On Rosemary + James

As I am about to launch an Etsy shop under the same name as my blog, I decided it was time to explain the reason behind my naming everything "Rosemary and James" because if you don't know me, you are probably wondering why in the heck I am using names that have nothing to do with my own.

As you all know, I am and always have been very creative; I also overthink just about everything I do. Growing up, I struggled dealing with these sometimes conflicting traits. My Nana, Rosemary, was a realist. She had no problem speaking her mind and she was not one to waste time doing something she didn't see as worthwhile. My Pop-pop, on the other hand, was a dreamer. As you spoke to James, you couldn't help but catch his whimsy. There was a contagious dream-like state of mind that drew me to him. I see myself as the epitome of the combination of my grandparent's strongest characteristics. I pride myself on being able to balance both my logic and my whimsy, which I learned from watching my mother's parents. Just because their love story didn't have a happy ending, doesn't mean their lives didn't. They had six wonderful children between them, and they got to spend so much of their lives surrounded by family who loved them irrevocably. It is my goal to reach my highest potential in whatever I set out to do, so that I can make them proud. Both my Nana and my Pop-pop influenced me in so many ways that I cannot help but make the choices I do from advice I've received and experiences I've shared with them. I wish I could share the memories I have of them with all of you because they were truly incredible people. At the risk of sounding super cheese balls, even though they are no longer a phone call away, they will always be with me, mind and soul.

A year and a half ago, I made some pretty big changes in my life, but I knew I wanted to begin on a career path that allowed me to exercise my creative side. I thought of what I would name my company in the future, and I thought of my grandparents. I know that without a doubt, they would put my work up in their house and brag about me to their friends in their book clubs and on their Bingo nights. Nana would talk to me and ask me what my plans are, and Pop-pop would tell me to be happy and do what I love. I'm sure someone in my family is going to have something to say about this. So if you are reading this and you are thinking that you don't like something I said, please keep it to yourself. I love my memories of my grandparents and I don't want them spoiled. Please and thank you.

So like I said, I am going to be opening an Easy shop pretty soon, just as soon as I complete a few more products to post. I am super excited for this new journey and I am excited to share it with you! For ordering information or updates, email rosemaryandjamesshop@gmail.com.

Bonsoir.
-T

Dedicated to Rosemary + James

On Controlling Your Emotions

From a very young age, it was obvious to my parents that I was a very emotional child. I have anxiety, which I dealt with throughout my childhood, and I would feel for everything. It wasn't just that I cried a lot (though if you ask my sister, she will definitely say I was a crybaby), but that I cried for so many things. My mom is the similar; we both have a lot of feelings and we both feel deeply, often personally, even if it isn't logical. My dad is the opposite. He doesn't have a lot of feelings...or so I thought...

Somehow, by the grace of God, my dad learned to control his emotions. He definitely has them, and he definitely feels them, but he controls them. I am sure it has to do with his childhood, being the oldest son of two with a single mom. No matter, he is a straight up G. He taught me everything I know about controlling my emotions. He made me aware that I was emotional. He questioned me when I got emotional, so that my logos could fight through for balance. He would assign me Bible verses to study at a young age that had to do with self control (you know the one...fruits of the spirit...love, joy, peace...), controlling your anger, and wearing the armor of God. The best thing he ever did for me was teach me to think before I act. I heard that at least three times a week, if not once a day. He was always like, "What do I always say? Think..." My impatient seven-year-old self would retort, "I know, I know. Think before I act." I would follow that with an eye roll, to which he would say I probably didn't think that one through. He was right.

I learned and practiced how to feel something, and then logically think through what my next move would be. All my life, I have been practicing a careful balance of pathos and logos. Little did I know how much all the annoying phrases and verses would affect me as an adult. Here I am now, contemplating some very serious life-changing decisions, trying to figure out what is best for me. Were I to act purely on pathos, I would end up wondering why I made decisions without thinking. If I make a decision based on logos, then I will surely regret following my instincts, even if they didn't make sense at the time. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have a superhero for a dad, or such a great role model for a mom, so they have to learn things the hard way. People make mistakes, and people have regrets. There is absolutely no reason to cry over your mistakes or question your choices. Absolutely everything that happens in life is a lesson. All experiences in a persons life shapes who they become.

So go out in the world! Live life. Make decisions based on your guts, the heart ones and the brain ones! Always learn from your experiences. But don't sit back and wonder. Dreams are so wonderful when you can pair them with action, otherwise they become nightmares. Go fly to the moon or sing on Broadway, but please be logical about it too. Like if you really can't sing, then don't sing on Broadway. Please.

Au revoir!

-T