Inspired by a Fearless One-Legged Actress

There are some days like today when I just can't get myself in that grateful space, when I just want to sit in my easy chair and stare into space feeling sorry for myself. "Where's the easy button?" I say with tears in my eyes. Then the Universe changes when a fearless angel like Tracy Ashton comes into my studio for a new actors headshot.

 

Tracy Ashton had a recurring comic role on NBC’s “My Name is Earl” as Didi, the one-legged girl. Tracy is a former cancer patient whose leg was amputated. I've photographed her a couple times in the past and have always loved her energy, humor and courage. Today she not only warmed my heart but reminded me that there are no barriers only the ones in our mind. A fearless woman indeed this unique out of the box actress flows through Hollywood with a positive attitude that is remarkable. Today she said, "Hollywood is amazing, your life can change in a heartbeat...you never know!" Another reminder that anything is possible in the whelm of possibilities!

Enjoy, laugh, be inspired by Tracy Ashton in her reel of her wonderful talent. Also, catch her on the comedy show Raising Hope this coming Tuesday-Jan. 8th guest starring with Christopher Lloyd!

Fearlessly Smiling from my easy chair....thanks Tracy!

Mary Ann

I have a lot of feelings that we are doing something crazy...but those are the good days!

That phrase is at the end of the little video created by Seth Godin, genius of contemporary marketing. If you haven't read any of his books, run your fingers to Amazon and buy one or Kindle one. You must, I repeat, you must engage your mind and wrap it around his out of the box thinking.

My brain has been marinating in a swirling pot of hot molasses seemingly working overtime to understand what to do next with my life. To be honest with you, I have to really step up to the plate to monetize whatever I'm doing but in my heart of creative hearts I just can't bring myself to do something mundane and predictable that fits in with the masses and that's where Seth's mind bending creative marketing comes in.

So I have committed to this blog challenge created by my friend, Michele Scism and her friend, Michelle Shaeffer, to write a post every day for 31 days. I am on day 3 and I am writing posts day to day exploring what is next for me and sharing the random things that inspire me.

Today it happens to be Seth Godin. Tomorrow who knows? And I don't know where this is leading me to. We shall see...

As a photographer/author of four photo/essay books, my recent book, Fearless Women, Visions of a New World, I look to marketing gurus such as Seth who market way out of the box. Watch his short video about his new book,  The Icarus Deception. 

Not only does it make you feel starved to learn more about his modern consciousness of marketing but it stops you in your old paradigm tracks. Along with this video he also create....and OMG brilliantly....a F**king brilliant campaign he calls, "This is My Art." Learn more by seeing his blog post from a couple of days ago: Here I Made This. There is an inspiring video that further explains the project.

Yours in Fearless craziness!

Mary Ann

22 Random Acts of Kindness

 I was inspired to blog about random acts of kindness. In this new year of 2013, I have had many moments of reflection about my life, what to do next, focus on, what makes my heart sing and my soul follow her bliss. Somehow random acts of kindness just stops me in my monkey mind tracks.
I think about my sweet husband Joe aka Singing Chef Joe.

 He practices random acts of kindness at the grocery store. He shops there almost every day as he just loves to purchase fresh food for whatever dish he is creating for dinner. Several times a year he keeps an eye out for someone in his line that perhaps has a small order he or she is checking out and may look like they don't have enough money to pay for it. He will surprise them by paying for their groceries. He says he does it for the joy of seeing and feeling their heart open up with gratitude. He always tells me his story with tears in his eyes. That's what I love about my Joe, his kind heart.

So in keeping with wanting to blog about random acts of kindness, I found this video by
Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi who on his 22nd birthday instead of throwing a party he decided to do  "22 Random Acts of Kindness." This video was shot in Islamabad, Pakistan. It could have been shot in the US or anywhere. I know you will enjoy and be inspired by it.

Syed ends his video by writing, "Let's create a society where even if the governments and corporations work against us, we still have each other."

Knowing we are all in this world, this New Year together, let's practice more random acts of kindness, just cause it feels so darn good!

Fearlessly Yours in Random Acts of Kindness,

Mary Ann

Seeing the Blessings & beauty we have in Our Life

Today is the first day of 2013. I am filled with optimism and excitement for this new year. I spoke to my friend Michael Gerber today and he said something so wise and inspiring, "May we always have
the wisdom and perspective to see the blessing we have in our life." I was so moved by this that I wrote it on a photo of my husband Joe and I in the mountain snow as a New Year's email card to family and friends. I used his phrase on the card and added the word "beauty" in the phrase. I believe we need to also see the beauty in our life. There is so much beauty in our world and many times we focus on the problems. It is a wonderful inspired phrase for the new year, don't you think?

Michael Gerber is a living example of someone seeing the blessings and beauty in his life. Michael lives with MS and is in a wheelchair. Nothing stops him from living his life fully, productively and with purpose. He is a bright light in the lives of so many, always smiling, joking and filled with curiosity and delight. He writes in his blog about being inspired by a woman named Debbie who has severe MS but has the brightest smile and lives with purpose. I invite you to read Michael's recent blog about meeting Debbie. http://mgerber.blogspot.com/

Michael ends his blog by writing, "May you wake up happy every day of the coming year. May you find an opportunity for gratitude in everyone of your life experiences. May something as simple as your smile be an inspiration to those around you. May the new year be filled with miracles and blessings for you and your family." 

He makes me smile!

Happy New Year...be fearless...be inspired!

Mary Ann

2013 New Years Resolution

I don't know about you but every year on this day I make a New Years Resolution or as I like to look at it as an "Intention for the New Year." I want no pressure but pure inspiration. So I wrote it out last night and I hope it inspires you to do the same. Make it simple, clear and written on the exhale.

I am inspired by Danielle LaPorte, blogger, teacher, coach, change-maker and speaker. I love this

Cosmic Radio: an audio contemplation for total encouragement

She says, "If this audio experience doesn’t open your heart and get you to sit up prouder … well, it will. This is a sonic love letter from your fellow earthlings. For best results, play on repeat and before and after every lunch break." Give it a listen and let it open your heart: Cosmic Radio

Wishing you the most radiant Fearless New Year!

Mary Ann

We Survived 2012!

Yes, it's the end of 2012 and we survived! I knew we would. However, I also knew that the world would end as we knew it. I could feel it in my blood, my soul and my gut. It was no surprise, in retrospect, that I had surgery on my gut right before the end of the year. Did I plan it? No. Have I learned lessons? Yes. Let me be an example of a woman who pushed too hard, fought to make things work and swam against the current. It was a lot of struggle and effort. It's a really bad habit....just functioning on adrenalin. Now, reflecting on this past year, I know to flow with the river, breathe in the brilliant air and exhale the dark night of the soul. Be the eye of the hurricane and dance with the wind of life.

We have just twirled into the new world, new energy and a road with a new adventure. No longer can we push against the flow of the life force but be one with it. Yes, I am getting very philosophical but it feels good to my soul. In the warm vortex of pure positive energy I feel like I have just sipped on a cup of sweet hot chocolate. Oh, this is what I long to feel in this new world, this new year! I deeply long for breathing space and the opportunity to turn it down a notch, to slow dance across Lake Hollywood which is my ultimate symbol of my environment. I seem to walk the line between Hollywood and Bollywood. In the rambling of my blog I think I will discover what my bliss is or at least get a sip of it. So bare with me while I dive into my poetic self and play with some thoughts.

This New World everyone is talking about, does anyone feel it? Or is it a bunch of new age babble? What are your thoughts? I mean, really this year I felt something coming on. It felt like my skin was peeling and I was about to put on a new suite. I truly hope that 2013 is easier. However, let's get real, it's me creating it not the year! But it feels better to blame it on the year. I must say, 13 is my lucky number. I am grateful for all that I have accomplished this year, bumps and all. It's been a fabulous ride so far and I expect it to be even better.

Yours in the Fearless Vortex of Live,

Mary Ann

Inspired by a Fearless Girl

 I stumbled upon a video of 13 year old Talia Castellano who has been battling cancer for six years. She follows her passion and her bliss by creating a youtube channel and gives makeup tutorials. She is smart, funny, fearless inspiring and adorable. She is really great doing makeup! Her dream was always to be on the Ellen Show. She started a campaign to get Ellen's attention. She accomplished her goal and was featured on Ellen's show several months ago.View Talia's segment on the Ellen Show.

Talia was surprised with being an honorary Cover Girl!

Talia says:
"Having cancer has been a gift yet a horrible, horrible, terrifying thing. But I've gotten so many benefits from it...
Having a Youtube channel and having to inspire people and having people look up to me and explaining to you guys how I love and adore makeup, using it as my wig and having so much self-confidence to go out to the grocery store without a wig... it's just amazing."

This young fearless girl gave me such fearless inspiration. When I get pains in my gut or experience fatigue and start feeling depressed, I think of Talia and it makes me stop, inhale and connect with what's important for me. When you see someone so young having such a challenge and still pursuing her passion in-spite of it all, it makes me pause to think, "What is stopping me from going for my passion and following my bliss?"

I am grateful to Talia for her fearless inspiration. I am a big fan of hers and  subscribe to her Youtube Channel. Plus, you can learn a heck of a lot about makeup!

Fearlessly Yours,

Mary Ann

PS: Don't forget to buy your copy or copies of my new book Fearless Women, Visions of a New World. Just this month when you buy a book you get the second one for half price! You will also receive free a Fearless Women, Visions and Wisdom Calendar 2013 It's a great holiday gift for a fearless friend, Mother or Sister. Call the studio to order this special and have them personally signed. Order NOW: 323-874-8500