Grown up.

Or, getting there anyway.

Creativity makes me really happy. Being artistic is what I aspire to every single day, and because of that I tend to get really down on myself for not being talented/creative enough. Really, I have nothing to worry about.

This quote makes me so happy:

Lately I've felt like my happiness has been hanging by a thread. If I wasn't the sort of person that I am I probably would be telling myself that I'm suffering from depression and go get some drug to help out... I'm glad I'm not that sort of person! Because, being the sort of person that I am, I've figured out (or, I think I've figured out) what has been getting me down lately. Super exciting, I know. 

I haven't been myself lately at all. 

And yep, as much as I hate to admit it, I've just been trying to impress people.  Hoping desperately that if I do everything that I think they'll like, they'll like me oh so much more. 

Yeah... it didn't happen. 

I haven't been myself in ages and ages.

Tonight? Victory! 

I went for coffee with one of the pastors and his wife from TXC, two people who I really don't know at all. I didn't notice it until later when I was driving home, but... I WAS MYSELF THE WHOLE TIME! 

This is kind of funny, but I judged it partially on the way that I laughed. It was Amy's laugh... not one of the many that I seem to pick up from everyone around me. 

I can see myself growing up like crazy... It's fabulous.

33 Ways

TO STAY CREATIVE

1 - MAKE LISTS

2 - CARRY A NOTEBOOK EVERYWHERE

3 - TRY FREE WRITING

4 - GET AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER

5 - BE OTHERWORLDLY

6 - QUIT BEATING YOURSELF UP

7 - TAKE BREAKS

8 - SING IN THE SHOWER

9 - DRINK TEA

10 - KNOW YOUR ROOTS

11 - LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC

12 - BE OPEN

13 - SURROUND YOURSELF WITH CREATIVE PEOPLE

14 - GET FEEDBACK

15 - COLLABORATE

16 - DON'T GIVE UP

17 - PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

18 - ALLOW YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES

19 - GO SOMEWHERE NEW

20 - WATCH FOREIGN FILMS

21 - COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

22 - GET PLENTY OF REST

23 - TAKE RISKS

24 - BREAK THE RULES

25 - DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

26 - DON'T FORCE IT

27 - READ A PAGE OF THE DICTIONARY

28 - CREATE A FRAMEWORK

29 - STOP TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE'S PERFECT

30 - GOT AN IDEA? WRITE IT DOWN

31 - CLEAN YOUR WORKSPACE

32 - HAVE FUN

33 - FINNISH SOMETHING

Not because I have to

Here's to fewer, better friends
Having more, and wanting less
Shorter showers and
longer walks

Here's to composing music
writing lyrics
Creating things and
helping people

Here's to loving
Not because I have to
but because I get to.

Here's to having nice nails
and wearing less make up
trying new things and
being myself

Here's to writing stories
Words for fun
and playing with babies just because.

Here's to listening
to God and people
hearing and doing
Changing
and caring.

It's funny

what flowers can do. 


Who knew, but this is a traditional Taiwanese fabric pattern. Better known by all of us as the huge mural at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the 2010 Olympics.
I think it was my favourite part of having the Olympics here... as weird as that might sound.
Everything about it just makes me happy!

And isn't it amazing what flowers can really do?
No wonder we bring flowers to people who are sick... they really help out with being happy.

Next time you're sad, or next time you're not sad, whichever... just go look at some flowers! Fill your house up with flowers! Paint some flowers! Give someone else flowers!

Appreciate flowers.
Appreciate how delicate they are.
Appreciate how much care has been put into creating every
                                                                                                                                         single
                                                                                                                                                        one.

Hey, this is what I feel

While it's fresh on my mind
As if it weren't all the time
Has it changed it all?

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible
Hope that there's no point that I'm missing
Hope that it's not just too subtle

And now I feel like a fool
For doing what you asked me to
And then you changed it all

So why'd you say
You miss my face
When you never show
Say you're gonna be there
But you never go

And if it's a picture of me you need
Would you get to taking it
If it's heartache I need
Would you get to breaking it

I wish you were more convincing
Or I wish I were more gullible

Classic.

Much like I respect men who wear well made shoes, I admire women who always wear real jewelry. It speaks to her womanhood in more ways than I can sufficiently put into words.

things to do when you are sad

don't listen to Bob Dylan
read a funny book
watch videos of babies laughing
wear a big sweater
drink tea
organize a room
go on a walk
paint something yellow
make paper cranes
find recipes (to use when you're happy)
paint your nails
read the newspaper
call the funniest person you know
play the piano
hang fairy lights around your house
bake an apple pie with a friend
crochet something new
think about how beautiful outer space is
paint your sadness
re-decorate
go shopping at thrift stores
go to a cafe
sleep on a pile of blankets
listen to Christmas music
ask someone to hold you
cry
be okay at some point
write a song
visit the library
throw out old clothes
pick flowers
read Psalm 23
sit with someone
remember there are always cupcakes.