On Putting IT Out There...

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It doesn't matter what IT is, if you don't put it out there there's not much chance of it happening right? But if you do...

~ Putting your painting/photography/writing out there, whatever that means to you, increases its chances of being seen or discovered. Keeping it hidden in your studio or on your hard drive will not.

~ Putting prices up on your Website for your art and letting people know that it's available for sale will increase the chances of someone buying it. NOT letting them know will rarely result in sales.

~ Sending that résumé brings you one step closer to getting the job. Shrugging the opportunity off as a long shot will not.

~ Telling people about your dreams and passions might result in a serendipitous connection that can help them manifest. Keeping them to yourself and dismissing them as silly will not.

~ Putting your SELF out there and authentically connecting with other people might grow your social network, deepen existing friendships or even lead to new ones. Consistently saying no to invitations or staying in your social comfort zone will not.

There are times when putting yourself out there isn't high on the priority list. I get that.

There are also times to take action or risks in the name of our dreams and goals. And micro-risks are more than acceptable! Send that email, book that coffee date, call about the rent on that perfect studio spot down the street...

Sometimes there's not a lot to lose, but oh so much to gain.

What if you gave it shot just to see what happens?

~~~

PS - After I drafted this post, a friend with whom I'd been chatting about this earlier today sent me this post from Tiny Buddha on seizing opportunity and taking chances (thank you Lala!). Check it out. Serendipity at work!

May Days Ramble II

I had a post ready to go earlier today, but alas I lost it. So here I am, with no post to go.

Yet I write.

I write about how fulfilling life has been during the past few weeks. About how I've been busy, yet not overwhelmed. About how there are things I feel bad about not having done, but how others unfolded perfectly, like how I...

~ inhaled the scent of the lilacs and the lily-of-the-valley.

~ spent time with my parents who were visiting from New Brunswick. I only see them once or twice a year and that's not enough. I'm already plotting a road trip down east to see them again.

~ worked my way through another chapter of Julia Cameron's Walking in this World. It seems that book is having as big an impact in my life as its precursor, The Artist's Way (the Artist's Way rocked my world more than ten years ago already!).

~ stretched my comfort zone through voice lessons, realizing that I can now hit a note with power that only a month ago I never imagined I could have produced.

~ noticed that the confidence gained through my voice lessons is seeping into other areas of my life, not yet through action, but through acknowledgment of possibility and worthiness.

~ felt inspired to dream.

~ felt tired and slept.

~ delighted in documentaries that were part of TV Ontario's Photography Month, highlighting the work of photographers David Bailey, Mike Disfarmer and Yousuf Karsh. All Photography Month documentaries are available for viewing on TVO's Website, here.

~ found the owner's manual to Matilda, my trusty point & shoot, and discovered settings that could enhance my current photographic play.

~ practiced trust in "guidance greater than my meager mind" (thank you Oprah!).

~ registered for a sculpting workshop that uses old cotton tees and a textile hardener to produce something that could (eventually) look like this.

~ laughed at old Dick Van Dyke shows with my Dad.

~ cried at American Idol and Oprah's last shows.

~ submitted artwork to Art for Alabama, raising funds for people affected by the tornadoes in that state back in April. Only one more day to bid!

~ did, felt and was much, much more.

Well look at that, I ended up re-writing my lost post. It's amazing what happens when you put fingers to keyboard, non?

What a full and fulfilling month. I am grateful.

What have you been up to lately? Tell me...