Mar15 To You, Who Inspire 2013
When I first began blogging, I had no idea how much would stem from it. The roots that would be planted and the sprouts that would eventually emerge. I had no idea that through blogging, I would discover my passions and be able to pursue my dreams. That I would learn my strengths and muddle through my weaknesses. That I would make the friends I’ve made. That I would learn the things I’ve learned from so many incredibly gifted, and hard working people.
And to you. The one’s who’ve inspired me. I just want to say, thank you. You probably don’t even realize it, but you’ve reached a small town in Oklahoma and touched a creative’s heart…
Emily, you got me inspired to blog in the first place. You helped me see that you can develop your passions and pursue an entrepreneurial idea with little kids still under your roof. That there’s room in your heart to love your work and love your children. That you don’t have to give one up to have the other, like I always thought. That life is a balancing act. For all of us. So you might as well learn to be a juggler. :)
Alyssa. You challenged me to view the world differently. To view my walk with the Lord as a friendship, with a father/daughter kind of love. Not a heavy hand waiting to judge me for every little infraction. You reminded my the correct order of things: God, my husband, my children, the world. And to fight hard for that. You reminded me to forgive. To give up bitterness. To have more grace. To view the earth in not just the present, but the eternal. And most importantly, you helped ignite the ultimate idea in my soul that my role in the world is a piece of God’s plan. Not my plan, or other people’s plan. But His. And I can rest a whole lot easier with that worldview.
Source: thefreshexchangeblog.com via Mary Beth Johnson on Pinterest
Megan, wow. You transformed my original idea of blogging. You taught me through your beautiful styling and typography that life is art. That we can make it that way. We don’t have to wait for the perfect season, or a vast amount of money. We can create a beautiful life and celebrate the moments and details that so many people easily overlook right where we are. And that simple idea ignited a ball of fire in my creative loving soul…and it’s still burning strong, to be honest. :) You challenged me. To be better. To work harder. To pursue great work. Not mediocre. Not in between. But to do my absolute best at “whatever my hand findeth to do.” And I wish we could toast to that. Because the freelance opportunities I’ve had so far, I want to share with you. To tell the world. You see? This girl inspired me to do it.
Bridget, you taught me to lighten up a little. And honestly, I really needed that. You taught me that it’s ok to say how you really feel, that you can throw in the word “sexy” and ” underwear” occasionally and not care a whit if people gasp and hold their breaths. You helped me see how much I needed to give up running around with my head cut off trying to write all the right things, desperately trying to keep everybody happy. Because seriously. There’s no way you can do that with a blog, and no way can you do that in real life. And it’s been the biggest relief to be uninhibited, freer, lighter. And maybe. Just maybe. I’ve finally found my writing “voice”…
Source: thewiegands.com via Mary Beth Johnson on Pinterest
Casey. Oh Casey. Love you, friend. I wish we could sit down over coffee and just talk about life and all we’ve learned so far. Maybe someday. We’ve been through eerily similar things in our so-far lifetimes. You’ve had 3 kiddos under the age of 2, just like we did with our schooners. You’ve been hurt from the loss of a miscarriage and struggled with fear, all things I have gone through, and am still going through. You love and feel deeply. And you’ve inspired me. To be more vulnerable. To feel things in life and not hide it under a rug and pretend it isn’t there. All of it. The pain. The joy. The stuff in between. And to not just stop at feeling it ,but to write about it. Even if people don’t understand. Even if you’re not sure you understand yourself. And I can’t begin to say how much I’ve needed that the past 2 years. Thanks for a glimpse into your heart, friend.
Abby, you taught me to love writing. That stories are worth telling well, with a consistent theme from the beginning to end. That writing is and can be a form of art. That writing about the hard stuff in life can be endearing and funny and convicting all in one. {One of my favorite posts of yours is here.} And like a cherry on top, you reminded me that there is something intrinsically beautiful and homeward about the South. That there is a love that runs deep in those southern places, calling us back there, time and time again. And now I’m trying to talk my 2-yr-old into playing football for Auburn. ;-)
And lastly. Sara and Hugh. You’ve probably inspired me the most. You helped me view the world through a camera lens. You helped me realize how much I love photographing the kitchen and creating a beautiful life with ingredients spread out on the table and a camera slung around my neck. You live out the creativity in the everyday and that makes you my bonafied heroes. Your published book inspired me to take my camera the editorial route and work on having my humble content published one day. Every time I walk by yours in Anthropologie, I smile. You dreamed your dream and now I’m dreaming mine….
And so those are some of “my people”. The people who’ve helped me discover who I was. Who I want to be. And where I want to go. I haven’t met any of them. I only get to see a glimpse of their world. But it’s a glimpse that’s made one heck of an impact. That’s touched my life. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful.
Want to see the complete list of people who inspire me????
And a simple post coming later about how I follow all these incredible people. It’s kinda a secret, so don’t let the cat out of the bag.
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Love this <3 :)
Thank you, friend!!! :)
Oh there are so many inspiring and wonderful blogs listed here! Thanks so much for sharing – I love finding new favourites!! (and thanks so much for including me – I’m humbled!) . Have a beautiful weekend xx
Awwww…of course, Aanika! I always love finding new friends and new inspiration to glean from. Hope you are able to read to your heart’s content! I am always struggling to find the time…:)
Hey, thanks, Mary Beth! ;)
Of course, friend!!!!
This is beautiful. And humble. And touching. And so encouraging.
Awww…well thank you, Susanna! I am so glad it inspires you. SO many people have had a part in everything I’ve been able to do. And I am so grateful.
so sweet! Love this. Thanks for including us :) Always so important to seek inspiration and notice it. Cheers to you, sweet girl!
Sara!!!! Thank you for taking the time to come comment. I work at Anthropologie and straighten your book on the shelves every night that I work. :) Thanks for all the creativity you put out into the world…
how am i just seeing this for the first time??? you’re so sweet. thanks so much mary beth!
Thank YOU, friend! Thanks for taking the time to read….
found you through jones design, love your blog so far! and thank you for saying sexy, don’t know when or why that seems to so taboo. sexy is a state of mind and can help make a tired, overworked mama and wife feel good. so thank you for being yourself and saying sexy!
Haha, Courtney! I don’t know, but somewhere along the line I was like, “Whatever.” If people get hot flashes from reading that word, it’s their problem. Not mine. :) Thanks for visiting my little space over here!