Maintaining perspective

I woke up feeling anxious today. I hurt my foot last night, which didn’t help, but I knew exactly what I was worrying about.

Raising the money for Hannah.

It’s about 6 days in, which I know isn’t a long time. But the initial flurry of activity has slowed down. We raised the first $500 in such a short amount of time – 3 days. We had people pledging money to come in the future. I got caught up in the frenzy, busy counting chickens that might never hatch.

This week it’s been so much slower. Less sharing on Twitter and Facebook, fewer donations. Less chat. Not to mention that I get really nervous about bugging people. I figure everyone’s heard all this already and if they wanted to help, they would have.

Soon the doubts start creeping in. Maybe I’m crazy for even thinking I can do this, say the voices. Who am I to think I could raise $1000 for someone? I’m not some glorified social media guru. I don’t have a huge audience. I’m just some little artist, the voices say. I don’t know anyone and I can’t do anything.

I start to think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, with my crazy determination and big dreams. I get so caught up in all the possibility, that it can be hard when I hit the ground again.

Perspective

I’m trying to maintain a sense of perspective. It’s been less than a week. I can’t predict the future. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or next week. The only thing I can keep doing is to keep on trying.

But I may not raise all of the money. I have to face that fact. If I don’t, I’ll pay for whatever is left myself. I’ve promised my friend that she’s going to dance in September, and goddammit, she will dance. I will hold that bake sale on the front lawn.

Because at the end of the day, even if I doubt myself and my own ability to help a friend, I still completely believe in her dream of dancing again and I’ll do whatever I can to help her go after that. She’s working her ass off, getting back into shape and recovering her flexibility. She’s upholding her end of the bargain. I’ll be damned if I don’t hold up my end.

If you’re interested in helping, you can go read the post here or check out the options below:

Here’s how you can help:

Option #1:

Some of you may remember my painting, “Ballet Shoes”. It’s been sold for years, and is no longer on the site, but I can make prints of it. (I know some of you have been wanting that!)

The print will be a signed 11”x14” (with border, size is 13”x16”) archival giclee print on Hahnemeule William Turner watercolor paper (trust me when I say, it’s delicious). It is archival, it is top quality, and if well taken care of, will last up t0 100 years. Yes, it costs more than a poster but that’s because it is so much more than a poster.

The print retails for $120 USD + $20 shipping anywhere in the world.

Option #2:

If you want to help, but can’t afford (or for you men out there, don’t want) a print, donations are super welcome. Seriously, even $5 will make a difference.

And if you did want the print, just let me know in the “Special Message to Seller” section of Paypal, and I’ll email you a high resolution PDF so you can print it out at home.

Option #3:

Dying to help, but your pockets are lined with love and not money? We will so take your love!

Tweet it up, share it on Facebook, tell your friends, tell your family, whatever you can do, we will love you for it.

Did you really want the print too? Email me telling me how you shared the love, and I’ll email you a high resolution PDF of the print as well, for your viewing pleasure at home.

Thank you.

Tags: dancing, dreams, self doubt