Moving Peaces - Page 8 of 46 - Moving Pieces. Moving Places. Moving Peacefully.

The Scramble

June 8, 2015June 5, 2015Samantha Gratton

There are times in life where it feels like we are in a nonstop scramble or hustle. We want something or think we want something, so we aim high and charge full force into it. It feels like we’re pursuing something meaningful, and maybe we are. The effort and work feels good, like it matters. People start recognizing what is either hard work or exhaustion, as if it’s all the same.

In all that hustle we can forget what it is we are actually aiming for. When I essentially announced that I wanted to blog and really go all in, I scrambled. I spent hours looking for advice and following online groups for blogging. I tried to post things I’d never written about before and applied for different affiliate networks (read: ads). I participated in link-ups, added more photos in posts and thought about a logo. I went to networking events and cringed when I only had post-it notes with my name written on it instead of business cards like the “real bloggers” I was surrounded by. I followed my stats and tried to align my posts with the ones that seemed to get the highest reach. I started thinking how I could get more sponsorships and what kind of investments I needed to make for this blog to seem more legit.

In all that, I spent a lot of time not writing. I was striving to become a blogger instead of a writer. That is totally awesome…for somebody else. There are so many bloggers out there that are just blowing up. They have tons of followers, make the best cakes, dress like celebrities and know how to decorate a nursery room like nobody’s business. If that’s you, you keep doing your thing. I admire your work and wish you all the best, truly. But I realized it’s not really what I want or who I am. I want to be a writer, and I want the way I write to connect with people who are going after their hopes and dreams. I want to write transparently and truthfully, but in a manner that encourages and inspires. For me, my blog is just the avenue that allows me to do that. If one day that avenue happens to be in a different form, like in an article or book, then so be it. But currently, I’m not going after a book deal either. Right now, I’m after creating content that challenges, connecting with people and being the best writer I can be.

All of those other things are good and worthwhile, and I’ll admit I’ve learned so many things about blogging during that scramble. But I also have had to step back and say, what is it that I want out of this? Do I want sponsors? Do I want fame? Do I want a creative outlet? Do I want to build a portfolio of work or advance professionally? Do I want to pursue particular topics? What is it?

Many of these questions are relevant within several creative endeavors. Maybe the wording is slightly different or the medium is in another area, but the root of the question is still applicable. What do you want out of this?

You could potentially pursue, or even achieve, many of those things. It’s not bad to make money with your creativity or gain recognition for your work. It’s really nice actually. But if your primary motive is fame or fortune, then the work might take a different form than if you hope to simply have a creative outlet or a fun hobby. Neither is right or wrong, just a different approach for a different primary focus. It’s not all or nothing, but you do need to know what is of primary and secondary importance to you.

I can’t answer all those questions for you (look at me, I’m wrestling through this myself), but I do suggest you ask yourself and try to find the answers. Whatever it is you are scrambling towards, are you headed in the right direction? Do you know what your focus is? What is it you want from it?

Thursday Three

June 4, 2015Samantha Gratton

I’m going to be real and say that I’m tempted to just skip an entire week. Skip writing the Thursday Three, skip catching up on laundry, skip checking the mail, skip whatever it is that I’m supposed to do. I’m back from driving around the country and have all the things just waiting patiently for me. Sure, I was traveling, but since I was working remotely the whole time and seeing all sorts of people, it wasn’t really a vacation. So here I am, home, and ready for rest.

Here’s three short things for Thursday…

1. You can do more than you think you are capable of. That can be both empowering and downright overwhelming.

2. Life is changing. It’s going to keep changing. We find ourselves in patterns we like, and patterns we don’t. Relationships will change, people will change, routines will change. We celebrate, and we grieve, and then transition into what’s new.

3. Sometimes epic is actually ordinary. And in even crazier moments, ordinary is epic.

Thursday Three

May 29, 2015Samantha Gratton

Hey there. Here’s to a late night and a late post. Turns out I have a knack for overbooking myself and trying to be everywhere all at once. But that comes from wanting to be with people and wanting to say yes to everything that’s good. So, I can’t complain too much.

1. I’m back in my hometown. I can’t help but have so many mixed feelings when I visit. I have so much love for a place I called home for years, where I met and married my husband and where I spent the first few years of adulthood. It’s exciting to see all the vibrant spaces and some of the great changes that are taking place. It was such a great springboard for me and will always hold so many memories. Yet as happy as I am to be here it’s not home anymore. Instead, I miss a place and people that a mere three years I ago I never knew. The good news is, I’ll be heading back soon.

2. Everyone loves ice cream. I think I have had or been offered ice cream almost every night since this road trip started. It’s seriously impressive, especially for someone who doesn’t usually eat much ice cream. That just seems to be the treat of choice this time of year.

3. Not everything holds monetary value. When you’re building up skills and investing so much time and energy into a certain thing, whether it’s creatively or professionally, your goal often starts to be about getting paid or getting a job. Being monetarily compensated for something gives you some validity for the time and effort that went into it and confirmation that you’re doing well (don’t get me wrong, I think it’s important to get paid and take care of your family and bills). But over time, that hustle towards different things can cause you place more value on paid things or work things instead of relationships, rest and leisure. The parts of life that we held so closely as kids (free time, fun, friends) are considered less important than working and making money.

I understand why it happens and some of that change is important (it’s what motivates us to show up to work everyday), but I think we need to have an awareness about when it becomes too much. We need to be realistic and know that “doing nothing” is just as valuable (if not more) than “doing something” …for the sake of our own wellbeing. Weighing our options in how to use our time and energy from a monetary standpoint may seem the most logical, but it’s not the most beneficial.

Solo Road Tripping

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015Samantha Gratton

Here’s the deal: I’m out of town right now. Yesterday I posted a video about our trip to Argentina, because well, it was way past due. The thing is, I’m currently road tripping and have been gone for the past two weeks. What!? Crazy, right?

Turns out that going out of the country and coming back to normal life can make you go a little crazy, which is exactly what happened to me. It was a (mostly) good crazy that caused me to hope and dream for big things. Before I knew it, I was planning a solo road trip with 45+ hours of driving over the course of three weeks. I visited towns I’ve never been to, stayed with couchsurfers along the way (aka former strangers), saw dear friends and surprised my mom upon my arrival. Believe it or not, this trip isn’t even over yet.

Here’s the route: Raleigh, NC>Charlotte, NC>Greenville, SC>Atlanta, GA>Birmingham, AL>Memphis, TN>Little Rock, AR>Bentonville, AR>Kansas City, MO>Mason City, IA>Des Moines, IA>St. Louis, MO>Nashville, TN>HOME

I kept most of the details pretty hushed online up until now because I thought it would be fun to surprise my mom and she, being my mom, reads my blog. The shocked expression on her face was totally worth it. But now, I can’t wait to share some of my experiences along the way with you!

So far, the route has gone through a few changes since I first dreamt it up, but since I started the trip it has followed the final plans fairly well. The first few days were quite possibly my most adventurous. Not only was I couchsurfing, but I was also visiting a bunch of cities I’d never been to before and had no idea what to expect. On top of that, I’m also working remotely during the week days, so my time and experiences may be limited in all of these places but I still get a glimpse of things along the way.

In case you’re wondering…my husband is not on the trip, primarily because his work is not remote, but also because this trip made sense for me and not for him this time. He got to stay home and work on some of his big dreams and goals. We knew this was a matter of pursuing opportunities as they come–for both of us.

I have taken photos, made memories, thought through life, shared meals, visited dear friends, and become friends with (otherwise) perfect strangers. I definitely hope to give you more of a destination by destination summary later on, but for now, just want to share a few basic things I’ve found along the way…

Context carries a lot of weight. When I had an introduction or someone mentioned my trip, suddenly I was an interesting person with a story to tell but other times I was just another girl in the crowd whose story appeared boring and ordinary.
Creativity can strike in the most bizarre places…and it won’t run out if we use it.
Everyone has a messy house. Maybe you’re that one weirdo who doesn’t have laundry or dishes or a pile of random things on the counter, but you’re in the small minority. Seeing a lot of other (normal) homes has me convinced that it’s okay to have a house that looks well, rather lived in.
There are a lot of (dead) armadillos by the side of the road in Arkansas.
The culture changes in different parts of the country. Different pasts, different stories, different thoughts.
A lot of people think they know how you should live your life. The ones that admit they don’t know the answers but are striving to do their best with what they’ve got are the ones I trust the most.
Some parts of the country just simply aren’t great places to visit.
No matter how nice you are, you might say the wrong thing one day. It feels like the worst moment ever as soon as you realize you hurt someone but had no idea at the time.
Some local coffee shops are amazing, others leave a lot to be desired.
There’s a ton of gospel music on the radio in the South.
Late nights paired with early mornings will catch up to you.
Solo road trips are more rare than I realized. I’ve been told a few times that I’m brave for going at this alone, especially as a woman. Maybe that’s true and in some ways this trip feels meaningful but in a lot of other ways, it feels pretty average. I am only driving between two to six hours at a time and for a big part of the trip I’m with people I know. The fact that I had the opportunity to do it makes a huge difference, but what I’m actually doing is not epic in itself.
Travel isn’t for the purpose of merely “seeing all the things and going all the places.” It’s to gain perspective and understanding, all the while challenging yourself.
I love to travel, but there’s more to life than traveling. If I had to give up everything to travel, I don’t think it would actually be worth it. My relationships, friendships, home, skills and goals hold huge value to me. I think sometimes travel seems glamorous, but it can come at a cost to other aspects of our life.

Argentina Trip – Video

May 26, 2015May 26, 2015Samantha Gratton

Okay everybody, I think it’s high time we shared the video montage of our trip to Argentina. You know, that trip we got back from two months ago. (How has that time gone by so quickly?) At first we were stressed as we threw ourselves back into our daily and creative lives. Then it seemed like maybe I would post more photos after a quick post on Iguazu Falls. Instead, let’s get a better view. Without further adieu, here’s the video recap of our trip through Argentina in March 2015.

I think it’s quite clear, but in case you missed it–Argentina was amazing. My husband did an excellent job putting together a video that shares a glimpse of our time there. Of course there were several more moments and memories, but sometimes you just have to experience things firsthand and not bother with the camera.

We spent several days in Buenos Aires as we flew in and out from there and used it as our jumping off point to get to places like Iguazu Falls and Mendoza. Buenos Aires was the big city (that never sleeps)–the place where we walked until our feet were covered in blisters, saw a bunch of museums, tried to tango, experienced city life, attended an incredible drumming performance and met some amazing people in the various hostels we stayed at.

Iguazu Falls was a tiny town in the middle of the jungle where we mainly explored the trails and walkways near the falls but also stopped by a wildlife preserve to see some local animals. It took an additional flight to get there, which unfortunately was canceled and later rescheduled due to an airline strike that day. Thankfully, we got everything sorted out, and it was more than worth it. Iguazu Falls is quite possibly the most epic natural wonder either of us have or ever will see.

Mendoza was a medium-sized town near the Andes. We actually took an overnight 13-hour bus ride to get there and back from Buenos Aires. After a morning to get acclimated, I quickly decided it was my favorite city of the three. Set right next to the Andes mountains, it was a gorgeous area which we got to explore by horseback, kayak, raft and bike. It was a lot of activity but in the most restful and wonderful way.

Finally, we took a short day trip to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, which is just a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires. We were glad to get a quick view of the country, learn more about its history and dream about what life might be like there.

All in all, a great trip through a beautiful country. We were so grateful for the opportunity to go, the time together and the experiences we shared.

Thursday Three

May 21, 2015Samantha Gratton

It’s time for me to make a mad dash (or sorts) and write the first three things that come to my head to sum up the week. I’m so glad you seem to like reading it…it makes me feel less crazy and justifies taking a few random pictures.

1. People will surprise you. I’ve experienced such kindness from strangers this past week. People I’ve never met before became fast friends and brought a certain sweetness to my day. Being willing and open to accept that generosity and hear life stories has brought so much joy and abundance to my life.

2. Trust your instincts. Yes, be open. Yes, take chances. But also, use discernment. I’d love to say everyone is kind and considerate in this world, but I can’t. Hope for the best but keep an eye out and step away if needed. Know what your boundaries are, and when they’ve been crossed.

3. Appreciate the small things. Go to a local coffee shop and talk to the regulars. Count all the cars with stick figure families on the back window and think of all the kids that love having a sticker to represent them. Admire a skyline or enjoy a sunset. There’s beauty and delight to be found in the little moments.

Daily Creativity

May 19, 2015May 19, 2015Samantha Gratton

Creativity does not run out.

When you write, sometimes it feels like writing more might mean you’ll be all out of writing. But that isn’t the case. Sure there are days when you just want to get outside and get away from a computer, but writing inspires writing. Thinking inspires thinking. Traveling sparks more travel. Music makes more music. So write like the writing will never run out. Create without fear of running out of creativity.

While I wrote the above paragraph about a month ago, it was introduced in a new way to me just last week. On Thursday, I had the privilege to attend the Creative Women’s Summit, an event put together by the Influence Network. There were so many thoughts and ideas presented there that I could write my next seven posts just on of my scribbled out notes. Perhaps in the future I will get the chance to type out more of my thoughts but for now, I want to talk briefly about this idea of creativity and how it doesn’t necessarily run out like we think it could.

Hayley Morgan spoke ever so briefly during the event, but what she shared definitely stuck with me. She talked about creativity being like manna. I’d never thought about it in this way before but want remember to gather creativity day-by-day, just like manna.

If you don’t know what the heck I am talking about, let’s get a little background, okay? In the Bible (specifically, Exodus 16), there is a group of people (the Israelites) who are in between slavery and the Promised Land and unfortunately, are wandering in the desert for 40 years. During this time, God provided manna from heaven to feed them (some sort of bread-y substance). What’s interesting is that they were only take what they needed for that day. If someone took more than they needed, it would rot and go bad. Then, manna would be provided again the next day. There was no need to store up extra or hoard food because it would be available again the next day when it was needed.

In the same way, consider creativity to be like manna. We can take all the creativity we need at the time we are needing it, but rest in the promise that it will come again. We don’t need to cling to our creativity and ideas as if it’s our only chance. We shouldn’t hoard ideas or possibilities, because that will leave us stuck with rotting ideas. Use those ideas when they come and take what you need when it’s there. Know that if one idea doesn’t work, there will be another one, so it’s okay to move forward without it. We also don’t do something once for the week or the month, instead we continue to find the daily provision and opportunity to be creative. The creativity will come back again.

After I write a good post or a new song or whatever it may be, it’s easy to suddenly feel like that’s it. There’s no more ideas in my head, and I’ve peaked. There’s a lot of pressure in that, which then causes doubt and fear…and ultimately, inhibits creativity. If instead, we remember that it will be there again–that we just need to faithfully take and use the creativity we need–there’s no reason for fear. It’s not our problem to solve. God created us and He will provide the creativity–we just need to use it when it’s there.

Creativity does not run out, so use it.

Thursday Three

May 15, 2015Samantha Gratton

Today has been such a jam-packed day that I feel like this could be called the “Thursday Thousand”…yet I can’t even think of what to say for the three. How to sum up the week in a few paragraphs? That sounds nearly impossible. So instead I’ll just spout some basic life lessons and call it good for the day.

1. Be right with your people. Those people in your life that you want to have relationships with, whether it’s your family or your friends–make sure to get right with them. There will always be something else to do and another to-do list to cross off or another idea, creative project or work responsibility to tend to. But in a week, month, year, decade, whatever–it’s those people and those relationships that you’ll care about most, so care about them now.

2. Community is both created and pursued. There are seasons in life when maybe community happens more naturally, be it in college or during the “best summer ever.” But more often, finding and being a part of a community requires intention, thought and time. You have to seek community, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s ever going to pay off. Finding community sometimes means finding a lot of rejection first. And then, once you’ve found it, you have to be willing to accept it and fully participate in that community. That takes an incredible amount of effort, transparency and perseverance, but ultimately, it’s worth it.

3. Creativity matters. We need creativity to solve problems, to find inspiration and to lift our spirits. That creativity comes in so many forms and can be absolutely amazing. It drives me crazy to think that people can put creativity solely into an artist or craft box. You have creativity in you. Don’t let the artists, musicians, writers and designers be the only ones who take ownership of the word. You are creative in some way, I’m positive, and you need to use that for the benefit of both yourself and others.

Know Me, Not That

May 11, 2015Samantha Gratton

We all want to know and be known on some level. Whether it’s fame or friendship, we want someone else to know who we are, what we stand for and what we are like.

But what happens when we let someone know the less pretty side?

I’m not talking about the, “I’m a mess because my socks don’t match and we’re out of coffee” kind. I’m not even talking about the “My life is not going the way I planned” kind of mess. No, I’m talking about the downright ugly internal struggles, like jealousy, discontentment or negativity.

I want to be known, but I do not want those things to be known whatsoever. The reason I don’t want you to know about them is because frankly, I don’t want them to be real. I don’t want that to be “me” in any way. Sometimes in my longing to build relationships, I let those out. The thing is, that’s not what I want to be known for.

So the question becomes, how do we walk the line of transparency, revealing our struggles and the really “real”, without seeming just plain ugly? I want any bitterness, jealousy and hurt to be completely removed from my life. But if I’m being honest, it’s in there sometimes. I hate it, and of course I don’t want anyone to see it. At the same time, I don’t want to slap on a facade and pretend it’s not there either.

I would rather you know the loving, thoughtful and creative sides, but truthfully, I have all sorts of flaws, too. This isn’t something I’d like to dwell on, but I think it’s worth talking about. I think we all have sides that we don’t want anyone to see. In hopes of hiding it away, we avoid and ignore issues that need to be addressed. Maybe instead it’s time to have some honest conversations. Find a trusted friend or maybe even confront yourself.

There’s more here to say: More to talk about when it comes to struggles and failures. Finding trustworthy friends and learning when it isn’t time to share. Coping with ugly truths and battling it out in hopes of personal refinement. Realizing beautiful truths and learning to embrace them. More to question and wrestle with as we discover who we really are. But for now, I leave you with merely the start…how are you known?

Thursday Three

May 7, 2015May 7, 2015Samantha Gratton

Well hey there, Thursday. It’s been a full week somehow…there are literally not enough hours in the day. Oh, how I wish I could simply skip sleep sometimes. But then again, what would I do? Just watch a few more movies? There’s only so much time one can dedicate their brains to working and side projects before running out of energy and productivity. So, I guess sleep is good. Let’s stop this babbling and get on to the good stuff…

1. Sometimes what’s “broke” don’t need fixin’ …just love. The vacuum cleaner I thought was broken for…uhm, months….turned out to just need a little extra TLC. Isn’t that just the analogy for everything in life? Okay, it needed a LOT of TLC. In the four and a half years of owning it, we’ve replaced a few parts but apparently never cleared out the hose. Here’s a gross display of everything I’ve ever tried to clean out of our house but instead just stored in the bottom of our vacuum…the hubby called it the “dust rings of our marriage”.

2. Remember to make due with what you’ve got. Last week we both battled some sort of cold/sore throat/allergies/virus–who knows what. We also had a little gig to play at the end of the week. Practice was weak, the hubby had a little loss of voice scare and we even tried to figure out a plan B…but somehow we made it through the end of the night. All things considered, I thought it went pretty well. It’s easy to get stuck on things when an obstacle is right in front of you, but the trick is to not limit yourself by your own fears of a potential problem. I’m constantly trying to remind myself that–not always succeeding, but definitely going to keep on trying.

3. Keep asking what inspires you. Maybe that’s through an interesting video, encouraging poster or a collection of quotes and images on tumblr. Maybe for you that means reading the thoughts of others in blogs or books, listening to a great podcast, attending a presentation or admiring the craftsmanship and artwork of a completed project. Don’t worry about what particular form your inspiration comes in (as long as it is excellent/encouraging/true), but continue to pursue it–continue to be inspired. Make a habit out of seeking out inspiration and surround yourself with it for motivation. We all need that extra encouragement and excitement so we can create and do things to inspire the next person.