Feb 14, 2011

The greatest love of all for Valentines Day. You ♥

{ pencil - mixed media - Kim's textures }



Happy Love Day!

Three years ago I was living large. Well, by that I mean… I worked in the city, NYC. Had a good job. Great pay. Nice window office. A Blackberry that kept me connected at all times. And people that needed me.

But then…My commute became harder. My work hours became longer. And I became miserable.

What was going on? I mean I enjoyed living the fast-paced life. I was up there with the rest, climbing that corporate ladder. Driven, ambitious, dedicated to my work. I mean doesn’t success or being successful mean having a demanding job with its advantages and even it's disadvantages? Wasn’t I supposed to just tough it out on those bad days?

Doesn’t everyone do it? Don’t we want it all? Don’t we all want the big house, the stylish clothes, the fast car and the perfect family? Doesn’t everyone talk about what they do, handing out business cards with a flashy title and great employer?

But...what if I change? What if suddenly it’s no longer about the fancy job title or the big bucks? What if I’m just tired? Tired of the hustle and bustle, the “what do you do” small talks. What if I wanted to scrap the fancy clothes and wear my yoga pants all the time?

Who would I be then? Who would need me then? Who was I really? Then it hit  me. I was a woman who let her career define who she is. I was a woman who suddenly found herself lost and unhappy. I was a woman who struggled with infertility and questioned what my role was in life.

So, with the support of my wonderful husband, I left my job. Don’t get me wrong it was one of the hardest decisions of my life but something had to change. I left my job in search of what was important – me.

Within the last 3 years I found my self again, through my art. Art for me was the way I survived my insecurities and depression. I mean after all who was I without the job? How do I answer when people ask, “What do you do”? I took my time to heal and found myself in love again, in love with art and in love the chance to build our family. I processed my thoughts, feelings and experiences through my art and I found happiness again. Sure, back then others needed me but more importantly I needed myself. All these years I had neglected myself putting others before me. And now I learned to love who I am again and learned to answer that question, “What do you do”? I say, “I’m an artist”.  Yup!

So for this Valentines Day please take the sweetness of today to not only love others but remember to love yourself too.

The Greatest Love of All is you.



I Love Myself

"I love myself the way I am,
There's nothing I need to change,
I'll always be the perfect me,
There's nothing to rearrange.
I'm beautiful and capable of being
The best me I can.
And I love myself just the way I am.
I love you just the way you are,
There's nothing you need to do,
When I feel the love inside myself,
It's easy to love you.
Behind your fears, your rage and tears,
I see your shining star.
And I love you just the way you are.
I love the world the way it is
'Cause I can clearly see
That all the things I judge are done
By people just like me.
So till the birth of peace on earth
That only love can bring,
I'll help it grow by loving everything.
I love myself the way I am and
Still I want to grow.
But change outside can only come
When deep inside I know
I'm beautiful and capable of being
The best me I can.
And I love myself just the way I am. "

by Jai Josefs

19 comments:

ELK said...

thank you . for sharing your feelings in words and image that resonate

Shayla said...

I just want to say that I love, love, love, LOVE, your new work you have posted-and happy Valentines Day

monica said...

love!

Anna said...

Beautiful message on this day of love!

Jem said...

That post really struck a chord with me - I have never liked defining people by what they 'do' for a living - as though our entire being is summed up by our occupation.

Such a spot on post! I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Jem xXx

Rhonda J Flanagan said...

Such a beautiful message. I went through a similar transition and found all these wonderful people and creative blogs that have helped me through.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day & thanks for all the inspiration!!!

Rhonda

~Kristina said...

thank you for showing that it is possible to be more than what the corporate world would lead us to believe.
love!

Unknown said...

Blessings to you for this wonderful Valentine's day post!! If we cannot love ourselves, how do we love others? I applaud your life changing decisions, you are touching so many with what you are doing now.
xo
lynn

artful soul said...

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt words! I miss our time together, painting and lunching : )

Jamie said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your journey.

Kim Klassen said...

oh so much to LOVE.

xxo, Kim

IVYALLOVER said...

ohh sooo many hugs to you guys! Thank you so much for the love today - your comments were the sweetest ♥

kelly@thebluemuse said...

so happy that you found your way back to your art, which is so amazing, and that you made the big leap to be happy.
this was wonderful, thank you.

Bella Sinclair said...

There is so much truth, honesty and beauty in what you say. The fast paced life, the pressure, the power-job is nothing if it leaves you empty. You are so much richer now for loving yourself. Thank you for sharing. xoxo

dbalyoz said...

oh Ivy, your work is fantastic...and this post speaks volumes to me. thanks for being courageous and sharing your journey with us. :) Denise

Lori said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful heart-felt post. I love getting to know you better. Reading this post makes me love your artwork even more!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to have found your beautiful blog through the stretching within facebook site. This is a heartfelt and beautiful post. I too am going through the process of the possibility of a life without bringing up a family. Six months after deciding to try for a family last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and now face up to 5 years of hormone treatment which has effectively brought about the menopause. I am 39 this year so the future as far as children is concerned is so uncertain and I am heartbroken. My art is my way through this and I am so grateful for it.

I am so happy for you that you have decided to honour your dreams and follow the path you have chosen. Thank you for such an inspirational post. x

Prairie Girl Studio said...

mmmm ... thank you so much
for sharing your story ...
i had to give up my graphic design business
almost a year ago to care for family
and what i have discovered mostly,
care for me ...
i have struggled with the identity 'loss'
and often am asked that very same question
so, what are you doing? ...
i am working on not being so tired
and i will take your loving and encouraging
words with me as i step forward ... : )
much love to you ~
xo
prairiegirl

IVYALLOVER said...

wow... thank you so very much for sharing your stories. There is comfort knowing I am not alone. I really am amazed at how the Inspiration Studio and the beautiful world of blogging can really bring like-minded souls together. I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community and happy to have finally shared a part of myself for the first time, in the blog universe. Maybe this means I may do the same on my own blog one day. Thank you again and many hugs to YOU ♥