hu·mil·i·ty /(h)yo͞oˈmilitē/

n. the quality or condition of being humble; modest option of one's importance, rank, etc.

Friday afternoon as I am winding down my day in the office, I got an email that the Commerce Club was featured this month in the Upstate Business Journal. I was SO excited; I ran to my computer and opened the article, I was jumping up and down in my office when I realized that now for the third time a photo I took was printed in the Journal. I quickly took a screenshot and was getting ready to blast my excitement all over the place. I blew up my screenshot only to realize the photo I took was credited to another photographer. I immediately dropped to the floor in the middle of my office balling my eyes out, how could this have happened AGAIN, how could someone else get credit for the hard work I did?! I have been SO proud of those pictures I took for the Commerce Club, and have gotten a significant amount of praise for them.In my haste and anger I looked up the publishers number, and at 4pm on a Friday afternoon I was prepared to yell at every person I could. Two voicemails, and an operator later I realize I have the photographer’s number in my Rolodex, and I actually knew the guy they gave credit to. Heart racing, black out angry, balling my eyes out I take a deep breath and called him. Sweetest man alive, so thankful that he took the time to let me be angry for this mistake, but also sincerely apologetic that this had happened for now the third time. I felt better when we got off the phone, but still so mad that someone else got credit for my work. I sat in the middle of my office with all these articles in front of me still crying, when it hit me like a moving semi truck... 

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.

wow that's hard to write, especially considering I was the one who took that photo, but it was the reality check I so desperately needed. I haven't been blessed with this career and all these opportunities to bring glory to myself, no in fact my purpose is SO MUCH BIGGER. 

I took the next few moments looking at all these photos in my studio I had taken realizing it was never about me, and this angered me so much because I had allowed my talent, and purpose in this life even momentarily touch my identity. I've allowed all the awesome things people say about my work, and me, I allowed being published in magazines and journals, and on websites get to my head. I actually started to believe this was about me. It's a human mistake, but one I was thankful Friday to come to terms with. I was born with a talent, and I made the decision long ago to walk out my purpose on this earth whatever that meant. It hasn't been an easy journey, but I wouldn't change a single minute of it. It's a fine line we walk as artists, being confident in the talent and skills we were blessed with, all while realizing IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!

so I challenge you in this, don't get so caught up in yourselves, and the good work you are doing here in this life, that you miss the BIGGER picture. 

Happy Tuesday. Love, EmilieCarol