I am Enough. And so it begins.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 8:49AM 
-photo by Brene Brown
I have been a self-improvement junkie for most of my life; vigilant about getting to the bottom of my “issues”, digging deep to better understand myself, reading every book written to inspire personal growth, incessantly working on becoming a better person, etc, etc. Although I had let go of trying to be “perfect” I was still striving to be better. Always better. Never quiet enough.
During one of the most trying summers to date (just last summer) I was struck with soul exhaustion. I hit my own personal rock bottom. I realized that I had worn myself out living the hustle to become better.
Light. Bulb. Moment.
A few days after my personal epiphany, and still not quite sure what to do with myself, I traveled north to the healing coast of Oregon to meet up with some cherished girlfriends. As sweet synchronicity would have it, the gracious Katherine Center brought her magic paints and offered to paint us each up with words of love and empowerment over the weekend. I knew immediately what had to be done to set the record straight once and for all. I knew exactly what my words would be and where they had to go.
Despite knowing what I needed to do I felt afraid, vulnerable and exposed. Was I really ready for this? Being clear on these points in my head was one thing, carrying them in my heart was something entirely different. I knew it would be easy but I knew there was no half way to worthiness. It was all or nothing. And I couldn’t go back to nothing.
If it wasn’t for the support, courage, strength, wisdom, encouragement, acceptance, kindness, understanding and love of those amazing women I was surrounded by on that day in Oregon I’m not sure I could have owned my truth quite like this. But, the Universe in all its wisdom gave me the time and place to come clean and bare my chest with the truth I have longed for my whole life. The truth that I couldn’t live without for one more minute.
The resolve I felt that afternoon was one of the most powerful experiences I have had to date. The words. The photographs. The witnesses. The feeling (both on my skin and in my soul). All real. All true. All mine.
And following the days, weeks, months since that day, I have realized that I am not alone; that being enough as we are right now, today, as is, is hard for most women to really acknowledge and yet, it’s the key to living our best lives. This is exactly why I want to invite you to join me in the I am Enough Collaborative. I can only hope that by sharing images and stories of worthiness and self-kindness that we can each embrace our own enoughness.
It’s no accident that I chose to kick off the I am Enough Collaborative along side Brene Brown’s Week of Worthiness. Spending time over there this week will help you get into the frame of mind that you are worthy NOW. That’s an awesome place to be! Plus you could win one of Brene’s new DVDs, The Hustle for Worthiness. Good stuff!
Me? I’ll be excavating pictures and collecting words that embody the I am Enough message so that I can share them with you here. And I’ll be revealing the many ways you can get in on the action all week long as we stand together and shout it from the mountain tops, I AM ENOUGH.
i am enough, images, stories
Reader Comments (58)
This is so powerful! Thank you for putting this into the world. We need it!
funny how the universe provides exactly what you need to hear. i currently feel as vulnerable as you describe in your post. it's always good to know you are not alone in that battle. inspirational!
This comes at just the right time for me. I've been doing a lot of soul-excavation lately, preparing for breast reduction surgery in 2 days. There are so many complex stories we tell ourselves about what makes us worthy.
http://fumblingforwords.com/2010/03/09/standing-naked/
incredible, beautiful, necessary. i'm here, i'm ready, and i'm excited.
i, like you, am a self-improvement junkie as well....that mentality gets in the way of my feeling i am enough...right where i am...thank you for this...
Tracey, as I emailed you the other day, you have unknowingly been a large part of the inspiration which has literally saved my life over the past months. Like many times in the past, your soul and mine seem to be traveling the same path at much the same times. Over the last few weeks I have truly accepted that "I am enough" - "I am worthy" and have written [but not shared] much about that journey. Thank you for now encouraging me, and everyone, to voice our journey.
It's a small beginning, but I am acknowledging "I am enough" ~ who you really are
❤ to you.
Amazing words. Amazing inspiration.
You are enough.
I am enough.
We are ALL enough. And then some. :-)
Amazing words, and wonderful inspiration. this comes at just the right time for me and where I am in my life right now. Thank you :o)
We are enough.
This comes under the heading of "things I still have to learn to accept..." I KNOW it rationally, but somehow I don't really BELIEVE it. A lifetime of being labeled "not enough" is a tough thing to navigate.
brilliant.
and right on the edge of the place i've come to in the past year, week, days, lifetimes.
thank you.
again, brilliant.
much love. lisa
I am so in love with this. All of it. ♥
the sooner we figure this out the better..better not look for society to tell us this though...we are given a different message there...I will be interested to follow this Tracey...also being the mother of two girls to be a role model of "I am enough" sooo important
Tracey you are such an inspiration!
Amazing. Just like you.
I just love your photo! The look on your face & in your eyes says it all....I am enough.
I can hardly absorb the words for all that photo speaks of you. xo
Words I needed to hear.
Thank you.
Amazing.
What a worthwhile project - I look forward to reading the comments of all those who participate.
Sweet friend, I wish I could paint those words right there for you every day.
xoxo - - -
i can hardly type this because of the wetstuff obscuring my vision... i really want to join you
Yes. Wonderful and true. I'm excited to see what this community of women will do and say in support of our own "enoughness."
i love you tracey clark :)
thank you for this sacred healing, communal space. my response was so visceral, a full-bodied bow to your story and the truths shared. immense gratitude.
thank you so much for sharing that. i have been having my own struggle with feeling like i am enough. this is just so inspirational and makes me want to try harder to feel like i'm enough. it's a great thing that you are doing.
Tracey, thank you...I think I need to hear those words now...
xoxo