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Have you ever felt like your soul needed to be lifted up | Personal Life Update

Have you ever felt like your soul needed to be lifted up | Personal Life Update

by | Mar 6, 2023 | Life

Have you ever thought – man, I just need to be surrounded by people that are completely positive or felt like you needed your soul lifted up? 

Sometimes the chaos of the world just gets to be super heavy.

 

The company that Melissa and I are health coaches for does a conference every year in February or March.  It’s an intimate conference, you have to be at a certain level to be able to attend, versus our big convention where everyone can attend – even clients. 1000 people vs 45,000 people.  

 

This was our second year to attend and let me just tell you – I have never been a part of something that genuinely creates a fire and a passion inside of me.  It’s got a little bit of business talk, but more than that… it’s about life, dreams, and truly awakening things inside of you that you are too scared to out actually dig out of the deep recesses of your mind.

 

Sounds crazy huh?

I wanted to share some of my key takeaways from this year.  Maybe more for myself to reflect back on … because let’s just be real – we all know that when great things are happening, resistance will strike. But I also share because maybe you needed to read some of it.

 

Just some ideas that I wrote down along the weekend:

~ Either your passion will move a mountain; or your fear will create one

~ You are not locked into a version of yourself that someone else says you are.

~ Ever feel like you have too many things going on and too many plates spinning – what if you decided that from now one – wherever your feet are is what you are focused on.

~ Create the life want – not the life you get

~ “Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better. Jim Rohn”

~ Want to know the difference between extraordinary and ordinary … just 5 little letters.

~ Have you ever overthought something and ended up not acting on it?  Think about this – How many cures or medical advances have possibly never seen the light of day because someone has overthought it instead of acting on it.

~ Fear comes for free…. Hope takes work.

This might be my favorite thing I heard all weekend by my friend Sarah Massengale 

  • What’s the worst that will happen if you keep going?  Now, what is the worst that will happen if you stop?

 

These are just SOME of the inspired thoughts I heard this weekend and they are SO powerful.  If only one of those resonated with you – write it down.  Put it somewhere that you can see it often.  

I have a giant mind filled so full of inspired thoughts and I want to shout them from the rooftops. I want you to be as fulfilled as I am today.  I never knew what was possibly just by surrounding yourself with the right people.  I never realized that by putting both Melissa in the right rooms, even when it’s uncomfortable – would allow us to see dreams become realities, would allow us to make a difference in someone elses life, would allow us to show others that what they see today is nothing compared to what they are capable of.

 

The conference was called Awaken – and let me just tell you – My soul is awakened. My heart is on fire.  My belief in a better world for so many is stronger.  What if you moved one milimeter forward and that added up, day after day, to a world that you only barely dream of today?

January 2022 Recap

January 2022 Recap

by | Jan 22, 2022 | BE Project, Featured Businesses Empowering Women, Life, Uncategorized

January 2022 Recap

January has definitely started off better than 2021 – as a whole.  One of the things that I’ve enjoyed the most is that I’ve been able to find a little bit of structure in my days.  I’ve got an office at home and an office at the studio – i’ve found a way to utilize both.  This alone, has allowed me to be so productive.  Have you set your goals for the year?  Do you set goals or do you set a word to guide you?  (nice little seg way…)

So far in January – we have already started booking up for Boudoir and Headshots.  It makes me so very excited to meet all these new clients.  I can’t wait to show you what all is coming up for the year.

My hope is that each month – I can give you a recap – not just of business stuff – but some fun things that we have going on! Comment and let me know what else you would like to see or read about.

Favorite Books I’m Reading

City of Girls – Elizabeth Gilbert So, fun fact – I LOVE Elizabeth Gilbert.  I really find myself getting the books without having any idea what these are about.  It’s kinda like book roulette.  But I’m here for it.  This book is set in the 1940s  in New York City.  I’ll be honest – it took me a while to get thru the book – but i’m so glad I did.  By the end of it – I really found that I wasn’t ready for it to end.  A love story but also a look back on this woman’s life.

Crazy Faith – Michael Todd I came across this gentleman on a Sunday morning church service Melissa and I were watching.  The idea behind this book is that it takes Crazy Faith in something to make greatness happen.  Believe for the impossible, choose hope over fear, inspire crazy faith in others.  Smartphones, wi-fi, and even the electric light bulb were all history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas.  If you know me – you know that I believe that greatness is possible for everyone – his 20 minute sermon – caused me to go online and get this book.  I’ve actually already been thru it two times now.  If you are struggling in your faith or with a desire to accomplish something – I 100% recommend this one.

 

Will – Will Smith – Come on…. I grew up with Will Smith.  TV, Movies, music… all of it.  How could I not get this book?  I love getting an inside look at someone’s life. What challenges they faced, how they overcame them, how they struggle – it makes them feel a little bit more real.  This was a great book and I’m so glad I got it.  I see him in a totally different light and really enjoyed it.  It was an easy one – sometimes you just need easy books – my reading gets a little out of control sometimes – but this one was an absolutely great read.

Atomic Habits – James Clear OK, being totally transparent – this one will probably take one more run thru.  It’s been a little tough to get thru – but I will for sure give it one more go.  This book was recommended by some of the leaders that Melissa and I work with and of course – i’m on a constant journey to be better.  I love the idea and the concepts – but I need to give it some time to get thru when i’m not driving so I can really stay focused on it.  However, it has some great concepts and I do honestly believe that we can build habits little by little to create the life we want to have.

 

 

So in all truth and fairness – there are about 6 more books that i’ve gotten thru this month – but they are pure smut.  Meh – I like to disappear into worlds that are so not appropriate. Don’t judge.  With that said – they probably aren’t super appropriate here – so if you want the list – you probably better ask me personally. 🙂

 

What’s coming up for February 

The BE Shoot is coming up the first week of February – we do still have some times open – I would be honored if you wanted to be a part of it.  It’s a great project and really does a lot for the soul.  Kinda like those books – Chicken Soup for the Soul – but Brooke’s version with stories and pictures.   If you are interested – you can sign up here.  The BE Project – 2022 booking site

Melissa and I are off to Savannah Georgia this month.  One of my favorite things we do is to take extended weekend trips.  We try to always go somewhere new and fun.  New experiences are truly what life should be about – be sure to keep an eye on our personal instagram and facebook stories for that journey.  I’m super excited about this trip because not only do we have some friends travelling with us – but my son is joining us on this one as well.

February also is our first conference for us to attend with our new health coaching journey.  I’m sure you’ve seen it on our personal social media – we are now health coaches.  I really can’t begin to tell you what a blessing this has been.  It has not only held us accountable and caused our bodies and lives to DRASTICALLY improve – we have been given a gift that we have shared with over 75 people.  Every day someone reaches out to us and says – “what i’ve been doing, just isn’t working.  Do you think you can help?”  So we partner with people and get to see, not only, their bodies change, but their minds and lives change.  Can you imagine waking up one day with energy you haven’t had in years, the desire to actually get out and do the things you’ve been “meaning to do” or the ability to play with your kids/grandkids and not feel exhausted?  It’s incredible.  I am so excited for this conference because I get to spend 2 days with a group of people that are dreamers.  A room full of people that are ready to make a difference and build a better world.  Yall – i’m pumped.

One other conference I’m excited about is a local one.  Burleson has a leadership conference Project U – “This is a day that featuring nationally recognized leaders, authors and business professionals. Hosted by the City of Burleson Economic Development Corporation, this event aims to provide valuable resources for attendees to enhance their current skill set, collaborate with like-minded professionals and become better leaders within their community. ​Project U will consist of six dynamic speakers, carefully chosen to educate, inspire and encourage you. Each keynote will present powerful stories and takeaways, curated from their own unique experiences and walks-of-life.”  By now – you’ve probably realized i’m such a nerd and so not this cool lady I want you to think I am.  However, I love that our city has put together an event that unique ways to help others grow in their professional lives as well as learning how to “make an imprint.”

In all of this fun stuff – i’ve also got 4 head shot sessions and 5 boudoir sessions already booked for the month…. let’s get some more booked!  If you are interested in booking a session – you can email me here brooke@beautifulevolutions.com

What is in the works

So… what is coming down the pipeline

Well – in the photography world – we have new concepts and backgrounds for headshots – new sets for boudoir – and working out the final details for our furry friends… So super excited about all of them – but especially the last one.  I mean really – who doesn’t want to play with fur babies all day!?!\

We are also starting to push out BTX Brewfest – this is our festival that happens October 1, 2022.  The focus of this festival is showcasing local businesses and entrepreneurs – food trucks and breweries.  Our first year was last October – and it was a knock-out event.  I can’t wait to show you what we have planned for this year – we will be pushing out more info pretty soon!

NEW FESTIVAL ALERT!! We are so excited to announce BTX Food Truck and Art Festival. This will be held on April 24, 2022 in Burleson and will be an amazing SUNDAY FUNDAY.  We will have Food Trucks (be thinking about a food truck competition – get your bellies ready) and an actual Art Festival.  We are currently looking for Art Vendors.  Do you, or do you know someone, that creates art or hand-crafted items.  We want to talk to them.  One of the coolest things about this event – we are going to partner with our younger artists in the community as well.  We have special student pricing for this young artists.  What a beautiful opportunity to showcase the next generation and encourage them to use their hands to create.

For more information on the two festivals – please email brooke.btxbrewfest@gmail.com  MARK your calendars now!

 

Here’s to a beautiful year full of goals, dreams and living your best life yet.

All my love

Brooke

 

 

2022 …. bring it on!

2022 …. bring it on!

by | Jan 11, 2022 | FAQ, Life

2021… What a year!!!  I don’t know about you – but 2021 just almost won.  Almost.

If you have been around a while – you’ve been thru it all with me. Thank you for sticking it out.  2021 was full of hopes and dreams and great big plans.  I had so many plans for last year.  However, the universe had other ideas.  A year with many losses, sickness, health challenges and just honestly a sense of not knowing where to go from there.  I took December to really focus on what was important to my dreams, my goals and what served my soul.  We’ve restructured some things.  We’ve refocused our energy on things that serve our purpose better.  Most importantly, I have taken the time to really stop and dream again.

Here are a few updates for you for 2022.. just a few – there are really so many more.

The BE Project 2022

Hopefully, you have seen we have picked up the 2021 BE Project and have been sharing on social media.  We will be scheduling sessions for the first week of February for 2022.  We will be opening up the sign up form later this week.

 

Head Shots

Head Shots will always be special to me.  We are working on a few new styles of headshots so be sure to let me know when you need to update yours.  New background colors – new styles – new approach – same great experience.

 

Paw Prints

coming soon… we will be celebrating your furry friends

 

My word for 2022 is determined.  I allowed 2021 to derail me from my plans.  This year – I would say – hang on tight because big things are going to happen.  I am determined to come here and share with you what’s going on, my rambling thoughts, and just get back to what drives me.  Writing has always been something that soothes my soul.  It feeds my brain and my heart.  So as long as you keep reading, I promise to keep writing.  I am determined to do better to share the images of those that trust me to step in front of my camera and tell their stories.  This has always been one of the greatest things for me about being a photographer – to learn the stories of the people I get to meet.

Thank you for all the prayers and grace this year each of you have sent my direction.  I am blessed beyond measure and I am determined to elevate our BE Empire this year to levels unseen.

Until I see you on the other side of the camera – Much Love to each of you.

xoxo

Brooke

3am wakeup?

3am wakeup?

by | Nov 6, 2020 | Life

Real talk …. just keeping it real – because I don’t want you to think I really have it all figured out.

It’s currently 6:30am, I’ve been awake since 3am.  You know those mornings, something wakes our soul up at some random time, and your body laughs at you and says “you just THOUGHT you were getting some extra sleep today”.  It’s one of those times in life, where you have LOTS of things going on, lots of things coming up, you are trying to figure out how to line it all up so you don’t drop or miss anything.  Surely, i’m not the only one.  Right?  Tell me I’m right.

Since 3am, I flip flopped like a fish out of water for an hour, I got up and went to the other room and surfed TikTok (yeah, i get sucked in there), I created and sent out about 15 invoices for the boutique, brain stormed and did some research on black Friday sales, sent my assistant some notes on some thoughts, and now…  I’m emptying my brain for the moment.  For my other Girl Bosses out there… this one is for you.

How in the world do you map out all of your ideas, thoughts and dreams?  I currently have 3 projects in my brain that are taking up way too much space.  How do you build action plans and really stick to them?  If I ever wondered where my kids got there ADHD from, I have quickly learned the answer over the last 5 years.  How in the world, do you stay on track and keep the plates spinning?  Well, maybe not just spinning – how do you keep them spinning and still move forward and make progress?

 

My brain is officially on overload.  I think it’s maybe the feeling of the end of the year quickly approaching and knowing how busy it gets.  My goal every year is to not get buried in the daily details and do things to make a bigger impact…. and then… well… my brain kicks in and I feel like I’m drowning again.

What you might see from the outside is a crazy girl who has multiple businesses and seems to be pulling it off pretty well.  Real talk – how i feel??  A little girl still playing in a big kids playground and just trying to find that clear path to balancing it all out and really making progress.  To my fellow Girl bosses, we never stop dreaming, we never stop hustling… we might just stumble a little along the way.

Here’s to each of you that woke up WAY too early with the squirrels running wild in your brain.  Grab another cup of coffee, pull your big girl panties on, and let’s go do this!!

 

All my love

Brooke

Good Vibes

Good Vibes

by | Oct 28, 2020 | Life

Are you getting lost in the world of social media?  There are days I log on and start scrolling, only to feel my anxiety start climbing.  I know we are in an election season, and I know that means that people want to “prove” why their candidate is the best.  What I don’t understand, is why does it require being ugly and vicious when making their argument.  I find myself asking each and every day, at what point did candidates stop talking about their plans and what they are going to do to make the world better?  Locally and nationally, I’ve noticed that candidates spend more time trying to “go after” the other and prove what a horrible person the other candidate is.

Now, let me preface this next thought – I realize that I am a “rose colored glasses” person.  I find myself wondering – If a candidate spent more time talking about their plans, their goals, and truly rising above all the vitriol… would they make a bigger impact?  For me personally, I am extremely turned off by those that argue and fight back with ugliness.  The loudest ones will always have the bigger impact – they are what people remember.  However, why can’t they be loud… and kind.

I didn’t mean for this to get political.  However, that is the world we are living in currently.

I made a post last week about Nothing But Good Vibes.  There is a perceived power in social media and being online, the power of anonymity.  People type things that they would never say face to face.  It breaks my heart.  I have purposely not engaged with people on social media, in fact, I have “unfriended” a lot of people.  Words are powerful, and I hope one day more people remember that. So, if I seem quiet… just know that I’m over here sending out good vibes and hustling.  I want only good things out in the world, no drama, no ugliness… just good conversations, good vibes and kind humans.

 

Today – try not to engage.  Try to rise above.  Send some good vibes out into the universe.

Brooke

 

Are you listening?

Are you listening?

by | Oct 27, 2020 | Life

As I sit here this morning, listening to the birds, the wind, the just normal sounds of the day to day… my mind is going in a million different directions.  We are all aware that we live in a world that we have WAY more distractions than ever before.  I think 2020 will always be the year that taught us so many things.  Good and Bad.  If you are an entrepreneur, it is quite possible that this pandemic either caused you to pivot and find new ways to be successful, or unfortunately, it may have caused you to go back to working for someone else.  Either option is ok, and I don’t think that we hear that enough.

For me, I am blessed to have two really great businesses.  While they did suffer thru this, they also survived.  My photography business always has peaks and valleys throughout the year.  I set goals for myself each year, this year, we won’t hit them.  I am ok with that, because it’s allowed me to fix some things that needed to be fixed, streamline some of the processes, and put some really cool things in place going forward.  My boutique business, has been such a blessing.  It has kept us afloat and it is thriving.  The boutique was only supposed to be a “side hustle”.  Well, let me tell you – it’s a full fledged, real 50 hour a week, oh my gosh I need help full time business.

In all of this – have you found a new balance? Do you feel as though you are more in control of your world after having a couple of months while the world shut down?  Let me be real honest and transparent here – I don’t.  I feel as though I came back swinging and have thrown all of our dreams and hopes out there in an attempt to get back ahead.  Slow and easy is what wins the race, right?  Isn’t that the saying?  Apparently, cliche’s have never met me or Melissa.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have had several “nudges” from God. Slow down.  Don’t forget what is important.  Don’t forget to live this life you are building.  Sometimes, we believe, God gives you little nudges and then when you aren’t listening – he knocks you over the head with it.  Persistent Fella.  So this week, we had to finally wave the white flag and listen.  We hear You.  We are praying and believing in the plan that is laid out for us.  It may not be what we want, but then again… is it ever?  The things you see from the outside, those won’t change.  It’s all the things we juggle behind the scenes and try to take on that will change for us.  Learning to say no, learning to find contentment, learning that work and money isn’t what it is all about.

So let me ask you – are you listening?  Are you being given little nudges and ignoring them?  Please don’t.  He doesn’t give little nudges forever.  Learn to be still and listen.  Your body and mind will appreciate you way more. They say you can’t pour from an empty cup, and that’s definitely true in my life and business too. It’s so important to slow down and give yourself a little grace when you feel overwhelmed.

All my love

Brooke