warrior {self portrait challenge}
I am a woman on a journey of healing. And as I heal, I grieve, laugh, sing, dance, cry, giggle, roar, open my heart, let go, dance again, chant, paint, howl, sob, yell, sit in the quiet, write, bend, stretch, move, let go again, write some more, and allow myself to crack open.
I am finding the warrior within. There is only one real battle: to be the warrior who can live in her life. Live. In. Her. Life. I stand tall with my heart open, my head high, my feet planted firmly beneath me. I feel the strength in my body, in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I take a breath. I feel the energy within me as it radiates from my fingertips to the ones who passed before me and walk beside me, from my eyes to the future in front of me, from my shoulder blades to the world that is around me, down my legs and through my feet into the earth below me, and from my heart to you.
You are finding the warrior within. I am not alone on my journey; you are there with me. You are learning how to stretch and stand tall with your feet beneath you. You are feeling the power of the front of your body open to the world around you. You are allowing your heart to crack open with each breath. Each inhale cracks your heart open a little more. Again. Again.
We are side by side on this journey. We are learning how to heal, how to find the joy, how to rock gently in the pain, how to throw our heads back with laughter, how to let go. We are standing tall as warriors. And I believe that we are in the midst of a movement. A movement that is going to change us all as we change the world.
I am a woman on a journey. And I am not alone.
(For Denise who gave me a little homework assignment that inspired this. Thank you my friend.)
See others who are taking the self portrait challenge here.
self-portrait
Reader Comments (21)
strength.
in pictures, in words, in sentiment.
this was wonderful.
:)
I've gone all tingly, my heart's beating a bit too fast... you spoke this straight into my heart Liz. sometimes i feel we are two mirrors, reflecting each other back across an ocean... i'm going to sit with your words today... i feel something bubbling in the back of my mind....
Sx
I loved seeing and feeling the imagery in this post. Amazing it would be if all women embraced their warrior side.
a.
I think I'm standing in the same pose, at the same time, with you.
If I'm a warrior, can I get some more armor? Maybe some arrows, too? ;)
I love the image of an inner warrior woman. Beautiful photo!
only you could make yoga look so chic!
~bluepoppy
This is one my favorite poses! The way the energy travels from your grounded feet, out your arms, powerful stuff! And as always you bring that power here to your blog, fantastic. And that picture is gorgeous.
I love this pose too! I feel so strong and powerful when I'm in it, feeling my breath. This is a brilliant post, I feel ready to take on the world now!!
We are not alone- wow.
great post and photo! Lovely!
Yes! Yes! I am with you! This was so so great! I wish it were on a poster to hang for women to read all throughthe day.
You. Rock.
:)
you're so right...you're not alone...i'm there with you!
Beautiful post, and an equally beautiful photo!
Liz,
I love this post!! I can't wait to do a yoga session together, so we can be warriors!! I wish it was tomorrow instead of next week!
Still waiting for pics of your creations!!
XOXO-Letha
very nice. love the background. the sea is so gorgeous, as are you!
This really got tears to flow...tears of truth...tears of gratitude.....tears that I am not alone on the journey......tears that come with seeing my warrior self....tears that were brought from one warrior to another.
Thank you
what a wonderful tribute to your own self.
my heart filled with joy to see this, to read these powerful words.
you are beautiful in this pose.
i feel your strength from here, lifting me up and placing me firmly on the ground.
you are such a blessing in my life, dear friend.
warm, big love to you.
xo,
boho
This is incredible...so empowering and uplifting, raising my own warrior spirit to the heights of the mountains that have been laying just beyond my reach. Comforting the tears that have fallen in agony or grief or fear. How true your words are...they sing out in strength and understanding and communion. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing post. You are a warrior indeed!
Love to you,
TD
This is great. Liz! You're a powerful woman -- and you seem so in touch with your emotions and hopes and dreams. You're an inspiration!
I love the warrior in you!