Regarding "Still"

I think it’s going to be really important for me to remember that “still” doesn’t mean “freeze,” that it’s wrapped into “stay” and “satisfied” and “faith” and “abundance” and “enough”—all words from my past years that brought so much richness into my life and the way I paid attention to things.

But oh, “freeze” feels safer right now.

Freezing time (so I can do more with each moment)
Freezing my body (so I feel I could have more rest)
Freezing everything (so maybe it doesn’t feel so scary)

I’m used to “freeze.”
I can BEAT “freeze.”

But “still” is my word, and to be honest, it’s inspiring movement I didn’t expect. It’s inviting me to play, to putter, to feel, and to open spaces up that I thought were closed forever. It’s offering active waiting, doing what I love right where I am instead of gearing up to chase the Next Big Thing.

“Still” is helping me be present, and reminding me that curiosity, exploration, and growth come out of stillness.

Sometimes, when I’m out of light and inspiration and energy, I go shopping for my sensory side. (Even grocery shopping opens up flavors and colors and textures—have you ever noticed this?!)

The other day, while shopping at Whole Foods, I found the most beautiful rose tucked into an arrangement with white gerbera daisies, green hydrangea, and some little pink cranberries (does anyone know the proper name for them?), and there was nothing for it but to bring it home, because every petal of that flower spoke to me.

The idea of a still life shoot began growing in my mind, but there would likely be no sun for it—and I didn’t want it anyway, because it didn’t feel true to the aching beauty of almost two months of rain. It took me a few days before I knew how to say what I felt about the way even the tiniest bit of light throws beauty into the darkness.

Here are a few images from that shoot, a romance with my macro lens (a Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras attached by an adapter to my Canon 5D MKIII and shot on manual).

I suppose this is all somewhat naturally leading me to a re-opening of my art space, the place where the deepest-feeling images go, where prints may happen, and where I’ll be planning and creating portraiture around inspiration that won’t let me go, inspiration that comes forward when I am still, when I am here, when I am soft and open to possibility.

It’s not open yet, but it is coming soon, and you are the FIRST to know. I’m selecting print options and preparing my first ever shop here…

This is where my fire lives, the quiet fire of my introvert energy that doesn’t often come out when I’m working with other people. If I’m to be still in 2023, I’m definitely going to be spending more time on this beauty, with the practical goals of…

• diversifying income channels

• doing more work for (or from!) my heart

• moving toward my own long-term vision (to make art and write more)

In the meantime, I’ve had a partnership space open up this week for photography mentoring, editing or copy work (think emails, website copy, bio work, social media posts etc.), or even some branding strategy.

As we move into 2023, things are getting stretchy for everyone, and I’m feeling passionate about setting my people up for their best year connecting with their people yet. If you (or someone you know) are looking for some backup without having to hire someone to do all the things, I’m offering an exclusive It’s all a love story special of only $675 USD (a 60% discount on my current monthly rate) for a one-month partnership to do WHATEVER will help you get that back-burner project out into the world.

(People keep telling me to define my dang offer, but you guys, after 20 years of entrepreneuring, I do everything, and I love how utterly diverse my workdays are when I’m showing up for what my people need.)

On that note, I’m going to have to wrap this up and send it so I can jump into a bit of work for a favorite client before our call today.

Thank you for being here, for letting this all be a bit unscripted and letting me putter as I haven’t had an opportunity to putter for a Very Long Time. I think it’s going to take a minute to settle into my voice again—I’m in awe that you’re willing to “listen.”

Here’s to “still here” and being UN-frozen as the sun comes back and spring wends her way in.

Share It's all a love story.