First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. I have had a number of people ask how my birthday was, so I will touch on that (briefly!) before (attempting) a smooth segue into what has been on my mind.
My actual birthday (Sunday) was absolutely perfect. Church, some “me” time in my craft room, and dinner out with my Honey. Perfect.
Saturday consisted of a bunch of girls (Nine, total!) heading off to K-town. We shopped (Sales!), we ate (Great food!), we went to a movie (Juno! GO SEE IT!)
I was spoiled rotten (See Flickr photo).
Before leaving for the Girls’ Night Out, Matthew and I had a Really Great Talk.
You see, I have had a number of opportunities present themselves to me lately. I have not even been trying and all of a sudden I could delve into a number of different things that both inspire me and pay well. Bonus.
While talking about these Great Opportunities, Honey (He Who Knows Me So Well) told me that I would have to start making choices about what I pursue. To quote him, “Everything that you touch turns to gold“.
Let me backtrack a bit. I do not mean this post to be boastful. For I really am anything but. I have had a number of disappointments in my life, but to write about them might hurt others and that is never good.
However. I do know the talents that God has given me.
He has given me intelligence (Though it is a little foggy since birthing three children). I could read (Books! Magazines! Newspapers!) by the age of two-and-a-half. I skipped grade three (Yay Grads of ’92!). I was always in “special” (read: dorky) classes for the Smart Kids.
He has also given me the drive that comes with my Type A personality. I will work to the best of my ability to be the greatest ME that I can be. If I find something that I am passionate about (See: This Site) I will put everything I have into it.
In addition to this, I have two parents who have always told me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. I believed them. I still do.
There are a number of things I cannot do. I cannot sew, knit, or crochet. Because of this (now hazy) intelligence of mine and the (crazy stupid) drive I have, I truly believe that I could learn the above if I really put my mind to it.
I am not stupid, however. (See: above reference to intelligence) I cannot sing (well..but I am not off-key), I cannot weld (obviously), I cannot play basketball (much to Honey’s chagrin). I do know my limits.
I also know that I seem to have an eye for photography. I am not great by any means…but some really amazing people have given me some really great words of encouragement. “Eye for photography”, “Natural talent”, “Gifted”…have all been thrown out there by people I respect. And also? By mere acquaintances.
I was asked to help out a Realtor friend of mine last week. She had a listing that was three months old and had not had any showings. I took a few photos…and within two days there had been a couple of showings and an OFFER.
You guys also know that the local photo guy here in town asked me to do any Family Photo Shoots that came his way. He then emailed me on Saturday and asked if I “do weddings”. He does not like to do them, but would like to refer people my way. I have always said that weddings scare me (They still do!) but I have been talking to a friend of Matthew’s who lives in Vancouver and has done a bazillion weddings. He is willing to come up here, alongside me, for the first few that come my way and teach me what he can.
This is what prompted the Really Great Talk with Matthew. At first, I was defensive. Hearing his suggestion that I would have to choose. There is Blogging, Photography, Accounting, Pretty Paper, etcetera…
I told him that he was raining on my parade. This baffled him. He stated, “How am I raining on your parade? I just told you that everything you touch turns to gold“.
I have been pondering this for the past few days. He Who Knows Me So Well is right.
I can be good at an unlimited number of things. I can only be great at a select few.
Now I just need to choose.
Two roads diverged in a wood….
Amanda Brown’s last blog post..This Is Me At Eight Weeks, Baby
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Pingback: Media Districts Entertainment Blog » On Choosing Greatness
Angella, you are talented and creative and wonderful: whatever you choose will be great. I am quite often in awe of you and that is not going to change, no matter what road you take. I’m sure there are many who would agree.
reddirtroad’s last blog post..A Should Have
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Good luck making your decision. I look forward to hearing about whatever wonderful things are in your future
TheAngelForever’s last blog post..My knitty history
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You will figure it out Angella, and you will be great at whatever you choose.
Kami’s last blog post..A Most Excellent Post
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I like SAJ’s motto…You do what you love. You will figure it out.
Meanwhile, I’ll be praying for you!
bethany actually’s last blog post..Let it snow
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What a compliment from the hubby! Good luck with your choice. No matter what you choose you will succeed at. Best of luck deciding which of your passions, which of your talents will be “the one”.
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You’re married to a very wise man.
Robyn’s last blog post..This is what our day looks like
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Glad you had a nice birthday!
Good luck making your decision. I’m sure you’ll choose wisely. Just remember to ask the Big Guy for his guidance on it …
Hannah’s last blog post..Household tips
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Blessings, baby,… wonderful blessings!
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Don’t eat the yellow snow
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You go girl! (Could you touch my bank account?)
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This little light of mine…..
It can be hard wearing so many hats. On my blog it says, “Creativity is our gift from God. Using that creativity is our gift to God.” It is up to you on HOW you want to use it.
Choices and decisions can be so tough. I wear alot of different hats too like most of us. Some have asked me if I would send my kids to school so I can devote my full days to my art and I answer no, not yet. I can still be an artist and homeschool and all the other things I like to do. It is just finding a balance of where I want to spend my time and what gets my priority.
It is all good. You are gifted no doubt. How you choose to use that gift is a tough decision. Your talent wont fade no matter what you do.
Also, if daVinci’s Mona Lisa was hanging in his livingroom instead of the Louvre, would that make him less of an artist. I don’t think so.
So whether you get into wedding photography, or real estate photography or taking sweet pictures of your family and your flowers, you are an amazingly talented person.
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WOW! Decisions, decisions! I can’t imagine picking between all those things but I’m sure you will do what’s best for you! (Although, I don’t know what I would do without your blogging and photography!) Go Angella!!!
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Happy Birthday!
And how lovely it is to be forced to make a choice sometimes!
trish’s last blog post..fulfilling his citizenship requirements
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Glad you had a wonderful birthday. Yep, you should follow what you LOVE and success will follow Angella…from the outside (I know I don’t know you but through the blog) it seems that photography is a definite direction you should consider. I love your photos!!!
Dana’s last blog post..The Party
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Um, I’m with Heidi. Can you touch my bank account? Or maybe the stock market after yesterday’s crash? Can you do magic too?
Just kidding girl. You have been presented with some pretty fabulous opportunities Angella. We are all so proud of you.
Karla’s last blog post..Finding balance in the chaos of motherhood
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Glad to hear you had a great birthday! You do have a great talent for photography, and how lucky for you to to have options! You get to choose what you’d like to do, and among things you LOVE!!! I look forward to hearing what road you choose!
Erin’s last blog post..Success Story
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“Everything that you touch turns to gold“
my god, how i love that!
ali’s last blog post..Feed Me Seymour!
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I think another one of your incredible talents is how you manage to keep a great balance in your life, with time for yourself, time for your marriage and time for your family unit.
You’ll be great at whatever you choose. And whatever you choose will be better because of you.
You already enjoy your life to the fullest. You need no advice from any of us.
So glad your birthday was a blast.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..Why this week has the potential to suck
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That’s so wonderful that you have so many oppurtunities to choose from. I hope that you choose what makes you happy.
Kristie’s last blog post..No seriously, thanks for the information.
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It is said that everyone has talents. It is up to us to figure out how to best use our talents. I am glad you have so many and you will “know” what is best for you. Now, can you help me figure out what “my” talent is?
SouthernBelle’s last blog post..Out of the Mouths of Babes, Part II
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I have total faith that what you choose will be best for you and will turn to “gold” as your “honey” said. I just hope for my selfish sake you don’t choose to end the blog. I so love reading and being a small part of your life.
I will support you and pray for you in whatever you choose!
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I am reading this book called ’5 Little Questions’ and it talks about finding God’s purpose for your life. The lady who wrote has a very successful marketing company, heavily involved in her church, president of PAC, the list of her ‘to dos’ and ‘hobbies’ were endless. I have just started the book, but it talks about how we sometimes spread ourselves too thin and how we should focus on God’s Purpose for our lives. It’s something that I have been spending alot of time reading up on….
Susie’s last blog post..The Decision
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Your photography has been especially inspirational to me lately. But your hubby is right (as well as everybody else who comments here), you are an amazingly talented woman and we all want you to do what will make you happy.
I was interested to hear that you were one of those reading two-year-olds too, huh? That’s interesting. My elementary tried skipping me a grade but since I was already one of the youngest in my class due to when my birthday fell, my mom was scared I would be too far behind the other kids in terms of physical and emotional development that I just got to be the “tops” of my peers and stay in the same grade.
And I’m so glad you have such supportive family and friends with whom you could celebrate your birthday.
Jill – GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Conversations with Strangers
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oh to choose! it’s a blessing.
sizzle’s last blog post..This Post Is Brought To You By the Letter ?P?
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You should totally do weddings! And then in August you can photograph my wedding! Because it’s all about me!
Gah. I hate the words “you should…”
The thing is, whatever interests you *the most* is what you’ll spend the most time on. You won’t even need to think about your choice – you’ll just make it. No angst involved
Hills’s last blog post..I Am Slowly Going Crazy, 1-2-3-4-5-6-Switch
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A mentor of mine once told me that that “you can only do two-and-a-half things well“, and it’s been very helpful for me over the last few years. He wrote it up into a kick-ass blog post, but then deleted his entire blog last year (thank goodness for the Wayback Machine’s archived version). He basically says what your Honey told you: you have to choose. If you don’t, you end up doing everything half-assed, you sacrifice sleep to the point that your body gives up, or you drive yourself mental. The 2 1/2 things theory is just a thought experiment, of course, but I think there’s real truth there.
For me, that means I can do good work (parental leave’s over, back to full-time toil…ugh) and be a good dad. That’s 2. The remaining half I have to split between my marriage, creative pursuits and exercise. I’m succeeding in those areas about as much as 1/3 of 1/2 would indicate. The thinner you slice it, the less satisfying those things will be. I know this is an oversimplification, but reflecting like this has helped me understand why I can’t do it all without some sacrifice.
Jeremy’s last blog post..Apex Weekend
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Your photography is just gorgeous- I love that shot at the top of the page. I’m sure whatever you choose you will excel at and enjoy. I think shooting weddings would be incredibly rewarding because the photos mean so very much to the couple.
And for the record, I can weld. But I would not call it one of my talents. Neither would any of the boys in my welding class I paid to do my assignments.
slynnro’s last blog post..Some reasons why you may or may not want to hang out with me.
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in reference to one of your previous posts- You wont know unless you try.
and feel incredibly blessed that you have the opportunity to choose and know that your husband is behind you 100% 
Mom Next Door’s last blog post..because i can
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What do you have to lose by exploring options? You will find out if you love it or hate it, and with the weddings, you have ready and willing help. Amazing!
witchypoo’s last blog post..Great Social Networking Plugin
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You will be sucessful no matter what you choose. You have talent, drive, ambition, and a desire to learn. There will be no stopping you.
christy’s last blog post..Warm Summer Evening
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Aren’t those talks great with the hubby! They always have great insight and they always want the best for us. He did give great advice.
I hope you have a good time in choosing this path…what a great thing to be faced with!
Amy in Washington State~
Amy’s last blog post..I don’t like 4:30….
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There has to be one or two things that steal your heart and light a passion in you more than the others. With that honest refection tackle those with your whole heart and TEACH your kids how to do it! You will be brilliant! Happy belated b-day!
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I very, selfishly, hope you will choose blogging forever..;-).
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I LOVE those two pics!
Karen’s last blog post..let’s play the ?we love each other? game.
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girl, you have a ton of talent, in a lot of different aspects. i dont have much advice, but listen to your soul, open your heart and follow it. what it says, will be the right path, i can promise you that.
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I have no “blow you away” advice;) but I will say this. DO what makes YOU the happiest! God will always use you no matter what it is:)
May God lead you to keep doing great things!
Randi’s last blog post..Frrreeeezing!
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Angella, although we don’t really “know” each other, I have to agree wth your husband here; you really are so talented, and I know that whatever you decide to do, it will be amazing. Truly.
metalia’s last blog post..The First Step Is Recognizing That You Have A Problem
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Tough choices, eh? I would try a few weddings out first to see if you like it. I do weddings (as you know) and I have a fair bit to say on the subject. The bottom line is, there is lots of money to be made for someone with talent. There are good and bad aspects — it’s fast paced and somewhat stressful, and you have to be willing to boss people around. You also have to be able to think on your feet and solve problems quickly, like if the lighting is weird or something. But it can be really rewarding, and it’s fun sharing someone’s most important day with them. Doing a wedding with someone with experience is a great way to get acquainted with it, so go for it
Please do let me know if you have any questions — I just started shooting professionally a little while ago and I have friends who have photography businesses so I have lots of tips.
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Amen. And? It is hard.
I chose too. It’s still hard.
OMSH’s last blog post..For those disinterested in WordPress Wednesdays
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What a fabulous time in your life! I’m very excited for you. Because I don’t have any children (yet!), I try to make my decisions based on the simple happiness scale–How happy will it make me? How happy will it make my home-life? How happy will I be when I cash that first hujungous paycheck and buy shiny cookware and shinyshoes?
I’m sending good vibes your way…can’t wait to see what path you choose. Pretty cool to know that so many people want you to be happy
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..Kickin’ It Old School….Andy Rooney Style
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Isn’t it great to have parents that tell you that you can do anything? I never realized it, but my mom ALWAYS having faith in me helped me do things I probably may not have.
I think you’re awesome! And I’m happy that these opportunites are coming your way. Even if I’m commenting on a post that’s like a week and a half old.
If you build it, he will come. Or something.
Kristabella’s last blog post..Because Train Is A Mode Of Travel
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