Whenever I go for more than a week without writing to you (and to be honest even a week feels like too long), I feel disconnected from my true self.
It’s because in order to write and to share with you, I have to be in the process of going inwards and connecting with the deeper realms of life that so often get eclipsed by the frenetic pace of modern daily living. And so the act of writing and sharing with you is actually a huge part of what nourishes me. The less writing and sharing I do, the less nourished I feel.
These last ten days have been so filled with practical tasks, mostly related to the house, that I’ve found it a real challenge to make the space for connecting inwards. As a result, I feel somewhat discombobulated and have been getting increasingly cranky.
However, I have been working on something new over this time which I’m finally ready to share.
Since moving here last April, I’ve had a steadily growing desire to try and express myself and this journey through videos as well as writing and so I’ve finally gone ahead and made a start.
This was surprisingly tough for me. It’s not like I haven’t made videos before, but as I wrote about a few weeks ago in Accessing Possibility, I feel like I’ve been taking fewer and fewer healthy risks in life and have become far too comfortable for my own good.
So I made a video showing visually and through words what being in this house and in this place means to me right now and the journey I feel like I’m being called to through moving here.
You’ll see clips of what it’s been like here over the past weeks of winter and the first signs of spring, as well as lots of beautiful clips from last spring and summer when the garden was in full bloom.
I know so many of you who read my work are beautiful creative souls too and I know how hard it can sometimes be to get our work out in the world. So for the sake of encouragement, I want you to know that the voice of self-doubt has been excessively strong through the making and now sharing of this video and I have felt overwhelmed by my impossible standards of perfection and always wanting to be a master before I’ve even begun.
But today I’ll click publish anyway because ultimately there isn’t truly a choice. We either start imperfectly or we don’t start at all.
I really hope you enjoy this video. It feels nice to invite you a little more into my life.
Love and courage,
Leah
dear dear Leah!
thank you for this video! it took all your courage and strength to do it and yet look all this tender beauty that you created with your heart and with your soul. it touches me deeply and ignites more of beauty and love in me. that is the law: more of something creates more of it if it is shared. much love for you dear one! Romie
Oh, dear Romie, tears in my eyes reading your gorgeous comment. I am always so surprised how it is really through the mirroring back of a piece of work that I really get to experience it myself for the first time and in that way I really feel how you and others who read/watch and appreciate are so much a part of the creative process – it can’t really fully exist without you. And I love what you said about how the sharing of something creates more of it – so true and such a valuable reminder. Thank you.
Oh, Leah. This is lovely. To see you and your nest and to hear you speak. I understand what you say here about how you need to write and connect with others through your writing. And now videos. Writing on my blog really sustains me. I just started to make videos on Instagram and am surprising myself with how much I enjoy speaking to others through them. I am quite grateful for the technology that allows this! You are such a dear, sweet, sensitive, rainforest-minded soul. Thank you for your courage and the light you share with the world.
Oh, thank you dear Paula, it is so lovely to read your generous, encouraging words. I feel so much the same about blogging – ever since I began it has been a source of nourishment. And you are so good at it! I love how it’s been a surprise to you how much you’re enjoying making videos on Instagram. Thank you so much for watching this video.
Thank you dear Leah for catching up and sharing this journey of beauty with us. Your courage to click ‘publish’ lit up my heart and I’m sure many others around the world, connecting us all in beauty. Your writing process of going inwards and sharing it here is mutually nourishing. I appreciate you. I appreciate your writing. I appreciate your sharing. I appreciate your beauty. I appreciate your connection. I appreciate your nourishment. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Sending much love Xx
Hello Christine! It always brings a smile to my face to hear from you – it’s something about the people who have been here for so long and feel so familiar and friendly. Thank you for watching and appreciating. I guess it’s the perfect situation when something is a mutually nourishing circle. I hope you are doing well. It’s probably still very much winter over there but I saw the first crocus in the garden yesterday. Sending much love to you too. xx
The video is beautiful, and I’m glad to see you in my inbox whenever! Keep doing what makes you feel beauty. I’m just happy you are willing to share. It was your words that caught my attention, and continue to touch me. The visual is a bonus! Thank you.
Thank you sooooooooooo much, Cate! I feel so supported by my readers and am so grateful for that. Big hugs.