Shine Brightly

If this looks familiar it is. I posted SHINE BRIGHTLY a few weeks ago after finding it in a folder of unfiled images. I’ve been in the process of curating my desert images to post up in the shop and got this one to a place where it was ready to be showcased.

I was listening to RUSH’s music form their early years last night while I was editing this image when “Closer to the heart” came on. I was so caught up in the energy of their previous track “Working man” I almost missed Neil Peart’s and Peter Talbot’s powerful lyrics (swipe for lyrics). This song was from the appropriately titled album “Farewell to Kings” released in 1977. If you aren’t familiar with the song, here’s a snippet of the lyrics from their song.

For some the desert is foreboding, some call it home. For me, it’s a spiritual place I love to explore anytime I’m out west. There’s something healing about chasing light and shadows by myself in this desolate and arid landscape.

I find it interesting how God continues to use this space to heal the broken places within. For those that don’t know me that well, this saguaro is symbolic of me and so much of my life and my creative journey as a photographer and visual artist.

As in 6w7 (enneagram), I am wired with a daily dose of low grade anxiety. Trust is a core value that I have struggled with as far back as I can remember. If you ever watched the X-files, you know “The Truth is Out There” and “Trust No One” were common themes in that show.

I ran with that internal messaging for so long because I thought that’s just how life is. I didn’t realize how much of that was wired into me until I read about the Enneagram personality types in “The Road Back To You” by Ian Cron. And then the AH-HA light went on.

With the help of a few life coaches and several other books over the last few years, I realized that the weight of this unhealthy armor (enter author Brené Brown) gets to heavy to carry. I’ve carried the armor of protection and self preservation far too long. I just don’t have the heart energy to keep dragging that shit around anymore.

When I think about our nation’s current lack of leadership during this pandemic, these lyrics speak clearly and loudly for the need to “mold a new reality” one that is closer to that heart and not fueled by the altars of greed. I guess I keep thinking about this idea of leadership knowing that it is hardwired in my DNA, and it scares the crap out of me. At the same time, I cannot just sit here quietly and watch it all head down the path of self destruction.

Our world needs more leaders that govern from their hearts and not ones who thirst for power.

So I’ll be here, wandering, creating, healing and learning how to lead in this space. The more we heal, the more we shine. Stay home. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be kind. Love one another.