Sunday, October 23, 2011

Celebrate your Gifts

The weeks are flying by, and as the seasons change, I feel a deep metamorphisis within myself. These past few years have been a time of renewal for me...of transformation and growth. The Transpersonal Art Therapy I studied a few years back began the peeling back of many layers. The process was often times painful, but I am at a point in my life now where I feel so alive and appreciative of all that I have experienced, good and bad.

I will not lie to you...it has been very difficult at times. But completely necessary. I was living a life of excess, and knew it was not good for me, or those around me, but I felt trapped and unable to make changes. The insecure person I was was desperate for approval and the need to 'fit in'.

I spent a lot of time alone, but never lonely, exploring my creativity and just enjoying the quiet. I began meditating, taking long walks and, as you know, yoga. I really began to love and honour myself again, and I felt myself growing stronger and stronger.

As I delved deeper into my own truth, I began to find the courage to say no, and to begin to live authentically. Again, not easy, because people as a rule, don't like change - it's too scary, and it forces them to look at their own lives.

As I continue on my journey of self re-discovery (for that is how it feels - coming full circle to my unique essence, with the added bonus of maturity and wisdom which comes from making mistakes and learning from them), I find myself re-connecting with friends from my past, who are like-minded and share the same interests and beliefs.

The beautiful photo above of the peacock in all his majestic glory was taken while catching up with a gorgeous friend who I went to school with, and have not seen in many years. I can honestly say that spending the afternoon with her was wonderful, and the hours flew by talking about the years in between. When the peacock displayed his beautiful tail like that, it was as though he was putting on a show, just for us, and I can't descibe how excited we were!

As we ate our lunch, he sauntered past, and I remarked how his beauty astounded me, and how amazing Mother Nature is. He reminded me of my own gifts which I share with the world, and how it doesn't serve anyone to hide those gifts.

When I first began my blog, I was unsure at first, and a little self-conscious to say the least, but the process of taking photos and blogging has changed my life. Once upon a time, I would never have posted any of my art here, because I always would compare it to someone else's, and I never felt that I measured up. I am happy to say that I have come to a place where I am happy to post my art, knowing full well that it will never make it onto the walls of an art gallery or be sold for thousands of dollars, but it is MY art, so that makes it special, and if it inspires even one person, then my heart is full. 

I hope that my story inspires you to celebrate all of your gifts and to share them with the world. Honour yourself for the amazing person that you are...

...and just because I love em, check out my new red shoes! A gift to myself...hee hee


Below is one of my favourite quotes, given to me by a beautiful friend who I studied Art Therapy with.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,  fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

9 comments:

  1. This was a beautiful post you made and it touch my heart. I am going through something right now and I am at the beginning of my journey.

    I love your art and would be one of your buyers if you ever decided to start selling. You are a wonderful artist.

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  2. Yay..The fabulous Tina..you are so inspiring and I admire your beautiful spirit so much! Thankyou for sharing a deeply heartfelt post about your journey and celebration of self..I celebrate with you my shining sister friend!
    Hugs! I am so happy I met you and found your blog..and all that you have shared has touched my spirit immeasurably!

    and wow..can i just say( as we seem to be always riding the same synchronisitic wavelength) i was working on a painting last night with a small peacock in the background) how cool is that to see this glorious creature here today on your blog! What an awesome photo!

    I have so enjoyed my visit today to your magical realm..I love everything you said and yes ..very powerful quote!
    Hugs and sparkles
    Victoria

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  3. Gosh I feel kind of freaked out by this post, having just attempted to pour my own heart into my blog on feelings of my own self worth.

    Isn't the internet amazing that we can connect all these thousands of miles away and share our creative insecurities.

    Believe me girl, your art sure measures up. Let's forget those feelings of inadequacies and go create.

    By the way.... I just got these boots http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irregular-Choice-Wicked-West-Leather/dp/B00570JGWQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1319489533&sr=8-3

    This brand of shoes are amazing. My other faves are these

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=irregular+choice+boots#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_22?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=irregular+choice+abigails+party&sprefix=irregular+choice+abiga&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Airregular+choice+abigails+party

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  4. What a gorgeous and moving post, Tina. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I'm so thrilled to be sharing it with you and look forward to reading more as you move forward spiritually and artistically. Congrats on those red shoes! They are beautiful, and it's important to gift yourself sometimes! :)

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  5. What a beautiful post Tina....I am on a journey as well and sometimes I feel really stuck....and then something will reach out to me....like this post today and it will nudge me to keep moving.....so I have to say Thank You!

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  6. Love the shoes! And the statue on the first pictures how enchanting! I'm glad you had a good time with your friend... thanks for sharing your journey of self re-discovery. Very moving.

    cielo

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  7. what a beautiful & honest post tina - your little posts always bring such hope & inspiration to my day - thanks for sharing your journey. xxx

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  8. What you have written is so honest and raw how could it not inspire any of us. I believe that there are many people that would love and appreciate your artwork and want to make it a part of their lives,it is just beautiful as are you. The quote is also one of my very favorites and i couldn't agree more! Don't ever stop creating Gypsy Girl it is who you are and its amazing :-) xxx

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  9. Wishing you a sparkly shiny wkd friend!
    Victoria

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"We are each of us angels with only one wing...and we can fly only be embracing each other." Thankyou for taking the time to visit. Please leave me a comment, as I love to read them x