concert photography job. Helped a friend with a photography studio idea. I even went to a camera club meeting that I’ve been too scared to go to before. All in one day. And really, that’s only a few things I completed.

The thing that sticks out the most to me, is I feel better, lighter, accomplished. Not exhausted. Not burnt out. Not falling face-first-into-my-pillow-tired. I feel satisfied.

More to come tomorrow. I need a little more time to process all the thoughts and ideas that are swirling in my head! Thanks for all your feedback and encouragement…keep it coming! I love hearing what you have to say! Right now, I am just in awe of the blessings in my life. 2 Months ago, I didn’t think this life was possible for me (ie – free time, my schedule, opportunities). But here I am, not knowing all the future holds and being totally ok with that.

Today is a new day. It’s June 1st. (Well… “technically” June 2nd, but I haven’t slept yet so I still claim it to be June 1st.) It’s a new beginning. A new season. A clean slate. It’s filled with fresh new opportunities and adventures waiting to be lived. What better time is there to start a new project?

Project: Today

What is that? Well, it’s simple really. I’m a procrastinator. Big time. No, really…I put off things for months, years even. But that’s not who I want to be. So, after trying to read all sorts of self-help, organize-your-life, motivational, challenge-filled, change-your-life-now books…I’m gonna do something different. I’m actually going to DO something. I’m going to do something TODAY.

Basically, instead of putting things off – I do what I can today. I clean my room, today. I edit those photos, today. I go to the pool, today. I make the hard phone call, today.

Now…don’t get me wrong. I’m not turning into some crazy, legalistic machine. I just want to develop an environment for me to be free and creative. To not be “weighed down” by the cares of all the things I’ve left undone. I want to live light and lean (in more ways then one). To be functioning at my full potential, so that I can actually be of use to other people.

I’m planning for this to be a one month project. After one month, I hope it’s a habit.

Anyone want to join in? Or is this already a way of life for you?

Yesterday, I jumped in on a challenge issued by Josh White (twitter @joshuawhite )to take 100 pictures on my cell phone. I didn’t realize how hard it would be, but I had a ton of fun. The freedom to just take random pictures was amazing! Even though I didn’t make it to 100 pictures (only 50), I still feel like I accomplished something.

Here’s a little slide show of the results.

P.S. Make sure you check out Josh’s photography. The boy is stinkin amazing!

April 6th, I was laid off.

I was the manager of a locally owned tea shop. The news was sudden. No warning. I was shocked. As I left the shop, my emotions went all over the place. I thank God for amazing friends and family who were there for me. They took the time to talk me through things and assure me that everything would be alright.

A few weeks before the news, I had a feeling that there was change coming. I didn’t know what kind of change only that I felt it. Now it all makes sense. You see, I’m a person that tends to resist major change. I want to cling to security…even if it makes me miserable. This characteristic, I believe, is what has held me back from pursuing my dreams. I’m a person who dreams big. I want to change the world. One person at a time. Helping those in need whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual need. I desire to travel the world, bring attention to needs within (and outside) of our country and raise support to eliminate the need.

Mother Teresa gave her life to helping others. She was an advocate for the poor and helpless. Her life was lived simply, yet she impacted the world. Material extravagance was something she did not know, but she did love extravagantly. Her life inspires me. One person can change the world. One person at a time.

Now, I don’t believe that I have to sell all my possesions and move to India to make a difference. I can start right where I’m at. Here in Nashville. Even though losing my job was not in my “plan,” I belive that I have been given a gift. The gift of time, freedom and clarity.

I don’t have everything figured out. I don’t know how I’m going to make money or pay bills. I don’t know how I’m going to travel or when. BUT…I have peace. I have a feeling that it will all be ok.

I have hope…and that is what I cling to.

I’m still in the midst of coming up with my goals for 2009. I know I should have been doing this over a month ago, but hey…another goal is going to be cutting down on the procrastination, so give a little grace.

Anyways…one goal that I have decided on was to really work on my physical health this year. I was really excited when I heard that my friend, RowdyKitten, was training for a marathon. Which really got me to thinking that I would like to do a marathon at least once in my lifetime.

As I started thinking about getting healthy physically, I thought it would be good idea to have a personal trainer. Someone who could not only help me with workouts, but also teach me more about eating right and being “good” to my body. The ony problem with my plan, was that I don’t really a budget for hiring one. I mean they are really expensive!

Sooo…as I was driving back home from Christmas in Florida, I was struck with an idea. What if I could barter tech services for physical training? I mean…personal trainers need websites, right? They probably don’t have time to create one on their own, right? Well…I got my answer this afternoon.

I have had a Brisith gentleman coming into my tea shop just about everyday for the last two weeks. After talking with him a few times, I found out that he is a personal trainer. Today, I finally asked if he had a website. And to my extreme excitement, he said that he did not yet, but he was starting to look for someone to build one for him.

BINGO!

So I “casually” said, that I was getting into web design and was looking for a trainer as well…and his eyes lit up! It didn’t take 30 seconds before he was giving me my first “health” assignment and I was taking information for his website.

I love it! I’m excited! And don’t worry…I’ll keep everyone updated!

Bartering is still alive!