Life...

Picks to Ponder:

A weekly post featuring a few notable items I've found to be thought provoking, and/or a positive influence on my outlook on life. 

{Click here to see where it all started.}

On Relationships

This week I was honored to write a guest blog post on Story Wrought. My post addressed my decision to leave Alaska, and the importance of developing deep interpersonal relationships in my life.

The video below features world renowned yoga teacher John Friend discussing the impact deep long term relationships can have on our lives. His words echo my sentiments, and greatly inspires me.

On Lifestyle
The Shelby is a storytelling project created by Todd Shelby. The project works to share stories of creative interesting people {artists, writers, designers, etc.} through video and photographs. Below is a video featuring Rockaway Taco and its co-owener Andrew Field. Field's narrative is an example of living life unconventionally with great quality and meaning.

It is my hope, I can continually find ways to do the same.

{Note: The Shelby recently produced a video for Zara featuring Lucy Chadwick. The video has been quite popular among bloggers. Personally, I absolutely adore it and highly suggest checking it out.}

I would love to read your thoughts on this weeks Picks to Ponder. 
Please leave comments & questions below, so we can discuss.

{Missed last weeks Picks to Ponder? Click here.}

The Loss of a Living Treasure

Photo Credit: images of life -Chris Pike

Picks to Ponder:

A weekly post featuring a few notable items I've found to be thought provoking, and/or a positive influence on my outlook on life. 

{Click here to see where it all started.}

In Alaska

The Loss of a Living Treasure.

When I lived in Bethel, Alaska {a town of 6,000, only accessible by plane}, I had the privilege of attending Cama-i, a traditional native dance festival. Each year, the center piece of this festival is Maryann Sundown, a Yup'ik native elder from Scammon Bay {one of 56 villages surrounding Bethel}. At 91 I saw her dance. She commanded the stage with energy and enthusiasm, sitting front and center surrounded by fellow Scammon Bay dancers.

A few weeks ago, at 93, she passed away. The news of her passing greatly saddened me, as I know she was a source of light and wisdom in her community. The best way I can express the meaning of her loss is through an African proverb; "When a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears."

According to Anchorage Daily News, Sundown is survived by ten children, 60 grandchildren, 161 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren.

To learn more about Maryann Sundown click here.

In Music

Putting it on repeat.
A brunette New Yorker, put up this video from the The Non-Commissioned Officers on a recent blog post. It is so freakin' catchy, I can't help but keep it on repeat!

On D.I.Y.

Simple Crafts Only!

I love the D.I.Y movement. I love perusing Etsy, attending Renegade Craft Fairs, and adding D.I.Y. blogs to my Google reader. The only thing I don't love, is my lack of dedication to developing my own crafty skills. I find, when embarking upon a new craft, I get frustrated by step two. Then after over analyzing the situation for a while, I give up. Thus, I've decided to stop "book marking" just any craft that catches my eye, and note only ones that are relatively simple {until my skills and patience improve}.


Click here to see the first project I plan to embark upon!

I would love to read your thoughts on this weeks Picks to Ponder. 
Please leave comments & questions below, so we can discuss. 

{Missed last weeks Picks to Ponder? Click here}