My Birthday Wish | Celebrate Every Day

This is Thirty Eight and I feel like I am just getting started. Each day, I wake up and celebrate the small wins despite living in a culture that tells us we aren’t enough or to only celebrate ourselves once a year. These daily victories look something like…. being comfortable in my skin, being courageous, speaking my truth, embracing fear as a tool, giving myself permission to fail and make mistakes, pursuing curiosity, shedding light on a palpable humanity with my projects, believing in a vision greater than myself… all while being unwavering with my dreams. This past year was complex for me both personally and professionally. I birthed a book in 2019, leveled up my businesses, letting those who weren’t supporting my growth go, while welcoming those who reciprocated encouragement in, I dove in deeper into my own spirituality, explored issues about social injustices which I am still continuing to pursue and most important I learned to slow down and be still.

Today is my birthday and my one birthday wish is for each of you to treat your day as if it is your birthday too. This means we need to be gentle with ourselves today, appreciate our small wins, find gratitude for everything we have and to find ways to be a little more kind and of service to those who cross our path. I am waking up with a grateful heart and appreciate all 13,878 days I have been on this earth. These are the moments that have made me who I am and although it hasn’t all been roses, I wouldn’t change a thing. Continue to give yourselves permission to grow, connect and create. Xx

Naturalizer Fall 2019 "Today We Will" Campaign with Alyssa Rosenheck

Before we can speak our truth, we have to spend time with ourselves, our thoughts, our feelings and really navigate who we want to be in the world. The time we spend with ourselves is the most important investment we can make. When we are aware of who we are, we are connected and grounded to the richness of this earth and the people standing next to us. When we are aware of who we are, we start to invest and believe in the future visions we have for our life and not let our current environment limit us. When we are aware of who we are, we vibrate higher and attract the people who are meant to be by our side in our life. What are the whispers in your heart telling you right now? Write these down and spend some time with these thoughts. After having cancer, I followed my heart and this lead me to my truth. These little heart tugs reconnected me to my body, my light, my creativity and to my passion. I had spent so much of my 20’s and early 30’s using a cerebral approach, articulating a corporate path void of substance while being ashamed of feeling different. My voice now is connected to my heart and there is no turning back. I have seen extreme joy, tremendous hate, abuse, fear, sadness, steps of triumph, perseverance, anti-semitism, racism but above all else - love. I spend most of my days now observing and feeling through my environment - feeling through the people around me… and I can tell you this through a sensitive lens - I see you, I hear you and I value your story. Although our paths may be different, our cultures may not be the same how we experience the emotions of fear, heart ache, love, our shadows, and our light are all very similar and it connects us to one another and our collective truth. I will always put my power behind the things that bring us together. This is creativity for me… this art for us…. this is my upcoming book, The New Southern, and this is within each of you - your truth.

I am proud to partner with Naturalizer this fall (WATCH THE SPRING CAMPAIGN HERE). They are giving normal women like me a voice to help spread love, kindness and my truth. If you all take anything away from this, I hope it is this - the same light within me, exists within you and you my love are capable of magnificent things when you stand in your truth and we support one another.

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TRY ASKING YOURSELF THESE THREE QUESTIONS WHEN YOU WAKE UP:

1. HOW ARE YOU SHOWING UP FOR YOURSELF TODAY?

2. HOW ARE YOU SHOWING UP FOR THE WORLD AROUND YOU?

3. WHO ARE YOU GOING TO HELP TODAY?

A special thank you to Studio Yuda for such a beautiful backdrop

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LOOK ONE

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Naturalizer "Today We Will" Campaign with Alyssa Rosenheck

What inspires you? Ask yourself this question…. it is a big question. I like to remove its gravity and reduce it to daily tangible light. In this moment… with your current view… what inspires you? For me, right now as I am writing this … I am inspired by the collective view of electric hot pink post-it notes all over my office… especially one that reads “Divine Timing” … envision about 50 of these on my wall. I am inspired by the warmth and comfort my tea is giving me right now after a really long day… its steam is like a gentle nudge for me to keep going this evening and is holding my hand while I create. I am also inspired by a daily promise to myself especially after a long week to continue choose love over fear both personally and professionally. I am proud to announce a partnership with Naturalizer. I am humbled to be selected as a “pioneering voice” and “successful disruptor” to launch their 2019 Spring Campaign. I chose love when I said yes to this and no to my fears throughout this process. If you think about coming from a place of love…. every day… you can help change the world. I believe when we step into our truth… OUR LIGHT…. and we are making decisions from our most authentic place… this creates a ripple effect and inspires others to do the same….. it inspires others to make decisions from a place of love, inspires others to be kind, and inspires others to be of deep service. I have a commitment to myself and to you… I commit to using my craft, my voice and my art to better the world around me. I am honored to partner with Naturalizer and stand alongside four other women in the country who have a very similar vision. Click on the video above or head to my interview with Naturalizer below to read more about the campaign and my inspirations. I love you all and I am proud of this community we are actively creating together. Xx #TodayWeWill #LiveInOurLight #TheNewSouthern

What does living in your own light mean? 

This is one of my favorite sayings. As an interiors and architectural photographer, I let the light in each space guide me from room to room…I throw out all previous plans, allowing myself to become present and connected to the space before I start shooting. This is a meditative state for me. Over time, and especially after having cancer, I recognized that we all have light within us. When we become present, still and connected to ourselves, pursuing our truth, our own inner light will guide us. This for me is living in my light. Living in my light means that I am living from my most authentic core with great love, a sense of service and a deep spirit fueling my dreams. When I am doing this, I am inspiring others to do the same…live in the light. 

Tips to help other women do the same…. 

1. Take stock in how you are making daily decisions. Ask yourself, am I making this decision out of love or fear? Please choose love. 

2. Follow the light. What in your day energizes you? What brings you joy? What are you grateful for? Identify this, take stock in this and do more of this… 

3. Make your fear work for you. Write down one thing you are afraid of doing this month and do just that. The things we need to do most in life are often the things that terrify us. I use fear as a litmus test of growth and the direction I need to pursue. I have learned as a creative entrepreneur that the magic, the vulnerability and the growth all lie within the discomfort of embracing our personal fears. The fear never goes away, but by moving through it you will encounter tremendous growth and continue to live in your own light.

MY STYLE MANTRA AND THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND WHAT I WEAR…

My philosophy behind the things I wear is to keep it simple, classic and I am not afraid to repeat it. The greatest gift you can give yourself each day is time…. a little extra time to focus on self-love, time to focus on family, time to pursue your passion, and a little extra time to listen and be kinder to our neighbors. I spend less time on trends, less time on figuring out what to wear with more time focusing on the substance and love I wan to add to the day. This is done by incorporating a great pair of jeans, a classic button up and a few key pieces I use as year round staples.

Podcast Interview | Alyssa Rosenheck with Kelsey Murphy of Whiskey and Work

HOW DO YOU FLY?

Do you jump? Do you leap? Do you take a running start? Do you swipe up? Nope, nope, nope. You, my love, plant your feet firmly on the ground, check your ego at the door, and start thinking about how you can be of service to those around you. This applies to everyone breathing, heart beating and every age is included here! I will be the first to tell you that it is never too late for a life pivot and with the right level of determination and vulnerability, your life can find alignment with your heart. I have devoted my life and businesses (AR, ABC, and TNS) to supporting and empowering small businesses and creative entrepreneurs. Pursuing my art and being of service is where I find my light and my truth!

I once had a paralyzing fear of public speaking. For a few years, I decided to say YES to all things frightening (I highly suggest you try it…. do one thing that scares you a day and see how quickly you grow!) Now. podcast interviews are getting easier for me, and I’ve actually come to enjoy the process. Speaking my truth and being vulnerable is the only way to connect and step up for those around us.

I had the lovely opportunity to sit down with a dear friend, Kelsey Murphy of the Whiskey & Work podcast, to share my story and the things I have learned along the way. Y’all, I bootstrapped my business and there have been some high highs and some lowest of lows… but at the end of the day, this is my story and it serves as an example that you can do it, too. You can lean into your light. You can lean into your creativity. You, my friends, can live a life that energizes you.

We are all connected and we all have unique gifts. When we turn off the noise and turn within ourselves to listen and start believing that we’re worth more, magic truly starts happening. The holidays are here, so please listen as this sets the tone for a little inspiration and motivation for the week. I love you all and I am so grateful for each and everyone of you! Safe travels this week sweet friends! Xx