New Beginnings…
Posted By: Charisse
Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. ~Confucius
This was always one of my favorite quotes growing up. Maybe I am a dreamer, but I believed this. As each year passes, I realize the true importance of living life to it’s fullest. That means waking up every day, if at all possible, doing what you love.
This past year, as a SOAR recipient, I was able to more fully explore what that looked like for me. I knew that I loved taking care of my family yet I loved capturing images, freezing the evidence of “that moment” into artwork, and longed to allow that creative process that I was subduing to be free. Me Ra, through SOAR, and it’s amazing partnerships helped me to bridge that divide this year.
AZ Confidence Workshop (before color correction class)
In someways, it seems like it was just yesterday that I prayed and opened myself up to whatever next step I was to make at this time in my life. I honestly wasn’t sure what would happen when I hit “send” on that video submission. I just knew that I was supposed to ask, seek, & knock on doors and the right one would open. So I find myself a year later writing this, my final post on this blog, and I am at a loss for words. How do I adequately express how blessed I have been? My goal this year when I began this journey was to “live out loud”. In other words, I wanted to finally live that quote at the top of this post in a manner that encompassed the other passions that I had, outside of mothering, in a way that would be fulfilling for me. I knew how to use my camera but I had forgotten how to get off the sidelines and cheer for myself as loudly as I did for others. I did not know how to run a business or even if I wanted to. To be able to find these answers in a community of supporters as loving as this group of women are was a blessing. Add to that the unbelievable gift of being able to do this with two amazing women, Rachel & Ali, who I know were sent to not only be friends but blessings in my life and maybe you can understand why I am at a loss for words.
Jackpot
While at the time I may have been squirming, I am so grateful to our business coaches at the Wisdom Connection. Karen asked the hard questions that I sometimes struggled to answer and Genie who was always able to offer me another prospective to consider. I love the glasses that you to look through. Thanks for helping me to clean mine. I now not only know how to use my camera, but I am also better prepared to handle the steps that must be taken to keep moving forward in the direction that I want to go. My fear of the unknown has been wrangled. It is never to late to move in the direction of your dreams. I hope that through photography, I can help other women not be afraid to let their “roar” out. I also hope to encourage young men & women moving into the different stages of their lives, to dare to be different and don’t stop believing in their dreams.
New Beginnings
I love the camera, both sides of it. It’s amazing that something so little can have so much power. I love photography. I love freezing moments. I love seeing people feel & look beautiful. I love that I can now do what I love and truly never work a day in my life. Confucius seemed to know a thing or two.
I thank you all for riding with us on this journey. You all really kept us encouraged during some of the tougher weeks. I would love to hear what nugget you all grabbed from this year. Please let me know in the comments or over on the forum.
Dream it & Own It!
~Charisse
“…but I had forgotten how to get off the sidelines and cheer for myself as loudly as I did for others.”
charisse. you beautiful thing. you are cheering now, woman! you finally don’t feel guilty for it and that’s exactly as it should be.
you have given this entire community the gift of yourself all year long, but just think about what your watchful and smart children learned by seeing you risk, grow and achieve this whole year; especially considering they are at ages where examples like this help shape how they see themselves. you should be so proud of that, charisse!
YOU are in inspiration. i can’t wait to celebrate with you and rachel!
much love, my friend!
xx
You have all grown into beautiful photographers and businesswomen, and you’ve helped us bystanders to see the possibilities in ourselves and dream of soaring, too. Thank you and good luck! Please check back in the future and update us on all your successes!
Charisse, I have enjoyed watching you growing this past year and follow you on this journey. And I am honored to call you “SOAR Sister”. I can not wait to see what 2012 holds for you!
Celebrate Life and Capture Life!
Patricia
Charisse, I can hear your voice very clearly now. It is obvious that this has been a positive journey for you in more ways than one…loss for words….I will miss you! You ROAR and SOAR!
Girl! It has been so amazing to watch you transform. You have taken off those artichoke layers and let the core of you show through. I am so proud to have been able to not only witness it but be a part of it. Love you!
Charisse! What a wonderful year for you – a huge step in living your dream! I’ve loved watching your learn and grow. Congrats on a successful year!! I can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for yourself next!
I took away 2 nuggets this year from SOAR. First, it is okay to fall sometimes…and heck, even admit it out loud. These are called opportunities…opportunities in which to learn from mistakes and use the mistakes as jet fuel to propel you forward with this new knowledge. The other nugget I picked up is that I need to be more patient. Life is a process, and building a photography business is no different. It doesn’t happen overnight and there is no perfect one way of doing it. Often times it’s when I slow down a little that opportunities open in which I may have zoomed past before had I been on the crazy train.
Thanks for your inspiration! Best wishes for a bright future!! XO
Charisse, I write your name and tears come to my eyes. I remember you being in the Oakland CONFIDENCE Wkshp, it was Day Two, you raised your hand and asked how it was possible to build your dreams without neglecting your family. Fast forward to the talk we had before the Sacramento Mini Shoots, just a couple months ago. Not only have you undergone transformation, but your whole family has. You following your dreams has made your family better, healthier, more alive than ever. Isn’t it amazing–it leaves me speechless. you leave me speechless Charisse. What a honor to call you friend, what a honor to be a part of this journey with you. I’m eager to see how the next step unfolds, I know it will be something beautiful, unexpected and yet true–so true–to the beautiful spirit you capture in all your subjects. I’m wrapping my arms around you girl and giving you a BIG hug. I am so proud of you.
Much, much love,
Me Ra
Charrise, when I think of your photos I go back to I think week one the shot of the older woman and your comment on her hands. That was precious. Enjoyed your honesty with the internal struggle and often had lots to reflect on with your choice quotes. Cheers lady!