Take a risk a day…one small or bold stroke that makes you feel great once you’ve done it.
~ Simple Abundance ~
Finding your authentic self is a slow journey. I have been on it for a year or two, perhaps more. It started with my home….and is still continuing with the disposal of furniture this weekend that was not chosen by me but generously provided when we had none. Next stop, as I mentioned before, will be the renovation of our bedroom. Yet through all this growing one thing has remained stagnant.
My sense of style.
I have none.
I never have.
I have always stayed with what was safe, which if you asked those who love me….safe is equivalent to dowdy. No seriously. I pretty much wear just jeans and t-shirts. Not colorful t-shirts but winter colors. Safe colors. Black, brown, rust…and in the summer the occasional white t-shirt. After all, jeans and a white t-shirt have always been the staple of my summer wardrobe. Isn’t it for everyone?
Well my first ‘bold stroke’ in renovating my sense of style was when I purchased this watch. I would not have done it on my own. But God placed a friend beside me who loves taking risks and she nudged me to trying this watch on. To be honest, she wanted me to try ALL of them. I couldn’t. I was all set to buy the first one I tried on. It was similar but not nearly as colorful….actually it had only two colors…blue and white. My friend coerced me (no, this is not too strong a word…SHE DID coerce me!!!) to try another….which is the one I bought. Trying on any more than two was an impossibility for me. It would have been too overwhelming to try to choose from FIVE or more. I would have just walked away and not purchased what has become my ‘statement’…my first step toward painting with bold strokes.
The trunk of my car is now filled with all my colorless t-shirts. Tucked away in garbage bags to make the trip to Goodwill this afternoon. This leaves me with not much to wear. However, it also forces me to step into stores that I would otherwise avoid. Like Macys. That’s where the shirt at the top of this post is. Isn’t it gorgeous???? Of course I am not emaciated like the model wearing it, but that’s okay….I want it. It will match the colors in my watch perfectly.
I’d gone through life believing in the strength and competence of others; never my own. Now, dazzled, I discovered that my capacities were real. It was like finding a fortune in the lining of an old coat.
~ Joan Mills ~
Today’s ‘Around the Square’: are Lynn and Dineen from Spiritually Unequal Marriage. I have been reading Lynn’s blog (since that time she has been joined by Dineen) ever since I met her through Christian Women Online. We also had the pleasure of writing together over at Laced with Grace.Take a moment today to be inspired and encouraged by their writings.
Today I am grateful for: my jobs. With so many individuals losing theirs I am grateful that I still have an income.
Today I will simplify my life: by going through my closet (again!!!) and adding those handbags that just don’t put a smile on my face when I look at them….and that is quite a few!!!!!
5 Comments
These colors would be very good on you–go you!
I was a brown/beige/blue/green/black only type of person for a very long time, and I did have a sense of style just not of color. Nowadays I long to surround myself with all sorts of color. I was just thinking yesterday how the urge for color came with changes in my personality and perceptions fo the world, as well as my contentment with who I was and where I was.
Oh, you’re so brave! I don’t think I could ever give up my jeans and t-shirts. Even the shirts that I wear (with jeans, of course) that aren’t t-shirts are those comfy tropical prints from caribbean joe. About the only time I don’t wear my jeans is at church. I do, however, tend to choose bright colors, like fuchsia and green and blue and pink…even orange.
I am a jeans 7 t-shirt girl myself. I do like to occasionally dress them up though. Sometimes with scarves or sweaters, haven’t found any cute sports coat type yet. I also have different jeans for different occasions – nicer ones for going out to dinner or evening services or something and older ones for working in – as in around the house or work days at church.
I’m glad that you are going to do some playing with color. Remember that black and white go with so much and using colorful hair bands, scarves, sweaters and such can really dress them up. Will you be sharing pictures of your new outfits with us? We could all use new ideas on how to match things up.
She looks cold. Will hot flashes keep you warm or will you have to cover that top with a sweater? If so, be sure and buy a pretty one.
Danielle,
I love your blog. I stumbled across it via a link from another blog. I am new to blogging so I love seeing what others are doing and writing about. I read and journaled using Simple Abundance when it first came out some years ago- it gives some wonderful insight into ourselves.
Thanks again and God Bless!