safety nets

 

Taking risks is not easy for everyone. Who am I kidding? Taking risks is not really easy for anyone. Because taking risks usually means doing something that makes us feel unsure, uncomfortable, unsafe, or uneasy. And that is hard.  Yet, people  take risks every day. Some big and some small. But, no matter the size, or the significance (or even insignificance) of the risk, what does matter is that we stepped out of comfort zone for a while. We pushed ourselves, put ourselves out there, leaped, took the plunge, dove in.

One of the best part of a community like this one here at Shutter Sisters is that in each other, we have a support system, a cheering section, a life ring. It doesn't always make taking risks less scary but knowing that there is a safety net of sisters here for you can really help remind us that we're all in this together.

Are there risks you've taken that you'd like to share? How about risks you want to take but are afraid to? The more we share our fears, the less power they have over us. Remember, you are not alone. We're here for each other.

you can.

The first step, believe you can.

Today is that oh so strange extra day on the calendar, leap day. It only comes around once every 4 years.  One extra day to let go, believe you can, and take that leap.  What leap? Only you can answer that.

Perhaps a leap into photography business.

A leap into film.

Leap into learning a new photo software.

A leap of faith and trust. (oh those can be hard)

Leap out of auto and into manual mode on your camera.

Perhaps you took the leap into a 365(+1) project this year. (I did)

A leap into posting here to our group, sharing your art, your voice, you.

Thank you for leaping, literally and figuratively, with us all month long here in our One Word Project Pool. Your participation and inspiration is vital to this community.  Just tonight while pouring through that very space I came across an image with these words...

"My path unclear,
  I leap forward into the unknown.
  Because looking back has never been an alternative."

I am so moved by those 3 lines.  They are powerful and brave. Thank you Kristen.

So, go ahead, stretch your arms way up high, let go of fear, believe you can, and leap into the unknown.  You are braver than you know.

leap frog!

Do you remember being little? Jumping was an everyday event back then wasn't it?  You just wanted to leap in or over puddles, jump cracks in the sidewalk (of you'd break your momma's back), leap off that big hill, hold hands and jump with your friends, your sibling, or hold a growup's hand and leap really high knowing you were safe. Hopscotch was an every day thing, and of course the trusty old leap frog! Can you imagine playing leap frog now?  Makes me giggle even imagining that, but maybe a good old game of leap frog is called for.  I am not sure where that urge goes as we grow, perhaps we become less adventurous, more grounded, less playful?  That is a little sad isn't it.  I fully admit I am not a jumper. Even when I was MUCH younger and a cheerleader in high school I dreaded the jumps!  It felt like gravity had an extra amount of influence on me and no one else.  I admired those girls who could get such great air with ease. 

Lucky for me I have kids who are at the ages where jumping is an everyday event.  They LOVE to jump, leap, hop.  This makes for many fun photos of them.  Jump on the bed?!?!  YES!!!!  Go for it!  But wait, let mommy grab her camera...  (lol) .... I do and they jump and jump and jump, laughing and smiling and getting great air.

So today, in celebration of February's One Word, LEAP, get in touch with your inner girl and go have a good jump. On the bed (go ahead, we won't tell), in a puddle, off a bench... Or if you feel like gravity is just not your personal friend, then share any jump shot you love.  If you are like me, and are around kids at all, I know you have one... or 20...    :)

Let's be playful today.

JUMP!

* Still need a little extra motivation?  Check out The Jumping Project.

brave leaps

Recently I posted a self portrait that felt risky to me, but I wound up being amazed by the effect my personal pronouncement had on others.

The risk I took - that leap?

I made public my deepest held personal desire, that for as long as I can recall I have wanted to be an artist and while it most definitely felt scary as I hit the "make public" button, in the days since I have been asking myself, "why?"

There is no greater satisfaction than taking a risk and succeeding                                                             but so often we don't because we are afraid... of failing... or embarrassing ourselves... or not being taken seriously.. (feel free to insert your personal bugaboo here)

but think about the illogic of that for a moment.

If you are not even willing to say out loud what it is that you most dearly hope to be or do, how will you possibly convince anyone else? How will it ever happen?

So, today I challenge you to be brave and take that leap. Do you have a dream you hold so close that voicing it scares you? Make your declaration today with words or a picture. It's a safe space, and I'm hoping you'll have plenty of company.

And because sometimes even the bravest among us need a little moral support, I'll be sending one of my pocket-sized super heroes out to one courageous commenter.

Peace, love and bravery!

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Today's words and images by guest shutter sister, artist, photographer, mother, Deborah Candeub.