• I took this photo of this quote inside of a magazine many years ago. Before social media was even that prevalent in my own life. I doubt Smartphones had even been invented ... But I thought it was funny. I am a photographer, a writer, I was learning twitter and Facebook, there was no Instagram at the time, and the writing was on the wall... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This summer I rode on a gondola with a family from Texas. The wife saw a paraglider and told the husband to take a picture, as he fumbled (and grumbled) it was too long. The moment had passed. She said “it’s ok that we missed it, I’m working on not having to have a picture of everything. “ I’m sure he would’ve appreciated that info before he frantically searched his backpack for his phone in a cramped space. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a person who loves capturing cool moments with a camera, I also love to just enjoy photos for my soul. The ones that are etched in my memory, not my camera roll. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This summer, one of my life feast students sent me a text. She said she was loving the class so much, then she added, ”I’ve only taken one photo in the last 30 days and I’ve never been happier.” I lol’d. Leave it to me to teach a photo class where you’re encouraged to not take pictures! How will I market that for the future? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was so happy reading her message, though. It meant she was being more present and less posed. She was free to soak up her kids in summer without cataloging their every move. She said the one photo she took was of her boys in a hammock and it’s her absolute favorite. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Less is more. Presence is everything. Take the photos you’re inspired to take, not the ones you feel obligated to take...
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    I took this photo of this quote inside of a magazine many years ago. Before social media was even that prevalent in my own life. I doubt Smartphones had even been invented ... But I thought it was funny. I am a photographer, a writer, I was learning twitter and Facebook, there was no Instagram at the time, and the writing was on the wall... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This summer I rode on a gondola with a family from Texas. The wife saw a paraglider and told the husband to take a picture, as he fumbled (and grumbled) it was too long. The moment had passed. She said “it’s ok that we missed it, I’m working on not having to have a picture of everything. “ I’m sure he would’ve appreciated that info before he frantically searched his backpack for his phone in a cramped space. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a person who loves capturing cool moments with a camera, I also love to just enjoy photos for my soul. The ones that are etched in my memory, not my camera roll. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This summer, one of my life feast students sent me a text. She said she was loving the class so much, then she added, ”I’ve only taken one photo in the last 30 days and I’ve never been happier.” I lol’d. Leave it to me to teach a photo class where you’re encouraged to not take pictures! How will I market that for the future? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was so happy reading her message, though. It meant she was being more present and less posed. She was free to soak up her kids in summer without cataloging their every move. She said the one photo she took was of her boys in a hammock and it’s her absolute favorite. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Less is more. Presence is everything. Take the photos you’re inspired to take, not the ones you feel obligated to take...
  • This is me, today. Swipe right (left? I think right) to see what I looked like all summer. I had Lasik in July and it’s been a slooooooow recovery. . . But look at these super cool new readers from @caddis_life I got. Sigh, readers. Something I was trying to avoid by getting monovision lasik … something that never occurred to me in my 30’s or in my extreme nearsightedness. . . I feel like Janis Joplin in these glasses. Channeling a new level of Larockstarness … sort of. Not sure all rockstars require a humidifier, omega 3 eyedrops, a heated eye pillow and their phone set to geriatric font size. Those accoutrements feel a little less rockstarish. But Maybe Mick Jagger and the gang have their senior moments, too. They certainly are a bit older than I am… . . These are rose-colored readers? Can’t say that I always choose to deliberately see the rosy path. Last night my eyes hurt and the outlook felt less than rosy. . . Fortunately, I know that even though I don’t always choose rosy, I can always choose RESILIENCE. . . A very privileged, elective surgery with a huge success rate seems like a silly thing to need to be resilient about, but, alas, I have some extremely dry eyes to contend with, making my recovery not so rapid. In some ways my vision is 10 times better than it ever was (I used to be 20/400!!), in other ways it seems to be worse (I can’t focus on my eyebrows!). . . There have been tons of good that’s come from this experience. I saw two cranes the other day. I’ve re-upped my meditation practice, I fell in love with a hammock (well, two hammocks, actually). I’ve been on social media very little. Some days I get to see not only one version of my husband, I see TWO! Not sure if I am now a medium and can see his spirit levitating out of his body, or if I have dry eye induced double vision. Turns out my paranormal abilities are short lived after dousing myself with artificial tears. It’s a fun game to play pretend. . . Ok one parting thought. Don’t forget to blink. Apparently when we are on our devices, we don’t blink often which causes us quite a bit of eye strain. Blink often, power down, lay in a hammock, close your eyes and savor all there is to see.
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    This is me, today. Swipe right (left? I think right) to see what I looked like all summer. I had Lasik in July and it’s been a slooooooow recovery. . . But look at these super cool new readers from @caddis_life I got. Sigh, readers. Something I was trying to avoid by getting monovision lasik … something that never occurred to me in my 30’s or in my extreme nearsightedness. . . I feel like Janis Joplin in these glasses. Channeling a new level of Larockstarness … sort of. Not sure all rockstars require a humidifier, omega 3 eyedrops, a heated eye pillow and their phone set to geriatric font size. Those accoutrements feel a little less rockstarish. But Maybe Mick Jagger and the gang have their senior moments, too. They certainly are a bit older than I am… . . These are rose-colored readers? Can’t say that I always choose to deliberately see the rosy path. Last night my eyes hurt and the outlook felt less than rosy. . . Fortunately, I know that even though I don’t always choose rosy, I can always choose RESILIENCE. . . A very privileged, elective surgery with a huge success rate seems like a silly thing to need to be resilient about, but, alas, I have some extremely dry eyes to contend with, making my recovery not so rapid. In some ways my vision is 10 times better than it ever was (I used to be 20/400!!), in other ways it seems to be worse (I can’t focus on my eyebrows!). . . There have been tons of good that’s come from this experience. I saw two cranes the other day. I’ve re-upped my meditation practice, I fell in love with a hammock (well, two hammocks, actually). I’ve been on social media very little. Some days I get to see not only one version of my husband, I see TWO! Not sure if I am now a medium and can see his spirit levitating out of his body, or if I have dry eye induced double vision. Turns out my paranormal abilities are short lived after dousing myself with artificial tears. It’s a fun game to play pretend. . . Ok one parting thought. Don’t forget to blink. Apparently when we are on our devices, we don’t blink often which causes us quite a bit of eye strain. Blink often, power down, lay in a hammock, close your eyes and savor all there is to see.
  • I’ve been reunited with these two little loves all week. They went to sleepaway camp for a month - a month! It’s the longest month of my year and it’s probably the best month of their year. For a week now I’ve gotten to hug them and laugh with them and hear all of their camp adventures (plus a song or two thrown in). It’s been a beautiful week at the lake to reconnect ... before the madness of the school year kicks in in just 9 days ... we’ve had slow, sunny days, lots of sleep-ins, s’mores, wave riding, paddle boarding, mini golf. A good balance of rest and play. We took this photo @snowbowlsteamboat before they left for camp. It’s our mockstar album cover ... time is flying by too fast, but I’m slowing down and savoring a lot more than I used to. The annual summer camp absence makes me keenly aware of how short our time together really is. 5 years will be over before I know it. I can’t even fathom that, yet. My nephew turns 18 on Tuesday. How did that happen? Life is beautiful and bittersweet. I love these new levels and I also long for time to stand still a little bit. Staying present helps. Paying attention works wonders. And taking a pause to take it all in is imperative. Ok off to enjoy one last luxuriously long lake day. Another summer almost in the bag. Sigh.
    44 4
    I’ve been reunited with these two little loves all week. They went to sleepaway camp for a month - a month! It’s the longest month of my year and it’s probably the best month of their year. For a week now I’ve gotten to hug them and laugh with them and hear all of their camp adventures (plus a song or two thrown in). It’s been a beautiful week at the lake to reconnect ... before the madness of the school year kicks in in just 9 days ... we’ve had slow, sunny days, lots of sleep-ins, s’mores, wave riding, paddle boarding, mini golf. A good balance of rest and play. We took this photo @snowbowlsteamboat before they left for camp. It’s our mockstar album cover ... time is flying by too fast, but I’m slowing down and savoring a lot more than I used to. The annual summer camp absence makes me keenly aware of how short our time together really is. 5 years will be over before I know it. I can’t even fathom that, yet. My nephew turns 18 on Tuesday. How did that happen? Life is beautiful and bittersweet. I love these new levels and I also long for time to stand still a little bit. Staying present helps. Paying attention works wonders. And taking a pause to take it all in is imperative. Ok off to enjoy one last luxuriously long lake day. Another summer almost in the bag. Sigh.
  • I’m level 46, today. Feeling quite a bit more badass than level 26. 🦁 #leoseason
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    I’m level 46, today. Feeling quite a bit more badass than level 26. 🦁 #leoseason
  • Photo credit: Izzy Powell (8th grade) @izzypowell.26 Just hanging out at the Steamboat Hot Air Balloon Rodeo ...
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    Photo credit: Izzy Powell (8th grade) @izzypowell.26 Just hanging out at the Steamboat Hot Air Balloon Rodeo ...
  • Happy 4th of July! I spotted this creative flag outside of Yampa, Colorado. Such a cool creation. I’m wishing everyone a fantastic and relaxing holiday with lots of fireworks and fanfare. For whatever bizarre reason, there will be no fireworks over here in Aspen. It’s been the wettest spring/summer any of us can remember and pretty much every city in Colorado (including Steamboat!) is having some patriotic pyrotechnics. and of course, that’s ok. I’m excited to be here with my family, celebrating a holiday we’ve been throwing big parties around since I was little. But seriously, Aspen, wtf (Where are The Fireworks?!😫). Ok I’ll stop whining. There are so many things to be grateful for on this holiday. Happy 4th!
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    Happy 4th of July! I spotted this creative flag outside of Yampa, Colorado. Such a cool creation. I’m wishing everyone a fantastic and relaxing holiday with lots of fireworks and fanfare. For whatever bizarre reason, there will be no fireworks over here in Aspen. It’s been the wettest spring/summer any of us can remember and pretty much every city in Colorado (including Steamboat!) is having some patriotic pyrotechnics. and of course, that’s ok. I’m excited to be here with my family, celebrating a holiday we’ve been throwing big parties around since I was little. But seriously, Aspen, wtf (Where are The Fireworks?!😫). Ok I’ll stop whining. There are so many things to be grateful for on this holiday. Happy 4th!
  • Happy Sunday from this cute friend I made in Peru last spring. Savoring this bucket list trip a little longer ... his smile, head held high, rocking the dreads. Comfortable in his own skin. I think I’ll channel my inner llama, today. How about you?
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    Happy Sunday from this cute friend I made in Peru last spring. Savoring this bucket list trip a little longer ... his smile, head held high, rocking the dreads. Comfortable in his own skin. I think I’ll channel my inner llama, today. How about you?
  • My self-care used to sound more harmful than helpful. I had TMJ and neck pain due to toxic stress. I tried dry needling to get some relief. This is where a giant knitting needle was poked into my neck in an attempt to loosen the muscles that were clenched too tight. It didn’t loosen the muscles, it loosened a migraine. I then decided to have my jaw worked on - most painful type of massage. I'll spare you the TMI but let's just say laytex gloves and a whole lot of pressure in unpleasant places is involved. Point is, I’d have the work done, feel mildly better (or just relieved to be done) & then I’d be back the next week. It was a ridiculous cycle. I used to joke with a rollfer that I had crossed over to the dark side. I didn’t want to pay $100 for a massage therapist to rub lotion on me to help me relax. I wanted results. Grrrrr. I shared this with my coach at the time, @Pamslim and she said to me, wow, Lizzie, even your self-care sounds awful. It sounds like medieval torture. In the depths of my distress, I even canceled my spot in a creative writing retreat I had signed up for months before to take with Pam and the fabulous Betsy Rappaport. A decision I deeply regret. I remember Pam telling me, I think you really need this writing retreat, Lizzie. I think you’ll be so grateful you came. And, yet, I canceled, because I thought I should treat the symptoms rather than the source. I later realized (when I was being fitted for another bite plate I loathed) that the source was a total disregard for what I wanted in life. A total disregard for doing things that lit me up from within. An inability to nourish my soul in the way it wanted to be nourished. The writing retreat would’ve helped. My shoulders would’ve dropped a few inches, my belly would’ve hurt from laughing too hard. My mind would be swimming with new ideas, my heart would’ve been full, back then. Self-care is healthcare. Thankfully, mine looks pretty different now. I go for the hell yeahs instead of the hell and back. I nourish my soul. How about you?
    47 22
    My self-care used to sound more harmful than helpful. I had TMJ and neck pain due to toxic stress. I tried dry needling to get some relief. This is where a giant knitting needle was poked into my neck in an attempt to loosen the muscles that were clenched too tight. It didn’t loosen the muscles, it loosened a migraine. I then decided to have my jaw worked on - most painful type of massage. I'll spare you the TMI but let's just say laytex gloves and a whole lot of pressure in unpleasant places is involved. Point is, I’d have the work done, feel mildly better (or just relieved to be done) & then I’d be back the next week. It was a ridiculous cycle. I used to joke with a rollfer that I had crossed over to the dark side. I didn’t want to pay $100 for a massage therapist to rub lotion on me to help me relax. I wanted results. Grrrrr. I shared this with my coach at the time, @Pamslim and she said to me, wow, Lizzie, even your self-care sounds awful. It sounds like medieval torture. In the depths of my distress, I even canceled my spot in a creative writing retreat I had signed up for months before to take with Pam and the fabulous Betsy Rappaport. A decision I deeply regret. I remember Pam telling me, I think you really need this writing retreat, Lizzie. I think you’ll be so grateful you came. And, yet, I canceled, because I thought I should treat the symptoms rather than the source. I later realized (when I was being fitted for another bite plate I loathed) that the source was a total disregard for what I wanted in life. A total disregard for doing things that lit me up from within. An inability to nourish my soul in the way it wanted to be nourished. The writing retreat would’ve helped. My shoulders would’ve dropped a few inches, my belly would’ve hurt from laughing too hard. My mind would be swimming with new ideas, my heart would’ve been full, back then. Self-care is healthcare. Thankfully, mine looks pretty different now. I go for the hell yeahs instead of the hell and back. I nourish my soul. How about you?
  • This is happening right now. I want summer as much as the next Steamboater (possibly even more), but I do find the crazy green and white contrast interesting... besides that, I can’t find much of a silver lining because I’m looking for a blue sky!!! I am fine without fireworks, so that’s not a helpful reframe. I’m happy for the river and I’m glad we aren’t having a drought, but wow, this is insanity. I’ve lived here 23 years and this just hit new levels of crazy Colorado weather. I’m so glad Matt and I hiked yesterday during summer, yesterday. I guess summer was about 90 minutes long...and we are back to never-ending winter. Anyone want to buy my house? I think I hear the beach calling...
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    This is happening right now. I want summer as much as the next Steamboater (possibly even more), but I do find the crazy green and white contrast interesting... besides that, I can’t find much of a silver lining because I’m looking for a blue sky!!! I am fine without fireworks, so that’s not a helpful reframe. I’m happy for the river and I’m glad we aren’t having a drought, but wow, this is insanity. I’ve lived here 23 years and this just hit new levels of crazy Colorado weather. I’m so glad Matt and I hiked yesterday during summer, yesterday. I guess summer was about 90 minutes long...and we are back to never-ending winter. Anyone want to buy my house? I think I hear the beach calling...
  • When it snows on June 21st, solstice or no solstice, it’s the longest day of the freakin’ year... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Ok back to not dwelling on the crazy Colorado weather and never-ending winter.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This photo I took in Peru in April at Machu Picchu. One of our tour guides kept marveling at the Incan’s architecture and saying “Happy New Year” on June 21st. He explained to us how much they revered the solstice, what it meant to them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I loved how in touch with the stars, the seasons, and the sun the Incans were. Architecture with soul not architecture with ego. Ha. Maybe there was a little ego. Machu Picchu is pretty impressive.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ok off to try to change my attitude about snow in June .... and savor our bucket list Peru trip a little longer... what are you doing on this summer solstice? Hopefully it’s warm and wonderful wherever you are...
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    When it snows on June 21st, solstice or no solstice, it’s the longest day of the freakin’ year... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Ok back to not dwelling on the crazy Colorado weather and never-ending winter.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This photo I took in Peru in April at Machu Picchu. One of our tour guides kept marveling at the Incan’s architecture and saying “Happy New Year” on June 21st. He explained to us how much they revered the solstice, what it meant to them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I loved how in touch with the stars, the seasons, and the sun the Incans were. Architecture with soul not architecture with ego. Ha. Maybe there was a little ego. Machu Picchu is pretty impressive.... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ok off to try to change my attitude about snow in June .... and savor our bucket list Peru trip a little longer... what are you doing on this summer solstice? Hopefully it’s warm and wonderful wherever you are...
  • 📽 by @katyjoyalice at our life feast bonus #stopmotion play date. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes you are on the verge of a miracle! But you have to sign up first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #thelifefeast starts tomorrow. It’s online. You don’t have to live in Steamboat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You do have to want to be inspired in every area of your life ... #truthbomb #letsgoooo #doorsareclosing #motion #youarethemiracle
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    📽 by @katyjoyalice at our life feast bonus #stopmotion play date. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Yes you are on the verge of a miracle! But you have to sign up first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #thelifefeast starts tomorrow. It’s online. You don’t have to live in Steamboat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You do have to want to be inspired in every area of your life ... #truthbomb #letsgoooo #doorsareclosing #motion #youarethemiracle
  • 📷 photo by #theLifeFeast student @katyjoyalice of @tallpoppiesdesign ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Today is the LAST DAY to sign up. We're waiting for you, what are you waiting for? 
xoxox
Lizzie

positive psychology based coach, photographer & writer
Creator of The Life Feast, Gratitude Gravy, Right Brain Resolution Revolution

Doors are closing, feast starts Thursday, June 20th. DM me for the sign up link or for any questions you have. No special skills, no need to be creative, no special equipment, no need to live in Steamboat. Just you + me + this fantastic community of people doing midlife with more curiosity, awe and creativity.
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    📷 photo by #theLifeFeast student @katyjoyalice of @tallpoppiesdesign ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Today is the LAST DAY to sign up. We're waiting for you, what are you waiting for? 
xoxox
Lizzie

positive psychology based coach, photographer & writer
Creator of The Life Feast, Gratitude Gravy, Right Brain Resolution Revolution

Doors are closing, feast starts Thursday, June 20th. DM me for the sign up link or for any questions you have. No special skills, no need to be creative, no special equipment, no need to live in Steamboat. Just you + me + this fantastic community of people doing midlife with more curiosity, awe and creativity.