Thursday, March 17, 2011, 09:53 AM
This year has been so full already in such a short amount of time. Last year was such a psychotically busy year for us. We were away from home 111 days of the year and wracked up some serious airline miles. We sipped cocktails in Santorini and took in the majesty of places like Banff, Canada. We made beautiful new friends and created a lot of work that we're pretty stoked about. It was a blessing in so many ways, but every blessing has a dark side, for us that dark side manifested itself in not having a lot of time to invest in our friends & community here in Seattle. We had just bought a house at the beginning of the summer and the walls remained bare until about 6 weeks ago. Our house was a pretty telling description of the state of our lives throughout the summer months. We were too busy to think and really immersed ourselves in our work (and had a lot of fun doing it). 

I was always able to justify my "work-a-holic" tendencies with the fact that I absolutely ADORE what I do. I feel like many of us creatives and freelancers struggle with this on a daily basis. Because we love what we do, many of us could work until midnight or later if we wanted... but is that really the best thing for us? I've been thinking about the fact that we each of us are three-dimentional people... we have so many facets and different parts of us that make us interesting and well rounded. Therefore ALL of those parts of us need nourishment not just one part of us. I've also never heard of a creative person that was described as being "boring and one-dimentional." I think it takes every ounce of us to create something meaningful... those kind of creations don't pour out of a one dimensional person. 

So in 2011 I have begun my personal shift towards nurturing those other dimensions of myself. I'm taking more time to be with friends. To stay in bed a little longer to cuddle my husband. We even started cooking together (if you know me, this is HUGE!).  My dance teacher growing up always said "all things in moderation," and it is a thought that has come to mind a lot in the past year. How does a passionate, focused person keep things in moderation? This is a tough one for me, and may always will be, but I'm trying to grow in it. So the past couple of months have been filled with a nice mix of friends, hang outs, breakfasts and photo taking too. Here are just a few snaps from our Instax from the last 4 weeks. 

All of this beckons the question, how do those of us who passionately love what we do maintain a healthy balance in our lives? How do YOU do it? 

Thoughts
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Julie Watts says: Saturday, March 26, 2011, 11:35 AM

For me, getting disciplined and organized enough to capture my creative ideas and whims on paper (or otherwise), allowed my mind to function in space and clarity day to day. That in turn, made self-awareness much easier. It's an art, to remain aware of what you need to remain full and inspired. It's a discipline to take the steps to give yourself what you need. Doesn't make sense, does it? To need discipline in order to set yourself free from yourself?! lol But I've found it to be true....

Sarah says: Saturday, March 19, 2011, 12:18 PM

balance is SO hard. i have to involve God in it. i can't ever seem to figure out how to balance my life. but He always can :) ps. the polaroids rock.

Kayla says: Friday, March 18, 2011, 11:00 AM

Girl, I totally feel like I just wrote this post! This is so me too! It's hard when you love what you do that sometimes you sacrifice a lot of other things for it. We have been living in our house for 1 1/2 years, and I am just barely getting some stuff on the walls! I'm really trying to enjoy the non-busy days and relax and enjoy friends and fellowship more and not be so sucked into working. Hugs!

Adam Pratt says: Friday, March 18, 2011, 10:53 AM

With all due respect, I don't think moderation should be the goal. If Lewis and Clark had been more "moderate" we'd all still live east of St. Louis. If Orville and Wilbur Wright had been more "balanced" we'd still be taking trains between Seattle and Chicago. If Wilberforce wasn't so passionate we might still be living with slavery in the Western world.

The world needs people passionate about good and right things, and as a Christian I believe those things start with being passionate about a loving God that made us, our family, our community, and so on. It's an issue of priority, not balance. For example, if my passion for my work supercedes my passion for my wife and kids then I've made work into an idol and sacrificed my family at its feet.

Be more passionate, but with the right priorities. Moderation and balance are weak goals.

[Sorry so long, but your thoughtful blog posts get me thinking...and writing...]

Annie says: Friday, March 18, 2011, 12:22 AM

Wise words :) I'll remember them for when my business takes off! ;D Love your little wall display!

abby says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 02:05 PM

I've been thinking a lot about this very thing. I think it was yesterday that I read: "How you spend your time is how you spend your life". That really convicted me and brought me to a place of desiring to spend my time wisely so I don't waste a minute- and so I leave a legacy of a life well-spent. Thanks for your honest thoughts!

sarahrhoads says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 11:52 AM

@Brooke ahaha! Thank you so much for catching that! Dang auto-correct!

brooke says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 11:42 AM

this is healthy and wonderful. be blessed in this.

i also had a hearty laugh at the use of the word "fascist" in the place where i think you intended to say "facets". :)

susan yee says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 11:12 AM

loved this post, sarah! i am a big believer in all things in moderation and you're right, creatives need layers of experience to give us the insight that we do in life and in our photography. i always try to take out time in the morning for myself to gather inspiration, to have time in my thoughts, to kick start the day. my problem has always been distraction though, so for me it's more of a balance of the rest of the world vs work. lol. but everything in moderation!

mary says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 11:00 AM

that's a wicked stache chris is rocking!

Ellie says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 10:08 AM

I haven't done a good job of balance myself, but am learning to have people around me that can check me when I allow things to get unbalanced. SO thankful for some really awesome friends who send a text or call just to ask how I am doing with this.

Friday, March 11, 2011, 11:40 AM
It's a sad day in Japan today. The devastation of a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami are in full effect. It was hard to believe what I was watching on the news last night. Thoughts and prayers are going out to the people and families of Japan but I was also thinking this morning about what we could do to help. I have received several emails in the past about ordering some of the prints from our travels. So today we have the gallery set up with some of our personal photos that are available for purchase. For the next two weeks 100% of the proceeds will go to a Disaster Response Fund at World Vision. World Vision is an incredible organization who works around the world helping children and families in difficult situations. These donations will go towards getting emergency supplies like food, clean water, medical supplies and shelter to survivors.

So every time you purchase a print you are helping families who are hurting in the community of Japan. Here is where you can go to check out Perspectives Gallery we set up for this, all prints can be ordered directly through that site. It is often so hard to know what to do in times like this. Prayers and thoughts are powerful things but it is also so nice to be able to give towards a reputable organization that has hands and feet on the ground floor. Humanity bands together in times of turpitude and an extended hand towards our brothers and sisters around the world is a great act of love.


Thoughts
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OHANA PHOTOGRAPHERS says: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 05:20 PM

may God bless you both.

julie says: Friday, March 11, 2011, 10:19 PM

wonderful idea! Im going to look through them now. Blessings to everyone in Japan. My heart breaks for them.

Kimberly Brooke says: Friday, March 11, 2011, 01:35 PM

Thank you for acting so quickly to aid those in Japan. Hoping I can also help!

Yana says: Friday, March 11, 2011, 12:25 PM

Beautiful. It's so awesome to see artists respond so quickly to help in the way that is possible for them. Blessings!

Hannah says: Friday, March 11, 2011, 12:24 PM

Thanks for doing this Sarah! World Vision is a great organization, and will do great work in Japan.

Monday, February 14, 2011, 11:21 AM
I've always been a hopeless romantic... until I met him. For a long time I thought I would never find that perfectly imperfect guy that understood me and wanted to dance around the world with me. That was until I met Chris. He is an incredible man. He is my perfect compliment.

Chris and I met when we were freshman in college. We were just young little padawans. But there was just something about us that just worked. For the first 6 months of knowing one another we were what we called "plutonic soul-mates" I think that is another way of saying we were friends who were totally in love but too scared to admit it.... fast forward to now...marriage, moving half way across the country, working together, buying a home and through the many ups and downs of any partnership,  Chris is still my best friend in the world. He can make me laugh like no one else. He fills in most of my MANY many gaps, and just makes me an all around better person. Chris is a tender soul, thoughtful, caring, considerate, giving. His heart for others never ceases to amaze me... I could go on and on, but because I bet I lost most of you at the word "Valentine." I'll leave it at this... I am a very grateful woman and I have a darling valentine :)

Photo by: Dan O'Day

Thoughts
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Sarah Steffen says: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 04:21 PM

The world needs more of this! Thank you for the true, real love when it's so often forgotten or not believed in!

Sarah Cohea says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 09:54 PM

I know what you mean friend. We are lucky girls! My first Valentine's as a wifey was FABulous! Love you!

Sarah W. says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 08:11 PM

My Valentine is a Chris as well. That's a good combination :). Congrats on a happy marriage - that's so wonderful!

Jill says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 05:14 PM

Love your post. You two are sooooo good together and anyone can see what a gem both of you are. :)

Annie says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 03:12 PM

Happy Valentine's Day! :) (Very cute picture :))

Dan O'Day says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 01:00 PM

Aww.... Happy Valentines Day you two. Beautiful post Sarah. See you next week!

Sarah Vasquez says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 12:12 PM

Lovely post, Sarah! I love blog stalking you and am always so inspired by what you post. It must be amazing to have this adventurous life with your very best friend.

Caryn says: Monday, February 14, 2011, 11:35 AM

Beautiful post! You two are lovely together!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 11:24 AM
I have been having a lot of lightbulb moments as of this past week. Ideas rushing to mind of things I want to do, ways I can improve things I already do and adventures that I want to have this year. When great inspiration comes to me, it seems to come in tsunami size waves. Tsunami's can be a bit overwhelming... especially if you are thinking of taking a ride on the wave. The wave is big and it could kill you. At least that's what it feels like sometimes when you are facing a giant wave of killer inspiration. The best kinds of ideas are the kinds that threaten us. A great idea is the kind that forces us to walk into giants. 

At the stage of inception it's hard to tell if the idea is even any good. Most times it is a matter of relying on sheer gut instinct. My personal moto is the more an idea scares me, the better idea it is and worth pursuing. One of my favorite quotes is from the book Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity, Hugh Macleod says "The more original your idea is, the less good advice other people will be able to give you." I remember when we first launched this blog a few years ago. All kinds of people told us we were nuts, breaking all kinds of web rules doing it in a horizontal format. People said it would be a horrible business decision for us. Despite the naysayers we pursued the idea and it was a decision that we are glad to have made. This is just one small example of those moments that fully attests to the truth in Macleod sentiment. When you are sitting on a great idea don't look to others for affirmation or advice. Most times you just have to go with your gut and ride the giant wave. Sometimes we fall on our faces but the things we regret most in life are the things we didn't do, not the things we did.

Thoughts
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Deanne Mroz says: Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 08:32 AM

I love this post. You stated exactly how I feel at many moments in life. I have so many different ideas, and they all come at one time. "Tsunami" is a great way to describe it! I also really loved the quote you posted, seems to also explain my life well....I think I might have to read this book you speak of. ;)

Adam Pratt says: Saturday, February 5, 2011, 09:58 PM

Different fields, same message: http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2011/02/heres-to-the-crazy-ones.html

Kelly says: Saturday, February 5, 2011, 05:56 PM

My problem seems to be too many lightbulbs but too little electricity : ) Gotta jack that up I suppose.

You're are such an inspiration.

Kelly says: Saturday, February 5, 2011, 05:55 PM

So true. My problem seems to be too many lightbulbs but too little electricity : )

You guys are such an inspiration!

Christina says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 07:26 PM

yep. when I force myself to do something, that scares me... I always benefit, even if what i did, wasn't a success by someone else's standards.. I learned from it and that is the biggest success.
and part of the reason, I enjoy looking at your photos, is because of the horizontal blog format... LOVE it!

Annie says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 05:47 PM

:) Thanks! Best advice!

Jenn Best says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 04:53 PM

Wow Sarah! Sometimes you scare me - it's like you're directly connected to my brain :P Thanks for the encouragement and sharing. Blessings to you while you ride your AWESOMEST of AWESOME waves.

mandiimae says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 04:03 PM

"Sometimes we fall on our faces but the things we regret most in life are the things we didn't do, not the things we did." - Amen!

Aileen says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 03:51 PM

thanks for this great message. and for the inspiration. i've had an idea swimming in my head that i've not seen elsewhere. there is no where to turn for advice. there is only me figuring it out. and hoping it sells. here we go...

Gemma says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 03:51 PM

Thanks Sarah! A great way to start the day with a dose of Rhoads inspiration - this stuff ooozes out of you.

AnneMarie says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 01:34 PM

Great quote from Hugh Macleod! Love that you went for what you wanted instead of following the norms.

wendy says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 12:52 PM

Love love love

Michelle Moore says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 12:44 PM

Well said, your ability to express your inner thoughts is just brilliant and truly inspirational!! I think we all have great ideas, but too few of us take ACTION and see it unfold (good or bad) with no regrets:)

Rich Park says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 12:33 PM

thanks for sharing your tips! btw - my wife and i are totally jealous of your horizontal blog format, haha

Laura says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 12:04 PM

Thanks for the encouraging post Sarah. Just what I needed to hear today!

jarrod renaud says: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 11:40 AM

you have such a gift of encouragement. you two are so transparent I feel. i love it! thanks for all your honesty and of course the great images:)