Life – See The World Through My Eyes

soul, writing, author, writer, quote, books,

My Soul In Writing

Published on February 11, 2015 by deannaayresLeave a comment

I write every day. I write for work, I write for my kids, I write status updates, blog posts, postcards (yes, sure do), notes, emails, shopping lists and so much more. But I need to write from my soul. Life is busy and hectic and often I talk myself out of blogging because other things are more “important” in that moment.

I write a lot each day, so by 10pm it’s easy for me to find an excuse as to why I’ve written enough, why I don’t have anything to say or why it’s too late. What I often forget is that yes, I do write all day long but not from my soul, my sweet spot, my deep, colorful well of thoughts that just want to come out and make a splash on a page. When I write from my soul I feel so happy, so free, so full of emotion, of self discovery. When I write and create, I am me. I am my INFJ self in all its glory.

When I wrote my last long post yesterday “Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst” I started to feel insecure because it had been a while since I wrote from my heart online. I shared it with a dear friend pre-publishing and asked for honest feedback. I was fully expecting her to comment on the fact that I have a tendency to ramble, that the intro was too boring, that it was all over the place. But she did neither. She came back with nothing but praise and happiness. She talked about how it was beautiful, honest and raw from the soul. An emotional journey she could take with me, feel with me and wanted to share. She talked about parenting magazines and about how it should go viral. Talk about feedback!

Whether or not she meant every single word or not really doesn’t matter. What mattered is that she could feel it. I could take her on the journey as I saw it play out in my mind, how it felt in my heart. What mattered is the fact that I need this, that she reminded me that it’s okay to be insecure but as long as I stay true to myself, to my thoughts and emotions, as long as my words help only one person in the world get through a rough time.. well, then I did my job.

All it takes for me to consider anything a win is for one person to find happiness, encouragement, faith, hope or love in the words that leave my soul. Because that one person matters just as much as the thousands who’d read it if it were viral.

All it takes is one.

My souls secrets may never fully be disclosed to the world as I know it but if my words have an impact and touch anothers soul then we’ve connected on an intimate level not many people share.

Home Is Where You Are Loved The Most And Act The Worst.

Published on February 10, 2015February 11, 2015 by deannaayresLeave a comment

How true is this? I haven’t heard this quote like this before but it makes so much sense to me. One would think that at home, where you are most loved, most respected, most welcome, you’d be your best too. But you aren’t because you are also most comfortable there, most relaxed. You know that at home love is strong and your family loves you for who you are. With all the good and all the bad you have to offer. You know that when you have a bad day, they may be upset, but you’ll be forgiven. You have trust and faith in your family that they can handle you and Continue reading “Home Is Where You Are Loved The Most And Act The Worst.” →

There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth are absent.

Published on October 1, 2014October 1, 2014 by deannaayresLeave a comment

“There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth are absent.” ― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

I’ve not fully read the book yet but I do intend to finish it this year. My book list has grown substantially and with the busy summer, time has been against me. No more. I love reading, I love the feel, touch and smell of any good book. Books are an escape from reality but by the same token, can bring you closer to the reality that is you. Books can tell you a lot about yourself and who you want to be. They secretly expose what you long for, what you crave, what Continue reading “There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness and truth are absent.” →

Fall ~ Tales of the New Season & Life as I know it

Published on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014 by deannaayresLeave a comment

It’s been a while and life as I know it has been crazy. Sick kids, sick dog, lots and lots of work and the start of a new school year have kept me running in circles. But as fall has come, the seasons are changing, I too want to turn a new leaf.

I’ve grown immensely this past year in my position at the marketing agency I work at. I’ve continued to educate myself, find new tools, new people, new knowledge, tactics and strategies. Marketing is a fast changing landscape and I want to be the best I can be. I was able to be a part of some growth hacking campaigns and realized again, how much I love to learn about people. How people think, what they want, what they know, the feedback they have to share and the why’s behind it.

While not everyone believes in personality tests, for me personally and my husband, they have proven to be surprisingly accurate. I am by this test and INFJ: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Judging. Apparently it is the more rare form of them all, with less than 1% of the population that fit the bill. How true it hold though. If you know me you’d bet that I was extroverted when in reality I am very very introverted. I love living in my head and having time to myself, to reflect and to think. By that same token however, I am as empathetic and curious as they come and this is where my “extrovertedness” appears. I genuinely care about people, their feelings, their thoughts, their story. I want to hear it, I want to learn from them and I want to understand. It drives my husband and sometimes even my children a little crazy when I ask:

Why? Why do I want to know? Why do you not?

Take the time to know your co-workers, your teachers, your friends and even your family. Talk to a stranger at the grocery store, the waiter at the restaurant and inquire about them. Often, you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you can learn. If you aren’t a talker, that’s fine too. Remember, I am introverted and there are a lot of situations I just don’t feel comfortable to speak to someone. How can you still learn? By watching. Observing the world around you is one of the most underutilized skills of this generation in my opinion. I watch people go about their day while missing magical moments and situations all the time. As a photographer by heart, I am naturally on the lookout for these moments, but I also make it a conscious effort to observe the world as it happens around me. I find joy and sadness but both are healthy emotions. It stimulates the mind and soul to observe events, people, nature, and oneself. It allows for reflection and discussions that otherwise would never happen.

Over the summer I’ve observed my life less than I like. I was busy and tired with not enough hours in the day. But how can I write about the beautiful world as I see it, when I haven’t paid attention? I can’t and I haven’t. This in turn weighs on my mind and life as I know it is now life as I don’t want it. The beauty of self reflection and being observant is the chance to catch these things and to actively change what doesn’t make you happy. So with fall and this new season, life as I know it may not happen, but life as I want it will.

A change in priorities, a want for more and a passion for life, love and family are part of my plan. A plan for more wisdom, more knowledge, more patience, better understanding and compassion for others and myself.

As the seasons change, what will you change?