A few weeks ago, I attended The Linda McCartney Retrospective at the Center for Creative Photography on the University of Arizona campus.

I found Linda’s photography moving and evocative. Many of the photographs portrayed intimate moments with Paul and her children. Because of her access to the lives of all the Beatles, many photos captured their personal lives. She also had access to many famous musicians. Her photographs included Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, and Neil Young.

Linda McCartney, born Linda Louise Eastman, was a photographer, musician, animal rights activist, and, as I alluded to, the wife of Paul McCartney. She was born on September 24, 1941, in Scarsdale, New York, and passed away on April 17, 1998, in Tucson, Arizona, at 56.

Linda’s early life and career were marked by her passion for photography. She attended the University of Arizona, where she studied art history and photography, and later moved to New York City to pursue her career in photography. Her photographs were published in several magazines, including Rolling Stone, Life, and Vogue.

Like many of the subjects of her photography, Linda McCartney died fairly young. She passed away as a result of breast cancer.

One theme reflected in her art was the intersection of the timing of her life and the expression of her photography. She didn’t plan to meet Paul McCartney. She didn’t plan to become recognized for her work. She was living her life, following her passion, and doing what she did. Timing. Karma. Maybe all of the above.

Jimmy Hendricks. Janice Joplin. Jim Morrison. Such brilliant artists also had short-lived lives. The Beatles were only together for a bit over seven years. Like Linda McCartney, none of these musicians were seeking fame. They just followed their passion. Like us, they were people doing what they do. Their lives were far from perfect. Sometimes they seemed to be quite painful. They had one thing in common: they all ignited their unique expression to the fullest. Their creative impulses had a direct impact on how their lives.

They all embody so much creativity. How do we bring creativity into our lives? We all have gifts. We all express our lives uniquely. How do we ignite our unique expression? I know that every day there is resistance to allowing my creativity to flow unimpeded. I can always find a reason not to move toward those impulses. Life tends to intervene no matter my intentions. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. You can be a mother, father, office worker, health care worker, attorney, physician, factory worker, or mechanic. We all have a special gift that can be expressed in many ways. Sometimes a simple gesture toward another human being is all that is needed to allow that gift to be conveyed.

leanIn those moments, I allow my unique expression to come forward I find myself most aligned with the unfolding of my life. In those moments, I am most available to the possibility of synchronicities. Those moments that come out of nowhere are unplanned yet validate and support the energy, effort, and intention I put forward to create something new. Big or small. It doesn’t matter. I certainly don’t understand how all this works. I know that I am left feeling a deeper sense of being and more open to the mystery of life itself.

We only have our lives. You can’t be someone else,  so I invite you to lean into your life and allow it to unfold to support your deepest expression. I know that it is not always easy, but for me, it is a choice I must make every day.

A good friend of mine mentioned this quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.“All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.” This felt appropriate to share.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of life, I remain open to Grace and the gift of my life.

If you have any questions, please email me at leanfowardlife@gmail.com or call 734-249-9948. Also, please visit my website at leanintoyourlife.net

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