Humbling . . . to say the least

When all of the tornadoes hit Alabama in April of this year, it made me think a lot about the importance of home and the things and people we surround ourselves with. While I love finding beautiful accessories to decorate with and fun projects to do, it takes something like a tornado to bring things in to perspective and really make me remember that it's not everything to obsess over personal property.

Unfortunately, I recently had another startling, but very humbling experience to bring me back to reality. Like most people, I spend enough time at the office to consider it a second home. And that has never bothered me because I love the physical environment of my office - exposed brick, poured concrete, reclaimed wood, hand-sketched artwork, beautiful courtyard, natural lighting . . .the list really could go on forever (not to mention great co-workers!)

Anyway, this weekend someone decided they needed to come in to our office . . . through the front door . . . window . . . I can't even begin to pick the brain of someone who robs others, but all I can say is, while unnerving, it could have been worse. It really makes me think about the things I can live without and the little things in life that I am continually grateful for.

In front of the office, March 2011

View, or lack of view, from the office, September 2011

All that said, I can't help but be stubborn and willing to move on and live life to the fullest in spite of situations like this. 

So like always, I couldn't agree more with the sentiments in a great country song:

"Anyway"

You can spend your whole life buildin'
Somethin' from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
When I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy and it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
love 'em anyway


You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah, sing it anyway
I sing, I dream, I love
Anyway