BeautifulHistoria

I'm sitting here with baby, she is exceptionally cute today. With that said I'm getting more and more excited about selling a few peices of my art at the Logan Utah 2014 Novemberfest this year. I have been working really hard to get peices finished and it looks like I'm going to be ok! That makes me really happy. There's still a lot to do - but there's an end in sight now.. at least for the moment. I've made several moments in my days since my last post to stop and remember why I paint - I feel like it has not only helped me to re-love it, but there's also a magic that seems to be happening - I don't feel like I have to go back several times to get the look I'm going for. It's amazing! Ever notice how when you get a little burnt out nothing seems to work out - but when you as a person are doing ok - everything else seems to be just a little better? That's what I'm experiencing right now.

Along with that - It must be known that my days are not always just super perfect - with rainbows, butterflys and unicorns. Recently I went to the UDVC conference for my work (UDVC = utah domestic violence coalition) A lot of the things they talk about are heart-wrenching stories. It's hard to think what many people who go through domestic violence do just to survive - or that some don't even realize that's what they're going through. I know, you say "how can someone not know if they're being beaten up?" There are so many facets to domestic violence that many people go through every day without realizing that's what happening. In many places they only recognize the physical part of domestic violence - but the part that leaves bigger scars and is harder to cope with is often emotional abuse. Those scars you cannot physically watch heal, and often they don't heal. I could go on and on about specifics - but the most important part is: are you happy? Is this what you want your life to be like? Do you and your partner build each other up or tear each other down? 

I hope you have found someone who takes care of you - and also that you do the same for your partner. I love the song lyrics by Jack Johnson that say "Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. like: why are we here, were do we go and how come it's so hard"

If you are not happy that doesn't mean it's domestic violence - but it can help you look for answers or resources . I love esspecially that last part of the song "why it's so hard" love IS hard. For example: lets say you've finally found the person of your dreams, fall in love, get married etc. then a year down the road  you realize it's not all roses, sometimes it's all thorns. I've definiatly experianced that in my own marriage - however through communication and caring for each other we were able to work it out and compromise. A marriage is not easy, but I would never go back to being single. It's often the harder things and difficult things that remain in our memories for longer and soon become sweet. We say things like "remember that time when we were newlywed, broke and so happy" yes - many people say that. I'm going through the broke, newlywed and newbaby stage right now and have to remind myself that "these are the good old days" as Pink says. I don't want to look back on my life wondering why I didn't live life more fully. I will live full of life right now, I will see the good things that I have, I will appriciate the hard times as I'm going through them.

However - It's also my opinion, that Domestic Violence, no matter how much you want to work through things - should NEVER be permitted. However you decide to deal with that in your own life is  your own decision, but for me: I think it's very wrong. 

If you feel the same as me you can still be a part of this movement to make domestic violence unacceptable in your own culture. Help others to be happier by standing up for something important.

I like this video that was shared with me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzF3OyRYX7I ...maybe you've seen it before? This guy doesn't have to say anything - but what he does makes all the difference. I hope I can be more like that - and be better about sticking up for what I believe, even if not a word is said. after all: actions speak louder than words. 

Thanks for reading.