The unseen process.
We live in a generation where our emotions and opinions are usually expressed on social media, almost immediately. It has been culturized to open up the need to be seen and heard by the masses.
For me, it was as if my second emotions is dictated by what others may like or think. In addition to that, how many #smallbiz shoutouts are about letting our work be seen and heard through reels? Yet in the realistic of my journey to slowing down, I want to sway away from making reels and find a connection in what is real.
As an artist, for over a year I struggled to be seen on Instagram. Paid too much for ads that were not adding value to what my brand was about. Like many of you, I got lost and I wasn’t sure how to grow my audience. So through the month of March, I deactivated any link that leads to boosting ads on social media. I relied entirely on heavenly growth and refocus my energy on creating what makes my heart full.
This spring seems to be the longest season for me. I have taken intentional time away from Instagram and in return, I have more time to discover new skills, help my self-worth, and grew more inspiring to create content.
74% of businesses owned by women rely on social media…
I cringed at this statement by Planoly. It got me questioning, “am I sowing too much into Instagram or my own business?” It got to me further when I read a few articles that mentioned, work for yourself, not for Instagram. Instagram does not own your business.
IN COLLABORATION WITH @andthesheweaves,
I am reminded that God sees me in my unseen. The hours I spent on creating or the days I spent over-worrying for almost nothing.
I realize I have to be extremely intentional about what feeds my mind and my emotions. Yes, I am allowed to worry but not at the expense of fearfulness.
Learning what to inhale and when to exhale is what creators need to grasp. We cannot constantly be giving until we realize it’s too late to rest.
Community comes in position when we need gentle reminders. Here’s where I met Cheryl.
It is rewarding to meet Cheryl, @andthesheweaves, who gave me hindsight into what it means when God is in control; as Master Gardener. As you know, I have been building SLC strongly base on biblical beliefs; truth, and love necessary to bring about a revival for slowness.
While it is challenging to stay on the path, I had to constantly resist running with the mass. SLC is not just about small business things. It is a safe place to welcome slowness and inject curiosity around the Creator. Well, simply said, it is harder to be known as a faith artist vs just another one.
Here’s how Cheryl’s weave looks and she explains,
“I used shades of brown to represent our seeds buried in the soil. We don’t often get to see the growth or results and these seeds spend a long time hiding. It also represents staying rooted in our beliefs and values throughout. The pink tones symbolize the feeling of hope that as long as we keep sowing good seeds, there will be hope.”
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
Do you notice that a lot of our thinking process comes in our hiding moments? The seeds are growing in the dark, and until you see the sprout from above the soil, you have to know it is still growing from within.
@andthesheweaves \ Cheryl’s reflection on sowing
In this season, I will sow seeds with intention, seeds of faith that bring life and peace.
As a small business owner, it is very easy to measure success by the number of followings and likes, the number of orders, or how much profit we earn. In the last few months, I found that even though business was “good”, what I was most proud of wasn’t these numbers, and I still didn’t feel fulfilled.
I took a step back in the last few weeks to reflect on my intent of creating art and the hopes I carried when I first started on this journey. I remember starting out very small, like a seed, but so full of potential and dreams. These numbers that measure success didn’t matter to me, and I made every piece of art hoping to convey a story and a message to bring joy and comfort to the recipient. These seeds I sow along the way are starting to bud in this season as I welcome new opportunities.
It is as if the universe was affirming my belief of “you reap what you sow”.
In this season, I am choosing to be more intentional about my thoughts and actions because they are seeds being sown for a future harvest. I am choosing to keep watering these seeds of faith, even if I can’t see the growth right now. I am learning again to be patient, and to appreciate slow steady growth.
In my quest to create this collaboration, I am also constantly reminded of this verse:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
JOHN 15:16 NIV
How sweet it is to know, that God dreams for you as He appoints and set you apart. I hope to encourage everyone reading, that you have heavenly dreams for signs and wonders.; as you open your heart to acknowledge that God has seeded it within you for His glory.
