Write Yourself a Love Letter

I absolutely love SoulPancake. They create beautiful videos centered around starting deeper discussions about life and they are determined to put love and positivity out in the world. This particular video became a favorite of mine and since it has stuck with me, I thought I'd share it with you. I love the challenge it presented and the results it received. I think we should all write ourselves a love letter.



Here is my letter... what would yours say?

Dear Self,

When I think about you and all that you've done so far in your 30yrs, I am overcome with joy and pride. While your life looks nothing like what you dreamed it would as a young girl, it is still incredibly full and well lived. The way you've embraced all the opportunities life has thrown at you, the way you've faced fears and gone into adventures on your own, I think about those things and am blown away at what you've been blessed to see and experience. It makes me want even more for you. So much more.

I know that you like who you are, but you still have insecurities you must face. Those pesky things will hinder your future if you don't begin to speak the truth over yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are beautiful. You may not be organized, but you can create order. You may not be athletic, but you can be active. Speak good things over yourself. Because no matter what you have done, there is still so much more for you to do. I believe in you and I can see the potential God has placed inside of you.

That's not to say I think you are perfect, there is plenty for you to work on and improve. In this life, there's always room for growth. I admire that when you are faced with a challenge you push yourself to see past the obstacle. You strive to not let it overwhelm you, rather run towards it knowing that with determination and time you can overcome it. Of course there are going to be times when you will fall, you are human, remember to be kind to yourself. I would love to see you apply this mindset to so many other parts of your life, not just with personality quirks, or life's unfortunate messes but to your health and your dreams. I know that when you do, so many new doors are going to open for you. 

Continue to set yourself goals and do your best to rise above them. Keep walking in love and push yourself to reflect God's grace. Never forget that this is your one precious life, don't take a day of it for granted. Live purposefully and with a heart filled with joy because you were made for this moment, created for this time, to make a difference, to be a light, to love and be loved. 

Needless to say I love you and I think you are pretty awesome.

xoxo,

Briony

beautiful you

Yesterday I was riding in the car and Sara Bareilles' song, Beautiful Girl, came on. I had never listened to that track before (I am one of those people, I skip to the songs I know I love, often missing some gems in the process) and the lyrics instantly caught my attention. After letting it play through three more times, I knew I had to share it with you all. The song itself deals with the definition of beauty, and the battle we have to find where we fit into it. 

Going off of Sara's lyrics, my thoughts not only went to physical attributes that define beauty but the fact that we as a society put a definition on so many things... success, talent, love, beauty, etc. and because of these definitions the majority of us struggle to feel good enough. To feel beautiful enough, talented enough...

So often, we compare ourselves to one another. I've not met a person that hasn't experienced this in their life. We love our friends and family, but I think we also battle the "why" questions. Questions such as, 

"why does their life seem so amazing, and mine so boring?" 

"why is it we eat the same thing, but they never gain a pound?" 

"why does everyone notice them, but I seem to be overlooked?"

"Why them and not me?"

We don't ask these questions because we hate the fact that our friends and family have all these good things. We ask them, because we want to know why we don't see those attributes in our own lives. The beauty about Sara's song is that she recognizes the hurt that can come from the comparison. She highlights that if not addressed it can cause insecurity, bitterness and a lack of self worth. But, in the midst of this she also challenges us to stop comparing. Stop comparing our looks, our relationships, our lives... just stop comparing. She encourages us to take a better look, because there is beauty there. We just have to strip off the blinders and see it. 

My favorite lyric is when she sings... 

"but take it from me, that you have to see it first."

Life isn't fair, I don't think it is meant to be. If we all had everything we ever wanted, our lives would be boring and I think we would lose the preciousness of being individuals. It's the challenges in life that shape our character. It's the journey of discovering ourselves, of defining our self worth, not in what others say or how we compare to others. But rather, finding our worth in our own hearts, in our strengths and passions. That's when we'll see the beauty in the mirror. When we discover the beauty... it won't matter if others see it. That being said, a crazy thing happens when we find the beauty in ourselves and in our lives... when we walk in confidence and joy, we look more beautiful to others. Nothing might actually change about our appearance or situation, but the worth that we've found in ourselves... that self worth is the most attractive quality anyone can have. 

You are beautiful and there is beauty to be found in your life. I hope you take the time to discover it.

If you've got a moment take a listen to Sara's song.... Beautiful Girl

I hope it encourages you.

love is in the air

Today is my friends Debbie and Charles wedding day! I love them dearly and I know God has amazing things in store for them. I'm so excited for them and for the silly dancing that is to come at the reception. Wedding receptions are one of the few places where it is ok to bust out the oldies, you know what I'm talkin about... moves such as the sprinkler, bus driver, shopping cart and fisherman....  I am so pumped!

Love at the Creek: Engagement

As promised, the last of our three shoots. I have to say these are probably my favorites. Garrett and Kendall are both fit and look incredible in their fun outfits. I had so much fun playing in the water and I've got to give them majors props for braving the cold creek with smiles. I just love every picture.
 

A big thanks to my Dad for being my photo assistant and for keeping things interesting :) and to Jessica Haist for her amazing makeup skills on both this shoot and the picnic shoot, you rock babe!

Congratulations Gar & Ken! I love you both so much and I am so blessed to have been a part of telling your love story. I can't wait for the wedding day...both to be in the wedding and to shoot it :) It's going to be epic!

xoxo,
Briony

A Picnic by the Creek: Engagement

I mentioned in my last post that I made vision board(s)...haha well this another one of the fun ideas I was talking about. A sweet simple picnic in the woods. We drove the back roads of mid-michigan and found this old fishing spot on a creek that my dad use to visit as a kid. As soon as I saw it I knew we'd found our location. I went shopping with Garrett and Kendall for their outfits and man do they look pretty great, haha, if I do say so myself :)



The second part of this shoot will be up shortly. You are going to love it :)

xoxo,
Briony

A Camping Engagement

My little brother is getting married! Ahh, I still can't believe it. Haha. Of course, as soon as they called and told me the news I was coming up with vision boards for an Engagement shoot with them. So while I was in Michigan visiting last month, we spent a few days playing around and getting some sweet images of them together. This first set is in their camper. They plan camping trips every year, so I knew it was definitely something I wanted to tie into their engagement images.

I'll post some of my favorite pics from their other shoot later on this week. Be sure to check back :) 

xoxo
Briony

I Love Love

Seeing two people in love (real love) is one of the most beautiful things to me. Watching how they love each other is like witnessing magic in action. It makes me smile, real goofy like the cheshire cat, and gives me hope that there are still fairy tales being written.

"It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." St. Augustine

Happy Friday All!

Love More Deeply

"What children take from us, they give. We become people who feel more deeply, question more deeply, and love more deeply." Sonia Taitz

Sunday Citar: Transforming Love

“For an instant, love can transform the world.”

Just a little something I wrote a while ago, stumbled upon it this evening and thought I would share.

Sunday Citar: True Love

"True love is not easy, clear or perfect; but it is powerful enough to overcome challenges, questions and all imperfections."

can you hold my hand forever?

“I'm holding onto what I hope will keep you by my side forever” - Dallas Green

You
(I wrote this for my mom to my grandma)

you were there for me when i scraped my knee
you were there when i first fell in love
you were there when he turned his back on me
you held my hand, you were enough

you were there when i said my i do's
you were there when things came unglued
you were there to comfort and guide
you were there, you stayed by my side

you were there for me when my children were born
you were there to wipe tears from my eyes
you were there when they began to grow and soar
you were there to tell me our future was bright

you've been there my whole life through
i can't imagine a single day without you
tomorrow holds a different future than i dreamed
but your hand i will hold through everything

meet daisy

this little lady is a spunky one, full of personality, a teeney-tiney bundle of fun. i love her. when i walk through the door she knows just what to do to make me smile. she cocks her head from side to side and then pounces on me, like a bunny rabbit, into my arms. whenever i need a good lovin she is always there ready to give give give, and all she asks of me...a few lil nibbles from my plate (when her mommy isn't watchin) and some play time with her elephant. if you ask me, i got it easy.

puppy love

This sweet little face has greeted me at the door for the last 15yrs. Always excited, always wanting nothing more than to show me how much she loves me. She has seen me cry, laugh, yell, mope and has not faltered in her love. She has seen me fail and succeed. She has loved me unconditionally since the day we brought her home. She is my baby. How can you not love her lil face (no matter how gray she gets.) If only I would love like her...

Family Fun Time

I love my family! Haha