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Divine Distractions

divine procrastinationI am supposed to be writing everyday in March for something I started called March inspired!

I have been collating, I have been musing, I have been questioning, I have been ruminating, I have been crocheting, I have been cooking, I have been decluttering but the problem is…

Not much writing.

In essence I have failed the challenge that I set out for lots of people to join with me.

And it is okay.

Sometimes you just can’t force it.

Sometimes you will do anything possible, even scrubbing the back of the bathroom cupboard to escape sitting down and doing what is your intention.

Are we all rebels?

Are we all hopeless at commitment?

Nope, we are just creative beings, who need boundaries and shape to form our creativity, but somedays need to wait for the right moment to fill it in with colour.

I can’t explain it, but somedays I just have to wait.

It doesn’t mean I have failed, it just means I am collecting.

I am in my hunter, gatherer phase and the downloading into words on paper will happen soon.

Soon.

Soon and very soon.

Procrastinate with me, no matter what it is, do something to instigate inspiration.

Essentially thats what March inspired was all about anyway.

Amanda

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courage to let go of certainty

certainty

Today marks the end of a journey of trust for my family. One that has been a private one, a stressful one, a stretching one and more.

For the past 5 weeks we have been waiting on news from an investigation that has been privately so stressful.

This morning I broke. I had had enough. I didn’t want to be in this place of tension anymore, I didn’t want to wait on someone else’s findings to determine the next few years of my families life.

Being 20 weeks pregnant, with a two year old, I found this situation so difficult.

I haven’t been able to speak about it here, which in itself has been difficult, as this blog is my therapy and my friend. Much of my musings in this space are about me finding wisdom in the midst of my days. I am not preaching at others here, I am often preaching at myself and anyone else who is changed or challenged is a total bonus.

The hardest part of this journey has been

1) We were not at fault

2) We cant influence or determine the outcome

It has been a journey of trust.

Trust that God knows our hearts and also he is the one who determines our steps.

Every door that opens is of his instigation and every one that closes is of his purpose.

Yes I can open doors and yes I can shut them closed, but living a life of faith is sitting in a place of uncertainty well and living beyond the questions.

A scripture that has resounded today;

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew

This dance of trust is the same for our pursuits creatively.

We need to exist in a place of uncertainty, that is why faith is so important to me in my daily walk.

Without faith, I am not sure I would be able to exist in the in-between.

Are you in an in-between place right now?

Courage says to let go and allow a beautiful path of hiddenness and pain to unfold.

The crazy part of this unfolding is that you can never reach the paths of truth you were destined for, without a massive amount of trust and uncertainty.

If you feel out of your depth and are reaching for new horizons, uncertainty is a good sign of progress.

Tomorrow our news is due to unfold.

Firstly at 8.30am we find out if we are having a baby boy or girl and secondly later in the day the meeting we have been waiting for 5 weeks for to unveil our next steps.

Prayers would be appreciated

Amanda

(ps we are so peaceful in this place of stretch, mostly smile)

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it has begun

Screen Shot 2014-03-01 at 8.13.08 pm

Some days you just need to get on with it and say yes.

I begun writing and kinda having a go at the first draft of the design elements for Yestember. I got some feedback from my husband on the byline ‘a 30 day guided journal for singles’ and he told me he hated it.

Back to the drawing board.

That nearly put me off writing for the whole day.

Derailed on the first go.

I laughed, sent a text to a girlfriend and got back on the horse.

I ended the day so excited because I had begun something I have been thinking about for months, I put it out here in cyberspace, (which brings an accountability) and then 10 people wrote letters to compliment and inspire me towards this journey.

I need 20 more people to write me a letter: here are the details (click this photo link)

dear single self

 

As I continue on my March Inspired Journey. It’s not too late… to join the fun.

See you tomorrow.

Comment below and tell me how your first day went.

XXOO

Amanda

If you would like to write a letter to yourself now and submit, you can do so here…

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dear single self,

dear single self

I need your help.

If you are married?

If you have been divorced?

Have you been widowed?

or if you are separated.

If you have been reading my posts of late, my latest project is called ‘Yestember: a 30 day guided journey for singles’.

I want to include 30 letters in my e-book from people who have been married or are married.

These letters will be anonymous, I just need a little context for the reader;

* How old you were when you got married?

* And how old you are now?

If you would help me, I want to publish 30 letters in my latest book about being single and over 25. To hear wisdom from people who are already married, what they would say to their former single self, what you would do differently,  what you didn’t know but know now, how to live your days as a single women…etc

Your letter might go something like this

Dear Single Self,

How do I even begin to talk to you about the things that have radically changed my perspective of singleness. I am now 37 turning 38 and I got married when I was 34 turning 35.

I want to tell you to stop worrying. Stop striving, stop wishing, stop craving, stop manipulating. I want to tell you to let go. Let go of all of those expectations, those overwhelming sessions of late night worrying, those times when you are so consumed with being single, that you have stopped living the life you are living.

You will get married one day.

You will have a child one day.

You will.

If only you could take hold of that truth and walk out this amazing season of your life with that perspective.

Enjoy yourself

Go to a counsellor

Hang out with guys without imaging what your wedding could be like to each other.

Stop fantasising and start living.

You are loved and worthy of love.

You belong and are worthy of belonging.

Drink deep drinks of the love of God and live a life that surrenders to beautiful things and beautiful moments.

You don’t need to wait till your married to start truly living.

Say yes.

Say yes to beautiful, interesting things.

Live a interesting life.

Live large

Love me

(a very pregnant, very in love, very stretched, very tired but very satisfied me.)

Amanda

This is my letter to my single self, what is yours?

I think the young and middle aged women who read these letters will be so moved and so inspired but the perspective and wisdom that you will bring.

I need 30 people.

All you need to do is email amanda@amandaviviers.com me your letter by the end of March. The earlier the better as I am sure that you will inspire me towards my writing this month. If you know someone who is in their later years, with a fabulous story about singleness and marriage, please help them and get them to write to me and I will give you my postal address for them to send me their contribution.

Forever grateful

Amanda

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Day one March inspired

march inspired

Hello March!

From the beginning of this year my mission has been to live 2014 inspired.

The way that I have been personally doing this is by drawing and writing in my visual journal everyday of the year and posting on this blog about all things creative, innovation, spirituality, culture and arts.

A couple of weeks ago I put out a challenge for people to join this journey in the Month of March.

More details can be found here. March inspired.

Well March is here, today is the first and it is the beginning of Autumn. In 5 days time as well it is the start of Lent, a preparation season of 40 days leading up to Easter.

My encouragement today is for you to choose something small, something that will help you live more inspired and commit to doing it everyday of March with me.

#marchinspired and be inspired by what other people are doing.

I personally have committed to writing everyday towards a ebook that I want to publish this year about being over 25 and single.

Email me with what you have decided to do and lets live march inspired together.

I took this photo in London on a beautiful farm called church farm.

Goodbye Summer

Hello Autumn

What a perfect time to decide to do something to live inspired.

Goodbye Summer Hello Autumn

Amanda