I want to feel it, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
Dear Wednesday reader,
Good morning, it is Wednesday morning as I write this with the window open in my office and the breeze is fresh, my fingers are red and a little stiff with how cold they are. The window is open because it is winter here and I want to feel it. Just like in summer when I can feel the hot, humid air on my skin. I want to feel it the cold fresh air; even if it makes me uncomfortable.
I had a mentoring conversation with a woman photographer last week (I offer mentoring conversations on Fridays). One of the topics of conversation was time.
This beautiful photographer creates print collections, over the last few months she has created a body of work that will eventually be curated into several collections. One main concern for her was the pressure to pump out the collections and release them to her audience. HOWEVER, her whole being on our Zoom call was in stress mode about the thought of it, and not because of the work in curating the collections, but because of the personal experiences she had creating the work. The work was created on a deeply personal pilgrimage, and the emotions, wisdom, knowledge, strengths she has remembered, discovered, experienced of herself have influenced the art she created. To her this work feels sacred. The pull to release for her audience who she adores, the business that needs money to flow through it and her commitment to keeping her integrity when it comes to meeting dates, drew her away from her own intuition, her own knowing of what is best for herself, her art process and the art itself.
We went way over time in our mentoring call because our conversations flowed so perfectly to the point of laughter, tears and release of the expectation to force anything. As women we are deeply intuitive, cyclical beings. And we have mostly forgotten that.
Our business, art and life are how we create it.
When creating a body of work it is our work, it is our process, healing, experience, generosity; it is our choice when or if we share it. Some work needs to be made and deleted, thrown out, painted over, burnt. Some work will be shared instantly on Instagram and expire in 24 hours. Other work will be created and left to marinate for days, weeks, months or years before it is ready to be shared. Other work is client work and will have deadlines.
Our artwork has a life and energy of its own, it is our responsibility to understand and honor that.
There is no need to rush it, the timing will always be perfect for us, the art, the people that need the beauty, the message, the emotions of the work. The perfect audience will always find it, and sometimes the only audience to it, is the creator -that is also perfect.
We are multifaceted in the way our wisdom, skills, knowledge and creativity flow through our lives. Our experiences of being women influences our photography, a writing practice can influence how we mother, our work experience influences our business building. There is no area of our lives that don’t cross over into everything else we do – some find this stressful. I think it is a superpower. We are told to niche down, we are told to have mothering over here, creativity over there, work hidden somewhere else, our business as a side. Only promote one thing. This is hiding how powerful women are. It tells us that we shouldn’t take up space, that we shouldn’t show what a beautiful mess life can be. It tells us that we must rush our time and timing.
The connection to our heart, intuition, creativity, knows with wisdom the answers to our questions and to our stress.
We get to create our business, art and life how we want, by making the choices that make us feel lighter, that give us goosebumps, that make us laugh or cry, choices that feel expansive, that make us feel the air on our skin, that make us uncomfortable in a good way.
Be kind to yourself, LISTEN to yourself,
Have a beautiful day
Melinda
Your life, art and business are how you create them mentoring.
Mentoring, brainstorming, clarity conversations are one of my favorite things. Being in collaboration with another woman in her business is SO POWERFUL for both of us. With my time off social media, and changes I have been making in my own life I am feeling more passionate about these conversations than ever. If you would like to be in conversation with me reply to this email and I will send you my calendar.
Remote photo session
If you would like to experience a remote photo session with me via the Shutter app
I have sessions available for:
Mothers of all ages from new born to great grandmas. Motherhood sessions are an experience in seeing the intertwining of relationships, they are a time of connection, and seeing the motherhood facet.
Portrait sessions if you would prefer a personal experience of being seen and heard as the work of art you are.
This is the water we drink now, we bought a Kangen water machine in April, and we can see the benefits of drinking ionized alkaline water.
Why Choose Kangen Water?
Health Benefits: Pure, Revitalizing Water
Kangen Water, meaning “return to origin” in Japanese, brings you back to the purest form of hydration. Here’s why Kangen Water stands out:
Hydrogen-Rich Water: Kangen water is electrolytically reduced, offering potent antioxidant properties that combat harmful free radicals.
Alkaline Water: Balances the body’s pH, promoting better health and vitality.
Superior Hydration: Enhances cellular hydration, improving skin health, digestion, and overall wellness.
Detoxifying: Assists in flushing out toxins, contributing to better bodily function and energy levels.