Throwback Post: Doing it Differently

**THROWBACK POST**

August 21 2013:

Lillian just recently asked me why I do things differently than other Moms. Her questions were about how I make coffee … using a French Press and that I hand wash the dishes instead of use the dishwasher. Thomas then adds, “I like that you are different. You’re not ordinary. You are extraordinary.” These two so bless me and can snap me back out of a funk instantly. They have a knack for sharing my own advice with me when I need it most!


(Camilla in 2013 during a hike with Thomas)


(Thomas and Lillian 2013)

I try to remind Thomas, Lillian and myself is that no one is more special or better than we are and we are not better or more special than anyone else. We all just ARE. Every one of us is doing the best we can with where we are in our life. We are all different and we all have a gift that is uniquely ours. I just am crazy enough to have thrown caution out the window, along with anyone else’s reality in my quest to create my own reality, discover and love this person known as Camilla, live a simple, natural, inspired life and be ME!

**March 7 2021 Update** 

When we moved into our new place just over a year ago, I began using the dishwasher again. I had a double sink and a dishwasher that was very old and useless at actually cleaning dishes. I decided to hand wash to conserve energy, and to use as a time for practicing mindfulness.

With our new place, came a brand new dishwasher, that actually cleans the dishes!! We no longer have a double sink and the sink is actually quite small. After about 7 years of hand washing the dishes, it was time! (Although, I still do not use the microwave. I discontinued using it in 2010, I think. I do use the timer on it, quite handy. 

I continue to like my coffee made in a simple way. My french press broke near the end of 2019. I switched to a pour over style, and I’m loving it! 

Camilla’s Armed With a Bingo

February 15 2020:

Thank you to my book blogger friend Kriti for having me on her fabulous blog. The tables are flipped and I discuss being an avid reader this time … Kriti writes amazing, very thorough book reviews. If you’re a book lover, you may want to head over and check out her blog ..

This month’s #ArmedWithABingo feature is my author friend, Camilla.

How’s reading going this year?

Reading is going great! I’m really enjoying the book reviews and interviews you share, Kriti. I get great book suggestions from you!

Thanks Camilla! 🙂 What made you join #ArmedWithABingo?

#ArmedWithABingo looked and felt different than anything I’d ever seen. I’m drawn to different ways of doing things …. Go here to read the full interview … It’s about a 2 minute read …

#ArmedWithABingo Reading Challenge – Camilla

 

Words of Alchemy Proof Arrived in a Cosmic Way

December 13 2019:

Got the proof book about 10 minutes ago! I open the package and see it for the first time with all of YOU! Never mind how tired I look, or that I nearly cried when I saw it. YAY!!! It’s here!!! It’s here!! Deeply grateful!

December 14 2019:

Carolyn R Smith! Look what I found on page 42! Love you! 💗💗💗

Thank you Thomas for taking photos of me with the proof book. Nearly done reading it and all is looking great! Plus, a blooper photo showing my favorite shoes … bare feet! HA! It’s looking like the launch of the book will be this coming week!

 

Unfulfilled Longing by Camilla Downs

December 14 2019:

This was written over 2 months ago, on September 28 2019. If you follow me and my writings, you’ll know I have been incredibly busy these past few months with this nightmarish move, finishing my book, Words of Alchemy, maintaining MeetingtheAuthors.com, and parenting.

It has taken a while to come back around to this and publish it. The above being one reason. Another reason is that I needed to allow space. The event that brought forth this one, brought with it strong and deep emotions. I am well past it at this point, having allowed myself to sit with it and feel it. May it be meaningful to you or someone you know.

Unfulfilled Longing

As a young child,
as a young teenager,
she daydreamed of
having, of being surrounded
by loving, supportive parents.

She spent as ….

Poetry: Unfulfilled Longing

Un Doing by Camilla Downs

Un Doing

Speak your truth dear one
with a golden tongue

let it be known
your true self

ride the times of the wind
listen to the longing of your heart

slow down the drum beat
of the must be doing

listen to the melody
of relaxation as it
plays ever more
in your bones

when this is allowed ….

Poetry: Un Doing

 

Breathe In and Breathe Out and Feel It by Camilla Downs

May 25 2019:

Written in response to a call for an essay about gratitude … Sent on wings of appreciation and love … With a photo of Nature’s Beauty …

I had a decision to make. I could continue to be stuck in a place of self pity, of feeling like I’m not one of the chosen who gets to have a peaceful, abundant, and joyful life. By no means was this an easy decision to make. I struggled on and off for more than 20 years with a core belief that people like me do not get to have an easy,…

Breathe In and Breathe Out and Feel It

The Circle of Life by Camilla Downs

April 14 2019:

Working on the next book and discovered I never shared this fun poem from July 2018!

The Circle of Life

On a bed of lentils,
surrounded by yellow flowers,
in cycles of three
she rotated through life.

What has she done wrong,
What did she do for all
the right reasons ….

Photography and Poetry: The Circle of Life

 

Reuniting With Someone Special by Camilla Downs

April 7 2019:

I wrote this on February 27, 2019 … One day after my 49th birthday. This was over a month ago. I’m in a beautiful and peaceful place now, so I am simply sharing for anyone who may benefit from this writing. Rock on with ya bad selves!

Happy Birthday to Me – Reuniting With Someone Special

Just when I thought the really deep, tough stuff was all done ….

Happy Birthday to Me – Reuniting With Someone Special

A Philosophy of Walking by Camilla Downs

A Philosophy of Walking

And she walked.
And she walked.
She walked until
Arriving at
The home of
Peace and Joy.
Discovering once there,
She had been
Here all along.

I went for an hour long walk this morning. My body and mind did not want to go. I went anyway.

Just as a cool glass of water slakes my thirst on a scorching hot day, going for walks quenches the thirst of my soul and heart to know my true self, to heal, to release, to allow joy, and to be at peace. Walking guides me in the loving way to process life, to fulfill life, and to let life be.

For the past 18 years I have been going for walks. The meaning and depth of the walks have ….

A Philosophy of Walking