"The vision and dreams of tomorrow so quickly become the should haves and could haves of yesterday."~Mama Hen
I came across this picture of me as a teenager recently and began wondering where the passions and goals of my youth had gone. It does not seem like long ago that I posed for this shot in my parents basement. My mom is a great photographer and was always taking pictures of my sister and I. I can remember that particular night so well and I also remember how I felt that day and all of my youth. I always had such strong passions for changing the world and making things right. I had an energy that was unstoppable. I am not sure if it is this endless chronic pain I have lived with the past few years, or all the responsibilities that come with being an adult, but I don't feel as energetic and full of passion the way I used to and it bothers me. I had many plans to make positive changes here on Earth and I intend to get that back. It was something I really liked about me and want to regain.
What have you let dwindle over the past years that you would like to rekindle?
First off, wow, you are just stunning:). I think I've wondered about my passion a lot in my life but, as of late God has given me a drive and passion for photography and I am really enjoying it and I can actually work at it because I have the resources. So many of the things I used to be passionate were outside of my means and it just left me feeling discourage. It's nice to have something that I can pursue for a change. I've waited a long time for this. It may be just for a short season but, for now, Thank you Jesus! :-0 What are some of your passions and dreams?
ReplyDeleteFirst off, that is a gorgeous picture of you! I love your expression. I used to be so creative as a teenager - I was always writing, painting, and drawing. Now as an adult I don't really express my creative side as much, though I wish I had the time to.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on it since my kids left for school. I'm still kinda finding my way. :) I wonder what you were thinking of there...your future?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - you are absolutely gorgeous - second, yeah - all of that passion can wipe us out now! However, you are shaping the world - by being Little Chick's mom. She IS the future. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing in that photo. My teenage photos are hilarious. Good question but a tough one. Actually I have a post drafted about how I'm tired of watching everyone else pursue their dreams; so instead of watching I'm jumping in. For me there is simply no time like the present. I need to create my journey and not let predictability create it for me. Hope you find what your looking for. We all think your amazing and I'm quite confident your daughter thinks you hung the moon.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been able to get passed the picture. You're a freaken MODEL!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE what JOJO said above and I second that!!
ReplyDeleteAge, kids, sleep deprivation, everyone else's extracurriculars, responsibilities of home, cooking, and well-being and where's time for Mom? I'll tell you, I felt that LAST October and that's when I decided it was time to do something for me and that's when I started my professional site (biancatyler.com) and got the job on the radio from that and then started the blog this past September and now watch out, World, here we all come - the MOMS who shape the "Little Futures" running around our feet, we are bloggers, we are friends and we are finding ourselves and our passions once again.
You look stunning in that photo!!
Bianca
The hand the rocks the cradle rules the world.. You are making a difference.
ReplyDeleteWow! You look beautiful! Like one of the beauty pageant contestants! I can see where Little Chick got her looks from! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful photo of you! I think that when you are young and not caught up in the daily grind it can be easy to have really big dreams and be passionate about so much. I was and sometimes still can be that way but I too have lost some of my spunk. I think it is one more thing we need to figure out how to balance in our lives. Sometimes finding that perfect balance and contentment is the hardest part of the journey!
ReplyDeleteLike so many of our friend who have commented before me. . . you ARE changing the world . . . by raising an incredible child. By teaching her to be kind to others. Through your words. Through your actions. And let's not forget the inspiration that you give through your blogs. My dear, you ARE changing the world each and every day. It just might look a little different from how you pictured it when you were younger. But believe me, you are doing it. And I am so grateful to watch it happen each time I stop by here.
ReplyDeletehugs!
I think we all have grand visions as young adults. Life just becomes so complicated when we enter "the real world" - it becomes about survival instead.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say that you look like a model! I know I'm repeating the other commenters but... wow! Beautiful picture!
ReplyDeleteOk, now that that's out of the way. I too sometimes feel like the dreams and passions I once had have lost their flame but I think they are just different. Life has caused me to change paths more than once but I still feel I'm where I am supposed to be (although I have no clue where I am going). I think you are making huge changes in the world but probably in a way that is very different than you once thought. By simply hosting this blog, you are touching people and helping them to look at things from a new perspective. You make people want to be better. The biggest change you are making is raising Little Chick. You are teaching her to be just as giving, nurturing, and caring as you are. One day she is going to reach people just like you are.
What a gorgeous picture. It reminds me of a novel cover - definately a story behind your expression. With four sons I definately got lost along the way, but a new me developed - stronger but with compassion and a love for teaching children I never had before. The fact that you recognize the change is the first step to planning your next step, and the one after that. Just look to the left and see where all that energy went - a price well worth it for that adorable little girl!
ReplyDeletegorgeous Mama Hen!! thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous picture! Even as a teenager you appear wise beyond your years. I hope you get back to following your dreams!
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous pic :)
ReplyDeletewell, I know helping others is what inspires and keeps me motivated...not being a teacher and raising our children right now, I have found that I can help people in other ways and I'm finding my passion again! Good luck with it...and Mama, you ARE inspirational and all of your readers see your passion and energy to conquer the world, the focus is just with Little Chick, instead of the entire world, for now :)
Just so you know...you're still gorgeous! It is true that when we're in high school and college, we're full of passion and want to change the world (singlehandedly), but we're also easy for others to manipulate. Right now, college students in London are rioting because of a raise in tuition costs. Their government is having to take measures (finally) to try to live within their budget, and that's one of the measures taken. How much does the average college student know about politics? about balancing a budget? Mostly, they are easy to rouse and easy prey for those who would benefit.
ReplyDeleteBeing an adult doesn't mean we have no passion, but that we've developed better our sense of reason, reality, and have life experience that helps us better understand the world around us. We use our voices, our dollars, and the ballot to effect change.
God uses people as instruments to accomplish His will in the world - people of all ages. When we live to glorify God and recognize His sovereignty, it puts a different, confident perspective on all that's happening around us. God is still in control. We are still used by Him. Our passions are just slightly different.
Right now, God is using your passions to be poured into Little Chick especially. Nothing could be more important.
Right now counts forever.
(Sorry, didn't mean this to be a tome!) :-)
And you are inspirational to your readers!
WOW. Beautiful picture!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that photo of you is riveting! Not just 'cause you look beautiful...you also have this look that penetrates what is seen in this world. I can't explain it any better. You are already such an amazing inspiration to us moms!
ReplyDeleteI think it's easy for adults to let the dreams of our youth shrink down to fit what we think is realistic. It's not because we're not passionate people...like so many who commented before me, it's the daily responsibilities and our bodies that limit us to an extent.
I believe God wants us to have child-like faith. He gave us children whose eyes we get to see through and experience youthful passion again, only this time through their eyes. You're doing this exceptionally well with Little Chick!
Through her and sharing your journey with her on this blog, you're impacting future generations for the better and building a beautiful lasting legacy!
That picture is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous picture. It is hard as life moves on and children arrive and there are mortgages to pay and retirement to save up for, not to mention college tuition to plan for - life gets much more complicated than it was when we were young and free of big responsibilities and the world was ours to take on.....I know exactly what you mean. I also dreamed BIG dreams as a teenager. I accomplished some of them along the way but I, too, have found myself losing sight of those dreams. Good for you for remembering what your dreams were and revisiting them.
ReplyDeleteWow. You look stunning! I didn't know that you live with chronic pain, Mama Hen. (I suppose I must have missed some important posts along the way.) I had chronic back pain for a while after a car accident in 2005, and my husband still suffers from chronic back pain from an injury he sustained in 2006. Unfortunately, pain is an awful, awful thief of our energy, stamina, and well-being. I know I have some dreams as a teenager that were left unfulfilled, mostly because working full-time has robbed me of my time, and going back to work has robbed me of my time too. In any case Mama Hen, your lack of energy is not apparent to me. In fact, I always look at your blogs and the activities you do with your Little Chick and admire them. To me, you're a role model, and you still have that vibrant spark of your youth!
ReplyDeleteFist of all, this picture is stunning! You are just so beautiful. Inside and out! and second of all, I can't imagine your passion for chaning the world has dwindled. Your blog is so encouraging and uplifting, and you put your heart into your job as a mom. Those are just two ways you're changing the world. I can't imagine all of the things I don't know. {{{Hugs}}}
ReplyDeleteYou are using your energy to raise your darling daughter. What is greater than than. Moms have to stand steady for the children to move.
ReplyDeleteSlow and Steady always wins the race.