Be Bright: The Twelve Months of Christmas

[creative spark]

Here we are. The evening of January 31st. Already?

Over this past year, I've decided that resolutions are actually made from a great place. Of good intentions. But do you remember your resolution for 2013?

Are you doing it?

When there's a horrible event, or a bizarre weather catastrophe, or yes, even that simple flip to a new calendar year, we all seem to pull together. With well-intended ideas. Something that jolts us out of our routine can easily spark something deep inside of us. But it's up to us on those not-so-sparky-days to keep at it. Keep it alive. Those ideas can often fade to be replaced by some other event, or just our busy lives throughout the year.

And I wonder if you remember the resolution you made last year? In 2012?


I do.

I'm actually not a resolution-maker. And, well, I didn't actually 'make' my 2012 resolution either. But I did listen to the one that seemed to find me.

We don't often know the details or deep joys or pains of those around us. And maybe it's not ours to know. But for some reason, someone very close to me shared an extraordinarily generous gift over Christmas 2011. For a number of reasons, this humbled me. I was and still am extraordinarily grateful. This person had not only brought me into the world but, in many ways, also showed me the world. So much of my exploring spirit, and courage, is rooted in this person. Someone who can reach out to strangers, but has a harder time reaching inside. When this gift was given to me, an idea seemed to swoop down into my soul right along with it:

Share it.

And so I did.

Now before I continue, I feel compelled to say that I was tentative on sharing this story as it was a private decision ever since the idea struck in December 2011 with the gift I received. But as I got to thinking, what if this inspires someone else? Then this gift multiplies.

So that's it.

I decided to get one $10 gift card each month throughout the year. I don't care to hand out actual money, but decided that the gift cards should be for: Groceries, Restaurant, Transportation, Clothes... then repeat.

And I did.

I love when ideas hit you that you can't even explain. Just smile, pay attention, hand it to someone in need, and carry on. I also decided to write a simple message to each person each month. And here's what 2012 looked like. 

JANUARY -- to an older black woman near the Silver Spring Metro Starbucks

FEBRUARY -- older man with blond hair in the median heading north on Colesville near Marvin UMC

MARCH -- 40-something white guy at Dale and Georgia Ave. He was holding a sign asking for money for medicine

APRIL -- Homeless black man asleep on a bench in Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, I just placed it by his things

MAY -- Average-looking older black man on Rockville Pike in front of White Flint Mall

JUNE -- Homeless hispanic woman on Old Democracy in the 270 spur in front of Balducci's

JULY -- Very tall black man at Shepherd's Table, this is the first time that I had to ask 'who takes the metro.'

AUGUST -- Homeless black woman around 9pm in the parking lot outside Panera after my first meeting with my soon-to-be real estate agent to look for my own house. This encounter was bittersweet.

SEPTEMBER -- White man down on his luck sitting outside the Starbucks at Woodmoor. He asked for spare change, I said I didn't have any, but gave him the card. He said, thank you. Thank you very much. 

OCTOBER -- This was 'the' woman. I was on L Street walking to my Metro from my new job. She was on the corner asking for spare change. A black woman about my age. And I walked up, gave this to her, gently smiled, and walked on... I could tell it took her a minute but there was a giddy-ness in her voice when she yelled 'thank you' that reminded me how we ALL could use a touch of compassion. We ALL have the same needs and desires, fears and dreams. And Lord knows these days at the drop of a hat your life can change just like a magic show right before your eyes. For good or for bad. THAT is precisely WHY compassion is needed even more. We don't KNOW the battles other are facing. But we can offer a smile, consideration, respect, and share the things that we are blessed to have receive. Compassion is SO desperately needed.

NOVEMBER -- Loved the child-like eagerness in this question... I was on break during work and passed by a CVS with a black woman sitting out front. I handed the card to her. She smiled, looked at it and asked "how much is on the card?" I said it's on there. And carried on.

DECEMBER -- Of course. "Be Bright." Indeed. This time the final person in this string of 'sharing' a gift given to me, was an older Vietnam Vet, a black man on the corner of... well... Corner Bakery. I just dropped it in his had and kept going.

I think the thing that stands out from this... is that we do not know the troubles and joys and pains that others feel. Sometimes not even those closest to us. Maybe one of those people who had received one of these cards is online and is reading this now?


But we do know this... we are each better when someone extends respect, compassion, generosity, hope, and patience. Even in a very simple, tiny way.

And my hope in this new-ish year is that we each will be bright. No, BRILLIANT! Let your little light shine. FIND the thing that sparks your life and GO after it. And be kind along the way.
 
But don't just go after it in January.

Don't just be motivated and inspired this month.

'Be bright' all of the twelve months of 2013.

It's human

[ creative spark ]
 

More on CafePress

A little more kind

[ TWENTY-SIX LETTERS ] 

We can talk about gun control, but let’s also talk about anger control. Let's talk about being more kind.

How often do you drop an f-bomb when a sports call doesn’t go your way? How often do you refuse to let someone merge into traffic because you were in the lane first? How often do you leave a mess on the table at a restaurant because you received poor service from your waiter? How often do you call a total stranger an “idiot” because she has a different political belief than you?

Yes, it is time to talk about curbing automatic weapons. But it is also time to take a deep breath. Today’s killer was undoubtedly an angry young man. Next time you act angrily, consider if you are too angry and for the wrong reasons. Let's stop being angry towards others just because we don't know them and because it's easy to get angry at a stranger.

Maybe we can all try a little harder to not piss off the person next to us in traffic, the person filling our order at the drive through, the person on the other end of the phone, and the person we don’t even know.

Let’s not be a little more kind just because of what happened today. Let’s not be a little more kind just because it’s the holidays. Let’s just be a little more kind.

#BeKind

-- Posted 12/14 by my friend, Juliet Jones

 

And I full-heartedly agree. What was extra sad to me was hearing an anchorman on the nightly news say that 'this won't be the last time a shooting like this happens.' WHAT? WHY IS THIS OKAY? Another post I saw online was very poignant, "I also was ranting that so many pro-life advocates are against gun regulation. Baffling." There IS beauty in this world, as Macy Gray sings, but if this sort of thing keeps happening in the land of the free, or ANYwhere in the world, it's surely going to get harder and harder for folks to SEE that beauty.

My note back to Juliet about her post was this, "SO well-put. What a screwed up day. You know what I ache for besides the obvious loss of life? I ache for the loss of innocence. At 5 and 6yrs old growing up in Stone Mountain, GA, me and my little friends would take cases of Barbies (with a trail of plastic Barbie shoes behind us I'm sure) down a trail into the woods behind Mrs. Moynihan's house down to the creek. We'd be down there forever. Or... till someone's parent yelled "supper time." I couldn't even DREAM of doing that now. But what a brilliant sense of imagination, exploration, and appreciation of nature that instilled in me. Where do kids get that now? This is just awful."

I hope we can....

Have hope. Move forward. And be a little more kind.

Between the lines, Part 2

[ twenty-six letters ]

In my last blog post I called out a tight parking spot, last spot in the lot of the new metro station I'm now going to, and the quick note I left in the car door next to me addressing that. So, I came back from work that evening to thankfully find NO door dings. But then as I pulled away... I noticed my note was now placed in my windshield.

Uh-oh...

I couldn't even read it till I got home, I was too nervous at what it might say. Y'all know I'm an optimistic person. And I want to believe in the best in people. So, waited to read the note...

Oh, boy...



And here's the note they left for me:

Happy holidays, indeed.

Between the lines, Part 1

[ twenty-six letters ]

So it's been nearly one month living in, and commuting from, my first house. I love this new place. This new sanctuary in which to replenish. It's in the works, but such an inspiration to me already. And this past weekend, I finally got the last room -- my creative space/studio -- all set. This is the room that all of the creative sparking will be done from.

So, yes, all's good in th' hood.

But acclimating to my new commute to DC has been interesting. The new DC Metro station I take has an elevator that feels like your going down to the center of the earth. And while there's all the space in the world there... the parking lot at this new Metro station is another thing all together.

If you can even find a spot.

Someone apparently wanted to shove in as many spaces as possible. And if we all drove small cars like my little VW. And if everyone in DC could actually park. Between the lines. Then perhaps these itty-bitty parking spots wouldn't be an issue. But because we're all rushing to get to work sometimes parking between the lines isn't a big deal to some folks. Until it means you're parking over and into the very last parking space in the lot — which I needed.

Then it gets a little... touchy. Literally.

This happened to me this morning.

But, trusting my own abilities to park, I went for it. I nestled my little car right into the spot. Done. Great. All set, right? Nope.

My concern was the demeanor of the other driver when they returned to their car and there were about two full inches between my car (in the space) and their care (in my space). Would they be mad? Spiteful? Cocky?

DC is the only place I've ever gotten door dings, so as I was trying to get going in to work, I decided to scribble out this note. I tucked it in their door handle of the little old silver car. And I hoped for the best.

Went out after work to a local haunt and Metroed back north. Almost forgot about the whole note thing. But walking up on my car, I checked the passenger side door -- NO DINGS!

Woohooo! Success.

But then. As I was pulling out. I noticed my note was now placed in my windshield.

Uh-oh...

I couldn't even read it till I got home, I was too nervous at what it might say. Y'all know I'm an optimistic person. And I want to believe in the best in people. So, waited to read the note...

Oh, boy...

[ stay tuned for the response ]

'Til the cows come home

[ creative spark ]

Bonjour y'all.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Registered

[breadcrumb]
Given the timing [and title] of this post, you may think this has to do with voting. This does take a moment to highlight something that began four years ago, and I hope there will be four more years—and beyond.

But this is about BONJOURYALL.

Four years ago I created and posted my very first blog+post. Simply because I was so intrigued that the presidential candidate I'd voted for had utilized and created accounts on so many tech/social outlets, that it motivated me to figure it out, too. If the President can do it, I can too.

My first blog post here, four years ago was:
A hope for us all: to be better.
And I still have that hope. Always will.

'Hope' is not relegated to a particular party, social class, or nation. Nobody is better than anyone else. So, yes, regardless of the outcome in this very tight election—I like my hopey-changy. And four years ago, the second post, just sayin', was "moving forward." As for that horrible job market and the housing market? This fall, while I completely know we are not 100% there just yet, we are on our way. And I feel extraordinarily blessed and lucky with a new one of each. But this post is much, much more than highlighting a presidential race, or four fun years of blogging. And in my mind, heart, and creative soul, the importance of this news even surpasses the new house and new job.

I began using the term 'bonjouryall' back in the 20th century... okay, 1999. I was heading off to live in the south of France for a year, and this quirky term combined my southern roots of being raised in Atlanta, and my love of France. And if you've ever received a hand-made greeting card from me, there's a good chance that the back of it looks a little like these. With a "bonjouryall" on it.

In France as you enter a city, the 'welcome' sign indicates its welcome with a red box around it, and the name of the place you are entering in black letters. When you leave, the red box turns into a red slash through the black letters (a bit harsh if you ask me, but it's clear that you are leaving).

Now I'm a creative. Not a lawyer. So after some time passed and I'd been using the logo, had the website, and the term was becoming better-known, I looked into an amazing group up here in DC called WALA for assistance in officially claiming—and registering—this name and mark. I worked on this with them while I continued to freelance, and the process had been nearly a year in the works. I also learned along the way, that you can put a ™ or a © on your work to semi-protect it. But when you officially register it and have the ®, it is yours. Protected.

Now, October has been a ridiculously busy and extraordinarily overwhelming month, but I did recall, in my few remaining brain cells, that the lawyers I'd been working with had indicated we should be wrapped-up in October. So I reached out to them to check in.

I learned that one week ago today, my mark, and the name BONJOURYALL, is now, officially, registered with the federal trademark commission.

It's mine.

Officially.

So, I enthusiastically 'welcome' you to BONJOURYALL®.


Registered!!

(now stop reading this—and GO VOTE!)

Praying backwards

[twenty-six letters]

Something is coming up in your life. You're anxious, nervous, stressed. You pray. Someone is ailing. You pray. You have lost direction, a clear path to take. You pray. There's a strained relationship in your life. You pray.

But after that thing has come to pass, what do you do?


You pray.

As I began the new job I'm now working at after five years of a wonderful freelance career, I will finally be moving into my very first house — a coincidently dizzy-ing and VERY fast process. When I came up to DC from working as a creative at Disney, in Florida, my plan was to rent and live in this house for a couple years, get a sense of the neighborhood, then buy my first house.

Um... I moved up here in fall of 2005. Seven years ago.


Recently, I came across one of my all-time favorite, albeit aggravating, pin-quotes:
"Faith in God is also faith in his timing."

Amen.


Ma première nouvelle maison peu is only a couple miles from my current home. And it is also still in a great proximity to one of my absolute favorite thing up here — Sligo Creek trail. In fact (after so many years of being glued to HGTV and DIY Network) I listed these three quirky things as my personal "must-haves" in a home: charm/brick, outdoor space, and proximity to Sligo Creek. And I got all three. On the first day of looking for homes.

And before I stay in my new house, my amazing friend who is also my pastor will bless the house. The new house has great bones, and is in a good neighborhood, and I know there will be a lot of memories, joyful and sad, gatherings, holidays, and rest, ahead in this new space. I want God with me there.

This is my new sanctuary to come 'home' to. To be inspired in.


Once the thing you have been praying for happens, in whatever time-frame, I also believe its critical and important to pray — with gratitude — for that thing. Yes, afterward. To recognize it's impact on your life. To say 'thank you' for it.

I am so, so, so, so, SO filled with gratitude for this seven-year chapter I'm closing out. And so excited to turn the page to a new chapter.

From taking a risk on myself, on my life, by coming up here in the first place not knowing a single soul here. To now, where this area absolutely, joyfully, feels like "home." From falling in love. To walking away from that relationship that couldn't move forward, and later reconciling as friends. From voting in 2008. To attending a historic inauguration early 2009. From leaving Discovery to beginning an amazing five-year freelance career. To having one of those clients bringing me on board full time — where I now have worked for just over a month. From not knowing a single soul up here when I arrived. To having met so many brilliant, amazing, friends. From both of my little sisters getting married. To now being the VERY proud aunt of two nieces and a nephew. From living in Florida where I had the chance to spontaneously visit my grandparents. To just calling-up my Grandma every couple weeks from here in DC just to chit-chat about nothing — she's 93 and grandaddy is 95. From moving up here, and live in my first house — next door to the most AMAZING neighbors ANYONE could ever ask for, Copper's go-parents and the Dartmouth Dirty Dozen...

...to moving into my very first house. Not very far away.

Yes.

Indeed.

I'm more grateful than I can express.


La vita è bella.

I feel a bit like Roberto Benigni when he jumped up on the chairs upon winning his Oscar, and, well, kept jumping. In fact, as I just googled his acceptance, I welled-up with tears. Beautiful! That IS what it's about. Being SO filled with joy, with gratitude, with excitement of life that is overtakes you. 

Just be sure to say thank you. 



KEEP CALM AND NOTE THE GRAMMAR: 'backwardS' is the American adverb; 'backward' is the English version. Just like grAy is the 'A'merican; and grEy is the 'E'nglish spelling. Creative liberties... carry on.

Find your thing

[ twenty-six letters ]

Find your thing

France, Freelance, and Taking Chances

[ breadcrumbs ] 

Images from my Year in Provence
and the inspiration for the 'Bonjouryall' logo.

FRANCE

I seem to be attracted to contrast.

But I also believe we inherently know the decisions we should make, if we could just calm the outer voices and expectations — and logic — long enough to actually trust and follow them.

My first year of college happened to also be the launch of Nike's "Just Do It" campaign. A breadcrumb?

I had chosen to begin college in a beautiful small-town two-year college in North Georgia, my soul needed that place. The aesthetic. The independence. The familiar. Then for the last two years of college, I opted for the most dramatic move of my life up to that point. At 18yrs old, never having been north of Kentucky, I moved north to Chicago to finish school at the Art Institute. This carbonated the waters of my life, my soul needed that. I began my creative career. New friendships. Navigated and survived my 20's. And began traveling to what I often called "the motherland:"  France.

One day it hit me (like the acme steel ball in the Road Runner cartoons) that I needed to be in that country for more than just a vacation. I needed to live there. My soul needed to see the world from another country. But how? Marry a french man? [sigh] No. School? Sure, but I'm too old (this thought -- at the ripe old age of 28. Ha). Okay, school it was. And so I moved to Aix-en-Provence and painted, traveled, and shot photos for a year in Provence.


FREELANCE

Upon returning to the states I became an Art Director and Creative Spark at Disney. But this was in Florida which doesn't have the culture, change of seasons, and history, that my soul craves.

So never having lived in DC and not knowing a soul up here, I moved up to work as an Art Director with Discovery Channel. Then the economy impacted things and as I transitioned out of Discovery, I followed an itching in my soul to branch out on my own.

Working solo. Loved it.

I have been working as a freelance creative in the DC area for over four and a half years and these have been some of the most life-molding years of my life. Working solo, running my business, navigating a relationship, social media kicked-in and I've rekindled old friendships, have had many opportunities to see family and friends, sisters' weddings and later two nieces and a nephew. Sort out my priorities. And settle into who I am. Life, unchained.

Feels almost like sifting out the 'gunk' of life -- and finding who you are. My soul needed that.


TAKING CHANCES

After leaving my work at Discovery, who knew what would unfold from there? Not me.

But there is a beautiful postcard I picked up while living in France. Picasso, "If we know exactly where we're going [and what's going to happen], why go?" Indeed.

And it was, in addition to my base of current clients, through a site actually called indeed.com while freelancing, where I came upon several new clients.

Initially they were seeking to fill full-time positions, but we would go on to work together on a freelance basis over the past couple years. Then one of my best clients, who I initially found through that site, enthusiastically invited me to come on board full-time with them.

And I accepted.

I will begin work with them in September and I am thrilled and ready to take this new chance — in a company that is welcoming, sharp, fresh, and in the heart of DC — and I am excited to see where life turns next. 

But of course, I don't want the answer to that...

I'll find out soon enough.


Faith in God is also faith in his timing.
Trust. Be bold. Take chances. Live.


...just do it.

Out of nowhere

[ twenty-six letters ] 

Stronger

[ twenty-six letters ]

Sometimes it takes a little time before you can know the answer to this. My answer. Today. A year later is... it made me stronger.

And there's more where this came from.

It takes two

[ twenty-six letters ] 

Running forward to embrace your future takes two open arms. 
If you are still holding something, or someone, in one arm — you're not yet able to embrace your future. 

—WENDY HUDGINS

©2012

Extreme thanking

[ creative spark ]
I was wandering around when I bumped into this site that made me grin:  thxthxthx.com.

Had to check it out.

Cute site. Simple. Quirky. Makes you think about... well just about everything or everybody you come in contact with. I was intrigued. Enjoy.

Just a little bit longer

[ breadcrumb ] 

Just heard this today in the car. Great words. Beautiful smile. Great perspective.

What's yours?

[ twenty-six letters ] 

©2012 Wendy Hudgins

A different meaning

[ twenty-six letters ]
There's a point in le Petit Prince where the boy is told that the reason the rose is important is because he believes it is important.

For me it was yellow tulips.

What one person thinks is beautiful or special, another person may not even notice. I believe that is the job of a creative. A songwriter, a poet, an artist, a romantic, a lover. Make us think. Make us have an opinion. Have a voice. And be touched by something.

Change is life.

Sometimes it's great. Sometimes it's tough and maybe will make sense later.

On April twenty-fourth, three years ago today, I was waiting on a friend of mine so we could head out to dinner together, when he showed up with yellow tulips.

I tripped. And fell.

Right in love.

I fell in love with a man who made me laugh, calmed me down, lifted me up, who brought me flowers, challenged me, inspired me, and made me brave. So many fun moments with him, his two kiddos, his friends, and just hanging out. That was the importance of those yellow tulips to me.

I remember one night he and I went to dinner in a little Chinese restaurant in DC to meet up with one of his college friends and her family. Really loved getting to chat with her. After dinner, the guys were already out front and we were slowly making our way out when she stopped and said, "Wendy, take care of him."

Relationships change. Be it love, or friends. Maybe people are just in different places in their lives. Or misunderstandings pop up that will take time and faith to work through. 

How do you know when to hang on or when to let go?

Nostalgia can make that answer difficult. Hollywood movies can make it seem much too easy. Over time, I find it interesting — our decisions, and our focuses. And the impact they have not just on others, but us as well. And what it is that we choose give importance and credence to.

I subscribe to SARK's page, and this showed up the other day: 

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it, and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."
— Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Funny thing about love, is that it lives absolutely in the present and sometimes in the future. Which is how we should live, anyway. But after you walk away from it, it's hard to not reflect back to moments that brought you such joy.

Now the tulips hold a different meaning for me.

A beautiful one. 

While I did walk away from love last summer, I also found that I really loved being in love. Sharing life. I look forward to tripping and falling again some day. I believe it happens when we are just being ourselves and not looking. That's how I fell. Three years ago.

...and I'm so grateful I took the chance. 


So, trip. Let yourself fall. Take a chance. Leap. Enjoy the ride. No regrets. But, then keep looking forward. Eyes open. Heart open.

Don't seek. But, find.

A different meaning.




©2012 Wendy Hudgins

Surpassing

[ creative spark ]

Outside of putt-putt, I'm really not a fan of golf (at all) but I am a big fan of people pursuing, or in this case, surpassing, their dreams. And I had to make this image of the simply-spoken words of a new winner.

 

72 on 27

[ breadcrumb ]

Today my grandparents Roxie and Lewis, 92 and 93 yrs old, celebrated their 72nd anniversary. I can't even imagine the changes they've seen not only in the world but also in eachother and in themselves. 


I called up grandma to wish them a happy anniversary and I said "Did you know today y'all are celebrating anniversary number '72' on March '27'?" A breadcrumb. Grandma smiled and chuckled in surprise and said, "I guess you're right. It'd take a mind like yours, Wendy, to be able to figure that one out." 


I'm blessed that they are still in my life. And grateful for the influence they've had on me, through simple gestures, genuine love, and their modest life. They are 'grandma and grandaddy.' I'm 'baby doll.' And at 41, to have your grandaddy still call you that keeps life in perspective. 


And watching them has shifted my own view of the love I want in my own life: 

"For me, [love] is getting to be with the one who is still making me laugh when there are tennis balls on the bottom of our walkers."

Because of a love that I've had and the love that I've seen through my grandparents... I simply can't wait to fall again. And God-willing, maybe I can stay there next time.
©2012 Wendy Hudgins

Adversity

[ twenty-six letters ]

“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.”

— ARTHUR GOLDEN

Now

[ breadcrumb ]

 

One door swinging open

[ breadcrumb]

Beautiful. Beautiful song.
...and an image in this is also a long overdue breadcrumb.

Holding On And Letting Go
Is anybody out there? Is anybody listening? Does anybody really know, If it's the end or the beginning? The quiet rush from one breath, Is all we're waiting for Sometimes I want my taking, Changes everyone before It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't It's one door swinging open and one door swinging closed Some prayers find the answer, some prayers never know We're holding on, and letting go. Sometimes we're holding angels, And we never even know Don't know if we'll make it, Or we know, we just can't let it show It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't It's one door swinging open and one door swinging closed Some prayers find an answer, some prayers never know We're holding on and letting go...
— ROSS COPPERMAN

One of two things

[ twenty-six letters ] 

photo: eric cahan

When you have come to the edge of all the light you have, and you step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two will happen to you...  either you'll find something solid to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly.

— RICHARD BACH

Life never tells us

[ twenty-six letters ] 

photo: gypsygirlguide

Hearts are often broken when there are words unspoken. In your soul there are answers to your prayers. If you're searching for a place—you know, a familiar face, somewhere to go—you should look inside yourself, you're halfway there. Sometimes you'll laugh. Sometimes you'll cry. Life never tells us, the when's or why's. 

When you've got friends, to wish you well. You'll find your point when you will exhale. 

— WHITNEY ELIZABETH HOUSTON, 1963–2012

Our words matter

[ twenty-six letters ]

MLK Statue. Which quote would you have chosen?

Of course our lives and our actions matter, too,  but the words we choose to use have power. The BSA shared a quote of Dr. King's on Friday that I'd never heard before:

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

—MLK

That got me thinking about the quote-controversy of the very poorly edited quote on the MLK statue. This weekend I'll be heading down to the Mall in DC to see the MLK memorial for my first time. Even if they had not botched the quote that is presently carved into the statue, I actually did not feel it was one of his most compelling sentiments. 

I love the photo of the statue (above) but I photoshopped the quote out of it.

Which quote would you have chosen to best represent his life? His vision? His dream? Here are just a few of the ones, in random order, that I find inspiring:

1. “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
2. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”
   
3. “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
   
4. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
   
5. “The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important...”
   
6. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
   
7. “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
8. “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it.”
   
9. “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
   
10. “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” 
11. “I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.”
    
12. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
13. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
    
14. “That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”
    
15. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
    
16. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
    
17. “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’”
18. “Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies—or else? The chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars—must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.” 
    
19. And in the speech he was so tired he almost didn't give, the night before his death, were these words:  “I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.”
20. “Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”

1929-1968 were the days Dr. King was given on this earth. To share, to live, to pray, to struggle, to work, to inspire, and to speak. Not knowing when our book will close, what are the words you are choosing in your life? The actions?

stay curious.

©2012 wendy hudgins

Which one wins?

[ twenty-six letters ]
One evening a grandfather was teaching his young grandson about the internal battle that each person faces. “There are two wolves struggling inside each of us,” the old man said. “One wolf is vengefulness, anger, resentment, self-pity, fear… the other wolf is compassion, faithfulness, hope, truth, love…” The grandson sat, thinking, then asked: “Which wolf wins, grandfather?” His grandfather replied, “The one you feed.”

This is now a reposted repost... I just love this story so much. Timely as well.
©2012 Wendy Hudgins

Put a lid on it

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
A few years back at the beginning of the year, I blurted out to a friend of mine, "January's a good thing." His eyes got big and he shouted, "Yes! Brilliant!"

It's a seemingly 'clean slate' that we each get. A 31-day opportunity for us to take the nice deep breath that comes with getting a fresh, new year. Indeed, fresh starts and Januarys are a good thing.

So, a few weeks back, I stumbled across this really neat idea someone had for capturing our memories throughout each year. The idea was that you would write down the things that made you smile throughout the year. Then drop them into a special jar. My 2012 jar is a wonderfully, rustic, old blue Mason jar with a glass lid. Then, at the end of the year, on New Year's Eve, you open your jar and re-read all the little nuggets that made the year memorable. 

Last year, 2011, was a big year for a multitude of very different reasons.

On the 'family' front... I got an adorable new nephew, Reed (Colorado Springs). He's my youngest sister's first baby. Then, one month later an adorable niece Allison arrived (Atlanta). She's my first sister's second baby, and my niece Zoe's little sister. I also went to Atlanta and showed up for my dad's 65th surprise birthday party. The look on his face was priceless. And despite some scares and deteriorating health of some older family members, I was thrilled and blessed that everyone who began the year in my family was also with us at the end of the year. My grandma is 93 and grandad is 94.

On the 'things' front... I had to retire the Jetta, and got a black 4-door Golf. Very fun. On December 14th, I discovered Pinterest (Lord help us all), where this memory-preserving idea came from. And at the end of 2011, after seventeen years of waiting, I made my first purchase at Tiffany. And yes, I asked for a 'flower sketch' from Leyla who helped me with the purchace. It was flower sketch #157, and done on the cover of the blue Tiffany catalog.

And I am still collecting the flowers...

But also last year, last summer, I let go of love. It wasn't easy. Especially after two and a half years. But I'm so glad I fell. In love. Je ne regrette rien. No regrets for that. I loved love. And I look forward to the possibilities of love again. Of finding the one who will still be making me laugh when we both have tennis balls on the bottom of our walkers. It will be worth the wait. I just know it.

This year, once again, January was a good thing, in fact it was a GREAT start to this new year. But right now, I'm 'lovin' me some February. And it's time to keep filling up 2012 with great memories.

Allors, here's to a bonne année!
©2012 Wendy Hudgins

What to hold on to

T W E N T Y - S I X - L E T T E R S

The 'things' we should truly
hold on to in this world are,

ironically, the very things

that we cannot touch.

— WENDY HUDGINS

This post was inspired by, and goes out to, two dear friends of mine.
I hope you both find peace and know that you are loved very dearly.
©2012 Wendy Hudgins

Stay curious.

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K


New website is up. Take a peek.
Now it's easier to follow the creative sparks
...and stay curious.
©2012 Wendy Hudgins

Send

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
I've successfully set-up my new email address for BONJOURYALL:
wendy@bonjouryall.com Stay curious.

What defines us

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K

The new FB 'cover photos' are essentially our online bumper stickers.
What does yours say?
And have you been to Pinterest yet??
©2011 Wendy Hudgins

New Hopes. New Year.

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
Tough. Beautiful. And grow.

Those are the three words I used today to describe 2011. And for 2012, I thought that since Pinterest is my new creative inspiration-addiction, I would post my aspirations for the New Year there. To be reminded of my hopes for the New Year.

Yes, my 'hopes,' not resolutions. 'Resolution' has always sounded like a chore to me, a mandate, heavy expectations or something to improve upon. Implying something was faulty.

I believe we're all imperfectly perfect. Doing the best we can. With the tools we have. I also look forward, in the New Year, to inspiration, travel, and... love.

Bonne Année, à tous!
©2011 Wendy Hudgins

Hi... my name is Wendy. And I'm on Pinterest.

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
Wow. My world just radically got a bit more inspired this week. Inspiration is officially OFF the charts. Pinterest is a bit like coffee. If you haven't started, don't. I'm really hoping this is a phase. And that it will pass... But. I. Freaking. Love. This. Don't say you weren't warned.

What's your name?

I'm @bonjouryall (of course).
©2011 Wendy Hudgins

Homage to the can of cranberry

T W E N T Y - S I X - L E T T E R S
What's yours? In today's festivities of food, what's the one food that simply can't be missing from the table for you?

At first I went right to my mom's Pawley's Island Pie. But nope, hands down for me, it's the simple ribbed slurp-slop of that can of cranberry sauce. No embellishments, no prep-time, no overcooking (okay, maybe that last one is why I like it). But seriously, I got to thinking about this...

Why the can of cranberry?

Over the past couple weeks I was fortunate to be able to see my family in Atlanta. A surprise 65th birthday for my dad, seeing my mom, dad, and sisters and their spouses, and very happy to see my grandma and grandad, 92 and 94yrs old, and my sweet-fun 2yr-old niece Zoe. But the highlight of the week was getting to meet two brand new members of my family. Baby Reed and baby Allison. One month apart and baptised together on Sunday.

Meeting new babies who are part of your family, your blood, was intriguing to me. It was sort of like meeting two new neighbors. But you're getting to know them as they don't yet have distinct personalities yet. And of course, no traditions... yet.

Today, for Thanksgiving, I am very grateful to be spending it with dear friends up here on a beautiful November day in the DC area, but was stumped when my friend who is hosting insisted there was no need to bring anything.

At first, my thought was that I didn't want her to have to provide ALL the food. We should help out. Then I realized why I was stumped on this request. Everyone's holidays are quirkily and uniquely theirs. And the desire to 'bring something' was also our desire to bring a part of our own traditions and share with others.

Growing up, and as far back as I can remember, my mom would prepare a scrumptious spread, dad would carve the turkey. All of mom's dishes were in the oven at the right time so rotation seemed flawless. The fine silver was often brought out, and in their current house it was one of the few days a year we'd eat in the dining room.

But with all the fuss, preparation, and formality...

...it was the simple, ribbed slurp-slop of that can of cranberry sauce that in it's simplistic way, simply 'made' the holidays for me. Though, of course, it wasn't just the can of cranberry sauce. There's nothing terribly earth shattering about the way Ocean Spray puts it together. But rather, for me its 'as-is' quality amongst all the other dishes that have been so fussed over, mixed, prepared, primped, and baked. It's also all of the memories that this little can holds -- of being a part of so many family gatherings -- that make it, in my book, just as regal as the turkey.

In Atlanta, as I was watching our family grow on the younger end with these two precious little cherubs, my nephew and niece, I was feeling a gratitude that my grandparents are still present and a part of my life, I realized that all of our families are in flux. We change, who is or isn't in our life changes. Life is on the move. Always.

Our family trees gets new roots and leaves fall, too.

There are friends of mine who've lost family members over this past year or so who I am thinking about today. I know a tradition of gathering together like Thanksgiving or Christmas may be hard. Missing that person. But I hope in the memory of that person, that life, that you are able to gather some comfort and joy. And peace.

If the can of cranberry is missing from the table this year, the memory of wonderful gatherings is still there. If a person is missing from the table this year, I pray that the memory of their beautiful life is still there with you as well.

And for life, memories, traditions, even change, and yes, cranberry sauce... I give thanks.







©2011 Wendy Hudgins

Shine your light

T W E N T Y - S I X - L E T T E R S
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
— MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

Found this while clearing out some very, very old emails. Still LOVE it.
It's a speech often attributed to NELSON MANDELA.

Even if

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
How many skeptics does it take to change a light bulb? None. They fear change, even if it can make the world a brighter place.
—UNKNOWN

Comments about this post:
CG — The last dying words of the Buddha, were: "Make of yourself a light".
WH — Brilliant.

Shine on

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K
My suggestion for the Apple store windows.

Mac Daddy

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K

Thank you to a visionary with the ability to
'wow' us in a 'wow'-starved world.

Image is the actual Apple off of my very first Mac.

In your life

T W E N T Y - S I X - L E T T E R S
There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
and who always will.
So, don't worry about some of the people from your past,
there's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
—UNKNOWN

Inspiration can come from anywhere. This was from an email today.
Keep your eyes open... ALWAYS be ready to be inspired.

The doors

T W E N T Y - S I X - L E T T E R S
Maybe there's a reason why
all the doors are closed,
so you could open one that
leads to the perfect road.
— K. PERRY

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Yes, even Ms. Perry.
Keep your eyes open... ALWAYS be ready to be inspired.

Story People

C R E A T I V E - S P A R K

I picked up this Brian Andreas print of his 'Story People' in Galena, IL back when I lived in Chicago. I continue to LOVE the sentiment. WAKE UP! This print is actually hanging next to my front door. Good thing to be reminded of before heading out into this crazy, beautiful world.