I follow a few photographers via social media outlets, but there's only two that I really take the time to read their blogs, look through their websites, watch their tutorials and videos.  They are Sue Bryce and Jasmine Star.  Each, in her own unique way, has the ability to encourage, push, and excite me about photography.  Last week Jasmine Star's new website went live, so I found myself clicking around it.  I stumbled upon her magazine she published last year.  Basically, it lays out how she started her amazingly successful business and her philosophy on 165 glossy pages.  I further found the blog that explains how that magazine came to fruition.  She made a pact with a friend to write 750 words a day for 31 days.  She simply wrote what was swimming around in her head; dreams, to do's, lessons learned, frustrations, mistakes, successes...everything and anything.  I thought, "Could I do that?  Could I commit to that for 31 days?  It doesn't seem like much, but I don't want to fail...start something and yet again, not finish it."  I think writing every day would be great for me, maybe it would clear all the noise in my head and that may help me to focus better on whatever the task at hand is.  Or sweep out the clutter in my brain to reveal  space for something...anything else!  There are only two times a day when my mind goes blank, when I'm sleeping and when I'm praying aloud or reading my Bible aloud.  Maybe it's weird that I pray aloud to myself, but if I try silently I find my mind drifting to my task list or dinner ideas...you get the picture.  If often looks like this... A mess...with one bright shiny thought in the center.  

So, with that floating in my mind, I turned to my devotional for last Friday out of the, you guessed it...InTouch magazine.  Charles Stanley sites Ephesians 5:15-17 (a verse underlined in my Bible and written on a notecard, taped to my mirror.) "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  In the commentary, he states various ways to "be a good steward of this fleeting gift".  The one that hit me the most was the last, "Writing a mission statement for your life.  As the Creator, God knows the plans He has for you.  So ask about His desires, and then take the time to summarize how you intend to use the remainder of your earthly days.  If you stick to the plan God has helped you set, you will find that your time will be invested rather than simply spent."  

My time will be invested rather than simply spent.  I need to be a better steward of my time, I go through my days thinking I have all the time in the world, yet some days dishes sit until the end of the day, laundry doesn't get done, dinner is thrown together haphazardly (which sometimes turns out amazing!).  And I can't tell you what I did....sad, but true.  I'm not saying that everyday has to be EPIC, LEGENDARY, I would just like everyday to be productive for my family, for my future, for my walk with Christ.  

I am terrified of committing to 750 words a day because I'm terrified of letting myself down, failing myself.  But, I think it would be an awesome experience for me, something to help me clear out my brain clutter.  And there's no limits, just write 750 words a day.  750 words of what's happening.  750 words of learning to write better.  750 words about my God and His Word.  750 words to my dear husband.  750 words to both Emma and Adin.  750 words to write to my parents and sisters and friends.  750 words of reminiscing, dreaming, planning.  750 words in Italian...now that would be something, let's not go too far.    

So, I'm asking for your help...please keep me accountable.  After discussing with a friend, she had the great idea to write until I go on my spring retreat with my Bible study ladies from PWOC (Protestant Women of the Church) on March 21.  So starting today, that's 40 days, so there's my challenge...40 days of 750 words a day with my reward of my spring retreat at the end.  I will not blog everyday, still just once a week at least, but I'm allowing that to be organic as well.  If there's something I want to share...I will.  And I would like to encourage you, if you are feeling stuck or too noisy in your head, keep your eyes and ears open for God to light up a path to help you out.

I think I can......and you can too!

Now to fold laundry and help out with Valentine's.  :-)

Ciao amici!

Mackenzie