This is how I experienced Mother Earth today; the most international woman there is.
I have never thought of myself as an activist. And I've always preferred to be behind a camera to being in front of it. Life, through its various twists and turns has put me, however reluctantly, in front of cameras from time to time.
I feel a growing responsibility to have a voice, and to continue to speak my truth. To promote healthy self development, where we learn to listen to the subtle forces of this planet we live on, and pay attention to the wisdom of our unique inner voice.
One of the most effective ways to tap into your wisdom is to get out into nature. As a rebellious teen, and disgruntled 20 something, my mother used to say (probably out of frustration!) "I think you need a hobby."
I resisted this idea - of getting a trivial hobby. I had more important things to do, like hang out with my friends, and brood in the uncertainty of what I wanted to do with my life.
Little did I know that my mother was right.
In time, the call of photography - my father's passion - took hold. I explored, traveled, and invested the equivalent of a down payment on a house to develop my skills and learn how to really see.
I learned a lot about myself in the creative exploration of photography. It was the start of my exploration of my inner "mindscape" as well as the outer landscape. As I plumbed the depths of this left-brain, right-brain art, I experienced a sense of connection that had been previously hidden. I also experienced that the brooding version of me is nowhere near as fun, engaging, productive or intuitive as when I'm in my most creative state.
While exploring the world with my camera today, I made many decisions and brought in countless ideas. All because I was tuned in to my favourite skill and to the world around me.
I believe that as a woman in today's world, we each have a responsibility to reach inside, and pull our wisdom and talent out into the light of the world. And gentlemen, your journey to express your highest self is equally important.
What is your favourite, undeveloped skill? Will you give yourself permission to invest, explore and unleash your true self on the world? Or will you wither in regret - the best part of you silenced - with no one to hold responsible but yourself?
How you see the world matters. How you express yourself matters. Our world needs you to fully express - to discover who you really are - and live into that greatness, one day at a time.
Aloha. Mahalo. I am grateful.
