Comments on: Taking Responsibility

By: The Life We’re Living » Promoting Passion

The Life We’re Living » Promoting Passion — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:55:34 +0000

[…] been traveling what feels like nonstop for years. I wrote about this recently when I talked about learning to say ‘no’. I want to go in more detail about why I feel the need to say no, and it isn’t just because […]

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 04:56:26 +0000

In reply to brookeshaden.

Oh Brooke! Thank you for the kind reply, you are a gem!!! Work on my exhibition is currently on hold, but it’s always in the back of my mind. I’m getting stronger every day and as I continue to make progress I’m starting to visualize it taking shape…. Hopefully next year, I’ll keep you posted! Your encouragement means the world to me, thank you for taking the time to respond. Best wishes and hugs to you too! 🙂

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 19:58:08 +0000

So true. I keep saying yes to so much. Good for you! <3

By: Thad

Thad — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 19:23:11 +0000

You know it’s funny that this would come-up because I think I have a problem saying no. But it’s not the same problem you have, I think I say it too much. I need to be more open to adjusting my plans. Sometimes I feel like I can just get stuck in something and can’t wrap my brain around saying yes to something else at the same time. I know I miss out on a lot of opportunities because of it . I don’t wanna be a yes-man and get overwhelmed with things to do but I’m going to try make a change to my attitude and be more open to “the now”.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 02:56:52 +0000

I wish I had more chances to say yes!
I understand the need to say no. But how wonderful it is to have so much happening that you even NEED to say no.

-Ashley from FL and proud owner of the clock

By: Vicki Kurasz

Vicki Kurasz — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:17:56 +0000

What is this word “no” that you speak of? We can actually do that?! 🙂

My problem is that there is so much I want to do that I keep taking on more. BUT…I need to keep my time filled because when I don’t I get depressed. But…now I am stressed because I don’t have much me time. My house and cat miss me. Between working a full time job, teaching bellydance three nights a week, trying to get a photography business started, and babysitting my grandson 2-4 days a week, there is no such thing as me time anymore. Oh! But I do love to take road trips with my photography buddies!!! Yeah, but that is still not the same as being home to recharge my mind and body. Oh well.

By: Fit BMX

Fit BMX — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 22:43:20 +0000

I have a big problem telling people no. But for me it is helping others, at the sacrifice of my own work. I have really been trying to be a little more selfish, but not in a bad way. 😉

You have done (and still are) so much for others, you shouldn’t feel bad at all for taking time to yourself. And if someone tries to make you feel bad for not doing X then they aren’t the kind of person you need in your life, distance yourself from them.
Stay strong. (Hug!)

By: Wendy Baker

Wendy Baker — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 19:01:59 +0000

I am so happy to hear that you are taking back your life of joy. I’ve often wondered how you manage to do so much for so many and still keep space for yourself. My current problem is that I don’t seem to be able to turn down travel invitations if there is a chance that I can get some beautiful photographs. I’ve scheduled my photography business to give me six months of client portrait/wedding work, then six months of time off to work on fine art. For the past few years I have used up way too much of my fine art time traveling and taking more photos, leaving me no time to actually do the work of contacting galleries, etc. I’ve finally asked myself what I am afraid of–and am now working on meeting my goals. Tomorrow my husband is going on yet another business trip– of course I was invited to go along. For the first time I said, “No thanks.” I’m going to stay here and get some prints made and hit the local galleries. Feels good.

By: Isa

Isa — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:11:41 +0000

Hi Brooke! In first place I wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts and life with all of us. I do had a hard time saying NO. I’ve always felt that saying no could lead me to be unloved or uncared… also felt that saying no was going to hurt others and that saying no was maybe being rood or just made me a “bad person”, so in time and with some help I ve realized that being always caring of everything except myself was not good for me, and because of that and fear of to be honest I don’t know what, I missed a lot of opportunities to be better and follow my dreams. Right now I’m in a process realizing that there is always time for yourself. That work your, partner, etc it Is not everything and that is ok to have time for yourself and your dreams! Thank you for sharing. It is awesome to know that are other human beings who have the same issues! I’m starting the photography path as well as part of “following my dreams” and your art has been an inspiration. Wish me luck!

By: Boogie

Boogie — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:57:45 +0000

The beginning paragraphs reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Dr. Maya Angelou, “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” I think you have successfully achieved that with your work through your passion. We also have to remind ourselves that our creative energy can both fulfill and drain us. I have been watching your videos since it was just you, your camera and a tripod jumping up and down the woods lol I gravitated towards you because you showed us that it’s okay to prefer to work alone, on a budget, with minimal care at technical camera settings and fancy equipment. I’m on an opposite situation of where you are now. I’m eager to shoot, do workshops and travel… but I either don’t have the confidence to do so, nor do I have an audience (yet) and the funds to make them into a reality. I admire you and your work so much, and if you feel the need to say NO to people, I hope you know that you are still loved and admired. Saying no to things and giving yourself some “‘me time” shows that you, too, love and admire yourself. One of the biggest changes I did to make more space for happiness was to move away from a stifling and depressing town and move to Southern California. When I moved here I told myself that I would be kinder to myself, that I wouldn’t allow people to treat me in a way that diminishes my spirit, and lastly, to create beautiful images. I have since graduated with an AA in Digital Photography, I intern at my college for Advanced Digital Photography, I’ve won ribbons and awards and have had art shows… and I am going back to the same school to pursue a degree in Graphic Design. These are accomplishments and choices that many people (especially my family) find unconventional because I don’t make $100K+ a year like they do. And trust that I have been judged to no end for it. But I am happy. I don’t make money a goal. I do the things I love doing and I have the power to say yes or no. Wishing you more rest and blessings, Brooke.