Butterfly Girl

 

Good morning. Just sharing one that makes me smile. Film shot. :) Hope you have a great day! 

C.A. MacConnell

Inside My Pocket.

 

C.A. MacConnell

When Facing You

Just wanted to post something simple and sweet, yet creative and deep. Here's a little love poem I wrote a while back. Why not spread something from the heart? Sometimes a few words go a long way. The whole "less is more" idea. :) Hope you have a great night, whatever you're getting into! I really like this piece. Hope you do too. Love, C.A.

When Facing You

Someone drew
a white tiger
on every
inch
of duct tape,
and suddenly,
I was called upon
to study
the stripes.

C.A. MacConnell

Piece of God

What if, each moment, I saw everything and everyone around me as a piece of God?

The shaky trees, the woman searching for blueberries, the full clouds, Cliff's jokes, an aisle moment with Robert, a hug from Krista, the silence, a ridiculous mailbox, a full bred labrador with saucer-eyes, a yellow mansion, a grey ranch, Chanell's tan hat, a Cadillac SUV, a souped-up Hyundai, a high five, a graveyard, a bike trail, a dark horse, laughs with Shawntell, a handshake with Vince -- what if all of these happenings were a piece of God? Not some...but rather, all.

What if I allowed myself to gently fall into the flow of things and simply be a part of the wonder of life?

What if my perspective remained here without any affirmation? Although in my heart, suddenly and miraculously, I will surely see the hint of proof suddenly appear from time to time.

What if I allowed this perspective to fully take hold? Not sometimes...but rather, all of the time. What if I lived this out fully? 

Peace.

Love to you,

C.A. MacConnell

Photo

 

Just took this a few minutes ago. Surprised how it turned out. :)

C.A. MacConnell

Sun Cross

 

Good morning. Wish me luck as I navigate this time of transition; it all depends on my perspective. Sunrise is in 28 minutes :). I wonder what's going to happen next. I have a feeling it's going to be amazing.

Last night, I was praying for direction, and I heard a little voice tell me this:  you need more time to heal. You won't have to do anything at all. I felt that there were a bunch of angels pulling for me, and I felt some peace in that moment of surrender, rather than doing, doing, doing, worrying, worrying, worrying. Yesterday, I was able to really help someone, and it was a joyful experience. I hope to do that again today. And when I looked around the room, and I saw people waving and smiling, and when I moved around the room, and I saw people reaching to hug me, I was touched by the power of the experience, suddenly struck by the realization that I was surrounded by friends and supporters. It was an important moment for a person who used to be so reserved. I have changed. I am changing, and it was a reflection of the shift.

A mix of quiet strength and a certain softness is rolling in. 

I wanted to share that with you this morning. XO. Hope you allow some softness to enter your life as well. Be good to yourself. You deserve it, and so do I.

Love to you,

C.A. MacConnell

Next Steps.

 

Here's a photo I took of a local skate park...it later became my cover photo for my second book, The House of Anchor. Hey! 

I have four published books on Amazon now, and they're all fast paced with an element of mystery, but each one is quite unique. Witty, intense, and slick. The dialogue is undeniably real. :)

To check out my novels...just click/touch the book covers on the right side of this page! Or, see my Amazon Author Page right here.

I have a plan in mind for my next steps...for my next few books (two of which are nearly ready to go, yay), for my work life, for my photos, for my poems, etc. Feels good to have a plan but then again, sometimes the universe shakes it up, ha. But one thing's certain...I'm proud of my day, my hard work, and each one of my photos, essays, poems, and books. I'm definitely not a slacker!

This part of my journey has been a test among tests, and I suppose I'd be happy just rocking on a porch swing with a stuffed horse for a while too, no lie. <3

Hope you feel beautiful and loved. Life's too short to feel any other way. And I hope that your adventures are awesome. Hope to see you in person. And I thank you for your support and inspiration. Celebrate all that you are. No one is anything like you. <3

Love to you,

C.A. MacConnell

Lyra, Daphne.

 
Lyra

Daphne

Some lovely ladies I hung out with a while back. Hope you're well and happy. Kinda reminded me of Sally Mann photos. She went to Hollins University as well, and I have always been a huge fan of her work.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

I Spy

The sunset road
stretches out before me
like a pale, lined tongue.
Let me follow the limit.
I never wear a seat belt.
I never look both ways.
Lost inside a red,
deserted place
my figure is fine.
Driving alone,
junkyard tires
kicking up dust,
I am barely twenty-two,
tearing across Wyoming,
looking for horse plates.

C.A. MacConnell

Railroad

 

Good morning. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Shelby

Shelby's looking a little rough, ha. Am I the only one who thinks this display for hair extensions is absolutely hilarious? Every time I walk by here I crack up. I don't want Shelby or her friend getting anywhere near my hair. haha.

C.A. MacConnell 

Trust, Lost Feather, Week Off

Trust

 
Lost Feather

Week Off

C.A. MacConnell

Two Ants and a Worm

 

C.A. MacConnell

Hold Close.

 

Just took this. XO.

C.A. MacConnell

Pinwheel Love

Something that just popped into my head:

Prayer for Self

Good morning.
I love you.
I am beautiful in every way, just how I am.
I'd like to get to know myself more,
even after all of these years,
because today is new,
and so am I.
How does that sound?
Smile. I am courageous.
But remember to be gentle.
Wonder what magic I'll come across today.
Let the God inside of me be awake.
I can't wait to see what happens next.

C.A. MacConnell

P.S. Sometimes, I can really hear the spirit speaking to me in the morning, and I share it randomly. I've had a few interviews; wish me luck. :) XO. <3 to you, C.A.

Always, There is Light.

 

Hi there. Just pushing through fear and moving forward here, ha. PT and job hunting and such. Also, attempting to rest. Looking for something steady... check out my bio and send me a message. Pass it on! And overall, I'd be interested in anything with the arts or helping people, for sure.

I'm also super grateful for friends' support as of late. I do intend to get my photos out there, and I also dream of having my books become films. :) XO. I also have two nonfiction works that I plan on releasing. Open to all of the options, practical and magical. Yes. I fully intend to embrace all things mysterious, beautiful, magical, and awesome every single moment. 

Hope you're having a beautiful day. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Uncharted Territory

Sometimes, there's a point in life when I feel this:  hm, this is uncharted territory. Not sure what I'm doing, where I'm going, or what's going to happen. Exactly. From time to time, I've noticed this underlying sense of powerlessness, but it has been stronger in the past few years.

Building up to this, there's usually a mountain of fear that comes along with it. And the fear shows up in various ways. Fear can be so powerful that it can block me from even seeing something incredible, something good -- a gift, an opportunity, and the like. I like to call fear a "thief of happiness."

Many times, in the past, because of this thread of doubt, this wall of anxiety, this fear of the unknown, I chose to stay where I was; that is, I may have changed jobs but then, I'd grab on to a similar job and so, there was really no change. Years back, I may have changed relationships, but then I jumped into a similar relationship -- whether it be with friends, partners, spiritual advisers, or whatever the case. I suppose the fear, and the blockage, was ingrained in me as a way to "protect myself" -- it was old information from my upbringing and experience, and I was unable to break through all of those false messages that I believe chip away at people in general, and they sound like this:  no matter how hard you work, you're not good enough, you're alone, you're defective, your story should be silenced, you're not important, and most of all, you're unlovable. And in my case, and in the case for many people, these messages have surely become darker.

But now, I've noticed that when I come to this point of powerlessness, I'm choosing differently, and I'm not allowing old fears and old "tapes in my head" to rule the game. I'm feeling it. Lord knows I'm feeling it, but I'm going forward anyhow. In this process, I've noticed that everything in my life is changing and shifting, and it's extremely uncomfortable at the moment, but I'm already beginning to see the differences. And I'm starting to hear and believe different suggestions, such as this:  you are talented, be gentle with yourself, you have worked hard, you are beautiful, who cares what people think, be gentle with yourself, your story is important, you deserve to be happy, you are surrounded by people who love you.

I like these new thoughts. Indeed, it is uncharted territory, but it is better. Last night, I noticed that I was hugging a number of different folks -- people I knew, people I barely knew. I felt a new sense of openness and love creeping in, and I wanted to share it.

We need each other, indeed. We are in this together. And regardless of what your mind and body are telling you, remember this:  you, like me, are unique, powerful, important, beautiful, and lovable. 

C.A. MacConnell

Wolf.

 

Probably one of my all-time favorites. Taken on film. Wolf. I'm taking a week off. Don't know who needs to hear this, but hey, we're gonna be OK. God's got it. Hope you're having a beautiful day...<3. XO. I figure the true compassion and love will find me...if I keep doing the next right thing. Seems to be the course to take, truth. One moment at a time.

Love to you, everyone,
C.A. MacConnell

Heron.

 

Hello. I stopped work early today. I'm a bit overwhelmed by too much work, the heat, and difficulty paying bills...my body needs rest, and my dad had a stroke today. But this photo makes me feel peaceful in the moment. Hopefully it'll bring you peace too. I'm relatively calm, considering. I feel close to nature/God right now. 

C.A. MacConnell

The Freedom is Key

Right now, I'm grateful for the tools I've learned from so many great teachers...in the classroom, and in all of life. Lately, I've been harnessing all of these thoughts and really putting them into practice throughout my days. I have two key spiritual advisers who tend to ask questions rather than "tell me what to do." They allow me the freedom to feel, and they don't try to fix me. This is tough as hell sometimes (grinning here), but it allows me to see, in fact, that which I already know. The freedom is key. Right now, no holding back, feeling however whenever, I'm embracing the grey area, so to speak, quite a bit more. And I'm keeping this idea of "freedom" in mind whenever I'm around others, in all of my relationships; that is, I aim to respect the person for who they are, for their unique journey.

Action, compassion, freedom. Those three words explain love best to me right now. The whole "live and let live" mentality. Experiencing it every day. And learning how to recognize when my mind starts racing, or I sink too low...experiencing the ability to turn it around in real time. Hard stuff, but amazing changes, nonetheless.

Trust yourself. Slow it down. Two of my favorite sayings that have been passed on to me.

This isn't a formal essay. Just my afternoon thoughts, on the fly, in the moment. Maybe this will help someone. XO. Freedom, action, compassion. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell