Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. -Steve Jobs
Live from the Inside Out
Live from the inside out. That’s my motto for the year. I have put the kibosh on following social convention and fulfilling other’s expectations. Living in a box of someone else’s making leaves little room for sharing your gifts with the world.
Over the years, I’ve learned to actually feel when my heart is speaking to me. It takes quieting the mind to discern the embedded whisper. Granted, many times I’ve ignored that guidance and gone into my brain. There is nothing like trying to reason your way to safety for a sense of false security. Being safe and being an artist do not go hand in hand.
I’m a firm believer that we are born to share our gifts with the world. The older I get the clearer it becomes that I’m just passing through this realm. That knowledge is what has brought me to the decision to take directions from within. Living from the inside feels risky until I consider the ticking clock. American author Erma Bombeck said, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.”
Allegra was the perfect model for my illustration. Living from the inside out is something she was born doing.
Me too.
Text and images © Sue Shanahan. All rights reserved. www.sueshanahan.com
Commonplace Grace 
Sue, I’m so glad that Jeri forwarded your blog to me. Your truths are meaningful and inspirational. I’m hooked. Jack and I are doing well in Arizona. Expecting our 3rd grandchild in July. Hope this finds your family in peace, health and harmony. Blessings, Mary McCambridge
Sent from my iPad
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Sue, this was a whopper! Wow! Related to using reason to create a false sense of security. Boy, that’s like my M.O.
Thanks for your beautiful images, but more importantly, your beautiful YOU! Deeply grateful for all that you share, and your courage to do so. It helps lift me up & I’m sure others as well.
Hugs from Western Colorado! I made it!
Marissa
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Thanks, Marissa. That makes my day. It’s true we all are more alike than we are different.
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Absolutely beautiful! I love how you expressed yourself in this post. So Proud of You 😉
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Thank you for that.
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It’s taken me a lifetime to “buy into” living from the inside out. I’m still trying to choose my heart, inner spirit. Once and awhile I’m blessed to experience the result.
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I think we were born and bread to take our cues from the externals. The older I get the more willing I am to take a risk and do what my heart insists.
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Wow. Your drawing and thoughts…both beautiful! Thank you for sharing on scbwi-illinois.
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Thanks for taking the time to read my post and of course, for the compliment.
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Great post, Sue. I especially love the Erma Bombeck quote. I always enjoy your inspirational thoughts, and I love seeing the real-life models behind your lovely arthwork!
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Thanks!
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Hi Sue…
The beauty of your words equals the beauty of your brush. Thank you for sharing. Many good wishes for abundant GODWINKS!
SQuire Rushnell “The Godwink Guy”
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Thank you, SQuire, You gave me my God wink for the day.
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Sue, your extraordinary sense of nuance gives your work a remarkable and credible vitality that I am in awe of. I think this is one of my very favorite paintings yet! Superb, by anyone’s standards. I send you love and respect. Margot Datz
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What a beautiful comment to wake up to. It is especially meaningful to me considering the scope of your talents. Thanks you.
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Excuse me … you two know each other? Sue Shanahan and Margot Datz? How fortunate for Louise and me … to be admirers … no … catch-our-breath FANS of both of you and your talents.
And Sue, you should see what Margot has just done with the historic Whaling Church … replicating incredible murals that once graced the walls of that great Greek Revival church … only one block from where I sit right now.
I love godwinks. Especially when they involve two friends who live miles apart.
SQuire Rushnell
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I’ve read about it in the Vineyard Gazette. I can’t wait to see the real thing when I get there this summer. Margot is nothing short of genius.
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Do you know your travel schedule yet, Sue?
w&w SQ
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I forgot to thank you for being an admirer of my art. Thank you!
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I will be on Martha’s Vineyard from July 27th through August 6th.
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Hi Sue…
I just jotted those dates in my calendar. Let’s plan a lunch… perhaps Margot can join us. Wishes and Winks SQuire (and Louise)
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