A Fail Proof Formula for Processing in the New Year… that failed — Heartland Living Magazine — Editorial Photography and Writing

 A Fail Proof Formula for Processing in the New Year… that failed — Heartland Living Magazine — Editorial Photography and Writing

I’m giving you a formula at the end of this article that is guaranteed to work for new years planning success. But first I’m going to tell you a story about how it didn’t. How this year, in those first hazy days of 2024 the tried-and-true, fail proof formula failed me. 

And this all begins with another fail proof formula for processing things. It involves:

#1 Solitude 

#2 Uninterrupted time 

#3 Shimmering daylight. 

Give me those three things and my scattered thoughts start to click into place, my mind starts to actually work. I can process and grow. I can write and create and brainstorm with the best of them. I could conquer the world with enough of it, I truly believe. 

But the three seem to be quite elusive. Especially in the last three years since becoming a work from home parent… to a toddler. And to find them in unison is nearly impossible. So here at the beginning of 2024  I’m trying my hardest to pivot. To seek out nearly perfect scenarios and roll with it, if you will.

How do I find solitude in the presence of others? Noise canceling headphones help. 

How do I carve out large amounts of time where it doesn’t appear to exist? It seems, if you squint, you can find the time in quite tiny increments between all the other things pressing in.

How do I learn to think in the dark? Seek the magic of the daylight beyond the horizon. 

The Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador (1917 - 1980) says,

“Christianity discerns that beyond the night

The dawn already glows.

The hope that does not fail is carried in the heart.

Christ goes with us!”

Now I can’t stop thinking of the dawn glowing beyond the inky black horizon of night. And somehow, by some miracle, outside of the laws of my fail proof formula, I’m writing this in the dark.

The Quiet In-Between

Do you notice, or maybe it’s just me, that you hold your breath when smiling for a photo? We suck in a big inhale and freeze. It’s habit or pattern or maybe we are just trying to posture ourself in a way as women to look thinner or as men try to puff out their chest or broaden their shoulders or something of that sort. It’s just what we do as humans. And, yes, we capture some truly delightful photos while holding our breath. Yet some of my very favorite captures are the relaxed in-between moments. As we walk from one spot to the next. Guard down, we chat casually about life. We share stories. We breathe.
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Today in the in-between we still sit in the glow of the Christmas tree, still cozy in our Christmas PJs, the clatter of Christmas toys being thoroughly enjoyed, the Jesus Storybook Bible still open to page with a baby in a barn, a warm cup of coffee in my Santa mug in my hand, a jazzy instrumental version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas plays softly in the background.
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We are holding on to the magic still. Or maybe finally truly seeing it for the first time this season.
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I’m wrapping up edits for this year before we head north for vacation for a spell celebrating Christmas with my husband’s family, the last batch of presents from under the tree in tow. There’s more magic to come.
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I used to dread the Christmas let down. All the building anticipation for the day comes to a halt on December 25 as your head hits the pillow. But these days I’m loving it. Because we decide when the halting stops. Because the quiet space gives us room. Room for pause, room for reflection, room for peace, room for pure & simple joy, room to exhale after the long holding of breath in the whirling pace of things, room for Him.
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We are holding on, gently, in the quiet in-between to each and every slow moment with room to breathe.
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And we just might stay in our Christmas PJs all day.

Merry Christmas! — The Fox Family — Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, FL

Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful Christmas and new year!

🤍 The Fox Family - Devon, Caroline and Norah
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(Photo Number 1 is Norah’s pick for the Christmas card. And a big thank you to the lovely @reagancorinne.photos for capturing my family so beautifully!)
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“He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then, for three years, he was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He didn't go to college. He never lived in a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself. He was only 33 when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his garments, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave, through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race. I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned--put together--have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one, solitary life.”

- Attributed to James Allen Francis on the life of Jesus Christ

Colorful Florida Ranch Wedding Photography — Hannah + Patrick — Sebring, FL

Colorful Florida Ranch Wedding Photography — Hannah + Patrick — Sebring, FL

Hannah and Patrick's vibrant and colorful hometown wedding this past weekend celebrated all things Florida, family and friends! From the custom Jayebird watercolor invitations to the lush, vibrant florals to the Citrus Moscow Mule signature drink with a twist of orange everything was a delight through and through. Add in a sentimental ceremony plus a separate private vow reading beneath the towering oaks that included a tear or two and you have a wedding celebration for the books. Thank you for inviting me (and the crew) in to capture it all! Congrats you two!

Vibrant Herlong Mansion Hindu and Christian Wedding — Margot + Akshay — Micanopy Florida

Vibrant Herlong Mansion Hindu and Christian Wedding — Margot + Akshay — Micanopy Florida

What’s better than one Herlong Mansion wedding celebration? Two! Margot and Akshay had a love filled day starting off with a traditional Hindu ceremony and lunch before launching into a Christian celebration in ceremony number two. We capped it all off with a festive cocktail hour complete with a cocktail cart by Bar and Bubbles and dreamiest al fresco reception party .

Soldiers Chapel Montana Wedding Photography — Gabrielle + James — Big Sky, MO

Soldiers Chapel Montana Wedding Photography — Gabrielle + James — Big Sky, MO

James and Gabi and this stunning summer wedding adventure at Soldiers Chapel in Big Sky, Montana was one for the books. Thank you so much for choosing this breathtaking place to get married and inviting me along for the fun!

From the charming and rustic Soldier’s Chapel (with a view) to stopping along the mountain road between their ceremony and reception from Big Sky to Bozeman for breathtaking views and photo ops with the newlywed pair, James and Gabbi’s wedding day turned family vacation was like a dream!​​​​​​​​

Modern Farm Baby Shower Photography — Arbuckle Creek Farms — Avon Park, FL

Modern Farm Baby Shower Photography — Arbuckle Creek Farms — Avon Park, FL

What an absolutely gorgeous day at @arbucklecreekfarm celebrating Liz and her precious baby boy coming soon!

Vendors:
Venue: @arbucklecreekfarm
Photography: @carolinemaxcyphoto
Florals: @bloom.shakalaka
Rentals: Vivant Event Rentals, Treasury Rentals, BBJ Linens
Balloon Arch: Sealed with an X
Sweets: Mamas Munchies
Catering: Chef Jacob Lyons @schmaltz_god_glory
Paper: HoneyBeeGiftCo's shop on Etsy