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Room With A View {#BSP2 Musings}

Sometimes life’s lessons have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it.

Life can be sneaky that way.

I like things to be orderly and neat and structured and organized. It makes me feel like I’ve got some kind of a grip on my own little piece of reality.

I love to reflect inward. 

I analyze.

I walk through my mind shaking a finger at so many of the things that I don’t like about myself. I second guess my gut instincts and mock the gifts that I have been given. Usually nothing seems to be good enough inside my private thoughts about myself. I didn’t realize just how much I do this on a daily basis until this past weekend.

I traveled long and far to attend a phenomenal food blogging event called Big Summer Potluck. It wasn’t just an event, it was more of a retreat. I knew that it would be fabulous. I attended the same event last year and came home a different person. I wasn’t expecting to have an even more cathartic experience this year…however, I did.

The weekend was an intimate gathering of people who came together to share their passions for food, photography, writing (in my case storytelling) and well, much, much more.

I realize that all of you reading this may not be bloggers, let alone food bloggers. But I decided that what I learned over the weekend was far too important not to share and could be embraced by anyone and everyone who is willing to listen.

I didn’t take notes. I was much too caught up in the moment and the goosebumps and the raw emotion that seemed to magically wrap its’ arms around everyone sitting in that room. We listened to Penny de los Santos, Shauna Ahern (aka Gluten-Free Girl), Pam Anderson and Justin Schwartz all speak from the heart. Remember, I didn’t take notes, this is what I heard.

* “Don’t listen to the “editor’s” voice in your head.” ~ Shauna

We all have that don’t we? The you’re-not-good-enough-don’t-even-try…”red-pen-slashing-voice” (thank you for that visual, Shauna) that holds you back from really “living“? Well silence it. Fill your head with the story that’s unfolding in front of you. That’s what I’m trying to do now and it’s amazing. 

* “Writer’s live every moment, twice.” ~ Shauna

Woah. That’s powerful. You don’t have to be a writer for this to be true. We all live moments over and over in our minds. Memory is a tremendous gift. Use it wisely.

* “Loosen your eyes enough to just…see.” ~ Penny

Fascinating how this pertains to life…not just photography. I’ve noticed that often times I do narrow my vision, hyper-focus if you will… it then turns into tunnel vision. I miss so much that way. From now on I will try to keep my eyes “loose” and open.

* ” Don’t just take pictures, make them.” ~ Penny

Once again, whether you are striving to become a photographer or taking photos to remember life. Don’t simply take them, wait…don’t be afraid to trust your gut. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable and wait for the moment to make them.

While soaking in the words of wisdom I couldn’t help but to be enamored with the windows in the space. I chuckled when I looked through my photos and realized that I had basically only taken pictures of the windows.

 

Throughout the day I was unknowingly looking outward to capture the view. To silence the internal “editor’s voice” and embrace all of the wonder that life out there has to offer.

It’s a splendid feeling. I highly recommend it.

Go on, embrace yourself and all that life has to offer.

Thanks again to Three Many Cooks and Ivory Hut for all of their love, dedication and heart. It’s infectious.

To all of the attendees, I loved being reconnected with those I love, meeting those that I’ve grown fond of through my computer screen and experiencing such a magical weekend together.

With love and a tight 8 second hug,

Wenderly

Wenderly

Married my soulmate. Mama of 2. Love to inspire. Can't help but to relish in all things beautiful inside & out. Join me in Savoring the Art of Living.

41 Comments

  1. What a fabulous post Wendy. Was so lovely to meet you and share the weekend with you! ps your window photos are fantastic…that barn was magical.

  2. Oh Wenderly, I was so excited to meet the gal behind the Starbucks tweets and you didn’t let me down. I didn’t write anything down either this weekend, so thanks for sharing these. I was able to live the weekend through your post again. Thank you.

  3. Oh Wendy, I so sympathize! I let my internal editor run things all too often. I love the way you said you shake your finger at all the parts you don’t like about yourself. I think that’s a perfect way to explain the negative self-talk we all engage in. You’ve inspired me to try and capture the view and enjoy the moment.

  4. Wendy, you are so lovely and so are these photos and this post. And I just want to tell you that I know you do try to spend time in the moment. Remember your frost post that inspired me? Think you for being you. ((hugs!))

  5. Funny that the name field on your blog will only allow me to fill in Jackie Gordon Singin… That’s just enough! Because I am singin’! I loved your window pictures and your BSP post. I have to say that I remember the exact moment that you arrived in the Anderson home on the first night of Big Summer Potluck. You lit that room UP! I thought I have to meet this woman — she is a spit fire!!!! You have such a luscious, loving, generous spirit and a stunning beauty that your editors voice may do a great job (and it does) of keeping you all together on the outside, but that oozes out from the inside in an way that can’t be edited away. I’m thrilled that we got to meet in person and that I got to meet your man too. I forgot his name which only means I will have to meet you guys again so I can practice, practice, practice!

  6. I couldn’t wait to meet you, Wendy, I really couldn’t. You are so full of life and love and Starbucks! Reading this is like being with you all over again.

    xoxo

  7. Lovely, Wendy. You transported me for a moment back to PA and it felt really good. I’m not sure exactly why a weekend away to a beautiful place with 60 of your closest friends is so magical…but it is. A gift for sure. *hugs*

  8. Oh I would have loved to have been there!
    The company, the gorgeous view, and the amazing speakers; truly sounds like a gift. I’m so glad it was such a wonderful experience for you!

  9. You are a beautiful person, Wendy and I’m happy to call you my friend. Your reflections on BSP2 are so good for all of us to hear and heed. Thanks for sharing!

  10. Beautiful post, Wendy! I love reading everyone’s different perspectives on the weekend… Though, they aren’t that different. It’s amazing to me how a group of 60+ people were completely on the same wavelength and connected in the way we did. Reading all of the posts is like reliving the weekend over and over again!

    PS – It was wonderful to see you again this year… Looking forward to our paths crossing again sometime soon. 🙂

  11. OK…this sounds like something I *must* attend next year! If only to meet you!

    “From now on I will try to keep my eyes “loose” and open.” ….my favorite aunt call is wearing your “noticing glasses.” 🙂

  12. Your beautifully written recap managed to transport me right to that barn and I felt as if I were there with you. Thanks for this virtual trip – I just wish that I could have been there with you:)

  13. Your room with a view is lovely! Such a different perspective and your photos are perfect for the thoughts that go with them. I’ve found myself trying to remember to live in the moment for several years now, since the moments you want to last forever seem to go by so quickly; this past weekend was a reminder of that.

  14. Such a lovely *feel good* post. I hope to get to the BSP one day. I know that Maggy and Erika put loads of love into planning this event. Looks stunning!!

  15. Wendy, I love how you shared our heart. Beautiful, my friend.

    I hope to go one day, too. I love Maggy and her mom. The intimacy of smaller groups is really special, isn’t it?

    Love you, friend!

  16. I certainly didn’t expect the powerful life lessons I received this weekend. I also agree that we live moments in our minds over and over again; and I can’t stop reliving this past weekend in my memory. I love all the window pictures; so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and so glad that I was able to share this compelling weekend with such an amazing group of people.

  17. Loved reading your post, Wendy! You are such a lovely person and whenever I read your blog it always cheers me up! Thank you for sharing your takeaways from this weekend. I’m so glad I got to see you!! 🙂

  18. It is a beautiful person who finds the beauty in all things. Enjoyed reading about all the beauty you found over the weekend. You were certainly in beautiful company too!

  19. Wendy,
    So great to meet you and be “neighbors” for the weekend. I wish we had gotten to chat more. Next year, let’s try not to both get flat tires so we’ll have more time to talk! 🙂

  20. Those are such inspiring words of wisdom! I especially love the line about opening your eyes…and using that to produce better quality photographs. That’s something that I especially need to do – I would love to become a better photographer, but I first need to loosen my eyes! I’m glad you had such a great time! Thank you so much for sharing.

  21. […] Read more about Big Summer Potluck by other attendees: 990 Square  Adryon’s Kitchen Bread and Putter Cooking Lessons  Duck And Cake  For Your Pies Only Healthy Delicious Healthy Green Kitchen JustcookNYC Karma’s When I Feel Like It Blog My Kitchen Addiction One Tough Cookie Savory Sweet Living She Wears Many Hats Simple Bites Souffle Bombay Stetted Sugarcrafter Tastes Better with Friends Three Many Cooks Wenderly […]

  22. You are so wonderfully talented my friend. Thank you for letting look through your window of self discovery this morning. Simply beautiful 🙂

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