Motivation

I've been receiving a lot of motivation lately. Pushes forward, reasons to not look back. I feel like I'm working towards a better life, a better existence.

The above photo can be found in my shop with a motivational quote on it here.

I am in the thick of things... and my mind is going a mile a minute... as it calms, I will let you in.

Sometimes A Lot of Help is Needed

Yesterday, I was feeling no motivation whatsoever. So I decided to hold myself accountable. I was online, on Etsy, talking to my friends. And I decided, I'd state what I was going to do "I'm going to contact this wine bar about hanging my work there", then as soon as I did it, I'd pop back in and report that.

It worked great. I still had no momentum, but I was checking things off my list, one by one. I submitted 4 photos for possible publishing, I sent query letters to a wine bar, a restaurant, a gallery, and a photography-only warehouse show (1 night). And guess what? shortly after I sent my query to the warehouse people, they had a meeting, and I am in!

I will be among about 40 photographers there. Also there will be gallery reps, photographer agents, newspaper reporters.... I'm thrilled and scared at the same time! That's my good news from yesterday... and I wonder what today will bring.

Without support and encouragement from my friends, this opportunity would have passed me by. I love that I have a group of people that I can lean on and always rely on. It's so important in life!

If you have goals... if you have anything you are striving towards, make sure you have your cheering section intact. Fill their wells and they will fill yours!

TGIF

The magic I spoke of earlier in the week has returned. Today is a beautiful day, and the weekend looming before me looks wonderful. Like I said before, I love fall. I love naked trees. I love leaf covered streets and paths. I love wearing my crochet/knitted hats. I love layering. :-)

And I love trying to capture the magic with my camera. Not sure if the weekend will allow time for that, but I certainly am going to try.

The other day, I came across the following quote.

"Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it." -- Goethe

It was a great reminder to me... like I had said about a week ago, about showing up at the page. In the name of being pointed in the right direction, I keep happening across these signs. And that is a very good thing. I need all the reminders that I can get.

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. And if you need that reminder, write it out on a post it. Put it on your mirror or in your car... perhaps on your computer monitor. Enjoy!

"Show up at the Page"

I'm doing the Artist's Way with a couple of friends, and a big part of it is writing the morning pages. 3 pages of uncensored writing first thing in the morning. I have to admit, it's not always first thing in the morning for me, but they are an amazing tool! You learn so much about yourself when you have to write out 3 pages worth of stuff.

The writer of The Artist's Way always says to "show up at the page" and realizations will come to you. I've done a lot of thinking about that, and realize I can apply to anything really. I show up with the camera and get some amazing shots. I show up at the computer and can edit and list. The only worry, really... ever... is showing up.

Sometimes the motivation is the most difficult thing. I know this all too well. I get bogged down by life, by work, by emotions, by depression, and exhaustion. But once I actually show up, it's like the planets start aligning or something.

I challenge you to listen to those inner voices that guide your dreams. But this time, don't shush them. Really listen. And show up!

I am driven

I have posted this photo before, but I just love it so much, I wanted to share it again. That's me with my wonderful dad! I was talking to dad last night (it had been way too long, I get so caught up in life), and I always learn so much about myself when talking to him!

A friend told me last week "you know, your ears can hear what your mouth says". And guess what I heard my mouth say last night?? I said, to my dad, "you know, I'm so driven, that it's very hard for me to accept when others aren't." Laziness is a quality that does not set well with me. But, I do know people who are not driven whatsoever. Ok, Robyn, so what?? It's time to move on. I am not going to install a chip in them to give them motivation, so I need to stop letting it affect me.

And Dad, yes, I'm very driven. But it's alright, because I do a lot of self-care as well. I go to bed early, since I get up early. I eat well, I stay hydrated. I just try to stay on top of the millions of ideas whirring in my soul. And yesterday, I took a nap. It was glorious!

I am rambling a bit here. But, as usual, my mind is going into overdrive, and it's not even 5am.

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And while you're here... please leave me a comment. Either about my post or what YOU do to stay motivated