Hi Friends,

I have given up all hope for snow to land on my doorstep this year. Here’s the deal with me, winter should equal snow at my house.  If it doesn’t than it can just move along to Spring.  I already see the promise of Spring pushing through the ground in my neighbors yards. I took a moment the other day to walk around my new yard, peering intently at the dirt in hopes of finding some fresh green bulbs poking up at me. No such luck. It seems the previous owners did not share my love of daffodils and tulips.  🙁 

BELIEVE

I have been thinking hard about what my word for the year should be. Choosing a word is a big commitment. Whatever my word of the year is I take it very seriously. The word I choose is meant to push me into a different frame of mind.  I write it all over my calendar as a daily reminder, or daily kick in the butt, to move myself into an area I generally struggle with. Last year my word was BRAVE – and it turns out, unknowingly, I picked the exact word I needed for what 2018 brought to my doorstep! You can read about that here https://shellyfryphotography.com/my-everyday/hello-2019-shelly-fry-photography-vancouver-wa-portland-or .

I am superstitious enough to BELIEVE that any word chosen will now be my biggest challenge for the year. However, I already know that I struggle mightily in this area so why not go for it in hopes of growth and change. Can a 50 year old change?

There are many different ways and directions this will stretch me. To name a few, BELIEVE in God and what He promises, in your family, in your abilities, in your possibilities. Why am I so quick to BELIEVE every negative thing and doubt the good? When people compliment they are being kind. When they are mean there is no barrier between their words or actions and my heart. However, there are all kinds of highly effective barriers (Trump would be envious) that keep the good and kind from hitting the mark. 

So there it is friends, BELIEVE. I look forward to seeing how this year challenges me and the growth I plan to attain from this choice. 

SFP

As I look ahead this year as a business owner I can’t help but reflect back on last year. From year to year the goal is always the same. Do better. Reach more people. Be creative. Learn more. Grow. 

It’s overwhelming, this pursuit. 

I will need daily reminders to take one day at a time. One step of each goal at a time. I want to hurry to the end and have it all figured out. My life experience reminds me I will never have it all figured out so I will BELIEVE in my abilities and remind myself to take each day as it comes. Plan, challenge, learn, grow. It’s all I can do.

Today I went onto Google to write an review for someone I had done business with. After writing the review I looked up myself. I was startled and crushed to see that I had received a 3 star review.  The reviewer didn’t leave any comments. He just simply gave me 3 stars and moved on. But here is what really ticked me off. I DON’T KNOW HIM NOR HAVE I EVER DONE BUSINESS WITH HIM. It would appear he just arbitrarily found me and clicked on those 3 stars.  We all deal with injustices every day. While some are far worse than an unsubstantiated 3 star google review, they all hurt and frustrate and take way too much of our energy.

So I have done what I can regarding Mr. 3 Stars and now I will choose to BELIEVE in the words of those who are kind to me. 

I believe SFP has a great year ahead. I look forward to the new people I will meet and photograph. The opportunities that come my way will be met with enthusiasm and determination. 

Thanks for stopping by friends! I appreciate you so much! Can I ask a favor? If you have been photographed by me would you mind writing a google review for me? I would really appreciate those who I have actually worked with being the ones writing the reviews.  😉 

Just go to google maps and look up my business, Shelly Fry Photography, there you will find the review button.

Thanks so much!

Shelly