Life’s Sweet Lessons

Life’s Sweet Lessons

gelato stracciatella

I am a big believer in synchronicity, perhaps to an extreme. Rarely does an opportunity come along that feels random or totally out of the blue. Although it’s not always easy to connect the dots at first, for me, it’s become a science, or maybe better said, an art. Given enough time to think about things fit together, I can almost always see the thread that ties all of my life’s experiences together, or at least one to the next.

I remember my mom saying—during some of the tougher moments with my second baby—“she’s here to teach you the lessons you haven’t learned yet”.  Sigh.  I know she was right. I think everyone can agree that often the greatest lessons come from our roughest patches but I’m beginning to think that sometimes Universe gives us more gentle opportunities to learn. Whether we choose to learn “the easy way” or not is up to us.

A number of weeks ago I wrote a blog post about ways in which I think mothers should have to take care of themselves. Notice I use the words have to because I think it should be a contractual thing otherwise mothers like myself, and endless others will never follow through. But, I digress. The point of the “Simple Self Care Contract” began out of wanting to share with other moms what I considered the non-negotiables of self-care. As I wrote it became clear that although I do acknowledge making time for myself and my needs, I realize I should be following the contract much more vigilantly.

Within a week of my post being published, and my revelation that I was clearly neglecting some of my own self-care rules, I was invited to participate in an unbelievable partnership with Häagen-Dazs. The premise? To travel to Italy (yes Italy!) to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes while immersing myself in the Italian culture for one reason; to gather inspiration. I know, right? Does it get better than that?  I will be one of seven  artists are embarking on this journey to Italy to embrace “La Dolce Vita” and in response,  create unique, limited-edition works of art to symbolize each of our perfect Italian moment and a selected Häagen-Dazs gelato flavor.  Travel, art (which for me of course means photography), and gelato?  Yes, the L’artista Della Serie (The Artist Series) is a dream project.

The synchronicity in all of this is that within this one single project, I can check off a number of the points on my Self-Care Contract; a creative outlet, a change of scenery, indulgence…check, check and check.  I’m not even on the plane yet and still, I am fully aware of the lesson; that allowing myself to experience and enjoy something like this is one awesome way to take care of myself. And with that I will say ‘ciao’ to a little self-care and a lot of gelato.

A special thanks to the Universe and Häagen-Dazs for teaming up to teach me such a sweet lesson.

14 Comments
  • rakusribut
    Posted at 23:48h, 07 March Reply

    wow tracey! yay! awesome….. and so incredibly well deserved…. and you got the stracciatella flavor too!!!! and such a wonderful group of artists going with you to italy….sigh… can’t wait to see where this adventure is going to lead you
    xoxo helga

  • Kim B.
    Posted at 09:50h, 08 March Reply

    Such an inspiring story, Tracey! Thank you… Hurray for self-care, gelato and Italy!

  • Cheryl
    Posted at 10:05h, 08 March Reply

    Wow Tracey it seems the “creative God’s” are on your side…this is such an amazing opportunity…and from one who has been there…gelato is like liquid gold…and you can enjoy it many times in a day..
    I also believe things happen for a reason..life is not an accident…but this is super special…
    Can’t wait to see what you bring back…let you talent shine…

  • Tracey
    Posted at 12:43h, 08 March Reply

    Thanks everyone for cheering me on!! : )

  • Sue Taylor
    Posted at 12:57h, 08 March Reply

    What an amazing and wonderful opportunity. My youngest daughter, when she was small (and before sychronicity was an available concept) tried to get her lips around the word coincidence but to no avail. Co-inkydink was her version. And of course it stuck. What a wonderful co-inkydink that the resource comes along when YOU most need it. And with gelato!

  • Blissmamaof3
    Posted at 19:07h, 08 March Reply

    Wow! Have a great time. Congrats on being chosen. You deserve this wonderful opportunity to be inspired after all the inspiration you have given with your art. Cannot wait to see the images!

  • sperlygirl
    Posted at 23:18h, 08 March Reply

    first, it was beautiful timing that i landed on your self-care mention (now i must read). and the wise words of your mom echo in my heart too with the challenges of parenting. and AUGURI! on your gelato project. what an honor. italy is in my heart here and i can safely say after 8 yrs here, i find there is very little gelato does not help! 😉 Auguri Tracey!!!

  • sandie
    Posted at 07:06h, 09 March Reply

    I so love this post Tracey! Self care is something on my mind right now, after weeks of stress at work, and gentle reminders to myself to slow down, breathe, look after myself. Things are clicking into place for me too…. so I fully appreciate what you are saying here. I am SO excited and pleased for you. I can SO understand your big embracing of this opportunity. Have heaps of fun and I hope your creativity flourishes along with your enthusiasm!

  • melody
    Posted at 19:38h, 09 March Reply

    Big! Awesome! Following along online is going to be inspiring for me. Happy and safe travel. ox

  • Sue Ann Gleason
    Posted at 07:35h, 12 March Reply

    Yay you!!!!!!! If they need someone to be sure they are sourcing the correct chocolate for their ice cream, I’m happy to tag along! xxxooo

  • Jennifer
    Posted at 10:12h, 12 March Reply

    oh my goodness this is so sweet and amazing! what an incredible way to learn a lesson! 🙂 Have so much fun!! Can’t wait to see your photographs and hear all about it.

  • An iView of La Dolce Vita | Tracey Clark
    Posted at 10:07h, 23 March Reply

    […] to creativity to camaraderie  the The Artist Series trip to Italy was one of the most unique and fun projects I have ever worked on. And the best part is that the trip was just part of the gig. Over the next […]

  • Charlene Ross
    Posted at 10:46h, 02 April Reply

    Wow! That truly is amazing. I think you are right – the universe puts things out there for us. I see that all the time.

    And Italy AND Häagen-Dazs – is there anything better? (I think the answer would be no!)

  • HD Moments Revealed Through L’Artista Della Serie | Tracey Clark
    Posted at 00:24h, 16 April Reply

    […] can still hardly believe that I was fortunate enough to travel to Italy with Haagen-Dazs and the amazing artists of L’artista Della Serie […]

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