Day 2/30: Dream Big and then...Dream Bigger

Do you dream big? I mean REALLY dream big? Do you shoot for something that you want to reach..but if you don't it's not big deal? Do you shoot for that house that you adore? What about the marriage you want? The relationship with God you desire? Or the kids you want?!

If you don't, you need to start. Dreaming big begins with really visualizing your goals and seeing where you want to be. If you don't know how to start, start here. This chart forces you to really analyze where you see yourself- and it's no easy task. Knowing what you want to be like in 20 years is SUPER hard to fathom - but really, it's super important. (Allison Lamarr is a coach that I found when I was in Mary Kay, I love her to pieces, even if you are not in direct sales - you may want to listen!)

The real truth is that God doesn't create us to live small. So often we go through life without really thinking about what we do and how we do it...life just happens.

It's time for that stop. Why do you let life happen? Why don't you know what you are aiming for? Why don't you visualize success so when you get there...you know what you see?!

There are times that I dream for different things...do you? Do you wake up one day and say to yourself, 'hey, I want this' - only to wake up the next and say 'no, I want this!' - those are your dreams in your heart. The truth is only you have them...and only you can accomplish them.

So dream BIG. There is no reason to not dream- in fact Benjamin Franklin said: "a person starts dying when they stop dreaming." Are a walking dead? Are your dreams dead? Do you know what they are?

Dreams become yours and aren't big enough unless when you tell others about your dream they say: "ohhhh ok...sure" (or to that affect!) The reason why they don't understand is because those dreams are yours.

So dream big! Start living today...reverse your aging (figuratively speaking of course! :) and start living.

What are your dreams for:

• yourself
• your family
• your career
• your future home
• your community involvement
• your personal development
• your finances
• your physical health
• your children

Write them down, put them in front of you daily. And when it seems like they are so big.....dream bigger than that-
after all, God doesn't give small dream to His children - only dreams that you can bring to pass!

Dream Big!
Love always,
Lida

Day 1/30: Be True to You

Welcome to my 30 days of Becoming a Better You Series - I'm not only posting my pictures on here...I'm also adding some great series on here too! If you want to also follow my tumblr, click here

Being true to yourself isn’t easy- it means taking risks, realizing your faults, conquering your fears, and acting when it’s not convenient.

But really, I feel that this is SO important for women [and men!] today. I’m not writing these 30 days of posts geared towards just women, I just feel as though women respond differently! Don’t get me wrong, I love my hubby-liscious - possibly more than life itself, but he responds differently and so do I.

Women can get upset at the drop of a hat, make decisions based on emotions, and become OBSESSED with things related to emotion-filled life changing events. Men, on the other hand, have a tendency to look at more things objectively - take things into consideration, and look from a logical point of view. If I didn’t have my other half, I tell you - I’d be a mess.

But back to staying true to you. Many times we look at other’s lives and think - wow, they have it all - the fancy cars, the vacation, the flashes/lenses {ok, that’s just me…but still} - and we can fill our hearts full of jealousy. The reality is that EVERYONE has issues in their lives…they all have dealt with sadness, death, slumps, etc. The mathematical way of thinking about this is: jealousy=poison.

j+a[anger]=living in a slump.

I’ve absolutely been there & it takes SO much to get out of that feeling. The truth is that God wants you to start where you are. Whether it’s in debt or debt free, with a job or without, with faithful friends or without, with a spouse or without. The jealousy that rules {think FB, blogs} - is seen every day. Don’t we only post good things? Don’t we only see the tidied houses? Don’t we only see the touched up pictures? Don’t we see fancy cars parked in driveways of fancy houses only to not see what’s behind those doors?

Be thankful where you are. And when you are, you can honestly be true to yourself.

It’s so hard, it’s so easy to fall into a slump, it’s so tempting to think you are the only one - but your not.

Being true to you is one of the foundations to a happy life.

It’s a breath of fresh air.

I’s the ONLY way to live.

Be true to you - realize that your faults are what make YOU YOU. Your tendencies are the ones that give you personality & life. Why not embrace them?

Need help on realizing the many blessings you have? Start a 5 day gratitude journal that you write EVERY night. When you write down everything you are grateful for, it’s so easy to see how your life is completely yours.

My favorite blog post for the week was seeing Young House Love’s Sherry walk through her house and show her mess. Wow. It made me feel like - you know what? They are a nationally known couple who blogs about their house & they have clothes scattered too!

Start where you are-you are there for a reason.

With love always,

Lida

P.s. And in case you wanted to see it, here’s the link (warning, a little shaky…but soooo necessary!) - I love this couple! Follow them too! YHL Rocks

Candice Sneak Peak!

Candice - you are GORGEOUS! Thank you for giving me part of your Saturday to make my camera look good!!

Enjoy!

FINALLY!

So for all my [Facebook] friends out there, sorry this took SO long - you never feel really ready honestly!

I have a multiple choice question for you:
I am...
a. pregnant
b. wishing I were
c. a photographer
d. wanting to make a difference
e. both c & d

Which one?? I know so many of our friends are wishing that I was a. but really...I am c & d!

That's why I created my photography business, let me tell you how this came about.
I have been searching for the 'best' career choice for me - I explored my talents, options, and reality only to realize that my whole life I was doing something that I loved.

Photography.

I love love love it! I just never thought in a million years that I would turn my passion into something that I can do full time.
But then I thought - what if I could do something that was my passion & allow it to help others.
That's why I developed Hope Shots, a way that I could help others.

thought about this after watching a show that featured Tom's Shoes - so I thought if I could make this a win:win kind of model then I could help too! So after my shots of beautiful brides, children, and families I could photograph children of third world countries, puppies waiting to be adopted, and so much more. (SO - if you have something you think I could do to help - please let me know!) I will also feature some guest photographers & give the option to purchase their prints to help others!

I am SO excited about this opportunity & hope that you are too! I know that it might be a disappointment that I am not pregnant (you guys are too funny!) but this is just as exciting!

I hope that you continue to follow me, bless me by allowing me to be a part of your lives, give me a shout about my pics, and liking me on Facebook!

Thanks for your interest & your love.
I absolutely adore you!
Lida (and of course, my sweet hubby Kenny!)


So how can you see my work? Click here: www.lidamathewsphotography.com
Wanna like me on Facebook? Click here: Like Me!
Wanna see my Twitter Account? Click here: Tweet Me!
Need anything else? Email me: lida@lidamathewsphotography.com

Cheers....

Here's to hoping that my BIG debut happens tomorrow! Come on Show It, you can do it!
Here's a little quiz:
Which one is right?
A) Good things come to those who wait

B) Great things are worth waiting for?!

C) Patience is a virtue...

D) All of the above...

You are SO smart, thanks for waiting for me!

First Official Day

I'm uber familiar with blogs and how they link people to others. In fact, my friend & I read the same blogs and start chatting about people like they are another pea in our pod! HA!
I created this blog to document the ups, downs, and arounds of starting and maintaining my own photography business. Not all of it will be business, a lot will be fun - I'm so blessed to know some photographers in the area and in my own backyard. I cannot WAIT to start working with more - meeting them, hanging out, learning some tricks of the trade.

Most of all, I want this blog to be ... me.uncut.raw.
Why? Because you need to know me - from the inside out. One of my favorite mentors says: "Your business is just an extension of who you are!" Boy, isn't that the truth? Hoping that you become an amazing friend along the way.

Tonight, I will be sending a very special message...because my website will FINALLY be on.
Can't wait to show you!
Love always,
Lida

Launching March 3rd!

Although I thought that March 2nd would be the PERFECT date, it just didn't work out; thus, tomorrow will be my launch date! I am SUPER excited, check back tomorrow for some amazzzing deals!