Portrait Artist Blog

While you are being positive about yourself, please remember to be positive for others, too. Everyone has their own journey they are walking, and often they are trying to walk a new walk too. Be compassionate with those around you trying to turn a new leaf. You don’t have to be a part of their new journey. Just allow them to have it. Don’t be that voice that echoes in their head as motivation to prove the naysayers wrong. Be the voice that tells them they can do it, and if you can’t be that voice, then be a silent one.

I am turning over a new leaf, flipping the switch, starting anew. I have chosen to pursue my photography as art more this year than ever before, and focusing on the things I want to create. I want to focus on my purpose: to love people. I want to help people love themselves too. I still possess the talents and gifts that have gotten me here, and I am thankful for them. This year, I will be adding on to them without fear or reserve. I am creating to please God, my clients, and myself, and I can’t wait to set myself up for it.

2019 looked like a success to everyone watching, but truthfully, 2019 was a survival year for me. I went through so many trials and hardships with my personal life and business, that it’s hard to believe it all. So many things that come easy for other people seemed to always be hard for me. There were times I wanted to quit. There were times I forgot what it was all for. There were times I thought God wanted me to fail. There were times I felt no one understood me at all. Times I knew I was being underestimated once again. Times I was told my work wasn’t worth the investment. Times people passed up the art I created and bought absolutely nothing, Those killed me and my finances, and it was hard to recover mentally and convince myself I was in fact worthy once again. No sales led to not being able to pay the bills, but we got by with help. I have always been independent, have always made my own money, and have never asked for assistance. I had to do that this year. That was humbling, but I learned that I will do whatever it takes for my kids to have what they need, and that I will work hard to make my dream provide for us financially as well as keep me balanced creatively. Depression kept me from focusing for 10 months, spanning from last year to near the end of this one. Getting back up was only possible with God, weekly prayer walks, and daily meditations.

2020 will be SO different! I can feel it in my bones. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a very, very, long time. I love my little family. My relationship with my ex is phenomenal, and my kids are doing great. I’ve worked hard to have harmony in my home, and I’ve gotten over the failed relationships of people who saw me only as an opportunity to make their lives better while making life difficult for me. I see who is on my team, and its clear who never was. I can sense who would rather judge me and talk about me rather than understand me, or help me. My depression was linked to all of those terrible situations, and I’ve done the last of my grieving over it. I see the promise of tomorrow and the gift of the present in the faces and hearts of my children. I never want to waste another minute worrying about the hate.

I can’t wait for this year to knock the socks off every year before it! The peace for myself that I have patiently waited for has finally arrived, and I get to see it manifest in the beautiful art that I will create moving forward. This is far from a New Year’s resolution-it is a new walk of life. Lord willing, my kids will only see love, confidence, happiness, and beauty on my face going forward.

If you are struggling, please don’t give up. Peace will come and you will experience it. Just hold on to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, because He truly loves you and wants the best for you. Hold on to the precious moments of connection with your children. Focus on the joy of being human, of existing in such a time as this, in being a father or mother, a partner, a husband, or a wife. Those are blessings no one should take for granted.

You have a gift to give the world, and that is to BE YOURSELF. Enjoy who YOU are. If you are fierce, be fierce. If you are strong, be strong. If you are funny, be funny. Take the time to seek out your weaknesses and work on them. Don’t lose yourself to your surroundings and let others decide your attitude, or what is best for you. Pray and let God guide you. Let your heart and mind work together. Be both logical and passionate. Sometimes, life isn’t about following your heart all the time-that can actually be the wrong thing for you. Tell a close friend what you’re going through so as not to make emotional decisions all the time. Let them help you think logically. Look at people’s actions; don’t rely on their words. Don’t waste time doubting yourself, as hard as that seems. Believe in yourself, believe in those you love, and support them. Don’t waste time trying to convince people to love or care about you. It doesn’t work that way. Love yourself, take care of yourself and those you are responsible for, and give life your best. True friends will see that, and want to help you. You are worth it!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you bountiful blessings, a Happy New Year, and a prosperous 2020 for you, your friends, and your family!

Love, Julizza