. . .& adventurous!

I will tell you that I have never really been much of an adventurer.

I would maybe try something new, IF someone I trusted had already tried it and could honestly tell me it would all be ok.

The forts we explored as kids around our ranch had already been "mapped out" by our older siblings and cousins; I was pretty much satisfied with "going on adventures" in my books.

My first big adventure came after graduating from high school and moving eight hours away for college. New state, new "home," new. . .everything! While there, I not only learned new aspects of art and design but also that I can be adventurous and get outside my comfort zone and like most people, I learned more about myself and how to find the lesson to be learned when things aren't different than anticipated.

My newest adventure reminds me a lot about my time at college. Partially because I'm able to use what I learned there, but also that there is always a lesson to learn.

And a very big lesson I've learned is if you take the time to dream about something, then you owe it to the possibility of what could be to take that first step of courage towards a new adventure.

A while back; or has it only been a month?! Time is so weird right now.

Anyways, a certain amount of time ago, I wrote about taking another brave step towards my design business by asking for those I've worked with to write something of a review for me. Well, I just got around to doing that and I would love for you all to check out the new page on this site > Brite Idea Designs.

I have shared the logos I created for them as well as the reviews they very supportively wrote for me. I have also been trying to be more intentional about trying to find ways to be more active on my Facebook Page, Brite Idea Designs (@BriteIdeaDesigns406).

This is scary for me. Not only putting myself out there but also, can I really do this? Can I really work from home?

Regardless of how this adventure unfolds I have already learned some valuable lessons in time management and setting priorities. The more reminders I have for myself - written and phone calendar - the better, as well as choosing what is more important during the day: working/writing or housework/play. These are something I have really been struggling with during this interesting time where my schedule is so different compared to what the previous six months had been. A TON more time at home BUT trying to manoeuver around being available for schoolwork help and younger two boys' shenanigans and wanting to get outside when it's nice enough and then, of course, the other housework that really never got done in the first place and is therefore so easy to ignore in order to "get some work done." Let's just say I've chosen a not-all-together-convenient time to really dive into this new adventure, BUT if not now, when? Ima right?!

One thing I have found is that when I choose writing or designing over housework versus housework over Netflix/nap/reading I still feel more productive. Is that because it's something I truly enjoy? Or because it's enjoyable and productive? So, therefore, I feel uber productive? Who knows, but in my mind when you add something enjoyable to skipping out on housework - well I'll choose that every day, if it were possible!

But in all reality, there are still days when I choose Netflix/nap/reading over all the productiveness; that is the habit I've been working to relearn during this shift from my past "normal" routines.

Gosh, that is an adventure in itself right there! Especially when you think about the definition of adventure:

an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.

"Typically hazardous" - doesn't that just FEEL like a good fit for right now?

And as I'm writing this other adventures come to mind, even though I've never thought of them that way before; motherhood (ok, I knew that would be an adventure), moving to the ranch, teaching kids' church. Looking back on these few situations I can see how they were/are adventures while at that particular time they just seemed nerve-wracking or overwhelming or just flat out scary. But when I read this quote from my new devotional, Take It Too Far:

"When I follow His voice, His call to places outside my comfort zone, I get to see the light of His love in new and fresh ways; I get to see adventure."

I felt a challenge stir: "Is this how I see adventure? Is this how I approach these possibly scary ideas I feel called towards? Or even the nerve-wracking situations I may have wanted to avoid?"

I know the answer is no, but I can change now; I can choose to look back with a different perspective, one looking to spot the positivity and lessons learned from the adventure of it all. I can choose to see "the light of His love in new and fresh ways" in each circumstance - just like I can make that choice now.

During this social distancing, however much is left, I can keep working to figure out a new routine. Maybe I save writing/working for early mornings or later evenings or I drop everything at nap time and crunch out all I can in an hour or two. And in doing so, I will remind myself that while staying home "all the time" isn't what I wanted, that I have found an adventure in it and my hope is that the product of this adventure can brighten other peoples' lives through the light of His love.