Making Progress

Susan Tuttle PhotographySusan Tuttle PhotographySusan Tuttle PhotographySusan Tuttle Photography
There’s positive energy swirling about. Good, strong, high vibration chi. Where does it come from? What’s feeding it? I’m not entirely sure, but I do know that choices, perception, and attitude are playing a big part and I do feel that like energies from within and without magnetically attract and will feed and enhance the other. Right now I’m feeling the good vibes and using them to put my dreams and desires into motion. The past year has brought me some personal challenges along with the grace of optimal opportunities to learn and heal, which I have ultimately chosen to embrace the best that I know how (it took me longer than I would have liked to “get it,” but I think I am finally back on the path). It’s what my soul desires deep down. I am choosing to allow these experiences to make me stronger, bolder, kick-ass and unafraid to unfold even further. As I lean into the groundlessness of being human (as Pema Chodron so eloquently describes in this life-changing book), I am bearing witness to some people in my life going through very rough times, and I feel a visceral call to offer kindness and support in ways that they need. I want to step up. I want to help…

…It is no coincidence that this desire to help others to heal is being unearthed in congruence with my own healing and emerging process. In fact, I want to take it a step further… you see, I’ve known about a healing-oriented life calling for a while, which I’ve been wondering how to honor, in addition to my art. At this time in my life I can feel it wanting to take shape, so I’ve said YES to a new opportunity that seems like it might be a good fit… I begin my Reiki training this Fall. We’ll see where it takes me.

Transitioning into soul-work mode…

Summer was about no-work, low-key relaxing, being with my husband and children, pure fun! We camped, sailed, swam, went to a water park, visited with family and friends, and consumed a crazy amount of gelato. I was grateful for the concentrated time with them and I can honestly say I juiced every moment. Summer vacation’s ending is always bittersweet for me, but it does spark a sense of new beginning and renewed creativity.

This week has been about transition. The kiddos have gone back to school, my Love’s work has kicked into full gear, and I am moving into soul-work mode; delving into Reiki, fulfilling my commitment to writing another round of creative articles for Manfrotto that I think you may enjoy, and fleshing out the decor of my art studio, making it my own (not there yet, as it needs way more plants and some art on the walls). I like to spend time in this personal, sacred space freeing my creative mind with paint-play (I made a conscious choice to have no attachment to outcome; it’s painting just-for-me, for the sheer enjoyment of it). I’ve discovered that painting and etching on clayboard is my new addiction.

News about online classes I will be teaching in the near future…

For those who have been asking when I will be offering my next e-course, thank you and… yes!, it will happen soon. I’m collaborating with my dear, talented friend and business partner, Sebastian Michaels, and two offerings are in the works!; think iPhone photography and photography in general. We hope to be able to offer you a brand new course by the holidays!

So many YESses and the timing is right for yet another one…

There is something I’ve been wanting to do since my early 20’s but the timing never felt right, the resources were not available to me, and I had not yet reached a place in life where I could genuinely, wholeheartedly say YES to it, mostly because I didn’t know what I wanted.

Until now…

… So what is this mystery all about you ask? Watch this and look for the guy with the buzzing device. I’ve been envisioning, planning, looking for a good artistic match. I’m about to be 44. I know what I want. This talented, trusted artist is working with me to make it happen. I am getting tattooed.

You have the power…

If I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that shit happens to all of us, and it’s how we decide to view it and handle it that matters. We can choose denial and pretending, we can choose to become a bitter, angry and nasty “victim,” or we can choose to try and become humble, honest, and open to learning from the experience, leaning into it, allowing it to make us stronger, while at the same time attempting to maintain a soft heart filled with gratitude and love.

I think you can guess which one I have chosen to strive for. What about you?

XO