Paige Vidrine

I have been writing for DAYZZZZ!

It’s interesting that I am out here, in Ocean Springs, secluded. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have the time or the focus to go into the page the way that I am.

As I get lost in writing, I forget to eat. I have to set alarms for school pick up or else I’ll look up to notice that I am late.

When I am in the flow, I don’t notice much. When I wake up, I am shaking and tired. I want to rest, but I can’t be in the house all day. I know myself and the spirit of creativity well.

You have to ground to stay aligned with the highest.

I went to the waterside today to reconnect to something greater than myself.

I wanted to give the energy back to the Earth. To receive and to give is my goal.

You see, I am not writing this book with some great expectation. Of course I have hopes. Of course I have dreams of being a free artist, best selling, sharing my heart openly.

Of course.

But all artists must accept that if that day never comes, we are still fully appreciated by our own Spirit for listening. God showers us with fulfillment just for completion. I must say…

I appreciate you reading everything I write. It motivates me.

When I was a child writing poetry about the boy who broke my heart, I knew no other way. I had to write even if it was just to myself.

When I had my own magazine column, not getting paid, it was the best job I could ask for. I gladly worked two other jobs to pay for my life while I wrote.

I will be a business woman, lead a team and figure it out if that means I can sit by the sea and write.

I will write to you until you tell me to stop. I have never abandoned this creative spirit. I could not. I will do whatever it takes to protect it.

Because of this nurturing, I have been a muse for many artists. They taste my spirit and come alive. I remind them.

My face has been the 40th anniversary Mardi Gras Poster for the City of Lake Charles.

My energy is plastered on walls throughout the city, my initials hidden in plain sight.

Dishes have been inspired by short love affairs and comedic jokes the same.

I am above all else an energy penetrating the city through the hearts of those magnetized to me.

I love the little secrets only I and a few others know.

Coaching provides this outlet of inspiring others without the risk of my heart falling out of my chest. After all, I am a lover, deep as the ocean. I have never been able to harness that.

So I stay guarded these days. I can love, but from a distance. I love to love, but safely now.

If I was ever known for anything, I would want it to be my heart.

I would want to inspire others to trust themselves and let go of the need to be noticed. Attention is fleeting. The key is to master being seen. The difference is that attention seeking is never quenched. It destroys the heart and especially the art. The desire to be seen can be fulfilled by one soul, that sees you deeply.

All I needed is one.

To be seen is a gift of reciprocity. As an artist, that is enough. Let one see. In that, I know that they will knock at the door of my heart and enter to feel the oasis of love waiting to pour over into them.

Let one enter. As they are filled, they will fill others. Let my authenticity inspire one. That is enough.

One by one, assignment by assignment, I offer everything I can.

Then I give it all back to the Earth. If I died today, I would be thankful for every heart that was sent to me, even the ones who broke mine.

After all, a true spirit can never really be broken. Nothing is every created or destroyed, only transformed.

Hello From The Other Side,

Paige Elliott