Beautiful Soul 8×10 free download (keep reading)
When Doubt Rises
Every time I’m getting ready for a show it’s always a crazy time. The preparation and the long hours of getting inventory ready. Packing a truck full of displays and then setting everything up. Fussing over every detail, turning pieces just right and so on until I have to tell myself to stop and just let it be.
Days before the show an anxiousness starts to build and my thoughts go to what if no one like my stuff, what if I don’t make any money, let alone cover my expenses, what if, what if. Every time I put my artwork out there in the world it’s always such a personal thing because each piece is part of me. They not only carry my name, but my life, experience, hurt, healing and growth.
The show went well, but the best thing I received was confirmation that my mission and message of my art speaks to women. That it meets them at their point and place of need. I had tears, and stories of divorce, disappointment and cancer. Each soul looking for a message of hope… something to chase the doubt and fear away.
I have said it before, but I will say it again…. we are all more alike than we are different.
I had my doubt and fear going into the show…. (I always do).. and I met women with the same doubts and fears. Different yes. Our paths are different, our circumstances vary, yet we all have our inner battles.
Doubt is quiet and creeps in slowly, with our inner critic whispering and poking at our vulnerable places.
Our doubts can say many things like: you will never sell anything, your not an artist, you will be alone, the hurt will not go away, you are not worthy of staying with, why didn’t I do more, Your voice doesn’t matter, maybe I will never have children, maybe I will not heal.
All so different, with the same sting attached.
Soo, we need to be good to each other, bond together and lift each other up. With prayers, words, love, kindness and practical everyday, “You can do it!” encouragement.
Here are a few steps that we can take in our own lives or in the lives of others to push past the doubt and fear. And to help us realize our unique purpose and gifts.
1. Recognize and Share It.
They say that realizing where you’re at, what’s happening inside, is half the battle of conquering. But it is so true! Know that, that doubt and voices are just that. Then write it out, paint it out, shout it out. Just the acknowledgement can quiet the storm.
2. Surround yourself with good and ask for help.
Once you recognize what the heck is going on, find your safe place and person and share it. Something happens when things go from in our head, out our mouth. The doubt and voices lose power. They seem almost ridiculous when we say them out loud and when you’re with someone who knows and loves you they can reinforce the positive. Don’t be afraid to ask for feed back. Ask about what your feeling and if it has any validity. Most often it will be absolutely NOT!
3. Acceptance.
We will always have doubts and fears. If I meet someone who says that they don’t, I don’t believe them. Even the most successful, confident people deal with the dark side every now and then. Accept it! Those feelings are part of who we are and are sooo important to our growth, understanding and empathy. So while I hate that place, when it happens, more often than not for me..I get a little forlorn and then… it challenges me, causes me to reach out, to bolster my resolve and give me a kick in the pants. One of my favorite authors and inspirational people is Danielle Laporte this is a quote from her “There is no way to get to Awesomeness without first walking through that dark.”
4. Write out the opposite
Often I will write out the opposite of how I’m feeling. For example: My doubt says … No one will buy my art – The opposite is … people buy my art everyday. Doubt says: Am I good artist? – the opposite – I’m a damn good artist, people email me that all the time! OOH see it’s already working. I start getting fired up, like a coach giving a pep talk…. pretty soon I will be high fiving someone and screaming “HHHeeeelll YeeaaaH!”
5. Take Action.
Move! Take Action! Go for a walk, dance, go to the gym, take a kick boxing class, get a nerf bat and beat the heck out of your pillow, paint, sew, refinish some furniture, clean the cupboards, drive somewhere and watch the sunset or sunrise, grab your camera and take a photo tour of your neighborhood…. just do something different!!! Change up the scenery get out of the funky rut and breathe, laugh. Shake it off!
6. Love and help another.
When we stop thinking for a moment, (I’m not saying not deal with what’s going on) about our doubt, and give to someone, love someone, that is is need. It gives us some head space to get perspective. Feed the homeless, help a neighbor, meet with a girlfriend and console or encourage, fill a backpack for a needy child, plan thanksgiving dinner for a family who is struggling. When we change our patterns or our though patterns even for a moment it can be the break that our brains need to get a better perspective. Our neural pathways are ingrained in us and we need to shake things up to see change.
**As a little side note here, if you can’t shake your doubt and fear and it is turning into something more like depression. See a professional. I have spent a lot of years talking things out with some amazing professionals who are part of my reinforcement everyday. When things arise that I suddenly feel like I can’t handle, I turn to the lessons I learned through my therapy. It will be the best money you have ever spent and there is absolutely, positively, NO SHAME in seeing someone to help you!***
You are perfectly imperfect and that is a beautiful thing! There is nothing sexier that a women who knows who she is, the good, the bad, and the even better!
We as women uniquely understand the inner battle that goes on each day inside of us. Lets encourage each other, love each other and be a safe place for each other.
You are in my heart and a part of me.
Big Hugs and Smile=Shawn
I want to give you a gift….. Because you are important!
Leave a comment below with your email address and I will send you “Beautiful Soul” a downloadable version of the print. It will come in a jpg format so you can print it in any size.
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