Shine your Light

Shine your light.

Sing your song.

Show your true, wonderful colors.

Be an original.

Laugh really loud if you feel it inside.

Share your gifts.

Celebrate YOU.

New painting on etsy titled "Shine your Light"

Are you True???

I've done a few paintings/collages with the theme be true to yourself.  This phrase resonates with me because so much of my life up until now, I wasn't true to myself.  I worried, worried, worried what others thought of me and my actions.  I chose to do and say things that wouldn't make people look at me like I was an oddball. I wanted to fit in so badly.

I now wish I had that phrase in my head a lot earlier in life because life is sooooo much better, so much more peaceful when I am doing what is right for me and not worrying how I will appear.  It's definitely a work in progress but I'm getting there.

Do you follow your truth?  Do you have a hard time doing this?  What kinds of things are you afraid to show to the world?  Or are you brave and completely show your true self?

Be True to Yourself

I was the kind of young girl who liked whatever "the leader" of our group liked.  I hardly EVER stuck up for myself or my true likes or dislikes.  I look back at myself and feel so sad for that girl who just didn't have the confidence to be herself.  Having a daughter of my own I really try to instill confidence and originality in her based on my childhood of being a scared follower.  That's what I guess I was--a scared follower.  I was scared to be outed from the group.  I was scared that if I stuck up for myself, AGAINST the "leader" I would be embarrassed and singled out.  I was scared of not doing what everyone else wanted to do.  I didn't want to stand out for being different.  I hid my true self.

As an adult I now know how important it is to be an original and to be true to what is right for me even if it's totally different than everyone else.  I now like to be an original.  It makes life much more interesting, doesn't it?  One of my new paintings is below and it's a reminder to be true to yourself.  I think it would be perfect for a young girl who's just starting to find her true self.



Girl Power

Reach for the stars.  Follow your dreams.  Dream big.  Be an ORIGINAL.  Be true to yourself.  These are just some of the inspirational and IMPORTANT messages I'm trying to convey in my new painting "Girl Power."   

Growing up I was never taught these things.  I was taught to settle down, don't get so loud and excited.  I was even asked why I would want to go to college, when all I really would probably be doing is getting married and having babies.  I want girls to have a different message than those limiting ones, espeically since I have a daughter of my own.  I want her to feel that she has power, the power to be what she wants, the power to follow her dreams and her heart and the power to be true to herself. 

Maybe you know a young girl who you can encourage to be herself and not always worry about what others think.  To listen to her heart.  Help her follow her deepest wishes.