#discoveringsarahjane

Life without resolutions 

Just three days into my project I am learning that finding the fascinating in my everyday may not be a challenge. Instead it will be finding the time for reflection. 

Today is a perfect example of this dilemma. 

This morning I woke up to a half dozen emails that all required immediate responses, needed to set up two meetings, had a model cancel for a photo shoot and rescheduled another shoot. All before a single cup of coffee, let alone quite time with my Bible. By the time my 10am class rolled around I was already thinking of when I could fit a nap in my hectic afternoon schedule.

After a day's worth of checking items off my to-do list my mind was in a haze. Sitting at my desk more than 13 hours after having gotten up I have little interest in tackling the homework that lies ahead of me, the emails that are filling up my inbox or the text list on my phone screen. What sounds good is sleep.

Today has shown me is that if I am going to thrive I need a dose of intentionality. 

Tomorrow my alarm will go off a little earlier so that before emails and texts are responded to I will have spent some quality time with the Lord. Then somewhere amonst my attempts at productivity I will make time to better reflect on the day's journey.  

Here's hoping this will actually happen. 

Curiously,
Sarah Jane

#discoveringsarahjane

Instagram and life lessons

For friends, family and my 187 followers on Instagram, the concept of me doing a year-long project through the popular photography application is nothing new. 

If you don't know me personally or haven't taken a look at my Instagram account, allow me to give you a bit of a backstory.

On November 22, 2012 I dislocated my left knee. The searing pain of a simple fall continued through months of braces, wheelchairs, churches, physical therapy. I was in no shape to fully care for myself as I was incapable of maneuvering my parent's home without risking further damage to my knee. As a result, I had to move out of my campus apartment for a couple weeks so that my family could help me. For what seemed like an eternity, I felt certain my knee would never be the same again. Even thinking about bending my knee again created a nauseating fear within me. It seemed I would never again experience the simple pleasure of being able to curl up in bed.    

Then an amazing thing happened. Just before finals, I was able to move back into my apartment. To celebrate my mom gave me a blue mosaic glass candle holder, complete with a battery operated tea light. I set it in my room on top of a stack of magazines I had snagged from home and it made me smile. For the first time in a long time, I was happy. 

That simple joy gave me an idea.  

#onehappythingaday

Starting that day, I began posting a daily photo of something that made me happy. The purpose of the endeavor was to make me conscious of the blessings and happiness that my life held. For a year I found something every day that fit the category, and it rewrote my outlook on life. I became happier, more grateful and far more aware of the little things in life. Even on bad days where school and work seemed to bury me, something stood out to me that I was able to find cheer in. Some days it was as simple as a good cup of coffee, others it was having time with family or going to Disneyland with friends. 

Now that #onehappythingaday has ended, I have carried that mentality into my current project. So far #discoveringsarahjane has been showing me the impact that specific people have on me, and as a result I am becoming more appreciative of them and their input. 

Not knowing what this journey has in store for me has made me to be one curious gal. What will I discover today?

Curiously,
Sarah Jane 

#discoveringsarahjane

Focusing on finding a way through the new year sans resolutions  

Come January first it seems everyone is making resolutions for the new year. Be it losing weight, traveling, reading more or breaking bad habits, the hopes of 2013 are swirling about like the confetti in Times Square.

Replace the confetti with snow and pine needles, and somewhere amongst these ideas stands a college girl unsure of how she wants to tackle the choices that lie ahead. That girl is of course, me.

On New Year’s Eve I was asked what my resolutions were; a typical question to which I stumbled to find a suitable answer. What my frazzled brain responded with were two things that I honestly do wish to see happen in 2013 - read my Bible all the way through once again, and save money for my ensuing post-graduation life.

As soon as the words passed my lips I knew that they weren't quite enough. There is so much more that I hope to see out of the year.

The Lord used 2012 to create personal growth and new perspective within me, and I simply cannot let 2013 pass without intentionally working on ways to continue that work.

Countless prayers asked what in my life needed change or improvement and for hours my brain chased rabbits in attempts to find a creative way to do so. At long last I came to the conclusion that what my life needs is discovery. Discovery of new people, experiences, fears, realities and challenges. I have finally come to a point where I am in love with life and can see that there are endless points of fascination surrounding me, so now it's time to discover them.

I will be blogging about these discoveries and life in general throughout the year in hopes that come next New Year's Eve this year's discoveries will have prepared me to be a fearless and passionate woman of God. Going along with these blog posts will be daily Instagram photos with the hashtag, #discoveringsarahjane.

Welcome to another page in the book that is my curious life. 

Curiously,
Sarah Jane

Identity Crisis

Pinterest has become one of my guilty pleasures.

Can't sleep? Pinterest.

On break at work? Pinterest.

Bored? Pinterest.

Feeling crafty? Pinterest. 

Most often I enjoy these moments of distraction and inspiration, but this afternoon something changed. 

As I scrolled down the familiar webpage pinning, repinning and commenting on everything from recipes I hope to try in my new apartment to photography ideas there was a very simple post that made me start to think. 

You simply can't go on Pinterest and not see inspirational quotes. It just doesn't happen. I myself am guilty of having a small collection of such items. So why did seeing one amongst the many pins on my screen stop me in my tracks?

It wasn't bad. It didn't curse. It didn't necessarily go against my faith or morals. 

"All I need is time. Time to figure out who I am, who I want to be and where I want to go".

In all honesty I almost pinned it on my "Things that suit me" board. Then God reminded me of something.

Like a whisper in my heart the words came through crystal clear.  

"You know who you are, you are My child. You are a woman of God. You know where you're going. Wherever I send you". 

In a way I want to thank Pinterest for bringing about such a validating reminder. Yet again, I wish that pin didn't exist. The very fact that it is currently floating about on countless virtual pin boards says there are that many others without the loving conformation of identity through Christ. 

To whoever reads this - if I can pass one thing along to you it is that the Creator of the universe stitched you together with a purpose. He created you. He loves you. He has saved you. Each of us has a unique story 

My identity is one with my faith in the Lord, and it is an amazingly peaceful blessing. 

Curiously,
Sarah Jane