An Invitation to Begin {White}

Inspiration and Dreams: Redesign

I don’t know about you, but when I do something, I try to do it right the first time. I probably spend more time than I should worrying about ‘getting it right.’ And I know that, as a result, my projects take me twice as long.

However, despite the trying, I find myself going back for a do-over more often than not. But is this bad? Or is this the way it should be? Are things actually better the third time around? Is the REDESIGN an essential part of the journey?

I suppose there are plenty of examples that makeovers are the way to go. Mother Nature indulges four times a year (or so...depending on your location!). Plenty of people make a living providing them to the faces, kitchens, wardrobes, gardens (you get the idea...) of the rest of us . Even a lowly bolognese sauce tastes supremely better after a night in the fridge, and a second warming on the stove.

After only four months, I find myself overhauling my blog/website. My concept has grown, as have my goals and my direction. Despite all the initial angst and effort, it’s time for a change. Perhaps next time, I can avoid the worry, count on the makeover, and spend more time picking daisies.

How about you?

Inspiration and Dreams: A Pub, a Puppy and a whole lot of Providence

In past posts, I’ve written about the importance of believing in your dreams, and of continually moving towards them, even if slowly. Unwavering belief, plus an itty-bitty amount of momentum, makes for a magical equation. It used to worry me that I didn’t know HOW I would get my dreams from A to B to C. And it used to worry me even more that I couldn’t make A + B = C. But over time, I’ve let this worry go. Instead, I focus solely on what I want and on the few small things I know I can do today to move away from A, towards B. And somehow, in so doing, providence and possibility often collide to make for amazing opportunities.

This happened to me last weekend when I met the most unusual and inspiring couple who are following and living their dreams...in the most FABULOUS way!

As you may know, I live in Windsor, UK. Due to the presence of one large and famous castle, Windsor is inundated with tourists for much of the year. In town, I hear accents from all over the world and usually pay no attention. But last Friday, after stopping at The Two Brewers (one of my favourite pubs) for a sunny lunch, I very much noticed the American accents of the couple at the next table. While I was lightly contemplating saying hello, Harry, my pup, charged over for an introduction.

Over the course of the next hour, Harry ingratiated himself, and we learned that Betsy and Warren were from Seattle, had tired of the rat race and sold everything to travel around the world for the next five years. (Talk about clearing space!?!) They had just arrived in the UK via Latin America, Antarctica and one very long boat ride (5 luxurious weeks aboard an empty cruise ship in process of repositioning itself! My kinda cruise!). Despite sticker shock at UK prices, they seemed enthralled by British culture and very much at home. Ironically, they had just been to visit Wanderlust, an award-winning, independent, adventure travel magazine that is edited by my next-door neighbour, Dan. Betsy and Warren ended up at the Two Brewer’s on Dan’s recommendation. Coincidence? I was starting to get goose pimples.

The conversation then somehow turned to photography and my fledgling blog. It turns out that Warren is a Wordpress website developer and is also familiar with Squarespace. He offered to help me transform my site into something more functional and impactful. And Betsy had a consulting business focused on female entrepreneurs.

I walked home that afternoon with one sleepy child and two contented canines, and a mind that was spinning and jumping. Not only had I met the most interesting and inspiring couple who are living-proof that outrageous, fabulous dreams can become reality, but I very much felt as if I had just made two new friends (We’ve made plans to get together again when they are back this way...). And even more amazingly, these relative-strangers had offered to help me move closer to my own dreams. Pubs, puppies, providence and a whole lot of possibility!

You can follow Warren and Betsy on their blog: www.marriedwithluggage.com or on Facebook. Their site is full of information and guidance on how they transformed their everyday life into a travelling adventure. I hope you find them as inspirational as I do. Enjoy!

The Gift of Learning

For all those things we love to learn with pursed lips and intense concentration...

Inspiration and Dreams: A Gift Happens...

...in the unexpected moments...

Inspiration and Dreams: On the Potty

Yes, I know. I’m taking the I-Studio’s lofty, soulful, inspirational theme and throwing it straight into the gutter. Immense apologies, but I can’t help myself.

I have entered that the dreaded world of potty training. All my waking moments seem to be consumed with three things: wees, poos and doing laundry. As much as baby poo seemed to have a magical ability to go EVERYWHERE, it didn’t smell, nor arrive in huge quantities. As costly as nappies might be, they do deal with things quite efficiently. Changing one takes only three minutes. Two, if I’m in a hurry.

But potty training...wow! On Saturday, it took me three hours to get dressed and out the door. During that time, I wiped one small bottom about seventeen times and generated an entire load of a laundry out of miniature Hello Kitty knickers and leggings.

One would think things were finished with that. But, no! Still to go was an al fresco poo on Eton Bridge and one colossal accident in a pair of white tights right by Windsor castle’s royal stone wall. In situations like this one does what one must.

My advice, above all, is to not make eye contact with the hordes of passers-by wearing shocked expressions. Feigned ignorance is your best defence.

It is only at the end of the day that I get some relief as I put my daughter in a nappie for her sleep. For the next eleven hours, I would rely on Pampers to do the job I had been doing. I could put away the portable potty, the baby potty and the many packs of wipes. I would tidy up the multiple books scattered around my bathroom and fold the laundry into strategic stacks, ready for the next day’s onslaught. I would get some sleep.

Until last night.... At 2:30am....A small voice says, ‘Mama, wake! My wee-wee’s coming. Please help.’

Oh no. It seems potty training has made it inappropriate to wee in one’s nappie. How much I wanted to ignore her call. Instead, we troop to the bathroom in the dark. My daughter’s hair is soft against my face. Her hand is small in mine. She puts her arms around me so I can lift her to the potty. Quietly, in the night, she says, ‘I love you SO much, Mama.’

A gift....of the best sort.

Ps. And no, there was no wee for the potty. It was already in her nappie.

Spring Happens Underfoot

Inspiration and Dreams: In Search of Color

In her last post, Kelly named March, the Month of Color. After reading her post, I started thinking about just how much COLOR makes us who we are.

I have blue days and black moods. I turn pink when I am embarrassed, or unwittingly overdo things at the gym. Though it isn't easy being green, I often do so in envy. Horror films and roller coasters render me white as a sheet. Rare is the day I don't sport at least one purple bruise. And of course, I have, at least once or twice, achieved the painful, red tones of my favourite crustacean.

But does the search of color change what and how we photograph? Does it change our artistic process? I think it will be fun finding out. Here's to the most colorful of months!

Inspiration and Dreams: 10 Ways to Make a Grey Day Special

Some of you may be lucky to live in a place that has unending sunshine this time of the year. Unfortunately, I do not. London has been particularly grey, damp and dreary this February, and I have been looking for ways to brighten up my days. This is my list. What is yours?

1. Visit your local garden center and wander among the flowers. Buy your favourites and plant them in a pot. Keep the pot by your window. Digging in the dirt may be bad for the nails, but it is good for the soul.

2. Lie on the floor. Look at things from an upside down perspective. Change rooms. Do the same again.

3. Make pancakes for dinner. Serve them with raspberries, whipped cream and champagne.

4. Play your favourite music. Lie on the couch with a blanket and listen. Really listen. Let your thoughts wander with the melody. Napping is absolutely allowed.

5. Make chocolate chip cookies. Add your favourite extras (mine are raisons and oatmeal). Eat the cookies warm from a pretty plate with lots of milk.

6. Turn your next meal into a picnic. Serve it on the floor of your living room. Don’t forget to use the picnic blanket.

7. Place a pen and a pad by your bed. When you wake, make a list of all the little things for which you are thankful. Read this list before you sleep. Expand your list on every grey and dreary day.

8. Buy gerbera daisies. Place each flower in its own vase and line them up on your window sill. Daisies are even more cheerful in the rain.

9. Before bed, draw yourself a bath. Light several candles and turn off all the lights. Enjoy your bath and go to bed by candlelight.

10. Go for a meandering walk.

Read more about this here on my Blog.

Who-hooo and a great big happy dance! My blog is live and running. THANK YOU all for your encouragement and support as I worked to make this happen. Please stop by for a visit. I’d love to see you there.

Inspiration and Dreams: Fairy Wings

If you saw my last Flickr posting, you know that I had lunch yesterday with a friend who is a fellow photo-tag, food enthusiast, lover of dogs and all-round creative inspiration. She is someone who wants to learn all sorts of new creative things. She is bursting with ideas and projects. She writes and draws and cooks and photographs. She is eclectic and an incongruity. She studies other’s work; she takes classes and workshops; she keeps a dream board. Above all, she is ALIVE with life and living.

And despite all this creative wonderfulness, just like us, she struggles with work-art-life balance issues. She has her own sorrows and disappointments. She is supremely impatient with any learning process. And, perhaps surprisingly, she has the same fear of success that gets each of us stuck.

However, over some pasta, my friend said something that has been inspiring me ever since. And, I think, it is in her ability to believe and live this philosophy that she is special.

Though a car’s headlights only light a small portion of the road ahead, we always find our way home.

No matter what, we always find our way home... True, isn’t it?

Somehow, some way, no matter the weather...our front door waits for our keys to rattle. The kettle is warm and the couch is cosy. Our pens and our paints and our cameras are there, ready.

If only we believed in the no matter what. If we only we trusted in our road and not the end. If only we dared to wear our fairy wings and dance with the unknown...

Try it...it’s fun.

Ps. For those of you who remember my last posting, yes, today is the 7^th. I did promise my blog. Nearly there...stay tuned. There are a few more hours in the day.

Inspiration and Dreams: Distractions are Part of the Journey

I admit it. I am stuck.

Stuck fast, frozen solid, rooted down and paralyzed by my own silly fears of the unknown, of failure and even, of success. Do you all know this feeling? It sounds so very silly and childish but, nonetheless, is supremely powerful. I mean really! Creating ‘denise balyoz photography’, launching a blog, and offering my images for sale, are all part of MY dream. What is taking me so long??

For five months, I have been writing to you about the nature of inspiration, and the living of our dreams. I’ve encouraged, commented, mused and hoorayed for the dreams that make us special. And you all have encouraged, commented, mused and hoorayed for me as I have developed mine.

Ever so slowly, I have been chug, chug, chugging along, building a blog template, finding a logo, signing up for a hosting platform, registering on Etsy, researching pricing, and shipping, calibrating monitors, heck, buying an iMac!, printing cards, taking photos, and even speaking to an accountant about the tax implications of selling my work. (yuck!)

But the closer I got to making this real, the chug, chug, chugging turned into a squealing creak, a dry cough and a dying splutter until here I sit, in January, stuck in the muck.

As dire as it sounds, this stuck-edness isn’t all that bad. I’ve gotten so much done: My home office is clean and reorganized. My wardrobe has been culled. Bags of clothes have gone to charity. My kitchen spice drawer is sorted and arranged alphabetically. (No, I’m not anal, I just love to cook and have more than the usual amount of spice jars.) Finally, my work is framed and up on my walls. Christmas cards went out BEFORE the relevant holiday for the first time in a decade. And, delightfully, a new puppy has joined our little clan.

Procrastination? Excuses? Unnecessary busy-ness? Perhaps, yes, of the most consummate type.

But perhaps, also, no.

This is LIFE LIVING. Our dreams are responsible for feeding our lives. And our lives are core to nourishing our dreams. My dream has just served to help my life get a little more straightened, organized, sorted and housebroken. Now it is time for my life to start the creative, artistic part of my dream. It is time to START. (Do check out Kim’s ‘Get Out of Your Own Way’ post on her Cafe...it is fabulously inspiring and going up on my new dream board now!)

A few days ago, a good friend said to me, ‘Whatever it is you want, book it in your diary. The act of writing things down is essential to manifesting for your goals. If you want clients to book, put your appointment times down in ink.’ She does this and rarely have I seen her fazed by an empty appointment book or without the clients she needs...

In that light, and even though my blog is not yet ready, it will launch on 7 February. I’m scared and overwhelmed and a bit lost, but here goes...Let’s get started.

Inspiration and Dreams: Tears of Joy

It was only recently that I heard this said. I wish I knew who wrote it as I love the wisdom and the inspiration of it. How fitting as we celebrate this time of looking forward and looking back here at the I-Studio!

Tears of joy. Tears of sadness. We only experience these kinds of tears in the extremes of our living. The more I reflect and am thankful for my last year, I realise that perhaps life-living is meant to be extreme. Perhaps we are meant to dare it all: to risk the finding and the losing of everything that we want in our lives in order to have everything that we want in our lives.

I watch my 2-year old daughter vacillate between the extremes of sorrow and joy many times in a day, or often in an hour. She does this with the professional fluidity and whole-heartedness of any toddler. And whilst I don’t condone throwing oneself on the floor to rant loudly about the traffic or rising taxes, I do think that running full-tilt, and arms-wide-open at the ones you love each morning is a brilliant practice. Perhaps we should also be running this way at the things, and the places, and the dreams that we love too?

How is it that in our growing older, and more socially appropriate, that most of us lose this sense of spontaneity? We forget our ability to live extremely in the moments of our days. We no longer marvel at the magic that happens when we make fortresses of pillows and blankets. We stop trying to march, or hop, or run instead of walking. We don’t climb trees or spin ourselves dizzy for the joy of falling on the floor. We rush and we worry, and we don’t stop only so that we can rush and worry some more. I am as guilty as anyone...

....except when the world is transformed by the falling snow – snow that stops one driving but demands a sled, a snowman and the warmest of sweaters.

....except for hours strewn with paper and ribbon and tape and cards and gifts for those that I love.

....except for an evening of carols sung outdoors, in the cold, heard as if for the first time with my daughter beside me.

...except for a tree, laden with decorations old and new, and shining with lights in a darkened room.

Then I lie on the floor and stare up through the branches as I did when I was small. Then I feel my gratitude grow large inside me. And the tears come to my eyes.