Whether big or small, family or friend. We all hold each other up once and awhile.
Take a moment and lift someone’s day today with a smile or a gesture.
Life is too short not to.
I am drawn to passionate people. I think my heart has a magnetic reaction to those who emote passion for life, for their craft. It often comes out when someone sings acoustic at a wedding ceremony. When I watch a performance on my favorite show So You Think You Can Dance. I get chills, I am smiling and I want to run up and give them a high five and a hug. Seriously. I want them to know that they set my heart on fire.
An old co-worker and friend started posting pictures of her in a plane. I was intrigued and sooner than later I see this girl flying her first solo. Magnetic reaction. I emailed her to find out about it and I come to find out she wanted to capture this experience and was about to email me. I was all in. I just thought we would head to an airport and shoot around the hangars, which I have gotten to do a couple of times and it would have been great. But when I found out that we would be up in the air and heading out to a less traveled runway for some amazing on-runway shots, I might of squealed and almost peed my pants (I am kinda a baby during take-off & landing)
Jen has now left her full time job to pursue flying as a career because it sets her heart on fire. Now while you don’t have to quit your job to neccesarily follow your dream, but take a second to stop going through the motions today.
Find what makes your heart flutter, what makes you want to jump up and down and do some more of that today, tomorrow and everyday in between.
I know I have blogged before about why I love newborn sessions so much. Yet, I have just been overpowered by the emotion in my latest newborn shoots (I have so many to catch you up on) so I am telling you again. These little moments, these first days and weeks are timeless. Completely a gift. I am so honored and just filled each time I photograph one. Thank you to all of my clients that have welcomed me into their home and hearts at such a new stage of life. I love nothing more than to document the beautiful true emotion that is shown on these parents faces. I’ll be sharing favorite images each day from my latest newborn sessions these next weeks, many times it will just be an image or two. Most likely without words, because honestly sometimes words take away from the simplicity of an image. Today. Sun Kissed Cuddles.
People don’t talk about this.
People don’t talk about their failures. (Or if they do there is usually a happy ending with success or insight.)
People don’t talk about how they are unhappy. That their hearts are aching for something more.
People don’t talk about fighting the fight of faith and how hard it can be.
People don’t talk about how they walk through life looking for something. How they don’t feel. How the wish they were something else.
People don’t talk about needing to surrender control.
People don’t talk about how their whole self worth is wrapped up in a computer screen or what they look like in a swimsuit.
People don’t talk about how they deal with the same distractions, temptations, failures over and over. They don’t talk about the ways, they cope with food, excessive t.v. or internet time. Day in and day out they feel completely helpless and frustrated and disappointed with themselves.
Yet these thoughts and feelings are eating each of us alive from inside. Because we think we are alone. We think that we are the only ones that struggle with that specific thing. We question ourselves “Why do I struggle with this? No-one else does.” “Why can’t I just get it together like everyone else”
I am here to talk about the things people don’t talk about.
I am here to put out truth that I am a failure. I deal with these things daily. I have a hard time. I get overwhelmed. I feel useless. I make mistakes. I make the same mistakes over and over. I can be weak. I get mad at myself because I expect more out of me. I look for my worth on a screen. I often expect perfection. I am prideful. I sometimes choose mindless activities to avoid.
Why I am saying/admitting these faults about me? Why am I being vulnerable (which freaks me out by the way) by sharing my struggles?
Because I want you to know you are not alone.
I want us to stop hiding behind and stuffing this part of us away. I want you to quit beating yourself up thinking that you don’t have it together and that you are a nobody. To quit thinking that you are too weak, because Suzy Successful pants is doing this better than you or this better than you. I want you to stop going through the motions and being numb.
So today I am going to share how I felt like a failure. I struggled all day with not having a clear focus and I turned to distractions. My biggest distractions. Food and Hulu. I also added stare-at-your-email-and-panic as a distraction today. Instead of choosing to turn to the LORD and asking for help to use the tools that I have. I chose to check-out. I chose to avoid. I chose to remedy the situation with my own will power. Welp, that didn’t work and I just kept getting more and more frustrated. I kept hearing “Gina, you went through this a week ago and now you are dealing with it again, you failure. You are ridiculous” “Gina you just got off an amazing 10 days on the MTH Tour and came home all fired up and look at you falling down already.” “Who is going to listen to you now? You are a disappointment, a joke” I was holding onto guilt and believing these thoughts. Just trying to remedy through with a new piece of jelly gf toast or another episode of Hart of Dixie.
None of these filled me up. NONE. They never will. I was trying to fill a God shaped hole in my heart with things that will never fill that space.
Today wasn’t pretty. Now typically I would want to create a plan to fix this. To make sure it doesn’t happen again. To make sure that I won’t fail. While I will prepare for a successful day tomorrow, I am keeping in hind sight that circumstances WILL come. I will fail. I will fall on my face. I will give in. That is just part of this world.
Yet If it’s for HIS glory? If it brings me to my knees? I want more of it. If it gets my heart in the right place? I will suffer through it. God is sovereign, he has put these circumstances in my path and he can use any of my failure for good. I just need to let go of my pride and surrender.
Now while I know I need to do this. Doing it is harder than it would seem. Here is where I fight. I fight my flesh. This is where for years I thought that these were my true feelings, the part of me that wanted to defy. The part of me that wanted to check out. The part that wanted the quick and easy fill. Now I am aware that this is the very flesh that can ruin me. This part of me I need to give up. That I am a sinner. I need the Lord Everyday. Every moment.
People don’t talk about sin being strong.
People don’t talk about fighting your own flesh.
But I am talking about it. Because it’s truth and a lot of us are in the thick of it. Struggling and feeling extreme guilt that you are choosing Facebook over your kids. Food over intimacy. T.V. over quiet time with the Lord. Money or possessions over peace.
Truth is powerful my friends. Truth can heal wounds, clear the clutter and bring out joy. We are all struggling in someway or another. So, let’s be REAL and share the good, the bad and the ugly. Because someone has been in your shoes. They might just be in your shoes right now. Your truth will encourage another to be more themselves. More like the beautiful person God made them to be.
I want more of this in my life. More of what that really matters.
Let’s talk about what people don’t talk about.
This beautiful little boy’s expression describes my heart today. His eyes are exactly where I am at.
There is something about NYC that is exhilarating. Every street having its own character and seeing masses of people doing their thing, day in and day out. I don’t think I could ever live in the city, but visiting always gives me the boost of inspiration as I watch all different types of people walk the streets.
I jumped for joy when this couple was just as excited about my idea to do their engagement shoot in New York City. These two have a ferver for life that just ooozes out in their photographs. Their smiles and just genuine LOVE for each other inspires my heart times a million. We walked around the city for most of an afternoon stopping at their favorite places, eating at the famous Joe’s Pizza (which actually is right below Seth’s apartment) and finishing the night out on the pier.
This is exactly what I dreamed this shoot up to be……………….A slice of life for these two. 
I have been so blessed to be on the road for the last three weeks. A beach wedding in Texas, home for 12 hours and then off for the MTH2012 Spring Tour with two of my best friends Lara & Emily. While I miss this guy and my cute pup so much, this work is so worth it. To take a step away from the everyday craze and get to what really matters. To clear the clutter and find where your heart and core are really at.
Nothing fires me up more than when people realize this exact thing. When someone who is overwhelmed with so many pieces of life sees a glimmer of hope, of light. This is why I love to mentor others. This is why we leave our families and dedicate our hearts to dropping in every class. We want to give each of you the gift of thinking differently. The gift of connection to what really matters and the kick in the pants to get rid of the rest. Rid of the clutter, the hours on facebook, overwhelming email and introduce CLARITY and tools to make life happen. Your life. The life you deserve.
I have been writing almost everyday on the MTH2012 Blog and wanted to share the content here. (I will keep updating this until Thursday)
Joy (and a video of me dancing like a dork)
Also, if this post has your heart asking for more. Do this, it’s where it all started for me. Then take a peek at our fall tour schedule, seats are filling up fast. We would love to meet you and challenge you to get to what matters most. We want you to life your best life. NOW. Not when you leave your full-time job or when your kids are all grown up. Right this instant. Life is too short to live someone else’s story.
Finally!! This beautiful North Carolina wedding that was published in Southern Weddings V4 is here for you to see. Hip. Hip. Hooray!!
Serene, chic and jovial.
My favorite words from Camille.”The thing that made our wedding different from most other weddings is that we only invited our immediate family. Since this was a second marriage for both of us and since we both have children we wanted it to be about the joining of two families. My goal was to keep it intimate and meaningful. Plus, it meant that I could go crazy with details since there were only 19 of us. It was like doing a styled shoot only it was for a real wedding. So fun”
This wedding was such a delight to be a part of. My mouth dropped when I came out to this beautiful table display and I couldn’t help but smile each time this couples eyes met. Camille and Mark are one of a kind and they definitely had a one of a kind wedding.
Check out all of Camille & Mark’s wedding advice on Southern Weddings Blog. Colorful Old Edwards Inn Wedding Part 1. Colorful Old Edwards Inn Wedding Part 2.
Photographer: Gina Zeidler // Designer: Amy Osaba // Venue: Old Edwards Inn & Spa // Florist: Amy Osaba // Wedding Cake Baker: Old Edwards Inn & Spa // Caterer: Madison’s at Old Edwards Inn & Spa // Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew // Bride’s Dress: J.Crew // Hair Stylist: Old Edwards Inn & Spa, Makeup Artist: Old Edwards Inn & Spa // Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Bride’s Jewelry: Earrings by Nicole Miller // Groom’s Fashion:Tom James // Groomsmen Fashion: suits from J. Crew, shoes from Jack Purcell via J. Crew, bowties byXoelle // Paper Goods: Erica Loesing of Amy Osaba // Calligraphy: I Love You Much // Rentals: Farm tables from Something Borrowed Vintage // Linens: antiques // Ceremony Décor: Ring bearer bowl by Paloma’s Nest // Reception Décor: Cake stand by Sweet and Saucy Shop // Lighting: Old Edwards Inn & Spa // Other: Welcome bags by Wedding Chicks
SO many of our days we spend muddled in the what-we-have-to-get-done-right-now-or-the-world-will-explode. We hardly ever pull our heads out of the sand to see the sun. To let our hearts really FEEL. To open ourselves to others. To have more face-to-face time and less screen-to-screen (Thank you Nancy).
Stop covering your heart with menial things that in the long run don’t matter.
Let it breathe, let it SHINE.
P.S .:: Headed to DC today, keep up with the MTH2012 Spring tour and our everyday posts. And if you really want to see how nerdy I am check out my dance moves.
Do you know that most of the things you worry about never happen? How many times a day do you find yourself in stirring about what could happen? What could go wrong? What your plans are tomorrow, ten years from now? Worry about future. Worry about money. Worry. Worry. Worry.
You only can be in one place at one time. Focusing your mind on one task at a time.
So if you spend most of that time in worry. Where are you not?
IN THE PRESENT.
So often we get caught up in the next moment that we miss the one we are in. Push yourself to be still and drink in the right now.
Worry will OWN your life if you let it. You have the power to control your thoughts and redirect your worry to thoughts that make you whole. Your daily essentials. Your action steps. Your fired up list. Your faith. Your family.
Join me in really challenging myself to slow down and breathe in the blessings that each present moment offers each day. They are abundant, yet our mental clutter and fear often mask them.
COMMIT to letting go of worry & using the power you have been given for this day to love and embrace the littlest of moments.
Happy Wednesday and off to ATL we go!
PS. Gracie we love you & your sleepy face. If you want to see more of this lil’ cutie pants ——–> Here is a video I made of her and her bedtime routine this week.
PSS. I am currently on the amazing Making Things Happen Tour with the best of friends Emily Ley & Lara Casey. We just launched our new site and it’s beautiful! So excited to be spending the week with amazing people who took the leap and are ready for their journey to start NOW. I’d have to say this post was inspired by the North Carolina class yesterday, so much clarity that worry is a waste of time. I love all you! I can’t wait to meet our Atlanta group tomorrow. WHOO!
