Once upon a time, there was a woman named Suzette. She had ghastly dark circles under her eyes, a grimace held her pretty mouth hostage, and she pickled her precious internal organs with way too much coffee. Ugh. Two sentences in, and this tale is already becoming disturbingly gruesome. But I confess, that was me, back in the olden days, when I still subscribed to the pallid, weather-beaten thought form called “I have to do it all myself”. Seriously, whoever invented THAT way of being, must’ve had a few screw loose… Maybe it was a toxic byproduct of the old protestant work ethic… Or more romantically slanted, perhaps it was a whole generation of aspiring (and tragically failing!) Renaissance People! But regardless of the origin, this bogus, self-negating way of being pounced on me and kicked my luscious bum.
As you may have gathered by now, I am passionate about transformation. I hunt it down, and plunge into the deep end! I thrive in this perpetual, divine becoming, and I live to share it with others. Well, starting my own business, SHE Photography, was a massive initiation for me. Such a steep and rigorous (and triumphant) learning curve. But as I rather dramatically attested at the beginning of this blog, I began operating with the crippling, bitter notion that I had to do it ALL MYSELF. I was not happy. I was not beautiful. I was not thriving. I was certainly not fit to dance and sing out on the front lines of this exquisite goddess-love uprising. I knew I could not continue on like this.
Then, much like the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, the epiphany ignited and spoke, and I was saved! And Her name was “Outsourcing”. Thank the heavens for community, and mentors, and learning from the struggles and successes of others… Wise and seasoned guides invited me to trust my inner compass, which always points to due north, in the language of joy and delight! When I do what turns me ON, I am sourced by unlimited energy and inspiration. My work becomes impassioned play, and time dissolves into the River of Presence. For me, this miraculous, replenishing energy pours through me when I am with YOU… Seeing your exquisite divine perfection, helping you unfurl your sacred petals and reveal the perfect holy bloom you ARE… and then SNAP!! I capture it, like a shooting star, in the palm of my hand, and offer it to you to keep forever, and share with the world, as evidence of your divine perfection.
The miracle, is that there are others who feel this same electric passion for the very tasks I loathe! Technical work, for example. Broadway style, I am belting out a song of praise to Patrick ([email protected]) for masterfully handling my computer back-up, and installing automated steps for my Photoshop actions, posting images, updating all my processes. He sets up the automation of client management systems, and the one who is streamlining my website to reflect my deep-heart-vision of revealing and celebrating the epic, sacred soul-beauty in every woman! (Stay tuned~ the polished, perfected version of my SHE Photography site will shine out, beacon style, beckoning all goddesses who are ready to be seen, celebrated and immortalized, this spring! I am so jazzed by this delicious process of sacred refinement.)
And there is the brilliant Ben Turner turnerwebservices.com, genius of search engine optimization and review funnel–an awesome automated system which helps clients give me review, which in return helps my SEO.
My amazing sister in law Anna Erwer helps with copy writing and proposals, and simply creating a clear focused message. One thing us creative types sometimes have a difficult time doing.
The love-linguist, Athena Grace weaves my heart-full ideas, stories and prayers into eloquent, effulgent blog posts. Shhhh… lean in close, and I’ll tell you a secret… This is Athena behind the glowing, alphabet-strewn curtain, blessing you with these very words!
Thank you to Alexandra Joy for your potent coaching. Thank you for keeping me clear, and keeping it real. alexandrajoycoach.com
Standing ovation for Cherie Healey. We celebrate your massive and delicious vision which empowers and unites women, and for simply being an incredible posibilitarian!!! cheriehealey.com. Your amazing One Woman Effect Live workshop onewomaneffectevents.com, and now The Bring It Group you facilitate: 28 goddesses join in a network of support for their burgeoning visions.
And I have to give a beautiful shout out to my dear friend and photographer Terry Riggins, at Terry Riggins Photography terryrigginsphotography.com, who without your mentoring, I can say I would not be where I am today. It has been a beautiful gift to learn from you.
And, to all the other photographers and coaches and friends, in my community who have supported me & photographed me, I bow to you all! Thank you! We are in this together!
Miraculously, the list goes on… but that is a generous sample of the web of talent and skill which weave my world into a tapestry of magic, artistry, abundance and sacred service!
It’s liberating to admit that I was not put on this earth to be a computer whiz, a writer, a tech geek… I am an artist. And now that there are structures in place, I am FREE to pour forth my bliss-dreched genius, in service of YOU. Trust me, through the model of outsourcing, EVERYONE WINS. Every dollar I expend, hiring others to do what they are innately fantastic at, and I am not, returns to me, gleefully multiplied!! And the livelihoods of others are nourished and sustained. It’s like having a huge pot-luck banquet, where we each share our lovingly crafted, nutrient dense dish, and there is more than enough for everyone (versus the stale, microwaved chicken potpie of doing it all alone). This is the way it was meant to be.
What do YOU love doing? Have you discovered the magic of outsourcing? What are you willing to delegate, so that you can experience more freedom, inspiration and joy in your life? Please share in the comments!