self portrait challenge – shine

Aug 27, 2008 | Life in Progress

i might be cheating a bit here with spc (because it’s not a self portrait), but this photo andrea shot seems to capture the theme of shine.

shine…

myriam says i’m much more sassier in person than i am here on this blog. jen lemen says the same thing. and i believe jen gray did a double take when she saw me shaking my booty in our cabin’s dining room one evening. the funny thing is that i believe the very same thing about many people i meet. to see and meet our friends outside of blogworld is to witness their light, their aliveness, their shine. i love how our essence comes thru in our blogs, but i especially love how it comes thru in person, in flesh – and it happens just about every time i meet a new friend.

the truth is is that i’m so nervous about squam. as much as i thrive on meeting others and the frenetic energy of creating connections, i feel another growth spurt coming on as mati and i prepare for leading the discussion on thursday nite. i want it to be meaningful. and full. and light. and informative. i want it to have heart. and stories. and questions answered. i want everyone who shares that evening with us to walk away feeling like their creative dreams are entirely real + possible. i want the evening to shine. i really do. as the nerves settle in about speaking and leading, i’m trying to remind myself that all we ever really have is our story. that our stories are powerful tools. that it’s really just one big conversation we’re having together about dream living, dream making, dream doing. because our stories are our pathways to that spark of possibility we all carry around. our stories are our shine.

shine on.

oh, and guess what??? all 500 of the books arrived at my doorstep. and guess what else? they’re ALL shipping out tomorrow (domestic + international). can i just say hallelujah? and an amen? and a thank you, world?

Sending much love,

Show/Hide Comments (35 comments)
35 Comments
  1. Jennifer

    Stories are truly what we really have in this life. I always believed this but have seem to forgotten it lately. Thank you so much for reminding me.

    I am nervous about attending SQUAM because it is my first art retreat, but your post has gotten me more excited. It is nice to see that even someone likes you get’s nervous.

    Rumor has it we will be sharing a cabin as well….how did I ever get so lucky in life?

    Can’t wait to meet you.

    Reply
  2. Katrina

    i agree, you are sassy and full of shine! good luck at squam and with your books and all the rest. shine, shine, shine!

    Reply
  3. Neve S.

    I came home to a package on my doorstep after a LONG workday and it is your book!! I can’t wait to settle in and read and read and read! Thank you so much for being you!

    Reply
  4. curious girl (lisa)

    how positively lovely to arrive home to a package addressed to “Creative Soul Lisa Parks”! your book is beautiful and I am so lucky to have three glorious days to soak it all up. thank you for this gift.

    Reply
  5. julie king

    kelly rae, i just received my book and i love, love, love it! thank you for being such an inspiration! i quit my job of 3 months this morning because it was a total creative drain, holding me back from being the creative soul i so long to be. isn’t it like fate that the book “taking flight to give your creative spirit wings” came on the very same day?? thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply
  6. Jane

    Kelly Rae,
    We received your book and amazing print today………..and my 9 year old daughter, who trys to imitate your work in her own painting, was thrilled beyond words to see that you had written in the cover of the book! I should have had you write to her instead of me. She is so excited to follow your footsteps as we read through this book together.
    Thank you!
    ~jane and jaimee

    Reply
  7. Steph

    That’s a gorgeous smile!

    Reply
  8. Carol

    I couldn’t find somewhere to post on your comment about your new book. I wanted to say you have EVERY right to be proud, and to bang on all you want, yu have EVERY good reason to be proud. I think people are going to love it. I personally CAN’T WAIT for mine to make te long journey to the UK. Much love and appreciation to you!

    Reply
  9. kelly rae

    heather, get your booty to squam!

    jen lee, sending good juju, for sure (i miss you!).

    kitasmom, yes, i’ll have books at squam – but only 50, i think 🙂

    thanks for the book love, you guys. it was hours at the post office. i am soo, so excited!

    Reply
  10. Cupcake

    it’s okay that you didn’t take the photo. it rocks.

    Reply
  11. kitasmom

    save me one!!! are you bringing them to squam? see you there! linda e.

    Reply
  12. Gillian

    woo hoo, can’t wait for my book to arrive:)

    Reply
  13. Heather, paperfollies.typepad.com

    what a dear sweet picture! all roads are pointing to squam and i just may impulsively pick up and go…you, nina, misty…the universe seems to be opening a path…hmmmmm….

    Reply
  14. Gracie

    Oh my gosh, can’t wait for the postman to come!!!!!!
    I know your book will provide my sunSHINE for many days!!!!!!!

    Reply
  15. lindaharre

    SHINE…..you sure do!!! What a wonderful portrait! Congrats on getting your book out and Thursday will be GREAT!

    Reply
  16. Mindy

    YAY! Cant WAIT for my copy of the book to arrive.
    Its going to be FANTASTIC….I feel it in my bones.
    Thankyou for shining the way you do Kellyrae. You are a gorgeous spirit. xx Mindy

    Reply
  17. michelle

    congratulations! i’m thrilled and can’t wait for my book to arrive “down under”!! i’ve been really touched by your posts on the retreat as well…

    Reply
  18. Anonymous

    Kelly Rae , you certainly do shine.Love the photo….
    Enjoy squam .
    So glad to here the books are on their way yippeeeee………….
    Love Lorraine xx

    Reply
  19. Carmen

    Can I get a WOOHOO! So, so excited about the book!!! Can’t wait to get it.

    Shine on sister!

    Carmen

    Reply
  20. Jennifer/The Word Cellar

    “our stories are our shine.” amen to that. i think things will go swimmingly at squam. i can’t wait!

    Reply
  21. zquilts

    You shine and you rock and Oh ! I can’t wait to see you book ! Congratulations !

    Reply
  22. Cindy Ericsson

    Here’s to all the ways you’ll shine! And here’s to books going out in the mail! (It’s been a rough week already — I could use some great mail.)

    Reply
  23. all over the map

    That smile is so beautiful because it’s obvious it comes from within, deep within your core. It makes me happy to see you shine like that. It’s contagious.
    I think we all shine when we share with one another. You will share a wonderful gift when you lead the discussion and I’m sure it will be great to see each and every person shining in that moment.
    Safe travels.
    xo

    Reply
  24. Jill

    Kelly Rae,
    Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. The way you write and share your words are just so beautiful. I truly believe YOU shine.
    I’m hoping to come Thursday to hear you and Mati. I look forward to my book.
    Thank you, shine on to you and everyone!!
    ~Jill

    Reply
  25. Jenni

    Yay! I can’t wait to get the book!

    Reply
  26. Gwen

    Yippee!! I can’t wait to see the book!! I will have it before the end of the week!

    And may I just second everyone else and say that you are one of the shiniest people I have ever known!

    hugs and cheers!

    Reply
  27. Miriam

    what a gorgeous photo Kelly 🙂
    and yay can’t wait for my book to arrive 🙂

    take care,.

    Reply
  28. Kathy L

    Your blog has been a beacon for ome time, so there is no doubt in my mind that you both will shine. Oh that I were able to be there…..

    Congrats on getting all your books ready to go and ship. Can’t wait to take in all those beautiful words.

    k

    Reply
  29. Meg Brothers

    hallelujah is right!!! sending warm thoughts your way today as your home is filled with all of your books! it is exciting to have little bits of your thoughts and work that you are preparing to send out into the lives of others. what a trip! very patiently waiting for a little bit of heaven to arrive on my doorstop… 🙂

    Reply
  30. Jen Lee

    Hallelujah, indeed! Now can you send me some good juju so my books arrive in time? Sweating ‘it over here!

    Reply
  31. the camp

    a big shiney amen, girlie.
    thursday nite is going to
    be gorgeous experience not only
    for you, but for each of us.

    peace.

    Reply
  32. liz elayne lamoreux

    can’t wait to see you my beautiful friend.

    and the open hearts that you and mati will approach thursday with will shine through and it will be full of such goodness. i just know it.

    Reply
  33. Jeanne

    kelly rae – i love that word – shine. I don’t think the word is used enough…thank you for the reminder. and…YAHOO! your book will arrive at my doorstep soon!!!!! I can’t wait.

    Reply

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Hello + welcome!

I’m Kelly Rae Roberts

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my creative whispers, and today I’m an artist & Possibilitarian. I’m passionate about creating meaningful art and experiences that awaken and inspire our spirits.

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