A Cherished Point in Time

My heart has been full today, as I spent time with my family. Mother's Day is a wonderful time for me to reflect on how blessed I am. And it led to poetry! So here is my little attempt at a Mother's Day poem:

A Cherished Point in Time

Laughter and chatter of the day

now quiet, still and innocent

Breathing in the scent

of sun kissed skin

The last smile of the day lingers 

on a sweet mouth

and the corners of closed eyes.

I grasp at the moment,

and feel cheated that it is fleeting,

Knowing the more that I try

to hold it hostage the quicker 

it slips away.

Clutching is fruitless,

as desperate as I might be.

I surrender, 

knowing that to keep it

I must relish it,

Breathe it deeper,

let it seep into my pores,

my heart, 

into my very soul.

By Jenna Kelly

In Pursuit of True Modesty

I have been pondering something that has been very perplexing for me. I really value modesty. I do. I believe it is a desirable attribute.

But, if it is such a worthwhile virtue, why is it that culturally we only talk about modesty in regards to women, specifically how they dress? If it is so wonderful, why don't we talk about it as universal rather then portray it as specifically for one gender? Aren't virtues applicable to everyone?

I think that most of us have lost what the definition of modesty is. I know that if you had asked me a couple months ago I may have struggled to define it. As a teen, I would have given a dress code.

But modesty is more then just the clothes you wear. It is an attitude, a way of being. It really is a virtue, just like integrity.

I think that other contexts that "modest" is used helps to find its true definition. Someone of modest means, or someone takes a compliment modestly. The people who come to mind when these phrases are used are likely good examples to use when thinking of modesty. They recognize what respect is and how to show it.

All the Heavy Things

So I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. Not that anyone cares about this blog right now, because I am almost literally the only one who looks at it. Sometimes that is way more comfortable. I feel like I can bare the little parts of my soul that are the most vulnerable, put it out there for someone to have the potential of reading it and helping them. But there is very little risk, since in reality I am the only one reading it. I hold very tightly to my newly budding and most sacred values and opinions, because I think my heart could easily be crushed if they are rejected or stomped on. But I feel a day is coming when I can't do that anymore. That I have to share, because there are too many issues out there that need addressing. Too many problems that need solutions. And if I truly value the things I believe then the only way I can make a difference is by sharing that.

The heavy things are important. We need to talk about them. They might be uncomfortable to face. They can make us see the ugliness in the world and ourselves. No one enjoys that. But if we will never talk about them, they can never change.

Stall... and Then Keep Moving Forward

I feel stuck right now. I start to sing. But I haven't felt like I can put my all into it for a couple weeks. And I can feel it slipping. Like I can't get the same range and tone. Or volume and power. It's like my heart isn't in it right now. But I want it to be so bad. But its not just singing.

Its like I can't put my full heart into anything right now. I'm still working at things, I haven't dropped the ball completely. I'm still trying to blog, and I adore my family. But it feels like there are walls blocking me putting my full passion into the things I am doing. I haven't been relishing and enjoying it the way I was before. I don't feel the self expression like I have been. I don't know if it is just unrealistic for me expect to always feel so much heart and passion in the things I do. Things I love. But I want to. I believe I can. So why? Why does this happen? Why do I so quickly go from feeling so much is going into the actions I take to feeling so blocked up?

Seven Steps to Developing Any Talent

You can have any skill you want. Really, you can. But... the big but. You have to want it. You have to work at it. You have no idea where to start.

Learning something new can be broken down into a process and then the same process applied to anything you are interested in. And with the amount of knowledge available at your finger tips the only valid excuse you can have is that it not a priority for your time.

Here are 7 steps you can apply to any skill you want to develop.

The Struggle With Power and Beauty

Beauty is such a big topic of discussion in our culture. There are so many people out there, promoting ways to "look like your best self." Or to have a "flawless complexion" or whatever else is sought after. To be honest, I try not to pay attention. I really try.


But it seems to be nearly unavoidable for a woman in our culture not to become preoccupied with their appearance. From a young age, girls get the message that their worth is based on how pretty they are. The prince wouldn't fall in love at first sight with the princess if she wasn't the most beautiful one in the room.


We are told that sex sells. It isn't sex that sells. It is power.

Women are inundated constantly with what is considered the ideal, and always the message is that is where our power lies. Men have the power, and we gain some by having sexual appeal.

I hate this view of women.

I look at all the women around me, and I see power and beauty. Beyond simply their features, there is something there. Each of them have qualities that show in their expressions and mannerisms. I wouldn't change any of them. Not only that, but they have so much influence, and often they have no idea. It goes so far beyond how they look.

Yet I am stuck making the same mistake.

Singing Again

I started singing again last week. I suppose I started again a while ago. But I decided to earnestly begin to work my voice out and actually get better. I've been trying to make sure I sing for an hour every day, at least 20 minutes of that being time spent on exercises pushing my boundaries. I want to be able to have better range and tone then I ever have. Really, I don't think that will be difficult, since I don't think I have ever focused so specifically on working out my voice. At least, not since I was very young.

It is actually amazing to see my progress.  Already I can tell that my range, control and sound are improving.

I'm not sure why I stopped singing. I had several years where I hardly sang at all. At the time, I was in and out of depression. And I didn't feel as close to my husband either. I suppose I was self conscious. My voice was lost.

But now I have found it again. And I love it.

We'll just see how much everyone living with me can handle it...