While it is true that we each have our own sacred path of Destiny to traverse, I also recognize a universality of our divine unfolding. I see so many of us desperately searching for our “Life Purpose”, and aside from the “chosen few”, who have “found it”, suffering in its seeming absence.It’s a potent paradox, because the truth is, we ARE the purpose… our very existence is Love’s very own whole and complete Gift to Its Self… and yet we each came here with an essential role – a sacred mission. I want to share my story with you, with the intention of strengthening your faith in the invisible thread that weaves your days upon this earth into a flawless tapestry of continuously blossoming Purpose.
It is much easier to recognize the perfection of my unfolding when I look backward. Actually, when I do, I am flooded with awe. Every step has prepared me for the next… Like leaping across an endless lucid lake of sumptuous golden lily pads, each more exquisite and soul-satisfying than the last.
My heart has always throbbed a love song for all women. I marvel at our infinite faces of divine beauty, our love-sourced strength, our courage to trust what is Inside, in the face of a confused, bass-ackward modern world, our fierce devotion to hacking through the thick bramble patch of social conditioning, to emerge victorious in unconditional self love. Just typing those words makes me glow. But just like the song says, “Now that we’ve found love, what are we gonna do with it?” Sure, my love is enough… and yet, I am an ambitious woman with a huge appetite for life, sacred service and self expression… and at the most rudimentary level, I have a family to provide for!
Over a decade ago, the compass of my heart and the synchronicities of my life led me to participate in a powerfully transformative coaching program. Naturally, I then became a life coach. Of women, of course! What a privilege it was, to sit with women, in awe of their light and perfection, and help them realize, claim and create their deepest dreams! But what of the artist in me? She did not thrive in this professional shape. So I took art classes on the side. I painted my heart out, and even showed and sold my work, which were mostly colorful, sensual expressions of the female form! Eventually the River of Life (and my own fervently waxing maternal drive) compelled me to explore and participate in the miracle of birth, and the divinity of new motherhood. I became a doula (and soon conceived my own exquisite daughter!). Talk about TRANSFORMATION!!! It doesn’t get any more transformative than childbirth. I loved the mothers and families I served! Eventually, the artist in me cried out that SHE wanted to participate in this current iteration of my calling! So I offered the pregnant goddesses and burgeoning mamas photo sessions. I didn’t really “know what I was doing”… I just wanted to PLAY! So I did, and I was often amazed by the quality images that came through me. Something inside me ignited. And what could I say, but YES, to the appetite to dive deeper into this compelling art form?
Well, I guess I could have said no… At any step along the ingeniously strung garland of my life path, I could have seized up in fear or self-doubt… But I celebrate my courage and faith in the silken whispers of my heart. Blessed BE, I kept going! I found a mentor to help me refine and master this beloved art form, and soon I was no longer helping women love their babies out, but passionately photographing their love-drunk families! The artist in me was ecstatic that she was no longer marginalized!!! SHE got to be in the driver’s seat of my life’s work! As I continued down the bejeweled path of my Destiny, again, my heart spoke through the lucid language of longing. I noticed that I was way more interested in photographing the women (surprise, surprise), than their families. Just like my work as a coach, I saw something magical happen when I captured their images… my seeing of them fanned the flames of their essences. They emerged. The parts of them that doubted their innate brilliance dissolved like storm clouds obliterated by sunlight, and their powerful radiance and music poured forth. This emergence of Woman is deeply meaningful to me. Essential, actually.
So here I am. A photographer of women. I am so amazed that my love has led me here. And the BEST part is that I didn’t suffer along the way… you know, because I hadn’t “found IT”… I just followed my meandering fancies. My Journey of YES! This is what I wish for YOU to take away from my story. Trust your heart. Trust your path. Trust that EVERY STEP is essential. You do NOT need to suffer on this journey of continuous Becoming. Just say YES.
Have you “found your purpose”? Do you trust in the whispers of your heart? Can you recognize the Perfection of all that you’ve lived? What are those dreams, visions and appetites that continue to stalk you, no matter what? What did this account of my journey arouse in you? Please share your Self in the comments…