Fashion Voice

Sometimes the Universe has a funny way of correcting my point of view.

If I listen.

Y'all know I don't care about latest fashion trends or any of the industry's hoopla. 

So it was very surprising that the other day I sat and watched 

back to back episodes of a new-to-me show called Project Runway. 

The funny thing is I learned some big lessons.

• Fashion designers are artists and face the same issues other artists face
• Find inspiration (instead of trying to make an idea magically appear out of thin air) In one it was 'Modern 70s'; In another it was live tropical birds; Another involved a trip to view sculptures and it was amazing to see how each designer interpreted colors, shapes, moods into their creations. Inspiration is everywhere if we look.
• Great things happen when you push past your comfort zone. Watching her creation on the runway, one designer gleefully exclaimed “I can’t believe I made that; I didn’t know it was in me!” Pushing your limits rewards you with pleasant surprises.
• Love what you make. Even if you think you could have done better. Love it. You made it. Be proud of your accomplishment. Hold your head up high and smile.
• Stay true to yourself. Don’t create to please the masses, your family, friends; it’s impossible and will only serve to block your creative flow. You must create according to your vision. Constructive criticism is good; but tweak it to fit your vision and don’t make someone else’s vision yours. 
• Don't put on the blinders. Be willing to step back and look at your work from another angle. Have fun with it. Play. 

I believe it was last week when I dramatically told  the Artist Way tribe “When I quit my job and lost my paycheck I lost my voice”! And for a couple days afterwards I carried a knot in my throat. Ever notice your body has ways of telling you something isn't quite true? I’d like to think the Universe stepped in and had me watching a (gulp) fashion show to catch these next simple words uttered by a designer as he looked at his creations:

“Your voice is in the creation” Sounds simple right? But for a seeker like me who hears and translates most everything, this became the most important lesson for me.

When I quit and lost the paycheck I didn’t lose my voice. 

I was being paid to speak in their voice even when I didn’t believe in a word I was saying. 

Like a ventriloquist dummy my words and actions responded to their cues

until eventually I tried to believe I was who they said I was. 

But you can’t lie to your soul

and that is what caused the restlessness, the little yearning 

that for one glorious moment had the cojones to jump up and shout “I quit!”

So it turns out that it took a fashion show to point out that I am truly blessed. 

I am finding my voice. 

Mine. All mine!   

There’s something scary about being responsible for you; answering to yourself.

Scary and exhilarating. 

~Whoo Hoo~

And when you find your voice
Let it roar