My Temporary Times @mytemporarytimes - Tumblr Blog

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It’s difficult exploring a career that relies almost solely on the interest of your viewer, especially when I like to try to be a person who doesn’t care what people think.

Lately I’ve really struggled with why I am so distracted with what the latest photo on Instagram is. I am curious to why I care what other people post on holidays and what people are doing for their Christmas break. I am also very curious as to why people care about what I post. But then again, I chose a major that really follows along the very idea of Instagram. I am supposed to live off the idea that I create something worth looking at for more than 10 seconds. I am a successful artist if I stop you in your tracks... or I guess stop you on your Instagram feed.

But I am terrified of becoming that artist that people only know through Instagram. I’m afraid to have my work downsized to a 1.5 in squared on your phone screen. I selfishly want you to know my work in full or not know it at all.

But of course, Instagram is a great way to get my name out there, right? It pulls you in like an advertisement.

Anyways, I’m taking a fast from this social media to figure it all out. To see how my life works without it. To create for more than just an Instagram post, but for the sake of creating and seeing how my mind works through that, without the end product being 176 likes on a post in my feed. I also like the idea of being social media free for the holidays. No distractions, only family… and my sister's getting married. That’s cool. Busy busy busy times.

Disclaimer: I don’t know why I’m posting this, considering the message above. Why do you care what I do with my social media account? Did you even read the whole thing? Thanks if you did. Would you have noticed my absence if I hadn’t posted anything at all and just deleted my account? Why are you interested in what I have to say about this? But I guess I’m doing it for the same reason I’ve posted all 354 other Instagrams I’ve done.

I post because I crave your attention. The honest truth.

Anyway, here's a blurry picture of me and my dog. He doesn't get enough attention from me. But he's really adorable. Merry Christmas, see ya next year.

The problem with tumblr is that people think their opinions are so important to be heard... but aren't important enough to actually do something about it. But that's just my opinion.

Auburn, Alabama

Alabama believe it or not.

PLEASE tell me how you get your photography to turn out so beautiful. What camera? What filters? I'm obsessed. Also, I love your writings about God and such. I'm trying to look more into my faith and really focus on it in my life instead of putting to the side. It's always so nice to see such a positive and love focused blog on my dash ☺️

I have an old Canon Rebel that use to be my moms. In no way is it a super expensive camera anymore. It has seen better days, let me tell you. But the trick is not the camera... its all about light. I try to never take a picture with artificial lighting. Sunshine always. You just have got to know how to use it. No matter what camera you have, if you have the right lighting something good can come from it! Also, I use Vsco filters (and I try to not shoot with my phone).

Thank you, It’s always so good to be encouraged on here. I don’t spend as much time here as I used to, so it’s so good to hear that people are here even in my own absence. Thanks for making my day! Have a great day of your own!

I wanted to say goodluck on your journey of becoming an artist and teacher, and on your journey in life! I am an artist too, and I hope you bring great things to this world, it needs art, and it needs willing and passionate teachers (:

I’ve only ever gotten encouraging things for pursuing art.

It is something I love and I am so blessed to have the support from the people around me on Tumblr and in real life.

Thanks to you, kind friend, for taking the time to say such kind words.

Fossils Series in progress.

Auburn, Alabama 2015

Fluer. Right?

Unexpected night at home.

I turned 20 the other day.

Over the summer I worked with a team of about 20 really awesome people... and I’m about to brag on one particularly... keep reading. She’s awesome.

So her name is Emily and while we were working together she had her birthday and we as a staff of course wanted to celebrate her. BUT she wouldn't let us. She continually reminded us not to do anything for she already had something planned. Grudgingly, we obeyed. We woke up that morning and went to breakfast, to find her smiling face tell US happy birthday and give us our present... for HER birthday. I could go on and on about how much this woman has impacted my life and how much she continually serves others with God’s love... but then I would just end up writing a book about her... so moving on.

Emily is awesome. OK done.

I was sitting with a good friend about a week ago considering what I should do for my twentieth and that same coffee date I was bragging on Emily... AND VIOLA... I knew what I should do.

So Saturday, August 15, 2015 I turned twenty and I “tried” to do 20 kind things to the community around me. I tried to celebrate the people who have watched me and helped me grow into who I am today, I celebrated the people I am looking forward to getting to know and I celebrated the strangers I don't know but who create the community that I spend everyday in. The people who i sit next to on the bus, the people I pass i the hallway. I feel Like I owe all of these people something for helping me become the woman it took 20 years to be.

I should have celebrated Emily by sending her something, but I had her in the back of my mind the whole day so I think honoring her like that is kind of special.

Here’s A small list of how my day went

1. I cooked breakfast for my lovely roommates.

2. I made them those little quoted frames for their rooms.

My roommates are a huge part of who I am today. They have watched me grow immensely this past year. Through hardships, to celebration, to late night talks. They deserve to be celebrated. If your reading this. I love you!

3. I left $5 for the next customer at this coffee shop (Wake Up Coffee Co.)

It was funny. The barista was told it was my birthday and offered me a free cup of coffee, and I responded “actually I’m here to do the opposite.” Changing up the game. But i still got a free cup. Thanks Anne.

4. I gave The Castle Ladies a piece that I made, to decorate their house with.

The Castle house is an old house that with 8 really amazing girls that I met through my campus ministry. They are all so loving and kind. They are dear to my heart and certainly deserve to be celebrated.

5. Chocolates for the J&M Bookstore staff.

The girl at the counter didn’t really understand... gave me a weird look, but still took to chocolates.

6. Paid for someone’s drink at a vending machine.

7. Wrote my mom and dad Happy birthday cards.

If anyone deserves to be celebrated on my birthday, it’s my parents. They have been there through thick and thin. They love me unconditionally. And I don’t think they mind me saying, we got in a fight a few days before this( like ALL families do, don't pretend it’s not true) but the love these two people have for me is unquestionable. While we may not agree on everything, I think we can agree that they are my biggest fans and they deserve all the celebration on my birthday.

8. Bought my sister flowers.

almost kept them because they were so pretty........ but I didn’t bc Brooke is cool and I love her. She’s also getting married in January. WHOAH. YAY.

9. Left a wrapped up present on a table in a local coffee shop.

Snow Dogs was the movie inside. A classic... I movie of my childhood. I really hope the recipient understands how much I wanted to keep the present for myself.

10. Payed for someone’s parking meter.

11. Wrote an encouraging letter for a stranger.

It was actually really awkward. The owner of this car walked up as I was walking away. I don’t know how he took it. But I’ll never see him gain... so cool.

12. Sent missdozier A little something something. Miss you, love. This girl means so much to me. I won’t say what’s inside Ty bc she haven’t gotten it yet, but I think she’ll like it.

13. Sticky notes of encouragement

Not Pictured

14. Present for a few of my guy friends

15. Donate Clothes

16. Baked cookies for neighbors

So that one didn’t end up happening. but, the cookie dough did get eaten by people other than myself.... so.... fair?

17-20

here’s where I failed. There are only so many hours in the day. I wasn’t able to get it all done. I did go to a ministry meeting and to me first shift of my new job.

It was a good day indeed.

Thank you Anne and Carli for coming along for the ride. Phot Creds to Anne Spooner

Here’s what I learned.

Even after working so hard to try to be selfless I couldn’t. All day I could see my pride getting in the way. You know that verse, “even our best of deeds are filthy rags before the Lord?” He’s not kidding. My whole day I tried to make about serving others, but I still felt like I was serving myself. It was like I was serving others just so I could feel good and be satisfied on my birthday. It’s really a humbling place to be in.

But grace is amazing. Grace is why we continue to try. Grace is what brings our works to completion and it’s what glorifies the Lord the most. No matter how prideful you may be in your good deeds, should you stop serving the poor? No. Continue and pray that the Lord will continue to mold you into what he wants. In the mean time Serve him by serving others.

“This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”

Go and do the same.