Don’t you think that life often puts things in front of you precisely when you need them the most.
I subscribe to a Newsletter from a really cool website called Brain Pickings and today it arrived with a TED video talk that completely captivated me. A woman by the name of Brene Brown speaks and writes about the concept of wholeheartedness. Her belief is that to live life whole – heartedly you must be not only authentic but also vulnerable. That is the tricky part – opening yourself up to life and exposing yourself. This has been something that I’ve struggled with. I’ve spent most of the last 8 years hiding this horrible disease from co-workers, friends, and even some family. I didn’t want to be treated differently, doubted, or ridiculed. I somehow felt that having AS made me less of a person and that I had personally failed.
I’ve come a long way in the past few years but announcing to the world that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis with this site was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It took a long time to realize that it is part of what makes me who I am and to not be ashamed of it. Now my challenge is to continually push myself to tell more about my journey – to live life sharing not only my art but myself.
Until tomorrow.
Jenna
Day 45 was created with ink & watercolor.
I think it has shown amazing courage and also an impressive set of skills also. You are so adept at so many mediums and your words inspire.
Thank you so much Tom – your words mean so much to me.
I love it! What am I going to do when the year is up and I don’t get my morning art apple fix? 🙂