Here you have it folks. I’ve had my flip camera for 9 months. Spent a month figuring out (recently) that it wasn’t working because it needed new batteries. Made a few movies of my art journal project (here and here and here and here), had a birthday and figured it was time to bite the bullet and get in front of the camera. I will admit it is not the camera that was stopping me. It was seeing myself on camera: all glorious 63 years of me. Extrinsic me as opposed to intrinsic me.
We all know what counts, right?
Except we live in a culture that neither promotes nor encourages women to accept where they are physically, love themselves with their whole heart and get on with it.
Time to engage the inner rebel, who tends to be very courageous, and get on with it. So here it is! And I am very pleased that I finally did it! Yay me!!
What have you been putting off lately?
Wylde Women’s Wisdom
I do not want to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death. Audre Lorde
You cannot practice courage timidly (one of the Wylde Wisdom quotes who’s author I cannot at the moment locate).
Begin! (Tammy Vitale and just about anyone else who writes to inspire!)
26 Comments
Oh, well done, Tammy!
I already know and like the way you speak, as I have watched your narrated videos of market setups and garden galleries. In this one you are clear both of word and of meaning; and you are beautiful!
Love Meg x o
Great video Tammy~
Great message;-)
You were a natural,and your beauty shined thru!!!
xox
I’m thinking of taking on the challenge of the woman in the mirror over at Sixtieswomen.com
I saw someone else had done that on FB….so I guess the subject is coming up as I thought
about it as I woke this morning. I’m interested in the project!
Loved this for two reasons. The content and your acknowledgment that looking at our aging selves is difficult.
First on the content: I HAVE focused on being centered thinking that would make things work, but you are so right. Everything changes. Now I shall work on centering!
Second, having turned 60 this year, I really understand the video challenge. I’ve never been photogenic, but, in the last few years, I’ve had whole new reasons to look at my photos in amazement (and, to be honest, with a sense of disappointment.)
Maybe if we, as a society, placed more value on the gifts of honed skills and wisdom that come with aging, this would be an easier transition. Our culture seldom places any value on what elders can offer, though. More often age is used as the butt of jokes. Perhaps this baby boomer generation can take on the challenge of changing these views.
that “good god” moment happens to all of us – some of us daily.
I have a favorite mirror in my house – it always makes me look good.
I always look in it before I go out!
thanks for stopping by!
Yay! I am so glad I am not the only one who has had a flip cam for months and is to afraid to use it. Geez, I almost threw up when trying to take a photo of myself for my site! You hit the nail on the head when you expressed the fear of seeing yourself. In my mind I am still that 115 pound twenty year old with a sun tan then I see a photo of me and say Good God who is that chubby pale woman! LOL! I just found your site and I’ll be back! Take Care.
Hi Tammy, so nice to meet you, your voice and your energy here, you’re looking good and I understand every word you say;) Happy birthday from another aries…. and good luck for everything. Andrea
I’ve been walking around imagining myself looking a certain way (you know–the girl I loved at 23)and am always surprised and somewhat disappointed when I look in the mirror, or at a picture of myself. How did this happen so quickly? I think you look fabulous–but that comes from being a beautiful woman on the inside too. Some of the ugliest people have great bodies!
we can make excuses or we can just get on with it – my lesson for this year I think.
Am having a lovely period of just getting on with it. Perhaps it was the birthday – time shrinks
Hi Tammy,
I love the idea of centering as an ongoing process, thank you!
And you look mahvelous, Dahlink, simply mahvelous. I understand your hesitance, though – I have hated the sound of my voice since developing spasmodic dysphonia. But I finally decided to stop using that as an excuse to evade my calling. And I am making friends with my voice.
Carry on!
Wonderful, I’m happy to see my peers make these videos. I am often in the land of very young artists and bloggers and that makes me feel old.
What an absolutely awesome idea (as long as I don’t have to do watercolor – altho I find that watercolor pencils help me in that dept!). Your journal is gorgeous (readers, you can see her blog by clicking on her name). I’ll check out the website!
Hi Tammy.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. My trip to Ireland was imaginary. I take trips which are really painting classes by Laure Ferlita
called ImaginaryTrips.com. I’ve been to the beach, England, on an autumn trip and others. If you ever want to have fun with watercolor this is a very good class. It’s interesting to see what everyone comes up with as though we get suggestions for what to paint and some how-tos, we can choose something different to “make it our own”. I’ve learned a lot plus socialized a bit (I live in a rural area).
thank you, Norma!
Hi Tammy,
Loved the video and the topic. Very nicely done. You look great.
yes – my 63 year old ears, aided by way too much near the speakers
dancing when in my 20s, have the same problem! Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations! Nice little talk and good for you to get on camera. You looked nice and I could hear you. So many people get on camera to teach something and they look all over the place or speak too softly (for my 57 year old ears). You did great!
Stephanie – thanks. I figure fear is just fear. It’s letting it make your world smaller that’s moving in the wrong direction!
Lynda: Tell me about that realization – is it hard for you or something you can roll with? Hubby watched the video and said “bother you a little bit ,huh? I deal with it by ignoring it for the most part,which is why the camera was hard. And I would say I’m way more secure on the inside about
a lot of things now – but not everything. I’m taking it as that’s the work of my final years – that”not everything.”
Tammy, Great! And happy birthday! I turned 60 in December and finally realize I don’t look like I’m 25 anymore. However, on the inside I am much better – more secure and more daring. You are great on video – not something I think I want to attempt – well, not at this time!
Good job Tammy! I struggle with video too, something about seeing myself and hearing myself on camera. I know it took a lot of courage 🙂
Janet: it gets easier the more times I watch it – find myself watching the content and movement instead of focusing on my face – that’s one way to do it!
Kathleen: worked the concept out in my head and then over coffee with a girlfriend. I like that I could put a visual to it – and that doing video made it easier! Would be nice if the visual had stayed centered!
Pam – thank you! You and others help me keep on keeping on!
Rosie – it took me 9 months and a birthday to “just do it!”
Thanks gals!!
Bravo Tammy!! I haven’t got a camera and I really don’t know if I’d be as brave as you… but you look wonderful and you made a lot of sense! =)
Thanks for sharing your courage and beauty!! I really liked your drawing too! It was very helpful! Great Job Tammy! xoxoox
Tammy, you are a natural! I like how you finished by wondering if you were even “centered” in the viewfinder. You were, by the way.
You did great. I like the visual. The concept definitely applies to me. Thanks so much
Kathleen
Woo-Hoo!!! This was great, Tammy. Your production was terrific to watch. The message was well put and memorable (thanks to the visual).
I loved it.
I strongly identify with the conflict about seeing a picture of myself, and I always have such an internal struggle when someone pulls out a camera. I’m working on it. I haven’t tried video yet.
Thank you!!!