en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1541652 Comments by erinmakesitwork http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/a-story-about-living-draft-117/#IDComment232194133 You have a unique talent for making me well up with tears, and providing me with such inspiration. I agree, we have to keep living. We have to thank the people that teach us these hard lessons. We have to mourn loss and rebuild. Thank you. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 16:07:39 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/a-story-about-living-draft-117/#IDComment232194133 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/21-divorced-single-mom-reflections-on-divorce-and-judgment/#IDComment232190731 This is why I love reading your posts. You're not afraid to tell us what you really thing, regardless of the reaction of your peers. My parents divorced when I was three, it was the best thing that could have happened. Though I am closer to my dad and often hated growing up in my mom's home most of the time, I never wanted my parents back together. I have siblings, other parents, extended family, friends, none of which I would have had my parents tried to work it out. My dad is currently going through another divorce (and I am cheering him on). After staying in a relationship more than a decade after it turned from good to bad, he is finally standing up for himself. He found someone who loves him, who loves me. For the first time since I was 16, I feel like I have that side of my family back. My dad was also fighiting prostate cancer at the time he decided to leave for good. I truly believe that had he not taken the steps to love himself, we would be burying him rather than celebrating a year cancer-free. I commend you for doing what it took to build a life full of love (and get to the point where you can co-parent with your ex). Sat, 3 Dec 2011 15:59:24 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/21-divorced-single-mom-reflections-on-divorce-and-judgment/#IDComment232190731 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/tears-and-love/#IDComment232184903 Darlin', I believe that deciding to get a divorce (and the inevitable emotional breakdown) was not only the greatest act of love you and your husband could do for one another, it was also the greatest act of love you could give yourself. People (especially emotional, sensitive ones) often spend much more energy making everyone else happy. It is definitely something I struggle with. Today, I know that I am deserving of a life that makes me happy. You are too, you deserve a love that lifts you up and fulfills you and makes you want to do happy dances. Right now, you're the best person to give yourself that love...with the support of me and the rest of the Tribe, of course. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 15:47:29 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/tears-and-love/#IDComment232184903 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/12/breaking-free-of-poverty-mindset-heres-to-my-new-money-shoes/#IDComment232181164 Congrats! I need to read those LIKE RIGHT NOW! I know that a fear of failure (and success) holds me back and has kept me under my earning potential for years. Not exactly fair to myself. I have been planning an Etsy shop (but not actually doing anything about it) for a year. Ridiculous. I need to do it, and I need to rock it. Thank you for the kick in the pants (and an updated reading list). I also recommend Boss of You. Sat, 3 Dec 2011 15:39:25 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/12/breaking-free-of-poverty-mindset-heres-to-my-new-money-shoes/#IDComment232181164 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/in-five-years/#IDComment224973025 Every word of this is simply beautiful. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:00:17 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/in-five-years/#IDComment224973025 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/how-blogworld-reinforced-my-sense-of-purpose/#IDComment224971128 This is beautiful and sad. Tragic and amazing all at the same time. It's true, we can have it all, so why are we (me) so afraid of success? Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:52:41 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/how-blogworld-reinforced-my-sense-of-purpose/#IDComment224971128 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/defining-success-and-exploring-my-core-values/#IDComment216045764 Thank you for this. I'm currently struggling with trying to develop my own definition of success..and realizing that I have been living life on pause because of what everyone else told me it meant to be successful. Sometimes waking up and being responsible for your own happiness is hard work! Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:50:36 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/11/defining-success-and-exploring-my-core-values/#IDComment216045764 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/my-parents-voices/#IDComment215021114 This made me tear up as well. Truly beautiful. Thank you! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:08:11 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/my-parents-voices/#IDComment215021114 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/all-the-pretty-little-details/#IDComment214145905 You have to chase your passions...all of them. I am like you in that I have things that I love (writing, books and crochet being the top thee) which will ALWAYS be a part of my life, but I will probably always have multiple jobs, or wear multiple hats in order to be fulfilled. For years I have fought it, and I am just starting to realize that it is okay. I think you could find a lot of happiness putting some details into building your brand. Plan out all the little details that make you tick as a photographer. See where it takes you, it is all worth it. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:28:39 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/all-the-pretty-little-details/#IDComment214145905 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/a-love-letter-to-myself/#IDComment214143340 You are the best. I just recently wrote a letter to myself in the past. I think I need to write to a letter to myself now...it may help keep the anxiety monsters at bay. Keep on celebrating what makes you amazing! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:20:20 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/a-love-letter-to-myself/#IDComment214143340 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/the-show-must-go-on/#IDComment214141423 I could have written this myself. I have that same Negative Nellie that thinks if I don't do it, it won't be done right...and then she triggers Worry-wort Wanda who causes a bitch storm of anxiety to build up in me. Somehow we have to kick them out..because you know what Laurenne and Erin are good enough. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:13:48 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/the-show-must-go-on/#IDComment214141423 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/simplify-in-style-with-laina-florio/#IDComment214137329 I think we all need a Laina in our lives. Its amazing to have someone that can help you turn and look inside. School must be important to you, otherwise you wouldn't want to continue...GOOD LUCK! Sun, 30 Oct 2011 03:00:57 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/simplify-in-style-with-laina-florio/#IDComment214137329 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/museum-rock-star-kate-macintos/#IDComment214129960 Putting yourself first in decisions is the best advice....but sooo difficult sometimes. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:37:03 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/museum-rock-star-kate-macintos/#IDComment214129960 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/i-feel-like-a-zombie-come-back-to-life/#IDComment212416293 "back to life, back, back to life" Why would we want to come back to life just to go back to zombie status come Monday morning? I full-on embracing my life now (after years of floating through it). I can't imagine going back...even though most days I'm scared out of my mind. Thank you! Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:24:17 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/i-feel-like-a-zombie-come-back-to-life/#IDComment212416293 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/acknowledging-the-inner-critic-and-other-committee-members/#IDComment212415279 I need to learn to lessen the impact of my committee member more concerned about what other people like. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:20:33 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/acknowledging-the-inner-critic-and-other-committee-members/#IDComment212415279 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/the-aftermath-joyful-living-in-a-messy-world/#IDComment212408652 You are loved and appreciated too my dear Molly. Oh P.S. I had a stratejoy inspired post over at beeweave earlier this week. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:54:29 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/the-aftermath-joyful-living-in-a-messy-world/#IDComment212408652 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/everything-is-arbitrary/#IDComment212406969 You.are.awesome. The end! Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:47:29 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/everything-is-arbitrary/#IDComment212406969 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/from-barista-to-writer-building-a-business-out-of-thin-air/#IDComment212403568 Oh darlin', I am right with you on all of this. I have been freelancing for two years and I certainly feel like my work is never done, or that I am not doing enough. Its definitely hard to find that balance...and to find what truly drives you. At 28, I am just now starting to figure it out. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:33:26 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/from-barista-to-writer-building-a-business-out-of-thin-air/#IDComment212403568 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/wisdom-from-4-year-olds/#IDComment212352458 Ahhh these little girls are so smart. You're good if you play and give hugs and share. And if people don't like you, you can just walk away. If you fail at something, just do something else or try again. Why do we make everything so complicated when we grow up? (though I wouldn't recommend getting married at 16!) Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:37:03 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/wisdom-from-4-year-olds/#IDComment212352458 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/hope-dies-last-an-interview-with-eleni-zoe/#IDComment212346907 "Just do it!" Why is that little phrase so scary? Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:16:31 +0000 http://www.stratejoy.com/2011/10/hope-dies-last-an-interview-with-eleni-zoe/#IDComment212346907