Helen Joy’s Photography Blog

Helen Joy George 8/25/15 Helen Joy George 8/25/15

the need for community

A few weeks ago a couple of friends suggested we take our kiddos (13 to be exact) camping for a night. Sometimes, actually often times, the wind up and let down of such events don't quite seem worth it when you're elbows deep in getting everything together...and then there's that moment when cell phones don't work, when distractions are gone and all that's left is the beauty of the outdoors and the company of those around you. And then you breathe in and sigh a huge exhale of something that doesn't come around often...contentment. I was feeling the beauty of community so strongly. So much that I broke out my big camera instead of relying on my phone to capture it. When I got home and saw the images I just felt so strongly that these are pictures of community. Children draped on people who aren't their parents, watchful eyes, playful parents, distraction free, tweens cooking breakfast and that sense of everyone pitching in. And it felt so dang good. Real, raw conversations took place and children were let loose to discover and dream and I thought, why don't I get here more often? Why don't I make the effort to arrive at this simple place more often?

In many of my conversations with dear friends lately, the main theme between them all is the longing for community. I realize how very special it is to have it and I feel very grateful that we are surrounded by the kind people we are surrounded with, but I also realize that community is also allowing yourself to be loved and lifted and cared for, and returning and doing the same. I think it is just as much asking and allowing as giving.

I wrote this for myself and for anyone else who has that longing for more.

Also, our pastor has been preaching on community the past few weeks and how we were created for it. If you have the time, I very much encourage you to listen.

www.helenjoy.com

Helen Joy George 2/18/15 Helen Joy George 2/18/15

finding the beauty in a hard life

I’m having a love hate relationship with my phone lately. It’s about 50/50 on the good/bad chart.

I cannot stand how often I look at it. Literally hundreds of times a day, leaving almost no time for just being still.

I’m learning how much that lack of being still and quiet is killing me slowly from the inside out. I realize how dissatisfied I have become with my life NOT because of what I am viewing on my phone but because of what I am missing because of it.

Real beautiful life. Moments with my children. Nature. Thoughts. Inklings in my heart.

But I also want to embrace the beauty of social media. I mean, in a way I think social media has saved my sanity. Deep connections in a lonely time of life when the daily grind of staying home with constant needs from little ones has saved me.

Not only that, but it has spurred me on to find beauty in whatever life gives me.

The most common complaint I hear from all my friends regarding social media is that it makes them feel not enough or jealous of the seemingly perfect life that many people portray through Facebook or instagram.

Here’s what I have to say about that. Yes. You could view it that way...

“Oh look at so and so doing a craft with their kid while I’m over here drowning in laundry and depression”.

Or you could view it like this.

“Wow. I know having a child is NOT EASY. I bet she has laundry waiting all around here but she chose to set things aside and do something for her child.”

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I have seen women with nearly NO earthly possessions find beauty in a simple twig in a simple vase.

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I’ve seen women I know who struggle with depression choosing to see beauty in the shadows that the sun brings in.

I see people who I know who’s hearts are breaking, finding joy in simple things. Who simply choose to keep on keeping on.

It makes me want to keep trying, keep finding beauty in my own life.

And on hard days when I feel like I will royally screw up my children, I glance through the images on my Instagram feed. I don’t see fake happiness. I see real moments throughout a hard and painful life that I chose to see the beauty.

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This post has been brewing in my heart for a few weeks now. And last night my

blossom friend Joy

, posted

the most eloquently written words

regarding something similar.

I love how she describes it as looking for the breadcrumbs.

So friends, if looking through social media makes you feel worse about yourself, you are either following the wrong people, or you are choosing to not celebrate with them that they are able to find the beauty.

It is there. Sometimes it is hard to see but it. is. there.

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And I just want to thank those around me for not being fake but for celebrating the tiny moments of joy and perseverance that you show me every day.

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