Monday, October 31, 2011

Shining Through


I have embarked on a journey this year that actually started a while back.

A journey of my creativity.

A journey that has started and stalled here and there.

A few years ago, a dear friend of mine encouraged me to create, using my crochet skills.  I opened an etsy store,  with some scarves, beanies and headbands.  I actually had one of my items show up on the front page of etsy!  This was the item:


And while I had the encouragement and support of friends and most of my family, I had negative energy that caused me to doubt myself, and I thus abandoned this store.  I also didn't have the knowledge of how to pursue, showcase, network myself effectively out there.

During this I also had decided to pursue my photography as well.

I became immensely interested in sports photography.  Here is one of my pieces:


And during that time, I made a few connections.  I was doing this.  I was going to pursue this.  But then yet again, negative energy entered and, while I didn't completely abandon it, I let it fall wayside.

This year, I decided I wanted to pursue my creativity.  But which path?  Which creative endeavor to follow?  What would I do?

I was discussing this with my dear friend Stacy delaRosa.  In these talks she highly encouraged me to take this e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts, Flying Lessons: Tips and Tricks To Help Your Creative Business Soar.

It was within this e-course that I found my creative self.

It was within this e-course that I found my encouragement.

My dreams.

My wishes.

What I wanted to do.

Photography.

It was there I found the tools I needed to help me along the way.

My journey.

I was also steered toward this book:  A Place of Yes, 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life, by Bethenny Frankel.   This book spoke to me.    It helped me to realize a lot of things in my life.

I was simultaneously reading this book and taking Kelly Rae's e-course.

It helped me to realize that while there is negativity that will intrude in my life,  I can still shine.  I can choose to go with the ebbs and flows of life, and keep pursuing my dreams.

During the start of Kelly Rae's e-course one of the gorgeous ladies posted this of which I wrote down:

"I believe in myself
I believe in my dreams
I believe in me!
I believe in my talent
I believe in my creativity
I believe in my skill
I believe in my heart
I believe in my soul
I believe in my life
I believe in love
I believe in happiness
I believe it is possible
I believe I can do it
I believe....I just do"

This is a mantra I have written down so I can  see every day.

And speaking of these gorgeous ladies, I have come to forge bonds with these ladies.

These gorgeous, wonderful, creative, inspiring women.

We encourage each other.

We support each other.

We are taking this journey together.

We will make it happen.

So please visit them as well, and show your support for them, for me, for all of us.  We are living our dreams, we are going to make them come true.


Beth Cougler Blom www.sobliss.wordpress.com
Carmen Patti – www. carmenpattistudio.com
Cindy Jones Lantier -- http://www.lantier.org 
Hillary Courson -- http://www.hillarycourson.com 
Julie Hamilton   http://spaark.wordpress.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld -  http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Liza Zeni Baker - www.lizazeni.wordpress.com
Stacey Chadwick Brown -  http://staceybrownarts.blogspot.com/
Teresa Cash-Czech www.asmilemaker.com

27 comments:

  1. Great photos, beautiful words, thank you for being part of the Fly tribe.

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  2. Hopping by to say hello. From a fellow photographer - happy clicking.

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  3. Tina,

    I loved reading about your journey and felt sad for you to have the negative energy! So proud of you for realizing this and making a determined effort to push through negative and believe in your dreams! Congratulations on your success! Thanks for hopping with us! :-) Kris

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  4. Tina...I've come to believe that finding a tribe of like-minded people is one of the most important gifts we can give ourselves! I'm glad we're in the same one!

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  5. I wrote that great mantra down as well! I have yet to do anything with it aside from read it every now and then, but I want to do something artsy with it. It is so uplifting and inspirational, isn't it?

    Jill

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  6. It's so inspiring to see another birdie struggle out of her egg and approach the edge of the nest. Fly, girl!

    Lori

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  7. Oh! I love the headband that was featured on the front page of Etsy! AND I love the story you share. I am going to record that mantra on my self-mentoring audio recorder; I love it! Thanks. Glad to be a fellow flyer. :-)

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  8. Hi Tina, an inspiring post. Sounds like you're a very sensitive soul, just remember what Longfellow wrote, "Into every life a little rain must fall." To me, that makes the good times that much sweeter. You're on your way, and I'm rootin' for ya!

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  9. I'm so glad I hopped over to check out your blog. Wonderful posting on your journey.

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  10. Tina, what a great post!! That sports shot was great!! So glad we are flying together!!

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  11. Tina, your diamond photo tricked me. I thought it was the moon until I clicked on it. Then I realized the moon is a diamond and that diamonds are tiny moons. I get your love of sports photography. When I was a kid, I was the announcer for the little league. So much life there! Happy hopping! Rae

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  12. It's so interesting to hear everyone's journey. Thanks for sharing this post Tina. And, I love ALL of your creative endeavors (so far;) Just keep flying!

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  13. I loved this, what an inspiring post! And I love your photography. I really look forward to seeing you flourish!

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  14. Very inspiring post! Your photography is great. Thank you for flying with the fly tribe!

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  15. Beautiful!! Happy Flying!! :)) Now I'm off to find your etsy store!!!

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  16. oh - wait - you don't have the store anymore? I love the headband. Message me on facebook okay?

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  17. Thank you all SO much!! It is with your words of encouragement and support that keep me flying!

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  18. So beautifully said. I love our group so much, and I am so thankful for you and the encouragement you bring to it!!

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  19. your photographs are truly magical, I'm glad you discovered your true calling and that the freedom has let you soar!

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  20. Hi Tina Love your post so honestly written. Enjoy your journey Fly high~ Jane x

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  21. I so enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for being part of the fly tribe!

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  22. Great post about your journey!!! Loved the picture of your crochet work!!

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  23. What a beautiful post and some lovely words! Thanks for your contribution to our group and your encouragement. You're one of the few women that I am FB friends with outside our group and I always think it is funny to see your updates... even not knowing each other, they make me smile sometimes! Thanks for ll you do and keep up the hard work!

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  24. I am still blog hopping...it is quite a long process.So much to read and see!
    It has been quite the journey so far. Doesnt it feel like it has been forever when in fact it has only been a few months. Definitely enjoying it...still overwhelmed by it... Julie

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  25. congrats on living your dreams Tina, Happy Flying :)

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