These two things don't go together.
That's what many of us say about our spirituality and professional lives.
We end up saving who we really are for when…later when? We save our inspiration or spirituality for nights and weekends, why? So others will accept us? Accept us how exactly?
This week I celebrate fifteen years under the Ghilotti Ink/MGI/business owner/entrepreneur umbrella and in thinking back to 2001, I remember this: not believing there was room for all (ALL) of me in business and, truthfully, as a result, in life, too.
Just as I had in the corporate advertising world, professional was the filter I used to express (if we can call it that), for years.
As one of the more visual examples, I definitely didn't believe I could be spiritual — be about feeling — as well as be into fashion. How would (could??) it all play out or how could (would??) they lean into one another? Didn't one dismiss the other?
Answer: They did go together, as natural as water flowing downstream, because every part was and is me and all parts go together for you, too, because each of them is you.
They support one other and support you because nothing true can be threatened, or is, therefore, threatening.
When you're multi-passionate and multi-dimensional, which we are, you, as a Couture Creation, have carte blanche to, not only, play with all your toys, but share them. Ever since you were a teeny little thing, you've been all about it, so bring her back.
And, don't worry, the golden thread, theme, tone or soul of your brand will present itself, as will the puzzle pieces to the focused story about the real you, because, nothing true can't not come through as such when honestly sharing it.
Playing at professional (neck up, intellectualized and about the ego and physical body) robs us of our technicolor personality (essence, emotional or spiritual body) and of the real soul, purpose and wild, wise woman behind the name, business license and credentials, the one who others actually want to get to know.
Changing the filter five years or so into the business, following how and where I felt happier and a more honest freedom of expression, what I now call "couture happiness", supported the first real business boom, and, more importantly, supported being able to do the work I was meant to do here.
The real you will show you to your real work and your real work will show you to, maybe, your first real feeling of success.
Show up.
Our multi-passionate ways will always contribute to our unique spark. In addition, the acceptance of our multi-dimensional truth can set us free.
You are more than this body, you are more than your business and you are way more than your bank account.
The following words recently shared from Columbia on my IG account, @couturehappiness, after I purchased this necklace feels like it brings it all together and brings us all home:
"…Express your individuality and celebrate others', too, and, as you do, remember that you can be big-hearted and a boss, spiritual and spicy, rooted and wild, about growth, understanding of your heroine's journey and human, open-minded and rooted in the collective as well as opinionated, loving and loud, easily excitable and elegant ~ a feeling fashionista.
We can be deeply spiritual, searching for meaning throughout all that we do and also very much care about all things human or material in a way that helps us taste or experience our limitless creativity and unabashed freedom, without being tied to these things for true peace or happiness, because we all know too well where that actually comes from.
At the end of the day, we can be of that world and of this one, all at the same damn time."
Life is good,
p.s. Express all of yourself.