October 10, 2006
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Self Portrait Challenge
Oct: Your Imperfect Self
Dark Parts
I rarely talk about my sadness.
I avoid mentioning it because I disappoint myself when I am depressed.
These emotions were not in my plans,
none of them.
I never expected this whirl of dark emotion;
this heavy, bitter thing
and I do not like it
I rarely speak of my darker self
because that makes it all the more real.
Comments (39)
Hmmm. Makes you all the more real too. ((hugs))
Really a brave thing to talk about something, show something that disturbs you so much. (((((((((HUGS)))))))) I guess because you are so creative, it doesn’t surprise me that those things are there in you, too. I think our darker parts can give us depth and strength as we learn to deal with them.
I second mykidsmom… the purity of this post paints another stroke in the portrait that is you, to me.
(((((hugs)))))
Hi, I was just browsing thru different sites, and your’s came up. You have beautiful pictures on here. I hope you didn’t mind my looking. The pictures of the fall leaves are gorgeous, as are all of them. I’m in Florida, and we don’t see leaves turn colors!! Just wanted to say hello so you wouldn’t wonder why I was here and didn’t leave a comment.
~Amber
I send a hug also and am glad that the sun always comes up.
Something that people seem to have such difficulty discussing at times… thank you for opening the door for me to explore my own feelings more. The pictures are beautiful and have a lot of depth (((hugs)))
We’ve all been there………and are there.
You so perfectly capture the theme of SPT. You’re beautiful, dark side and all.
Love, your eyes just soak up the world in these pictures. I think I can see the disappointment in your expression. I’d like to see you let go of the disappointment. It is hard enough without all the self-berating. Love to you.
I can relate and sometimes things just can’t be explained but to live with and hopefully will pass… It sucks all the same ((hugs))
It’s a good time of year for bittersweet chocolate.
Oh, I *so* know what you mean.(((Julie)))
Hugs and love my dear friend.
Every part of you is beautiful, even your dark parts. You have such deep and soulful eyes. I love the honesty in these portraits. Truly wonderful.
i completely understand, friend. for me it is hard to accept it as part of yourself sometimes, and opening up that part of myself to someone else? even harder.
Sometimes being dark can over come us and push us into a downward spiral. It is also important to let it out. I think it is a matter of balance. You look very calm in these photos. Like you are balancing this well.
…Just remember, when you get back into more light, leaving that darkness behind, you are so much more aware of love, good, happiness! The dark makes you thankful for the light.
I think the pictures are wonderful!!!
Hugs!!!
I completely understand the darkness. I believe it makes us appreciate the lightness even more
Without the dark, there is no light perhaps.
((((hugs)))
agreed that there must be a dark side, Julie. better to have it and deal with it…than let it fester and hide…
Julie;
“In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind—in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away—and a touch of wonder remains.”
“These Small Candles” …tombstone inscription in Britain
I know few people who have as many small candles as you. May they help keep the darkness at bay. ((Hug))
Been there. Just be as strong as you can.
I know this, too. Like you, I don’t like to acknowledge it, to give it any more energy than it already takes.
Yeah…what Knitsteel said. (-:
C’Mon……hold my hand….(holding the bittersweet chocolate to share in the other) Going into those dark places is good. We can all do it if we know we have company!
Gorgeous photos! You captured teh melaancholy spirit beautifully.
My hubby just got me a great portrait photography book…you would love it too…called Digital Portrait Photography and Lighting, by Catherine Jamieson. Very artistic. GOod on the basics, too. She says self-prortraits are an excellent way to discover your creativity and also improve your portrait photography technique and ideas, among other things.
(-:
We must have suffering to find true happiness! Be Blessed
These are good and true. Thanks
Ah yes, I definitely have days like that.
{{hugs}}
Beautiful writing, and pictures. I love the pan thing yesterday! Ttyl.
making it real just makes you real
i like real
maybe because my darkness is so transparent
It takes a brave woman to look at and accept all sides of herself. Sounds like you take thing on fully and bravely : )
RYC: Flour tortillas. They are good, but my dh jsut informed me they are way too salty, so there you go//lol///
“These emotions were not in my plans, none of them.”
Exactly.
((((hugs))))
Yeah, what tinybutterfly and Tigermama said. Me, too.
I’m sorry your sky is gray, my friend. It’s a hard thing…I’ve been there too often myself.
If it helps, I needed to tell you that you’ve inspired Anthony and I so much–he has quit the job that has kept him hostage 50+ hours a week for months. He was missing so much, things that cannot be replaced. I don’t know if he would have had the bravery had he not read your words.
Wonderful photographs, as always. And it takes a real artist to capture the emotions in herself that she doesn’t care to see. You’ve done that here with tremendous sensitivity.
Thank you for your kind words on my blog.
I think real is beautiful … beautiful that you shared this … and how beautiful all the responses! (Sometimes I get a double boost from your sweet site, mama – one from you and your great words and then another from the wise words of the wise folks you seem to attract over here)
I’ve had this darkness inside of me lately, too .. and no, it isn’t something I like or planned on … but I’m trying not to bury those parts of me or to gloss over them with happy, happy, happy all the time, you know? Sad is real sometimes, too … and so is unhappy and even mad … thanks for that reminder (( hugs ))
Its been too long since I’ve ventured over here … thank you for the dose of beauty and thought I’ve been needing …
I like you real. Lisa