a quest for the authentic

a quest for the authentic

Over the last few weeks I have dug out all of my favorite books for inspiration. When I need to ‘check in’ with myself or take a few minutes to decompress (or unplug) I will pick up a book, open it to a random page and read.

On Friday amidst doing my taxes, anxiously biting my nails about Picture Hope and mentally preparing myself for Spring Break I opened my weathered and worn copy of Simple Abundance .

“Authentic success is having enough time to pursue personal pursuits that bring you pleasure, time enough to make the loving gestures for your family that you long to do, time enough to care for your home, tend your garden, nurture your soul.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

I’m beginning to better understand that there IS time for all of that, even in the fleeting 24 hours of a day. For me it’s just a matter of creating that time for the things I often put on the back burner by making better choices; remembering ‘everything in moderation’ (especially when it comes to work) and that authenticity is a daily practice.

On my quest for the authentic I will be joining the read-a-long over at Ordinary Courage. If you’d like to join Brene Brown and the whole-hearted movement, come on over. The more the merrier.

In the meantime, do share your best (and authentic, of course) shot for the week.

40 Comments
  • Amy Jo
    Posted at 15:47h, 06 April Reply

    A worthy goal for sure. I’m sure it helps to have such lovely motivation! I love how the blue of her jacket highlights her eyes.

    Here is my best shot from last week! See you next week!

  • Jen
    Posted at 16:18h, 06 April Reply

    It is so hard to find time for everything. Beautiful photo of your daughter.
    Here’s mine this week:
    My Beautiful Baby Girl

  • megan
    Posted at 17:08h, 06 April Reply

    thanks for the reference, tracey. always hard to find time for everything :).

    Signs of Spring

  • Joanna
    Posted at 17:18h, 06 April Reply

    Wonderful quote. I should really try to work on that myself…..

    Here’s my BSM.
    As authentic as they can be…..

  • Suz Broughton
    Posted at 17:24h, 06 April Reply

    Hi all: My submission this week is out of the ordinary because it was taken by me not this last week, but 27 years ago. I found it this week while digging through some boxes. The funny thing is, it’s the framing and comp I would have chosen today. It’s one of my Best Shots, ever.
    I hope I’m not breaking any rules by submitting it. Thanks Tracey for hosting 🙂
    Suz

  • Heather
    Posted at 17:50h, 06 April Reply

    I actually don’t have a shot for this week, not a ‘best shot’ kind of shot anyway, but I did right on lamenting how blogging/reading blogs used to feel. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think that authenticity is a part of it. I loved stumbling from blogroll to blogroll and more often than not loving what I found on the other end of a link. So today I think I’ll head on over to peek in on the Ordinary Courage read along and dig up some of my old favorite books.

  • leaca
    Posted at 17:53h, 06 April Reply

    I love that book, lots of little treasures.

    Winter beach walking on the weekend…..we are still waiting on spring.

  • Sarah
    Posted at 18:20h, 06 April Reply

    I love the angle of this shot!

    Here is my Best Shot of my kids walking with their Daddy as he gets ready to head back to Iraq.

  • Sarah
    Posted at 18:20h, 06 April Reply

    I love the angle of this shot!

    Here is my Best Shot of my kids walking with their Daddy as he gets ready to head back to Iraq.

  • Mandy
    Posted at 18:33h, 06 April Reply

    Those authentic moments caught on camera are some of the most memorable….
    busy, busy BSM

    Happy Monday!

  • Mandy
    Posted at 18:33h, 06 April Reply

    Those authentic moments caught on camera are some of the most memorable….
    busy, busy BSM

    Happy Monday!

  • Hayley
    Posted at 18:53h, 06 April Reply

    As I read your post, I copied the quote and pasted it on my screen to try to remember to live by. Wish me luck! My best shot this week was captured on my camera and in my heart. I discovered Authentic Compassion.

  • Hayley
    Posted at 18:53h, 06 April Reply

    As I read your post, I copied the quote and pasted it on my screen to try to remember to live by. Wish me luck! My best shot this week was captured on my camera and in my heart. I discovered Authentic Compassion.

  • Christina
    Posted at 18:56h, 06 April Reply

    That image of your sweet baby girl is wonderfully authentic!

    here is my Backyard beauty

  • Christina
    Posted at 18:56h, 06 April Reply

    That image of your sweet baby girl is wonderfully authentic!

    here is my Backyard beauty

  • carrie
    Posted at 19:17h, 06 April Reply

    This just reminded me how much I loved Simple Abundance. I have to go re-read it.
    And I adore the photo – it is authentic, and beautiful. The color is just amazing.

    My authentic photo is up. It is pure cousin love.

  • Rebecca
    Posted at 19:17h, 06 April Reply

    Thanks Tracey! I love to read inspirational books. Im going to check those out! I also love the perspective on your daughter pictures. Here is my best shot monday. Click on my name to be taken there.

  • Rebecca
    Posted at 19:17h, 06 April Reply

    Thanks Tracey! I love to read inspirational books. Im going to check those out! I also love the perspective on your daughter pictures. Here is my best shot monday. Click on my name to be taken there.

  • Julie
    Posted at 19:29h, 06 April Reply

    What a great quote. I need to be reminded of that daily! Here is my best shot. (SOOC)

  • Julie
    Posted at 19:29h, 06 April Reply

    What a great quote. I need to be reminded of that daily! Here is my best shot. (SOOC)

  • Berta
    Posted at 21:13h, 06 April Reply

    After reading your post I actually thought, "I haven’t looked at my Simple Abundance book in a long time – think I’ll look up todays thought!" The reading was inviting so, I flipped through the chapters once again! Thanks for the reminder.

  • Berta
    Posted at 21:13h, 06 April Reply

    After reading your post I actually thought, "I haven’t looked at my Simple Abundance book in a long time – think I’ll look up todays thought!" The reading was inviting so, I flipped through the chapters once again! Thanks for the reminder.

  • Linda Nieman
    Posted at 21:31h, 06 April Reply

    It’s Monday and I got my phot posted. I’m so excited. I love playing along when I have the time…or make the time. Like you said Tracey there IS time. I hope you enjoy.

  • Linda Nieman
    Posted at 21:31h, 06 April Reply

    It’s Monday and I got my phot posted. I’m so excited. I love playing along when I have the time…or make the time. Like you said Tracey there IS time. I hope you enjoy.

  • Leslie
    Posted at 21:46h, 06 April Reply

    Your gal is looking very determined and sure in that lovely photo. Mine is still and
    fruitful.

  • Leslie
    Posted at 21:46h, 06 April Reply

    Your gal is looking very determined and sure in that lovely photo. Mine is still and
    fruitful.

  • melody is slurping life
    Posted at 23:33h, 06 April Reply

    She is so beautiful and how she’s grown. Lovely portrait. Authentic for sure.

    Well, seems I’ll have to take a cue from you and pull out my copy of Simple Abundance. Inspiration is in short supply for me right now.

    But this helped:

    Monday Magnificent

  • melody is slurping life
    Posted at 23:33h, 06 April Reply

    She is so beautiful and how she’s grown. Lovely portrait. Authentic for sure.

    Well, seems I’ll have to take a cue from you and pull out my copy of Simple Abundance. Inspiration is in short supply for me right now.

    But this helped:

    Monday Magnificent

  • Cara
    Posted at 02:48h, 07 April Reply

    I took some time out from my very busy project at work to enjoy my God-daugthers Birthday.
    I Miei Due Bambini

  • Cara
    Posted at 02:48h, 07 April Reply

    I took some time out from my very busy project at work to enjoy my God-daugthers Birthday.
    I Miei Due Bambini

  • golightly
    Posted at 06:08h, 07 April Reply

    Here’s my best shot this week, better late than never, I suppose. Thank you for always sharing beautiful words and thoughts with us.

  • golightly
    Posted at 06:08h, 07 April Reply

    Here’s my best shot this week, better late than never, I suppose. Thank you for always sharing beautiful words and thoughts with us.

  • Tanya
    Posted at 13:02h, 07 April Reply

    Thank you for the quote…I think I live pretty authentically…I do focus on myself with African drumming and fun with friends. You’ve prompted me to work a little harder on my home and making a few more special moments happen for myself and family. Love your shot….slightly messy face and all 🙂 Very Authentic 🙂

  • Tanya
    Posted at 13:02h, 07 April Reply

    Thank you for the quote…I think I live pretty authentically…I do focus on myself with African drumming and fun with friends. You’ve prompted me to work a little harder on my home and making a few more special moments happen for myself and family. Love your shot….slightly messy face and all 🙂 Very Authentic 🙂

  • Dawn
    Posted at 00:24h, 08 April Reply

    Wise words…always good to hear…

    Beautiful picture of your daughter….I love the larger freckles…so sweet~

  • Dawn
    Posted at 00:24h, 08 April Reply

    Wise words…always good to hear…

    Beautiful picture of your daughter….I love the larger freckles…so sweet~

  • Sassy
    Posted at 14:10h, 08 April Reply

    I don’t know what could be more authentic than taking pictures in 52 degree weather, on the side of the interstate, with 40 mph winds, laying in Texas Bluebonnets….haha (Authentic or CrAzY?)
    Senior Pictures

  • Sassy
    Posted at 14:10h, 08 April Reply

    I don’t know what could be more authentic than taking pictures in 52 degree weather, on the side of the interstate, with 40 mph winds, laying in Texas Bluebonnets….haha (Authentic or CrAzY?)
    Senior Pictures

  • shelley
    Posted at 10:08h, 10 April Reply

    Ah Simple Abundance where one can go
    for daily words of wisdom from my hero
    SBB. Here is a soothing good night passage
    from her book Moving On…
    Weaver of Dreams, hush the harried heart
    of your beloved. Soothe her frazzled mind,
    and brush from her brow the cares she
    has courageously carried for others
    all day. Ransom, retrieve, and return to
    her the strayed or shattered and scattered
    parts of her soul. Restore her grace and repose.
    Replenish energy consumed by overwork
    and good intentions. Bless and protect all
    those she loves and keep watch over her
    house of belonging. And when the darkness
    eases into the miracle of morning, awaken
    her with awe at the gift of another day.

  • shelley
    Posted at 10:08h, 10 April Reply

    Ah Simple Abundance where one can go
    for daily words of wisdom from my hero
    SBB. Here is a soothing good night passage
    from her book Moving On…
    Weaver of Dreams, hush the harried heart
    of your beloved. Soothe her frazzled mind,
    and brush from her brow the cares she
    has courageously carried for others
    all day. Ransom, retrieve, and return to
    her the strayed or shattered and scattered
    parts of her soul. Restore her grace and repose.
    Replenish energy consumed by overwork
    and good intentions. Bless and protect all
    those she loves and keep watch over her
    house of belonging. And when the darkness
    eases into the miracle of morning, awaken
    her with awe at the gift of another day.

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