Nine Goals in 2018. Wanna join me?

In my previous blog post, I focused on 2017. Now that we are a few weeks into 2018, it's time to shift gears. 

Sticking to my "if I write it on my blog, I will do it" mindset, I announce my plans for 2018.

#1. Continue to be a blessing to our Compassion International Child, Beatrice. While the distance is great, enriching Beatrice's life is greater. I will continue to keep her in my prayers and lift her up. 

#2. Be a better example to my daughter. Show her by example that no one should bully or coerce her with putdowns, negativity, or "controlling" behaviors. Teach her that those who abuse their "power" can and will be held accountable. ALSO - - - > Yes, it is ok to "tell on someone" when that someone is completely out of line. 

#3. (This ties into #2.) Have a stronger backbone. 

#4. Walk through trials and challenges knowing that I do not walk alone. I have God and his son, Jesus. I also have people who actually WANT to support me. I need to accept that I cannot and should not shoulder all the stress alone. 

#5. Be kinder to those who continue to show me kindness. I take some of my biggest champions for granted. Time to stop that and show them the kindness they show me. 

#6. Don't pressure myself to enter art shows and jump through other hoops just for the sake of being a Photographer. To clarify, only do an art show if I want to and have the time to. Being in an art show doesn't make or break me as an artist. 

#7. Be kind to myself (enough said). 

#8. Find some new "plant-based" foods that don't make me gag. There has to be something out there for me! 

#9. Read More. Write More. 

I'll end it there. I think these goals can help me lead a pretty sweet life in 2018. As you know, I'll be checking in here from time to time to make sure I am keeping my word! 

What are your goals? 
Do you set a few to kick off each year? 
Feel free to comment or message me. 
Join me for the journey! 

Until next time,
M of MK Designs 

Thoughts on a Windowless Life

I am convinced that a "windowless life" is no way to live. Yet, I do it every school year. 

Last night, I needed a break from the lack of scenery. I went to Reiker Ford Access near my home to have a moment of water, green, and sky. 

My silence was interrupted by a man who pulled up in his truck. I watched as he surveyed the river. It was a little too high to cross and he decided to turn around. 

Before he left, he and I had a pretty short, yet insightful exchange of words. 

The conversation we had went a little like this:

"You waiting on a floater?" - he. 

"No, I work in a windowless room all day and sometimes I need 30 to 40 minutes to just NOT..." - me.

"Oh, Wow! I hear ya, no windows all day would make me wanna just stand here and NOT, often!" - he. 

And, with a chuckle and a wave, he drove away. 

I find it interesting that someone who doesn't know me at all can instantly "get" me and my situation. 

Windows are something many of us take for granted. When we find ourselves in a situation where we spend 8+ hours a day without them, we understand their true value.

Once I am back at work and living my windowless life, I go for walks and drives much more. I ache for it. 

I am sure I am not alone in my windowless life. 

~M of MK Designs August 2016
mkdesignsphoto.com 

These Days: A Little Recap of My 2016 Goals: Cooking, Watching, Reading, Finishing, Uplifting, and Expanding!

It's been awhile, so... remember my 2016 Resolutions?

BACK TO...Cooking. Watching. Reading. Finishing. Uplifting. Expanding. 

Cooking. I have not done well at this lately. However, I have been willing to try new recipes and consume vegetables that I have previously avoided. I have realized that I like cauliflower steamed with cheese and also with a buffalo seasoning. It really is almost as good as buffalo chicken wings!

Watching. I am excited that there are new episodes of "Grace and Frankie" on Netflix. My mom and I enjoyed the first season and it appears season two is going to be just as fun. 

Reading. I just finished "Generation iY" by Tim Elmore. I have asked my friend, Katie, if I can keep it a little longer to take a few notes and do some more research. It is a God-send. 

Reading (continued). I am now working on reading the book "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" by Ben Montgomery. I am ripping through it at a fast clip thanks to the combo of being on summer break and it's just that good of a read. I am thankful my friend, Kara, loaned it to me!

Finishing. I am SO close on finishing some new flower bed projects and cleaning up some old ones, I can't stand it! I am also SO close to finally finishing that mosaic project AND culling/editing my photos from Yellowstone/Tetons trip last July...it's almost silly. I will be happy once I can check those off my to-do list. 

Uplifting. Lately I have been feeling that more and more people WANT things done for them, but don't want to be the one digging in and doing the WORK that helps make those things happen. One example is at my church. Many who attend want things to just "happen" without having to do the work. So, today I decided to step out of my role as one of those individuals that just wants to be served and try to be someone who helps with the serving.

I signed up to get donations and help a little with our upcoming VBS, offered to help with our communications team, and reached out to my friend, Steph, to see if I can help with our Youth Group. 

Did I bite off more than I can chew? Not sure I did, actually. I think these are small things I can do for people who have given so much to me. I did feel pretty excited when three people were thankful for the little things I did and offered. 

I think if more of us would work towards serving others instead of always being served, the world (and even my little church) would be a much better place. 

Expanding. I am taking the time to learn more about the duties of my county assessor and what actions we can take when said elected official messes up big time. Why? Well, the school district I work for (and all schools in our county) were not given the proper estimate for tax revenue. It wasn't just a "little" off, let's just leave it at that. So, I am learning to find my voice and figuring out what channels that voice needs to use to report the injustice that has happened in our county. 

On that note, I find this fitting:

As I continue this journey, do you have any suggestions for me? 

What should I be...Cooking, Watching, Reading, or Expanding? 

Do you have any ideas for people or groups I can "uplift," because I am open to those, too!

Until next time, 

~ M of MK Designs

March 2016

Creative isn't a TYPE. It's about Heart, Hand, and Head...

Over the past 41 1/2 years I have become more and more in tune with what I feel isn't a gift only bestowed upon certain "special" people. The older I get, the more I believe creativity is something found within all of us. However, too many people are afraid to be creative. 

Ask a 5 year old if they want to do something creative and they get excited. If a 15 year old is asked to be creative, about half of them shut down. Tell a 40 year old to do something creative and MOST find an excuse to leave the room. 

It makes me scream out mentally, "WHAT!?!?"

I am a firm believer that creative isn't a type. I get so sick of hearing things like, "Michelle, I am not a creative type like you are."

It's something found within all of us at birth. Something goes wrong along the way. Our creative thoughts and desires are often destroyed or ignored. Maybe it's a kid sitting by you in 7th grade who tells you that you can't draw well, or maybe it's a teacher who says your sky should be blue when you really feel it should be pinky-orange. 

The reality is we all have this drive to create and when we don't answer that drive...well, it makes for some misery. 

I think we all have the potential to change the world one creative way at a time, especially if we go at it based on the 3 H's artist Shea Hembrey (http://www.sheahembrey.com) mentioned in a TED Talk he gave. 

Heart: our creative art and/or outlet has emotion connected to it. 
Hand: craftsmanship and fine quality.
Head: it has intellect - it makes us and people around us think.

I think creativity is everywhere, and I thank God for it. 

Thank God Jessica is creative with fashion and words. You can follow her at "MostOrdinary" on facebook, or check out her blog: http://mostordinaryblog.blogspot.com She makes the world more beautiful not just by being in it, but by inspiring people. She's so awesome at helping them find the clothing that fits not only their bodies, but their personalities. She's just an overall interesting person. Her heart is fully into what she does. 

I am thankful that Gabe with Camping Missouri (http://campingmissouri.org) is so creative. He's constantly trying to make the world a better place with his words and actions. He for sure puts his hand into his creative outlet. He gets muddy and messy to clean our natural places with Operation CleanStream. The end result is one of the finest quality. Who can argue with clean streams!? He's also creative in that through both his emotion and logic, he can get a lot of people to give a damn. We need more of that in today's world.

I view my parents as creative. My mom makes the coolest "upcycled" tote bags, and t-shirt quilts. She is amazing at taking things that are cast off and giving them a new purpose, instead of being filler for the dump.

She and my dad have recently teamed up to repurpose old frames, or cabinet doors. They distress them, add fun features, put in a chalk board and/or cork board. The end results are so fun to see. 

All the creations my parents come up with have heart, hand, and head. They always make me think about the things we think are worth hitting the trashcan. All products are made with the finest craftsmanship. There's certainly heart there, too. The end results often make me smile. 

Growing up, my parents always inspired me with gardening. That's another form of creativity. Will my thumb ever be as green as my mom's or dad's? I am not sure, but today it felt great adding more hosta starts, mulch, rocks, etc. for a back shade-loving flower bed. Nothing grows there, so this is indeed an improvement. Using my hands to create this made me feel good. It was like some question was being answered inside of me. When we don't take the time to create; be it a flowerbed or a cleaner stream - - we lose a piece of who we are.

I know I am blessed that where I teach, I am surrounded by people who believe in creativity and encouraging others to tap into their creative urges. My friend across the hall, Juli, is one example. Through her "day job" and her other side efforts like (http://oliveandashstudio.blogspot.com), Juli is someone that is the example of living a life where you answer those calls. She so often works with her hands, and her projects have emotion and intellect behind them. You can also follow her on facebook at Juli Schuster at Olive and Ash Studio.

I don't care if you're diggin in the dirt, stitching on fabric, using words to inspire, clicking photographs, or cleaning up someone else's mess... we ALL have this calling within us to be creative. We need to answer it. If we don't, it sure makes for some sad days.

Until next time,
M of MK Designs