Maria Mor

Maybe…

You have just burnt your toast. The egg you were frying stuck to the pan. Walking out the door you spilled your coffee on your shirt.

Your email is filled with rejection letters from jobs you have applied to. You hustle and hustle and clients do not come through. Your business went bankrupt after putting in your all.

The relationship you are in is lacking romance. You went on a date that you thought went well, but the person ghosted. You are settling a divorce.

You feel a loss of direction and even stagnation.

Countless self-help books, motivational quotes, and travel brochures enthusiastically say that life is a journey. A real life sequence of events often defined by past memories, the present moment, and the unknown future. If we are aware, we are capable of learning from the past so we can live soulfully in the present moment and as a result create our future.

There are always waves of good and steady times that are interrupted by challenges. Those challenges can be as small as overcooking a new dish you were preparing or as big as a death of a close one, a loss of a job, or the news of terminal illness.

Little fails. Big fails. Struggles. Hurdles. Problems. Mishaps. Unfortunate events. Challenges. The list goes on…
Call them whatever you like, but changing their name does not change their negative connotation. No matter which word you choose, they all have the same sting when uttered out loud.

I am not going to deny that  bumps on the road will present themselves during life, but they are definitely not fails.

Here is a little bit of honesty for ya:

I am Maria Mor, a photographer with a liking for flowers and the beach. I live in Soflo, from Colombia, and of the world. By societal standards I could be considered unsuccessful. Mentally, spiritually, and physically I can say I am alive, healthy, and awake; Priceless and pretty successful!

I think that the past 3 years I have “failed” the most in all aspects of my life- Romance, Career, Social, Self. Something I used to be terrified of experiencing. Yet, out of all those failures I became a student of life. I wasn’t just acquiring new skills; I was taking risks, putting myself out there, and most importantly I was also learning to completely and utterly be comfortable with my own self. Something I am still working on and will continue to do so. I also came to the conclusion that if situations did not happen the way they did, I would still be living the same routine I was living and not questioning my own potential.

Listen you, difficulties don’t just show up randomly- a concept I had a hard time understanding. They are precise, purposeful, and are always going to make an appearance to get all of us out of our comfort zones. Waking up is uncomfortable, but difficulties know very well when they show up that we are more than capable of handling them.

I am not all knowing nor do I have the cure for disappointment and pain. All I can say is neither you nor I have failed. We have grown instead. As girl boss Sophia Amoruso, owner of the multi-million empire, Nasty Gal, puts it: “Disappointment is only the Universe’s way of letting you know you are right where you need to be.” So marvel in this difficult moment, shine bright through it. Remember, difficulties have expiration dates and things will always get better as long as you learn from them.

Yes, there are times where you might feel defeated or ripped apart. You have every right. In fact, we all have every right to cry, be angry, and sad. We have every right to FEEL! These problems and mishaps are your own to experience without comparison to anyone else. They are there to teach you something about your life and yourself. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. It is the most natural and yet the most feared aspect of being human. Heck, I sometimes feel uncomfortable talking about my feelings or finding the right words to express them. It is normal.

I was listening to Kristina, chief goddess of Rawfully Organic, talk in one of her videos and something stuck with me. She expressed that the Universe or God do not make mistakes and it is true. You matter. We all matter. Give yourself the time to heal and sort through every emotion without caring what other people think or your own self judgment.  Do whatever you need to do to get you through your struggle in a healthy manner. I eat ice cream, watch movies in my pj’s, exercise, meditate, cry a lot, introspect, sometimes travel, or even curse from the top of my lungs!

Once you have felt you have reached your healing peak make a conscious decision to get up, dry your tears, dust yourself off, and show up. Show up for those people that read your blog or magazine. Show up for the loyal social media followers that like or share your content. Show up for the people that take time out of their day to see you. As Colombian holistic therapist and facilitator, Milo Moreno, puts it: Show up to your life. Be there, front and center. You might not be where you want to be, but you are not where you were before and that is golden.

I recently read a little something from Jasmine Star, a photographer and branding strategist from California, that stated to be less concerned with what people think and care only to create what comes from the heart. Whether you own a business, decide to back pack for the rest of your life, or sit on the corner of a street and paint portraits, you are and will continue to be a BOSS. Your tenacity, bravery, and dedication will stand out and pay off, because you took the actions needed to move forward.

Do not give up on your cause, your passion, and the reason for planting that seed and watching it grow. Those fundamentals are important and valid. Carry those roots with whatever the future brings to you. Have faith, you have everything you need to move forward. The unknown is difficult to grasp and frustration might get the best of us. Trust me, I know! You are strong. You are powerful. You do not need anyone to validate your being, only yourself. If all fails do like @thetravelmuse, Nathalie Basha, does and frolic through a field of flowers, because nature IS perfect and I am sure at least one simple thing as a flower can put a wide smile on your  face.

Believe in yourself and always live in gratitude of the little or big glimpses that your life has given you; They do not have a return policy!

~M