Bones

So this week I started classes at Southeastern Institute in Charlotte. The chosen path is certification/license in Massage Therapy. This is something that I have thought about at least 10 times over the last several years. I have to face the fact that no matter how hard I fight/advocate for the artist in me, that there is a caregiver there as as well, part of me that wants to help hurting people.

I know/have known several massage therapists over the years but my aunt Terry is the one who sticks out in my mind the most. She changed careers in her forties and massage is what she chose. I remember when  she chose, I remember her coming to us to practice what she had learned and I remember how much she loved it. She told me back then that I should go through that course. She said that there was something more to it in that in teaching you to help others heal, you learn a balance for yourself (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually). She fell in love with it. She is still in love with it. Terry works hard, more than she probably should but she LOVES what she does and what she is able to do for people. Truth be told everyone I have spoken to that chose to make massage therapy their career choice have had no regrets.

This past Thanksgiving my family had gathered at my aunt (Terry) and uncles house. Terry had invited her side of the family as well (she is related by marriage). Her brother Brian, who I have always adored, was there and as we were catching up, I was pleasantly surprised that he too had chosen to go into massage therapy. BONUS He found a six month program at a very reputable school in Charlotte. My mind immediately began reeling.

 I had a job that I adored at the time but it was seasonal. I knew in the back of my mind that I might get laid off. So I thought to myself "you could do anything for six months...you could find another job that you like less and be stressed out again, or you could do this and open yourself up to a greater job market". I was enrolled by December 17th.

Now, when I originally enrolled I did it with the mentality that I would be able to find a better paying job in the end. I am admitting with complete honesty that I was about more money and a better way to support myself. I want so desperately sometimes to be stable as I am not sure that I have ever been...I was laid off from the great job that I had BUT in the months I have spent jobless God has been teaching me once again that it is He who takes care of me, not the job or the amount of money that I make. All I am called to do is serve and obey...

So my prayers before the course began were to open my eyes, my mind and my heart WIDE. I wanted everything that Christ had to show me during this time...

So Monday arrives and I am ready to take on the course. We come in and are introduced to each other and I am immediately pleased with the amount of diversity that sits in that room. There are only 17 of us in that class but the shapes, colors, ages and backgrounds differ with each one of us. As I mentioned on facebook earlier in the week, one of the first things I notice about this school is the positive energy. It may sound a little "out there" but I can feel the thick heaviness of a room that is filled with angry/upset/sad/depressed people. And in that sameness this school or at least what I have experienced of it is VIBRANT. There were tons of smiles. Real, genuine smiles...

The rest of the week progressed much like the first day. I was introduced to new faces and smiles everyday. That energy was the same, if not added to each day. I realize that a lot of the energy is my own because I am just so excited to feel alive (no headaches, no heavy chest, no anxiety) that I can't stand myself and I want to share it. Enter TOUCH. The foundation to what I will be doing once this course is over. Good, honest and pure Touch is healing on many levels and I have always believed it to be. I enjoy being in a environment where touch is the norm. I do understand touch is uncomfortable with a large population of people because of things that have happened to them. I guess the best part of that at school is that is what we will be fighting for, people to believe and trust the healing art of touch. There are SICK people in EVERY profession that taint the GOOD/LIGHT in it. The most encouraging thing, that hit me majorly in class yesterday, is that the people God chose to put me in class with ALL want to do something bigger. I am proud to say that I have classmates that want to use massage in the behavioral health field to help treat clients, there are life coaches who want to add it to their practices, a woman in medical school that wants to broaden her healing knowledge so that she can serve her patients better, a man who has lost 85 pounds that LIVES better now in his late life and wants to share that and the others that simply want to help people relax. I see/hear one amazing group of people that want to help other people, that believe in other people and that LOVE other people. And I (little ole me) am God destined to be apart of it. I am once again in humbled awe that He would put me among such an amazing group of people. If this week was any indication of the next six months, well, I think you can see where I am going...

Now, the above picture was of from my phone but, as promised, every blog with have photography included. As the my previous blog laid out, photography is apart of my ministry. So before you start thinking that it is going to the back burner let me tell you that IT IS NOT. I have always been the type of person that liked to do more than one thing at a time. There are many times I have heard that is not a good thing. But for me it is. I have a heart to serve above anything else that I do, so, if it means I have to do several GOOD things to make my life, then I'm ok with that.

Thank you, my friends, who take the time to believe in me and care enough to read my ramblings. YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOVED and lifted up.

"My Heavenly Father, you make my world. I am blown away by the lessons I learn daily and even more by the ones you take the time to teach me over and over again. Please use every ounce of this person you have made me to honor and glorify You. I pray that I LOVE, SERVE, and GIVE far more than I receive. But I pray that I LOVE, GIVE and SERVE you best. Thank for this life and EVERYONE I share it with. I pray in Your name always, AMEN"  <3

Well, here we go...

Hello and welcome! I am very excited and at the same time extremely nervous to be opening up this journey to you all. It has always felt like a catch 22 to put myself out there (here). The mix of emotions that comes with deciding to release your thoughts, emotions, inspirations and creations isn't something I get along with, hence the extreme procrastination. But what I have learned while keeping all of these things to myself is that I get left behind. If, after asking, people keep being denied access to what it is that I do, they stop caring about it. I stop caring about it...

This "photogumentary" is my attempt to make people care, to make me care.

Writing and photography are huge passions of mine. I have written for as long as I can remember, some times more than others, but getting things out of my head and on paper is therapeutic as I imagine it is for most people. Photography became a passion 3 years ago when I discovered that I had the eye and talent to make great images. Molding these two passions together is something I've know would be My perfect form of expression.

The channel in which to do that had been blurry, until now. I know blogging itself isn't new, nor is writing, nor photography but I believe the way in which God will use it will be unique. That's right, I said God! The reason I am here at this very moment is because I surrendered everything to the One who saved me from eternal damnation, suffering, and pain. Surrender is something that a lot of people only believe that they do. It has only been within the last year that I have come to realize what that word truly means. Absolute surrender is giving God everything in your life (career, relationship status, finances, etc...) your everything (heart, soul, mind etc...) and trusting Him to work His will in all of it, even if that means that you don't get anything in this world you think you want to do or be. I have been unemployed twice within the last year and in those moments God has proven that He is in control of my life. I honestly, truly, wouldn't have it any other way.

Having a direct connection with the Creator has been one of the biggest blessings of my life and one that I explore more deeply and fully as the days go by. I have been lucky enough to have the Lord speak to me in an audible voice and tell me what He wants me to do with my life, my talent, these passions. I am lucky enough for Him to want to use me, what an honor and blessing! Thank you Lord!

Through my studies and I have been doing a lot of them, I keep coming across one word...EVERYTHING...

My decision to name this blog "With Everything" was as simple as realizing that the God of my salvation has given me everything (life, breath, family, health, provision,etc...) and the very least I can do is do everything in my life for Him and His glory.

"So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it ALL for the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:13

I pray already knowing that God has gone before me as I type these words and post these images knowing that He will use them to bring honor and glory to His name.

If you have made it this far, thank you! I have made made two collages displaying just a fraction of my work. There is so much to sift through and from time to time I may do a "Back to the Future" blog about some projects from the past but I want this blog to largely be about the present and future.

Thanks for stopping by! God Bless!!