These Days - Stories

"It takes courage to tell your own story. It takes courage to step up and say to the world (and often those closer to home) that your story is important enough to share. No one can tell your own unique story from your perspective but you. Know that you are unique and people want to know you more." ~Ali Edwards

I believe it is a deep human need to be known and to surround ourselves with a like-minded community who "gets" us. How else can we explain the explosion of social media like blogs, facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter? We each have something we want to say and we want to know somebody is listening. Sometimes it feels self-indulgent or egocentric to put my words and pictures out there, though. Who am I to think that what I have to share matters to anyone else?

I begin typing many of my blog posts with a feverish excitement. Usually the ideas have been germinating for days. By the time my fingers reach the keyboard, I'm like a pot boiling over clamoring to be heard. More often than not, though, as soon as I hit the publish button my creative courage flags and the uncomfortable vulnerability takes hold. What will people think of me when they read this? Did I share too much? Is this weird? Should I be embarrassed?

Quotes like Ali's appear at just the right time, or the Starbucks barista hands me my mocha with the sleeve pictured above. Reminders to my introverted self that, yes, my story matters. What I have to say is important. It is indeed a gift, one that's meant to be shared.

"Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed. I was here...I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I had an idea and I had good purpose, and that is why I made works of art."

~Felix Gonzalez-Torres

P.S. Your story matters too...so go tell it
in whatever way makes sense to you.