Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Leap of Faith


It's funny how just a few decades ago many agreements were made with a simple handshake.  That handshake was a show of faith from both parties that what they said they would do, they would in fact do.  There wasn't a need for contracts full of unrecognizable text or lawyers to try and sort everything out just so that something could get done.  And even when a written contract was required, it wasn't the size of a book or too complicated for the average intelligent human being to understand it.

But those days are long gone my friends and no one understands that more than me right now.  I've spent the last few days in contract negotiations. The kind where everyone is trying to cover themselves from whatever imaginable thing that might possibly occur if something written as a form of entertainment ends up being twisted, turned, and messed up by someone silly enough to sue.   And of course should someone decide to create a frivolous law suit there will be an attorney more than happy to take their money.

Sometimes these thing become like a war zone with parties on both sides digging in their heels unwilling to yield because it could possibly put them at risk.  So everything comes to a screeching halt, lives stand still, and work simply doesn't get done...and man do I hate that!




Frankly I think everyone hates that.  Who really wants to come to a grinding halt on something they are passionate about?  I'm betting no one really does, not even the lawyers that seem to enjoy the minutia of the written word and how it may or may not be manipulated later on.

Anyway, enough about me and my work-a-day woes.  I've decided to take the "what's meant to be will be" approach.  So instead of getting mired down in it all I made lasagna and took it over to my friend Ms.M's house for lunch today.  I made two batches, one to take to her house, and one to keep here for our dinner tonight.

I've been meaning to update you all on Ms. M, but I keep forgetting, and that's actually a good thing.  You see she has returned home and is doing incredibly well, so I almost forget that something so life threatening happened to her not long ago and that I, along with everyone else, really didn't expect her to be here with us today, much less munching on french bread, salad, lasagna, and heart shaped shortbread cookies this afternoon with me!  So for that, I'm very thankful.  And because her son and daughter in law took a leap of faith and helped her move from the nursing home back to her own home, she is happy and thriving!

 


You may have noticed that I've mentioned on more than one occasion lately my belief that you have to sometimes follow your dreams no matter how silly or unrealistic they might seem to others.  Now I'm not talking about spending your children's college fund in order to take singing lessons if you can't carry a tune in a bucket.  I simply mean that if there is something you truly believe you can accomplish but you hesitate out of fear of rejection, or even fear of success, then I hope in some way I can be that mommy bird and shove you out of the comfy confines of the nest.
I'm great at giving advice, although sometimes I'm not so great at taking my own advice, but I'm trying to change all that.  This past year has proven to me that you're never too old to follow your dreams, and that if you wait for the "right" time, you'll be waiting a lifetime, and why would you want to do that?

So today, I took my own little leap of faith.  I was going to keep this to myself, because I don't know quite yet how successful I may be with my little venture, but thanks to an email and some wise words from fellow blogger and creative genius Kelley from The Polished Pebble, I decided to share my crazy dream with all of you.  I've also had wonderful support from Michelle at Emerald Cove, Suzanne of Privet and Holly,  Rebecca of Acanthus and Acorn, Kim of Savvy Southern Style, Kate of Chronicles Of A Country Girl, and Connie of Hartwood Roses.  These women, and especially dear Connie, have given me wonderful support as I chase this dream of mine, so thank you ladies for listening to me wonder, worry, and even whine about what to do lately!

For the last few weeks, I've been working on some fine art photography, the kind of thing you would see hanging in a gallery somewhere.  And I created the pictures you see above and then got up the nerve to send them to a gallery owner, and guess what?!...she liked them!  So after much debate about cost, 'cause it ain't cheap to produce gallery quality prints my friend and these will be on metal, I ordered the 3 photos above this afternoon! 

It was a big investment, but one I really hope will pay off in the long run if they sell.  I may have just created 3 huge pieces of art which will end up gracing the walls of my own home and never end up in a gallery, or I may sell all 3 and go on to create more...who really knows.  But I do know one thing, and I know it beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if I didn't take that leap of faith and see where this crazy road of life will take me, then I'm not really living am I?!  

I never imagined in a million zillion years that someone who has been in the art business for over 30 years would even look at my work, much less consider it (and she hasn't said yes mind you), but I'm glad I was willing to put myself out there and try.  I hope each of you will do the same, no matter how big or small your dream.  I hope you won't settle for "alright," "good enough," or "I could never," and that you'll take your own leap of faith.  You may fall flat on your face, and I might too, but you could be soaring with eagles too...never forget that my friends!!!

38 comments:

  1. Bless you. This is so great. Not only inspiring, but just the fact that you shared a part of you and encourages your fellow friends to take a little risk...to step out of that comfort zone. I needed this today.

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  2. What courage it takes sometimes - not only in your leap of faith but also in your willingness to share your vulnerability - Kat, your work is beautiful & before I had even read what you had written I thought to myself how the sand pipers would fabulous in a beach house/cottage.... No doubt others will see that too!

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  3. Way to go, KAT! Beautiful eagle. I keep thinking "can't never could."
    -Trish

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  4. Way to go, Kat. I am so glad that others will be able to enjoy your wonderful photography. I love the bird photos!!

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  5. Thank you Kristin, I couldn't reply to your comment because I got the noreply-comment thingie, so I came here to reply! Thanks everyone for your kind words, they mean the world to me!

    Kat :)

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  6. I hope that these sell quickly enough to encourage you to do more because you have a gift - they are beautiful.

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  7. Your Eagle and bird photos are amazing! I say, "Go for it!"

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  8. You inspire me in so many different ways, Kat!! Your photos are amazing and I cannot think of anyone who deserves to succeed more than you! I am so glad you took that courageous step to follow your dream, congratulations, lovely lady ~ Txx

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  9. Soar! You are making something the world needs.

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  10. OH KAT, you go girl! These are beautiful and I am inspired!! How exciting!!

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  11. What an inspiring post!!! I think you've just given a lot of people the motivation, courage, and inspiration to "follow their dreams". Congratulations on having your artwork in a gallery--I know you will experience great success with your photos. Best of luck, and thanks for the great post. Mickie

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  12. Kat, that is great to hear! I am dipping my toes in some fast moving waters lately and your words echo round the room this evening. I have been far too timid, but I didn't listen to Kenny Loggins Leap of Faith on my car stereo for five years for nothing..lol

    Thanks for the mommy bird shove.

    xx
    z

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  13. Kat, it may sound corny but I hope your art soars like the eagle you took a photo of!! We can all stay in our comfy life or we can take a leap of faith and continue on our journey! You my friend are just at the beginning of your wonderful art journey and congratulations!! Good Luck!

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  14. Oh Kat, your work is gorgeous! You're very brave to put it out there and I know you will succeed! You're so very talented and you should follow your dreams! I'm very proud of you and wish you the very best! I can't wait to read what follows!
    Carolyn

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  15. Congrats Kat may all good things follow you

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  16. Congratulations, Kat! Go for it...you are very talented, believe in yourself and others will follow. Your photographs are lovely.

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  17. That's fantastic! What an inspiration, you are! Especially later in life when your children have flown the coop. First the Etsy shop, now this. You're so brave. Good luck with it all. I know you'll be able to sell them. Your photography is just beautiful.

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  18. I am so proud of you Kat! I hope that things go well with the contract and I can't wait to see what the gallery owner thinks. Your photos are gorgeous and I think that she will think so too.

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  19. Good for you for following your dream. So inspiring!

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  20. You never cease to amaze me Kat, these are spectacular! I think the one of the eagle should be gracing the wall of a building in Washington, D. C., it just gave me goosebumps and made me think of how proud I am of my ancestors.

    I can't wait to follow you on this journey, I wish you much success!

    As for how you inspire the rest us — I'm almost there, nothing near as grand, but I am actively working on my project. I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.

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  21. Good for you, Kat! You take those reins and go!! You never know til you try, and we're all proud of you for taking that first scary step. You will do fine, you know....because your work is stunning! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  22. The eagle is a gorgeous shot and in a larger format oh my goodness I cannot imagine how much better it will be. Bravo for you!

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  23. Wow. You are an inspiration! I so needed to hear this today. Thank you.

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  24. I know I'll find
    the same support
    from you when I
    decided to jump
    in feet first!!
    Fun to think about
    whose homes these
    lovelies are going
    to end up in : )
    {And NO, they won't
    be yours!!}
    xx Suzanne

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  25. Your pieces are beautiful...you will do GREAT!!! What an inspiring post!

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  26. Congratulations....it is a leap of faith but where would we be if we didn't leap from time to time?

    How exciting your new adventure will be, make sure you keep us up to date on your success Kat.

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  27. Kat, This is such exciting news! I have confidence that you will succeed in this new venture. Best of luck to you.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  28. I have a feeling you will need to get busy and order up some more Kat...these are GORGEOUS! I am so inspired by you and everything you have accomplished in just the short time I've come to know you through here. Bravo Kat! Such good news about Ms. M too! xo ~Lili

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  29. Good for you!!! This is very exciting and I'm so glad to see you have taken this big step. I know it will be great. You go girl! This is very exciting news.
    Sorry to have been gone so long, I'm just catching up.

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  30. Congratulations and I am proud of you for taking the leap of faith. We all believe in you Kat.

    -Rene

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  31. Dear Kat - I am only just now managing to catch up on everyone's news (having had our power/phones/internet connected just a couple of days ago). Such an inspiring and thoughtful post - I totally agree with everything you say. I'm still in the process of working out "which" dream I want to follow. Perhaps when the time comes I will call on you to give me that extra "nudge". Such a thrill for you to have taken this leap. I can't wait to hear about all the successes you are bound to have. I am so excited for you - well done! :)Sharyne

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  32. Congratulations! The photographs are gorgeous, as always. I just know this will be successful for you!

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  33. Yay Kat!!! I'm so happy you've taken the leap. Your photos are amazing and between the gallery prints and your gorgeous cards, you are well on your way to success in this dream!

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  34. Bravo. Your subject choices prove that you are willing to put wings to your dreams.
    Debbie

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  35. Kat, you have the skills. Your work is beautiful. I am sure the peices will be sold and the gallery (Galleries) will be caling you for more. I am not sure what you men by printed on metal?

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  36. Congratulations and Good Luck on your new venture!! I know how excited you can be and scared at the same time with that first step, but it's always worth it to try!

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  37. I mentioned a photo that I loved BEST..it's the first one in this post! Gorgeous! Makes me want to drive to the beach! ♥

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  38. It seems that we true the words people say less and less these days. Unless someone signs something we can't really trust them. That is really a shame. Trust has to be earned I agree with that. We still should be able to handle things without having to sign things and hold people to it.

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