I woke up this morning to an email from "Abe." Abe is a service that sends you an email summarizing what you posted in social media (in this case on facebook) one year ago today. While I'm not one to live in the past, this is a great tool for seeing the growth I've made, and/or reminder to keep growing and not become stagnant.
Today's email comprised of the following pictures:
One year ago today, I sat in the tattoo parlor with my good friend Jayme and added a permanent reminder to my body that I can do ANYTHING. I had accomplished my goal of finishing a marathon. I had trained, worked hard, set my mind to something I thought impossible, and with each small step proved to myself that I am strong enough.
Proved to myself that I am good enough.
And proved to myself that I am someone who does what she says she is going to do.
Demons in my head be damned, I did it.
One year later, I have the opportunity to prove it to myself once again. I've taken a leap of faith, and walked away from full time work. Some would call it madness, some would call it crazy and most would call it downright stupid.
But I choose to see it for what it is... an opportunity. An opportunity to stop posting entries like this
one and embrace the life and career I want. An opportunity to stop living a life of default and embrace a life I've designed.
But I need your help.
You see, I'm scared to death. I'm scared to admit that I don't know how this is all going to work. I'm scared to admit that I have no money to make it work. I have bills and responsibilities just like everyone else, but without a clear plan on how to pay for them. But I will. I have no doubt that it will all work out, because that is what I've chosen to make happen.
So you may be sitting there wondering, how can I help? I'm glad you asked that question. You can help by allowing me to help you.
And how can I help you? I can help by stripping away all the
preconceived notions about yourself. Yes, you may be thinner in 6
months, or your son's bruised cheek may heal and go away in another few
weeks, and the terrible two's (or three's or four's) that your toddler
is experiencing may make it more difficult to get that perfect picture.
But your family is growing and changing
now.
What your family looks like today
is perfect and beautiful, and I don't want you to forget it. It would
be a disservice to put off taking photos until everything is perfect.
Because what is perfect?
Don't make perfection something unattainable.
Why not capture the real perfection that you all are now? Because that's how I see you.
The power of social media is amazing. Daily we are invited to know the details of our friends lives. Where they are, what they do, what they eat, what they feel, what they like, what they hate.
Everything.
Sometimes stuff we don't want to know.
But it's there.
And with the power of social media, the world is hugely connected. One suggestion from a friend on where to buy something (or where NOT to buy something) can ripple out quickly among all those who see it, and that now becomes the place to purchase X, Y and Z.
So, what I'm asking you to do is simply keep my studio top of mind. Check out my website (
here) and if you like my work (and please, please, please only in you genuinely, truly like my work - because authenticity is HUGE to me) and you know of someone I can help by taking their photo, or designing something for their business let them know about me.
And please help yourself too by not allowing too much time to pass before you capture who you are. Make a lasting memory and share it with friends and family.
Embrace who you are, stand up and say, 'I am beautiful!'
Show off your amazing family and capture that horrible pair of worn jeans your teenager won't stop wearing and the blanket your 3 year old drags with her everywhere.
Spotlight your business and show everyone how you are making your own dreams come true.
I know without a doubt that Motormouth Studios will work. I need to just look at my foot and remember that with Perseverance, the strength that I posses and the friends that I have, all I have to do is take a step in the right direction each day.
