the last several days have felt refreshingly lighter. it’s funny how a simple decision and a little bit of fun makes all the difference. i’ve been working a bit, yet making time for the little things that muster up big differences in how i feel. balance has returned. paying attention has returned. i’m being gentle with myself, allowing the joyful parts to fully saturate my mind. it’s working.
i had a delightful several hours with boho, jen gray, kate, andrea scher, and christine over the weekend. they are having a retreat with one another and invited me over for a couple hours of chatting, fun, and dinner (thanks, ladies). spending a few hours with these women reminded me of how important it is that we surround ourselves with uplifting, smart, tender, and affirming people. i’m lucky to have that in my life. we all need a team, a community, a family to help us find the best parts of ourselves and to encourage us to run toward our potential.
so often women compete with one another when instead we could be saying what we really feel (which is often how much we admire that woman, or that friend). i have a friend who has always said out loud to me (and everyone else in her life), “you are so pretty” and “i love how you this…and that” and “i feel this and that when i’m with you.” it’s as if she were never uncomfortable saying meaningful and uplifting things to other people, like she had been doing it her whole life. for me, it was harder to express my admiration for another person until i started practicing it. the awkwardness eventually melts away and you are left with a feeling of utter pureness when you release that thought/feeling out into the world and into the ears and hearts of a friend.
kelly rae!
you are divinely gorgeous.
in terms of capturing a heart via photo…all you need to do is post a self-portrait.
you are *all* heart (and, soul).
love,
gem
i am so so glad you met us for dinner.
thank you for taking time out during such a wildly busy time for you.
i left wanting more of you…
you are beautiful.
and inspiring.
and grounded.
love to you.
xo
I love you Kelly and I love looking UP to you! 🙂 I will never be too shy to say you are an inspiration to me, and to many! Keep smiling and keep enjoying each day- this is life! Miss you every day! Portland is not the same with out you here!
I love rocks and it is so great that these caught your eye. I think so often that women compete and put each other at a distance just because they fear how powerful their positive relationship could be.
Women are the hearts of their family, and as such should always feel good about ourselves for all we do… that is often easier when we know someone has noticed and is cheering us on.
🙂
yay! i am so happy for you that you had time with such a great circle of women and that you are taking time for you!
i am sitting in my little room cheering, yes cheering…
it is so true. thank you for saying this and spreading your positive energy my dear.
thank you.
i am so blessed to have you as a friend in my life.
it must be wonderful to be surrounded by supportive people. I hope one day I will be so blessed.
It’s so true that we don’t say the things we feel about our friends, and it’s a sad thing because we miss out on giving that gift to ourselves as well as those who hear them.
What a wonderful time you must have had with all those talented, wonderful women. There’s nothing like a good re-charge to help us move forward.
BTW, I think you’re amazingly talented and smart and really cute too. 🙂
i love visisting you here, kelly.
i always leave BELIEVING everything will be okay,
even on days when i’m absolutely exhausted from trying…
xo
k