Learn to See Yourself with Compassion

May 16, 2012

Pen to Paper

I’ve been noticing this return of pen to paper in my life.

That girl in the photo in this post from a couple weeks ago (me at 16). She was a journaller often even an art journaller. She had big black art books filled with notes, collages, painted pages. I still have many of those in a box in the closet that I haven’t opened in years (another place I could go find some new true stories when I’m in a place where I only remember the insecurity or rough patches of my teenage years and early 20’s).

She spilled it all in there.

Then blogging happened and the journals stopped being filled. My words shifted from paper to computer screen and I started to write stories there. They were different of course, less diary like and more in a way that allowed me to learn to tell a story to an audience (even though at that time it was probably 1 or 2 people max). I’ve been blogging for 8 years now and for the most part love the way in invites me to write on a regular basis. Yet in this 8 years I pretty much stopped journalling.

Since I started running a creative small business, something shifted. It started with a blank Sabrina Ward Harrison Journal (which are unfortunately not available anymore, but she does have her gorgeous new book And the Story Is Happening that invites us to write and create art in it).

I’d fill those blank pages with goals, course outlines, ideas, brainstorming mind maps. Then in between all of those it started flowing out again, a way to just check in with myself. Now it has become a regular thing, spilling onto the pages whenever I need it.

I didn’t realize how much I missed this private space to write whatever I needed to get out. Sometimes it leads to something I want to write a blog post about, other times it is all for me. It feels so good to be back at that place where I crave to put pen to paper.

How about you? Do you create a space to write outside of blogging? Or do you start your blog posts by hand? I’d love to hear about your relationship to putting pen to paper, just for you…

May 15, 2012

Showing Up With Love

When I’m teaching an e-course, especially a brand new one, I find myself not blogging about it very much for some reason.

In many ways, when we are gathered in this really incredible community energy in an e-course, I don’t know how to describe it to folks who aren’t a part of it (other than it is a love-fest) and I suppose in a way I like to keep the sacredness of it.

There is something incredible that occurs in these spaces.

Re-writing the Story is running right now and it is happening.

That magic.

When people show up collectively in a creative endeavor. When they show up for each other.

Before I ever started the first session of YAYOM I asked a friend “Should I put parameters around what they can share?” “Will people gather who are so different they might not get along?” “Will people leave unsupportive comments?” I decided not to put parameters around it and just to trust that whoever came to the class was meant to be there and would want the same kindness given to them as they would put out. I have never ever, not even once, seen a comment in one of my classes that was insulting or disresepectful or mocking.

Quite the opposite. It ends up being beyond just being kind.

They show up with love.

And oh my do they show up. That is part of the magic of this being about self-portraiture too. Because by even taking and sharing a photo in the class we are showing up for ourselves, standing in our light. Over these past few years I’ve been brought to tears by the way the participants inspire and encourage each other.

In this class, Re-Writing the Story, in particular, I’m inviting the participants to show up for themselves with that same love. To see themselves as they would a brand new friend, seeing all of the promise and goodness in that person.

I thought I’d share that invitation with you today (and with myself).

To show up with the love that you give to others in your life.

To look at a self-portrait you’ve taken, or even a photo that someone took of you. Or look in the mirror and give yourself the encouragement and love you give to your friends or creative cohorts.

Will you join me in this little act of self-love today?

May 13, 2012

Love the Questions Themselves

May 11, 2012

New Frames!

I had brand new glasses arrive in my mailbox. So exciting!

For someone who has been wearing glasses since my teenage years, it has only felt like in the last few years glasses have become way more accessible and affordable.

I love having glasses and though sure, I wouldn’t mind having better eyesight, I don’t see myself ever wanting to get surgery to fix my eye sight or even get contacts. Something about being a girl with glasses just works for me.

This is my second pair of new frames this year, and together they are still far less than one would pay on a single pair of glasses. I really would love to channel my inner Elton John and have a whole array of glasses (though just one extra pair is dreamy for now).

I thought I’d share a bit about both pairs as they came from two different affordable options.

The vintage pair are some that I found at the Vancouver Flea Market for $35. I took them to a local store and was able to get lenses put in them. It is risky with vintage glasses as they need to heat them up in order to put the lenses in so they could break…so be sure to make sure they are in good shape as possible. Luckily it worked for me.

This is probably the 5th pair of potential vintage glasses I’ve bought over the years (some for only a dollar or two). Thrift stores or flea markets are prime for this but there are some incredible vintage stores that do the searching for you. One of the best selections I’ve ever seen is at Hollywood Vintage in Portland. The price point will probably be much higher than what you’d find at a flea market or thift store, but the selection can be incredible. You can also get some via Etsy but much like the vintage stores, the price point will be higher…but really, compared to a pair of frames from a brick and mortar glasses store, its much cheaper.

These new frames are from Clearly Contacts (I think in the States it is called Coastal) and they are amazing. They offer you a free first pair. For folks like me with a pretty strong perscription, I had to pay for some upgrades in the lenses but it was still under $100 which after having to shell out hundreds for past glasses, these are both dreamy options!

I’ve also heard good things about Warby Parker and Lookmatic, but I really do prefer being able to purchase from a company here in Canada.

Its been so interesting seeing my internal reaction to having new frames too. I’m realizing how much I’ve tied my outward identity to those cateye frames this year. I feel more myself in them. Its like they speak of the quirky in me and I feel really seen and understood somehow when I wear them. While I’m loving these new black ones, it feels a bit different. I don’t feel like I recognize myself in the mirror…so while I love them, you’ll probably mostly see me in the vintage ones still. But at the same time, I am not a pair of glasses so I’m excited to stretch myself and see something new in the mirror.

May 9, 2012

Double Exposure Day

On Saturday I had the chance to do a free demo at a very cool Art Store called Opus, located in downtown Vancouver.

I had all sorts of gear ready for us to play with and was grateful for the small but totally excited and engaged group of participants who gathered. I had brought some of my own supply of Polaroid film for us to play around with. We had so much fun chatting about creating Double Exposures via film, digital and some digital options too. I loved seeing their excitement as they experimented with doing double exposures via the Polaroid Spectras as well as the Polaroid Land Cameras that take pack film.

Two of the participants, Leliania and Carol, already blogged about their experience at the workshop so you can check out the posts about their experience and see some of the images they created.

Thanks to Opus for having me! There is mention of me doing another one in the fall which would be incredible (and if you vancouver folks have a subject you’d love me to do a mini-workshop on…do tell…I’d love to hear what you are hungry for).