• About
  • Visit Gray Star Design
  • Minted Collection
  • Design Services
  • Contact

The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: fear

Refuse to Live in Fear

18 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by melissaoconnor in life

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

america, education, fear, gun laws, hope, ignorance, love, nomoreguns, parkland, safety, school shootings, unity

The school shooting in Parkland has been weighing on me pretty heavy these past few days. Here we are, yet again. The new normal. Where mental illness is ignored and guns take center stage. America’s fucked up reality. And why? Because money, power, and greed are valued more than human life. And it’s not just these issues that are a problem. There are so many more.

It’s not that hard to create solutions. Yet, people rather fight instead of finding common ground. How many more people need to die before we focus on what is important in this country? Just having a conversation about it s aggravating because I find that a particular side just doesn’t listen. Ignorance and being uneducated is part of it – but I also see a lot of people getting very defensive. It’s about time to grow up and get over yourselves. I don’t understand how some think the world revolves around them. Like THEY matter more than all of us. Sorry, but the greater good means IT’S GREATER THAN YOU. We all matter and all should be considered. When you can’t even communicate and find a space to meet in the middle, then the only thing to do is create change on your own with your people by your side. Maybe the others will tag along at some point, who knows. What’s important is to move forward and do what is best for the people of this country. If you don’t want to jump on board, then fine.

I would love to actually talk in person about these issues, but Facebook has been the platform where most take place and I end up repeating myself because the other side just doesn’t get what I am saying. I don’t fight. I don’t judge. I just share my thoughts and suggest we work together. And this never seems to have a positive ending. It’s frustrating. And even though it’s hard, I’m holding on to the hope I have left and wish that we can all come together with actual solutions to these problems. I know we can do it. But the more we stay divided, the tougher it will be. We need to continue to speak up, share ideas, and keep the conversation alive.

It all starts with YOU and what you can do in your community. I have recently joined a group in my town that will meet and discuss ways we can improve the safety of our schools. This is a move in the right direction. And I will keep doing what I can because I care about our future and I REFUSE TO LIVE IN FEAR.

We cannot let those victims be forgotten.
We can’t let this administration ignore our voices and shut down our actions.
We need to push and keep on pushing.
We need to replace those in power who will not stand by our side.
We must be a force in our community and unite with our neighbors.
We need to support organizations that are working to make change.
We have to spread love and peace to keep moving forward.
We need to be strong for our children and lead them in the right direction.
We must be kind to one another and provide help when we can.
We need to defeat ignorance and hate.
We must keep going….we must keep fighting.

Inspiration Photo Friday: You Rule Your Kingdom

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

change, choices, control, drugs, evolution, fear, growth, happiness, Inspiration, journey, kingdom, lessons, life, life journey, negativity, positivity

In life, only you can create your own happiness. When things get rough, toughen up and get through it. When sadness takes over, wipe those tears and appreciate all the good things you have. When devastation hits, take time to greive then get back on your feet. No one is as responsible as you when it comes to your life. This is why you need to rule your kingdom.

We all make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them. Otherwise, you will continue to run in circles and never get anywhere. Of course there are people that will help you along the way. They will inspire, intrigue, show you love, and support you on your journey. But they are not responsible for your true happiness. That is only something you can create for yourself.

It’s funny. There are people in my life that are doing great and expecting many amazing things in the future, some that are going through hardship and heartbreak, and others who remain stagnant and miserable. All these different types of situations have been caused by their individual choices. So in essence, they have created this journey, every step of the way, on their own. And because they are all different, each will find his or her way along a positive path or a negative one.

It always bothered me when people complained about things they have total control of. If you aren’t happy, just change what you need to. I know its not easy sometimes but you just have to be strong. Involving everyone around you and making them deal with your problems is selfish, especially when you aren’t taking the steps to change it. Eventually, people will keep their distance and not want to be involved, which I don’t blame. No one is a lost cause unless they allow themselves to be.

I have experienced a lot in my life and can proudly say that I overcame all the hell that came my way on my own because I am a strong person. As I got older, I continued to deal with curve balls and had to take detours along the way, but nonetheless, I succeeded and created my own happiness through it all. I am lucky to have such amazing friends and family to support me and they truly play a part in my life story. However, I am the one who lived it and I am the one who got myself where I am today.

Below is a photo of me at 16 years old. A total opposite of who I am today. At this time in my life, I was fearless. I consumed all sorts of drugs, were always around my friends, partied whenever I could, and recently dropped out of high school. I rebelled every chance I could because I was bored and uninspired. I wasn’t a bad kid, just wanted to see and taste the world around me. The one thing that wasn’t different was my love for art. This has been my one true passion all my life.

So, for me to stand here, a happily married woman, BFA graduate, homeowner, and business owner, you can say I am damn proud of myself. I could write a book about my life, seriously, oh the stories I could tell, and the fact that I evolved into the woman I am today just proves you can create a journey that is powerful and positive. I chose to not break down because I am worth so much more. I knew what I always wanted and I made it happen. I may have gotten there later than I planned, but I made it, with tons of lessons along the way.

The world doesn’t owe you anything. You were put here to live a unique life all your own. Be positive and stay strong, you will get there in the end. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel as long as you believe there is. Being the ruler of your kingdom is a tough job but one you are born to do. It’s the one job you have to do best. And once you truly realize that, you are gold.

Inspiration Photo Friday: You Rule Your Kingdom

Inspiration Photo Friday: Hauntings

18 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abandoned places, Alcatraz, asylum, california, darkness, fear, halloween, haunted, haunted places, haunting, jail, nightmarish movies, pennhurst asylum, Pennsylvania, scary stories, spring city, travel, unknown

So this weekend, my husband and I are taking a little trip to Spring City, Pennsylvania for a 2 day getaway. The whole reason we are going is to visit Pennhurst Asylum, an authentic haunted place that been transformed into a public attraction. We are both very excited to go and experience this historic hospital. Our love for abandoned places and haunted areas has brought us to a few good spots in the past so to add this one to our list is pretty awesome.

I am also looking forward to having a day to relax, something I rarely get to do. We are staying in a cottage on a historic farm and the surrounding area is really gorgeous. Exactly what we both need right now. Some peace and quiet and chill time. But of course, to start off the 2 day vaca, Pennhurst it is.

Because Halloween is this month, stuff like this helps keep that creepy vibe throughout the month. This takes me back to when my friend and I were in California and visited Alcatraz. Even though it was during the day, the whole place was dark inside. You were really able to get a feel of the environment and sense the history while you walked around. Of course, I was running around like a mad woman trying to get as many photos as I could, but I did stop here and there to take it all in. Definitely a memory I will never forget.

The photo below was one I took while we exploring the jail. There was something about how the light came in through the window and just lit up the decaying walls so perfectly, as if they were glowing. The worn tiles on the floor truly showed its years of use but had aged to a pretty metallic under the sunlight. The space was hauntingly beautiful.

When it comes to fear, we all wish we weren’t afraid of certain things. However, sometimes its this emotion that can awaken the soul and truly inspire. I have always loved nightmarish movies, scary stories, and haunted places. There is just something about being scared, the thrill of the unknown, that is invigorating. It’s been quite some time but I am truly ready.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Hauntings - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
art and design the home events and parties weddings real weddings color inspiration film-reviews historic places news and updatesminted






minted.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives



martha

Magnolia Rouge

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.29.10 PM

Etsy

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.18.10 PM

logo

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.42.13 PM

P&PBlogHeader

wedding chicks


ruffled

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.47.49 PM

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.16.32 PM


lauren-elle-photography

jenlombardo

logo_website

site-logo1

kelly_dekenipp_logo

homelogo

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Join 1,386 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...