No Filter

I was reading today a "who am I" sort of bio that someone had written on a social media site.  I run across them often. 

The interesting part to me is how we pick and choose what we want people to know about us.  We filter the information.  We summarize ourselves in a paragraph.  Lots of things don't make the cut.  Omit that.  Leave out this.  Don't want people to know this.  Do want them to know this.  Definitely that.  That's such a great thing about me.  Filtering. 

Not that there's anything wrong with this. 

If we're going to write a bio it's just a snippet of our life.  A glimpse.  What is interesting to me is the glimpse we let people see. 

I suppose most people only see a glimpse of me.  And they come to their conclusions.  Maybe correct.  Maybe incorrect.  Someone told me recently that my husband has a certain quality and I thought, really?! 

Perceptions.  Realities. 

The presentation of ourselves.  Maybe inflated.  Maybe minimized.  Maybe creative license added. 

I'm a late joiner to Instagram and I like the "no filter" pictures.  No enhancement just pictures in their raw form.  I like taking pictures of beautiful things.  Days pass fast and taking photos is a good way for me to slow down and see the beauty around me in my everyday life.  It's everywhere and if we're looking for it, we'll see it.  It's good for my perspective.  It's good to look for the good.  But the un-photographed messes are there.  I guess I just don't want a folder of documented ugliness to look back on. 

Just like all the things people edit out of their bios and facts about me sections.  This is what I will show you.  Tell you.  This is the image I am presenting.

We celebrate the good things.  Crop out the bad.  But who do we share our un-edited version of our real life with? 

Are we sharing?  Who do we tell the unspoken things? 

This is where life become lovely.  Sharing life, all the pretty and not so pretty parts of us.  The real story. 

I'm so glad to be living the unedited version of my life.  My husband is there for the picture moments I delete.  He knows the things about me that will never make it into a public bio. 

And, here's the great part, he loves me anyways.  Not a perfect, fantasy woman but imperfect me.  Me.  With no filter.  In my very unflattering moments. 

This is where it's at.  Real life relationships.  

Check-in: Clothing Fast

If you are curious about my year long fast from buying new clothes, it's almost over!  [The finish line is my birthday- August 14.]  

Though my husband said the other day that I'm not really on a fast anymore. You might not know it but I'm still on it.  I haven't done so well since my last update [Valentine's Day].  During the first 6 months I did well and only bought 2 items.  

Since February, I've bought the following:

1. cardigan
2. cream sweater
3. gray/black casual top 
4. jean capris
5. polka dot dress top
6. dress
7. black maxi skirt
8. gray t-shirt
9. white t-shirt
10. tank top
11. tank top

If I can make it three more weeks without buying anything I will have bought 13 new clothing items in a year.  If full disclosure is helpful, I bought a swimsuit too.  The 4th of July weekend we were in the Wisconsin Dells and I nearly had a wardrobe malfunction.  True story.  If you've got a suit that is becoming more sheer and losing a bit of elasticity, take it from me, it's time to get a new one. 

ten on ten: July

finding much life and beauty among the ordinary things of our day 

Linking up with 

spinning ballerina

"Make Me your focal point as you move through this day.  Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me.  Circumstances are in flux, and the world seems to be whirling around you.  The only way to keep your balance is to fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes.  If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused.  Look to Me, refreshing yourself in My Presence, and your steps will be steady and sure."  [from Jesus Calling]