Newest iMix

The other day I was editing some portraits I did a few weeks back for printing and I just needed some music to help me finish on time.

I put together this little mix and it really did the trick! It's a little harder rock than some of my other iMixes, but if you need to get going and stay going you just may enjoy it!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

I'm Back!

I have returned from my exodus - my time out, or vacation some may have called it. Forgive my brief introduction, normally I take my time on these, but I'm going to get right to the point.

During my time away I learned the following: I'm an artist (a real full fledged artist); God designed me to be one; I might actually be exactly where I'm supposed to be, in life; over-working is not a virtue. Now, there are more things I began to understand over the past few weeks, nuances of the above list that I could detail if I wanted, but for today that's all I'm going to get into.

I spent a lot of time resting (yea!) and reading through "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. I've mentioned this book several times, but it wasn't until this "time out" that I really got to digest what I've been reading. Each chapter has been a wealth of insight to my soul. Truly, I've realized truths and seen God's hand more clearly guiding me forward (and holding me still) than I ever have before. I know my husband made no mistake when he told me to quit my office job nearly four years ago.

*NOTE: soul bearing honesty ahead.

I've struggled a lot in the last two years in regards to the success of this photography business we've developed. Preparing for 2009 has honestly been a little discouraging. But what I'm coming to realize is that my business isn't going to look anything like any other if I let God lead it. He made me unique, and I have to let Him bring out my individuality. I can't create anything if I don't explore who He's made me to be (and by explore I don't just mean read lots of books about your strengths or taking tests to reveal who you are - I've done those and they've had great value in my life). I mean explore who I am without holding on to my insecurities in the other hand. I can't take a leap of faith forward with one foot on the ground.

That's exactly what I've been doing the last two years - excitedly moving forward with a safety net, just in case I fail (I don't like to fail). I'm being challenged by God through this book to finally take the full leap of faith - and I don't even know what that means yet, but He's unfolding it to me. :)

Lastly, I want to share some of what's impacted me most from this book - these quotes are from later chapters, so don't expect to get this deep in the first few weeks/chapters.

"Many of us equate difficulty with virtue - and art with fooling around. Hard work is good. A terrible job must be building our moral fiber. Something...that comes to us easily and seems compatible with us must be some sort of cheap trick, not to be taken seriously. [W]e give lip service to the notion that God wants us to be happy. On the other, we secretly think that God wants us to be broke if we are going to be so decadent as to want to be artists. Do we have any proof at all for these ideas about God?" [Bold mine]

"Often people attempt to lie their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." Margaret Young

So my question to you today is, if you are living your life backwards like I've been, what action can you take this week to begin turning that around? Leave your answer as a comment to this post.

One passion cultivated from this time off was a realization that I want to help people grow past the same hurdles I've been stuck behind. For me, calling out my true artist and the creativity God's given me has been a hurdle I've long ignored. I'm facing it now - head on - and I hope to help others who want to do the same reach their goals.

Watch for news coming on a group for creatives and artists. Can't wait to jump in together!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Focusing on the Future

I think this is one of the first times in my life that I've truly been looking forward to the start of a new year. So excited, in fact, that I just scarfed down my lunch so I could get to writing this post (and I'm now suffering the consequences of a fully tummy).

Today at church I was inspired. On the brink of a week long break - not a vacation so much as a time out on the busyness of life - our pastor's message out of Romans 12:1-2 challenged me that "looking back and evaluation is just as important as planning forward."

I've heard business seminars and workshops quote the famous line that says, "All things that are watched improved," but I've not previously applied that principle to my personal life - until today.

This morning I was impacted by the following points (condensed for brevity's sake):

• I can't serve God properly unless I work excellently.
• Decisions of the heart are followed by actions of the will.
• Decide who/what you're living for - all other decisions will follow that one.
• Your life system is perfectly designed to get the results you're getting right now.

That last one got me, for a couple of reasons. I often find it so easy to strive and work hard in life that I can sometimes forget why I'm doing it all. At moments of clarity, like this one, I suddenly realize I'm no longer enjoying the process of living because I'm working too hard for the end result that - ultimately - I'm not in control of (for I can only submit to God's will for me; I can't earn salvation; being good "enough" isn't possible).

What does this collection of tangent thoughts come together to ultimately say? It says that this week I've planned to have an extended time-out is already well prepared - by God, I believe. I've set aside time to spend in introspection and planning, and now, after today, some much needed review. Here's what I'm going to do this week (and its hereby writing commits me to actually doing it):

• Resting (no email, no phone, no Facebook, no blogging...no Ebay) :)
• Reflecting - through reading books like, "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and "Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth H. Barton
  
• Refreshing my inner creative and seeking God in the quietness - through reading His Word and playing the guitar or piano
• Rediscovering who I am and planning for the future in that freedom - through catching up with a book I started months ago: Dane Sanders' "Fast Track Photographer"

So, from tomorrow through January 10, 2009 I'm taking a break. Wish me well and forgive my brief absence. I hope to update you all soon regarding this journey! I'm so excited.

Should a present, past or future client be in urgent need of anything, please call our business line at (888) 810-4322 - as you will be directed to by wonderful partner and husband, Matt.


Blessings in this New Year,
Christine Lee Smith

In My Five Other Lives

I'm currently making my way through a book called, "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It's a powerful book about cultivating your inner artist and filling your creative well (yeah, I know - sounds cheesy); it's been super amazing so far.

Yesterday, one of the exercises was to imagine what you would do if you had five alternate lives. Meaning if you could do life over five times, what new job/career/passions would you pursue (excluding your current pursuits). Here are mine:

• Lead singer of a rock band
• Editor-in-Chief of the L.A. Times
• Pastor/Counselor
• Lawyer
• Mechanic

The next task was to go out this week and something related to one of these tasks. For example, for my five I could: play and instrument and sing, read the newspaper, talk with a friend, find and get into a good debate (my dad's always good for that one!) or work on my '65 Ford Mustang.

So I forward the challenge on to you - if you were free to pursue five different passions in five different lives, what would yours be? Then practice at least one this week!



Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith