Downloads

Continuing my series of art print downloads based on the epigraphs in the Destined series, this quote is from Book 5 – Hunted: Alba’s Story, a Snow White retelling.

“No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.” – Seneca

This one feels VERY appropriate as we close out 2020, doesn’t it? Yes, I think we would all appreciate fewer opportunities to prove ourselves, thanks, 2020. At least space them out a bit… 🙃

But if you’re in a mood to get deep with me for a minute, I have some additional thoughts:

The fear of adversity can take us to a dark and lonely place.

The desire for control smothers relationships. The desire for ease keeps us from taking risks that could bring far greater richness to our lives than comfort and ease ever will. It may sound crazy, but I believe fear of suffering can actually lead to greater suffering. The further I continue down the path of self-preservation-at-all-costs, the more likely I am to lose myself.

To live a full life, we must take serious risks, which means eventually we will probably experience real failure and suffering.

We fall in love.

We start something new that might fail.

We serve others in a way that could jeopardize our health and wellbeing. (Looking at you, pregnancy and childbirth…)

And we do it all willingly, not because we are totally fearless, not because we enjoy suffering, but because our love for what might be gained outweighs our fears.

In Hunted, my Snow White character Alba has spent years watching her dad go off and do dangerous things for his job, and now as an adult, she longs for nothing more than safety, security, and love. As a military spouse, I can relate!

But, as Alba eventually discovers, the best things in life require willingness to get your heart broken. Not because we fear bad things less, but because our love for what is good, beautiful, and true is greater than our fear of the price we might pay to obtain them.

And on that note, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

PS. Click the image below to download a high-res, print-ready PDF:

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Here’s another art print for you to download and print, this one with the epigraph from Book 4 in the Destined series – Betrayed: Ruby’s Story, a Little Red Riding Hood retelling. Download the high res PDF file here or click the image below.

Quiet girls are so easy to overlook. Trust us…we may be quiet, but we are [usually] paying attention. Not always agreeing, but always learning! 😉

Continuing my plan to make art prints for the epigraphs in the Destined series, here is the quote from Book 2 – Hidden: Rapunzel’s Story. Download the high res PDF here.

This is one of my favorite quotes! I first heard it in Ryan Holiday’s wonderful book The Obstacle is the Way and have held onto it ever since. As he explains it in the book, the very thing that seems to be standing in your way could be just the advantage you need to succeed. (my paraphrase)

Just like heavy weights build muscles, life’s challenges can grow our character, train us in essential skills, and give us radical new ideas that would not have come from comfort and ease. As Holiday says, “Great times are great softeners.”

I don’t think a truly struggle-free life exists. Since trials are inevitable, it really comes down to committing to view every struggle as an opportunity, rather than fleeing from every sign of challenge or hardship.

Here are a few examples of how this could play out in daily life:

Loneliness can help you value other people more.

Isolation can be an opportunity for solitude and thoughtfulness.

Social rejection can strengthen your convictions and independence.

Failure can increase your sense of humility.

Weakness can grow your compassion for the struggles of others.

Lack of resources can fuel innovation and creativity within constraints.

Can. Not will. Sometimes life beats you down so much there’s no seeing the glass half full, and I get that.

But if you can make use of this mindset in times of trial, you may one day look back and be amazed at the opportunities that have ultimately come out of your greatest hardships. I know I have!

I hope this art print helps you remember to seek opportunities even in your hardest moments.

xo

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This Machiavelli quote was the epigraph in Book 1 of the Destined series – Fated: Cinderella’s Story.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Machiavelli

Just for fun, I turned it into an art print for you! Because who doesn’t love intense historical quotes juxtaposed with glam pastel art. 😂

Click the image below to download a high res 15×19″ PDF file (~14 MB) that you can print at any local printer like Walgreens or Target. (You can also shrink it down to a smaller size…I just wanted to give you options. I think it would make a cute postcard size print!)

Although this quote comes from a passage of unsurprisingly terrible-yet-practical advice for princes, in which Machiavelli advises the prince to act religious publicly but privately do whatever he wants, I think the fundamental observation holds true. No one but you can know your real intentions, beliefs, and motivations. That means people may misjudge you at times, but it also means you can be free not to draw your value and identity from their good opinion. I hope this quote inspires you when you need help remembering that. xo

More art prints coming soon…

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