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Posts Tagged ‘30 Day Challenge’

30 Day People Challenge – Day 20: An Artist

Posted in Art, Creativity, Writing Challenge, tagged , , , , , on November 20, 2015| 1 Comment »

Spirits by the lake

I don’t remember where I first saw Leonid Afremov’s paintings, but I remember being caught by surprise by the emotions they evoked. I typically like soft colors, and not being a fan of yellow, I didn’t think I’d be drawn to an artist who uses yellows and other bright colors so liberally. But I am. He won me over.

the-beauty-of-dance-leonid-afremov

Mr. Afremov has been hailed a modern day Impressionist, which might explain another draw for me as one of my best friends absolutely loves Monet – even painting her bathroom like his water lilies. I like Impressionist art. While I don’t think I’d be able to fake my way through a gallery talk, I know just enough to say I appreciate the movement, reflection, and light Mr. Afremov captures with his work.

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“Leonid Afremov keeps the majority of his art politically neutral. His paintings are not offensive to anyone nor send any hidden messages. The paintings usually reflect certain personal memories and emotions. Leonid Afremov tries to draw the viewer to have a certain feeling rather than tell a story via the painting, or have the viewer see the world how he sees it.”

Fascination

I love art. Mr. Afremov is one of many painters I admire. I hope you’ll check out more of his work on his website, especially his dancer paintings!

 

For more great artists, check out my friend’s posts:

Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/

Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/

Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/

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30 Day People Challenge – Day 19: A Fictional Character from a Movie

Posted in Free to be me, Humor, Joy in the Journey, Just for fun, Learning to Cope, Movies, Writing Challenge, tagged , , , , on November 19, 2015| 1 Comment »

If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?

She’s adventurous, feisty, and desires to control her own destiny. She’s a gifted archer and good with a sword, but it is her spunk that drew me in. I love her playful relationship with her dad, and I love her bravery!

merida1

Merida of the Clan DunBroch

Don thought I’d choose Katniss Everdeen. I thought about Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I could have easily chosen Eowyn again, or one of the other kickass heroines I love so much, but Merida has been on my mind. I relate to her defiance against traditions and expectations, and admire her fighting spirit. And who doesn’t love her red hair? 😉

I share some of her less desirable qualitites as well, I suppose. She’s brash and sometimes acts without thinking only to regret it later. Been there. But I couldn’t help cheering when I watched this scene:

She’s been my Facebook profile picture many times, she’s currently my cover photo, and friends send me pictures of her. Fans of Merida have drawn and painted amazing depictions of her. This one by artist Heather Theurer is my favorite:

Merida_sm

A few years ago, my friend Michelle bought me a figurine which now sits in my office. Every kid who stops by wants to play with her because she’s beautiful, posable, and her accessories rock! She only came with one arrow, which I assume is enough – she’s that good. I love her.

She inspires me when I write by reminding me I too am brave.

merida figurine

 

Have you stopped by my fellow challenger’s sites lately? We still have a few days left to catch up and finish our challenge!

Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/

Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/

Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/

 

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30 Day People Challenge – Day 18: A Fictional Character in a Book

Posted in Books I Love, Writing Challenge, tagged , , , , on November 18, 2015| 2 Comments »

As reading is like breathing to me, there are so many great characters I could choose from the thousands of books I’ve read. I don’t really have one favorite, but I have one that comes close, and as her story has been on my mind lately, I chose her for today’s topic.

Éowyn.

These are movie photos of Miranda Otto who played the character in Peter Jackson’s epic masterpiece. I loved her in the film, but as all book nerds will agree, the book is always better, and Éowyn as a character is no exception. Yes, I think J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was and is genius. I was captivated from the moment I stepped foot in the Shire.

Orphaned young and raised alongside her brother Éomer in her uncle’s home – King Théoden of Rohan, Éowyn longs for more than a woman of that age is relegated to. The story finds her caring for her uncle, whose mind has been poisoned by his evil advisor – Sauron’s spy and a lecherous man who lusts after her. Her brother has been banished and she’s alone, trapped in a life she doesn’t want. A life of she fears. When opportunity to escape her perceived fate comes to her doorstep, she is more than willing, but is thwarted by the man she thinks she loves when he tells her it is her duty to lead her people in her uncle’s and brother’s absences. Nevertheless, she eventually makes her way into battle and to everyone’s amazement, defeats the Witch-king who had been the subject of a prophecy that said no man could kill him. When threatened with a fate worse than death, Éowyn responds:

“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Eomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.”

“Then tottering, struggling up, with her last strength she drove her sword between crown and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled away with a clang. Éowyn fell forward upon her fallen foe.”

I love Éowyn! She calls herself a “wild shieldmaiden of the north.” I can relate to that. The White Lady of Rohan. Lady of the shield-arm. Daughter of the House of Eorl. She had many names, but of course I connected with the shield references the most. She is fierce, loyal, and determined, yet in the books as she recovers from her battle wounds, she has a change of heart about her “fate” and she softens, saying she’ll become a healer. That resonates with me too.

See which characters resonated with my friends:

Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/

Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/

Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/

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30 Day People Challenge – Day 17: Someone Who Mentors or Inspires You

Posted in Book Reviews, Books I Love, Free to be me, Learning to Cope, Works for me, Writing Challenge, tagged , , , , , , , on November 17, 2015| 2 Comments »

For Christmas in 2013, Karen gave me a copy of Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. She had already read most of it and was sure I’d love it, and she was right! I’ve been reading it and incorporating it into my life ever since.

Vulnerability-Quote-2-Brene-Brown

Brene Brown is a research professor and storyteller who studies vulnerability, courage, authenticity, worthiness, and shame. She’s written three #1 New York Times Bestsellers, her 2010 TEDx talk “The Power of Vulnerability” is one of the five most viewed Ted talks in the world. She inspires millions of readers like me through her websites, interviews, and public appearances. I post her quotes on Facebook a lot.

From The Gifts of Imperfection:

“People may call what happens at mid-life “a crisis,” but it’s not. It’s an unraveling – a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re supposed to live.”

As I’ve been working my way through the book for the second time, reading all of my underlined passages again, I am painfully aware of the places I’ve been digging deep, being brave, and making difficult choices that are making me a more wholehearted person. The word “No” isn’t as scary as it used to be, and I’ve increased the frequency of its use. Friends, it is SO much better than saying “yes” and being pissed off later because I knew I should have said no in the first place. I’m doing hard heart work, and the results are beautiful!

Some other lessons I’ve learned:

  • Our stories aren’t meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege and we should ask ourselves who has earned the right to hear them. (p. 47)
  • Incongruent living is exhausting. (p. 28)
  • Cultivating self-love and self-acceptance is not optional. (p. 28)
  • Practicing courage, compassion, and connection in our daily lives is how we cultivate worthiness. (p.7)
  • Courage is contagious. (p.54)
  • Here’s what is truly at the heart of wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is. (p.24)

I own the other two books and will read them soon. Check out Brene Brown. She’s one of my courage-boosters and currently on my list of Top Ten Most Inspiring People.

These people inspire me too:

Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/

Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/

Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/

 

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30 Day People Challenge – Day 16: Someone You Mentor

Posted in Family, Free to be me, Joy in the Journey, Just for fun, Nowell Kiddos, Parenting, Writing Challenge, tagged , , , , on November 16, 2015| 3 Comments »

Zoe Grace

Zoe Grace.

She’s my sweet girl, my mini-me in so many ways.

She’s my reminder that what I say and do matter because she is always watching. Always.

She sees when I choose to love myself and when I don’t.

She watches when I hold my hands out in acts of kindness, and when I silently put them in my pocket as I exercise self-control through boundaries, and so I don’t bring physical harm to the idiots in my life. 😉

She’s aware of the times I use my tongue for good and when it gets the best of me and I wield it in anger.

She asks me difficult questions, making me think hard before answering because my words hold weight.

She seeks my approval and affection because I am the first woman she looks to for a glimpse of who she is and what she is about.

She values my opinion because she knows I’m a thinker, a researcher, a lover of people, and her momma.

We laugh together, cry together, and talk about life a lot.

Life. It’s what her name means and boy does she live up to it!

I get to mentor, parent, teach, train, and love this beautiful child as she grows into the woman she is becoming. Lucky me!

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Go catch up with my fellow challengers and see who they mentor:

Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/

Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/

Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/

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