When someone gives you a gift, after it’s been unwrapped and before you put it to use, you typically:

Recognize the gift
Pause
Recognize the thoughtfulness that went into the gift
Thank whomever for the gift before putting the gift into action

So as women, mothers, children, sisters...why aren’t we doing this with the gifts we’ve been given at birth, our own creation?

Like anyone, there’s only so much to see of me; we can only project a certain amount of our abilities and personality, while the rest lies deep inside. However, it was around this this time last year that I hired a fellow Birth Photographer, Ashley Diamond Siegert of Fig Mint Photography, as a mentor. I’m sure she said it more than once, but it is one specific instance that she said to me that stood out more than anything else: ‘Teresa, you need a break. Like, a serious break. You need to get out, disconnect, and reset. Now.’

Kids in Action - Oahu Children Photographer

Of course I had friends and family say similar things to me from time to time but I think the reason why this felt different to me was because rather than someone in my industry trying to encourage me to do better by doing more, Ashley was telling me something more important - and, to be honest, difficult. By pausing, resting, I could do more - because I was about to choose to do none of it.

Ashley was right, but resetting decades of the fight just to keep my head above water wasn’t going to be easy. Then, suddenly, Oahu came calling. A gift that consisted of forcing myself to be still, breathe, appreciate the magnitude of ‘small’ details that went into my day as a business owner, Photographer, and Artist.

I realize now just one of the many ways I have been disrespectful to myself, my energy, and my birth given gifts has been underappreciating it all, almost intentionally. Just like I was raised to be appreciative of others, a learned process, I need to extend the same gratitude not just to myself, but to what created me.

So, women, sisters, mothers, daughters, teens, and caretakers, I invite you to begin appreciating yourself with me. Write down your ‘gifts’ and when you recognize yourself using them, give the same gratitude you would give others:

Recognize the gift
Pause
Recognize the thoughtfulness that went into the gift
Thank whomever for the gift before putting the gift into action

xo

Teresa

Slowly recognizing to instill confidence and knowledge into my children also involves allowing them to take breaks and ‘breathe’ from day to day stresses. Kids in Oahu

Teresa Robertson received her Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in Photography and Fine Art Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After serving as a volunteer for several years with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, she became interested in Birth Photography and Birth Doula (DONA) work as well. She soulfully resides on the island of Oahu, is passionate about preserving the land and culture, and is proud to serve on The Queen’s Court.

The Power in Thank You