Be an active participant in your life.
Last Friday I sat in a river with Noah and Luis splashing around, no one else in sight, surrounded by rolling jungle mountains and roaring ocean waves in the distance. I paused, because this was a moment that I used to dream for, wish for, journal about- years ago. Another time, another life.
I've been mentoring 4 women recently to become photographers and a conversation we continually have is about the ways we hold ourselves back.
So, I have a question for you: I'm curious about the ways you hold yourself back. The ways fear and self-preservation hold us back from trying the thing, meeting the person, doing the dream.
Are you an active participant in your own life?… Read that again.
That can be a really hard question to ask yourself. Waiting for the thing, the person, the dream.I remember when I first came to Panama, on a whim in 2019. I was writing A LOT at that time in my life. On one of the pages of my Moleskin journal, I wrote: Women's Artist Residency. Weird, I thought. I had no idea what a Women's Artist Residency even was. Turns out, it doesn't even exist - yet.
ALMA, a Women's Artist Residency & Gallery will be opening later this year, in Panamá. We are welcoming our first resident this upcoming October. Mary, a writer, is an extraordinary woman in her 60's who is working on her book, where she shares her story of death, grief and loss. ALMA is a place for women to come and transmute experience into creativity. It's a soft place to land, rest, explore and create. I will be announcing how to apply for our limited 2024 residency spaces soon, so keep your eyes peeled. There's so much more about ALMA, you're going to fall absolutely in love with it: women's empowerment, community, creativity and more.
Speaking of creativity, I'm in the final art work stage of my children's book, The Peace Dove. It's a story about the gift of regeneration and generosity. A lot of things are coming to be this year. Our house will have a roof in the next few weeks. Windows will follow. ALMA's gallery window is a massive circle window with a view of the trees and mountains. Thinking about all of it makes me emotional. A Montessori School is starting in my small town. A little jungle school for Noah to attend with the rest of the babies that were conceived in the pandemic (haha).
Sitting in the river, last week. I had brought my camera and took some photos. We forget to take pictures of our lives, sometimes. We forget to put ourselves in those photos, too. Especially mamas. Take photos of your life now.
Be an active participant in your life. Take action towards doing the thing, meeting the person, manifesting the dream.
Thanks for being here and just know how much I appreciate you coming along for the ride with me.
Here are a few things that are coming up in the next few months:
Join OCTOBER 2023 Photography Mentorship WAITLIST
Join the Waitlist for 2023 Clueless to Clients Photography Mentorship
Get MY CHILDREN'S BOOK
Get on the waitlist to buy a book about a story of regeneration and generosity.
Sign Up for PHOTO 101
LEARN TO USE THE CAMERA YOUR ALREADY HAVE
Enjoy 50% off Photo 101 - The Most Transformational Photography Course for Beginners
Buy MY $20 PRESETS
Bring Magic into your Photos with my Custom Presets
Did you like this blog?
Did something stand out or inspire you?
What dreams are you making a reality this year?
With love and so much gratitude,
Monique
