"Learning to be comfortable in ourselves
... to reveal intimacies,
and to show our faces."
Juliana at Shakti Mama
... to reveal intimacies,
and to show our faces."
Juliana at Shakti Mama
I have recently discovered a wonderful blog "Shakti Mama" by Juliana that I would like to share. She is starting a weekly or bi-weekly self-portraiture titled "ELEMENTS OF SELF" and is inviting others to join the challenge of "seeing the self in the world through self portraits." It is an opportunity to look inside ourselves to find our own inner beauty and learn self- love and self-kindness.
At first I thought, I could never do this but I have decided to just "suck it up"and go for it. Although the sense of openness is exciting, it also scares the shit out me. Typically a shy introvert, taking part in in a self portraiture is going way beyond my comfort zone. While exposing a picture of myself to the world is not a problem, posting one in response to a thematic prompt is more difficult. But Juliana is breaking us in easily with the first week's prompt...a mask self-portrait...we get to cover our faces. We're free to do what we want...just have fun. A mask self portrait is a wonderfully symbolic beginning to what I hope will be a journey of self discovery.
I chose to do a mask self portrait using my belly dance veil. In belly dance, the veil provides a sense of allure and mystery but for many, the veil, physical or invisible, provides refuge or a place to hide... a shield that separates our real self from the world.
So take a stroll over to "Shakti Mama" and say hello to Juliana, and join the fun.
