I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to capture memories.  And memories are sometimes as fleeting as fireflies.

Photos are great but when hilarious moments happen, or someone says the sweetest thing, a photo just won’t do.  That’s why when I found book designer Brooke Reynolds (also former senior art director for Martha Stewart Living) write about how she captures her children’s little sayings and funny moments, I knew it was an idea worth keeping.

She just keeps a jar on her desk.  That’s all.  Scribbling on whatever she can find and dating each note, she’s able to go through them at anytime, record them in diaries, or giggle over them at dinner or holidays.

Try making your own memory jar inspired by Brooke.  You can read more on how she makes every day a holiday by visiting her site, inchmark.

I realize, as I do every year, how time passes, children grow up, parents grow old, and life moves fast.  I also realize, as I do every year, how much I HAVEN’T done.

Yesterday, while playing around with a new app on my iPad, I found a background that I layered over a snapshot of my freshly washed face….naked….badly needing some makeup but showing me just who I am, my age, and how for some reason, my skin has started to sallow.

Who am I kidding?  I was trying to somehow layer SOMETHING on there to make my picture look better.  But then it hit me…..that quote….what WAS it?

I looked it up.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.”

I don’t want to wait.  For time.  For the right circumstances.  Till I get the right web designer.  Till I save enough money.  Till inspiration and passion collide.  I don’t want to wait.  I just want to do the work. Whatever inkling was given to me, whatever spark ignited, whatever dream formed, whatever idea that was granted to me, I just want to put it out in the world.  I get so pent up and anxious trying to plan and wait for all the right times to launch, to work, to do.  Now it’s more than a time to be.  It’s time to jam.

I don’t want to die with any music left inside.  Do you?  So what are you waiting for?

Play on.

Photo by Grzegorz Chorus

Has anyone discouraged you lately?  Big ideas, dreams, and goals often incite opposition from those who wish to keep you in tact in their own world.  But you can do it.  The world needs you and your big ideas.  Read how you can honor your dreams and never let anyone pull you down.  Click here to read more….

Source: Michael Port

But as you’ll see in this TED video, researcher/storyteller Brene Brown explains that vulnerability is the essential ingredient to living a beautiful life….wholeheartedly.

So when you have 20 minutes or so, watch this. It is so worth it. May it help you Make Every Day A Holiday.

xoxo,

Kelley

Source: TED: Ideas Worth Spreading

Greg Wyshinski, writer for Yahoo Sports, reported:

Elizabeth Hughes, 8, made her debut signing the national anthem at an AHL Norfolk Admirals (the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s affiliate) game against the Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers‘ affiliate). Angelic voice, bundle of nerves … and then after the words “gave proof,” her microphone abruptly cut out.

What happened next might be something we’ve seen before at a sporting event, but that never lacks for inspiration (and maybe a misty eye or two). There’s a moment around 1:30 into this clip that gives us hope for humanity:

Source: Yahoo Sports

“There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment. ”  - Robert Brault

It’s easy.  It’s quick.  It will brighten both of your lives.

Go ahead and make someone happy.  It’s just another thing you can do to Make Every Day A Holiday.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~Leo Buscaglia

Further Reading: How To Give The Best Compliment
Source: Gala Darling

Much love and peace to you,

Kelley

Step by Step, by Whitney Houston

You might also like: Lyrics to Step by Step, by Whitney Houston

But sometimes, the big goals we make like losing weight, starting a new business, finishing a degree, writing a book, and other things like that can simply freeze us in our tracks. We get caught in a cycle of asking questions like Where do we begin? Do we have all the information? Are all my pencils sharpened and did the dryer just go off so I can do another load?

The hardest thing to do is to start. Resistance abounds. Knowing what we must do is easier than doing what we must do.

So just start. Don’t worry if you haven’t planned everything to letter Z, just begin with one step. Ask yourself, “What is one thing that will get me moving in the right direction.” Do a sit-up. Write for 20 minutes. Get the college catalog. The point is, get get yourself moving forward. Relieve anxiety about following through tomorrow, just do something today. One simple thing.

Lao-Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And if we know it’s all about the journey and not the destination, what are we waiting for?

2010 was hard for many of us. 2011 is the year of rebuilding. Build it.

Here’s to you and all the dreams, wants, wishes, goals, desires that are burning in your heart. Let’s do it.

You might also like:  The Journey, by Mary Oliver