September's Awakening

September is such an amazing month.  A subtle shift in nature is taking place before my very eyes... one leaf changes color, then another....by October it will be so apparent....I will be standing in a yard of leaves that needs raking....it will be so obvious then.  But not now.  That awareness, that noticing of something subtly transforming before my eyes creates powerful stirrings within me. It is an inner awakening.  What is being awakened?

Starting my business Artful Expressions six months ago and then wanting to hide....creating a blog and not wanting anyone to really read it,.....putting my art work out there but hoping not to be seen was like being a pilot taking off on a journey.  My name tag would read Teresa the Courageous and my copilot's name tag would read, Fear and Self Doubt.  I think this deeper awakening is recognizing that I never get to my destination with Fear and Self Doubt as my copilot.    Dr. Brene Brown has this great YouTube video entitled Why Your Critics Aren't the Ones Who Count where she describes that these critics, either our internal voices or real people not giving supportive feedback, have to be given a seat in the arena no matter what.  If they don't get invited, they'll just grow bigger, badder, and uglier.  So give them a seat, bring them along for the ride...they're going to show up anyway. Great, grab a seat....just not in the cockpit!

This awakening is about subtle transformation and recognizing that I am a part of it...in nature as well as changes taking place within.  I think they are whisperings that are calling me...pulling at my soul...telling me it's time to make that connection, pick up that paintbrush, write down those words, live every day artfully.  One step at a time.