Lately the scrapbook challenges have started taking a turn to the “about me” type of pages. I started scrapbooking shortly after I was married so I never did a page about me before. The main reason was because most of the pictures taken were of my daughter. There were a few pages that included me but I was definitely not the focus of the page. The first about me challenge that I tried was to scrap your personal mantra. It really appealed to me because I was doing a heritage album at the time and often wished I had known stories and feelings of my ancesters instead of only dates and names. I’m not one to think my scrapbooks will be heirlooms passed down to future generations, however if my child or future children were curious these pages are better than nothing. Plus I have a lot of fun doing them.

This was my submission for my mantra page. Journaling reads: When I first heard the soundtrack to the musical RENT, I was overwhelmed by the powerful message of living in the present. Actual living. No holding back or hiding. At that point in my life I would often wallow in regrets & was worried about the future. I no longer worry about the future so much. Instead I am such a procrastinator not only in everyday tasks, but also in achieving personal goals. My mantra reminds me to stop using tomorrow as an excuse & work toward reaching my goals now.

No Day but Today

There's only us; there's only this,
Forget regret or life is yours to miss,
No other road; no other way,
No day but today.

There's only us, only tonight,
We must let go to know what's right,
No other course; no other way,
No day but today

I can't control my destiny,
I trust my soul; my only goal is just to be,

There's only now, there's only here,
Give in to love or live in fear
No other path; no other way,
No day but today,
No day but today,
No day but today,
No day but today,
No day but today,
No day but today.

- Jonathan Larson (RENT)