I’m currently on my honeymoon and taking a little break from the internet. But don’t fret! I would never leave you alone! Several of my favorite bloggers will be keeping you company here. They will share their insights on life and creativity and inspire you to take that step, live that dream, and be who you are meant to be.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Melly Hocking. She is the last guest blogger for the month of September because I return from cloud nine (a.k.a. Paris) this week and will be jumping back into artcetera-land next week. Can’t wait!
In the meantime, please enjoy the authenticity and wise words of my friend, Melly. She writes the lovely blog, Melly Hocking. I don’t remember exactly when or how Melly and I connected on the internet, but I know that my blogging experience changed once she entered the picture. She is one of the most supportive and positive people I’ve “met”, always giving a genuine, kind word when I need it most. I got to know Melly even better when she featured me and my fiance (at the time) on her Love and a Photo series and then later on her Bloggy Love series.
Today, Melly shares her insights on how to take the road less travelled. Or perhaps, it should just be called, “your road.” Please join me in welcoming Melly by leaving comments below and share how you put one foot in front of the other to make your dreams come true.
When Darrah first came to me, I’ll admit I was very flattered. I’ve never been asked to be a guest blogger, being that I am pretty new to the scene.
All sorts of fun & interesting ideas came popping up in my head like over active kids! As the days ticked on and I got sidetracked, I found myself trying to “figure out” what I could write about. If you know me, I tend to be very random & share from the heart. I don’t like pretense or letting people believe I have it all together. That said, I’m in a wonderfully-complex exploration of loving sides of me that I never thought I would. Like the me, that is so obsessed with “working on myself”. To be this better person. Now that doesn’t mean that I think that type of fanatical zeal is the way to go about it, but it shows a real care and concern for others. That trait is truly groovy.
I found myself in the ‘world of stuck’. Finding myself staring at a computer screen with just a few sentences staring back at me. Then I took a deep breath and told myself, “write from the heart”…so here goes.
You may be at a place in life right now that you aren’t really sure where you are headed. You know what? That’s ok. There is nothing wrong with you!
When I write this, it’s not from the perspective of someone who has it all figured out. In fact, this summer has been a really challenging one because I am having to step out of some tough places & stake my claim on this world. In only the way I can.
In order for me to share with you today, I’m going to say: I’m not someone who feels comfortable with the “Hey, I have my shit together, let me help you”. I’m more like “Oh my gosh I struggle so much & here is what I am learning, let’s find what will help you”. See the difference. It is small, but it is there.
I love to help people discover *their* voice. I think we’re all so magical & have such varying journeys, to slap a fix-all label on it would be an insult.
Today is about YOUR story. Embracing the soul as part of the journey of hearing your voice. That without truly accepting ALL of you, part of the amazingness of your journey is lost.
A Few Lessons from the Road:
Loving you right where you are at. That is key. Not loving the you that you wish you were or that is a ‘show’ for others. NO. The you that’s so special it has created a ripple in the world because you’re here. I’m serious, if it’s true about butterflies, it’s equally true for us humans
Be brave even when you don’t feel like it. Now when I say brave I don’t mean the death defying take-on-the-world kind. Take a look in. If you see fears. say thanks. No don’t laugh, not yet anyway! When you see them, for most of us they are there more than we want, shake their hand then politely tell them, “Thanks but I’m gonna do what I set out to do”. If they persist, find a way to gather all the courage you have in that moment and love yourself. Then do the thing. This is not to push you along on a path, quite the opposite. I want you to set a precedent with your fear. I know your there. I feel you, I can practically see you…and I’ve gotta do this. I gotta take this step because doing it means me living true.
Let Others help you. This is one of the single best parts of being alive. That we aren’t lone rangers (even though we can act like we are). This journey was meant to be taken together: in tribes, as pairs, with gal friends, however it looks for you. When you are feeling vulnerable or even if you have a great victory to share, it’s sweeter with others around you.
Disappointments will come. Not to be doom & gloom but I want to prep you so that you are not left out there without a paddle. The really remarkable thing is: they don’t have the final say, you do. Life has them; you put yourself out there in a really huge way and peeps can’t relate (probably not really true but we’ll roll with it), you lose your job, or a lover leaves you. These are all very hard to face. Let’s get real though, you are stronger than you know. I have seen it. Peeps literally at the end of their rope & something in their spirit tells them “Rise up, beauty. You were made to shine. Don’t lose hope. There is a well of infinite strength”. I am a firm believer in this. The peeps that give in, it’s not because they aren’t stinkin’ awesome, it’s because they didn’t listen when that voice called out. Be the one that listens.
Self-Love is the ONLY way. Today it is the “cool thing” to tell peeps to love themselves. It’s almost a fad, actually. It irks me because with that it’s a fact we tune out. Not taken seriously for the valuable gem it is. For me, even though I struggle with the “give yourself a hug when you need it” type of thing, I know. The knowing that only your soul gives, that self love is the only answer. That’s no joke.
Give the change time. Let’s say you are on this new journey of exploring who you are, boundaries, or making a life change. This is where you take a breath. Deep breath. Let the process play out. I find this step very, very hard. I want everything to happen overnight. When it doesn’t it can feel like a mis-step. Not necessarily. The only person to really know is you, but test that. I would guess you need a heaping dose of patience w/ you & the change right about now.
Live real. No matter where you are at, tell it like it is. Don’t be a faker. It will feel yucky. Live one way: TRUE.
Boundaries. You can’t be all things to all peeps. Instead of trying, pick your special loves & do them. Stay on course. Make choices based on your desires not phantom pressures.
Don’t believe everything you feel. I add this one because if you are a woman the tendency is to be very feeling, nurturing, and emotional. All super amazing things…however, just relying on your thoughts or feelings can lead you on the wackiest bunny trail you have ever been on. If you like those trails, feel free, your peeps will be there when you get back!
Celebrate your victories. Really soak in the goodness. Enjoy each and every time you conquer a fear, love freely, or follow a dream. No matter how big or small, it all counts!
I read a supremely beautiful post by the lovely Leonie called “You have Permission” recently that I would love to share because it may help you throw off some of those shackles to living YOU. Authentically and in the way only YOU can.
I send you lots of love for the journey you are on. Rock it out!
Want to rock it out more with Melly? Check out her blog here!
