Have you heard about ‘Mingle’, the new magazine from Stampington? It is all about creative gatherings and is sure to be full of delicious images and inspiring words. I am excited that the Do What You Love retreat is going to be featured in the inaugural issue, out on October 1!
NB: For those of you like me who don’t like in the US, you can order Stampington magazines through their website here.
Today’s shared stories come from Jill Metz, Laura Gates and Johwey Redington.
In 2007 I was happy. But not the kind of happy that fills you up. I was satisfied but still hungry. I think that was the first step for me in doing what I love, realizing I wasn’t filled up and feeling like I did deserved to be filled up. I was married to the love of my life with two healthy children, a boy and girl and I was Blessed. But after 8 years of marriage I began to feel resentful and dissatisfied. I had been filling up with my family for so long , trying to be perfect and expecting them to be my whole world. Needless to say, that was trouble waiting to happen!
Then came the question…what was missing in my life? It was at that time i began to dig deeper and look at my life and to discover the bigger picture of who I was. What I honestly discovered was that I didn’t even know myself. I didn’t know what I believed, didn’t know what I was good at, didn’t know what my passions were. I had a very challenging childhood and it was more about survival than being a kid. Therefore I lived my young adult years, ages 16-25, trying to be the kid I didn’t get to be. Usually this is the time when people start to look at themselves and ask the type of questions that lead to this discovery of self. I was a late bloomer!
So I had to go back to the beginning and I asked myself, “What did I like to do when I was a little girl?” This was not an easy place to revisit but I have to say with that blast to the past came a great deal or healing, forgiveness, and learning to love myself more. I was the little girl who was always creating something, usually out of nothing. I was the kid who would rather hang out in the craft store than the toy store. I was the little girl who would set up a tattoo stand outside her apartment building in hopes someone would actually pay me to draw a mermaid on their arm with a magic marker. Just like my mother, God had given me the gift of CREATIVITY! So I went back to that and picked up the old crusty paint brush that had been neglected for so many years and I went to work. I quickly discovered mixed media and things started to make sense, I was seeing the bigger picture.
Unlike some of the inspiring stories you hear here, I did not quit my job and within a year make a good living. I was just too fragile for that and didn’t have the courage or confidence to dive in. I did begin a small on-line business making mixed media picture frames and got accepted into some local art shows. This was good for my self esteem and I started to believe in myself. That was four years ago….
Today I am doing what I love! I have an amazing family who I truly love and appreciate more every day. I have the privilege of being here to prepare their food, wipe their noses, drive them to their cross country and basketball games, send them off on the bus and I’m here when they get home. Mostly I have the privilege to pray with them and for them. The other part of the picture is I’m a mixed media artist! I have a website, a blog, I teach mixed media art workshops, and still continue to do select juried art shows. I have been invited to display my work in art galleries and have had inquires about offering a wholesale line. I have recently been exploring the world of licensing and attended Surtex last March in NY City. I am praying about those opportunities and each new opportunity that comes my way. Last month I finally got the courage to submit my work to my favorite international magazine and I’m hopeful that they will publish my artwork.
I don’t think you can really do what you love for life until you know who you are. I was a mouse on a wheel. To everyone else I looked happy, I thought I was happy. But then I got hungry and I listened to that. I didn’t settle! Instead I began a journey. A journey of FAITH, COURAGE, HEALING, and TRUST. Everyone’s journey looks different, but they all start with a step, and then another step, and then another. I remind myself life is not a race…it is a journey. I can’t worry with how good I’m not, how slow I am, how much time I wasted. I can only take that step today in order to do what I love for life.
[All images courtesy of Jill Metz]
Find out more about Jill on her website here.
As a kid I envied people who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. I didn’t have a clue. I lamented this fact with my dad in the kitchen one afternoon 30 years ago, wondering what my college major should be.
“What if I stuck a hot poker in your foot right now and you had to tell me what you wanted to be?” asked my dad. “Um. A writer?” I said meekly. Needless to say, I chose psychology and quickly transferred into business. (Parents, don’t try this at home!)
One thing led to another and I ended up working in banking on Wall Street in the wild 80s. Although I excelled and climbed the corporate ladder, I felt creatively vacant and desperately tried to find work in other areas, to no avail.
It was ultimately falling head over heels in love with a handsome young South American that catalyzed the change. In a potentially career limiting move, I quit my job and followed him to South America, where we promptly got married and traveled for a year. After returning to New York I was hired back by the bank, still clueless as to my life calling. My sister urged me to move to California, and a friend offered me a job at a PR firm. In little over a year I was serendipitously given the chance to take over another woman’s business who was pregnant and moving. From one client at $500 a month I quickly grew my company – marketing and promoting women-owned businesses – making six figures within the year.
The early 90’s were exciting times and I was hugely successful, but in the midst of the dot.com boom my husband left me. I was devastated. I managed to keep the business going, but would curl into a fetal position at night and cry myself to sleep. Within a year he married his assistant, a several-years younger version of me. In addition to feeling horribly rejected I had become a cliché – and I was barely over 30!
It was thanks to my husband leaving that led me to my current career as a leadership trainer and coach. One day at lunch a client wanted to know how I was doing. I burst into tears crying telling her the whole story. She recommended I do a workshop that changed her life with Learning as Leadership, and that was the turning point for me. Learning about how my behaviors contributed to what wasn’t working in my life gave me the power to change. And 16 years later, I am working as an executive coach and trainer for the company that leads those very same trainings. Working with people to help them find their passion and overcome the obstacles that get in their way is my passion.
It sounds crazy, but today I’m grateful my husband walked out on me. It was a big kick in the ass and propelled me to truly find my life purpose. It also led to my spiritual quest which has me co-leading journeys around the globe to work with indigenous healers, and pursuing a Master’s in Intuition Medicine.
Now remarried, on the cusp of my 49th birthday, I am once again putting tender green shoots into the ground, exploring new territory. The high school girl who timidly said she wanted to be a writer back in the kitchen that day is finally emerging. I have found my voice through my blog, telling my stories, expressing my authentic self.
As we approach unprecedented times of change on our planet, I am listening carefully once again to the signs the universe is sending me and I wonder. What’s next? But unlike younger versions of myself, I know and trust that everything is unfolding just as it should. And there is nothing I need do but surrender to the Signs.
[All images courtesy of Laura Gates.]
Find out more about Laura on her website.
My journey started when I became an architect. My parents wanted me to be an accountant and take over the family business, but I had always been artistically-inclined and knew I wanted a creative career. I was only allowed to pursue a licensed profession, and architecture had the right mix of art and science so it seemed a good choice at the time. As an architect, I loved seeing dreams transformed into well-designed usable spaces which, in turn, promised to provide their users with memorable experiences. That was the satisfaction I got from my job – creating spaces for people to enjoy. (It wasn’t always pleasurable though. Most of the time, I was wrestling with contractors and building inspectors! Still I loved what I did.)
Being married and having children changed my priorities. At this stage in my life, I found myself juggling between the competing demands of my professional career and motherhood. I was living two lives – architect during the day and wife and mother at night. (At times, the architect would even encroach on family time!) I started to feel no fulfillment in my work anymore and desired to give my full presence to my two daughters – at least in their formative years. So after several years of professional practice, I became a full-time mom.
The transition from architect to stay-at home-mom wasn’t easy. I grew up in a society that doesn’t place much value on parenting as a valid and distinguished occupation. And for someone as career-driven as I am, I somehow felt displaced. People went from “Oh wow, you’re an architect!” to “You stay home all day?!? What do you do?” Somehow they don’t give much credit to the challenging, demanding, and stressful job of being a mother. I didn’t know how to label myself. (What do I put as my occupation? Leaving it blank makes me feel like a bum.) I was loving taking full charge of my children’s upbringing (I was even homeschooling them) – I knew what I was doing was vital and important, and that I was the only one who can do it – but I couldn’t reconcile who I was to the world.
Throughout all these, I continued to create. Art is inherent in me – I’ve always known it is essential to my soul. It’s what made me fall in love with architecture in the first place. It’s what makes me come alive – the ability to express and interpret my experiences visually and creatively. As a full-time mom, I was able to explore more freely and play more creatively. I rediscovered the joys of mixed media and book arts, developed my skills as a photographer, and got introduced to the world of fabric arts. The best thing is that art integrates well to our family lifestyle – it doesn’t compete with my role as a mother and wife, in fact, it complements it.
In this path of putting my children first, I eventually learned to deepen my awareness for each present moment. In so doing, I gained a greater sense of freedom and self-understanding. I’ve come to terms with what’s really important to me and developed a confidence in my abilities that I lacked before. This gave me the courage to share my journey and open my art to the world. And now, in this current stage of my life, I’ve decided to build my career as an artist as I continue to be a mindful parent (and person in general). Sometimes I get scared, sometimes my confidence wanes. It’s a whole new industry, a whole new community. But my inspiration never falters and I keep on moving forward.
So what does it mean to do what you love? For me, it means living every minute of each day as fully as possible, even if I have to live my life in stages. At present, I’m enjoying my moment-to-moment relationship with my family and I’m creating to my heart’s content. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
In retrospect, I wouldn’t change anything in my past (not so easy to say when experiences are fresh) because I believe that everything that happened in my life brought me to where I am today – and where I am right now will bring me to something even greater in the future. I know this because I believe and I keep on trying. And wherever my art will take me, I know with confidence that I’ve already carried out my life’s masterpieces – my two lovely daughters!
[All images courtesy of Johwey Redington]
Find out more about Johwey on her website.
I am so excited to unveil this exciting project which I have been working on for the past few months… It is a huge honour and privilege to announce a collaboration with incredibly talented designer Rachael Taylor…
If you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetising your designs this groundbreaking new e-course is for you!
Split into three modules (see below) it will take you step-by-step from sketch to pattern to product, sharing technical how-to-guides and industry secrets along the way.
Are you ready to dive into a world of colour and pattern?
Come and join us!
’50s Inspired Quirky Print’ by Rachael Taylor
Thriving surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor will guide you along this exciting path from developing your signature style to putting a collection together, and from protecting your work to monetising your designs.
With a rich combination of design inspiration, practical advice, demonstrations, creative exercises, resources and interviews with leading industry practitioners, this is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to develop their design skills.
Rachael’s work has been featured in numerous leading pattern books, on TV and in many glossy magazines, and she has worked with the likes of Target, teNeues, Graham & Brown, WHSmith and TigerPrint (for M&S). Find out more about Rachael here.
If you want to break into and succeed in surface pattern design, register now!
Found in this little slice of heaven in Montreal…
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Other roadtrip posts: #1 For the love of travel; #2 Sharks and jellyfish; #3 Boston and Harvard; #4 A fairytale wedding; #5 On top of the world; #6 To Canada, in search of stationery
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“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative“ – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.
Do you fancy some of that in your life? Do you want to get closer to identifying your true passion and finding a way to do what you love, for life? Then this is for you!
The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. Places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year.
This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.
It could be the most influential six weeks of your life… Join now!
Today’s shared stories come from artists Diane Rooney, and coach Loralee Hutton.
For just over 20 years I was blessed to be doing what I loved to do. I was a housewife and mummy. As a little girl my joy was always playing with my baby dolls. Playing family. Dressing up the babies. I ached for a baby of mine. I married my childhood sweetheart and within months I had my first baby. I was so young at just 19, but so happy. I then had three more babies in quick succession! And as happy as I was, loving my babies, being their Mummy, there were days of utter despair. Post natal depression. A failing marriage. More often than not, I was tired. Exhausted. Yes, even doing what you love isn’t always a bed of roses. But the days of bliss, of pure joy being a Mummy to those beautiful children far outweighed any of the normal bad days that all Mums face.
And then in a blink of an eye, my eldest left for university. I remember sitting at my desk watching him packing the car and I silently stood up, closed the door, rested my head in my arms and cried my heart out. I knew it was the beginning of a new era for me. For him. He was so happy. I also knew his siblings would be following him out that door within a very short space of time. I was facing an empty nest. A marriage that was still failing. What was I going to do? Over the following months and into a couple of years I started to make some huge changes to my life.
During the years that my children were little, I’d been given a computer, some software and taught myself to become a web graphics designer. My beloved father had initially got me interested in the internet back in 1994. He and his (then) business partner had just set up the UK’s first Internet Café in Whitfield St., in London. They were also setting up one of the UK’s first internet providers, Easynet. As such, Dad had wanted to me to learn html, computer graphics as they needed help setting up various web pages. It was on the spot learn as you go work. I loved it. And my love for this new found art and creative outlet just evolved. I wasn’t earning much money. It was more of a hobby with pin money thrown in. My family was still growing. I was a full time Mum. Little did I know though, that my creative outlet would lead me to a new and wonderful bliss.
After my eldest left home, I went to art school. I started a degree in multi-media design. The creative environment was incredible. I just absorbed it all. I made new friends. I soaked up every lecture in art history, my favourite subject. However, during this time my emotional state took a battering as my 20 year marriage really broke down and I decided to leave. My ex-husband and I spent a couple of years trying to work things out but in the end we both wanted such hugely different things. We parted. It was traumatic. Divorce is horrible even when you want it. Years later, though, we are good friends and we stay in touch. It’s been good for our children (and grandchildren).
Not long after my divorce, I’d left my degree course and started working on setting up as a freelance digital artist. I initially worked as a 2d texture artist creating textures for 3d models for a company in USA, Daz3D. During this time I did some collaboration work with other 3d and 2d artists. I fell in love with one of them. We had done some work together and just developed a friendship online through work. He lived in the north east (UK) and I was in the south east. To cut a long story short, we met up, moved in together and were married 6 months later. That was 5 yrs ago. We live and work together 24/7. Yep! ‘Tis true.
Last year we set up our own digital art company and have our own individual brands. Talking shop is no chore for us. We understand the jargon. We love critiquing each other’s work. Steve is a traditional artist with a God given gift to draw and paint. He is also a professional photographer and 3d modeller and artist. Whereas I come from a more crafty, hobby into a business background. It works so well. Every day there is laughter and a lot of creativity. Brainstorming new ideas for products or art is such fun! Such amazing creative energy.
Family is still a huge joy in my life. It sounds corny but they truly are a part of my creative process. I’m inspired by them. I do what I do for them. Yes, this is my creative outlet. Yes, I’m blessed to be able to do what I love to do and earn money. At the end of the day though, it is for those we leave behind. A legacy of love. I believe there will be a day when my children and grandchildren will go through my art, my creations and see me. Understand me. They will see themselves in what I create.
After what has been an interesting and sometimes hugely traumatic few years, I’ve settled into a life of doing what I love. No matter what life throws up at you, I’ve learned to just push forward. Hold onto the dream. Continue you to take steps on the journey. Suddenly you will realise you are living the life you want. Don’t be scared of change. As I continue to build my brand and my online store, I still fight past demons that tell me I’m not good enough, I’m not talented enough. It gets less though. I just keep creating. I surround myself with positive words, art, photos and of course, my beloved husband who is my biggest fan and encourager.
[Images courtesy of Diane Rooney]
Diane is a digital fine artist and designer. Find out more on her website and Flickr gallery.
Image courtesy of loraleehutton.com
There was no lightning bolt moment for me, but somewhere between 2006 and 2007 I started to realize I wanted to study more about leveraging my business. I knew it was the way for me to grow, change and become a different type of leader in my community. But the thought terrified me. I had dabbled earlier on in my business career with group programs but it wasn’t where I knew I wanted to go. By this point I was doing a lot of self-development work and I could see the format other teachers and leaders were delivering. I knew the models that worked and didn’t. I was still working one-on-one with clients. And my model wasn’t working. The problem was, working one-on-one was absolutely my favorite part of being an entrepreneur. I LOVE being with people in person. And I especially love helping them create little light bulb moments. Nothing big and earth shattering, just those little moments when a light bulb goes on, and they see the possibility of something that previously seemed unattainable.
So in 2006 I joined an executive board program and we tore up my entire business plan and started over from scratch. I was determined to move to the next level – whatever that was. And working with a team to really scrutinize my business model sure helped! Within a few months I had leased office space, brought in a small army of staff and really started to shift the business.
However, although I was seeking business growth, it wasn’t what I wanted at all. In reality I had just created a job for myself. I was exhausted all of the time, and I think I may have only given myself a paycheque once during in those two years. I poured every single dollar we earned back into the growth of the company and into employee benefits, paying the highest wages I could afford. I created a company I was proud of – but one that made me feel miserable inside. Within the first year in that office space, all I could dream of was getting out. So I returned to self-discovery (as any good entrepreneur does – entrepreneurship is one of the best self-development programs out there, they say). I asked myself what I really wanted. The two things that came up over and over again were travel, and writing. My business coach at the time asked me to start investigating this – and so I did. Within a week I had enrolled in a Travel Writing course and then I just wanted to get away and write.
With hindsight I do wish I’d been able to focus on the growth of that business, allowed it to flourish & then sell it, instead of letting it fall down around my ankles. I wish I’d known in advance what a great brand I had, and that people were admiring the company from afar. That there was value in it (and likewise, value in myself and what I had created). But at the same time I wonder if sticking with it would have allowed me to be the person I am today. Empathic to other peoples struggles and journey. Passionate about helping them build support teams & make live a full life, instead of racing around reacting to things most of the time. Maybe I wouldn’t be as passionate about the things I’m passionate about.
During this most recent self discovery, while looking for freedom, I found what I had known all along, but had forgotten. For me, Freedom comes with four key elements.
Looking ahead I still want to write, and travel. But I also want to share what I’ve learned with anyone who may be in similar shoes to mine. I was deeply passionate about systems, and strong team building while creating my business, and I still am. And I’m equally passionate about helping people (and myself) live whatever dream it is they desire. I believe anything is possible; even if that’s a bit ‘poly-anna’. I think the world could use a few more dreamers like me.
One of the main ways that I want to help is by showing people (especially women) how easy it is to live your life filled with passion. And how the easiest way to do that is by create some passive income so that you can continue to create, feel fully alive and love your business (again, in some cases). In fact, it’s not essential to give up the business you’ve been growing for the past 10 years. You can create your product(s) and share it with the world, all the while growing/sustaining your business. You don’t need to work overtime, and all hours of the day.
And the new product can sustain you while you take a break, reinvest in yourself, and sustain you while you move to the next phase. I have tried and tested all the little tools and systems that make this process easy, without breaking the bank. I’ve literally spent the past 3 years testing different products to create an online presence. Almost all of them have been free resources, or very low cost. And I’ve been able to keep my costs to a very minimal amount so that I can have the flexibility to once again reinvest money into my business, but also have plenty of cash flow every month to enjoy life. I don’t want to make the same mistake again, of having high overhead expenses that suck the life out of me during slow months.
I’m currently rebuilding my support team, and loving it. It’s one of the utmost priorities for me at this stage. I’m so grateful to have a VA (virtual assistant) come on board this month. And once again I’m in more than one mastermind group, have a business coach, key friends and family who I can call on, and great health practitioners. Without them working together (even if they’re not aware of it) I would be struggling again.
And my big dream is this. To have a completely portable business, which gives me the freedom to travel & meet other entrepreneurs anywhere in the world. To collaborate on projects, talk openly about anything that’s on their heart, find ways to inspire, change and grow, create lasting friendship, while creating something new that helps at least one other person. That’s my goal really, to help inspire one other person to live their dream life.
[Image courtesy of Loralee Hutton.]
Find out more on her website here.
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“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative“ – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.
Do you fancy some of that in your life? Do you want to get closer to identifying your true passion and finding a way to do what you love, for life? Then this is for you!
The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. Places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year.
This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.
It could be the most influential six weeks of your life… Join now!
Thank you for joining me for Photography Fortnight, and for sharing your own thoughts and tips. If you missed any of the posts, here are the links…
Tips for taking better photos
Tip 1: Rule of Thirds (the classic!)
Tip 3: Seek out colours you dislike
PLUS:
Interview with photographers Christine Boyd and Xander Neal of Navy Blur
Interview with photographer and conflict management professional Roxanne Krystalli
Shared Story from photographers Catherine Just
Happy snapping!
PS If you want to get more adventurous with your camera why not join the Do What You Love e-course? There are a number of photography exercises featured in the course to help you identify your passion and do what you love, for life. More info below…
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“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative“ – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.
Do you fancy some of that in your life? Do you want to get closer to identifying your true passion and finding a way to do what you love, for life? Then this is for you!
The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. The adventure begins on September 26 but places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year.
This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.
It could be the most influential six weeks of your life…
Before I wrap up Photography Fortnight I wanted to share links to a few of my favourite photographers. Flickr is an endless source of inspiration and a brilliant way to discover new talent – and get noticed yourself. Use Flickr’s powerful search tool and you are likely to fall down the rabbit hole into a warren of fascinating images…
Specific photographic crushes of mine (some professional photographers, some not) include:
Beatrice Peltre (La Tartine Gourmande)
& My Dad!
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So that’s it for Photography Fortnight! Hope it has helped inspire you to go out and take more photos!
Trying new things is the best way to get better! New subjects, new places, at different times of day, or even with a different camera. I absolutely love the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone – it is only £1.99 and can produce stunning photos. Look what it did with this dripping water (above)! Due it being made to replicate the feel of the old Hipstamatic, the viewfinder does not actually show you exactly what comes out in the picture, so there is always an element of guesswork – which can lead to interesting surprises… Why not try something new with your camera – or try a new type of camera today?
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So that’s all my top ten tips. What is your best tip for taking better photographs? Please feel free to share in the comments below.
Tomorrow I will share links to some of the photographers who inspire me. It will be the last post in Photography Fortnight – hope you have enjoyed it!
Today’s shared stories come from photographer Catherine Just and artist Kat McNally.
When I was 18 years old I was a senior in high school with a raging drug and alcohol addiction. I was deeply depressed and lost, and had no understanding that I had anything of value to offer the world. I didn’t relate to others around me and had a deep painful void in my soul that I was desperate to fill.
A required art class changed all of that for me. The art teacher, Mrs. Burke, told me that I was talented and needed to keep going with this art thing. It was the first time I felt like I had something I could do, that I enjoyed doing, that was uniquely mine. It was life changing.
After I graduated high school, I checked myself into drug treatment and then enrolled into a four-year art college. I studied photography and it became a way for me to really dive into my inner world and figure out how to say visually through images what was so painful for me say verbally. I received a BFA in photography. More importantly, I had figured out that life was worth living, sober, and that I could express myself fully through my art.
Today I have 23 years of sobriety. I have a photography business that focuses on eCourses and Retreats for women who wish to get back to a Soul*Full way of living. I’ve been honored with being published on the cover of National Geographic Magazine. There have been awards and kudos from Photo District News and other national magazines. I’ve showed my personal work in galleries around the country. I believe these awards, etc. are all just the universe sending me external evidence that I’ve been following my passion. I’ve also had the privilege of working with Miguel Ruiz , author of the Four Agreements, as my Spiritual Teacher. This work continues to enrich my life, teaching me ways to love more freely. On top of all of that I am also married to a great guy and we have a 2-year-old son, Max Harrison who happens to have Down syndrome. Max is the brightest light I’ve ever met.
Doing what I love means – feeling very passionate about my artistic pursuits, losing track of time while working on projects, being totally focused and engaged. People come in to my office or studio and I can barely hear them talking because I’m so “in it”. I love creating, whether it’s a piece of artwork, a photograph or a new eCourse or retreat. I just feel filled up inside even when at times it’s hard work. The key to doing what I love is remembering where I came from and what a gift my life is now. I allow myself the time to create my art and to spend time being present with my family. When I notice I’m overwhelmed or stressed it’s usually because I’ve forgotten to trust my intuition, make action plans, reach out to my tribe of supportive friends and team of professional experts and take it one step at a time.
I have several big dreams right now. One is to show my series of Nap photos in a gallery soon. These are photos I’ve been taking with my iPhone during my son’s nap time. I’m also excited about my Soul*Full eCourse that’s starting this Fall and leading my women’s retreat to Zion, Utah next Fall.
[All images courtesy of Catherine Just].
To find out more about Catherine and her e-course Soul*Full visit her website here.
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I’m a lucky girl.
I get to do things I love
almost every day.
This might be: reading
or scribbling in my journal
or making collage.
It also might be:
long walks with my little ‘un
taking happy snaps
or wistful blog posts
with syllables resembling
haiku paper planes.
This is new for me.
Before this, many boxes
demanded ticking:
marriage and mortgage,
finishing my doctorate,
working up the ranks.
Doing what I loved
was incidental, almost
a guilty pleasure.
But now I’ve arrived
at this place where all options
are open to me,
I find myself at
a crossroads. Without structure,
without direction,
I feel somewhat lost.
No more boxes to be ticked,
it’s now up to me.
So all that’s left is
to do what I love and see
where it will take me.
I see myself doubt
this process. I see myself
doubt this is enough.
I see myself seek
validation from others.
This makes me anxious.
Beth asks: what would you
ask of the universe to
help you on your way?
So here I offer
a prayer: please light my path so
my purpose is clear.
Help me to see what
is mine alone to offer
in a world full of
writers and artists
and seekers and lovers and
thinkers and dreamers.
Give me the courage
to love whatever transpires,
especially if
it makes me anxious.
Vulnerability seems to
be the way forward.
[Images courtesy of Kat McNally]
Kat is a passionate writer, secret blogger, haiku novice, enthusiastic amateur photographer, and describes herself as a ‘tentative (if idiosyncratic) artist’. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and daughter. Every Wednesday, Kat posts a reflective prompt based on something she has learnt during her journey with worthiness, the word she chose as her companion for 2011. She hopes you will join her along the way.
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“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative” – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.
Do you fancy some of that in your life? Do you want to get closer to identifying your true passion and finding a way to do what you love, for life? Then this is for you!
The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. The adventure begins on September 26 but places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year. This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.
It could be the most influential six weeks of your life… Read what our last course participants had to say HERE.
By ‘colour in shadows’ I mean capturing how the contrast of bright light and shadows can project many shades of a colour onto and around an object. Shades of grey can be good!
How closely have you examined the shadows around you?
Come back tomorrow when photographer Catherine Just shares her story, and then on Monday for the final tip of Photography Fortnight.