She showed up to the party wearing the wrong colours, her hair up when it should have been down. Instantly her voice started cracking, knowing that even though she showed up, it was highly likely she would say the wrong thing or laugh at the most inappropriate moments. So used to the comfort of flat boots, she tottered on her new heels and fell over, and remembered that grace is found in the moment regardless of the execution.
When I was asked to contribute to Life As A Human, my first reaction was the glow of a smile that spread within, immediately followed by that worry in the pit of my stomach. I have no problem showing up at my blog and writing up a storm, spilling poetry and colour and snippets of stories.
I have no problem sitting down at my blog and sharing my first baby steps as I venture into the world of drawing and painting and I don’t even have a problem sharing my process or creations or telling you about that first wedding that I photographed when I dropped and broke that oh so expensive lens.
I sat with the worry and tried to remember when I had last felt this sort of nervousness. The last time was not that long ago, in fact, when I opened an email from a writer who I so completely admired, and found within it a request to be included in a collaborative book that she was creating. There was that spark of pure and instant joy, which was quickly replaced by fretting and worry. I realized then as I realize now that I have a fear of letting others down, especially those who have put so much time and effort into bringing their creation to fruition.
I can’t help but say yes to passionate people who are excited and willing to get down and work to see their vision come to life. They are bright yellow ribbons floating across a puffed sky of blue reflected in the lights that dance across your smiling eyes.
I think that all beginnings, awkward or filled with grace, deserve a bit of a celebration, and so I want to celebrate Life As A Human by throwing a giveaway. I did say yes to being a part of that collaborative book, which was put together in less time than it usually takes me to make a decision. And I recently held this gorgeous book in my hands and was amazed at what beauty can be created when people come together with a similar vision.
Win a Copy of Lanterns: What Are You Celebrating Today?
I have an extra copy and would love to mail it off to one of you. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you are celebrating today (and it could be as simple as finding your way out of the house with matching socks). I will announce the winner on Sunday, February 28, 2010, chosen by a random generator.
“Lanterns: A Gathering of Stories offers a kind light to weary travelers wishing for companions on the journey toward a well-crafted soul. Stories, poems, and essays offer signposts and gentle guidance, reminding readers that resistance melts away in the company of those who believe in the path set before us. By illuminating the ways we can move outside of our interior reflections into a more inclusive whole, this lovely book provides a way into togetherness that will encourage and inspire anyone longing for authentic connection around their creative work.” —Jen Lemen, artist, activist, dreamer
To read more about the book and hear an excerpt, please visit The Word Cellar.
I look forward to reading your comments and coming here, to this space, and sharing bits of my photography, art, stories, poetry — and you know, as always, bits of my personal journey, my life as a human.
Photo Credits
“Grace” © 2010 Darlene J Kreutzer. All rights reserved.
“Lanterns, A Gathering of Stories by Jennifer McGuiggan and Friend: front cover image” © 2010 Darlene J Kreutzer. All rights reserved.
I am celebrating health, as I overcome a pesky cold, and the beautiful blossom branches my dear friend brought to my living space yesterday to welcome spring. I am celebrating life in all forms, in all its beauty.
The fact that the day started out crumby (got up late, got everywhere else late, had argument with daughter and husband) and realized that all that didn’t make a difference and things can and did turn themselves around.
I’m celebrating doing the little things for myself, like taking baths and reading poetry and lounging in bed, now that I know i have postpartum depression.
That’s a very good question. What am I celebrating on an average regular day? I love seeing things that people create. That’s what brought me here and to other wonderful stops on the web train. Celebrating new creations. Your opening paragraph was especially beautiful.
I’m celebrating family as I spend time with my sisters today.
Today I am celebrating the ways that I am showing up for myself, on the Yoga mat, and in my working through some mental shedding and healing..
I will celebrate by doing some fun creative things!
i am celebrating L O V E. xx
Hi-
I came from Jenna’s status on facebook.
I am celebrating women and their skills in communicating, collaborating and collecting their talents – culminating in this book.
thank you for a chance to share in this “togetherness”.
Today I am celebrating salvation. I am celebrating the wonder and amazement fear can induce when we step outside of it’s cloak and watch how it falls into the leaves and dust. I am celebrating trying new things.
I am celebrating having absolutely no clue who I am, where I am going, how I’m going to get there, and why I want these things. I am celebrating being stripped, being bare, being a freshly-stretch blank canvas waiting in the sunlight of the studio windows.
I am celebrating me. And whoever she is, through all her foibles and cacophonous blunders, I LOVE HER.
Thanks for sharing your process with us. You are a lovely reminder and gentle inspiration.
Congratulations Sara 🙂 I’ll get in touch with you to make arrangements to pass along “lanterns” to you.
I so love that you are celebrating you, xox
I don’t think it’s fair for me to enter, since I know you, but right now I am celebrating:
1) you living the dream of bloggers everywhere, regardless of how awkward the first steps are
2) athletes pouring their hearts and souls into the sports they love, celebrating their own and other’s success with unbridled enthusiasm
<3
Hmmm … what am I celebrating? I guess I could look at the fact that I am just sitting down to sip “riive” tea in prepartion to heading back into work at 8 pm at night as pretty dismal. But, on the other hand, at least my skills are valued and I have work and so many blessings surrounding me as I sit in my home office. So I celebrate having the luxury of being paid for what, in essence, I love.
1. My daughter’s name is grace, like your photo. 2. I am celebrating not losing it over nearly getting backed into in a meijer parking lot, and making homemade pizza for dinner. 3. I am also celebrating that after 3 tries, I’ve managed to reply to this by phone while laying in bed with my little one at nearly 1am.