I'm going to tell you a little story.
About a year and half before Creative Thursday became what you now know it as, before it was earning any income ~ I decided that I would take a trip with Sean to Italy. To be blunt, I wasn't making any money, still had no foreseeable way of making money, had a little bit left in savings and decided that I wasn't going to wait any longer for more "perfect" financial circumstances to appear before taking a trip to Italy which was a dream of mine.
So we went. The trip was an adventure to say the least~ and it was great! On the plane ride home, I was in tears not knowing how I was going to continue with my work when I returned. During our layover in Atlanta, GA ~ Sean and I had a beer in one of those airport "sports bars". A very nice man next to us struck up a conversation about baseball with Sean. We soon learned that this man lived in Los Angeles too. He was in the design business with a specialty in fabric and furniture manufacturing (at the time I was creating my chairs). I was at such a loss as to what my next step was that I just asked this man who I had known for literally 5 minutes if I could contact him and talk with him for some advice. He said "sure!"
As it turns out this man became my mentor, helped me launch my first children's line of furniture and bedding ~ and his confidence in me and my design point of view forever changed the course of my business and my life.
One trip to Italy. It took going to Italy to meet a man that lived in Los Angeles :)
My point is this: And I feel like I can speak frankly with you ~ because we can talk, you and I, about the "real" things.
If you are on the fence about whether to take a trip that inspires and excites, to this amazing art retreat for instance. Don't let fear especially financial fears stop you. When you come across an opportunity that gives that you a jolt of "I've gotta do this!" ~ pay attention and be open to what it's about ~ my experience has shown that those kinds of opportunities are a sure sign that you are on your path, and you never know how that will unfold ~ but it's always good!
I know, I know that this might be an especially "scary" time for your to think of doing something purely for the joy and inspiration that it would bring to your life ~ to do something JUST for you. And it would feel strange even inviting you and suggesting that you come to an art retreat this year in particular ~ but it doesn't because I know already ~ life experience has taught me that more than ever these are the EXACT times that you should be doing something that inspires you ~ that supports you in your dreams.
Also, and I've heard this from some of the emails I've been getting from those of you wanting to attend SAW. I know it can feel intimidating to be around people who may have more "experience" than you, who may already be professional artists, who may seemingly be further along on the journey than you. But again, not a reason to stop you from coming to this retreat ~and here's why. If you are serious about stepping into your creativity and owning it full on, you have to become comfortable around your peers ~ you have to recognize that there is no difference, meaning they are not "above" you and you are not "below" them, between you and someone who has more experience than you.
We are all here to learn from each other and be in support of one another ~ and again NOW more than ever is the time to recognize this and let our actions reflect this way of being.
