"I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it." - Harry Emerson Fosdick

When there's a sea of unknowns before you, it's comforting to hold thoughts like these close.

It seems I'm not the only one celebrating a birthday these days. In fact, my niece shares mine. And from the look of this shot, she's pretty stoked about it! It's pretty great to be three. Or even 43.

We're even celebrating a birthday of sorts at Shutter Sisters today (insert party horns)!

What have you been celebrating lately? Share your best shot.

Last night, on the eve of my birthday, my sister and I had the pleasure of attending the 2nd annual OC Blogger's Ball. It  was hosted by Blog Crush founders Marcy Massura and Suz Broughton at the lovely Embassy Suites in Anaheim and was a wonderful evening of mingling amongst local blogging friends. If it weren't for these ladies, I'm not sure I would have even realized there was a thriving community of bloggers right here in my own backyard. I am so grateful. 

Beyond the party atmosphere, excellent food and great company, there were generous gifts donated for a raffle. We each got a ticket on the way in. My sister held both our tickets and noted, "OK, I'm #41 and you're 42". I replied, "Yes, I am 42 but only for a few more hours and then I'll be 43". She looked at me with her big brown eyes and gasped. "That's an omen!" We both laughed (although both of us are big into signs like those).

Later that evening, after yummy eats and drinks and bloggy conversation we were nearing the end of the raffle. When Marcy called out the numbers for the ipad (which was donated by the gracious folks representing Atwater Collection clothing) she called out 42. Yep! My number! I WON AN IPAD.

What an unexpected yet delightful way to kick off my birthday.

And then today, it was a perfect mix of the people I love, pancakes, play pools, a jumper, birthday cake, kind wishes from near and far, a few pints of Sierra Nevada's appropriately named brew "Summer Fest" and more birthday cake.

Tonight as my birthday winds down, I not only toast to abundance in all it's many forms, I embrace it. What a lucky lucky lady I am.

Kelly Rae Roberts and Andrea Scher humoring me in my new found googly eyes phase.

I just wanted to play along with the Shutter Sisters no comment call today.

Carry on.

Summers not the only thing that's moving at warp speed. As my daughter moves quickly toward her teenhood, I feel like time is flying by right before my eyes. This is a little vignette into what I see; my little girl, growing up.

It's moments like these I could really use an August Break if only just to have time stand still for a while.

What vingettes have held your attention this week?

Well well, we're finally getting a taste of summer right here in Southern California, just in time for August Break. My youngest daughter is making the most of it!

And if you'd like a little more light, check out the story that Jeanne McGlinchey shared on the I am Enough Collaborative this week.

Do you have any light you'd like to share today?

This Polaroid picnic was another highlight of my summer.

Posting images for August Break has encouraged me to reflect on the goodness of this summer. Yet another way to tap into gratitude. So thankful to Susannah for the idea. I only wish I would have caught wind of it sooner.

Join us if you want! The more the merrier.

A shot for August Break and Wordless Wednesday.

It’s been a while now that I began tapping into the power of gratitude. It all began years ago with Sarah Ban Breathnach attributing gratitude with all around joy, satisfaction and abundance. I knew it sounded like a great idea but it wasn‘t until I actually won a small orange (and quite magical) gratitude journal. As I began to use it in the mornings before I launched into my day I noticed a big shift in my daily attitude. Something as simple as starting the day with reflecting on what I’m thankful for, whether it be a long list or just one humble little thing, made the difference palpable.

It has been unfortunate that in the far from lazy, super-crazy days of summer I got out of the habit of writing in my gratitude journal. No time to myself has translated to not grounding myself in gratitude, which has wreaked havoc on my state of mind. I have been attributing my mood swings to merely being out of the normal school year routine. That part of things is obviously out of my control. But what about the routine I enjoyed during the school year that I can control? Like spending 20 minutes getting myself into the right frame of mind through gratitude? I could still do that, of course, but for some reason, trying to carve out that time amidst summer chaos feels futile. More than anything, I’ve known I need some quiet time to myself.

The good news? I have found a new way to get both! I know, I know, its super-awesome. I have begun walking the neighborhood on a regular basis. I used the term regular loosely as I have never really embraced any kind of regular exercise. So, what’s the good news part? I have begun to consider my walks Gratitude Walks. Just a small perspective change that has transformed my dread toward having to walk to dog into something I look forward to. Who knew it could be that easy?

As I begin my walk, I begin to notice my breath, slow, steady and deep. I feel the air on my face, close my eyes for a moment and then as I begin to move I smile to myself and think about all the things I’m grateful for. I have found that being in motion helps me think of things that I can so easily take for granted. The sky, the ground, the whimsy of dandelions. My house and neighborhood. My legs, my heart, my mind. Sometimes I take my camera and walk slowly with the intention of focusing simple beauty (especially in the early evening hours) but mostly I just walk at a steady pace feeling the soothing rhythm of my steps. My Gratitude Walks are working wonders for my heart in more ways that one. Oh, have I mentioned my magic Gratitude Shoes?

A few weeks back New Balance came knocking on my virtual door asking if I’d like to try out a pair of their new TrueBalance toning shoes. Being the non-exercise type, I was hesitant. That was until I realized I have never had a pair of real athletic shoes. Then I thought about my Gratitude Walks and how I, in fact, was exercising, in my own way, for my mental health and that was inadvertently good for my body as well. I love it when the unintentional “fringe” benefits are as awesome as the intentional immediate benefits. When I heard more about what New Balance whole wellness message was and I thought about how perfectly synchronic the timing and even the name of the shoes was in relation to my personal journey (seriously, if I could have chosen a name of these shoes myself, TrueBalance would have probably been on my list!) I took it as a big affirming nod from the Universe,

Keep walking in gratitude Tracey. Just keep walking.

My new shoes were delivered nearly 2 weeks ago now and I am smitten. A lovely aqua blue; bright and cheery enough to keep me mindful with every step. They not only remind me to keep stepping into gratitude they help me feel more grounded, true, and yes, balanced. See what I mean about magic?

Please share where your steps are taking you this week. What are you grateful for? It’s Monday after all and Monday’s are about sharing around here!

Looking to spend some creative time with your child? How about signing up for the Art Playgroup Wish Play Create at Wish Studio?  Five art mamas lead you and your child through five creative projects. That's one a week for 5 weeks starting on August 30. I'll be there teaching a mommy and me photography project!

For all the details pop over to WishStudio. It's going to be awesome.