Today’s Truth, Love & Insight interview with Carolyn Rubenstein is touching, honest and filled with inspiration. I hope Carolyn’s words give you a sense of joyful calm to carry through your day. Last week’s feature of Micaela Maxham was absolutely delightful. Have you had a chance to read it yet?

I’ve followed Carolyn on Twitter for awhile now. She’s a brilliant, busy and positive gal who always seems to be doing something new. I really enjoyed her collaborative project Spring Inspiration. Here’s a little more about Carolyn, in her own words:

I’m Carolyn Rubenstein, author of Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors (How Young People Turn Fear into Hope and How They Can Teach Us To Do The Same); non-profit organization founder; authenticity advocate; Huffington Post and Psychology Today blogger; believer in resilience, gratitude and respect; and graduate student.

That may sound a bit heady, and maybe it is. So I’ve created A Beautiful Ripple Effect to be a place for great conversation, and for providing you with tons of fresh, inspiring content for your downloading and sharing pleasure. Together, we’ll uncover truths, persevere on our quests and inspire one another as we take a stand against life-as-usual. (And, you know, talk about the things we love, big and small. The things that make us smile, squeal, sigh. A couple of mine: awesome quotes, yoga, and my dog, Lila Rose.)

A Beautiful Ripple Effect celebrates the essential journey we’re on, encourages questions, fosters understanding.

1. How did your blog get started?
My blog got started with a quote. The words by Christine Mason Miller helped me realize that I needed to begin opening up about my personal journey. At this point in my life, I felt very alone, and I craved involvement in a community where I could be completely and imperfectly me. This quote gave me the nudge to start a simple blog; it had no design, no “about” page, just posts, and my story has grown organically from that place.

When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy, and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.
(Christine Mason Miller)

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?
My main motivation is completely selfish—sharing my story is incredibly therapeutic for me. It allows me to examine my life from a different perspective and to avoid a state of analysis paralysis. The second reason is a total cliché, but it’s true—I wanted to inspire others to unveil their authentic selves (first to themselves, then to others). My story is just getting started, so I think my blog is in its infancy; the best is yet to come! I can’t wait to see how my inspiration unfolds and the community grows.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a budding blogger?
There is no “right” way to blog. Allow yourself the freedom to create your own blogging journey. Remain true to your voice and recognize the importance of sharing it with others. Treat your readers as individuals—don’t take anyone’s presence for granted. The journey ebbs and flows, so hold on tight and enjoy the ride. If you do fall down, get back up and keep going!

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?
Q: What about blogging lights you up and fills you with incredible happiness? How do you focus on that work and not get overwhelmed by all the little details that can overwhelm the sparkling moments?

A: The process of writing (actual pen to paper) lights me up and makes me giddy. I love creating, especially creating something tangible—seeing my words and handwriting filling up journal pages. I also love connecting with others, especially the people who read my blog.

In the future, I hope that I have learned how to focus my time and energy on these two aspects of blogging and am able to spend less time on the digital administration of blogging (which completely zaps my energy)!

5. What are your favorite creative resources?
Pinterest is a huge creative resource for me.
Blogs are my second creative resource—I try to read a large variety of blogs to gain different types of inspiration.
And of course, my huge collection of books. Sitting in a big comfy chair with a stack of books is my favorite activity.

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?
I am inspired by people not afraid to show their scars and their unfiltered stories. I can’t connect with people who try to create a world that is always sparkly—although I do adore The Glitter Guide (and definitely consider myself a *glitter girl!*).

If you’re anything like me, you want me to name names… okay, just this once! But please realize this list is far from comprehensive and doesn’t include people without hyperlinks. And one more note of caution—the list got a bit unwieldy, so I forced myself to pick just a little sample from my ever growing inspiration list!

Gwen Bell
Marissa Bracke
Havi Brooks 
Jess Constable
Kaileen Elise
Aby Garvey
Charlie Gilkey
Carolynn Giordano
Chris Guillebeau
Hope Wallace Karney
Brandon Ledford
Tiffany Moore
Tobe Reed
Julie Reif
Allie Rice
Kendi Skeen
Jess Swift
Michelle Ward

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?
By focusing on the present moment and in particular on gratitude. It’s in these ordinary moments that I notice myself smile and sparkle with happiness. And a splash of glitter always helps!

Image Credit: via Carolyn Rubenstein

This week is flying by! The Sparkle Swap is underway (come on, you know you’ve got to sign up!) and my 3rd year of blogging begins on Monday.

There’s so much I want to do—prioritization has become a major pain point for me recently. I’m letting the tiny waves of anxiety wash over me. These are exciting times. My aspirations might try to get the best of me, but I know that the dust will settle and what’s most important will bubble up to the surface.

Today’s Truth, Love & Insight interview with Micaela Maxham will make your heart soar. Last week’s post featured Hope Wallace Karney—isn’t her creative approach to life fantastic?

I’ve followed Micaela’s blog Dolce Vita for a long time. She’s one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve come across on the web. If you aren’t subscribed to her delightful posts, I recommend you check her out. Here’s a little introduction from Micaela, in her own words:

Hello lovies! My name is Micaela and I’m happily visiting from my little corner of the internet, Dolce Vita. I’m a Texas girl with a heart that belongs in Europe. A newish wife, vegetarian, lover of films, the written word, and everything vintage.

1. How did your blog get started?
I was going through a huge change in my life — a new job in the middle of devastating heart-ache. I needed a place to wear my heart on my sleeve and I just wrote… even now at my happiest, i like to go back and remember that girl I was. I wish I could tell her that everything will work out beautifully and blogging would become one of the best gifts to myself.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?
My readers, many who have become dear friends I know I’ll keep for life, and a handful I’ve been lucky to meet in person. We share our lives together, not just through posts but phone calls, texts throughout the day, emails, and good old fashioned letters. It’s surreal to think it was blogging that brought us together.

Even the silent readers who may never comment motivate me to keep sharing my story. I believe in connections, in being inspired, in relating.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a budding blogger?
I can sum it up in this quote I read in What I Know Now: “You’ll get to the point where you’re just pleasing yourself. When it’s all about where your heart is, that attracts a lot of energy. Everything else follows… Becoming completely raw always works.” (page 50)

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?
Q: Was it worth it?
A: Absolutely.

5. What are your favorite creative resources?
Lyrics, excerpts in books, art, blogs, my husband. I piece together typed quotes that have stayed with me and bits of art into collage postcards (I believe in keeping in touch even if it’s a quick hello).

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?
Online: my favorite bloggers, including my twin sister and best friend / etsy.com / the selby
Offline: my husband / thrift stores / used bookshops / my family

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?
I wake up blessed to enjoy another sunrise– just that puts everything in perspective.

Images via: Micaela Maxham

Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight:
always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?
(Sir James M. Barrie)

Self-care is an interesting topic. There are many opinions out there, and we often hold varying viewpoints within ourselves. Have you ever teetered between feeling proud of yourself for having good self-care, while also wondering if what you’re doing is selfish? Should you put yourself first? What about caring for those most important to you?

Today’s guest post from Holli takes a close look at these questions. She brings up some great points — most importantly, what works for me might not work for you. We can share our tips and tricks with each other, but it’s up to each individual to discover what makes her heart sing. What provides her with solace, comfort and peace.

Lately, I’ve found joy in rising early so I can spend time blogging before heading into work. I put my headphones on, sit down, and write. It feels so good — a little space for me before diving into a busy day. I hope you find Holli’s guest post thought-provoking. I would love to hear your insights on self-care in the comments below!

Holli (or as she is known on her blog, A Wondering Spirit, the Great Askini) is a 30-something accountant, wife, and mother. Her blog focuses on life & how to improve it, which sometimes includes thoughts on parenting, creative writing, style and exercise. She also attempts to fulfill her dream of being the next Dear Abby each week with her Wondering Wednesday advice column. Follow her on Twitter at @thegreataskini.

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Three years ago, I found a job which requires me to only report to the office four days a week. After my daughter was born and I returned to work, I started taking her to daycare on that fifth day and using it to do the kind of household chores that would normally get done during the weekend—things like going to the grocery, running other errands, getting my hair cut, and washing dishes and clothes. I did this so that I could spend my entire weekend focusing on our little family and not rushing around feeling like I had hardly seen my daughter. (It helped, of course, that my daughter loved daycare and begged to go, even on weekends.) Is this self-care or simply selfish?

I love to ride my bicycle, do yoga, and walk. Back in April, I walked my first half-marathon, and I’ve signed up to do another one in October. Lately, though, due to some sleep issues, I’ve been too exhausted to do much exercise. I set a goal of exercise every single morning as I’m getting ready for work, but by the end of the day, that goal is almost always left unmet. I tell myself I’m taking care of myself by listening to my body and recognizing that I’m tired, but I also feel that I’m not taking care of myself by moving my body lovingly and helping to increase my life expectancy. Is taking a day off from exercise self-care? How about two days? How about two weeks?

As you can see, I have a lot of issues with self-care. I tend to be an “all or nothing” thinker, and I have a hard time with the lines between self-care, self-indulgence, and simply beating yourself up. Lately, I’ve been using an affirmation along these lines: “I’m not perfect, and neither is anyone else, and we are all okay.” Although I feel silly saying this to myself over and over again in my car during my morning commute (hopefully everyone else thinks I’m on a Bluetooth!), I have found that it helps alleviate some of my feelings of guilt about doing what I think is best for me and for my family on any given day.

Spending my day off doing errands while my daughter is taken care of by someone else might not be right for you. It might not be right for most people. But right now, it’s right for my family. Not pushing my body beyond its capabilities might not be right for you either. But right now, it’s right for me.

I’m not perfect, and neither is anyone else. But we are all okay.

Where do you draw the lines between self-care, self-indulgence, and feeling selfish?

Image Credit: 0256 via Cia de Foto

People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that
the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that
you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty
in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.
(Salma Hayek)

Hello my lovely friends. How’s your week going? Things are rockin and rollin over here. I’be been feeling equal parts of delight and joy, with a dash of overwhelm. There’s a lot of newness still with work, but I’m getting settled in.

Today’s Truth, Love & Insight interview with Hope Wallace Karney is sure to make your heart smile. Last week’s TLI post featured Elise Blaha and her approach to creative living. It’s a great read if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.

I first discovered Hope through her online shop, Paper Relics. Since then, I’ve found lots of inspiration through following her blog, tweets and pins. Here’s a little more about Hope, in her own words:

Hope Wallace Karney is known for mixing old elements with modern principles to create unique and whimsical designs. Her work has been featured in several national magazines, including Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion and Country Living. Hope also has a love for art journaling and enjoys sharing her pages with others to inspire them to start a journal of their own.

Visit Hope’s Blog at www.besottment.com to peek into her life and art.

1. How did your blog get started?

I started blogging back in 2003 as ‘The Soul of Hope’, it was a big step for me, not knowing what type of world I was entering. I was in a dark place at the time, lacking a life of creativity and happiness, and I shared parts of myself I never imagined I would post on the internet – I put myself out there… and found support and friendship.

My blog ebbed and flowed for a bit while I worked on my company (Paper Relics) and in the spring of 2009, I found that I was in a place I was able to put my heart back into blogging seriously again, under the name Besottment, which to me is the perfect name, a version of an old fashioned word full or wonder and awe. I started the blog to chronicle my journaling – both my new found love of incorporating art into them and and my search for personal truths which I explore in my writing.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?

Blogging holds me accountable to myself, it keeps me journaling on a regular basis, and keeps my mind full of ideas about what I could share next. I also really am encouraged by the comments and emails I receive from people saying they are inspired by my work, and if I can inspire even just one person, I want to keep at it, because there was a time when I needed to be inspired, and when I found it through other blogs, it helped me start a new life for myself.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

Don’t be afraid to be honest and true.

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?

Q: Did you live and breath with your full heart?
A: Yes.

5. What are your favorite creative resources?
Old type and graphics – I have a vast collection of pre-1900’s ephemera and I use imagery from pieces of it in my graphic design, greeting card line, and journals.

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?

Offline I am very lucky to have some close creative friends that can always jump start me, inspire me and push me to be the best I can be, in life and art.
I am also inspired quite a bit by some of my favourite authors, from Jane Austen and Juliet Marillier (fiction) to Deepak Chopra and Mark Epstein (non-fiction).

Online I have a couple of places where I search and ‘store’ art journaling inspiration:

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/30683806@N06/favorites/
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/besottment/inspiring-journals/

For thought inspiration, I wish I could take a class at The School of Life in London, but have to settle for following their blog. Also the Tiny Buddha blog  has a lot of thought provoking articles that inspire some of my journaling prompts and pages.

7. How do you make every day extraordinary?
I tend to delight in the small things, which helps make each day joyful.

Image Credits: via Hope Wallace Karney

There’s a difference between interest and commitment.
When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit.
When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.
(Unknown)

Hello my dear friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Are you looking forward to anything special this weekend? I’m continuing my blogging comeback with another Creative Weekend To-Do List, plus shopping with a girlfriend & hanging out with the Mister.

I’m really looking forward to sharing today’s guest post from Sneha. Her ideas and suggestions on committing to what matters are especially helpful as we move into a new season. I am excited to implement her tips and hope you find the post inspiring too.

When she’s not at work in the 9 to 5 world, Sneha is a writer, amateur photographer, traveler, and fanatic of coffee and chocolate. She blogs about work, health, money, self development and a hodgepodge of other favorite topics over at limitfreelifestyle.wordpress.com. Sneha is always is open to your thoughts, questions, positive comments and guest posting opportunities. Contact her at limitfreelifestyle@gmail.com and follower her on Twitter, @twiterrific84.

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This is a post about commitment. To yourself. To your goals.
To the parts of your life that matter to you.

How many of the things you said you would do this year, the habits you said you would form, and the goals you said you would work on, have you actually started on? Okay, so you’ve started on them, but have you been consistent? Have you really committed to them?

Here are a few ways to be committed to those interests:

• Plan it out. Heard of that saying “fail to plan, plan to fail”? I’m a big fan of setting small realistic goals (so I know they are achievable) that lead up to the big picture. Have your goals in mind and then follow through and execute the steps you want to take towards reaching your goal. Are you running in a race? Set aside time each day to work on this goal. Eat well. Decide on the distances you want to run each day.

• Visualize it. Giving up a certain vice (mine is chocolate) for a while? Write it down. Put it on a calendar or in a place where you remind yourself of the goal each day and you can see how far you’ve come along. Maybe you’ll accomplish your goal time and have the energy to push it even further.

• Use positive affirmation. Let yourself know that you will accomplish your goal no matter how long it takes or how difficult it will be. Allow yourself to stay in the present. Don’t worry about how you did yesterday or what will happen tomorrow. Just look at how you’re doing right now. Surround yourself with positivity and it will help you stay motivated.

• Join a team/find a support group. This will make it easier and even more enjoyable to do what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask for help here. Maybe you’re training for a race. Maybe you’re trying to raise money for a cause. Whatever it is , it might be easier if you’re not in it alone. After all you’re in a place where you share a common goal. You can encourage each other, find out what works for each individual and incorporate those actions to get what you want.

• Be persistent. I know. We live in a world that goes so fast that when we want something, it means we want it quick. Sometimes the results won’t come as fast as we’d like. But no worries, keep at it and the results will show through, even if at a slow pace. Instead of being disappointed that you’re not at your final result, take notice of the small changes that are getting you there.

• Enjoy the ride. Isn’t that what they always say–it isn’t about the final destination, but rather about the journey taken to get there. Don’t beat yourself up over not accomplishing the goal as fast as you thought you might.

• Take some time off. You’ve been working so hard at your goals– which is great! But don’t hesitate to give yourself some down time to rest and regenerate your energy.

• Read pieces of encouragement. Whether it’s with books or quotes or anything else, this will help you stay in a positive frame of mind and will help you work to your goal. Not to mention it will add a smile to your face.

• Keep learning. What are some mistakes you’ve made on this journey? What are ways to improve your process? Challenge yourself to think about this as you work.

Image Credit: Run:Swiftly via lululemon athletica

The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate.
(Oprah Winfrey)

Hello lovelies! I hope you’re having a great week. I’m enjoying the slightly cooler weather and am excited to share some big news with you soon (perhaps tomorrow). Until then, I hope you gain some creative inspiration from today’s Truth, Love & Insight interview. My previous TLI feature of Lisa Thiele was full of beautiful photographs + her fascinating story. I highly recommend you check it out if you haven’t already.

Today I’m excited to feature Elise Blaha. Her blog is filled with thoughts on leading a healthy, lovely & crafty life. I truly appreciate Elise’s creative style and honesty. Not to mention, her recent site redesign is unbelievably gorgeous! Her posts, tweets and pins are delightful! Just a little more about Elise, in her own words:

My name is Elise and I write a blog, have a shop and teach online workshops. I live in San Diego, California, my favorite city in the world.

1. How did your blog get started?

I started my blog over 5 years ago when I was a junior in college because I thought I had something to say. At the time, I wrote a lot about what I was thinking (more than what I was doing) and I am so happy to have that record. Overtime, my blog grew into something much more craft and project focused, but I have tried to always keep the personal stories as well.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?

More than anything, habit. Writing almost daily has become such a routine. I am always crafting blog posts and I think I would really miss the outlet if I stopped.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

Sort your posts into categories from day one. And write for you, never for readers.

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?

My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan. I wish I could as myself how I got through the next six months gracefully. I can’t imagine how I would answer it yet…

5. What are your favorite creative resources?

By far, Pinterest. I loving being able to save ideas, projects, color schemes and more in one place. I also love using the search function because the results all have pictures and are curated by others.

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?

ONLINE : Kal Bartestki & Erin Loechner
OFFLINE : sort of everyone but mostly my parents.

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?

I allow for DO NOTHING time when my only goal is to doodle and think.

Images via Elise Blaha

If you can dream it, you can do it.
(Walt Disney)

Happy Wednesday, my friends. Are you feeling all the good ju ju and positivity this week? If you are in need of a little extra sparkle, check out last week’s Truth, Love & Insight feature with Kelsey Brown. Today’s interview with Lisa Thiele will also have you smiling. I initially connected with Lisa through her pretty blog With Style & Grace. Shortly after swooning over her gorgeous photography and sweet words, I began following her tweets and pins. A little more about Lisa, in her own words:

I’m a food stylist and photographer. I’m constantly testing and creating healthy [and some not so healthy] recipes. After a year of being gluten-free, I also help others adapt recipes, provide allergy-free alternatives and give tips on how to entertain, gluten-free. I grew up in a family that loves good food [& wine] and entertaining and well, it stuck.

I married a [very handsome] man who also loves food. He discovered his love at an early age; taking classes before he was 18 and then earning a degree in hospitality. The two of us together kick ass in the kitchen. Literally and figuratively.

I love to travel, run with music, drink champagne, wear fancy shoes and enjoy good food with great company.

With Style and Grace is a lifestyle and food blog, inspiring beauty in everyday lives.

1. How did your blog get started?

I was working [endless hours] in the world of advertising when I had a big health scare that landed me in the hospital. Shortly before all that, I had started a blog as a creative outlet; it was my happy place, pulling beautiful content from around the web. As I worked to rebuild my strength I decided it was time to create and share my own content. I [quickly] jumped into the kitchen and began baking and cooking, the two things that I loved to do! My mom offered me her camera, that way I could share my delicious masterpieces with the world and the next thing I knew [1 year later], I was being offered jobs as a food photographer, recipe creator/tester and referred to as the “gluten-free entertaining” expert.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?

My readers. Whether it’s emails, comments on my blog, response to a tweet or sharing pictures of their take on one of my recipes – I’m touched by every response I receive, motivating me to continue to follow my passion.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

Follow your passion. Make room for mistakes. Dream big. Truly, good things will come to you.

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?

Question: Do you still wake up excited to go to work?
Answer: Everyday.

5. What are your favorite creative resources?

Farmers Markets. Blogs. Cookbooks.

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?

My husband and my family inspire, love and support me – everyday. I hope, in some capacity, I can pass that onto you.

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?

I try and start each day with an intention, and remind myself that the possibilities are endless.

Images via Lisa Thiele

I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.
(Vincent van Gogh)

Are you ready for another completely inspiring Truth, Love & Insight interview? Last week’s post featured the brilliant and delightful Susannah Conway. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a new friend.

I first discovered Kelsey through an afternoon of exploring food blogs. Kelsey and her beau Shaun have created a delicious website that’s equal parts of gorgeous photography, soulful storytelling and yummy recipes. Follow the dynamic duo’s blog, tweets & pins. A little more about Kelsey, in her own words:

Kelsey Brown is a senior studying International Relations at the University of San Diego, avid traveler, and creator of the Happyolks blog, Recipes and Stories for Happy Folks. At Happyolks, Kelsey wants to share the experience of creating a wholesome meal and the happiness that inherently grows from it. When we make room in our lives to celebrate the good things growing, we honor the earth and each other by slowing down and cultivating connection and consciousness despite our full, busy lives. Kelsey believes that her blog has served as reinforcement that we are not alone; that together, we can be better, do better, and inspire new ideas and new ways to look at the world.

1. How did your blog get started?

The blog definitely started on a whim. I was baking pumpkin bread in Shaun’s small studio apartment and when I cracked three eggs into the mixing bowl, one broke into a smile. Happyolks. I started writing down the things I was making from time to time and sharing them with friends on a basic WordPress template, having never blogged before, let alone reading other blogs. I soon discovered the vast and incredibly diverse world of writers, dreamers, and cooks who shared my passions and interests and were engaged in meaningful and productive conversations. It grew from there, taking a brief hiatus as I traveled for five months in the fall of 2010, and has been evolving ever since.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story with the web?

Before starting this blog I was admittedly anti social-media. People need people, not computers. Nothing replaces real human connection and relationships, but I’ve learned over the past year that social networks, blogs, and digital media actually do bring people closer together. This blog has taught me that we are not alone; there are thousands of people who share similar passions, interests, and goals. Together, we can be better, do better, and inspire new ideas and new ways to look at the world.

We create our experience. And when we use these tools properly, our experiences can be authentic and meaningful.

I continue to share my voice on the web because I believe that we can create a chain reaction of positivity, of encouragement, of inspiration without even knowing it. I have been gently, and abruptly inspired and uplifted so many times by the creativity of others, so I have to believe that maybe my meager perspective might do the same. It’s the hope.

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

Don’t compare yourself to others. This applies to all things in life though, doesn’t it? It’s one of the hardest things. A lot of the advice I would have given myself is still advice I would give myself today. Be okay with exactly who you are, what you can write, what you can produce today. That’s it. Today you are enough. Tomorrow you will know more, and then THAT will be enough.

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?

How often did you give love? How often did you say thank you? How often did you listen? How often did you make someone feel important? I hope I can answer “often” to all of them. At the end of the day that’s the only thing I really care about. Forget the recipes, and photos, and nutritional integrity – did you make people feel important? That’s what matters.

5. What are your favorite creative resources?

Music, always. Good books. Home videos. Living life. I know a lot of people like to editorialize their blogs and it’s probably really smart, but I find that my posts really just come from whatever comes up in my life spontaneously. There is always a new lesson to learn, and share.

6. Who inspires you online? Offline?

I’m teased about this often, but Oprah Winfrey has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my youth and young adulthood. She is strong, vulnerable, driven, a visionary, and committed to helping people live out their dreams. Lisa Ling, Erin Brockovich, Barbara Kingsolver, my Mom. I am inspired by strong women who are seeking the truth, expressing themselves with the intention of teaching, bringing about some kind of change, and helping make the world a better place.

These are a few sources of online cooking inspiration: Sprouted Kitchen, Roost, Not Without Salt, My New Roots, The Year In Food, Fish and Veggies, Golubka.

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?

Last year, I had one heck of an extraordinary adventure: five months, fourteen countries, four continents, and four oceans. Since then, I’ve been focusing on how amazing the ordinary adventures are. Installing a new bathroom sink, taking the dog to the beach, Sunday morning games of rummy with Shaun. Often I take a step back and look at my life and am just blown away by actually being alive in this world. It’s crazy. Everything seems like an adventure with eyes wide open and a grateful heart.

The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera.
(Dorothea Lange)

Hello lovelies! I am so happy to be at my computer, a candle burning and mug full of coffee close by. Our new place is coming together bit by bit. The bookcase is up and looking gorgeous! I might tackle my desk area today – a spot in need of some attention.

A few weeks ago, I launched a new series called Truth, Love & Insight. My interview with Tara Gentile kicked things off. For the second piece of the series, I am thrilled to share Susannah Conway’s inspirational words. I really appreciate the care and honesty in Susannah’s voice. If you aren’t already a fan of her work, I highly recommend checking out her site and following her on Twitter. A little more about Susannah, in her own words:

Susannah Conway is a photographer, writer and the creator of the Unravelling e-course. She spent many years as a fashion editor and freelance journalist in London before her world shattered with the sudden death of her partner in 2005. Returning to the coast to heal in solitude, she rediscovered her passion for photography and writing when she started blogging in 2006. Susannah now shares her heart with people around the world via her blog, SusannahConway.com, and e-courses. Her first book, This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart, will be published in June 2012 by Globe Pequot Press.

1. How did your blog get started?

I started blogging in April 2006 after discovering the blogosphere the month before; I’d found so many inspiring blogs I wanted to jump in too. I started with a Blogger blog, then moved to Typepad and now I blog under my own domain using a custom-designed WordPress blog. Yet despite all the changes, I hope the essence of my blog remains the same.

2. What motivates you to continue sharing your story/creativity/voice with the web?

The urge to share with my community, to document what I learn and have a place to figure stuff out. I’ve always shared my healing journey on my blog, and even though I am six years on from my bereavement, the healing never ends. There’s always new discoveries about life to be made!

3. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

I’d tell her to be more confident about sharing her photography. To bravely put it out there, just for the hell of it.

4. If you could go forward in time, what is one question you would like to ask yourself? How do you imagine you might answer it?

I did an exercise recently that is similar in essence to this question, and was surprised by the answer I got. I imagined myself as an old lady and asked: Is there anything you regret not doing? And she replied: not having children. It’s given me a lot to think about.

5. What are your favorite creative resources?

Books, books and books, always. Being anywhere that is outside of my home with a camera in my hand. Spending time with my nephew. And my Google Reader is always filled with inspiration — I love that by following such a wide variety of blogs I never know what I’ll find when I open my laptop.

6. Who inspires you online?

There are so many friends, peers and mentors that inspire me online I can’t possible list them all, so I will just share the bloggers I have visited this morning: Justine Musk, Jen Louden, Susan Piver, Jonathan Fields, Julie Daley, Tara Gentile. They all write wonderfully and always give me something to ponder when I visit.

7. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?

I’m not sure that I do and really, if every day was an extraordinary adventure I would be permanently exhausted I appreciate simple pleasure like a mug of black coffee made from freshly ground beans. Burning incense all day while I write. Having Skype dates with my sister and nephew. Scanning Polaroids while listening to music. Simple things make me happy.

Images via Susannah Conway

Well, today is the start of something that I hope will bring our community closer by providing a platform to share truth, love and insight. I am delighted to share my first interview with the truly inspiring Tara Gentile.

If there are heros, entrepreneurs, creatives, authors, artists, musicians and muses who you’d like to see featured in future Truth, Love & Insight interviews, please let me know!

I’m certain you will find that Tara’s responses are as inspirational as they are thought provoking. A little more about Tara, in her own words:

Tara Gentile empowers passion-driven entrepreneurs to find the profit in producing the work of their true spirits. She is the author of the digital guide, The Art of Earning: Because Making Money Should Be Beautiful. To find out more & read her musings on building the New Economy with you at the center, visit her blog.

1. Why do you blog?

I started blogging in college. On Xanga. It was before blogging was a “thing.”

I loved it. I loved having a platform for my words, an audience that listened, and friends that talked back. I blog to work through my own struggles, life philosophies, and ideas. I blog to share what I’ve learned and to learn what others have to share.

For me, blogging is an extended, collective narrative. It’s a real participatory experience – not something you get enough of in the “real world.”

2. What are your favorite creative resources?

My favorite creative resources are other people’s blogs. I used to read a lot of books, philosophy, theology, dystopias, randon nonfiction. Now, whether it’s just the pace of life or my shortened attention span, blogs provide me with the inspiration I need to continue creating on a daily basis.

My other favorite creative resource is my camera. I’m not even an amateur photographer but I love that my camera allows me to see the world in a different way. I use my camera to manipulate my experience of the world and that inspires me in a multitude of ways.

3. Who inspires you online? Offline?

Danielle Laporte, Susannah Conway, Kelly Diels, and all of the other women who are considering heavy questions and joyous living. I love being a part of this community!

Offline my inspirations are my mother and my daughter. They both teach me things about myself daily.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to yourself as a budding blogger?

Don’t quit!! Seriously, I should have known that, for as much as I loved blogging, anything that took me away from it would be toxic to my life. And it was.

Had I continued blogging instead of taking years off, I would be so much better for it.

It seems to me that those who really succeed at blogging – or any kind of online entrepreneurism – are the ones that stick around.

5. What are your favorite things to do when you’re not online?

Play with Lola, watch science fiction, listen to NPR, and take long walks.

6. How do you make every day an extraordinary adventure?

I don’t plan too much. I’m pretty spontaneous and I’m always open to the possibility of the day unfolding the opposite of the way I envisioned. Sure, I like schedules – but I also know that schedules are meant to be changed!

Some of my best adventures – and creative ideas – have come from being spontaneous. Now, spontaneity is the luxury I’ve worked hard to guarantee myself. But I think it’s something that anyone can incorporate into their lives. To have an extraordinary adventure you have to first be open to the possibility of one unfolding right before your eyes!