Monarch

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. ~ Maya Angelou

When I was in the throws of my teenager years, I felt nothing was right. I was shy & awkward, I didn't like my big teeth, my hair wasn't 'right', my emotions were all over the place & I just didn't feel like any of the 'pretty girls.'

Boys didn't talk to me (except for the 'nerds), no one asked me out, no one asked me to the prom, I had one best friend that walked the path of awkwardness with me. We were a an inseparable pair.

Fast forward a few hundred years, and my cocoon became too tight. I accepted myself completely as I am, I realized my smile was something that folks looked forward to seeing, my hair became my crowing glory and I realized that 'pretty' is in the eye of the beholder.

I realized that what was more important was my character, my faith, my kindness, the goodness of my heart, my love for others, family/friends & strangers. I realized that each day is a gift & it should be lived to the fullest. I realize that my passions should be shared with the world.

I realized that "Everyone is like a Monarch butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves."

I that I am :-)


Pictures: Wikipedia & me
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "Monarch"

Quiet Sign Friday

"Tracey" spelled in nature

Ticket

After years of holding everything in
She finally found the courage
to hand him the ticket
to her much needed freedom

Freedom to not respond to that call
Or to leave a note
Or a message
To make arrangements
To call & check in
To keep up that front
Or act like she gives a damn

To no longer share space
But to gain her own space
To have no expectations
Nor obligations
But to concentrate
And meditate
And re-aquaint
And to not be attached to
that descriptive tag

Sunday Scribbling word: "ticket"

Play

I cannot believe it's February 2013. It feels funny to write it & more funny to say it. Thoughts:

• Prayers for those on the East coast, even though I'm selfishly glad it's not us
• I am truly tired of the snow, cold, wind, wet, coats, gloves, hats, scarves, etc., etc., etc., 
• S,A,D, really does exist. We need light; the more the better
• Why not do away with daylight savings time?
• Why do I complain about not having boots when it snows, yet when it rapidly melts, I play in it
• It feels surreal that my sister is having chemo for breast cancer. I cannot say enough prayers
• I severely sell myself short when folks take interest in my pictures
• Someone offered me a big photo request & I'm not sure how to charge for it. It's hard to truly dedicate when 8 hours of your daily weekday is @ an office
• I am LOVING "The Sketchbook Project"'s free, weekly challenges. My entry is in there, somewhere!
• I am so not in the mood to hunt for another job. The very thought of selling me exhausts me
• I need desperately to organize every aspect of my life.

Friday

While waiting on a very long traffic light....

Growth

Growth is calling for me in it's loudest voice. What was once a whisper has now become a shout!

It is calling for me to set to set myself free. It is telling me it's time to develop & mature physically, mentally, & spiritually.

 It is calling for me to be my true, authentic self. My whole funny, silly, goofy, moody, emotional, happy self.

It is telling me to be gentle to myself; to be proud of myself, to allow myself, to wish for myself & to not apologize for anything of myself

 It is telling me I need to let my light shine and show the world my heart, soul & the gifts God gave me

But mostly, it is telling me to fear not of the future

And to damn sure weep not for the past

Carry On Tuesday word phrase: fear not of the future;weep not for the past

pictures: tracey