This is my painting ‘Who Are You’, which has the entirety of Marianne Williamson’s famous quote about our deepest fear being that we are ‘powerful beyond measure’ {often mis-attributed to Nelson Mandela} inscribed across it.
I’ve been doing a LOT of thinking lately, about all sorts of things connected with truth, and shining, and meaning. There’s plenty more thinking to do {always!} and I’ve noticed that I am continually coming across things that reflect my thoughts or take them further, so I know I’m on the right track.
I just read this on Susannah Conway‘s blog ~ she is talking about the book tour she just completed in the USA:
“We can learn so much from each other and if nothing else I hope that my book (and actually, this blog) encourages people to open up and share their story. To be real and honest about their life so others feel less alone. So WE feel less alone. There is so much collective wisdom out there, it really is a gift to be living in a time when we can share with each other as easily as we can. Blogs… books… courses… social media. I see tribes forming online and marvel at how much support and love there is out there.”
{my emphasis}
And I realised that she was saying what I hadn’t yet articulated to myself but felt very deeply; that more and more for me life is becoming about connection and sharing.
I feel a deep longing in me to make an offering to the world through connection, even if I don’t yet know exactly how, and even if I feel like a chick that just hatched and still has egg goo on her and wobbly legs. And I can start here, on my blog.
I find, as I know you do too, that so often when I dare to speak my real feelings, others understand, relate and feel seen; that there is often a relief in the ‘oh, me too!’.
And if you’ve been around for a while you’ll know that my paintings are a part of a bigger picture of the way my life unfolds. The art is a reflection of the life. So to talk about the art without mentioning the life no longer feels like telling the whole story, or the truth, if you like.
There is much talk on blogs about how much of yourself to put ‘out there’, how honest we are being, how much we edit out, and what is ‘right’. I think a lot of it is connected with fear of vulnerability, which is scary for sure.
What Susannah said struck a chord for me because surely it’s about sharing and learning from each other; we share our lives and connect with others through our feelings about the things that happen to us, which are the things that happen to all of us.
I am interested in creativity, in sharing, in learning and growing, in healing, however that may come.
I share because I need to, and because my experiences are not just my experiences.
I have lost count of the number of times I have stumbled onto someone’s blog on the day that they are talking about just the thing I’m going through, and the relief and comfort there is in knowing you aren’t alone.
Because really, that’s what we all want, to know that we aren’t alone, and if I can offer that in some small way while being truthful to myself, then I couldn’t ask for much more than that.
So this is the direction we’re heading in folks; I’ll share more of the pictures of my life, both metaphorical and literal {hell, I might even share some art at some point!}, with the intention and wish that it is useful or interesting or comforting to someone else, and you are so welcome to come along for the ride and be that someone else if you feel it.
And it won’t all be as serious-face worthy as this one, promise. 🙂
I think what I’m saying, in my late night clumsy way, is that I need and am ready to shine, scary or not, {gotta get that egg goo off} and in practising what that might look like or mean I hope that it will offer something to you in the process. Time to let go of the deepest fear.
Wibble.
{I had hoped to be more articulate than this, but it just sort of poured out and my pounding head says stop and go to bed already.}
There is so much infomation out there on how much you should share, what the “perception” of you should be. I recently attended a workshop where Noa (FeatherLove) spoke on vulnerability. She basically said if you put something out there that makes you uncomfortable, you’re truly sharing yourself. Being vulnerable and transparent opens us up to people we want to connect with, that will “get” us. It’s a difficult thing that I struggle with too.
I’m not familiar with Noa ~ I’ll look her up. I don’t know how I feel about making myself uncomfortable; I think if I felt that I would decide that that particular thing was something to keep for myself. But I agree that our vulnerability and transparency are what people can connect with, and that’s what I hope to develop here. Thanks for your thoughts Teresa, fellow Piscean. 🙂
You have to be “you” always. In every way. I read Susannah’s blog today too and loved her post. I met her when she was here in Toronto on that whirlwind tour and she was charming, funny, honest and connected. Listening to her and talking with her afterwards sealed for me everything she said in her book and who she is as a person. I left that night feeling changed…much in the way you have been talking about in your post, so I do understand what you’re saying…you were very articulate! (and I love that Marianne Williamson quote!).
I got that impression about her too. I think she’s done a lot of growing since starting her blog, and it’s inspiring to see how that has helped her, not to mention where it’s taken her! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sherry, and for understanding what I was trying to say! 🙂 xx
What I’ve learnt is that before you can share your truth you have to really know who you are. Recently I’ve been breaking down a lot of thoughts I’ve had about myself and shared about myself which were actually other people’s perceptions of me that I believed too, even though they were not correct. As soon as I realised my own opinion on things, a lot of feelings changed- I recognised myself more, I felt more confident, sharing my values became more secure but more vulnerable (ie I could express myself succinctly but felt MANY things were too precious to share publically anymore when before I was incredibly open, if not stupid). Now I feel I can be open but not exposed which is far better as I can share but not feel regret over saying too much. I can respect my need for privacy now.
I really agree with this Lianne; I am sort of in the middle of learning who I am so this made a lot of sense to me. Discerning what is ‘yours’ and what you’ve taken on from others is a process I find. I think you are right; when we are rooted in who we are we can share with a centredness that doesn’t compromise ourselves but comes from a truthful place that others can hear clearly. I’m still working on that, but at least I can name it now! It sounds like you’ve really found where your balance lies, and I notice the change on your blog too. xx
who i am changes each day and i have come to learn that it is a good thing. it is not just me being moody or changeable. what i put out in the world is changeable as well and that is also OK. I am not an even person. I am a sensitive person who rides on top of the waves, lifting and falling as life takes me. its more fun that way.
ok… stop now…..soul searching…. i connected with what you said and that was my response
keep well
jo
This sounds so like me Jo. I am sensitive too, ‘too’ sensitive according to some people (which I take to mean they don’t get it so it makes them uncomfortable so they criticise it). I like your analogy of riding the waves. I’m certainly learning more acceptance and allowing of what comes these days. I’m glad you found a connection here. 🙂
you are so so wise, my friend… xox
I thought it very articulate. Good stuff. And ha! Thanks for sharing! I love connections. Or connecting. It’s what we are in a way. The relationships and connections we have.
Thanks Moyra. 🙂 It definitely feels better to connect in a more truthful way.
wonderful!
i think you’ve read my blog enough to know that i’m all about being authentic. do what feels true and what feels right. it’s more than okay to leave some just for yourself too. 😉
and yeah, one reason i share what i share is because when someone says, ‘this made me feel about’, or, ‘this touched me’, or, ‘i feel this too!, it makes everything worth it.
Wow! Just last night I was writing about this same fear. My fears stem back to earlier years and feelings of inadequacy from being taunted as a child and really never fitting in my adult years. And by the way I have always thought of you as a bright light and a healer from my very first encounter with your blog and seeing your written work and your art. Shine ON!
I would so LOVE to get 3 copies of this! Ive been looking for it in an amazing color and print to put in my girls room.