Last year I made a few mistakes in regard to my business. The biggest one was not setting time aside for me. The non-photographer side of me. The person who wasn’t glued to her computer all day, who read more, who slept more. The person who took deeper breaths.

One of my goals this year was actively pursue a balanced life with relationships in this order: God, JD, family, friends, me, business. You see, this six-armed tree bore only five arms last year and it really affected the trunk, the core of who I was. Because I was so busy with everyone else, I kinda forgot about making me, me.

This year I’ve learned to say No and set aside time to indulge in life’s simplest pleasures. Mid-day walks, late night movie repeats of Gladiator, reading. Doing these things is not easy, as I’ve been known to simultaneously have a heart-to-heart with a friend, catch up on email, fold laundry, and flip through the latest W Magazine. I’m the walking love child that OCD and Multi-Tasker bore 20-something years ago.

It’s almost July and I can honestly say I’m SO much happier this year than I was last year. Fear, trepidation, and stress have packed most their bags, leaving in their place a fresher, lighter view of life. I hope that next year is only better! A special Thank You goes to JD, my family, and friends for constantly reminding me that the world will not end if I don’t complete every task on my To-Do list. And if it does, I can place the onus on them!

Here are two books I just can't rave enough about…
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott. I just finished “Grace Eventually” by Lamott and I laughed, cried, and loved the world a little more after her stories. She's one of the best writers around and her voice is so real. Touchable almost.
Late last night (it was actually early this morning), I completed Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. It left me breathless. Lahiri is probably my most favorite writer of all time and I love her work so much I can french kiss each page. It's just that good. Her short stories are the best in current literary publications. She's nothing short of amazing.

And a very, very special Thank You must go to my best buddy, Polo. Everyday we share a quiet breakfast together, the crust of my sandwiches together at lunch, and a sliced orange every night together. He literally brightens my life and I love him more than I love Ben&Jerry. And that’s a lot.