Over the last few months, I’ve been going through a bit of a transformation — and it culminated yesterday, when I formally turned in my resignation at my job: I’m going to be leaving the practice of law to pursue a more artistic and creative living.
As you can imagine, it’s been a bit of a tumultuous ride — it still is, and likely will be for a while, until I get my groove on. That said, it gets better every day: a few months ago, while I was still formulating my plan, I was in a pretty emotional state. But as it happened, I decided to take a few days vacation from my life: I went to a place I’d never been, with a bunch of women many of whom I didn’t know, and rested and reflected.
It was there that my decision to leave law, a career about which I was never particularly passionate, was solidified. It was also there that I wandered into a little shop, and found the tiny silver pendant you see in the image above. I bought it on the spot, and made the decision that I would wear it every day until I submitted my resignation, as a reminder to stay true to my heart, and to my soul. And I have, too: because sometimes, even while we take care of our partners, our children, our friends and our families, it’s good to take a little time to show yourself a little love, too. For me, it was good to have this little token on me to remind me to do just that.
* * * * * * *
Happy Love Thursday, all. Please leave your links to your images of love in the comments below — and if you have them, images of the little messages you’ve come across that help remind you to show yourself a little love. The images uploaded by she saw things and barilynn8 into the Shutter Sisters Flickr Pool are great examples.
And try to remember to show yourself a little love today.
tracey says
gorgeous photo karen!
i’m celebrating the little things today.
http://maypapers.blogspot.com/2008/10/cool-places.html
michelle of bleeding espresso says
Brava! As a fellow former lawyer, I can fully appreciate your decision to leave the profession for something that truly inspires you. Best of luck!
This week, a flashback to my childhood via a package from Mom (or There’s a Mouse in my Cappuccino):
http://bleedingespresso.com/2008/10/love-thursday-theres-a-mouse-in-my-cappuccino.html
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
Naomi says
My love Thursday necklace
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomesthenome/2906825226/
Chris says
I am so excited for you! It’s scary, but your story will inspire others. You’re already one step ahead. Good for you!
My "Love Thursday" story is inspired by family today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroldssis/2895472037/
Shawna says
Back to basics for me. Sometimes she fills me with enough love for the entire world to share, and sometimes I want to hoard it all for myself.
http://tumblieweed.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html
Jeana says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanamarie31/2906281891/
congratulations on your resignation – best of luck to you in your pursuit!
HLThursday:)
Jamie says
Woot! Best of luck!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2902844927/
Busymomma66 says
Happy Love Thursday!
Nature loves to leave love notes all over the place!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016956@N05/
cindy k says
good luck with your transformation, karen! i made the same change from law a few years ago and never looked back.
my ‘love thursday’ has to do with the nail polish my husband picked up for me. i’m still learning how to use my camera, so have mercy. i hope you like the story and it is right on target with special messages
http://quainthandmade.blogspot.com/2008/10/pics-paint-me-red.html
kristen says
love in hope.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acumamakiki/2905942658/
ELK says
Karen this is exciting!
love thursday ~ be "true" to your voice
http://www.redorgray.com/
shelli says
Wow. I congratulate you! What a courageous step! I wish you the best.
I don’t have any notes that I have photographed, so I’m sharing this fascinating moth I found in our backyard, which also happens to be shaped like a heart. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy/Pages/Nikon_D60.html#29
Kate Baumert says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30172877@N02/2907264690/?eOrig=2896814577
Jessi says
Sweet.
http://www.frozeneights.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html
Sandi says
congrats on your new career! 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandis_art/2907316424/
cotterpin says
Happy Love Thursday!
http://cotterpinhouse.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/where-the-deer-and-the-antelope-play/
jen lemen says
we’re on the same page! 😉
to thine own self be true
http://jenlemen.com/blog/?p=512
FireMom says
My SIL is getting married on Saturday: http://stopdropandblog.com/2008/10/02/love-thursday-theyll-be-just-fine/
jag says
What a wonderful post – bravo for your courage!!
I saw this message on the side of a bus shelter last weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2893267671/in/set-72157607328527864/
To which I would add:
"There is a mystic in every one of us, yearning to play again in the universe."
— Matthew Fox
jag xox
margie says
many years ago my late husband quit the practice of law to bake bread. he was never happier. if your chosen path is not your passion, and you are able to find your way to something that is, then never look back. go forward and good luck karen.
happy love thursday, my hidden heart and two obvious hearts. margie
http://3yrplan.typepad.com/soeursdujour/
kristin says
congratulations karen that is "true"-ly wonderful and brave.
one love happy lt all,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2906548269/
Elizabeth says
Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine who left the world of medicine and nursing to follow her dream of music and performing.
Today she would have been 42.
Staying true to her heart she didn’t wait to follow her dreams. Jennifer died in March. She left her songs and the example of one fearless heart in the pursuit of the life she dreamed of living. She didn’t wait.
http://www.giftsofthejourney.com/Elizabeth_Harper-Gifts_of_the_Journey/Blog/Entries/2008/10/2_What_We_Leave_Behind_When_We_Go.html
renee@ FIMBY says
Not exactly a message to love myself but a message of hope. And I’m taking it personally because there is lots I’m hoping for as I move into new areas of creativity
"http://www.flickr.com/photos/28442274@N07/2880298149/
Terri says
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mondaysmemories/2650058571/
I’ve used this one before, but you can say that he’s on my mind today. In two hours he’ll be back on a plane and flying home from Germany. He travels there once a month for work.
Elaine says
I so admire you for your courage. It takes a lot to step into the unknown and feel empowered and at peace. I will be thinking about you as you start on your journey…have a wonderful metamorphosis.
Gayle says
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
http://planetmfiles.com/2008/10/02/love-thursday-and-rock-band-2/
spread your wings says
my message of love was sent last night
http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/
I admire your bold step. All the best to you.
benzismama says
HLT!
http://photosbytracie.blogspot.com/
Nicole says
I’m so envious of your courage. I hope one day to take the same leap of faith you have. I wish you the best!
Ashley says
Happy LT! Congrats to Karen on the bold move…I hope to do the same some day.
Here’s a shot from a recent vacation to Vancouver…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleydano/2904962945/
Katie in MA says
Good on you! That kind of courage – that’s inspriring. That’s the kind of woman I want to be. The kind of model I want to be for my girls. The kind of story I want to be able to write about!
From the brave and bold and big-life-moment kind of story, to the small, every-day-moment kind, here’s my Love Thursday post:
http://cantgetthere.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/love-is-living-the-everyday-moments/
jfrancis says
life is a journey
without a roadmap
guided by your heart
Christina says
What a courageous story to start my morning with. Following your dreams can never be a bad thing, scary but never bad. : ) We’re all cheering you on.
The roads you will pave for those who walk the journey after you is a beautiful thought.
daniela says
inspiring. congratulations!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danisoul/2902856799/
Diane Schuller says
How exciting that you’ve chosen to become true to yourself. A huge leap but with those feet planted in the right soil it will make all the difference.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/2907782544/
Happy love Thursday,
Diane
Chocolate on my Cranium says
Bravo! Staying true to yourself is sometimes scary and hard but it helps us be better women, friends, sisters, wives, and mothers.
My Love Thursday is about the love my daughter and husband share.
http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2008/10/youre-my-chicken.html
Ursula says
Congrats on new starts!
We had a new start in a new home over the weekend. Soon my son will start his new school, but he still misses his old class and friends. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuzamora/2902935408/in/photostream/
Happy Love Thursday….
Kim says
I love this photo and the message it sends. Oh how I would love to quit my job (as a student) and make photography and art my job. Good for you for having the courage to follow your dreams.
http://kimberpic.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html
carolbrowne says
Congratulations on your new venture. I hope to follow in your shoes one day. Here’s my picture of love today – my pumpkin harvest – http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolbrowne/2893437007/ I grew these bad boys in the front yard.
Cartwheels At Midnight/Paige says
I changed my course two years ago and couldn’t be happier. I wish you the best of luck.
My message is in the form of a bracelet from a girlfriend who knows my soul:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelsatmidnight/2907960514/
My image of love is my second chance at love:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelsatmidnight/2883375385/
Debbie says
http://debbiebrenner.typepad.com/thats_in_my_book/2008/10/love-thursday.html
Not as huge as resigning from the law, but out of my comfort zone all the same.
Karen G says
Congratulation! Good luck!
Happy love thursday!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23132596@N07/2907995188/
Kyla says
Congratulations! It’s never easy to "break away", but I think you’ll find it very, very rewarding. Sending lots of hugs your way.
And here’s a little love from my part of the world:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/2901788419/
Steph Wiese says
Congrats Karen on being true to your heart… I wish all the joy, peace and fulfullment you could ever dream of! Isn’t it interesting all the little tokens that remind us of our true self – here’s one of mine.
http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/
Robin-bird says
your love thursday post touched me most deeply. thank you!
XO
http://robinbird.typepad.com/bird_tweets/2008/10/day-173-the-cry.html
Melanie says
messages:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2204850773
http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2615178076
Jackie says
Seems like love has different expressions. With my boys it takes the form of wrestling and making each other giggle!
Jackie says
Ooops, forgot to link the photo!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22609510@N03/2907339371/
Farrah Braniff says
Congratulations on a great step Karen!
For me today, love is all about mess:
http://farrahblog.squarespace.com/my-photo-life/2008/10/2/love-thursday-life-with-boys.html
Aia says
what an amazing journey & story…congrats! i have an image for love thursday here:
http://liveforthosewholoveyou.blogspot.com/
Aia says
what an amazing journey & story…congrats! i have an image for love thursday here:
http://liveforthosewholoveyou.blogspot.com/
Shalet says
Great photo! My love Thursday is bittersweet. I hope everyone has a super day!
http://peculiarmomma.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html
sperlygirl says
a journey of love is certainly found on the path of motherhood – each and every day.
http://sperlygirl.typepad.com/sperlygirl/2008/10/the-journey-of-love.html
happy love thursday!
tangobaby says
Karen, that’s amazing news! Congratulations on following your heart. You will never look back, I’m sure. We are all so happy for you.
bridge says
http://ridethewavesoflife.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday-easy-as-pie.html
congrats on your life change…wishing you happiness.
jessica says
I remembered, yesterday. it was very conscious and i think it changed today for me. i have written about it, along with my photo for LT on my blog, and in part I make reference to your site, because it fits as a piece of the puzzle of change this past week…
http://www.insearchofdessert.com/?p=646
congratulations on this new adventure you are choosing.
Kirsten says
Congrats! That so inspiring!
Here’s an ode to my love of surprises…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingcheeky/2905800597/
nicky thomas says
Hello shuttersisters,
firstly … congratulations Karen. Carpe Diem and all that jazz!
secondly … love thursday. hmmm. well i had my first official wedding shoot recently, albeit for a couple of friends of mine. I have just posted the photos that they chose up on flickr for their friends and family to see. One of them popped right out at me and yelled ‘love thursday’ and lo and behold it was thursday so….
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2908352768
Have a lovely evening folks.
Nicky x
ps any constructive criticism on the photos would be very welcome. I’m still very new at all this stuff!
Rachel Parton says
Happy Love Thursday!
http://partonpics.blogspot.com/2008/10/uplifting-downtrodden.html
psumommy says
A bit late, but a message for my heart, written 8 years ago…
http://nittanymommy.blogspot.com/2008/10/shutter-sisters-love-thursday.html
Robin says
It’s hard to imagine doing what I love for a living, it’s beyond something I can even comprehend. At least I still have my muse:
http://www.accidentalbeauty.net/index.php?showimage=423
Maya says
Infinite goodness has such wide arms- Dante
Congrats on your new adventures and looks like your planets are aligned (which creates a "syzygy"). I can still see your happy face when you bought that charm in or. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayangsari/2235895584/
Lizabeth says
Awesome and I love your post. deep breath… I hope this makes sense to you. I thought of it when I read about your decision:
"The majority of men in every generation, even those who, as it is described, devote themselves to thinking, live and die under the impression that life is simply a matter of understanding more and more, and that if it were granted to them to live longer, then life would continue to be one long continuous growth in understanding. How many o fthem ever experience the maturity of discovering that there comes a critical mment when everything is reversed, after which the point becomes to understand more and more that there is something which cannot be understood. This is Socratic ignorance and that is what philisophy of our time requires as a corrective."
—Kierkegaard
Again, Congrats! and how True
queen zucchini says
i’m on a marriage-themed kick and forgot to leave comments the last couple of weeks. So here’s a whole lotta love…
http://dailydroool.blogspot.com/2008/09/love-thursdays.html
http://dailydroool.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-love.html
http://dailydroool.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday-arranged-marriage.html
Christie says
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2908006531_6be5255f81_o.jpg
kristyk says
http://kristyk.org/blog/?p=220
m. heart says
love sometimes demands you follow an unknowable path. good luck on yours!
http://secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-thursday.html
laura - dolcepics says
Wow! I haven’t posted here in weeks! Totally missed all you sistas!
Here’s one from me I took while on vacay:
http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/found-heart-2/
Julie Alvarez says
My late night talk with her (my husbands daughter) made me focus on love again:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2910429120/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2909584271/in/photostream/
Jodyangel says
Karen,
Do what your heart tells you to do. If the heart ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy.
Hugs! This was a hard decision, but we’ll all be watching you succeed!
tonya says
I just saw a little message last week:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/2890032373/
kat says
Wow. I admire your courage. Even though I have a job I love, there are times that I would love to hang up the high tech coat and head off to delve into more creative passions. I wish you the very, very best. Will be watching your blog to see how you make out.
http://pixels2picture.typepad.com/pixels2picture/2008/02/photo-of-the-we.html
Michelle S says
Yay for following your heart, Karen! You are brave and I admire that very much. I wish you much joy on your "true" path.
Melissa says
Karen – I am doing the exact same thing tomorrow. I alternately can’t wait and can’t imagine how I’ll keep from puking on my boss’s desk.
Thanks for being a beacon and touchstone for me in this process, whether you knew it or not.
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