I have a feeling this art piece will resonate with many. It certainly did for me when I saw it last week. Since learning about this local artist earlier this summer, Cherie Burbach, I’ve been following her work. Her passion for life and art come shining through!

When I saw this piece on her Facebook page, my heart caught in my throat for a quick moment, but then love and warmth flooded over me.

In the middle of the girl’s chest it says, “she saw herself as broken.” I was this girl for such a long time. And I know many have, and still do, feel this way.

This last year I feel as if I’ve busted through leaving behind seeing myself as broken. No more. I’ve taken back my power.  And while it was a rocky road to travel, I feel blessed for the lessons learned – and this pivotal teaching came to me because of a 10 pound darling little dapple dachshund you likely know if you’ve followed me here on my blog for awhile now. Yup, you guessed it…Miss Gidget! I continue to work on my newest memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am sharing the journey her and I have traveled. Hint of insight: Gidget was never broken either even though I thought she may have been.

So when I saw this painting, I just knew I had to have it. It hit me dead center with love and truth right in my heart. I remember clearly the day I felt what other’s have experienced, though I had never before. While I’ve always believed in the conceptual fact there is a God, I had a hard time seeing God as a man in a white beard. I see God as a vast, glorious, energy.

This past early spring when I felt as if I might have a nervous breakdown, I surrendered to Spirit and asked for guidance. I didn’t beg, but just simply stated I was ready, and that I would listen to what it was I needed to do.

And it was the next day I was guided, and even though it felt scary, I took the steps I needed to, to release a past pain I’d carried with me for over two decades. And when I did, I felt Spirit. It’s something that I can’t even find adequate words to express, but it was a feeling unlike I’d ever had before. 

When this print arrived today, I didn’t realize the other message embedded within it. I find it so interesting as it is written on the throat of the portrait and says, “be you ’til full.” 

Isn’t that beautiful?! That is what we are here to do…to be our full selves!

Looking up the definition of the throat Chakra as I know it is related to using our voice it says: 

The throat chakra is the voice of the body. It is a pressure valve that allows the energy from the other chakra to be expressed. If it is out of balance or blocked it can affect the health of the other chakras.

It’s through using our authentic voice to living in a way that matters to each of our souls is what “be you ’til full” is all about! If we don’t express our pain it blocks the way for true joy.

And for me, feeling Spirit embrace and hold me that day, and since then, I knew that Spirit always saw me as beautiful — and it was me that had to get out of my own way.

So I share this today in hopes that you too will find a way, if you feel broken, to see yourself as the Divine does – because it’s true – you are beautiful just the way you are. 

XO,

Barb

P.S. If you are interested in a copy of this print for yourself, you can find it, and other prints, by Cherie here.

P.P.S. I’m not an affiliate. I just truly enjoy sharing the creativity of others.