let’s be honest…
i had a rough couple of weeks. beyond my husband being gone, a bathroom renovation that is going anything but smoothly, and a re-roofing that left me saying “i really just hate that” [although they are fixing it]…my photography journey had me in tears [more times than once].
wondering…
where i’m at.
where i’m going.
just trying to make sense of it all.
of anything really.
but it’s like trying to make sense of things in the midst of a tornado. the eye — the center of the storm — is there. you know it. but you can’t get there. you can’t even see it. you can’t get to that bit of clarity…that bit that makes sense. it’s all just swirling. that’s how things have been and felt lately.
but today, my friend sent this to me, prefaced by…
saw this today and thought about you.
don’t dilute your inner voice by soliciting the opinions of others, heeding them over its counsel. why ask mere mortals for advice when you’re guided by sacred wisdom? treasure your sixth sense. treat it like gold. wear it close to your heart, and don’t allow anyone to rob you of its power.
-sonia choquette
can’t even begin to share how much this quote speaks to me. so much about this photography journey is trusting yourself. allowing yourself to just be. and learn. and grow. but trusting, and listening to that inner wisdom, along the way. and not being influenced by the craziness that surrounds you. and well, there’s a lot of craziness going on in this industry right now.
with that being said, another wise, inspirational friend emailed me last week and shared how i need to just be patient. there’s so much i still don’t know. i’m still not educated on. instead of focusing on what isn’t happening at this moment, i need to embrace and be grateful for what IS happening. words of wisdom from someone who has been there and done that.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
so true deb. i am looking forward to the winter months of personal photography projects… that always helps bring a little clarity. xo
What an awesome friend who really knows what she’s talking about and how cool that she looks out for you. Cool quote. I think that deserves to be pinned up on your board.
I hope you received my email last week regarding how much looking through your work has INSPIRED ME! So be kind to yourself, your gift is one for many.
I feel you. & understand the questions. the frustration. even anger sometimes. For me…my “it thing” is not photography, I am learning. It’s just part of my toolbox…but not the main tool. These words have inspired me greatly (& kept me above my year long tornado) & I hope they can give you something like the perspective like they gave me: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.: –Steve Jobs
(P.S. I’d sure love to have coffee with you someday. I think we’d have a lot to talk about. Even if it just to ponder where the f this is all going…)
I came around on the perfect evening to read this…as I am practically choking on fear…fear as I try to shift to something new…move away from something known. I can taste the fear and it feels like it may overtake me, yet I cannot stay where I have been. I just can’t. I want to cry over my photography it disappoints me so. I feel as though I have a mismatched lens I am looking through…I don’t know how to get it off….I am making no sense and I apologize for trying to here. I just wanted to send you some love and a thank you, for although we are on completely different journeys dealing with our own issues, I don’t feel so alone or so scared knowing I am not the only one shifting and being brought to tears…♥
hi deb. i haven’t been around for quite some time…i’ve been on my own crazy changing directions more than a few times journey…aren’t we all. i saw the title of this post and am glad i stopped to read it. i have written so many posts on ‘just follow your heart, your instincts, your own journey’ as well…but, why? why, do we still fall into that hole of what’s going on around us? it’s crazy and self defeating. i’m sending you love and strength, too, to stay focused and keep looking inside for the truly meaningful signs…then follow. if you remind me, i’ll remind you.
i’m still hoping we can catch that cuppa something good on my next trip home (clearwater).
xo gina
I just read this entry at exactly the right time… I’ve been struggling to find my way on my own photographic journey. Relying to heavily on the “opinion” or “validation” by others and feeling completely inadequate. This quote completely resonates with me and I appreciate you sharing your own vulnerability. Reminds me that we really all are facing the same fears and struggles.