may this dress remind you to celebrate your wonderful self . . .

“There is a vitality, 

a life force, an energy, 

a quickening 

that is translated 

through you into action, 

and because there is only 

one of you in all time, 

this expression is unique. 

And if you block it, 

it will never exist 

through any other medium 

and will be lost.”

~ Martha Graham

this is the beginning of one of my favorite quotes! The full quote is below. Thank you to artist and teacher Michael Dowling, who introduced me to these inspirational words. But he is quick to make sure we, especially as artist, read the entire quote . . .  and who one who can get caught in the judging cycle I look to this quote many times and find some peace. 

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others” martha graham