Friday, August 18, 2006

Balance and color and playing around...

Totally a thing I would do...so I did it. There are probably a million other things I should be doing or could be doing (like writing belated thank-you's for Bella's birthday gifts last month), instead, I'm playing with Photoshop.
You can click on the image to see the photos enlarged...and then leave me a comment about what color you like best. You know- like a Nitty.Gritty. reader survey. I suppose I could leave these in a strip and turn it into a bookmark. I was just thinking that the pink might be a little too 'Heidi Swappish'. I've heard comments that I look like her or could be her sister. In this scrap-business, that's a compliment, but I definitely have my own thing going on. Actually, I think all the colors suit me- I think it's more my personality to have several colors as my signature. Not that I have split personalities, but that I lots of energy and interests...and I love colors!
I have no idea where all this bold, self-talk is coming from. I'm just having fun getting to know my inner self. I think it has to do in part, from the "me-time" I've been getting lately. Chip bought a new bike a few weeks ago, and I have managed to get up for morning rides (20-25 minutes) each morning...or at least almost every morning. It feels good. That fresh, morning air, the quiet of my neighborhoods, the birds chirping and the sun just starting to warm my face. It has made me realize for the first time in 33 years, that balance isn't just a nice idea to strive for in life, but that it actually has rewards and benefits.
I'm beginning to understand how all the 'parts' of me fit together- the spiritual, the mental, the emotional and the physical. While I know I'll never be a "Twiggy-type", there is something to be said about doing something for yourself physically to feel your best. I am loving the fact that for 20 minutes or so each day, I am refueling myself in more than one way. In doing a physical activity, I have added time for myself metally and spiritually. I haven't had to stretch myself out more thinly in other areas of my life, or taken away something to make way for this added benefit. It seems that it just naturally has worked itself out. I think that's the key to balance in the end. Not to give up, or to take away...but to somehow create an environment where all the pieces work together and run smoothly simultaneously.
Hear me out on this one, though. I'm not claiming that there aren't still issues in my life, or daily challenges and struggles. But, these pieces all have their place in my life. I guess one of those pieces is my creativity. Which is why I played around with colors inPhotoshop. Part of having balance in my life means having room for fun. Sometimes too much fun maybe. That's my choice...and as far as I'm concerned, fun and happiness always adds more balance to my life. I hope you find ways to incorporate balance into your own life. If things seems out of balance, maybe you should start by adding some color- some fun- some fresh air. Just add a little something to make you feel good, and I guarantee you, your life will for whatever reason, feel a bit more balanced. And that's a neat thing!

27 comments:

Kari said...

Hi Jody!!!

The photos are all great but I'm partial to the green (#1 choice) and the teal (#2 choice).

Keep up the good work with the morning rides. Isn't it so beautiful in the mornings!! So quiet, peaceful and amazing. I've also started getting up in the mornings with our new puppy and have been running with him. It's been great!!!

I also crave balance in my life...your words of wisdom have inspired me to try some color somewhere, whether it be clothing, pictures, scrapping or at home. Last night I updated my blog saying I needed simplicity and patience in my life...but balance would also be an awesome addition!!

It's Friday!!! Have a great day!!

Kari

CathyVal said...

I love the teal photo! I'm with you on the pink - it's kinda Heidi Swappish!!! TEAL!! It's ORIGINAL and you are totally ORIGINAL, that's why I love reading your blog!

cara harjes said...

I also prefer the green or teal . . .
if you really want to have fun with gathering opinions, check out pollhost.com . . . it takes about three minutes to download a free poll onto your blog.

as for balance . . . yes and yes!

Anonymous said...

Green is my top choice

Anonymous said...

I think the teal or the pink. How about a purple background?

Anonymous said...

I may be alone on this, but I really liked the pink.

StefaniaB said...

Well...I'm Italian so, forgive me if I really don't know what "teal" means...:( I haven't found it in the dictionary.. anyway, I think that all colors suit you, and maybe you can use them all leading your daily mood...though the best to me is the "orange", It makes me think of your solarity (is it correct?).

Anonymous said...

I like pink the best, but a very close second would be the teal/blue one.

Dede Warren said...

my vote:

teal
or
orange

Anonymous said...

Hi Jody!

I like the idea of using all of them in a strip as in "There are many moods of Jody"! After that I would have to say teal.
I love my morning exercise time - outside it's the most beautiful time of day.
I can work so many things out when I'm on my own with just the fresh air and the birds chattering.
Have a happy day!
Karen

Anonymous said...

Jody -- I recently discovered your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I love your insight, very inspirational in deed!

As for the colors...I like the whole strip thing, very cool. I agree the pink is kind of Heidi Swappish. So my next choice is green or red.

Looking forward to reading more. Now, I think I might consider actually riding the bike my husband and sons gave me for Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Turquoise, my friend, turquoise.

Anonymous said...

My first choice would be the green, second the red, third teal and I`m sorry to say the pink last. Its not vibrant enough for you. I really like how the red jumps out at you, maybe red is my first.

linda t said...

OK... I'm sitting here sipping my homemade coconut iced latte... reading my favorite blogs... the laundry is done... I have 66 pictures from Snapfish to scrap... life is good & balanced at the moment!

Jody, I'm liking the green!

Megan said...

Love the pink!

Anonymous said...

Hiya Jody~

I really like the pink but understand that you don't want to be like Heidi. Soooooo my next choice would be the teal. But I like the whole strip too! Just too many choices! =)

Have a wonderful weekend~

Tammy in Michigan

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog. It has touched me and also has inspired me to think about my life and where I'm at. Thank you for sharing.

Shawnna Samples said...

wow what a great post -- i wish i had read it this morning though - my day would have been a little more BALANCED maybe and i wouldn't be left feeling frazzled at 5:35pm

Cris said...

I'm thinking maybe the orange to go with your personality. It's bright, cheerful, and it sort of jumps out at you saying, HI THERE! But mostly that seemed to be the one that caught my eye the most. :)

Anonymous said...

Are these for use on the blog? The green or the orange go best with your current background. Nothing against pink itself, but the one you're using here is too bland or pale - it doesn't 'pop' with the grayscale photo. So if I were to use the strip, I'd remove the pink one.

By the way, I'm someone who has been inspired (for lack of a better word) by your blog to add more fun to my family's life. I've been in treatment for depression the past few months, and one reason I started treatment was because I didn't like the effect my moods were having on my children. Now that we are back to a 'normal' baseline, I'm trying to improve it by being more encouraging and fun and spontaneous, and you are helping me to see ways to do that. Thanks!

aimee said...

Definitely the teal.

I am so glad you have found "me" time. Sometimes moms forget to take care of themselves and then found themselves drained and cranky. I know that has happened to me lately. I have just moved and no time to scrap has left me a little grumpy!

I like the idea of a bookmark too!

Jenny said...

Wow Jody!

I saw the pictures, and read a bit, and zoomed in and decided I really liked the way you used 5 colors. Then I read where you wanted to pick one. I really like all 5. Why can't that be a choice? So then I decided I really like the pink, I like the black pink contrast. Then I read about how you were trying to not look like Heidi Swappish. You don't :)You look Nitty and Gritty and Jodyish! I say keep all 5 colors!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jody

Before I read all the comments I immediately went towards the pink one, which I think was a combination of it being my favorite color, but also that it was the one you posted previously.

Then, I told myself to not choose my favorite color, and ended up with the teal. So the whole pink vs teal debate was going on inside my head while it was also raging on the comments board!

I crave balance in my life right now - it's like a little cycle. I don't seem to be able to find enough energy to get out and active, but if I did exercise more I would have more energy, etc. So I'm going to try harder. :)

Claire (Wellington, NZ)

Anonymous said...

Jody,
I love all the colors & like the idea of the color "strip". I love the pink & really love the color of the teal, but I keep getting pulled toward the orange. It seems to say "pizzaz" or "spice" or "sassy". It's different and not the "norm".

You are great & seem to be so much fun !

Have a great week-end !

Jackie Carl
Marion, IN

Anonymous said...

sorry...should be "pizzazz".

jackie carl

Joy said...

I like the first one -- it's either burgundy or a really red-orange.

I also wanted to add that it's SO refreshing to find someone who has found peace, comfort, and joy in the midst of terrible circumstances in their Lord, not in drugs. Even among the Christian mothers of special-needs children or who have lost a child in my circle of acquaintance, I am the only mother in my situation who isn't taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. I have never even considered it because God is more than sufficient to carry me through anything He sees fit to bring into my life. He has never failed me, and I know from Scripture that He won't fail me in the future, either. Thanks for your testimony.

Anonymous said...

TEAL. My favorite color, and obviously it's a good color for you.