It’s about the And…

Hello friends and newcomers alike! Here’s the story behind It’s about the And. I am a forty-something wife and mother; daughter and sister; friend and confidante. I am a lover of life and the journey it entails. I am a life-long learner passionate about making the most of the good life and continually gaining a better understanding of what the heck that means.

A valley path into the mountains; it's about the and between the highs and lows.

Today, as it has been throughout my life, I continue to experience extensive blessings and great sorrows. I have remained curious as I wind my way through these peaks and valleys and have been fortunate to pick up some important lessons and interesting observations.

A man nearly touching the clouds as he looks down across the mountainside to the valley. Its about the AND between the extremes.
Photo by Tobias Cornille

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that during the lowest times, I have been stuck in the mindset of extremes. Believing that I would ALWAYS be stuck in the dark and NEVER heal, made the pain much worse. On the other hand, my happiest moments have come from living BETWEEN the extremes of always and never. It’s about the and; holding the Dark with the Light has allowed the Light to shine even BRIGHTER.

Sunrise over misty clouds and a mountain top where holding the dark with the light allows the light to be even brighter.
Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse

For example, I have been blessed to be a mother three times over. Each time my new crying, hungry, exceedingly needy bundle came into the world, they wore me down to the ground AND their 1st intentional smile alone lifted me to the moon. I have never been so exhausted AND I have never felt such an incredible capacity for love and joy. Parenting is hard AND amazing.

A woman standing outdoors with her head curved towards the swaddled newborn she is holding to her face.
Photo by Julie Johnson

For me, happiness in life is about the AND; seeing the good and the bad. It’s about looking for the opportunity in every moment to choose the in-between; to bridge the black with the white, the happy with the sad, the highs with the lows.

A long dirt road through an endless grassfield between two ridges with a rainbow spanning from ridge to ridge. Happiness is about the and.
Photo by Herman Sartorio

A couple of years ago, I began capturing lessons like these for my kids as guideposts for them as their world expands ever wider and they explore their own paths. As with them, I offer these words to you not has a “you must,” but rather as a “have you considered?” Some of the observations I have picked up over the years may not apply to them and where they are now, or you. They may never apply. But perhaps in the future, when it is meaningful, they will have these ideas in their back pocket to pull out and use.

A rock cairn indicating the journey markers the author will talk about in this blog.
Photo by Markus Spiske

14 thoughts on “It’s about the And…”

  1. Carrie,
    I will look forward to this blog and hope and pray that it will provide you some peace. You come from a wonderful family, have a loving husband and 3 great kids. You have much to say so you go girl!
    Peace & love,

    George

  2. Incredibly written to draw us all in, with such sensitivity. Your best writing yet!!!

    1. Thanks Jane! So exciting! You and our fellow BLOT-ers have been amazing sources of inspiration, feedback and encouragement!

  3. This is so interesting to hear your perspectives. I can really identify with the idea that we might not appreciate the experience you share immediately…rather it’s something we may grow into. That’s often how I build my wardrobe…buy it because I like it, but don’t wear it til it “feels” right! So I’m going to listen and learn and see what resonates.
    looking forward to journeying with you. Congratulations!

  4. It’s awesome and I’m so happy to be a part of this.You are incredible and I’m with you all the way.Love you so much!❤

  5. So beautifully written! Please continue writing, Carrie. Your writing is so though provoking, yet calming at the same time.

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