The AMAZING Life Manifesto: Take Delight in Who You Are

Amazing Life Manifesto, Dreaming  //  29th October 2012

So often we go through life doing everything that we are suppose to do…. or everything that society tells us we are to do. We wear the clothes that we wear because they are what the fads tell us to wear. We say the things that we say because that is what “everyone” else says. We go to college because the overwhelming majority tells us that is what we have to do to get the corporate job that everyone sees as successful. We go to school to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or teacher because that is what we know and have aspired to be since we were kids.

We are all unique. We all have different DNA. Our family background and dynamics are different. Yet, we grow up trying to fit into a mold that society tells us to fit into. We often try to be like other people and do what makes them successful.

We are here today to say “Take delight in who you are and what makes you unique.” Take the path of the road less traveled. Think about what makes you unique and celebrate that! You are never going to be successful if you are constantly trying to be someone else.

In our business, it is so easy to look around at what everyone else is doing and think we should be doing the same thing! When we started our business we did just that. We built our website and our brand around what we thought everyone else would think was elegant and professional looking. We constantly made decisions based on what everyone else was doing. When we rebranded earlier this year… we focused on what made us unique. We no longer look at other photographers and think, “ohh man, everyone else is doing that so we should too.” We have learned to be confident in ourselves and take delight in who we are… not what others think we should be.

Take some time this week to think about what it is that makes you who you are. What fires you up? What makes you tick? What does fun look like to you? Don’t think about how you “should” answer those questions… think about them honestly and then celebrate that! Be unique and forget about what everyone else thinks!

AMAZING Life Manifesto: Cuddle Snuggle Embrace

Amazing Life Manifesto, Dreaming  //  22nd October 2012

This week from the Amazing Life Manifesto we are highlighting the power of touch and encouraging cuddling, snuggling, and embracing.

Take the extra minute this week to give warm hellos… greet others with a hug or a kiss.  Instead of walking down the street with your loved one walking two feet behind you… consider walking together, holding hands, or even wrapping your arms around one another!

When we were in Europe, one of the cultural differences that we noticed almost immediately was the way that people treated each other.  Everyone greeted each other with a kiss of the cheek and a warm hug.  It was not uncommon to see couples walking down the street holding hands and or even with their arms wrapped around each other.  It was beautiful!

The power of touch can be a magical thing!  Use it! This week, be sure to Cuddle, Snuggle, Embrace!

Congratulations to Amanda the winner of our Friday Favorites Redbox giveaway! Thanks to everyone who left us a comment!

AMAZING Life Manifesto: Be Spontaneous

Amazing Life Manifesto, Dreaming  //  15th October 2012

This week from the Amazing Life Manifesto we are focusing on Being Spontaneous!  Instead of finding an excuse of why not to do something… just do it.  Go out and have some fun without even thinking about it!

Sometimes it just makes life easier to say no… to decline an offer that ultimately would make for a really fun and memorable experience.  Sometimes the thought of jumping at a “crazy” idea and making it happen is just scary.  Fear often is an excuse that keeps us from fulfilling dreams or having fun.

The other day Ryan was feeling antsy and needed to get out of the house.  He needed to take a break and asked me if I wanted to go throw the football around.  I was in the middle of working on a blog post.  However, I had been writing all day so the thought of going outside to take in the fresh air sounded kind of awesome!  However, I did think of every excuse to say no.  “Have you checked the weather- it looks like it is going to rain.”  “I have sweat pants on- I should probably go change.”  All of the reasons to say no came to my mind before I said yes!

Eventually I said yes and we found ourselves spontaneously in the park in the middle of the afternoon throwing the football around!  Fresh air was exactly what we both needed!  We laughed, we flirted like we did in high school, and we had fun.  The work was still here when we got back… and in fact, we were more productive when we returned because we had less time to do more.  (That always motivates me to crank it out! ;) ).

Being Spontaneous always has a positive outcome!  Is there something that you have wanted to do but have found every excuse not to do it?  Do it now.  We have a pillow on our bed that reminds us of this every day.  “Why Not Today?!”  Don’t answer this with an excuse… go out and do something fun!  In fact, call up a friend and have them join you!

AMAZING Life Manifesto: Celebrate Everyday

Amazing Life Manifesto, Dreaming  //  8th October 2012

Cheers to waking up this morning with a smile on our faces.  Cheers to making the decision to do what makes us happy.  Cheers to the sunshine and to the rain.  Cheers to calling our parents to say hello.  Cheers to eating a healthy lunch today.  Cheers to writing in our journals and thanking God for all of the amazingness that surrounds us.

Sometimes it is the smallest things… but everyday provides a reason to celebrate!  We hope you take some time today to celebrate the everyday.  For you, maybe its that you got up 15 minutes earlier to make sure you had time to make yourself breakfast, or maybe you made it to the gym today.  Who knows… maybe it is just that you washed the dishes instead of letting them sit in the sink so you have to think about it later.

Here’s to celebrating the simple things that make you smile.  Take some time this week to recognize what those simple things are and celebrate them!  Everyday!

AMAZING Life Manifesto: Say I Love You

Amazing Life Manifesto, Dreaming  //  1st October 2012

Do you remember the first time you said I Love You?  It is usually a pretty big deal the first time you tell a significant other that you are in love.  I Love You are three tiny words that hold some significant weight.  They can change a life.

We are here today to encourage you to say I Love You more often.  Sometimes it is so easy to focus on the negative and forget about the love that is surrounding you.  Instead of arguing over something small this week, we would love for you to take the high road and tell your significant other that you love them.  Forget about the insignificant small things in life and focus on the big.

Say I Love You!