love. LIFE. Hello Friends! Over to the left you'll see all of the categories that you can check out. If you're a photographer make sure to check out the For Photographers page. I just launched the new Family GTKY kit and the NEW Insight Kits Blogsite!!! Click here to see the new site! LOVE. LIFE. TIPS. These posts will help anyone who is trying to keep or get back all of the things that they love in their life and/or business. The tips are packed with ways to manage a hectic life, kids, business, meaning, love...and more. Also, make sure you check out the new Women and Business series! (Click here) Also, see how Day with Davina can come to you. (Click here) My favorite pricing guide (that I wish I had when I started my business over 8 years ago). You need this guide! Easy as Pie. Click here to visit Served Up Fresh. (affiliate link) Thanks for stopping by...and don't forget to leave a comment...or two...I want to hear from YOU! And make sure to TELL A FRIEND! |
Entries from December 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
LOVE. LIFE. TIP #15.
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Fun tradition.
Note: I've posted this before but I think that it's worth posting again. I've added a few things...
Every year at the beginning of December we put together a Christmas chain. We make a list of all of the things we'd like to do together and for other people and each link gets an activity. The links count down the days until Christmas and every morning the kids race to see what will be the activity of the day. Each of them wants to be the first to take a link off of the chain. It's a big part of Christmas for us and the kids look forward to everyday.
So far we have:
Gone to the resuce mission twice.
Gone to a matinee movie.
Eat dinner by the tree while we watch a Christmas movie.
Make gingerbread houses
Go Christmas shopping for each other.
Play a Christmas game (we make a family Christmas game and book each year).
Go get our Christmas tree.
Decorate the Christmas tree.
Ride in the car and look at Christmas lights.
Made little hats for newborn babies in 3rd world countries.
Make toffee for school teachers.
Make a Christmas game.
Go to Salt Lake and meet up with Louis Palos and his sweet family for Temple Square lights, dinner, and hot chocolate.
Take soup to the homeless.
Make a Christmas book.
We've made gingerbread and had a gingerbread making party with each of the kids inviting a friend.
We've done some of these things this year already and we're going to be doing quite a few things on this list. After reading "The Soloist" it has renewed my desire to help the homeless in our area. We've got some plans for doing some work in Charlotte.
Here are some other ideas you may want to try:
(Some friends and I came up with a lot of these so I can't take all of the credit.):
Make up survival kits for the homeless. Include things like: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, bandaids, Neosporin, washcloth, blanket, etc. Take them around after dark when people are settling in for the night. They are easier to find. You can also ask local churches where to find the highest concentration of people who need your help.
Go to McDonald's and buy 100 jr. hamburgers and take them around to people settling in for the night.
Make soup and take it warm on Christmas day with warm bread. Doing it on the actual holiday is important. There are a lot of people who give Christmas dinner the day or week before Christmas. Most organizations aren't able to do anything on the actual days of Christmas and Thanksgiving. When you arrive on Christmas you'll it will look like Christmas in their eyes.
Discreetly give out cash to those you feel inspired to give it to.
This doesn't even have to be just for homeless people: Walk around just giving people $5 while you're shopping (or more! Secret Santas have been going around Charlotte handing out $100 bills. They've given out over $30,000 now!). Or keep a $50 or $100 in your bag and pray for the wisdom to know who you need to walk up and give it to as you're out and about.
Never pass the Salvation Army bell ringer without putting something in the bucket.
I want to hear your suggestions! Please put them in the comments so we can all benefit!
enjoy. LIFE.
the soloist.
it just pulls you in.
I'm in the middle of reading 'The Soloist' and I'm having a hard time pulling myself away from it.
It's the story of Nathaniel. He received a scholarship to Julliard because of his musical genius on the bass. However, almost any instrument he picks up he can play effortlessly. He has a promising future. His peers and professors alike respect him and know that he has a beautiful life ahead of him.
Unfortunately, Nathaniel begins to have some agressive and abnormal behavior and eventually a mental breakdown. A short time later he is diagnosed with schizophrenia and his life takes a turn that no one would have ever expected of someone with so much talent and potential...he lives on the street fighting off rats while trying to sleep.
A writer from the L.A. Times discovers him, decides he may be able to write a column about him and before he realizes it Nathaniel has become a major part of his life. He's torn between wanting a better mental health care system, helping Nathaniel in some way, his wife and daughter, and keeping his job.
It's a heartbreaking story so far but one I'm so glad that I'm reading. You will not regret picking it up yourself. It's a view into a world that is hard to imagine and one that we rarely consider. It will change your Christmas...for the better.
beautiful. LIFE.
I've got a picture of that...
I've got a picture of that... from davina fear on Vimeo
video.
I've had a number of people ask me if there's any way to post the video they've seen at presentations that I've done on my blog. I finally figured it out.
So, here it is...
blessed. LIFE.
Letters.
thanks to Val for this image of rosaura!
the change.
Since getting back from Love Affair I've received some really awesome notes from women who are changing their lives and their businesses. I'm amazed that I get to, in a very small way, be part of seeing that change happen. Every time I get one of these letters it moves me, brings me to tears, and thrills me to hear about women who are finding ways to do what they love and at the same time not miss out on the things that make the work meaningful.
I love these letters. I put the in a special folder and keep in touch with these women. I want to hear about how their lives change over time. I see the butterfly emerge from the cocoon and fly away. It's a beautiful and difficult process. It takes sacrifice and taking a personal inventory of what matters and how to make sure this love of creating doesn't take over the people that we love. I admire the women who decide to take that journey. Who they are becoming is really amazing.
Rosaura has written me some beautiful notes and has shared some heartbreaking things with me. She has a reslient spirit and and love to spare. I asked her if I could share some excerpts from her notes because I think there are women out there who are feeling overwhelmed. Hearing her story may help those women to feel some hope. So here goes:
Hi Davina,
You really rocked my world with your sweet and open spirit and your creativity. Your words really affected me and I wanted to let you know some stuff I'm doing.
Well first of all, I love journaling! It has been really helping me process things and quiet down the noise in my head. I just pour it all into my journal and I feel so much better. I've been waking up a little earlier before Gemma wakes up so I can have that little bit of time to do it. I had a good streak going but then the holidays came and I didn't manage to do it but I'm back on track again. :)
I've simplified my life a little more. When I got back from Love Affair, I spoke to the owner of the studio where I teach voice and we discussed helping me balance my life more and focus on family and photography more. It was a tough decision but I/we decided to transfer my students and stop teaching for now. Boy, it was tough to accept that I can't do it all and if I try I'm not doing anything fully, ya know?
Today my husband and I carpooled for the first time with Gemma. We've been taking turns on who takes her into daycare. But I wanted to see if we could spend more family time together - even if it is in the car. I drove and he got to read a little and we chatted a little and Gemma got to see us together and we both played with her a little. We both agreed that we will do this more often. :)
I've started to really watch how much time I spend on the computer. Also started to filter my emails and make folders - this is taking a while but I'm already seeing the benefits.
Tonight my husband and I are going to try 15 minutes of speed cleaning. I get overwhelmed with the mess sometimes and then it makes me procrastinate. So this morning I asked my husband if we could try putting on a timer for 15 minutes and together do some speed cleaning. Who knows, it might even be fun!
So as you can see, there is a lot going on in my life both small and big. And I wanted to thank you for the inspiration to do it. :)
Lots of love to you!
Gratefully, ~r
Rosaura and I have been writing back and forth and I'm thrilled to hear about the life changes she's making and how much happier she is now that she's on a path that speaks to her heart and creative spirit as well.
I know I say it a lot...but that's because it's just plain true! These women bless my life. It's an gift to know them.
Rosaura, you are a beautiful woman...full of fire and zest and passion and amazingness. You are blessing that sweet little girl and letting her know a happy and fun YOU (I think your bit about carpooling was when I lost it...I was so happy that you had seen that option!). When you put out into the world that you want a happy, meaningful life all kinds of things start happening to make that a reality. Thank you for letting me share a piece of you so that other women can break free, too.
reclaim. LIFE.
In case you haven't seen.
I love this awesome collage from love affair by Jennifer Longaway. She was so fun to have at Love Affair! I love all of the details she found around the W.
Thanks Jennifer!
beautiful. LIFE.