“In the process of letting go you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.”
– Deepak Chopra
Letting go of a career that I still love but have lost that creative passion for is tough – you have to look deep inside to understand why a passion has died. I’ve realized that I was in career that no longer fit the path I had made the decision to now travel. Think if your clothes no longer fit you must buy new or alter the ones you have. If you break your leg you must go through physical therapy to learn to walk properly then. So I began to pray about this decision. I needed therapy to help me figure out how to walk this new path. Then I received the answer – more like it was shouted at me. I think until I continue to fully make a break from my old life I will continue to receive signs.
Now today seven years comes down to two rooms : store OR sale/donate. Once finished sorting I stood in the hall between them looking at the items in one and the items in another.
Filled in one room were soft blankets, beautiful frames, vintage baby toys, beautiful peach packaging and other soft to the eye items. The afternoon light poured over the items through sheer curtains creating a creamy glow to the room. This room was warm and cozy. You could just fall asleep on the soft blankets.
In the second room were more practical items, sentimental items and items that can be reused. They are items with a more practical purpose. Chairs I always wanted to reupholster. Projects I have never had time to finish – or even start. Although not cold, this room was filled with a roar and a harsh light from the light above.
Which room would you choose? I have tried to go back to Room #1 many times. I have tried because that life comes easy. That life is what is expected of me. What is ahead of me I do not know but I do know that Room #2 will give me all I need.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.
– Tao Te Ching
A sofa that once held clients will now be the sofa that my kids will spend many days lounging and laughing on in the family room. A trade lot glass table that has yet to see it’s true potential will be the center of my home office and studio. A BuySellTrade Chair will finally be upholstered and become a piece of furniture where many books will be enjoyed. A tv stand that displayed business books and chochkis will now store tubs of toys and books in the family room.
This journey is tough. It’s really tough to let go of this life in this world I live in. It’s a struggle between being authentic you and society’s idea of you. So here I sit a week after this blog was originally written and see that all the stuff didn’t change me. Giving up many of those items to new photographers gave me the peace I needed to close that door – literally. Now to share with the world that the new year will bring full closure to this phase in my life to allow many doors in front of me to fully open.
-me