2.09.2012

choose to love

I received a text yesterday which said, "When we carry unforgiveness, it's as if we move about dragging an anchor never getting anywhere. Let it go. It just isn't worth it.

Choose to love
                                   and experience love."

I thought it was a nice reminder and something that should be shared. I don't think we can love fully if we harbor unforgiveness, which applies to any kind of love, whether brotherly, motherly, or the "at 
  first sight" kind of love. No matter what kind, choosing to love means

                                   bearing all things and defending and holding others up.                                                                                      
           believing all things,                                               

               hoping all things and never giving up.           

                                      enduring all things, persevering and remaining loyal. 

And experiencing love....well that is just something that you'll have to do yourself!

And since it's almost Valentine's day AND I finally found one of my favorite photo shoots of all time (bookmarked this time so I don't lose it!), I just had to post these even though they've been around a while (from Shannon Nicole Smith). You've probably seen these, but either way, pretty much the cutest thing ever.










51 comments:

HOGGER + Co. said...

What an absolutely charming post...great quote (as usual) - glad you're back!

A Casa da Vá said...

Wow this is powerful. Today my coach said that forgiveness is to fully taking responsibility, giving up what you bee holding on and then you can get complete... pretty deep!

ps: Seriously, the cutest couple ever!

Hugs & kisses from South Florida,
http://acasadava.blogspot.com/

Life love, clutter and other beautiful things. said...

Awwwww such sweet images I can see why you bookmarked this one!


I love that quote. So true, thanks for the reminder xox

Gracey said...

post filled with love <3
happy valentines day!

Barbara von Enger said...

Love makes us happy, warm and bright. Do enjoy the weekend.xx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Shawna!

I hope you get this message as I noticed on your other post that you had not posted your comments. So I wondered if you even see your comments.

I was so excited to see your comment this morning and all I can say is that I missed you so. I so understand how BUSY WE ALL ARE!!! I too am extremely busy this year with my classroom, and it has been a rollercoaster emotional year in my teaching. I too am left spent and not able to attend to one of my other blogs that had always given me the chance to draw and have fun with a group of people that are so important to me. But I keep up with Castles and my new Etsy shop, and that is about all I have time for. But your message here is true and SO BEAUTIFUL and in the end, LOVE IS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST. LOVE TO YOU DEAR SHAWNA! Anita

Unknown said...

What a nice reminder, thanks for posting! The photos are gorgeous and I LOVE her outfit and shoes!

Hannah said...

Thank you so much for posting this today, it is just what I needed to read. I'm going back to re-read it again. The photo shoot is amazing! Have a great weekend.
XO,
Hannah
www.hannahandbryan.blogspot.com

Catherine Denton said...

Wow, those are adorable!! I especially love the one where he's holding her up.

Also, thanks for your sweet comments.
Catherine Denton

liz said...

This post is really inspiring and the photos are lovely!

melifaif said...

That quote is so beyond true!!!! And yes, this set is fabulous. I adore the shadow one. Very cool.

amy b.s. said...

that really is the perfect quote. and this is quite the perfect photo shoot!

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

So true, anchors away! That photo shoot brings with it such hope. Hope you have a wonderful, weightless Valentine's Day!

design elements said...

wonderful images!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I wholeheartedly believe that! What a lovely post for Valentine's Day. The shoot is just beautiful and so touching :)

Hope you're having a great weekend! xoxo

Unknown said...

Gorgeous pics!!! Love them so much!!! :)

Martina said...

Love that post! So very wise what you said - yes, LOVE means accepting the other and give them space to be! Lovely pix, yes, very sweet! Happy weekend to you!

rooth said...

That is such a good reminder and a beautiful photo shoot. Happy weekend and I'm following you via blogger now

Andi of My Beautiful Adventures said...

LOVED this post!!! Gave me goosebumps. :)

Unknown said...

Wow, the photos are so beautiful! They definitely show that Valentine's Day will be here soon :)

Hey, just wanted to let you know that there's a cool giveaway over at my blog at the moment, so if you're interested, this is the link:

http://badtastetoasttoast.blogspot.com/2012/02/vedette-shapewear-giveaway.html

Happy Sunday! :)

Bonnie said...

These pictures are so gorgeous. I love that quote, as well. There are so many great quotes about love. Everyone can relate.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Justyna said...

Amazing Blog! We can follow eatch other? Thanks :D

cb said...

so true, i can never stay mad at tom for more then a couple of minutes because really in the grand scheme of things it isnt important, what is, is to love. it brings down your whole day when you can't get past something, it really sucks! these pictures are so beautiful! where did you get these?
xo,
cb

Sonhos Pré-Concebidos said...

fotos liindas
ah, obrigada pela visita lá no blog rs Pode volta sempre que quiser, ok? Bjks, Nícia.

Annie said...

So so so true! I love this post and the reminders :) Hope you are doing great Shawna! xo

Alexa said...

Beautiful words and photos to go with them! :)

About Last Weekend said...

Really wonderful shots. I once asked a long-married couple what their secret was ...and they said forgiveness...

Crazy for fashion said...

Oh! Beautiful text and pictures! happy Valentines day! <3<3

Punctuation Mark said...

that is so true... hatred drag us down... very cute post!

Style, She Wrote said...

These are so gorgeous! I love the sweet look of these pictures. xo style, she wrote

Imogen said...

Stunning, perfect and gorgeous pictures. This outfit with the red coat and shoes and polka dot dress is probably the most perfect and well put together outfit I have ever seen. I have a lot of trouble with forgiveness. I always think that it means I have said its ok for the other person to treat me in an unacceptable way. When the other person isn't even sorry I don't know how I could forgive.

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Happy Monday Poppie Girl!!!!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I hope you got to relax and have some fun!
Forgiving is hard! I do feel that it is a choice you keep making!
I love this photo shoot , how fun! The lighting is perfect. And how great are their outfits!
Hope you have a wonderful V-day!
Love you lots
gi gi

classiq said...

The photos are so beautiful. Beautiful words too. :)
Ada

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

such a sweet shoot! happy vday!

this free bird said...

Those were some wise words in that text message. Sometimes easier said than done, but well worth practicing daily.

thingsIlove said...

I love this post!

heather said...

hope you had a beautiful valentine's day, shawna!

this is the best photo shoot ever!!! love it!

Gloria said...

Beautiful photos and words. Perfect for Valentine's Day! :)

I hope you had a lovely day!

xoxo...Gloria

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the inspiring words and lovely photos.
How are you? I hope your grandma is feeling better now. How is work? Don't forget to rest a lot during the weekends.
My days have been fine. Simply enchanting and fine. I have been hanging out with Floyd a lot lately. We read, ride bikes, work out, and drink tea. He is kind.
School is overwhelming as usual, but I love it so I shouldn't complain :).
That's basically my life.
Oh, I got a summer job in the city. It's 3 hours away from here. I'll miss here when I leave.
I wish you happiness!


LOVE!

Monique said...

great quote. it's so easy to want to hold on to negativity but it's so important to release it. this love shoot is fabulous!

Elisa @ Crazy, Amazing Life said...

Beautiful photos! They are adorable.

And great quote!

shopgirl said...

this is a captivating post Shawna. that text is truly worth remembering - "choose to love and experience love." your words are also just as poetic.

p.s. I know what you mean about time...so much to do and so little time. I will send you an email soon.

Hugs!
http://rambleswithreese.etsy.com
http://rambleswithreese.blogspot.com

StephieB said...

It's so true about unforgiveness isn't it but it's so hard to let go sometimes when you have been hurt.

Sometimes too I think that when you are forgiving, it opens you up to more hurt because people know they can get away with treating you a certain way and that you will "bounce back".


Oh dear! I sound a bit negative. I think I will try harder to take on the beautiful positive words you have shared in your post instead!

Such a sweet photo shoot, hugs, Stephie x

Ann said...

This is such a loving and inspiring post.

Unknown said...

What a great text and so true. You really cant move forward when you have that hanging over you.

Love these photos!!

Miss you! xoxo

I tagged you in my 11 questions! ;)

About Last Weekend said...

Agree, I've held onto bitterness sometimes, its never worth it...forgiveness is everything. Lovely pics of this couple

Madeleine Roberts said...

What an incredible message.Forgiveness is not easy and not everyone can master it. But I do think it is something to aspire too- become a forgiving person.
Love the images. I can see why you like them so much. It is so cute and romantic.
-Madeleine

About Last Weekend said...

Oops sorry I thought I left a comment last time I visited, this new blogger thing has me back-footed. Love these photos of this couple - engagement ones? which are so different and fresh. Love red-heads in red - my red-headed sister has a huge red coat and looks great in it...

Gorgeous Glam said...

Hi dear wondering how you are! Hope you ar having a great week! xx

Camille said...

those pics a re sooo cute! hope you had a great valentine's day!

Anonymous said...

I miss you very much.


LOVE!