There...I said it!

I started this blog as a place to share my creative journey.  I know when I first started down this path I was thirsty to learn how others have made their way.  I wanted to know, within my heart,  if they could do it, then so could I.  I wanted to hear the truth.  So I began to read blogs.  If I felt connected to the artist/person I read their blogs faithfully and even devoured their older posts, as well.  I still read them.  It was those posts that gave me courage to take that first step toward following what I call my creative journey.   I wanted to hear about their struggles and how they overcame them,  about their successes so I could celebrate with them.

Brene' Brown says "Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line."  I consider myself to be a private person,  I am not one to tell people of my woes and worries or of being vulnerable.  Therefore, I always appear to be strong.  I have been called Polly Anna many times because I choose to look for a lesson in any given situation, which I believe is actually a good thing.  The truth is I like Polly Anna!!!

I've been questioning myself...
IF I value the stories of  lessons learned by others who have chosen to follow their creative spirits
and
IF I learned from the stories they told about the hurdles they overcame
and
IF I was there to celebrate their successes
and
IF I wanted this blog to be about my creative journey
Then I will become more vulnerable to share not only the highs but the lows, as well, of my creative journey.

Today in meditation (I follow Deepak Chopra and Oprah  21 day meditation) Deepak said "Not knowing what is the next thing that will bring you joy is called The Wisdom of Uncertainty.  Be quiet and receptive inside, open your eyes, and the next thing you see may be a source of magnificent joy."  When I heard those words tears started streaming down my face.  It was those words I needed  to hear.

What a relief it is, because of my Polly-Anna personality, to know that what I am feeling has a title The Wisdom of Uncertainty.  Ever since I lost my job in February and decided I was going to follow my creative path full-time I've had this unspoken, underlying, uncertainty of fear.  There I said it!  I've never said those words out loud because I didn't want to jinx my belief that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing.  Now I have come to understand that keeping them to myself was detrimental to me and my creative journey.  I will continue to show up everyday (in my studio), do the work (creating art), and let the Universe/God take care of the rest.  The difference is that the silent fear no longer has power over me, I spoke it out loud, I called it out!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support and encouragement.

ordinary courage

 I am feeling inspired by the word courage so I did this layout in my art journal.

When I think of all the times I reach out of my comfort zone what I am actually doing is being courageous. And with each courageous action it makes it easier the next time.

I've just started reading  Brene' Brown's book titled The Gifts of Imperfection, right in the beginning she talks about courage.  I discovered that I had highlighted many things she had to say.  This is a statement she makes on page 13.  I was forced to stop and ponder what that meant, it really struck a cord.  Of all the (perceived)  hurdles I thought  I had,  I was looking at them as being something that I am afraid of.  I've made a conscious decision to change my perception.  Instead of thinking about the fear I am going to revel in being courageous.  

So I ask you...what can you be courageous about today?  Even small, I'd really like to hear.