Cynthia Viola Photography

Personal

Thanksgiving

Thankful

PersonalCynthia Viola
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses
— Abraham Lincoln

In this hectic photography season I must admit a few things:

My yoga practice has become like a 24/7 chair pose...except it's not the muscle building kind. I can literally feel every muscle in my body getting tighter and tighter the longer I sit in front of this computer screen. 

Meal prep is non-existent. I've had to succumb to store bought granola, guacamole, protein bars, pre-sliced veggies, pre-cooked chicken...the list goes on. And let's not talk about the fact that the dust levels in the house are equivalent to a home abandoned for 17 years. 

I've had so much chocolate I actually have acne again lol. And my 5-6 days per week work out schedule has dropped to 1. Maybe. 

Because A.J. is also hustling hard right now, date nights seem to revolve around when we both happen to be passing through the kitchen at the same time and sleeping. Do date night dreams count? 

The few hours I do manage to find myself with my family I'm either scheduling them around other photo sessions or thinking about the sessions I need to edit as soon as I can get my hands on my laptop. I'm not exactly present. 

Poor Letty Girl keeps putting her head in my lap wanting some attention and all I can offer is an occasional hand mindlessly waving around in her general direction while my face is still glued to the screen. 

While a little overwhelmed, I am still grateful. 

For the physical ability TO work and for a skill in the arts that actually pays the bills so I can do it full time. I am thankful for my clients/families/couples who have believed in me through the years while I found my way. For my husband, full of grace for late nights and an equivocal work effort. For my family who understands that the 12 weeks between September 15 and December 15 are basically wife/daughter/sister-less so that I CAN be present the other 40ish weeks of the year. 

I am thankful that with each new couple or family I spend time with I hear new stories and gain new friendships. I feel like the more people we allow into our lives the more complicated it gets. But it's so worth it.

 It has been a whirlwind of busy but I am grateful to be alive and actually pursuing a dream with the full support of my husband and family; looking forward to what this next year holds.