making choices as i find my way...
the author's advanced copy of my book arrived. yep. i am holding it right there in that photo. with my name on the cover and everything. my. name. is. on. that. book. it is a bit unbelievable i must admit.
part of the unbelievableness is because i am so preoccupied with ellie's health needs right now. so time for celebrating that this day has come doesn't exactly fit into the schedule in between medicine and feedings and appointments and calls regarding all that is to come...
but then there is this other reality that i so very much want to share my book with you! i want to invite you all over for a big ice cream sundae party complete with champagne and show you every page and point out my favorite parts...i want to tell you all about why i wrote it and why i hope you will find your way to a bookstore near you and seek it out or order it from me with a signed note addressed just to you.
but gushing about the book in this space feels a bit like answering the question, "how are you?" with "just fine" when what you really want to say is, "pretty damn bad thanks for asking."
so i thought about not even talking about the book here...but that isn't the right answer either. (i am sounding a bit like the guy in that scene from the princess bride. you know the guy. that inconceivable guy. but this is the way my mind works sometimes. too much thinking.)
so while doing all this overthinking, i found myself seeking a space away from the mind chatter and i did what i often do. i took several deep breaths and gave my mind permission to quiet a bit and i turned to words on paper and wrote this poem note:
in this moment, i am
choosing to seek joy
making space to soar
resting inside hope
dancing through the fear
pausing to notice
(with each breath)
the truth that lives inside me
a few hours later, i was creating a few custom soul mantra lockets and saw this poem note again and decided to hammer the words joy, soar, rest, hope, dance, and pause into a few small lockets i had on my studio table. it was one of those moments where i was singing along with paul simon while creating with my hands and smiling knowing i was supposed to be right there in that moment. knowing it was all coming together just as it should.
this evening, while thinking about how i want to tell you all about the book and why i am proud of it and why i think you will want to read it, i thought about this. how i turned to poetry and creating in the midst of the swirling challenges of our current every-day world. how finding my way to the words that live inside me invited me to find my own rhythm again, so that when it was time to be back in the world of medicine and calls with the insurance company, i felt more grounded and more like me...even though this is so different than the life i had imagined living with a three-month old baby, my baby. even though i am more scared than i have ever been, i am finding my way back to strength and bravery and the wisdom that lives within me.
and then it all came together: my book is about this very thing. it is about how we can see poetry, photography, and art as tools on our path, and how these tools help us unearth the truths that are whispering inside us. this book is about seeking the beauty in each day, even when that day might also be full of challenges and heartache and fear but also when it is just full of the everyday stuff that life gives us. it is about turning to words and paint and paper to see yourself. it is about picking up your camera to document the life that you are living right now.
and as i live this life and walk on this new path, i realize the gift i have given myself in already having this rhythm with my camera and pen and all that waits for me in the little room. i have given myself a gift of knowing what i need to find the joy and the beauty in this life.
yes.
this is why i want to tell you more about Inner Excavation. this is what it it all about. we choose what we shine a light on in our lives. we choose what we see in each moment. we choose. even when life is full of the everyday struggles, we choose. and creating can become the way we document these moments of our truth.
yes.
i hope you will join me in a moment of celebrating. because i will own that what that photo above represents is indeed a beautiful page of the book that is my life.
(thank you)
blessings,
liz
this is me in inner excavation, on truth and love
Reader Comments (26)
you . simply . amaze . me.
i am sitting here wearing your necklaces. the energy
from them is so strong. knowing that you made them
and wrapped them up to send my way, just makes
me take a deep breath - as if you are sitting next to
me chatting, guiding and laughing.
oh how i love my liz.
so proud of you friend!!!
what a big achievement that beautiful book in your hand is!
oh I couldn't be happier for you and I am here singing your praise and doing my own happy jig!
you are amazing!!!
xo
Liz, I'm so very proud of you in so many ways. You are living your words and living your truth from the inside out. I love you for that.
With deep respect and celebration,
Jessie
Liz, do you remember that time we met for breakfast in PDX...you and Laini and Stephanie and me? reading this post, that morning came to mind. i couldn't have predicted the incredible, beautiful changes that have come to each of your lives in the ensuing years. you must be so proud of the book, and rightly so. you're the one who inspired me to take the poetic leap (and i couldn't have predicted what that would bring to my life). thank you for always being such a positive, compassionate light in this space. i wish you success with the book. and i'm sending big hugs to Ellie. what an incredible year 2010 has been for you...so full of birth and bursting forth. hugs. xo
I don't know what to say to this except...WOW. I love how you are living the beauty that I know you share with all of us in that book. Love that so much. You're doing really, really amazing {does that make you want to slug me?} ;). You know...like when you feel to fat for your favorite jeans and your husband tells you you look fine and you want to slug him because you're sure he's lying to you even though you hope he's not? :)
It's true. I can tell. You are doing amazing. You ARE amazing.
oxxoxo
The crazy entire truth is always the best. A hearty congratulations to you!
Congratulations! How exciting and well deserved I'm sure.
xoxoxo
I love how you are living the truth you share in the book. Powerfully inspiring.
Celebrating with you. Many congratulations!
Big hugs and love to you and Ellie.
yes.
yes.
yes.
i'm so proud of you and all that this book holds. xo
i understand your struggle, liz. you deserve every celebratory feeling for your accomplishment. to your success, to your strength, to your courage, and to your heart - i raise a class to toast to you. warmly, s
Oh Liz! How wonderful! I preordered my book months ago and can't wait to savor each and every word!
Love and light!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
I am so impressed, inspired and intrigued by you and this book and your life. WAY TO GO!!!!
I wish we could see your beaming face as you hold your book! Congratulations!! Here's to finding beauty and strength in the everyday. Keeping your little Ellie in my prayers.
Sending you a big congratulations hug and a youandjonandellue are in my thoughts! Oh, add a big squam energy hug too!!
Here alone in my apartment I just did a little dance for you out of pure excitement for your book. I am celebrating with you Liz. You deserve it. Congratulations on your book. I am so incredibly proud of you.
In the midst of the challenges that life has brought you I am so happy to see that you took a moment to celebrate. You are such an inspiration Liz. You always are able to find what is real in the moment and in doing so you open me up to take the moment to do the same.
I love you! Sending healing thoughts to you, ellie, and john.
Dear Liz.
I am ordering my book tonight because just being around you for the short time I was honored to be in your light. You bring a true gift of serenity to this world. If I can have that on my bed side table it can only bring much needed goodness to my life. I am praying for you and your husband and your little girl everyday. I know to well what you are going through and can only tell you that you are not alone. and keep on moving forward even if its little steps..love you Gloria King
Liz, this is a beautiful snippet of your process that is so lovely to witness. Congratulations! And celebrate the fruits of your labor!
Just ordered my copy! It looks lovely:) Best of luck with it~
Beautiful, Liz
:) hugs, brooke
First off, Amazon is still telling me it will be November before I can get my hands on your book or your book in my hands. Really? That long? And second, hugs. Just hugs. You and Jon have to be so frightened and weary and little Ellie doesn't deserve to start out life with challenges. We all collect them so effortlessly without having them dealt in the birth cards.
oh sweetie.
you are amazing, have i ever told you that?
you amaze me and you surprise me and you delight me and you inspire me.
and i can't wait for my pre-ordered book to show up in my mail box!
:O)
i. am. so. excited. for. you.
(and i am sending all the hugs and hope and happy healing thoughts that i can your way...thinking of you guys...xo)
{
WOW! You don't know me but I am so honored that you chose to share yourself, your book, your gift in a place where I could find it. With a little help from Kelly ;)
I've had your book on Pre-order since I found it but I'm thinking of getting it directly from you instead so that you can sign it, adding some more of your energy within it.
I love your poetry. It speaks to my heart, to my soul.
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments...great and small.
You are so inspiring & such a strong soul. I'm sending you supportive thoughts in this tough time. And a huge CONGRATS on your name in print!
ahhh liz, i have been a massive fan of your blog for YEARS now.
i just love how spiritual and beautiful your blog is, and all the beautiful moments you share and poetry and photos!! im from the uk and cant wait to get my hands on your book when its released from amazon in november over here!! iam sooo excited! :)
i just love people who love their lives, and celebrate their lives and i love documenting my life too - it helps me to breathe in the moment and be present......... thank you for inspiring me and for encouraging me to document my life.....
xxxx