safe places, safe spaces

Yesterday I added some photos that I have taken over the last few years.  I chose to separate them into four categories: beauty, adventure, passion, and safety.  They could all very well fall into the beauty category in my eyes, but the ones that did end up there are of moments where there was so much beauty right in front of me that I just had to capture it.  They are of the sky, the clouds, the trees, the moon, the water…the natural beauties of the world.  Those in the adventure category are from moments when I went out and explored the world around me.  Most are from high above, where I felt free of worry and full of happiness and pride.  One is from below, looking up.  Everyone should know right here right now that I have a deep love for bridges.  They are intricate and beautiful and strong.  They connect us and take us from one place to another.  The photos included in the passion category are those that I have taken of different albums that I own.  Some are cds that are now well-worn from many days spent in the car.  One of my favorite places to experience music.  Probably because I can sing along loudly.  Some are of vinyls, my greatest obsession.  My collection is constantly growing.  There’s simply an abundance of music out there that takes my breath away.  I like to have the physical copies, and the vinyls start to feel like friends, which is comforting.  Don’t worry, I don’t talk to them…much.

Lastly, those in the category of safety are some of my favorites.  These photos belong to moments in which I have felt safe and secure, surrounded by my home, things that bring me joy, or people that I love.  My bedroom is the place where I feel most safe.  It is shared with my twin sister, and it overlooks the lake.  You can see the mountains in the distance; it’s beautiful.  The sun shines in with gorgeous, striking rays each morning.  The moon stretches across the room with bright beams each night. Everything about this place makes me feel content…and safe.  Some safe places outside of my home include the lake, and coffee shops.  There are also a few people in my life that make any place feel safe.  That’s why I love to be around them.  It’s the kind of feeling that I try to put out into the world myself. I always want those around me to feel safe and free and happy.

One last safe place, or safe space, exists online.  This space is tumblr.  I have had an account for quite a few years now, and it started as something fun to do, a way to distract myself.  Over time, it has become a place where I can express myself and share things that I might not share anywhere else.  Most of what I do on the site is reblog photos or posts that someone I have never met has taken or written, but it often feels like I know them.  I am continuously connected to the ideas and the feelings shared there.  Among the posts that catch my eye are those of art, and inspiration, and love.  It’s a beautiful place.  A safe place.  If you are at all interested, head over to my tumblr and see what I’m on about.  I hope you’ll find some peace with me there, as well as here.

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love,

ilekso

a welcome and a thank you

It’s been a few days since I shared my first post, along with the poems that I have written thus far.  In the first 24 hours, I had about 30 visitors and over 100 views, which was way more than I anticipated.  I thought maybe one or two would stumble onto my site from the tags on my poems and that I would have a few more views from friends that I chose to share this creation with.  I am so excited to begin this journey and I am challenging myself to post once a day.  Knowing myself, I will likely fail this challenge almost immediately, but I would like to share my thoughts regularly in order to keep track of things and have something to reflect on in the future.  I would like to officially welcome you to my world, and thank you for taking the time read any words that are shared here.

hello world

Hello there, everyone.  I realize this post is likely not going to be seen by anyone, let alone ‘everyone’.  This is quite alright with me.  It’s all more for myself right now.  I need a place to lay things out, to remember.  I decided to start this blog so that anyone out there who wanders by can get to know me.  I’m not too sure what I’m looking to get out of this; I guess I’m just hoping to put myself out there, drag back down to earth a few thoughts from the storms in my head, and have those thoughts resonate with others.  

In this initial post, I would like to give you a little summary of who I am.  It seems a nearly impossible feat at times, but I think it may hopefully help you stick around in my little world.  Firstly, and most importantly, I am a lover.  I love everything, unless I decide that I hate it.  I love wholly and deeply and I get along best with those who do the same.  One of the things I love most is music.  It lifts me up when I am feeling down, and lets me sink into it when I need a place to land.  The people that make the music that flows through me each day are usually just as messed up as I am, and unsurprisingly, I love that too.  I believe that my purpose in this life is to spread joy, and love, and positivity.  I believe I am meant to create a safe space for others to express themselves and to love as passionately as I do.  I want to help others realize what is out there for them and what they can do with the life they are given. As humans, we have become distracted by many things, often beautiful and exciting things, but because they are ultimately distractions, we have work to do if we are going to decide to travel down the path of a good life, a meaningful life, a happy life.  

Many of my posts on this blog will likely be about moments in my day where I feel free and content, sprinkled with moments that are a little less full of light.  If you happen to stumble into my world, I hope that you will decide to stay.  If anything that you have read strikes a match within you or makes you feel like you are floating, then please reach out to me so that I know I’m not alone, and so that I can reassure you of the same.