Vulnerability Warning

Introducing Sunday night notes… because you know Sunday nights have a whole other energy to them…

Sunday night notes | 7:57 pm 

Episode 1 of 1.

I had forgotten this story until tonight. We sat next to a lovely family, celebrating their daughter's role in a play. I looked over at her beaming with pride as people congratulated her. And I thought to myself, “good girl, you did something brave. You used your voice.” 

In elementary school I wrote a story about what I saw was injustice in the world. And how noone was doing anything about it. I remember feeling so strongly about this that I asked my whole family to gather in the living room, so I could read it to them. I wanted them to feel how much I cared about people & how I felt we all had the responsibility to do something about it. I read with passion, with dramatic pauses, I could feel my heart beating in my head. I was terrified to tell the truth about my feelings. But I did it anyway. 

I wish I could remember how that reading was received and the feedback my family gave me. But all I can remember is what the paper looked like & how I felt reading it. I felt alive.

For the first time in my life, I had a voice of my own. Do you remember the moment you discovered  you had a voice or ideas? 

This moment was magic for me. My voice had a tone. It had a mood. It had direction. It had purpose. My ideas mattered to me. I had a cause for my deep emotion.  

I never stopped writing. I have kept every journal I have written since then. 

From that day, I have been fighting to allow myself to speak out and speak up. 

And hearing my voice, is healing for me. It is what fuels me as an entrepreneur. I had never put my deep desire to use my voice & working with women together. 

Everytime I help a women identify the look of her brand, or how she wants her story told, I am celebrating her VOICE. 

I get to shine a light on what you say and how you want your story told. 

And your stories matter to me. They matter so deeply that I get them correct. It matters to me that my level of technique & skill match your voice.

I wake up every day and work on my work. But watching that little girl be celebrated tonight, I was pushed into realiziing my work isn't work. 

It is my calling. Something God or the Universe won't let me shake off.

I MUST KEEP USING MY VOICE. In doing so, I create a space for you to tell yours. 

Somehow we are healing together.  

And I know, this is very heaving on the spiritual side. But I keep trying to make being a photographer transformational. But you do transform when you start to allow yourself to be seen. I heal deeper & expand each time you step in front of my camera. 

So, as risky as it is to email you such a personal story. I know I am willing to risk it all.

I won't let that 9 year old Monica to be silenced. We have a lot of celebrating to do. 

And a lot of holding your hand as you step into your voice. Because you know your “work” isn't work, right?

You have been called to do it.

And I think you know this sis. And I got your back. Always. And you got mine, right? 

Cheers to letting 2023 be the year we step into our Voices being Amplified. 

Let me help you from feeling paralyzed and walk you into being proud. 

I love you sis,

Monica Linda