6 Ways To Make Sure You Don't Hate Your Life.

It's been awhile & for that I am sorry. Mainly to myself because this blog is mostly for me to remember what was going on in my brain when I look back. Today I came across this video of a speech from Neil Gaiman and boy am I glad I did. I know that I am fortunate to be in love with what I do everyday, to (at times) be making things up as I go along, and to be making good art. I think it's important to make adjustments to your life if you don't like something...it's ok to make your own rules or to find your own way. 

If you wake up hating or dreading what you do everyday I challenge you to get up in the morning, put on a pot of coffee and make a list of the top 5 things you enjoy doing. Things that bring you the most joy. Then marinate on ways you can spend a majority of your life doing those things and surviving. I know what some of you might be thinking...I've heard it before: "that's a fairytale life, Steph" "I have kids or a significant other I have to support" "I need an adult job that pays the bills I don't have time to do things that make me happy for my career. That's all uncertain and unpredictable. I just need a normal job." I read this quote from Ellen once that stuck with me and ultimately was the catalyst for me handing in my resignation letter: "Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it." If that sums you up (like it did me at the time) and you are happy with it then press on friend and keep doing what you're doing! But if the thought of that makes you cringe in your bone marrow...make a change.

You only get one shot at life...could be 20 years long or 80 years long. Make it a good one that you're proud of and do your best to make it something you actually enjoy.

"I tended to do anything as long as it felt like an adventure and to stop when it felt like work. Which meant life did not feel like work."

"Make interesting mistakes, break rules...make the world more interesting for your being here. Make good art."

An update & a song.

"I can feel your heart beating closer than the poison of my pride."

Oh dang...I am loving this song so much right now. Also, I wanted to update you on my blog post with the 5 goals I am working on since the Womens Food Service Forum Conference I shot a couple weeks ago. Here were my goals to get done by the end of May:

1. Post an iPhone photo daily to my blog & a small story behind the image [DONE SO FAR]

2. Redesign & relaunch both of my brand websites within the month. [working on it, but it's going on happen!]

3. Drink 8 cups of water daily [weird this is the hardest one for me...but I can definitely say I am drinking more than I usually do.]

4. Go to the gym at LEAST 3 times a week. [HECK YEAH!! And on top of that my new hobby, mountain biking.]

5. Book 3 shoots in NYC. [2 of 3 booked and it's only May 4th!]

Thistle Farms. Ghana. Nashville. Stories.

Hi friends! This post is about a life changing organization I got to work with while I was in Nashville, TN called Thistle Farms. Thistle Farms is a social enterprise of Magdalene, which is a residential program for women who have survived lives of prostitution, trafficking, addiction and life on the streets. You know sometimes you just have those experiences that totally catch you off guard and you feel like you are right where you are supposed to be...well, that sums up my day spent with the women at Thistle Farms. Keep in mind, most of the time when I travel I go solo...just me and my camera. I like to get lost and meet people. So I made my way to their manufacturing facility in Nashville and had no idea what I was in for...but I was so excited to document the stories of these women and learn about the products that they've created [image on the left is a shot I took of a product I watched them create and package while I was there.] I was greeted right a way with a huge hug and "are you steph...the photographer?! I got my hair done for today!" And just like that I was in....lost in this amazing adventure. If you know me well...I don't cry very often. Let's just say I cried like a baby while sitting down with 2 of these women and hearing their stories. We cried together and hugged each other. Life is about connection. I had a "ah ha!" moment while sitting on that couch....I never EVER would've been sitting there listening to these amazing women tell me what they've been through and how proud they are of what they make if I had been sitting in a cubicle. It was a friday at 2pm...I am so happy I was far from what used to be comfortable and familiar. I am in the unknown everyday and it keeps me on my toes. Can't wait to share more about my entire Nashville trip soon! I left that day with a bag full of wonderful products, candles, a handmade journal, a happy heart and a bracelet I wear everyday that was made by women in Ghana. What an amazing creative trip. Follow Thistle Farms on Twitter. 
Currently listening to: 38 Special- Second Chance.

Bored With Life?

"Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours." - Dale Carnegie

Wow, does this quote sum up my life or what?! For those of you who know me well or have been following my story you will understand that. Here's the thing...I have so many things running through my brain right now but I will try to keep this blog short and sweet. 2 years ago I quit my job as Social Network Evangelist for one of the biggest surf companies in the industry. Hurley is an amazing company to work for and I spent almost 3 years working at their headquarters in Orange County, CA. Before that I worked in Human Resources at a hospital in CA....cubicles, business suits & heels...climbing the corporate ladder towards VP of HR. I had no idea what I wanted in life...I worked hard and made a good name for myself within the healthcare system but there was absolutely no passion in what I was doing. When I got offered the job at Hurley I quit in a second...this job was fun, I could skateboard around the office and I worked with amazing athletes, bands and celebrities. Just like at the hospital, I worked hard...I moved up in the company but something was missing. That feeling in my bone marrow that there is something MORE....hmmm something more rewarding. I needed to do something that made a difference, that was fueled by the passion and drive in my heart. I wanted to make my own schedule and have more time to volunteer. Out of the blue...I handed in my letter of resignation at Hurley and shocked a few people. One of those people being myself haha. I got a lot of "who quits a dream job like working with Hurley, Nike and Converse?! Who gives up that paycheck and the perks of working in that industry and not have something lined up?" I had no idea what I was going to do besides move somewhere random and make money [hopefully] but taking photos, making art, music, designing ANYTHING that utilized my talents. It was a test....I wanted to see if i could "make it"....if I could survive doing things that I love.

Here I am today in Dallas, TX... 2 years later and I just got off a conference call w/ my business partner [yes, I own a business now! and the story of how our worlds collided is so incredible] and an executive for an organization that wants to hire us to shoot their conference. Let me just say....to answer that question from earlier....A crazy person. A crazy person quits a 'dream' job. I had to chase my dream...and my dream at that time was to travel, take photos, meet new people and hear their stories. That is EXACTLY what I am doing....it IS worth it...if you feel stale on the insides, if you want something more in your career...take a risk. It's the risk takers that make a big impact and it is so much more rewarding when you have taken that leap into the unknown and make something of yourself from absolutely nothing. Last weekend we shot a 3,000 person event for a large organization [Womens Food Service Forum] and met a ton of amazing leaders in that community. Listening to Presidents and CEOs of companies like Starbucks and Cinnabon speak about social media strategies...wow, right up my alley! Such an inspiring event and I am so happy that I have connected with such wonderful individuals and that I get to work with them in the future. As of a couple hours ago we just booked another event with Summer Brand Camp in Dallas, TX. So I encourage you....if you hate your job, change it....do something you love and tell your story. Tell it to everyone:) Big things are happening....I knew 2012 was going to be a good year. So blessed. Hugs!!

Life Lesson #149.

“There comes a time in your journey when you start making choices from a very different place. And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom and love, it’s the right choice." -Angeles Arrien

Can I just say that I am so inspired and thrilled about the future of my career. So many amazing things have happened over the past couple of weeks that are confirmation to me that I am in the right place and have made good decisions to further my business. I needed to hear this quote....it reminded me to stay focused on things that are going to last. I am making a lot of important life decisions and I am realizing more and more how crucial it is to invest my time & energy into things that are inspiring, positive and healthy. 

Here is a little glimpse into some future blogs:

1. My last minute creative trip to Nashville.

2. Details on shooting for the WFF Conference 2012 at the Sheraton in Dallas, TX.

3. New love ballad YouTube Vids. Follow my channel HERE.

4. My fave work spots in Dallas.

We get one story, you and I, and one story alone.

“And once you live a good story, you get a taste for a kind of meaning in life, and you can't go back to being normal; you can't go back to meaningless scenes stitched together by the forgettable thread of wasted time.”

Hi friends of mine...near & far. This morning's blog post is simple but it's often those seemingly simple tasks that are the most difficult to do. I would encourage everyone...TELL YOUR STORY. let people get to know you...cry a little. be vulnerable. be real. make a connection. i have a big story to tell and today I am sitting down to tell it...not because it makes me comfortable but because it's the right thing to do. Many of you know that my "story" is all over social media...BUT that is the filtered story of Steph. I have spent years, countless hours and tears writing in these brown journals. Sure, I've kept this blog mostly for those things I am comfortable sharing with you. But who knows...maybe words on these beat up pages will stick to someones heart and make a small difference in how a person is treated. Nothing is more real to someone until it hits home. This is my story. This is my song. Stay tuned.

And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. -Donald Miller | Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

Monday smiles.

I LOVE videos that make me smile. There are so many interesting people in the world...meeting people & hearing stories...doesn't get much better than that. the duckduck collective really captures that.

Figs & Ginger from John Carl on Vimeo.

unbound i go.

"We went on a road trip for 30 days to 30 cities filming stories of people around America. This film is a compilation and summation of that journey." - duckduckcollective.com

This film was shown in San Francisco on October 17th and NYC on October 22nd.

Short Film - Levi's "Go Forth" from John Carl on Vimeo.

the fun theory.

I am in love with the song JUNEBUG by Robert Francis. GO GET IT FOR FREE HERE

taking it back to the old school.

Gypsy Den with the Surfing50States boys.

sometimes i eat lunch at my desk because there's always something to research. Today I ended up going back in time and i stumbled across one of my old blogs. It's crazy...

1. how much I used to write on here

2. how busy and distracted I got.

3. how reading old words put you right back there in that moment in time and you remember EXACTLY what you were referring to.

4. how people that were a huge part of your life just aren't there anymore. Friends part ways, hearts are hurt, relationships damaged...learn something from every person and situation, love large amounts, and don't take anyone or any moment for granted.

If you have time take a gander at this...

the best part of waking up

CURRENT SONG: Even Born Again- Sarah Jaffe

Surfing 50 States.

Gotta love my Aussie buds Jonno & Stefan (http://www.surfing50states.com/). Read this interview with them and watch their trailer:) READ THIS

Surfing 50 States Teaser Trailer from Jonno Durrant on Vimeo.

certifiably nuts.

"I was certifiably nuts. I was crazy in everyone's mind but my own. I knew nothing about Austin, other than it was the capital of Texas. . .I was 22 and had absolutely nothing tying me down. If I didn't move away at that moment, when I had the most energy and the strongest desire, I would be stuck wondering "what if" for the rest of my natural life. I would rather move away and fail miserably than live with that uncertainty hanging over my head for decades. . .It would be good for me to leave the security of my job, my family, and my friends in Nebraska in exchange for total ambiguity and isolation. I would just have to make the leap of faith and trust God to fill in the blanks." -jen austen

desire.

I can barely sit still.....something is stirring inside of me and it's unlike anything I have ever experienced. it's intense and really good.

"My desire is burning like a million stars and i'll keep reaching out for you. My desire is burning with the fire you sparked."

Pleonexia & tic tac toe

A word that has echoed in my head for about one month. I tried to shake it off but it was lodged in my brain for good. PLEONEXIA.

"the insatiable desire to have what rightfully belongs to others"

"will pursue its own interests with complete disregard for the rights of others"

"to have a taste of something...and to lust for more."

"never being satisfied"

it's pretty simple. we are all faulty by nature BUT...we know better. Are we ever completely satisfied with where we are at that present moment? Something could always be better...someone could make us happier. There's always something to complain about...something to pick apart and overanalyze until it looks undesireable. We go through this not only in relationships but with everything. I had a job at a hospital....i enjoyed it, i mastered each position I was in, increased my pay and built my resume, but after awhile i dreaded it...i did NOT want to put on a business suit and go to work. i told myself that there HAD to be something better for me...something that fit me. I got the job at Hurley...LOVED IT, dream job. Web content & photography turned into web design. I did that for awhile and took something from it but ultimately decided i didn't want to do that...I didn't like it because it just wasn't "my cup of tea". Social networking is my thing...fun job. Now I sit here and think... I am blessed to have a good paying job that is flexible but is it REALLY my passion? am I ever going to do what I am passionate about? What AM i passionate about? I want to make a differnce and help people without concern for myself and how i'm going to make it in life. At what expense? I get rid of all things comfortable because i want something more. I have been writing about this same thing for 2 years. One day I will do it but seriously... am i always going to want what I don't have?

cubes are like cages.

while my body sits in this cubicle my mind lives a very exciting & magical life.

these videos inspire me...take a look:

a night in lynchburg from John Carl on Vimeo.

when my insides do flips.

"Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul and then walks grinning in the funeral." -Kahlil Gibran

i would expand with my own thoughts and feelings but there is no need. this has started a fire in my soul. ouch.

i have a lot to say.

just not enough time to say it all. one day i will pour out my heart on here. until then...mat kearney is making my day. thanks g love.

the world is too big to never ask why
the answers don’t fall straight out of the sky
i’m fighting to live and feel alive
but i can’t feel a thing without you by my side
send me out a lifeline

you’re watching everyone you ever belonged to
walk away from you
maybe all along you’ve been running from the truth

there’s nothing i would change, i’d give it all away
for you again and again and over again

felt this one in the marrow...

kandk1 12 @ Yahoo! Video

raindrops & glowsticks....

okay, so maybe i am easily entertained...but i love this.

music vids that tug at heart strings

waking up from a dream that feels so real makes my heart ache....i hate it, but i love it at the same time. makes me remember that i am not numb and that my heart is still fully alive in here. dreams are crazy things...sometimes i have woken up reaching for someone, with tears everywhere. i have awoken angry at someone when they have done nothing at all. Sometimes things in my dreams seem incredibly tangible....and to awake from that dream alone in a dark room is a shock. i frantically search for something familiar. anywhere. nothing...so i close my eyes and hope everything comes back.



Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened
You and me
Always between the lines