Courtney Dellafiora » xocourtney.com

So it’s been a while that I have been wanting to write this post. I’m not sure I can even now come up with the write words for it, but I am going to try. I know through the internet and blogs it’s sometimes hard to really get to know someone. I also know that I don’t spend enough time writing personal blog posts (something I get onto myself constantly about) but hopefully over time you will begin to get to know my heart better and better through my blog. Something that a lot of people may not realize about me is my passion for helping others in need. I know that I am so blessed to have been born in the United States. That is something I think about almost all of the time. It’s so easy to take for granted the little things. Fortunately for me I was moved to Peru, South America when I was 11 years old and spent most of my teenage years living in a foreign 3rd world country as a missionary kid. So it forced me to appreciate life and the things I am given SO much more. I could write a book about living in Peru… and maybe I will someday! But I know that if I hadn’t lived there, I would not be the person I am today. I know 100% without a doubt, it’s one of the main reasons I view life the way I do and try to constantly live in a state of gratefulness and appreciation for EVERYTHING God has blessed me with. You have no idea how much you have until you go to a 3rd world country and see the way the rest of the world lives. Children living on streets with no one to care for them… it will literally break your heart. There are so many people who are completely hopeless out there and yet we want to wine about the dumbest things. There is so much more to life than being selfish.

I have heard that some people ask other people who know me, “Is Courtney really as happy and positive as she appears on her blog??” The answer really is YES. In all honesty, there are definitely things that bug me, and I do have a list of pet peeves, but overall, I am happy because I am SO grateful for what I have. If I were to constantly compare myself to people who have more than me, then I would most likely be negative and unhappy. But I try to always compare myself to people who have less than me… and it makes me feel insanely lucky ALL THE TIME. I have NO reason whatsoever to not be happy! I would be such a fool if I were not.

About 15+ years ago, maybe longer… when I was really young, I heard about this organization called Compassion International. Growing up in church my whole life, I went to a lot of Christian concerts and I remember hearing about it for the first time at one of the concerts I went to. I honestly couldn’t tell you who the band was, but I remember them talking about it and showing a video about how this organization helps children all over the world. That people would sponsor a child for a small amount every month and help support a child somewhere in the world with school, clothing, food and medical supplies. I was of course too young to afford doing it then but I never ever forgot about it and knew someday I would sponsor a child across the world. I will admit, I waited much longer than I should have… but about a year ago I remembered about it and told myself it was way time to make that happen. It has been a dream come true to help a child and with that being said, meet my sponsor child: Duangdao

Isn’t she beautiful!?! Duangdao lives in the community Baan Huey Lu Luang (approx 400 residents) which is near Chiang Rai in Thailand. She is 4 years old and will be turning 5 this September!! Both of her parents are farmers and are together. She loves listening to music, singing, playing with her dolls and playing hide and seek. Compassion International is an INCREDIBLE organization that allows you to write letters back and forth to your sponsor child. I have been communicating with Duangdao the past year. She is still too young to write but she has drawn me a picture and her Sunday school teacher writes for her to me for now. : )

It amazes me that for only $38 a month I am able to help her so much. I know there are so many people that could help so many children. If you want more information about sponsoring a child, please go here to compassion.com. They also allow you to make extra donations every month or send money for birthdays, Christmas, etc. It’s so amazing!

Sponsoring a child has definitely been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I have done. I look forward to the day that I am able to go and visit Duangdao and see her beautiful smile!

By the way, Compassion is not doing anything for me because I am talking about this on my blog. I wanted to write it because it’s something that’s a part of my dreams and passions in my heart. It is my hope that you will be inspired to help others… even if it’s not through Compassion. There are so many people hurting in the world who need love and hope. How can you make a difference?

I feel like I have so much to express about making my dream of having a boudoir studio come true. But I cannot seem to find the right words to explain how I feel on the inside. I feel speechless, blessed and humbled by God’s love in my life. I am so amazed at the beauty around me and for now, I don’t have much to say except that I am in awe… astounded and blown away. Tears are forming in my eyes as I write this. Getting a studio is a real life example that you CAN make your dreams come true. I believe there is nothing you can’t do in life. Anything is possible and making this dream come true is proof to myself and the world, you can live your dreams.

I will have SO much more to say soon, but for now I want to share a “before” video of the new 2,200 square foot studio. It’s just a little sneak peak into this amazing building God blessed me with. Michael and I will be transforming it into a Boudoir Vixen heaven!! It’s going to be so very amazing and I cannot wait to share more with you.

Check out the building before we have done anything to it at all. It’s going to look totally different when we are done!! Get excited ladies, this is going to be an amazing place to have your boudoir photos taken!!

It was just another ordinary day – the sun was shining, mom was cleaning the house, dad was studying the Bible, and my siblings were doing their usual activities. There was absolutely nothing special about this particular day during the week. This was during a time in my life when I still wasn’t sure who I was or what I was going to become. I was 15 years old and up until that point I just viewed my life as a normal one and assumed I would most likely grow up to continue living that “normal” life. I had no idea what I would do when I became an adult, I just knew I had a yearning deep in my soul to be independent and take care of myself – that was probably my biggest dream at the time: the freedom to spread my wings. That’s all I knew and I wanted it – badly. I thought about it day and night. I could not wait until the time would arrive that I could be free to live my “normal” life. Then, out of nowhere, on that ordinary day, I suddenly was hit with what felt like a whirlwind of inspiration and vision. It was completely unexpected, surprising, and almost took my breath away. It was at that moment that I knew my life wouldn’t ever be “normal” like I thought — that God had bigger plans than my small brain could fathom. It was one of the most humbling and inspiring moments of my entire life – I won’t ever forget it. I knew that day in the small pueblo of Urubamba, Peru that I would never be the same and that I was destined to live a life of promise – the life God had always intended for me to live.

In life it is so easy to lose sight of our real purpose. We get so caught up in the “norm” of life and tend to let our everyday responsibilities and burdens distract us from the deeper meaning of our lives. We set goals when we are young but then as soon as the first thing goes wrong or comes unexpectedly, we quickly get caught up in it and forget all about the dreams we once had. Our inspiration slowly fades away when “reality” sets in and you feel like there is no way you could ever live your dreams the way you always hoped you would. The inspiration dwindles down to almost nothing and before you know it you’re living the “normal” life like everyone else, with no hope of ever escaping it. But I believe with every single cell in my body, that it’s never too late to get it back. No matter how many years have passed, how many mistakes have been made or how much hope has been lost… tomorrow is a new day and a fresh chance to start living the life you were intended to live.

The most tragic thing that could happen to you would be to come to the end of your life and look back at it thinking, “I did not live the life I was intended to live.”

Start living.

When I quit my “Monday through Friday, 9-5” job a year ago to pursue my own business full time, I was scared. No, I was scurred… I had no idea if I would make it or if anyone would even hire little ‘ol me to photograph their special moments.  I honestly bet myself that after a month, I’d probably need to get another job again just to pay the bills. I was so nervous of failing MISERABLY. But I suppose that’s the risk anyone takes when they decide to start their own business. Looking back now, I know without a doubt, that was one of the very best decisions I have ever made in my life. I never realized how working for someone else had been holding me back in a huge way. I’ve been a photographer for almost 12 years but it wasn’t until I was able to truly spread my wings and fly, that I could become the artist I was meant to become. I was an artist that had been placed in a box and didn’t even realize the potential I had inside of me to be all that I was created and designed to be. Taking that huge leap of faith was probably the scariest thing I have done, but the best. This big wide world can be so intimidating. But I truly, truly believe in living your dreams and trying your HARDEST to make them a reality.

Looking back on this past year, I am truly in awe. I cannot believe how amazing it has been and all of the many blessings I have been given. I was able to travel to New York City, Paris, Jamaica, Virginia, California, Florida and Chicago for both work and play. I look forward to much more traveling next year! I can’t get enough of it and I feel like the luckiest girl alive to be able to do TWO of my favorite things ever : see the world and photograph it. I am blessed. I wake up everyday and wonder to myself why God loves me this much. I don’t take credit for anything, because I know He is the one who has given me everything I have. However I do know that my life would be different if I hadn’t been the one to step out and chase my potential. God will only give us so much and then we have to be brave enough to do the rest. I believe WITH ALL MY HEART that you can do ANYTHING you want. If you set your mind and heart and every bit of your being to it, you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t let your dreams be just dreams.

I only have one life and I am determined to make it the best one I can possibly make it. Thank you to each and every one of you who share a part of that journey with me. You will all forever be imprinted on my book of life – and I can honestly say I love you so dearly for it! Thank you a million times over for being a part of my story.

2009 has been the BEST year of my life so far for so so so many reasons. I have experienced amazing things, I have learned so much about myself, I have met AMAZING people, and I have lived some of my dreams. I am so excited about the future!

Life may not always be perfect, but I am so grateful for every bit of it. The perfect and the imperfect. For the imperfect moments make you appreciate the perfect ones so much more. In 2010 I look forward to growing more, learning more, loving more, experiencing more, dreaming more, inspiring more, and living more.

Life is what you make it: dream and believe.

xoxo.

Below are just a few of my amazing clients shot this past year. I look forward to the many more in 2010 and to all that the future holds.