On Display


My friend Carolyn has been going through a leadership program for the last six months. She is part of the New Leaders Council-Sacramento Chapter. As we've connected over the last few months she's shared with me how much she's gotten out of the program. It sounds a bit rigorous, in that you give a lot of your evenings and weekends to meet ups and projects and learning. But she's also discovered so much about herself as a leader-both in her career and her personal life. 

About a week and a half ago Carolyn reached out to me with the opportunity to be a featured artist in NLC's fundraiser. Back in April I interviewed and photographed Carolyn for I've Got Your Back. It's a series I've used to focus on the beauty of women both physically through the portrait, and mentally/emotionally/spiritually with the interview. The idea is that even though we may look different, even though we may have different jobs/passions/beliefs, at the end of the day, we should have each others' back. 

I was blown away by the fact that she even thought of me and proposed it to her group. After the initial jaw-drop I immediately said yes. The somewhat unfortunate part was that I would be in New York at the time of the fundraiser event, so I wouldn't actually see my work displayed in person and explain it myself. But Carolyn did such a great job of helping me put together a bio and blurb about the series. She sent me a couple pictures from the night of the event and said people were interested in my work and the goal of the series: to connect women and build community. 

I am beyond ecstatic and giddy about it all. I love getting more and more connected and exposed to the creative communities here in Sacramento. I love that someone else has felt drawn to my work and possibly inspired. 



xxo


Wait a Minute


By the time this posts I'll have landed in New York City. I booked a somewhat last minute trip a week and a half ago to come out and see Sara Bareilles in Waitress before her 10-week run ends June 10th. Sara Bareilles' music has influenced my life in endless ways over the last decade. I've cried, I've laughed, I've used it to work through tough times and used it to celebrate exciting times. Music has this incredible ability to make us feel connected. Pain and heartache can often feel very isolating. But when you hear an artist sings words that feel so personal and intimate, it helps you see we are far more alike and connected that we think. 

xxo

To My 18 Year Old Self

My little brother graduated from high school yesterday. It was a surreal experience for me. He is ten years younger than me. And although I call him my little brother, he is much taller than I am and has been for years now. I remember the excitement I felt at that point in time-finally finishing high school, ready to move on to college, not knowing how difficult life as an adult can be. This is an open letter to my much younger self, on the cusp of adulthood and college and so much more...


Dear Kelly,

What an accomplishment! I know you are excited to move on from high school. But I want you to take a few moments to recognize your place of privilege. I know that it seems obvious that you would be graduating high school. Your worries were always, can I maintain a 4.0, will I get into a good college, will I get a boyfriend before I graduate...But there are so many kids out there with far greater worries and stressors in life. Instead of fretting about grades, they're stressed about getting enough food, or their electricity shutting off, someone leaving for the day and never coming home, an abusive parent or caregiver...Graduating from high school is not always a given, or a right, for everyone. You are so fortunate to have a family that supported and encouraged you unconditionally along the way. 

The friends that you had in high school will not be the same friends you have as a adult. And that is ok. Life moves you in different directions. The important people in your life will stick. Those few people know who you are, and they love you anyways. Remember that those few meaningful relationships are better for you than having numerous surface level friendships. You guard your heart pretty fiercely. Trust few, but be open to many. 

College will bring its own challenges and excitement. Do not get caught up in comparing your university to theirs. You are meant to walk your own path, as are they. You are meant to be on a specific university campus with peers and professors that will play parts in your life you may never fully recognize. Do your best to settle your lonesome and envious heart. You are here for a reason, and hopefully one day you will see that more clearly. 

Work hard. Take risks. Be brave, and be compassionate. When the weight of responsibilities gets you down, reach out for advice and wisdom from those who have gone before you. Do not open a credit card. Live the broke life and learn about yourself in the process. These years of struggle and stretching yourself thin will teach you so much. Do not compare your story to someone else's. No one has it all figured out. And if you think they do, they are either fooling you, or themselves. Everyone is scared. Everyone is lonely. Everyone wants more love and less doubt. Everyone is deserving of love and kindness. 

Open your heart and your mind-intellectually, spiritually, socially. Be open to new experiences. You do not have to play the role of the good girl or live up to impossible standards of perfection. Life is messy. Even those messy parts can be fun. Do not judge others for living differently than you. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you let go of judgement and the need to be in the right, the sooner you will attract people into your life through love. You never know the battles someone else has faced. Do your best to give benefit of the doubt, to give second chances, to act instead of react, and to listen and be present. 

This life is hard. This life is uncertain. Stay true to your heart. Get into a little bit of mischief. Push yourself in every area of life. Mess up. Fail. Get down and dirty. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is life. This is growth. This is being present. 

Yours Truly,
xxo