Finding My Voice

I love to sing. 
So, so, so much. Music can take you on a journey - it's so freeing. It's kind of like painting - I can get lost in it. I hate driving long distances but the best part about my 30 minute commute to work is jammin' out at the top of my lungs.

I was in choir all through elementary school and junior high.... then for some reason - singing in a choir just fell off my list of activities... for no particular reason, other than I was doing other things. I still loved music and had always had knack for learning the lyrics to every song on the radio. A couple of my friends parents growing up even called me "Singing Natalie"
I used to blare the stereo after school with my best friend and jam out to Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Micheal Jackson. Singing our favorites on repeat for hours.

I wish I would have stuck with it.
I have felt this tug on my heart to sing again... for over a year.

At the church I go to they have a team that sings up in front... I've kind of thought wouldn't it be awesome if I was good enough to sing with them?

I have been out of practice for so long though... 
It's scary and a long shot!
What will my family and friends think?
Now all the sudden I want to sing? 
Do I really want to make that commitment?
How do I even approach that? 
What if I'm not good enough?
Do I love it enough?
These questions have been swimming around in my head for over a year, paralyzing me.
It was way too out of my comfort zone to start singing again.

One day my wedding photographer who I had no idea was a singer - posted this video on his website about how he found the courage to sing again after he had  given it up. He actually released an album! He encouraged everyone to GO DO THAT SCARY THING that we've been thinking about...just have the COURAGE TO GO FOR IT!

Oddly enough mine "scary thing" was singing too...

Now... don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to release an album any time soon.
I just want to sing.

As soon as the video ended I reached into my purse and found the little piece of paper I had grabbed at church the week before. It said
"Would you like to join the Music team at Journey? Contact.... so and so."
So I emailed "so and so" and set an appointment to meet him and talk to him about singing at my church.

He just started his position at my church and is the lead singer in the band at the alternative service. It's a laid back kind of service geared towards a more nontraditional approach.

When I went to meet him to talk about the possibility of singing somewhere (maybe at the nontraditional service) at my church, I quickly blurted out... "I'm not very good... I haven't done this in so long... I'm not ready to just join, I need to practice."

"Let's Jam" he said, as he pulls out his guitar...

OMG.

REALLY?

My voice was quivering.
I was was so nervous.
What am I doing?! 
(I thought)

I went and "Jammed out" with a total stranger at my church.
Seriously!
It's not skydiving but I was soooooooooooo nervous!!

After doing it... I kind of felt like

DAMN.

I did it.

Sounds simple, sounds like no big deal.

But it was a leap of courage for me.

I'm not sure where I'll go with this adventure but I'm on my way to finding my voice.
And it feels pretty awesome.

So just like my Wedding Photographer... I want to encourage you.

Go get em'.

This life is so short.

If not now... then when?!

You are never too old to start doing anything!

Who knows what's next for me? Dance, Guitar?

I won't limit myself. I won't be defined by what I think I can or can't do.
And you shouldn't either.

ROCK IT,
Nat

 

Making time for YOUR passion!

You know all those things you wish you could have time for?
Those things you used to do?
Always wanted to do....
You know all that list of things you will do when you have the money?
When your kids grow up?
When you get your dream job?
When you finally finish your house?
When your sister gets better...

OMG!
Just flippin do it!
YOU DESERVE the time for your passions and your dream list. You do.
I have to tell you this because I have a feeling your like me... and life gets crazy, work, family, kids, pets, to-do lists, house projects.

Two simple reasons to take the time....
1. You were born to do it!
2. It will light YOU UP... and light up everything else in your life.
 
It's been four weeks since I picked up my paint brush...
I've had nothing to do with my camera...
And it hurts.
I'm so excited that my big deadlines are over and my work schedule will sort of go back to normal.
I feel like my creative spirit came surging back today!
I gave myself some breathing air.
The weight lifted.
I felt something bubbling up inside me.
Nervous and scared to paint...
I headed up to my art room. 
To a canvas I thought was ugly (cause it was.. kinda in the awkward teenager stage)
and it just 
came alive...
Tears were there... mystery and beauty overflowed and fear melted away.
There it was...I am overwhelmed with happiness!

YOU 
CAN 
DO IT!

Making time for your passions is not easy.
But once you do it.. it gets easier the next time. And you remember how amazing it feels. How it can change all areas of your life.

Make time for dreams or time will disappear and your dreams will fade away.

Glimpses of the Gunflint Trail

My husband and I had the opportunity to escape to the Gunflint Trail this weekend! (The Gunflint is a trail/region in northern Minnesota that borders Canada!) 
Wow, I felt so blessed to be surrounded by all the gorgeousness. 
HELLO Gratitude!

It was very healing and inspiring. It is a long drive, and for only a couple days it was a lot of driving but it was worth it.

We did lots of dreaming of when we will buy our own place near the North Shore. My husband brings out the dreamer in me, he's a good listener and encourager of all my dreams. I am so thankful for him. This trip was planned for our 2 year Anniversary. We relaxed, went fishing, boating, picked blueberries, visited friends, and soaked in as much of the beauty as we could.

I love the simplicity of the the north woods. There is inspiration around every corner.
The rocks, the trees, the water, the sky... it just doesn't end.


I am so inspired by this trip. Can't wait to get into the 'art room' to create!
I've missed my landing pad...
xox
Nat

OMG! Dreams coming true!

In Elementary school I would draw Disney characters over and over trying to prefect my drawing skills. I wanted to be a Disney Animator. I've done so much drawing over the years but in high school I fell in love with the paint brush and that became my main creative outlet. And it hasn't been until this last year that I've REALLY spent some time sketching and drawing - it started when I sketched this and participated in Illustration Friday here. I've found a million blogs like this one and this one, that inspired me to draw. I made some cards out of a couple of my dog illustrations and brought them to my favorite gallery in Duluth.

They sold.

Every last one.

I've sold paintings...
but this was different.

This is a little dream I've had in my pocket since 3rd grade.

Yep.

I always wanted to have my own card line, with my illustrations.

And actually in high school I discovered Mary Engelbreit, and SO, SO I wanted to be like her some day (and I still do!)

It's been inside me for so long.

I really truly believe that when we take the time to listen to our heart. We find ourselves.
Our passion.
Our calling.
Our light.

I got a huge batch of four of my dog illustrations professionally printed!

I am over the moon
and today
I started calling some of the local coffee shops and galleries.
Pretty exciting stuff.
And of course I am sending a couple of packages up to my favorite gallery in Duluth!

Feeling so blessed!
Much Love to YOU and this Beautiful Universe!

Dreaming Bigger,
Nat