Melinda jae photography

I’ll never forget the call from lil sissy telling me brother was in an accident & didn’t make it. I was driving on a busy road but that didn't stop me from going into insta hysterics, feeling my heart burst into a million broken pieces. Breath became air & was hard to grasp for months. Today would have been his 40th birthday & I am sure we would have had a BBQ & a well lit cake & some silly “you're older” gag gifts but instead I am celebrating brother with a deep rooted gratitude for giving me the best gift I have ever received, the joy of feeling alive! On the painful road of grief I surrendered to life & journeyed into myself & from that inner space there are no senses & no way to convince myself I'm small, separate from life & insignificant like the “poor lil me” ego-self does so well. For the first time, I can sense the vastness that we all are & feel connected & ONE with life. From this inner space I feel deep infinite joy because I can sense life connected to me & experiencing being through me. Happy birthday Marky boy, I celebrate each breath thanks to you, how could I ever ask for more? With love- Meli Photo cred: @nois7

"Life is nothing but a dream, & if you create your life with love, your dream becomes a masterpiece of art." -Don Miguel Ruiz #FourAgreements #donmiguelruiz #dream #weareone #enlightenment #spring

When the details of life feel insurmountable, I take 3 deep breaths which creates space in my mind & even if for only a moment, I feel the power & vastness within. From this broad perspective I remember, Everest is teeny. I got this girl. Enjoy the journey, there's nothing you can't do darlings! Photo credit: @slcphotoschool .. #innerpeace #meditation #motivation #selflove #perspective #thistooshallpass (at Salt Lake City, Utah)

I don't get out of bed for less than 10k a day, Molly says.

I am the center of the Universe. There I said it & I mean it. But you see Y O U are the center of Y O U R Universe. When I honor yours & know your actions have little to do with me, taking things personal becomes obsolete. It's really not you, it's me! Love you... mean it! xx Meli (at La Antigua Guatemala)

From the mountain tops I sat & silenced my mind & felt O N E with life & as I end this journey I'm not coming or going because I'm already home. Mil gracias Lake Atitlán (at The Yoga Forest)

"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. The deeper sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.... When you are sorrowful look into your heart & you will see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahil Gibran xx One thing I know we all got this year was the gift of amplified emotions. The holidays seem to have a way of gifting this to all one way or another, wether we want them or not! Last year, the sting of knowing brother was never coming home again was almost too difficult to bear. Him & I found this fallen branch in the woods a few years ago for my Christmas tree & my heart was bursting when I felt the urge to dust off the ornament box hiding deep in storage & decorate it once more. Now that I've moved passed the consuming sorrow phase of grief, I know what "The Prophet" was saying when he said sorrow carves room in your soul in order to contain more joy. I'm filled with love & gratitude in the spirit of the season & I am so grateful to have family & friends I cherish, wether they are near or far or have moved on. Merriest of holidays to you & your lovelies, hold them tight if you've got them & give a hug if you don't & know next year will be yours. Love you... mean it! xx Meli #Christmas2015 #theprophet #MerryChristmas (at Bountiful, Utah)

THANKS for GIVING This year I am thankful for the times in my life I’ve had to find the courage to receive because I had little or nothing to give. Needing help comes with a feeling of devastating failure & humiliation but if I know one thing, it is that life always seems to give you exactly what you need in order to grow. Once I let go of judging myself as being incapable & paid attention to what my state of shambles was trying to show me, I realized even if I have no things to give I can always give a gift of love & a smile to every single person I encounter. I have made it a practice & the more loving gestures given the more I receive love back & joy circulates all around. How ironic it took complete despair for me to truly feel, for the first time, the privilege of abundance. Giving & receiving go together like breathing and just as simple as an exhale, give because you have & receive because you need. I’m so thankful for the beauty that lies within each struggle & the deeper they have connected me to feeling ONE with life. Best wishes to you all, darlings. Love you… mean it! xx Meli #Gratitude #ONEwithLife #ThankfulForTheStruggle #GiveLove #pleasureprint

I wish I could open the door & run away with you but stay calm little one, a beautiful new beginning is in store. Love you... mean it! ~ xx Molly #inspiration #puppylove #NYC #shihtzulove #shihtzusofinstagram (at Le Petit Puppy NYC)

Don't be like the rest of them darling, you're beautiful just as you are. xx Meli (at Melinda Jae Photography)

"This too shall pass.” If we could back up & see the bigger picture of life we would know that it gives us exactly what we need in order to flower. When it blesses you with goodness, say thank you & bask in its light & when times are bleak, surrender & say thank you knowing this journey too leads to a new season of goodness. Just as the leaf is seduced by the cool Autumn breeze & doesn't cling to the warmth of summer, it gracefully lets go and FALL’s delicately into ascension, unaware yet fully entrusting that a blossoming Spring awaits. There is a season for everything & unique pleasures in them all, ENJOY your time lovelies! Love you… mean it! xx Meli @Pleasurediary Photo cred: @tekwani #fallinlove #fallinspiration

When you view yourself as O N E with life & see yourself in others then you realize an act of kindness is self-love. If you need a hug... give a hug. Feeling abandoned/unimportant... call someone & tell them how much you care. Feeling fat & ugly... start looking for the unique beauty in everyone & share your compliments freely. You see you get what you give, darlings! Love you...mean it- xx Meli Photo cred: @nois7

We are ONE nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty & Justice for all & so it is ordered. #Love #Equality (at O N E LOVE 🌈)

Never let opportunity pass you by! (at S E I Z E the D A Y)

All we have is this moment, right now. Silence your mind, let go of your expectations from others, stop proving to yourself why you are a victim & unlovable. Take a breath. In this moment you are ok. Let everything go that does not take you higher & enjoy the gorgeous sunset shining for you! This moment is yours. ❤️ (at Grand Isles)

Find someone who sees fire in your eyes & wants to play with it. Loved photographing this hottie today 😍 @ashlyn_buchi (at Melinda Jae Photography)

The only thing the fear of failure is guaranteed to do is keep you from succeeding. Start doing one thing every day that scares you & never underestimate your ability to create a pleasure filled life! I'm so ecstatic/nervous/giddy to be starting my next venture. Nobody is going to build your dream life for you except YOU! Hurry up, what are you waiting for? (at GET off your BOOTY!)