Tuesday, April 7, 2009

You are awesome for just being YOU!



You are doing an amazing job! You are staggeringly awesome! You are so loved by all around you! I’m insanely proud of you! I mean that. Whatever it is that you are working on right now, professionally or personally, I want you to know that I think you are doing a fabulous job.

Why have I chosen to say this? Because there are days, weeks, sometimes whole months that are the epitome of Murphy’s Law; everything that can go wrong, does go wrong and then some. For me, if things don’t go the way I planned, for example my daughter's sleep schedule once again gets disrupted after I have spent so much time trying to get it straightened out or the project I was working on suddenly hits a roadblock, I get upset. And it’s not enough to be upset over the fact that things are going wrong, I have to berate myself for it as well, even if it isn’t my own fault. Yes, I am particularly good at holding myself responsible for the world and beating myself up should any part of it not function properly. When everything goes to hell in a hand basket, I think about throwing in the towel.

To be honest, I’m not 100% sure why I don’t give up. All I know is that I have this little thing – think of the pilot light, that little blue flame inside a stove – that refuses to go out. I get down, I get upset, I cry, I get angry, I lash out, I hurt, I want someone to understand my frustration, I wish for a hug, I long to be told it will be ok, I let the little editor in my head say awful things to me and then I stop. I get sick of wallowing so I pick myself up and try again and do you know why? Because that thing that killed the cat gets the best of me time and time again, curiosity. I can’t help but wonder –in the midst of some horrible mess - what will happen and what everything will look like when it’s all said and done, when the clouds roll back and the sun shines again.

When times are tough, you feel like crap, you feel like the loneliest soul, you don’t know which way to turn, you’ve reached your limit, you can’t possibly take anymore, let that little light inside of you grow. Let it fill all the space within you and then start asking questions. What will the world look like when all this passes? What new thing will I have learned? What new friend will have gained? And if I lose people, what beautiful gifts will I have inherited from them before they drifted away?

If that’s not enough, remember that there is someone (and many others) out here, skating along the perimeter of your life who thinks you are positively incredible. Remember that you change lives for the better - even when you don’t feel like your best self - with your art, the words and thoughts you share, or the simple hello you extend to people. Every minute of every day we have a choice. If we fall we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and head on down the road with some new lessons in hand or we can wallow. Can you guess which road will bring you more hope, happiness, excitement and potential fabulousnesses?

You are doing an amazing job! You are staggeringly awesome! You are so loved by all around you! I’m insanely proud of you. Please don’t ever, ever stop being YOU!

29 comments:

Sherry said...

Wow Natasha....that is amzingly motivating! You always seem to know just what to say at exactly the right time!! I'm struggling with my photos and your inspiring words will give me the courage to keep on plugging away!!
Thank you for inspiring all of us and for challenging us to reach just a little bit higher in our quest for success.
You're the best!
Sherry

Natasha said...

Sherry - first thank you so much...I'm so glad it helped. I want you to know you are SUCH a talented artist...we all struggle with something - what is it they say, there's a lot of toe-stubbing on the way to success...you will get the photos figured out and your work will shine...never give up...the world needs your work especially awesome dress pendants!!!! You can do it, I believe in you!

Jenjen @GottaLoveMom said...

Hi Natasha! We are definitely in the same wave length. I just posted an hour telling myself to PROCEED, and here you are motivating me in the same way!
Thanks =D

Natasha said...

Jenjen - great minds right?! I love that you just posted to proceed...I'm coming over to read....let's both proceed and do an amazing job!! LOL Thank YOU!

Phoenyx Ravenswing said...

Greetings!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this, Natasha!!! :-) I really needed to read something like this today. This cold seems to have taken a toll on my spirits as well as my body, and I've been far more down than I like. :-(

It's all getting better, tho'! :-) And places like this, def. help! :-)

Thnx again for creating the TST. Such a wonderful place to play, and to inspire & be inspired by turns as we need. :-)

Bright Blessings & Good Fortune! :-)
-Bird

Ashley said...

thanks for that... it is definately needed sometimes- especially right about now, for me... :)

Natasha said...

Aww Bird - I am sending well wishes and hoping that the cold leaves you alone very soon...so you can soar...it amazes me though that despite feeling down and being sick you still shine so brightly. Here's to a speedy recovery my friend. Thanks for being such a special part of the TST


Crafty Ash - I'm glad it helped and while I don't know what's going on right now please remember you are a talented, amazing person and your work - YOU - are needed here and in the world...many hugs

lifeartdesigns said...

Gosh...got me straight in the heart!! Goes with this weeks theme :). Thank you for this Nastasha...you are beautiful girl!
Hugs,
Janie

Natasha said...

lifeartdesigns - thank you so much...I'm SOOO excited that you are back....you're awesome Janie...big hugs :)

FunkyMonkey Girls said...

You are just the sweetest person ever! I believe the little light is the Lord encouraging me! Thank you for just postive encouragement!

Funky Monkey Girl,
Jolene

Anonymous said...

Natasha, what a wonderful post! You are such an inspiration to all of us. You make each and everyone of us feel special. For this week's theme: Strike of Love, your picture should be posted! You are what Love is.
Susan

Lorrie Veasey said...

Hugs to you Tash and love your post and love the dog poster but can't stop thinking that it should be YOU'RE not YOUR and I guess that makes me the anal spelling police.
XO

Natasha said...

FunkyMonkey Girls - aww thank you..let that encouragement take you farther than you've ever dared to dream!

Susan - you rendered me speechless...thank you from the bottom of my heart for thsose incredible words...you have no idea how deeply they touched me...from the bottom of my heart I thank you for the love and kindness you have shown me...thank you for being an inspiration to me!!

BIG hugs to everyone...much love

Natasha said...

Lorrie Veasey - thank you...I send hugs back...and you are right..it should be "You're" on the poster...I found this photo on the Internet and fell in love with the dog so I was able to overlook the misspelling...maybe I'll shoot an email to the person who created them and let them know! Love ya anal spelling police!

Unknown said...

I think it is true that we are often our own worst critic! We cannot carry the weight of the world on our shoulders - it's tooo heavy! and will cause some major pain if we try to!
I was having a "bad" day last week where every piece of glass I tried to cut broke the wrong way! But, those "mistakes" are now some of my favorite pendants!! Then I tried to make a joke with a lady in class and she totally took me seriously! Not good when what I said was "I guess we'll have to fight over the scraps"!!!!
I sort of wanted to go hide in a cave for several days and not talk to anyone for fear of saying something that would offend them!
I was surprised that she did take me seriously -

We all have our "good" and "bad" days - some people are just more honest about it!
You are a gem! We all are gems! even on those days we don't feel so shiney!

Laura Pugh said...

After reading this, I think I'll make a sign to put in my craft cave: "You are staggeringly awesome!" Because even if I may not believe it, at least it will make me smile!

Thanks Natasha. You have helped me so much in the past few weeks. I really appreciate your words of encouragement!

Laura Pugh said...

I was just thinking, maybe there should be a blog called "the anal spelling police"! I'd read it! :)

Angela said...

I really loved this, thanks for making me feel so awesome! We all need picking up, especially at this time - thanks so much for your positivity!

You're Awesome for making us all feel so good! :)

jodi said...

Natasha,

You are awesome. Please don't stop being you. You are the big sister or the friend you call first when a problem strikes. Always there with the right thing to say, knows when to support, or kick in the butt. Thank you for all that you do.

As I read through the comments each day or week, I think that we'd all be in agreement that you've been a gift to us. I'm not sure you know when you make a new post how it will affect your followers, but rest assured that your post provide smiles, tears, support, encouragement, and always the theme challenge (the kick in the butt).

Also know that when you have those down days, we are all out here to support you too.

Marja/Glass Elements said...

Thank you for a staggering beautiful post!! :) Just what everyone needed to hear - and remind themselves daily! Thanks for being awesome, Natasha, you bring a smile to my face daily. :)

Rowena said...

thanks Natasha.
needed that.

Natasha said...

lisianblue - we are all gems...I loved the way you put that and isn't it amazing how mistakes often end up to be treaures?? I would totally have gotten your humor...maybe she was having an off day...you are a a bright, sparkly gem...don't ever change!

Laura - I think that is an awesome idea..but you can only put it up if you agree to believe it ...even a little....I believe it A LOT ..you are staggeringly awesome...you just are...you have been an inspiration to me and to many....keep on shining...and I would TOTALLY read that blog...Lorrie can you please start the Anal Spelling Police blog...it makes me laugh out loud just to say it!!

Angela - how amazing to see you here!! I went to visit your page but could not see it...I'd love to see your work....I know it's...yes awesome! So glad you are here....thanks for making me smile :)

Jodi - if you were standing right in front of me I would ask you for a tissue because you like several others here including Susan made me cry and then I'd hug you. Thank you for those beautiful, heartfelt words...you are an amazing gift to my life and while I'm glad we've met on this playground, I sincerely hope we meet on one in person...you are so talented and so warm thank you for sharing you with me...thanks for reminding me that you (and all of you) are there on the bad days too...it's so easy to hide when you feel down...thanks for making me feel it's ok to let the hair down even on my not so fabulous days :)

Marja - just look at that picture of you..that photo, your words, your works, bring beauty and happiness to my life daily...so glad we've crossed paths....you are awesome...you bring such joy to everything you do

Rowena - I miss you...I'm so glad to see you...how are you? I am - we are all cheering for you..I'm not sure why you needed that today but I'm glad I could send it along...I send huge hugs, love, laughter and a reminder that while you are working so hard on your art and raising the wee ones and dealing with all that life throws your way...I'm cheering for you and I think you are fabulously awesome....hugs

I'm so glad all of you are in my life....:)

CaffeinatedFrenzy said...

I can't begin to explain how important it is to me that people continue to pass on positive energy like this. Thank you for posting this, and thanks for continuing to create a space where artists can be inspired and bounce ideas around. It reminds me of a dance festival I went to one summer, best weeks of my life, living, taking classes, working amongst artists that were all contributing whether through music, dance, or teaching.

As artists we might let our emotions take over more than most people. Sometimes it makes bad things seem worse. But I think it helps us see that every little thing can make a person's day. I'm leaving an extra long comment because it's sooooo important to me. :)

Unknown said...

and I'm so glad you are in my life!

and I'm soooooooo glad to know you would have gotten it! I think this lady is used to being the only one to want the scraps, and then I come along and well - gee I'm sort of used to the scraps! Not sure what I'd do without the "scraps" in life - but I'm not going to fight over them! those scraps are actually becoming my favorite pendants.
I agree with Jodi - you are a gift to us!
Thank you!

aquamaureen said...

I planned to head to bed a hour ago, but just couldn't. Needed something but didn't know what. Came here and found your intensely tender and compassionate message,Natasha. I can't remember when I last met someone who spilled out love so selflessly as you do. You have an uncanny knack for knowing not only WHAT to say, but WHEN to say it. I only hope that somehow, we can give back to you a fraction of what you give us. PLEASE know that I count the day I met you as a precious blessing in my life.

Angela said...

Hi Natasha, Thank you! So glad I could make you smile! :)
I don't know why you couldn't see my page, but here are my links:

Dreamspace
(my main blog, where you can see some of my art and my recent baking attempts!)
http://dreamspace212.blogspot.com

A Galaxy of Dreams
(My Writing Blog)
http://agalaxyofdreams.blogspot.com

Flickr
(My Art is on here!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35416147@N05/

and Artwanted.com Gallery
http://www.artwanted.com/pixiegirl

Hope you can see at least one of those links! lol!

Thanks for the lovely welcome!

Angela :)

Felicia Kramer said...

Oh my, Oh my - you made me cry! As others have said, Natasha, your timing is incredible. I had my SPRING birthday yesterday and it SNOWED all day! I'm at the age when each birthday reminds me that my time on this earth and the time of people I love is limited so I loved your words: "And if I lose people, what beautiful gifts will I have inherited from them before they drifted away?" I'm sending your post on to my older sister who is having a rough time of it these days. She's not an artist in the strict sense, but your words will resonate with her, I hope. Thank you so much for your uplifting words.

Natasha said...

Frenzy23 - I loved your comment...please know no comment is too long. You can leave as much or as little as you like...I love when people share and agree that more positive energy is needed...I love the magic that is happening here...thank you for adding to its positive feeling, nature...love it

lisianblue - you...all of you are a gift to me. Thank you so much! I have to say there is more beauty than we realize in the scraps and "mistakes"..I too don't know what I would do without the "scraps" ...what a great thought

aquamaureen said, "I can't remember when I last met someone who spilled out love so selflessly as you do." You need to look in the mirror because you do all the time and it's such a gift to me and to all who come to this playground. The day our paths crossed still makes me smile...it made my life even better for sure.

Angela - LOL thank you! I can't wait to check out all your work...so excited...and so glad you are here :)

Oh Felicia - Happy, Happy Birthday. You share a birthday with my daughter who just turned 2! I'm sorry that it snowed...maybe the snow was to wipe everything clean as you ready yourself for Spring...all of us are on a clock while here so we need to gather all those gifts from others and share as much as we possibly can...I hope the words bring a gift to your sister...you are a beautiful sister to be sharing...thank you for sharing your words and your heart. Happy Birthday sweet friend :)

You are all a magical gift to my life...thank you

Felicia Kramer said...

Oh, Natasha - I'm so thrilled that your daughter and I have the same birthday!!! How much fun is that?

Your words did indeed brighten my sister's day. She thinks you are a wonderful writer and a very caring person. So do I!