Live to Grow

posted on: Monday, November 4, 2013

 "As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. Joy is always possible. Whenever-meaning now. Wherever-meaning here. Grace, thanksgiving, joy…a triplet of stars, a constellation in the black."
-Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts

The book 1000 Gifts changed my world and brought my heart back to itself, a couple of years ago. I first read it in the fall and it's become my tradition to pour over its pages once the leaves start to turn.

Starting my morning off by filling my soul with reminders of beauty and creating something lovely, almost always is a guarantee that the day will be a bit brighter and my heart all the more patient. It's like a caffeine high and motivation booster but, 100x better. So, right now I'm revisiting this book, Psalms and a beautiful collection of thoughts and verses on motherhood, to start the day. Whichever line sinks into my soul, I write it out, so I can look at it as the hours slip away.

Lately I've had lots of commissions for script tattoos and logos, which makes my heart kind of sing. I'm learning as I go about organizing a business, investing my heart and time into the following; 1) Things that make my heart happy and  2) Things that work with my current lifestyle as a mom; as well as refining my hand at this craft of modern calligraphy. As long as I can remember, I've loved old forms of calligraphy and penmanship. I'd practice for hours, every style of handwriting possible. It feels good to be putting time into this again.

There are changes coming that I'm excited about. Broadening this blog, adding new branches, ideas, hopes, dreams. Because, why not!?  This is my open space to enjoy and have a creative expression for my soul to ponder, dabble in spontaneous urges and whims, and journal my heart about the seasons. So I'm excited to grow and explore.

Samuel and I are relaunching a new film venture together as well. Talk about a dream. Creating and scheming in the name of art with this guy, my favorite. We work really well together, which to me is a gift.

Change and dreams can be so overwhelming though. And sometimes I feel like they take more than ourselves to make happen and come to life. But the journey is as enriching as it is taxing. Deadlines can get pushed out and stress might slowly become the prominent emotion driving the dream. That's when I start to get bug-eyed and things get moved to the back burner.  But, I really believe that we are alive to enjoy and be enjoyed with and by those we love and have yet to love.  Every hope and goal we have of creating is towards enjoying and loving.

Life is a short journey with endless trails, paths and roads to explore, in love and hope. Where small hope can turn into a world of endless love, living over and over and over again in the eyes of your family and people that you've shared moments with, small or great.  I want my boys to see Samuel and I doing things that we love, and always in a place of dreaming and conspiring for simple or extravagant adventure; whether that's climbing the neighborhood oak tree or scaling a mountain in South America. My heart's motto has been "why not!? why the heck not?!" *insert smirk here* Yay for living.

I'm glad I'm alive to love and to live.

Jess

P.S.
If you have questions about my calligraphy shenanigans just drop me an email. bohobabybump@gmail.com

7 thoughts:

  1. I love this, Jess. You are so right about growing in life wherever God's gifts and talents lead . . . Can't wait to see how this blog changes!! Exciting <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. so excited for you in this new season! may God bless the works of your hands. :) and may He pour out His joy and favor upon the dreams in your heart!! you are a blessing! lora

    ReplyDelete
  3. gorgeous! you are so talented, Jess.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Life is a short journey with endless trails, paths and roads to explore, in love and hope." - soo true!
    very beautiful thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you Jess for your words of wisdom. Literally, all the things you were talking about spoke to me and it's as if your thoughts are simply my own in a stranger's words. I'm familiar with your blog and i've seen your videos on youtube. you are one of my new inspirations. Thank you for your commitment for searching for beautiful things and giving it to others. That's a gift that is hard for most to be able to have and give. And as an eighteen almost nineteen year old, plenty of things in my life seem uncertain. Only recently I discovered what my niche is. To do just what you mentioned: to find lovely things and share it with others. Nothing more rewarding than having things like God and purpose to give meaning to life. Thanks for what you do. I'm a fan. :)

    ReplyDelete

Tell me your thoughts...