I want some right now.

What is it about change that scares us into choosing a passive way of living? Are you one of those people who is fine with change as long as the one changing is not you? I believe we have all been there at one time or another, but I would like you to consider a few things if you are truly ready to make some changes in your life:

• Change Your Mind, Change Your Perspective. What you think usually originates from your heart and will eventually make its way out of your mouth. How often do you pay attention to what you are thinking about? The battle for change starts in your mind. Pay attention to what you are thinking and replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Embrace the Opportunities Change Presents. Change offers the potential for tremendous personal growth. You discover things about yourself you normally would not have, you set yourself up for new experiences and connections. I believe we are creatures of comfort and we like the familiar, but if the familiar were truly comfortable, why do we continually seek new pleasures in our lives?
• A Positive Attitude Makes All the Difference. Choose to see the good in your circumstances and situations. Regardless of how much seems to be stacked against you, find something to be grateful for. A positive attitude can be all that is needed to tip the scales in your favor. So, why not take a chance and error on the side of positivity?
• Assemble Your Cheerleaders. Align yourself with like-minded, positive people who will support you on your journey. When you are on the road to change, there will be those who will try and tell you what you should not do. And, while I believe strongly in listening to what your Spirit tells you, it does not hurt to have your positivity crew on the sidelines cheering you on when you need that extra push.

Since I am talking about change, I have decided my blog is a place I need to make a few changes, too. The way I write is different, my purpose in writing is different, and my purpose for living has changed. That being the case, I want this space to be a virtual sactuary where I can continue to share my own evolution with my readers and be as authentic as I dare to be. I will keep it positive, as there is enough garbage out there to read without adding to the mess and I will keep it real. You can be authentic without sounding like Susie Sunshine and painting the picture of a perfect, fake life no one could possibly live up to. I am not perfect, but I strive to be the best me that I can. And, to be honest, that is enough. I am enough.

I have been toying with the idea of making prints of my favorite photographs available for purchase. I have had many inquiries about it and I am excited to announce my Life Inspired Photography shop is officially open. This is just the beginning as I prepare to add more prints to the shop in the coming weeks.

For now, I am featuring my fruit series and there are matting services available for an additional fee. I will be adding more of my fruit images and showcasing another series called Serenity. I am very excited about this new venture.

While attending Blissdom last month, Disney provided the attendees with a special preview of Yanni Voices. Now, you may be flashing back to what you knew of Yanni from back in the day, but this presentation was more than I expected and I am looking forward to seeing the entire show on PBS starting tonight in many markets. As an added bonus, Disney surprised us by sending two of the featured performers, Nathan Pacheco and Ender Thomas. If only you could have heard over 250 women screaming like they had not seen men in years. It was truly a sight to behold. Before Nathan and Ender came into the room, tweets had been flying all over Twitter about how hot the men were and other comments I simply can’t mention here.

Be sure to check out the special and the sneak peek of Yanni Voices, as well as check the listings to see when it will be showing in your area.

I would also like to thank One2One Network for helping get the word out about Yanni Voices and for being a great host of Blissdom.

Chrisette Michele – Best of Me Her voice is amazing.

Anthony David – Words I love this song, love the video, simply love it. And, it does not hurt he is singing this with India.Arie.

Kevin Sandbloom – Viva Los Angeles I saw him perform in Cincinnati and it was amazing. Deeply soulful.

Kate Bush – This Woman’s Work ( I love Maxwell’s version of this song, too.)

Maxwell – Get to Know Ya I love his music and his absence from the music scene is driving me crazy.

The sessions for the Maven track were:

• Content/Readership
• Social Media/Marketing
• Affiliate Marketing
• PR, Marketing & Ad Agencies/Networks
• Branding
• Book Deals

I enjoyed listening to Liz Strauss, Arianne Segerman, Megan Jordan and Allison Worthington during the Branding track. These ladies kept it real and that made their session one of the best. They gave good commonsense advice on how to improve your blog and enhance your voice.

It was great meeting new people and discovering new blogs to read as well as seeing old friends. What was interesting about this conference was everyone asked  you what your Twitter handle was and if they were not following you at the time, they were by that evening. Seems to me everyone had a great time. I know I did.

Pride, I am filled with so much pride. Thankful, and so hope-full. This moment fills me up with unwavering faith for the human spirit and what we are capable of doing when we come together. Congratulations, President Barack Obama. God Bless You and America.

I am…

passionate

sometimes blue

intense

a loud laugher

a friend for life

sensitive

a quote collector

working on being in the moment more

an avid reader

practicing yoga

not a milk drinker

not admitting I am slightly addicted to twitter and facebook

a much improved photographer

a student of life

a fan of bad ass boots

a Prince fanatic

I was tagged by Tracy after reading her 16 things. So, consider yourself tagged! I look forward to reading your sixteen.

Cincinnati went under a blizzard warning yesterday. People were losing their minds over all of this snow. When I got up this morning, I noticed we have a good foot of snow on our deck. I wonder if it is really that much since the wind is creating some amazing drifts. The snow has been steadily falling and blowing all over the place. The one thing I forgot to pick up from the store was marshmallows. I really wanted a big cup of hot chocolate to start the day off.

Ikea opens in West Chester today for a sneak peek before the actual grand opening on the 12th. My family and I intended to check it out, but it will all depend on how the roads are. My kids get restless being at home on the weekends, so hopefully, we will be able to do something today.

My spirits remain high and I continue to praise the Lord for bringing me through this journey. I believe we have adverse situations come in our lives to show us how strong we are and to teach us we really don’t control anything. God does. We are placed on this Earth to glorify the Lord in our actions and with our thoughts. I have always been a very spiritual person; believing we are given free will to make choices, but that we should make them under the guidance of the Word. I have noticed a significant difference in how I deal with people when I see them as they are. Now, before I join in on a gossip session, I think about the person being talked about and what is being accomplished by bringing them down. God’s Word says we should not do this. Even if it is being done to you, you should not turn around and do it to them. Your reward is revealed through prayer. Through that prayer, you will find what is missing in your heart. You have to walk in truth. Truth finds a way of revealing itself one way or another. When you build anything on a foundation of lies, it will not stand for long.

This is one of my favorite hymns of all time, The Solid Rock. It says it all. It says why I have no worries. It says why I know everything is as it should be.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.

When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.