Day 4 -Owning yourself
We all come to this Earth with strengths and weaknesses. Knowing how to diminish or enhance both categories is where we truly start owning ourselves.
I own the fact that I am an artist and maker. My parents believed that both areas are hobbies and that I could never make a living doing either one. Doing what all good children do, I moved into career choices that pleased them-not me. It has proven to be an interesting ride trying to prove them wrong. I no longer try- I just do. They still see me through those old glasses and I understand that they only want the best for me. I am bless they are both still in my life.
Approval from our elders, teachers, and mentors is a strong driving force. It fuels us to keep on going. Disapproval can freeze us or motivates us to make choices that will lead to a lifetime of course correction. The good news here is that we humans have the ability to choose another path or road anytime in this journey of life. Some days I wish this enlightenment would have come sooner rather than later.
We only have today and I am trying to own this truth about my chosen path. It has taken hard work, but so did walking the path of looking for others to approve.
I have created art since I was little. When I was 11 or 12 my focus shifted to fashion drawings. I would sit for hours making up outfits that I could draw with pencils and felt pens. These images were rough and needed some refining in their proportions. I didn’t know it then, but when I was in High School I decided I wanted to be a Fashion Designer. I was already sewing and drawing so it seemed a perfect fit for my gifts.
I grew up in a small Midwestern town. Girls became secretaries, nurses and teachers. A career in the arts? No way. My parents, my father particularly, wanted his daughter to go to college, so I did just that. I was still set on Fashion Design and when it came time for college I had 2 choice small private college or huge university. Since I have always been more of an introvert, I set my sights on the small private college. I can say right here that my father was happy with that choice and I was please he was pleased.
It would take me years to realize that I was a manifestor and that I could bring things into reality with a powerful thought and a little hard work. Life and all its possibilities are awe inspiring. More about this on another day.
I own the choice of where I wanted to attend college. It was a rocky road through college. I was looking for approval on many levels. Looking back it made me stronger and more committed to getting what I want or what I need. It’s no longer about the approval of others. Its about recognizing in myself as a job well done. I own it for myself.
The image above is from my archives. It was done during one of the Spring or Fall Fashion weeks in New York. I have live in a few state in this great country. I have had to privilege of visiting over 30 of our great states. I will alway consider myself a New York City Girl.
Have a good day you all and see you tomorrow-sheree