Proof of Life
Journal Entry No. 03
Welcome to the Proof of Life journal entry series.
Writing more in general, and specifically with you, is something I hope to continue throughout the year. Like many of you, life has become clearer over the past year and there are many things I have dropped along the way that I deeply desire to pick back up. In turn, there are things I never want to pick up again.
From the very beginning, I have always felt like we are on this journey together and I can’t wait to hear what proof of life will come to mean to you.
I love that video of our Maddy so much! In fact, we quote it often around our home. The best part of the whole video is that there is nothing there that she did herself. Even WITH help she was barely standing up and only moving forward with A LOT of help. Aren’t we all!
I am an introvert and I am also someone who likes to do things by myself and likes to feel like I am pretty competent. The truth is that even on the things I THINK I have done myself I am pretty much like Maddy in the video.
When we were first married and we didn’t know how to work things out in healthy ways we relied heavily on the woman that married us and later counseled us to help us see ourselves and each other better.
When I gave birth to our first child and all my book learning did nothing to help me understand if I was producing enough milk or if my little boy was full. I only survived because a lactation specialist helped me through my tears and frustration.
When we started our business I would come up with all kinds of ideas but Kelly would figure out the tech and how to do it. Without Kelly’s expertise my ideas wouldn’t have gotten very far.
When I wrote my first book I might have created the content but I had to reach out to experienced friends and authors to guide me and show me their layouts and how the process worked. Every step of the process was foreign to me.
The business we have today wouldn’t be anything without our beautiful customers and the men and women that connect with us daily, buy our products and share what we are doing.
I guess I first wanted to share again that I don’t accomplish anything without a lot of help. Don’t ever think you have to accomplish things by yourself either.
We can do almost nothing alone. From birth to the grave we are being held up by so many and moving slowly forward. I know sometimes it may not feel that way but we are. Maybe a little unsteady and messy like Maddy on ice skates but aren’t we the luckiest to live in a world with support. Even when we think we “did it all by myself”.
As an independent gal myself (and a mom to two independent girls) I LOOOOVE this video so much! it is a great reminder that even if we feel we can (or MUST) do things by ourselves, we still need to reach out for help sometimes. I really struggle with this…not only because I am naturally an independent person, but also because I have a spouse who does not believe in my vision for a creative business. I am supported in knowing that there is a big community of creatives out there going through the same journey and so many are willing to help out….if only I am humble enough to ask.
I am so sorry you do not have the support of your spouse! That makes the journey so much harder for sure! I hope you are able to find the beautiful support you need and deserve.
Love this! So true. This year, I decided to bring a writing team to my blog. I also have someone in charge of finding the perfect picture, someone in editing, and someone to promote on social media. This has been a game changer. I now have time to write my book that has been collecting dust. I’m not having to write a weekly blog post anymore, I just mange the moving parts. But there is a bit of surrendering that goes along with allowing others to help with your baby. Surrender…something I’ve had to learn in being a God follower. Thank you for this reminder.
So proud of you for finding the help you needed to focus on your big thing!
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Beautifully written and so true! A reminder to consistently thank those who hold us up and show us the way forward. Grateful for you!
Thankful for those that do!
Yes, Jeanne! Amen to all of your words (except life becoming clearer… the reverse has been true for me this year). Thank you for being one to help to hold me up over the years with your kindness, your wisdom, your art, lessons, words, and generosity.
Love,
Sheila
I am sorry that things have not become as clear! So many hard things going on.
What a beautiful blog post and video. Yes, it’s so good to have help, especially when it’s needed like feeding your son. Thanks for the reminder that we are not islands!
Have a great day!
Hello Jeanne, thank you so much for sharing your “Proof of Life Journal Entry. I loved reading it and your complete blog as well. And, such a bonus with the video of your Maddy. Such parallels as you pointed out for all of us in this life. I am also an introvert. Yet in reality I am likely “an introvert ++”. LOL. Anyway, thank you again. Wishing you and your family a beautiful day and great rest of your week.
Best,
Taylor
Thank you so much and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I can relate to this on so many levels. This last year has brought so much clarity for me, but mainly because I sought out help. Now I’m in a season of a different kind of help. I’m so thankful for the people that are available to me, without them I fear I would be spinning in circles ❤️
You are a wise woman!
I love what you said. I wrote this down as a Jeanne Oliver quote: “… We can do almost nothing alone. From birth to the grave we are being held up by so many and moving slowly forward. …” Thank you for your written thoughts.
Thank you for being here and sharing. Means so much!
So beautiful, I love the priceless things kids say! Perspective is everything. I laughed so much I had tears running down my face.
You blessed me tonight!
Your video is pure joy–I even shared it with my husband who also loved it. The perfect illustration to a beautiful message. Our daughter is now 30(!) and we are expecting our first grandchild in May. Thank you for bringing us a very big smile. 🥰
So happy for your family with your first grandbaby!
I love this, Jeanne. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to reflect on the relationships that have been ordained for us, How much richer our lives are when we share life together, and recognize how the efforts of others influences our success! I thank my daughter, Brooke, for inviting me to participate in the Sketchbook Revival 2021 – it’s my first. I wouldn’t have known it even existed if she hadn’t shared, and encouraged me – “even if you just take one class, I think you should do this, Mom.” And one thing leads to another . . .
That is the sweetest!
Thank you for reminding me to be so mindful and thankful for the love that life is so rich and beautiful and ready to bless and support small and big dreams. My faith is strengthen by the work and the joy that comes together it seems. The willingness to try new things, to being led and supported totally by friends, angels, loved ones and even strangers who could be angels and we are unaware. I have a long list of participants of love shown to me in my life. Thank you for the reminder, to be grateful for the unseen support and the seen support.
I love all of this! Thank you for sharing.
Growing up I didn’t reach out for help from others. I was and still am an introvert and was afraid of being let down when I needed help, advice, comfort. I didn’t even know how to dream and never let myself have hopes for the future, isn’t that sad? I stumbled through a lot of life alone. When I had several tragedies in my family within months of each other I went to a Christian therapist and I learned a lot about myself, how we are created to create, we need each other for support and friendship. In my 50’s I finally learned and became more aligned with myself and my Father in Heaven. My life has changed so much and I am now compassionate about myself and others and am truly alive. We can do little all by ourselves but we need others and others need us and thats when we truly begin to live.
I am so thankful that you asked for help and you now can walk through life with eyes wide open.
As usual, your words are timeless and profound. What you may see as easy and just came out of your brain is SO important! Thank you for doing this for us!!
Love this video. Thanks for sharing!