I encourage you to hop over here today to read this powerful post by Heather.
Showing posts with label guest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest. Show all posts
February 1, 2013
January 17, 2013
Tilley in Tweed
If you have a free second today, could you vote for my cousin, Maia? She is an incredibly talented artist from California, and her drawing has made it to the finals of 2013 Eustace Tilley Contest hosted by The New Yorker! Isn't it awesome?
To vote, click here. You will have to create a login for The New Yorker website, but it only takes a second. If you're feeling extra amazing, return to the site this weekend to vote again! You can vote once per day through Sunday, January 20.
Thanks, guys!
December 3, 2012
September 23, 2012
My problem with Pinterest
I have been wanting to write this post for a long time.
Let me start by saying this: I like Pinterest. It is a valuable, amazing resource. When I first opened my Pinterest account, I wanted my mentality toward the site to reflect intentionality and purpose. I also intended to limit the time I spent on the site. Instead, this happened:
That psychotic little dude is me. Seriously. I just don't seem to have the self-discipline to use Pinterest in the resourceful way that I intended. My binges on the site have affected me in a strange, almost inexplicable way. I talked to two of my friends, Annie and Donna, who use Pinterest regularly and also happen to be tremendous thinkers. I am compelled to analyze this, to write about it, to speak truthfully about the website that I have mindlessly plunged into.
1. Does viewing the pictures on Pinterest cause discontent in me?
Annie said something to this effect, "Pinterest is a virtual world in which we pinners can live vicariously. We can design our dream life, and it puts us in greater control of the story than reading cheap fiction. It feels more interactive and real than reading a book, but in the end, it is just as fictional." She and I agreed that Pinterest can quickly become an "outlet for our discontented spirits." It is virtual self-improvement. Most days, I am fairly dissatisfied with my clothes and with my ability to style my hair. (Seriously, who has time for those elaborate fishtail braids?!) If I am flustered with my look, I can create an alternate look on Pinterest. A better one. My pins can scream to the world, "See? I have great taste!" I find myself pinning more, more, more... more beautiful images to label as my own, as an extension of myself. The pins reflect who I wish to be.
Now, Pinterest doesn't affect everyone that way. For Donna, the site just gives her inspiration for projects. Sometimes she actually gets up and does starts the project right then, or else she'll scribble the idea down on a notepad. Intentionality. Purpose. She writes, "If Pinterest arouses a sense of discontent in you, is it a godly discontent or an ungodly one? If it inspires you to pursue improvement in good ways, ways that are healthy and God-glorifying, it is good."
2. Is there something else I should be doing with my time?
My honest answer is, "Yeah, usually." There are many books and blogs that I could be reading, plenty of projects I could be working on, letters to write, recipes to try. Donna agrees, "I have come to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day more than the temporary pleasure of indolence."
Now, what?
Well, I'm not deleting my Pinterest account. Not yet. I did remove the bookmark from my browser to put the site "out of sight, out of mind." I'm also approaching my time on Pinterest by asking myself, "What do I like about this image, and what does it say about who I wish to be? How can I actually employ this idea, rather than pinning and forgetting?" I told Annie, "I think it's possible to be a participant and a critic."
What has your experience with Pinterest been like?
Let me start by saying this: I like Pinterest. It is a valuable, amazing resource. When I first opened my Pinterest account, I wanted my mentality toward the site to reflect intentionality and purpose. I also intended to limit the time I spent on the site. Instead, this happened:
Click on the image for its source.
That psychotic little dude is me. Seriously. I just don't seem to have the self-discipline to use Pinterest in the resourceful way that I intended. My binges on the site have affected me in a strange, almost inexplicable way. I talked to two of my friends, Annie and Donna, who use Pinterest regularly and also happen to be tremendous thinkers. I am compelled to analyze this, to write about it, to speak truthfully about the website that I have mindlessly plunged into.
1. Does viewing the pictures on Pinterest cause discontent in me?
Annie said something to this effect, "Pinterest is a virtual world in which we pinners can live vicariously. We can design our dream life, and it puts us in greater control of the story than reading cheap fiction. It feels more interactive and real than reading a book, but in the end, it is just as fictional." She and I agreed that Pinterest can quickly become an "outlet for our discontented spirits." It is virtual self-improvement. Most days, I am fairly dissatisfied with my clothes and with my ability to style my hair. (Seriously, who has time for those elaborate fishtail braids?!) If I am flustered with my look, I can create an alternate look on Pinterest. A better one. My pins can scream to the world, "See? I have great taste!" I find myself pinning more, more, more... more beautiful images to label as my own, as an extension of myself. The pins reflect who I wish to be.
Now, Pinterest doesn't affect everyone that way. For Donna, the site just gives her inspiration for projects. Sometimes she actually gets up and does starts the project right then, or else she'll scribble the idea down on a notepad. Intentionality. Purpose. She writes, "If Pinterest arouses a sense of discontent in you, is it a godly discontent or an ungodly one? If it inspires you to pursue improvement in good ways, ways that are healthy and God-glorifying, it is good."
2. Is there something else I should be doing with my time?
My honest answer is, "Yeah, usually." There are many books and blogs that I could be reading, plenty of projects I could be working on, letters to write, recipes to try. Donna agrees, "I have come to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day more than the temporary pleasure of indolence."
Now, what?
Well, I'm not deleting my Pinterest account. Not yet. I did remove the bookmark from my browser to put the site "out of sight, out of mind." I'm also approaching my time on Pinterest by asking myself, "What do I like about this image, and what does it say about who I wish to be? How can I actually employ this idea, rather than pinning and forgetting?" I told Annie, "I think it's possible to be a participant and a critic."
What has your experience with Pinterest been like?
August 13, 2012
Quote of the day
"The culture has encouraged so much self-culture and indulgence that sometimes I wonder if we haven't told ourselves we can't be heroines in the old-time tradition. Being a heroine means being countercultural where culture or subculture is wrongheaded. Everywhere we look, people are telling stories of recovery from sin; and, of course, God's grace is marvelous beyond words. However, it is possible to choose well, to spend less time recovering and more time deepening our walk with God."
Unseduced and Unshaken: The Place of Dignity in a Young Woman's Choices
Dr. Rosalie de Rosset
March 5, 2012
three blogs I love
I follow a lot of blogs. Some of them have thousands of followers, but others are less grandiose, harder to find... and a tremendous treasure when you do.
1. becca at pleasant pheasant
2. chloé at me, myself, and jeff
3. alexa at afternoons & coffeespoons
Do you have any treasures to share?
 |
| spent all my money on some elbow room |
 |
| leah's first roll |
 |
| the hours. |
1. becca at pleasant pheasant
2. chloé at me, myself, and jeff
3. alexa at afternoons & coffeespoons
Do you have any treasures to share?
September 1, 2011
July 27, 2011
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