TRACY SEES STUFF 👀

Category: Blog

lessons

I bought this awesome box of 365 quotes at Hummingbird House in Sedona designed by Sugarboo & Co. I’m so excited to read one every day!

We are here to learn lessons, and the world is our teacher. When we fail to learn a lesson, we get to take it again and again. Once we have learned the lesson, we move on to the next one. And we never run out of lessons. – Andrew Matthews

I love today’s quote and it resonates with me.

There is one lesson that I’ve been ignoring the last couple of years and it’s the one thing that stresses me out every day. While I was in Sedona, I felt better and I know exactly why AND that is my lesson. I need balance and self-care. I’ve known that deep down and honestly, it’s why I planned this trip…to escape, to find balance and to take care of my health.

I wrote an article once for a Dystonia magazine. At that time in my life, I had found balance and realized how unhappy I was when I was bouncing around like a ball in a pinball machine. How unhappy I was when I let others constantly pressure me or make me feel bad for not doing what THEY wanted me to do. I know this is a challenge for many.

If you’re someone who pressures others or it bothers you that they aren’t doing what YOU want, take a look at yourself. I know we have all been guilty of this at one time or another. If you’re doing that, something inside of YOU is not happy. Ask yourself, why am I doing this? It can be hard to face but it’s important that we all look at ourselves so that others can live their intended life and so that WE can live our intended life.

My health and Dystonia have not been good. It helped to be in Sedona and now I just need to find a way to carry that over to life in Minnesota. I always say that’s one good thing about my Dystonia, it’s my alarm clock reminding me when I need to slow down, listen to my body and take care of myself.

As we start the week, listen to the gut…are there lessons that you are ignoring?

XO

February 11, 2019
running vibes

I’m sitting in my hotel in Sedona, AZ and right outside my window, they are setting up for the Sedona Half Marathon, 10k & 5k. It’s only 6:30 AM and I can already feel the excitement and energy. I find myself with a lump in my throat.

There is something about running a race that brings up so many emotions. I think it’s seeing a group of people all aiming for the same goal, supporting each other along the way. It’s also the feeling of accomplishment…challenging yourself, pushing hard and going beyond what you thought possible.

In 2017, I ran the Twin Cities 10 mile. I wouldn’t have been able to complete it without the support of the Lifetime Fitness Run Club. The women in this picture helped me keep my pace as we talked, laughed, and cried.

I have Dystonia and I never thought that running 10 miles was possible. BUT…I took it one step at a time. I trained slowly but surely and before I knew it, I ran 10 miles!

The next time you question if you can do it, WHATEVER it is….if your negative voice is telling you that you can’t, if you have anxiety, if you have ANY disorder, if you don’t have a support system, or if people tell you that you can’t…

let me tell you…

YOU CAN!!!

XO

February 2, 2019
the fog

There’s something about February that makes me feel lighter, like a heavy fog lifting. January is a hard month for me. Anyone else? I feel pressure to start the new year with a bang, to set new goals, work harder, do better. All while reflecting on the previous year. The good and the bad, what I want to change and do differently. Part of me loves the feeling of the new year, starting fresh and all the new possibilities. At the same time, it’s almost too much. How do you find a balance?

This year we decided to travel. We are very fortunate to work from home which allows us the freedom to live anywhere. We left Minnesota and spent the month of January in Sedona, Arizona. Changing my views, being able to spend more time outdoors in January, getting more sunshine, and having fewer distractions helped me find balance.

BUT…I’m also reminded that it’s a state of mind. The same negative voices haunted me. The same pressure.

That’s the answer!

If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her over and over to find her happiness. Don’t cave to the pressure of others, don’t do what you think you “should” do. Do what makes you happy! When you do, it will fill you up, allowing you to be a better, more complete person. It’s not selfish if that runs through your head like mine. If you give and give and give, you end up with nothing. Nothing for yourself and nothing left to give.

Find what stirs your soul! Try different things until you find YOUR thing. Try and fail, try and fail, try and fail until one day it’s all clear. That is life. No one has a perfect life or has all the answers. It’s never a straight line to success, it’s a wobbly messy line.

Find everything Sedona travel >> https://tracyseesstuff.com/tag/arizona/

©What Stirs Your Soul

February 1, 2019
let that shit go

My motto for 2019 – let that shit go!

I’m exhausted from worrying and over-thinking. Do you ever feel that way?

My life and brain are chaos. A kind of chaos that moving forward, I want to embrace. I love to dabble and try new things. Even at 50 years old, I never want to stop learning, exploring and growing. I’m always hard on myself because I’m not focused on ONE thing. Sometimes I think that’s the only way to be successful? BUT…it doesn’t work for me and in the grand scheme of things, I am successful so why do I worry?

I’m a photographer and social media manager. A perfect example of what I’m saying is that there’s always pressure for my social media platforms to be aesthetically pleasing. I see so many beautiful accounts that every picture is edited exactly the same and there is an overall theme. If mine isn’t or if it’s all over the place, will I lose business? Or would I gain more business if it was?

This year I’m going to test my theory. Instead of fight it, I’m going to go for it. I don’t want to worry if I have the perfect picture or the perfect words. I want to be unapologetically me.

Wish me luck!

Do you have a motto for 2019?

January 2, 2019
She was…

She was.

It’s the middle of the night. She can’t sleep. She lies awake and her demons haunt her. She tells herself over and over to let them go. She prays. She dozes off then jolts awake. The recurring dream. Panic. Sweat. Heart racing fear. She takes in deep breaths trying to slow her heart, she wonders if it might actually beat out of her chest. She tries to swallow, her throat sore from trying to scream. She remembers. She was in the air, flying across the room and then….the explosion, her body breaking, emotions scattered into tiny pieces. She remembers his hands imprinted on her chest. She wraps her hands around her chest giving herself a hug.

She takes a deep breath and realizes she is still on this journey.

She remembers.

She was.

She is.

She is tenderly picking up each shattered piece, giving it love and putting it back in place. She knows that part of her is stuck in this moment. She is going to heal. She is going to finally release it.

She is finding herself. She is learning to listen to her soul. She is finding HER path.

She is learning to trust herself.

She is in a room with beautiful, inspiring women. She is going to write her story.

She started.

She is.

December 6, 2018
Mamma Mia! – The Ordway

The Ordway kicks off their 2018-19 Broadway Series perfectly with the Tony Award-winning musical, Mamma Mia!. Incredible show, cast, and music!

I know most of the world knows the story but here’s a quick overview. 😉

A cherished story of friendship, love, and family set on a beautiful Greek island where a mother, her daughter, and three probable dads find their way back to each other and just in time for a wedding. The story is told through many of ABBA’s greatest hits like “Dancing Queen”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Thank You for the Music” and “SOS”.

The all-new Ordway Original production is directed by Martha Banta, the associate director for Mamma Mia! on Broadway; and features choreography by award-winning London-based artist Mitch Sebastian, and a cast composed of a variety of Minnesota talent and national artists.

The mix of the cast was impeccable and it’s always so fun to see local favorites. Ann Michels was meant for the role of Tanya, she inspires me every time I see her on stage. Erin K. Schwab (Rosie) always has such a strong presence bringing life and laughter. Christine Sherrill (Donna) is making her Ordway debut and was part of the national touring production.

I love these ladies! I saw the show last Thursday and I’m still smiling and singing! 🎶

Erin K. Schwab, Producing Artistic Director Rod Kaats, Christine Sherrill, and Ann Michels for Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.

Quote from the new Producing Artistic Director, Rod Kaats:

They literally dance their way through life with an irresistible mix of self-deprecating humor and fortitude that makes them nothing less than heroic.

That quotes nails it. That is LIFE.

We are all going to go through hard times, we are going to be afraid, we will have our hearts broken but with friends and family, we can dance, sing and keep our sense of humor.

Now more than ever, it touched my soul seeing three strong women on stage telling this story. A story where woman are fierce and don’t need to “depend” on men. I never thought that would be so relevant in 2018.

Like the Ordway says:

You ABBA-solutely can’t miss this ultimate feel-good summer musical at the Ordway!

You can get your tickets HERE and make sure to check out the Ordway Extras – unique events on different nights!

Dieter Bierbrauer, Christine Sherrill, and the cast of Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.

Patrick Connaghan and Caroline Innerbichler in Mamma Mia!. Photo by Rich Ryan.

July 23, 2018

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