Quote - Worthy

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Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy...this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.  ~Thomas Merton

8 Lies Artists Like to Tell...themselves.

1)     I’m not good enough or I’ll never be good enough.

Stop fooling yourself! You are wonderful just the way you are!

2)     I’m not a real artist, it’s just a hobby.

Perhaps you tell yourself this because you’re afraid of the “A” word (artist). You are every bit an artist whether you spend full-time or a little time on the weekend in play.

3)     I’ve never sold a painting. I must not be a real artist.

You’re certainly not a fake artist! Don’t place monetary value on your worth. You’re worth so much more than the cost of a Monet!

4)     So-and-so is much better than me or I’ll never be as good as so-and-so.

Oh, I know the comparison game quite well! This game never ends well and will always leave you feeling “less than.” Appreciate the artwork that others put into this world but try not to weigh yourself against them. There’s room in the world for everyone to share their special gifts.

5)     I’m not a REAL artist.

You seem real to me! Don’t undervalue your amazing talents.

6)     No one’s ever heard of me.

Take a little time to put yourself out there. Start a blog, make some new friends, or take a marketing class if this is what you wish to pursue.

7)     There’s never enough time to paint (or other creative passion).

It’s all about managing your time wisely. Peruse your planner and see where you can fit in a little time for you. If it’s something important to us, we’ll make time for it.

8)     But my art teacher said…fill in the blank.

Ah yes, my high school art teacher told me that I didn’t know when to stop. You know what this did to me? It paralyzed me. I was then afraid that I would go overboard and ruin a painting. Sometimes people say critical things trying to be helpful. These comments stay with us longer than they should ever be welcome. It’s all about learning to shake it off and let it go. You’re doing a beautiful job.

You are an artist! Claim it. Own it.

And stop telling yourself lies.

My Favorite Things - Lovely Dresses

1) Gray linen dress from Xiaolizi

2) Charcoal wrap dress from Artaffect

3) Vintage eyelet dress from KMalinka Vintage

4) Purple cocktail dress from After Shower Shop

5) Silk cocktail dress from Seven Blooms

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Stay Weird

For all the ladies people out there that feel like they never fit in, this one's for you...

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It's not a good feeling to always feel left out. Not ever belonging. Always being the "nice" one but never being the one. Having lots of friends but never having a friend till the end. Or being that friend but never getting it in return. Feeling like you're on the outside looking in. Being in a group of friends but feeling one step removed. Like you're lacking somehow. Like there is just one piece missing. You're missing. You're missing out.

It really sucks.

If this sounds like I'm talking about you then I regret to inform you that I have no words of wisdom for you. No advice to offer.

What I can tell you is that I've felt this way my whole life. Not just sometimes. Always.

And it really sucks.

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What else I can tell you is that I'm gonna keep being me and I hope you will keep being you.

I don't have to be like everyone else. I don't have to conform. I will keep marching to the beat of my own silly drum. It makes me no more or no less than anyone else. It just makes me, well...me!

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P.S. I wrote this several months ago but never posted. This morning I came across this quote which fits perfectly.

Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out? 

~from the movie, What A Girl Wants

Hugs,

Amanda

Quote - With All My Heart

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I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.  

~Vincent Van Gogh

Quote - What's Inside

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It doesn’t matter how old I get, but as long as I continue to live I’ll always discover something new about myself. No matter how long you stand there examining yourself naked before a mirror, you’ll never see reflected what’s inside.  ~Haruki Murakami

Quote - Dreaming

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Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.  

~Edgar Allan Poe 

Never Let You Go

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I’m a romantic at heart. Candlelit dinners and strolls on the beach – all the cheesiness romantic stories are made of. Even after several heartbreaks I’ve never completely given up. I hang on to hope that my other half awaits me someday. He may not gallop in on white horse and he may not be a knight in shining armor but I still believe he exists.

There have been times that my hope has wavered. Times that I questioned whether I deserved a soul mate. Times when I questioned God’s timing. But I still cling to hope. Yes, cling – for dear life to that hope. Afraid of what might happen if I completely lose my grip.

The times we seem to question it the most is right after a breakup. Why does this keep happening? Why can’t I find my soul mate? Does he even exist? I thought so-and-so was the one, why?

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.  ~Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn may not have been a philosopher but there is so much wisdom in this quote. How can we ever make room for the good things if we’re holding on to the bad things? How can your heart be open for Mr. Oh-so-right if you’re still carrying the baggage of Mr. Oh-heck-no?

Drop that baggage, girl! Let him walk out and walk away. If he was the right one, he’d hold on tight and never let you go. That’s the one we’ve been waiting for. The one who knows we are worth holding on to.

You are.

I am too.

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My Favorite Things - Birds of a Feather

1) Spring love birds from Vintage Green Limited

2) Linen basket from Hoganfe Handmade Originals

3) Crochet wind chime from PashaBodrum

4) Felt bird party hat from Lollie Blossom

5) Patina bird necklace from Belle Hibou

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

The Known Universe

Absolutely breathtaking and a reminder that we are such a small part of a huge universe.