I used to not enter contests. I used to not wear sunglasses or my hair down either. I didn't try yoga, or water skiing either. I didn't wear sunglasses or my hair down because I didn't want people to think, that I thought I was cool. I didn't try yoga because I was afraid I might not be good at it. I didn't try, because I was unsure of the unknown. I didn't used to enter contests I for similar reasons. What if I'm not good enough, what if I don't win. What if I don't "place" , what if my peers, industry professionals just think I'm a joke. A girl with a camera. A few years ago I started entering, for different reasons... but mainly to push myself. To try. What if I fail??? Well... what if I DON'T. What if I'm in a yoga class with a bunch of amazing yogi's, all bendy and in perfect form and I fall on my face.... really who cares.
What happens if I love it. What happens if I don't fail. What happens when I place third among talented Canadian wedding photographers for my images?
What happens if I try and fail. Oh well... Elliot {my one year old} falls down pretty much every 10th step. He always gets back up. He always tries again. He just stands up. He just falls, and then stands up again. I recently came across a quote that I love so much "The worst thing is watching someone drown and not being able to convince them that they can save themselves by just standing up." I could just stand up. I could just pull myself up and go for it. I tried yoga for the first time in October 2013 and have been hooked and in love with it ever since. I am miles from some master yogi... however, I try. I feel better. I would just never go before, I would be frustrated with my aching body but not be actually DOING anything about it. Then I thought... If I can give birth to a 10 pound 8 oz baby without any drugs or pain medication... I CAN DO YOGA. I can enter contests, I can do whatever I want.
Lets do this people. I believe the secret is to not focus on what you can't do... and just focus on what you CAN do. In any case, I feel humbly proud today. I feel honoured to share these contest results from the Professional Wedding Photographers of Canada today. I wouldn't have ever known that I could place so highly, if I didn't try. I'm grateful for many things, but today, I'm grateful for the ability to always pull myself up, and try.
Be brave friends. It is your life. Yours.
