CHIMING IN...
where to begin...
if you really want to know...
"Are you like a therapist?" the woman asked, after I'd listened to her story & chimed in with my two cents...
While I've had several titles & careers,
I most enjoy being known as an
AUTHENTIC HUMAN & a DEVELOPMENTALIST.
(Yes, I made up that title). Well, at least I THINK I made it up. My computer always red lines it and asks if I want to 'add to dictionary'? So, um yeah-- Pretty sure I am the inventor.
(*Please add Neologist to my career list.)
DEVELOPMENTALIST: "One who studies, grows, develops and reveals the meaning of one's mind & thoughts."
YAAAASSSS!!! Dear Webster family: Please add that puppy to the real DICTIONARY stat.
Am I right? Or am I right?
(We'd just met for the first time, when she dropped her daughter off to hangout with mine.)
FINDING INSPIRATION FROM
1) Speaking of puppies... I am so inspired by my three dogs... furever amazed we humans get to communicate with & receive unconditional love from animals.
2) Finding all the stars & flowers hidden inside fruits and vegetables-For me, this never gets old.
3) Kid art - Remember what it was like when 'being yourself' was free (in every way) and didn't come with a price?
"Well, not exactly," I said and before I could explain further, she let me know it didn't matter if I did or didn't have the "official therapist's letters" following my name. She said, after years of therapy, she could just tell I was...
"And not only that, I can tell you are a really good one."
elyse wendy
HUMAN
I began life in Ohio, but mostly grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia where I ended up living and raising my family.
"How are you doing this? You're so patient and calm?"
"You make everything look so easy!"
People have been saying this to me as long as I can remember. It used to really make me scratch my head and wonder- because I didn't think I was doing anything different than they were.
As I've gotten older, I have realized, perhaps I am a little different. Considering I was trained the entire first part of my life to do all the hard things with grace... (dance) - They may be on to something 🤔.
(Also NONE of this shit is easy- WTAF!)
a few of my LOVES: sunshine, twinkle lights, neon, shelling, birds,my family
1970's
Born in the USA. Learned to ride 2-wheeler. Fell in love with ballet.
My sister was born. I love Thanksgiving & art!
1980's
Went to boarding school @UNCSA to dance. Obsessed with PRINCE & crystals. Spent summers dancing in Budapest & Seattle. Transferred to VA School of Arts.
1990's
Graduated high school. Became a Professional ballet dancer and coach. My father passed away. (Re)met & married my husband, Started Pilates.
Opened/sold Axiom-Pilates Center of VA®. Birthed 4 babies. Opened/retired Sweet People Photography®. Currently raising a house-of-teens & 3 pups (who don't talk back!) #Holycrap
2000's
let's be real.
love is...
I took the EXPRESS train through childhood, leaving home at 15 years old to pursue my dance career. I may have set the record for the amount of mistakes I made, (NOT LISTENING TO MY INNER VOICE- I didn't even know her, I don't think), which kind of forced me to grow up a bit too quickly.
I had several relationships before I met the guy I married nearly 24 years ago. I'm sure we could have left each other many times over- but we put a lot of work into ourselves. Like a-lot-a-lot. I think this is how we are able to
grow (up) together.
Also, I don't think I was a very pleasant teenager, (oxymoron?), yet, I didn't shy away from raising 4 of them... I love them. BIG sigh... But it's good times, people. GOOD AF TIMES.
As I started really looking at myself in the mirror, not just what was on the surface, but really looking into my own eyes, I saw LOVE. At the same time, I realized I was SO damn hard on myself. Pretty much gave myself zero love. I think I thought love was something you give/receive to/from others, and I was pretty convinced I was not worthy... But then something happened, and I cracked. My heart opened up and popped straight out of my chest. I realized my truth... It just came pouring out of me- overflowing with light, love and pure acceptance.
#SHAMEOVER
by Paige Bradley
AT A GLANCE
YOU may like
to KNOW:
A little obsessed in love with my Pomskies: Luna, Skyy & Remy!
i really like to laugh (sometimes a little too loudly). memes make me laugh.send me memes.One of my friends and i only communicate in memes. Love her. Also that is my brain.
happiest in the midst of trees, mountains or beach...
stars shine - everywhere.
you can do it...
What I know
And so, I wrote these in a "contract" with them:
- Photographer
- Writer
- Therapist
what time is it?
show(ER) time!
If you shower, you meditate... which means you are already a step ahead. Ever notice how life's most important questions/solutions get really clear in the shower? This is a form of meditation... and a way to discover your true voice, the knowing, AKA your intuition... Now, this is not exactly a new idea.
In fact, many people have come before me to share their knowing - and they are some of my favorite words to live by.
JUST A FEW OF MY favorite authors - MY MENTORS (in no particular order):
GARY ZUKAV, ECKHART TOLLE, BYRON KATIE, DR. SHEFALI, BRENE BROWN, DR. WAYNE DYER, DEEPAK CHOPRA, ANITA MOORJANI, DON MIGUEL RUIZ,
ANNE LAMOTT, ROB BELL, GLENNON DOYLE, MAYA ANGELOU, MARIANNE WILLIAMSON, ELIZABETH GILBERT, MICHAEL SINGER, PAULO COELHO, JOHN O'DONOHUE, MARK NEPO, ROSS GREENE, TERENCE REAL
I'm All about
The magic of FOG: When the heavens come say hello. When the ordinarily invisible aura of the air can be seen by everyone. Then I know all the things I cannot see are real, the things I cannot know for sure are true.
100% NOT ABOUT
Hustle culture, artificial plants, comparisons, band-aid fixes, small talk, fake news, actually- most news,
and the annual attack of Virginia pollen...iykyk
what about you?
TEll me everything!
Eyes wide open...
i just might know
some things...
About acceptance, fear, anxiety, courage, grief, shame, trust, beauty, forgiveness, grace, energy, grounding,
balance, patience, judgement, what not to eat, what-not-to-wear
(I'm kidding about clothing - because I always say, there are NO rules!)
The list is pretty much ENDLESS for all the super, big, invisible sh*t,
which often seems to be overlooked, maybe because it is invisible... As if it isn't a vital part of life or doesn't need to exist.
Until one day, we are forced to face some or all the things.
Then what? Chaos???
Life was never meant to be a constant state of surprise, bouncing between fight or flight. There is so much life in the
IN BETWEEN!
Questions?
