I can't tell you as a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur and as a very normal person all of the feeling I experienced this trip. From the moment I left D.C. I was introduced to a life outside of the one I had cooped myself up in while trying to plan, tirelessly against my own perfectionism, for an outstanding trip. A week or so before I left, I had watched "Eat, Pray, Love" and thought to myself how we all need something like that(for reconnection to ourselves) so I would allow this small trip to be my moment for me.
Interestingly enough... although I left a place open to rediscover myself, I was quickly introduced to each person in my life over again. Even from those I didn't know like the women next to me on the plane to finding new sides of the people I have known the longest in my life.
I found dear friends in need of my presence... even if I had no idea what to say. I found freedom in the mornings that I was able to get up and walk out the door of the hotel not nervous about having left my child's inhalers somewhere that I wouldn't be able to reach them but missed walking down the street with a small hand in mine.
I found nerves ignited from way down deep that nearly knocked the breath from my chest, I found pride, I discovered how to be humble in the face of someones deepest sadness and admit that I had no answers, only love to offer them.
I saw strength in women who had to say "goodbye" to the ones they loved and head off to the face of war and some that had just come home. And I watched as one of the greatest "terrorist leaders" of our time was announced dead on T.V.
For me this trip really placed an emphasis on compassion. I saw nothing short of struggle or lessons to be learned from every direction and was forced to take a look at my own life. Sometimes I find amid moving through my own world I get lost in what I am moving through alone. Little did I truly understand how easy it is to pick my head up and look around at all of the hurdles everyone around me are trying to jump. Life is beautiful that way... there are always people around us who understand but it is our fault for not reaching out to grasp that comfort.
I suppose when I recognized that everyone is on an even playing field when it comes to life and it's hard lessons, I was really able to focus on the beauty of each person that set them aside from the "norm". I really began to appreciate laughter more, notice the way different lighting bounced off the buildings at sunset, feel the wind on my cheeks and care less about how "perfect" I came off to each person around me. Imagine that... a makeup artist who began to ease up on what she appeared like to everyone else around her. Hmm.
So, here it is nearly a week after the trip. I have deepened relationships, discovered new ones, created timeless art with an amazing fellow visionary, shared an important thing called "time" with some of the most important people in the WHOLE world to me, ate a rather large helping of humble pie, pushed myself to "listen" more and really lived presently in an amazing space that two women created off of a shared mutual passion in something we love. The trip couldn't have been more successful and I am certain there will be many more to follow.
Not only have I left thoroughly happy with what we created but also with a desire to give something more. My work is not about painting someones face in vanity. It is about opening a flood gate of recognition, passion and vibrancy. It's about returning someone to that love of self that they feel they let go of during the decisions and responsibilities of life. Sometimes it's about creating a new vision of self that they may have never known existed before. Either way there awakens a confidence and belief in oneself that was hushed prior to the end result. A woman comes in nervous, un-trusting of who I am, quiet, somewhat willing to be daring, unnerved by the removal of her "mask" and places herself under my brushes. I doubt she understands in that moment that I am honored to have her there, that I am more nervous about making sure she is speechless at her beauty when I am finished than she is about allowing me to bring it forth. In the end, we have shared some of our most deepest secrets that you may not even know if you were a close friend, we have created a place of trust, she is illuminated and finds a feminine filled confidence. She will leave me a different person than she came in as... I think, the real person she is. And like clockwork, every single time I begin to question my "luck"... why I have it and how it has blessed me with such an opportunity.
With all of that behind me I am left thinking... there has to be something else I can give. I'm working on that now.
With that said, I wanted to share some truly great moments...
All in all, the trip was amazing. I hadn't known all that would await me on a "business" trip that took me back to my hometown. In the end I found more love and even more passion. What a great way to bring things to a close. I am left anticipating the next one with open arms, an open heart and excitement.
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
