JournalJournalhttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012-02-21T16:34:59ZSquarespaceThe Victim of Busynesshttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012/2/21/the-victim-of-busyness.htmlAriane2012-02-21T16:13:21Z2012-02-21T16:13:21ZI’m at home waiting for the Salvation Army truck to come pick up my donation.  Funny how the only thing that has allowed me to slow down and wait in the past few months is a charity organization. Thank you Salvation Army for giving me spare time to write a blog post that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time. I haven’t written in a long time and it feel’s icky.  I feel like I’ve lost the connection to one of things I enjoyed doing.

So what has kept me away for so long? Well, I promise it wasn’t because I ran out of things to say.  No, not at all. It’s because I’ve fallen victim to the thing that creeps into our lives and has no mercy: busyness.

You’ve been there before, right? Suddenly your conversations with others start sounding the same way; “oh, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you, I was so busy” or “I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had time to do that”. Whenever someone would ask me simply, “how are you?”, my answer was always, “busy”.  I started to see this as a problem. Really? Is that the one thing I want people to know about me, is that I am really busy? 

We all have busy lives, myself included but to what point does that busyness consume us to the point that we thrive on it leading us to blot out the things that really matter to us?  

In the thick of being this “busy” lately I am learning to reassess some things in my life.  The thing that I like to ask myself when I am caught in the whirlwind of busyness is, “Who am I being in this particular situation?” and “Is what I’m doing in alignment with what I want for my life?” 

I can give you one example of this of how busyness has been showing up in my life lately.  Typically my days consist of hours dedicated to life coaching, photography, work projects, yoga, meetings, events.  I can honestly answer my original questions “who am I being in this particular situation?” and “is what I’m doing in alignment with what I want in my life?” with confidence knowing that I am being the person I want to be in these instances and it feels closely aligned with what I want in my life.  The areas of my life where I don’t feel so confidently about my answers are when I've neglected myself for the sake of something or someone else. If I’m saying yes, when I should be saying no or otherwise doing or not doing something for the wrong reasons. And we all know the icky feeling that comes from that.  So while there are so much we want to do in our lives, sometimes all it takes is a quick check-in to see what areas need to be reassessed to make room room for what we really want to do.  No easy task but really worthwhile to learn how to do.

Life takes you in an assortment of directions; sometimes we just can’t help that. But what we can do is exercise our power of choice and check in with ourselves by asking these two questions:

 

  1. Who am I being in this particular situation?
  2. Is what I’m doing in alignment with what I want in my life?

 

Check in with yourself by answering these questions whenever you feel overwhelmed and tugged in a hundred different directions.  

How has busyness been showing up in your life?

See Beauty...

Ariane 

 

 

 

 

]]>My Thrilling Lifehttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012/1/27/my-thrilling-life.htmlAriane2012-01-27T15:37:57Z2012-01-27T15:37:57ZThis morning I woke up at 9am.  9am?!! Who does that?!  I was so annoyed because waking up at 9am these days means I overslept.  Since when did waking up at 9am become late for me? A girl who used to sleep until 1pm in the afternoon if she could.  What happened to me?  I grew up. But no, really, what specifically happened to me?  When did I start taking life so seriously? When did my needs and desires become that important to me that I painstakingly wake up at 6:30am to start my day.  We’re talking just three or four short years ago in my mid-twenties, no…late twenties (gosh I’m getting old) when I didn’t know the life I was waking up to.  Who was I waking up to? A 26 year old girl that didn’t know herself and just went with the motions.

The journey to 30-year-old-Ari started when I moved to New York City and cruised full speed ahead when I discovered photography and now, coaching.  These three things changed my life in a very specific way. It’s almost mysterious the way all of this was conceived.  Nowadays, instead of sleeping till the afternoon, rolling out of bed and not having a clue of what do to with myself, my days look a little different.  I’m waking up at 6:30 in the mornings, drinking coffee, which I never did, and writing in my journal.  Walking down the street is no longer a simple act as I stop at least three times to photograph something with amazing light because I just can't pass up the shot. Now turning a new corner as I immerse myself in the coaching world and annoy everyone around me as I try to coach them on everything from discovering their passion to what to fix for dinner.  Ahh it's the little joys of my life that keep me going. 

Now I’m not saying my life has now become this spectacularly exciting thrill filled with posies and pixie dust but it is interesting just to reflect back on the choices I’ve made that has brought out some pretty significant changes for me in my life.  And it feels good to say those choices helped me to become who I am today. Life feels pretty darn good right about now.

All of this makes me wonder what else life has in store for me.  Motherhood? Marriage? World notoriety?  Heh, heh, heh.  A girl can dream can’t she?  Hmm maybe some day….

What has all of this taught me? That life is a big mystery; a mystery to everyone who walks its path. Enjoy the mystery and don’t fear the unknown.  Learn to love it and embrace it. That is part of the thrill of living.  A thrilling life is waiting for you around every corner, all you have to do is turn into it.

Happy Friday!!

See Beauty...

Ariane

]]>Your Year to Play Bighttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012/1/16/your-year-to-play-big.htmlAriane2012-01-16T12:00:52Z2012-01-16T12:00:52ZI want to tell you about a program that is very dear to me.  It’s called Playing Big. What is playing big?  What does it mean to play big?  That is the very question that was asked to me the first day I started the program.  As I look back in my journal, this is what playing big meant to me.

 

  • Letting go of insecurities when my inner critic starts to take hold
  • Knowing that I have something valuable to contribute to the world
  • Let my voice be heard
  • Stop believing my fears and start believing myself

 

That was only nine short months ago.  Since then, this is what playing big helped me to do:

 

 

Why am I telling you this? Because I believe in growth and I believe in action.  There cannot be one without the other.  Participating in the Playing Big program allowed me to do both.  Through inner work on myself and being a part of a dynamic group of like-minded women, I’ve gained the tools to make a profound transformation in my personal and professional life.

I would like to pass this amazing opportunity along to you.  To join in this program and discover what me and so many others have: the opportunity to play big in our own lives.

Registration is now open for the program.  I invite you to take a peek at what it’s all about.  Tara Mohr, the creator and leader of the program breaks it down quite nicely and answers all of your questions.  And if you still want to know more, I’m more than happy to answer any lingering questions you might have.  As a past participant in the program, I can share with you my experiences with the program first hand.

Is 2012 is your year to Play Big?

See Beauty…

Ariane   

 

 

]]>Believehttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012/1/11/believe.htmlAriane2012-01-11T15:11:50Z2012-01-11T15:11:50Z...I believe in the power of the breath to move mountains and pass the tests of life...

...I believe that when a child laughs it is the sweetest sound you will ever hear...

...I believe that our emotions act as guides and internal message centers that hold the answers to our deeper questions.  I believe they should be listened to and honored taking care to be gentle and accepting of them...

...I believe that color is a state of mind that stimulates your thoughts and feelings...

...I believe that love and compassion should guide you in everything you do...

...I believe that everyone has a right to experience happiness down to their core.  I believe this type of happiness comes from an inner conviction and openness to the universe.  It comes from the way you perceive things and a willingness to see with a fresh pair of eyes every time you look at something or someone...

...Happiness comes from a willingness to see with your heart beyond the surface despite the perception of other people...

...I believe in truth.  Not just telling it, but denying false conceptions brought on by judgment and shallow perceptions...

...I believe in choice.  As in every moment there is a choice to change your world for better or for worse...

 

...I Believe…

 

 See Beauty...


Ariane

 

 


]]>The Inspired Way; Free eBook for Living Your Ideal Lifehttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2012/1/5/the-inspired-way-free-ebook-for-living-your-ideal-life.htmlAriane2012-01-05T14:00:57Z2012-01-05T14:00:57ZThe path of self-discovery and purpose is a delicate one.  It requires us to take risks, to have courage to say yes to yourself, and patience to see the journey all the way through. 

And today, that journey for Kate & I has led to the release of The Inspired Way! 

]]>Her Starring Rolehttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2011/12/31/her-starring-role.htmlAriane2011-12-31T14:31:08Z2011-12-31T14:31:08ZFor the last 365 days, she has played a role.  She’s tried on every costume to suit each role she had to play in the starring role of her life.  Not willing to walk on stage in front of a large audience with nothing but the skin she was given.  One day she grew tired of changing costumes.  She then walked out on stage completely exposed looking outward yet remaining deep within herself through love and security. What will everyone think of her as she stands on this stage in complete silence?  She simply embodies the fullness of her own presence.  Will she be enough for the audience?  Will she receive a standing ovation for just being herself?  Maybe, maybe not.  But at least if the world doesn’t stand up for her, she will already be standing up for herself.

 

See Beauty...

Ariane

]]>Taking It To Heart in 2011http://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2011/12/30/taking-it-to-heart-in-2011.htmlAriane2011-12-30T14:25:56Z2011-12-30T14:25:56ZWedding Day Fit for Two | NYC Lifestyle Wedding Photographyhttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2011/12/18/wedding-day-fit-for-two-nyc-lifestyle-wedding-photography.htmlAriane2011-12-18T21:42:45Z2011-12-18T21:42:45Z

]]>Puffy Eyeshttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2011/12/14/puffy-eyes.htmlAriane2011-12-14T14:50:38Z2011-12-14T14:50:38ZMy eyes are puffy and I have a slight headache.  That can only mean one thing; I was crying before I went to bed last night.  That whole puffy eye thing though, the first time I discovered that happens to me was over ten years ago on the morning after my uncle died.  I cried so much the night he died and I woke up the next day with puffy eyes.  But I remember feeling so much better. 

Last night I cried over the Thank You letter I finally wrote to my ex.  Yes, I wrote a thank you note to my ex.  I actually wrote it.  It was two pages and about five paragraphs of free handwriting.  I wrote it on printer paper with my favorite pen.  I sat at the kitchen table and pushed everything away from me.  The placemats and the centerpiece to give myself plenty of elbow room to write.  Funny thing was, I only planned to write the beginning of the letter.  You know just the Dear John* part and maybe a few opening lines just to get me started.  I began writing and about one paragraph into the letter, I wanted to stop writing.  It felt terribly uncomfortable and the tears had already started flowing by then.  But I kept going.  I have to admit, I was actually curious about what was flowing out of me through my words.  What did I want to say in this letter?  How was I going to say it?  I wanted to see myself through.  I kept writing.  Fighting through the tears and the snotty nose.  Lot’s of tissue was in order as I wrote.  I wrote and I wrote.   It was so painful; it hurt like hell.  The letter was filled with so many memories.  And all good ones at that which made it double hard.  But like I stated in the letter, anything that was lost was at one point a gain in your life so we must be thankful for it.  And so I stuck with that thought as I continued to write the Thank You letter.  What a release writing that letter was for me.  It was a release of emotions (tears, pain) and a release of me (free flowing expression).  It was also an epic battle between me and my ego.  Oh boy my ego DID NOT want me to say any of the things I said in that letter let alone admit it to myself.  There was a lot of pride mixed in there too.  How dare I give thanks to another person for myyyy accomplishments?!!  But to be clear, I wasn’t just thanking my ex completely; I was being thankful for all of the positive experiences I had while I was with him that helped make me who I am today.  But my ego was not trying to hear that though.  I pressed on to finish what I had started and eventually the ego quieted down.  I was happy to have gotten through the Thank You letter.  I even let out another big cry at the end after I signed my name at the bottom. 

I put down my pen on top of the pages I had just written, stood up, and walked away from the kitchen table.  What I just did took courage and strength that I didn’t even know I had. The whole process left me feeling “tired” after having poured all of myself into the creation of this letter.  My mind was blank afterward except for my egoic voice chiming in every so often yelling at me for what I just did.  I knew it was all good though.  That what I had just done needed to be done and I was better off for it.  I said everything I needed to say in exactly the way I needed to say it.  I was proud of me for that. 

What happens next from here? I don’t know.  Will I ever give the Thank You letter to him?  Maybe.  Maybe, yes.  I think it’s something I want him to see.  But it’s not for him though, writing that letter was for me.  Writing a Thank You letter to my ex wasn’t to stroke his ego or some weird plot to get him back.  What it all boils down to was love; love for myself.  Doing what I needed to do to heal and feel my own love again.  That’s what writing the letter did for me.  And if he gets something out it that helps him in some way, then great for him.  I never want my actions to tear anyone down, only to build up.

See Beauty…

Ariane

 

 

*Name changed

 

 

]]>Find Yourself on The Inspired Wayhttp://www.arihunterphotoblog.com/imported/2011/12/6/find-yourself-on-the-inspired-way.htmlAriane2011-12-06T14:40:50Z2011-12-06T14:40:50ZPassion.  Inspiration.  Purpose.

Does hearing these words create a warm feeling of comfort and ease for you?  Or do they remind you of that tugging feeling you have in your heart that yearns to venture.  At the very least, I hope hearing these words lead you to take a closer look within yourself to see what is bursting to come out.  Ask yourself… 

What would it be like to live an inspired, purpose-driven life?