times of growth

THIS IS A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE.
There will be moments in this lifetime that require either a faith/belief or a knowledge far beyond that which is humanly possible.
  Many people in my life have commented over the past year, at how wise the words that come from my mouth are. Even i sometimes wonder how a person of only average education, and limited life experiences in my 33 years can have wisdom that at times even astounds people of much greater years.
  I came to realilse something pretty special. There was a time in my life that i was not ready to give god glory for my gifts. That i was a believer in the laws of attraction and visualisation and belief! And they were the things that drove my life to higher highs and greater opportunities. What i didn't know at this point was what god knew...that i wasnt ready to accept the gifts in my life as being from him, but i was cultivating a belief in something more powerful than i was. A belief so strong that i was beginning to always be positive, that nothing really wore me down and made my life unbearable. A belief that was paramount to the changes happening in my life. What i DIDN'T know was that all these things that i had convinced myself that were my own doing, and the universes way of giving me that ....were GOD all along! The universe is god, the law of attraction is god, working with joy and positivity is being like GOD...and bingo everything fell into place. while i wasn't ready to worship god, i was ready to cultivate faith, and hope and belief...which are very strong components of a realtionship with god. he had already sewed that seed, and it was only a matter of time that i would become aware that it was his presence moving through my life.
  My journey is long and personal, and i have alot of un-conditioning to do, but god knows one thing...that my heart is full of goodness for him, that my life is taking a rightous path, and all the doctrine in the world means little as long as god is speaking in our lives, though us, encouraging the goodness and love that this world is lacking. Everyones journey in life is personal. God gave us all free will, to serve or to ignore, that is our choice. NO-ONE should be judged for his choice, and this judgement will never come from me. Whatever path you take in your life, is your life. I will love you, and cheer for your triumphs no-matter what path life takes you, but please know that for me...having a relationship with God, is something i choose.

with a love filled heart
joanna xo

lost pics & haircuts

What a debarcle i have had with my latest youtube offering!  I filmed a 1960's makeup tutorial only to find out the lighting is shocking, and then to top everything off i couldnt upload the pictures! smiles, well what else can i do? here are the lost pictures after i finally uploaded them.

After all this i looked at my son and realised that after 4 weeks of him trying to grow his hair i could not stand it anylonger. He was beginning to resemble a homeless person. So after much convincing he allowed me near

him with the scissors!!! (insert evil laugh) But the condition was i didnt cut the sides or fringe shorter.

...no seriously i did pretty well. The joys of having hairdressers for friends, and reading "Hair cutting for dummies"...yes i kid you not, there is such a book! lots of laughing now.

We have named this look the willber...hehe (its william's version of Justin Beiber hair)

well i'm off to watch the original little shop of horrors from way way back! its B&W and was made in 2 days. Be blessed in all your joys. Even if they are only old B&W movies!

joanna xo

folio pictures!

well where has the weekend gone? Mine was filled with much family time, alittle house cleaning, church, lots of time on the beach and a picnic! I filmed a tutorial on a modern take of 1960's makeup, which after i filmed realised was WAY too dark! GRR, i must admit thats something i have trouble with lighting my videos! BUT one of these days i'm going to work it all out.
NOW my camera seems to be having a freak out and not letting me upload any pics, and youtube is testing my paitence BIG TIME, oh well time to move on to something else.
  i am seriously considering getting a diploma in life coaching, and have spent a few weeks now researching my options and finding out what is really involved. I think that has been my trouble before, i've always had grand ideas of what something is, but the reality of what it is..differs greatly! So i've learn't that lesson and research is imperitive to me now.
  I hope you all have had a lovely weekend and found sometime for yourselve's and your loved ones.
Her are a few sample pics of the photo shoot i did a few weeks ago. enjoy and smile for no matter how frustrating our day was, it is ALWAYS worse for someone else on this planet.

joanna xo

mums and life changing moments

i adore my mum! But to be honest its taken alot of years, and hard times to get here. Not that i didn't love her before...haha but there is just a difference when your mum becomes your best friend, and you laugh over silly things and cry over the same pain. You grow into this mutual respect of one another, and you cherish the time you get together...this is how i feel about my mum.
  I am so proud of her. Its been tough at times to face the challenges of finding money, and new jobs at over 60 (i wont disclose her real age), but my mum has come through triumphant. With a passion and a self belief that makes my smile burst at the seems.

  All i ever want for those i love is to live a life filled with joy and accomplishments, yes the inevitable lows always come with the highs, but i also desire all my friends and family to have the skills and the positive thoughts to weather these times with the knowledge of how special and loved they are. And success is variable to each and everyone of us. Some of us want to be CEO's, others want to work part time and put the kids to bed every night. Whatever it is that makes you live a happy and fulfilled life is your success and it should never be determind by someone elses dreams.

love joanna xo

pics from the past

I was browsing my endless folders of photos on my computer and found all sorts of forgotten gems. These are makeup photos that i have either done on myself, or on models. Its fun to look back and see how far we have come in life, and its always good for a moral boost. Its easy to forget sometimes how good at things we actually are. Often its easy to see the accomplishments in others but we brush aside our own as if they dont really count. Well lets stop

that right now! Take some time to reflect on your own personal accomplishments and growth. You, like me will be amazed at truely how far you have come! Enjoy

 

Have a wonderful day filled with creative thoughts and happy memories.

Joanna xo

a day in sunny port mac

I decided to have the day off today to finish up a few things around the house, make some new youtube videos! And generally enjoy the last of the warm weather.

After washing the sunroom windows (you know thats why its a sunroom 3out of 4 walls are glass!) And my large lounge viewing windows. I headed out for a stroll on one of the local beaches Lighthouse beach to be precise, before heading to Bitter Sweet for a coffee. This is the most amazing coffee shop, they make the most delectable treats on site, they are like miniture gourmet cakes. Totally divine! If your in the port macquarie area a visit to Bitter Sweet is a must DO! I'll post some pics of their cakes next time i'm out that way, (forgot my camera today) they are just as pretty to gaze at as, yummo they are to eat.

I've included  some pics of townbeach and the breakwall which is about a 40min walk from my house in the centre of town.

  

 

You can even see the dolphins in the river mouth, sighs thats pretty amazing. I really do love this town.

well off to do the mum things, making left-overs and doing the banking! Be sure to check out joannamarie77 on youtube for any video updates.

blue skies and savignon blanc
joanna xo

the sun is always shining somewhere

There are times in our lives when the walls of security seem to vanish as if they were only imaginary
to begin with. This weekend has been one of those times. I'm not going to say more other than, i'm soo very greatful for the loving support and belief of family/friends and God. There are times i dont pray at all, and others when i just cant stop babbling. But God always make me feel better, its as if a peace assends on my spirit. Its not like God gives me answers, but he may and i'm just not quiet enough to hear them. But god does take away my pain, erases my memories, and leaves me the strength to carry on. 
  I am so very blessed to have all that i have in my life. And there is not a day go by that i do not remember that. There is always sunshine after storms, there is always laughter again after sorrow. And its with these thoughts in mind, i will carry about my day.

joanna xo