So... she asked me to write a piece for her GUEST POST on The Beautiful Think... and of corse I said yes! She gave me permission to be as free bird and to write what I had on my mind....
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Fear vs inspiration: which is driving you?
It's amazing how just a few words can alter your perspective on life.
At a recent conference I went to, the speaker was talking about 'fear’. This isn't the easiest subject to discuss, as we all experience fear but is generally something we don't express to other people. We keep our fears to ourselves.
But he said something that has changed me.
'When you expose your fear, you bury your talent. But when you bury your fear you expose your talent".
Truly amazing. Think about it.
Fear is a crippling, distracting bondage. It's there to hold us back, keep us small and ultimately cause us to be unhappy, insecure and stale. Fear keeps us looking at and wanting someone else's life instead of our own.
We’ve all experienced fear. When the road gets tough, when life seems like it’s not heading in the direction you had always longed or worked so hard for; or simply when life throws a large rock in your path and says “Ha! Bet you didn't see that coming!”
Yes we have all been there.
But life to me is like an arrow. An arrow can only be propelled forwards by pulling it backwards first. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, get ready, because it's going to launch you into something great. SO FOCUS.... and keep AIMING!
After my life-changing moment at the conference, I began thinking about what it means to be inspired and what living a life free from fear looks like.
I recently had coffee with a friend who is actively living her dreams and pursuing it with everything she has, with no intention of stopping!
While we were sitting there, throwing around ideas about life, creativity and all the adventures we would love to do in the future, I started having all these inventive ideas about fashion, art, about designs that I've been working on, songs that I had been writing... I was totally inspired!
It was one of those power moments when ideas flood in and overwhelm you. All of a sudden I couldn't write fast enough, I couldn’t draw quick enough; I just had to get all of my ideas out! It was totally amazing!
Being inspired is one of the most powerful experiences you can have. During these beautiful moments we have a choice: to take the inspiration and make something of it, or to let fear overcome us and to fall into thoughts of discouragement like, I don't have enough money for that, or I'm not good enough for that, or I'm not creative enough... Sound familiar?
Being inspired is different for everyone. We each find beauty, love and appreciation in different corners of the world.
For me, I am inspired by those who are BRAVE. I am inspired by those who are FEARLESS, because it inspires me to be fearless.
What inspires me are people who live BOLD, people who walk the streets with courage. When I think of someone that has lived BOLD I think of Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham. (If you haven't seen his documentary, it’s a must!)
He is a pioneer of fashion photography and has shaped the fashion photography world since the 60's. He walked the streets of New York City, capturing people who wore outrageous fashion, wild and unique; people that wore trends and fads. He photographed people in business, in retail, costumes, hair, shoes and accessories; anything that caught his eye he snapped in the moment.
His main passion and drive was to STAY inspired, always.
Inspiration flows into every aspect of life, regardless of what you do.
For me as a fashion stylist, writer and musician, I am completely inspired by a song, by nature, by books of old and new, by a woman passerby wearing bold colours, lush boots and a fur coat with bright red lips... I am inspired by those that live their dreams and who chase down relentlessly what they feel they are 'called' to do on this earth.
I love, love, love what The Beautiful Think is doing because it is everlasting inspiration. Their designers create 'lasting' looks and garments that are timeless and beautiful. I love buying a garment that I know I will wear time and time again; that will last the journey and have a story to tell at the end.
When we are inspired by a piece of clothing – when we purchase those beautiful shoes or that gorgeous clutch – we tend to say we LOVE it.
My thought is:
That which we love we value, and that which we value, we look after. Things that we look after, last longer.
Seize those beautiful moments of inspiration.
Don't get discouraged by that which you don't yet have; have faith that the arrow will shoot you forward towards your dream. You can and will achieve anything you desire. Don't let fear have the last word because it's there just to keep you small and dull.
Shine bright, aim and shoot.
Know that when you honour this, your heart will find joy.
Be different... be fearless... and most importantly be yourself.
Candice x
