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what would you tell a brave girl about depression?

4th November 2011 by kallie under -- what would you tell a brave girl?, featured post

Sweet, supportive, loving, incredible Brave Girls….you know that all around you and all around the world Brave Girls just like you are struggling. They don’t show it, but inside they feel it. What if you knew? What if you could see into their hearts? What if she was your sister or your daughter or your mom. Today our question is…

What would you tell a Brave Girl who is dealing with depression (either her own or someone else’s)?

Remember…she is real. What would you tell her if you had a quiet minute together? Leave a comment and tell her…she’ll find it.

xoxo

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A lesson on how to feel really discouraged (but who wants that???)

3rd November 2011 by melody under EVERYDAY BRAVE, featured post

Thankful today for a little friendly reminder from my soul…after I was working way too long, way too hard, and reverting back to old bad habits that get me every time….it’s embarrassing to admit that I do things that I shouldn’t even though I know better….but I correct things more quickly now……and somehow I just know that I will always struggle with certain things…for the rest of my life….

Last year some time, I set out to live the EXACT life that I wanted to live…a life that I could totally love and feel like I fit perfectly inside of. Over the years, I had gotten so off track and found myself living some life that sort of just happened to me because I didn’t decide anything different for myself. So…I wanted to do an experiment and see if I could live the exact life my heart yearned for. Does this sound crazy and impossible?? The hardest part of it all was figuring out just what “life” that was. That is HARD work, honest work….heart and soul work.

I have been continuously surprised, as I have interviewed myself, answered a million questions, journaled, collaged, pondered it, tried things out……I have been perplexed even…as I keep tuning that in, honing it down, condensing it….that this life that I really want to live is a very very very simple life….uncomplicated, unfancy, uncluttered, unglamorous……just simple and beautiful.

Some of the things that kept coming up in my journaling during that time are…I want to be surrounded by trees…I want privacy…I want to wear jeans and tshirts every day…I want to have time to think and be and write…I want to be in nature…I want to be surrounded by kind people who like me exactly as I am and understand and support my need for solitude….and kindness……..I want to be home….

I was on some other road for a very long time. Maybe that was the right road for me for a while. It doesn’t fit anymore though…it’s uncomfortable and scratchy and constricting and makes me feel like I am playing dress up. That’s not the right road for me anymore., this is something that I know for sure. But…change is hard. Change is scary.

Today on a walk through the woods, I realized something that I had not stopped to notice……that I am, at this moment, living the exact life that I want to live. I AM LIVING THE EXACT LIFE THAT I WANT TO LIVE!!!!

6 weeks ago our family moved…and we moved to a place (a place I will tell you about soon) where there was no internet, and no hope of getting sufficient internet without digging a 400 yard trench….so what that meant was that when at home, we had no t.v., no email, no social networking, no researching, no online games…..we were unplugged. We didn’t know this was the case until after we moved in. This led to some incredible, memorable time together, and individually….and some new habits for how to spend our time…and some beautiful discoveries about what a simple life feels like…..

Yesterday the trench had been dug, the men had been out to put in the cable…and the guy came out to hook us up…as of yesterday morning, we are connected to the world again.

WELLLLLLLLLLL……..I reverted back to some of my old habits almost immediately.

Within a few hours of being able to get online……..I was feeling inadequate, insufficient…like i didn’t measure up…like I was behind on everything….like I could never possibly catch up to what everyone out there in the world is doing. All the stuff I didn’t even know about until I was plugged into the worldwide web……the night before I was feeling content and happy….suddenly I was miserable and cranky….

Yeh, I know…I have been here before. I just know now within a few hours that I don’t have to feel like this, and that I need to stop doing whatever it is that is making me feel like that….

…making me feel unsatisfied, CONFUSED…..making me FORGET the life that I really want to live and making me think that I should be living some other life….

making me? Ok…I am LETTING it….

ANYWAY…..my little epiphany started with this view out my bedroom window.

I worked from home today…and I was on about hour 10 of a very long day…..I had walked back to my bedroom several times…past lots of windows and glass doors…and every time I walked past them I would think…

AS SOON AS I AM DONE WITH THIS PROJECT I AM GOING TO GO OUTSIDE AND TAKE SOME PHOTOS OF THIS AMAZING AUTUMN.

Then this view called to me…it said….”are you seeing this? are you stopping to notice this???” It is like my true North was talking out loud, reminding me that this whole exact moment was there just for me, and I was not even noticing it because I was too busy worrying and working toward the next big goal. But in my mind…again…I was saying…

AS SOON AS_______________, I WILL_______________________

This afternoon I realized that I have been saying that for most of the 6 weeks that we have been here. Once I was honest with myself….I grabbed my camera and headed outside and told myself I had to take at least 5 photos…an hour later I had taken nearly 100 and I felt totally on track again….

Because all the while I was out there……everywhere I looked, it felt like the breeze was a voice asking me questions and showing me things and reminding me things…..

saying things like…..

“Did you forget to notice that you are surrounded by big, protective trees…did you already forget that you prayed for that…and worked for that…and dreamed that up…and that HERE YOU ARE????”

and my soul piped in the conversation and said to me…

“Did you forget to remember how much you love to notice how the sun paints everything into gorgeous sparkling masterpieces all day long? Come on…step over here and let me remind you….let me also remind you that THESE ARE THE THINGS that the life you have always wanted to live are made up of….and here you are….”

and my soul said…

“Did you already forget to notice that you found a home with a TURQUOISE BARN??? And that this very home found you? And…that here you are…living the life you dreamed up, decided on…the life that fits you perfectly……a quiet simple life with a turquoise barn….”

and my soul said…

“Did you notice the butterfly houses that sparkle in the evening sun? The butterflies are long gone…have flown away..they are using their wings…but look look look at the milkweed masterpieces left behind…..”

and my soul said…

“If you hadn’t have walked out here…..you never could have noticed this gorgeous moss that is all over the rocks….it’s been here waiting for you to notice it…..to bring you joy and remind you that this is what you’ve always dreamed of….but you keep forgetting to notice…doesn’t that feel better already?”

and my soul said…

“Did you forget to notice the way that water sparkles and shows you a reflection of what is right in front of it….look around you at everything that is RIGHT THERE for you to notice…and has been there all along…..”

and my soul said…

“Did you notice the ONE SINGLE turquoise rock among the other thousands? Isn’t that fantastic!?”

and my soul very sternly said…

“Did you remember to notice how good you have been feeling since you decided to step onto the path that you dreamed up, and off of the path that was making you crazy…..onto that path that you worked for, that you had faith in, that you asked for, that you trusted in……and that you even you decided to be in the best shape of your life by your 40th birthday…heart and soul….and here you are????????

Please stop forgetting……”

“Did you forget to remember that your family is happier and more at peace than EVER…and that your marriage is amazing, and that you get to make art and write every day…..and that you made it through a refiner’s fire and decided that this is the EXACT LIFE that you want to live?

Did you remember that you get to make art every day that is straight from your heart and write and write and write and that everything has been flowing and feels SO GOOD????

remember?”

my soul already knew the answer…so she finished with….

“OK THEN….stop looking at what everyone else is doing and live YOUR LIFE….enjoy it, protect it, love it, take care of it….”

and I decided to say…

“OK. I will.”

Now I’m sitting her hoping that you are way smarter than I am…and that you don’t get hung up on comparing, or “researching” or watching to the detriment of living your own unique life. BUT IF YOU EVER DO……….just get back on track. It feels so much better when you are being true to who YOU are…and what YOU want, and HOW you want your life to be…..embrace it.

Sometimes you gotta get through the fire, though……so thankful for all that I have learned that has gotten me to now. I just need to keep remembering it….and stop forgetting it.

xoxo

melody

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Dear tender girl…a little bird told me…

2nd November 2011 by melody under -- a little bird told me, featured post

Dear Tender Girl,

MOVE FORWARD, my friend, and keep your eyes on all that’s around you. Don’t let what you see stop you, but keep moving forward. Look forward so you know where you are going, so you can keep an eye on your goal, so you can stay focused…..

{This is an excerpt from the BraveGirls Club “a little birdie told me – daily truth”. Click to read this entire truth or to subscribe
to receive DailyTruths in your email inbox.}

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dear brave girl…a little bird told me…

1st November 2011 by Kathy Wilkins under -- a little bird told me, featured post

Dear Brave Girl,

Did you know that you have the right to make rules for your life? Did you know that you are the ONLY one who can make soul deep rules about what you want, how you want to feel, who you want to be with, what you want to spend your energy on and in what ways you want to contribute and give back to the world? Do you remember that you are the only one who can decide what YOU will tolerate and put up with? Sometimes, beautiful friend, things happen {read more}

{This is an excerpt from the BraveGirls Club “a little birdie told me – daily truth”. Click to read this entire truth or to subscribe
to receive DailyTruths in your email inbox.}

XOXO

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Our birthday wish and some special gifts for you…

30th October 2011 by kallie under -- a little love for you, featured post

If we could make one birthday wish it would be:

that YOU remember how incredible you are
and that you find other Brave Girls and tell them how incredible THEY are!!

So that’s 2 wishes…:) To help make those 2 wishes come true we have some more presents for you…

First is a Membership Card for you….

print it, laminate it and keep it close as a reminder of who you really are and the life you want to live…
(Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer, then print.)

Next is something you can pass along to others…

to the tired waitress, the worn-out checker at the grocery store, the woman who sells you stamps…whoever you meet! Use this to pass to her what you know to be true about her…that she is JUST RIGHT! We love spreading this message and we know you will too!

There are 4 to a page, so they are easy to print out, cut out and start spreading around. Imagine the good we can do if we each give out just a few of these!!

(Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer, then print, cut and start sharing the love!)

Aaaaand another collage sheet…

that you can print and use for anything your heart desires…cards, art journals, whatever you want!

(Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer.)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand another wallpaper for your computer…

with another perfect message for all of us to remember.

(Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer. And then if you’re not sure how to get this wallpaper on your desktop, follow the instructions at the bottom of this post.)

Lastly, this video using Brave Girl Boot pictures and answers to one of the questions we posed at the beginning of our Birthday Month: “What have you learned about yourself since becoming a Brave Girl?”. Enjoy, sweet girl!!

We hope that you enjoy these special images that Melody has created just for you! More importantly we hope you always always ALWAYS remember who you are – how incredibly loved and cherished…

With Love,
the Brave Girls Club Team

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How to install desktop wallpaper:

On a PC:
-Save the image in an easy to find location.
-Right click on your desktop background, and select “Personalize” from the dropdown list.
-Click on “Desktop Background”
-Browse for/select the image you want to use as your background.
-If it distorts the picture you will need to change the “Picture Position” in the settings. For best results select “Fill” or “Fit”.
OR
-Save the image to your computer.
-Open the folder where the image is saved.
-Right click on the image, and select “Set as desktop background”
-You may need to tweak the “Picture Position” setting for best results.

On a Mac:
-Save the image to somewhere easy-to-find, like your desktop
-Click on “Finder” in the dock (the little blue face)
-Find the folder here that called “Pictures” (the folder should have a little camera on it)
-Move the picture to this folder. Click and drag, or copy + paste it.
-Right click a blank spot on the desktop (Control + click if your mouse doesn’t have a right click)
-Select “Change Desktop Background…” from the list.
-Under “Folders” on the left side of the window will be “Pictures.” Choose the picture from there. Choose the fitting option that works best.

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what would you tell a brave girl about happiness?

28th October 2011 by kallie under -- what would you tell a brave girl?, featured post

What would you tell a Brave Girl who is looking for happiness?

Remember…she is real. What would you tell her if you had a quiet minute together? Leave a comment and tell her…she’ll find it.

xoxo

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More Birthday Presents!!

26th October 2011 by kallie under -- a little love for you, featured post

Hi, Brave Friends!

This week, to celebrate Brave Girls Club’s 2nd Birthday, we are giving you more presents! Below you will find two gifts that we hope you will enjoy and pass on to your friends!

First, another beautiful sheet of collage images that you can print and use for anything your heart desires…cards, art journals, whatever you want!

(Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer.)

Our second present today is another Desktop Wallpaper with a perfect message for all of us to remember. (Click on the image below for a full size version > right click on the full size version > choose ‘Save Image As’ to save it to your computer. And then if you’re not sure how to get this wallpaper on your desktop, follow the instructions at the bottom of this post.)

We hope that you enjoy these special images that Melody has created just for you! More to come tomorrow!

With Love,
the Brave Girls Club Team

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How to install desktop wallpaper:

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dear honorable girl…a little bird told me…

26th October 2011 by melody under -- a little bird told me, featured post

The very best thing you can ever, ever do for your heart and your soul is to leave people, places, and situations better than you found them, even if those things did they best they could to leave you in a not-so-desirable position. YOU have the power to turn it all around and make it beautiful again. (more)

xoxo

{This is an excerpt from The Brave Girls Club “a little birdie told me – daily truth”. Click to read this entire truth or to subscribe to receive Daily Truths in your email inbox.}

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Soul Restoration 2 is closed until next year – Soul Restoration 1 closes in ONE WEEK!

25th October 2011 by kallie under featured post

Hello Lovelies!!

We want to make sure you know that Soul Restoration 1 registration closes one week from today. This will be the last time it is offered this year…we hope you can join us for class…see below what some of our lovely Brave Girls have said about the course….we really hope you will be able to join us!!

It’s amazing, so much support, so much course material, so many great lessons, so many resources, so many new art techniques, so much fun, don’t hesitate just DO IT!

-Pippa

I’m not sure I can put into words what Soul Restoration is doing for me. But since I don’t usually lack words, I’ll try anyway. I’ve never felt such release, such relief, such self-realization – and we’re only on Week 3. I’ve learned so much about myself – the good, the bad and the ugly… and it’s transforming my life into what my life had the potential of being. The tears, the smiles… the comradery of the other ladies in the course – the beauty of friendship… it has consumed me and I don’t even want to go to work – I want to stay home and work on my Soul…I can’t say enough about it. If you have the opportunity to do it – DO IT.

-Sandi

I am loving this program. I am getting in touch again with the fun loving gal that got lost in a dark cloud of self condemnation and isolation.

-Karin

Hi brave girls!

I, like maybe some of you, was on the fence about this class. I mean I had been through 15 years of therapy, what was this class going to teach me? Oh my gosh — let me repeat that — OH MY GOSH. I am on week 3 of Soul Restoration 1 and I can’t stop talking about it, I can’t stop sharing it and I can’t stop thanking Melody and Kathy and the team, it is THAT GOOD. If you are thinking you need to be artistic — PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT. It’s all self-expression. Nobody judges the work. I am a pretty stubborn person and at the beginning I thought “I’m not going to do the Mod Podge, I’m not going to set my book up that way, etc.” Well. I opened my small little mind, stepped out of my comfort zone and now I am a Mod Podge QUEEN. I am writing about everything, I am gluing everything and most of all …. I am happy. I am peaceful. I am calm. Every single thing that they tell you is true … please, please, please try this class. If I could pay for every girl who needed it, I surely would do so, it’s that important. YOU ARE IMPORTANT.

-Ann Marie

If you have ever questioned yourself or how others make you feel, then Soul Restoration is what you need to bring into your life. This has been a positive journey that every woman should allow herself to take. Why settle when you can live the rest of your life restored? Sign up…go for it… YOU deserve it! ♥ ♥

-Michelle

This course has allowed me to be gentle with myself, to go through and take a hold of my life, to accept the things that have happened, to stop blaming myself and embrace all aspects of me, to set boundaries for myself , and to move forward as a whole person instead of leaving pieces of me behind.

-Ashley

dear clever girl…a little bird told me…

25th October 2011 by melody under -- a little bird told me, featured post

Sometimes we have to choose whether we want to be right, or whether we want to be happy.

Sometimes we have to keep our opinions, grievances, and complaints to ourselves in order to love and respect others who are important to us.

It doesn’t make you weak to bite your tongue when the conversation gets heated. Live your truth and let others live theirs. Making a choice to show love and patience instead of proving ourselves right when the issue doesn’t really matter more than the person and the relationship does–know what I mean? Of course you do! You are brilliant! (more)

xoxo

{This is an excerpt from The Brave Girls Club “a little birdie told me – daily truth”. Click to read this entire truth or to subscribe to receive Daily Truths in your email inbox.}

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