I’m sitting here with a fresh cup of coffee and my little dog nudging me to play, pondering what “beginnings” means to me. On the surface it seems simple: one thing ends, another starts, and you have a beginning. But as I think about it, it’s not really that clear-cut.

I think beginnings often sneak up on us. Even when we anticipate changes in our lives, the early stages can escape our notice. Seasons do this: winter drags on, we’re tired of the cold (and maybe snow), and then we get a slightly warmer day. And then another, and another. And just like that, there’s a shift. We see new life peeking up from the ground, buds barely showing on the trees. Unexpected surprises.

Many life events seem to have defined beginnings: marriage, motherhood, careers. But aren’t we working toward those things bit by bit? Our daily actions and attitudes, our practices, lead us in a certain direction. Seasons of life ebb and flow just like the seasons of nature. And for me, creative endeavors have followed suit. I’ve always had a need to create, even as a young child. The creative outlets have changed over time, but the need to create has always defined me.

So today as I mark my official beginning here at Viewfinders, I know it’s a continuation of my desire to create and learn. It’s a new space, full of possibilities and friendships. And maybe even some unexpected surprises.

Won’t you join me?

~Leslie