Have you ever had a task to do that just can't seem to be done? Few things go undone here--I'm an avid list-maker and get-donner kinda gal.

A few years ago, this spot appeared on my Canon Digital Rebel. After taking it somewhere locally and researching online--and running the internal cleaner--it was discovered that there was a spot on my sensor that could only be repaired by an authorized Canon repair facility. So, what did I do?

Continued to take pictures, photoshopping that darn black spot out of every frickin' photo.

It may sound weird, but this has irked me for years, and today, I have had no more. Why? Because I want to take pictures this fall. I want to explore more, and take myself on "artist dates." Can't do that with that darn black spot--don't want to anymore.

So today, I am settling it. I'm going to send my baby out for repairs. I think in the long run, it'll obviously be better. My real hope, however, is to open up my photography appreciation and be able to shoot more. I think that will do me wonders, creatively, and I think it's worth it.

What never-seem-to-get-to-it task is holding you back, creatively?

I enjoyed Christine's recent post about business mysteries. She talks about a "business failure" turning into a realization.

"What I need more than anything throughout this process is belief in my own work, my own voice, my own vision. Because most of what I do is not, at its core, wildly unique or earth-shattering. I started Swirly to create a line of inspirational stationery and gift items. Was that the first time that had been done? No. But it sold well because there was something about the illustrations and sentiments I created that appealed to a lot of people at a certain point in time. Was Eat, Pray, Love the first female-authored transformative/”finding herself” travel memoir? No. But it sold well because there was something about Elizabeth Gilbert’s experiences, voice, writing style, and honesty that appealed to a lot of people at a certain point in time." --Christine Mason Miller

I recently had a difficult time understanding what was going on with a client. His expectations seemed to be way too high, and he was kind of rude about things. It didn't help that I had contributed a few beginner's errors. That was the worst, because seeing your mistakes makes you doubt yourself. For an evening, I let this devastate me. As in, I really questioned my abilities professionally--and personally.

But then, my strength came back to me.

Ahhh--haaa. (At last, too!)

Just like Christine realizes the truth was simply that, "the cards didn't sell," I realized that not every opportunity is right for us. And sometimes we have to let go. Sometimes, we have to give things a shot. But never ever ever should we let someone else--especially a work client--define our worth. We're human. We make mistakes. It takes time to delve into something new. It doesn't mean that we're not good at it--for some of us, we just need to be appreciated and nurtured.

True, sometimes it helps to become painfully honest when you realize you're just not good at something. That's okay. It doesn't mean you're not good at anything. It doesn't mean you can't improve. We can't let one bad experience define us or tear us down.

Well, of course this post is kind of cryptic. I just hope it holds the wisdom you need to hear today. Cuz I had my aha moment and I want you to have one, too.

So here's what's up with this blog:

I'm taking the site down. It's just one less thing to think about. But I'm still going to blog here (http://creativelyselfemployed.blogspot.com/)

Just wanted to let you know. I have debated taking down the blog, too, but I don't think I'm ready to let go. Even though I know I should make more time for it.