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Another guest post by Dana
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Back in January, I did a silly "Thursday 13" post where I listed Thirteen things I'd like to do but will likely let some irrational fear keep me from accomplishing. Some of the things on the list are long-term projects, but some of them required nothing more than a little belief in myself. And yesterday, I found that belief - I submitted a photograph for juried review and (hopefully) public display.
What surprised me was that accomplishing that goal didn't feel the way I expected it to. No, it felt even better! Why??
When I was living with husband we bought a really nice camera for a vacation we were taking. I was not allowed to take photos - husband reviewed my first attempts and decided I had no talent - I was just wasting space on the memory card.
Whenever we took the camera anywhere, he took the photos. He didn't even want me to take the camera if I was attending an event without him. I saved up my pennies and purchased my own camera. Sure, it was a $149 point-and-shoot model, but it was mine! And I started taking pictures, never sharing them with him.
Since leaving him, I started participating in Project 365 - a photo-blogging project where you post a photo each day for a year (if you are interested, you can find it [HERE]) One of the photos I took (the one below) was a perfect fit for the "Black & White" theme of this juried show. I took a deep breath, attached it to an email, and hit send.
Although I'd be thrilled if my photo made the cut for display, it really isn't about that - it's about surrounding myself with people who support my goals - people who give constructive criticism - people who know that if I believe in myself I will believe in them.
It's a good reminder that there will always be people who gain far more pleasure in telling us what we cannot be than they do seeing our joy in becoming what we were meant to be.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child.What surprised me was that accomplishing that goal didn't feel the way I expected it to. No, it felt even better! Why??
When I was living with husband we bought a really nice camera for a vacation we were taking. I was not allowed to take photos - husband reviewed my first attempts and decided I had no talent - I was just wasting space on the memory card.
Whenever we took the camera anywhere, he took the photos. He didn't even want me to take the camera if I was attending an event without him. I saved up my pennies and purchased my own camera. Sure, it was a $149 point-and-shoot model, but it was mine! And I started taking pictures, never sharing them with him.
Since leaving him, I started participating in Project 365 - a photo-blogging project where you post a photo each day for a year (if you are interested, you can find it [HERE]) One of the photos I took (the one below) was a perfect fit for the "Black & White" theme of this juried show. I took a deep breath, attached it to an email, and hit send.
Although I'd be thrilled if my photo made the cut for display, it really isn't about that - it's about surrounding myself with people who support my goals - people who give constructive criticism - people who know that if I believe in myself I will believe in them.
It's a good reminder that there will always be people who gain far more pleasure in telling us what we cannot be than they do seeing our joy in becoming what we were meant to be.
Listen to the don'ts.
Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts.
Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...
Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
~ Shel Silverstein
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