full circle

Almost three years ago, I received this original and personalized piece of art from my favorite artist, Kal Barteski.  It's more than just a painting to me.  It speaks to me.  It encourages and inspires me....to embrace ME just the way I am.  To some, that concept may seem easy....a relatively unconscious action.  But not to me. 

I have posted about Kal here, here, here, here and here.  I consider her a teacher and a kindred spirit.

Later, I received the print above as a gift from Kevin.  My tiny lady piece reminds me to love myself and this reminds me that I am loved+adored by someone else...just the way I am.  aaahhh....how refreshing!  I cherish all these bits of wisdom that I have found in my "older" age. 

>>>>>>>fast forward to the present>>>>>>>>>

I am taking Kal's follow up class, Nuture your creativity 2 and things are coming full circle. 

I started this blog a little over 4 years ago, as a way to document this new journey of self-discovery.  As my marriage was falling apart, I was forced to face the truth that I had been defining myself by those around me and how I thought they perceived me.  I was a mother at 18 and a wife at 19....long before I was able to discover who I was.  Needless to say, I valued myself for being a good mother and thought I needed to be superwoman {I'd show them I wouldn't become another statistic...an unwed, teenage mother...I could do it ALL}.  And don't get me wrong...my greatest accomplishment to this day is being a good mama to my two wonderful children.  BUT, children grow up & husbands can break your heart and spirit and then what?  You're left with YOU.  And you are left asking yourself "What do YOU want to do?"  "What's important to YOU?"  "What do YOU want to do with your life?"  and most importantly, "Do you love YOU?" 

I started really, honestly looking at myself.  The things I liked about me.  The things I wanted to change.  And along this road, I discovered some great things.  That I really like who I am but I had some deep set insecurities that would take awhile to work out.  But you can't grow unless you are willing to take an honest evaluation of YOU.  As uncomfortable as it can be....it has all been worth it. 

Life is GOOD! 

Comments

[Amy Paulino]

BEAUTIFUL!