Lisa’s Story: “After a fun-loving decade of my 20's I was injured while working as an ER nurse, and my back was broken... my heart, spirit, and soul shattered not long after. I was in a dark spot, and the punches just kept coming. Finally, after the death of a dear friend, I said FUCK being this depressed and helpless - she lost her life and shouldn't have, so I refused to keep using mine in vain. I enrolled in a Master's of Holistic Wellness, and I started to learn tools that taught me how to get better. Well, this is my 5th burn, and my first year back after experiencing what I can only summarize as an ego death. I see all the lovely photos you've taken of all these lovely people, and for the first time in my life, I don't have any doubt about how BEAUTIFUL I AM. I know that you captured a smile from me that came from a place of self-love, inner beauty, peace, and contentedness... none of which I have ego around. This burn, I committed to holding up a mirror for others to see their own inner beauty... I can't name a greater joy than watching someone fall in love with their True Self, and I got to do that this whole burn. I think you caught me in a moment of rest, remembering to fill my own cup so that I could fill others (literally and figuratively!!!) To me, "Fuck your ego" doesn't mean "Fuck you", nor "Fuck your burn". It means, "Fuck your ego, because you don't need it. You are beautiful and whole without a mental construct of yourself that you try to show the world or compare to others. Be kind and compassionate with yourself, like you would with a small and scared child. And when you feel ready, shine baby. Burn bright, love freely, offer just the best version of yourself, whatever that may be.... but leave the ego out. You don't need it... you got you."
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Lisa at Fuego

Photo by: Juan P. Zapata

Year: 2019

Image Caption: 

Lisa’s Story: “After a fun-loving decade of my 20's I was injured while working as an ER nurse, and my back was broken... my heart, spirit, and soul shattered not long after. I was in a dark spot, and the punches just kept coming. Finally, after the death of a dear friend, I said FUCK being this depressed and helpless - she lost her life and shouldn't have, so I refused to keep using mine in vain. I enrolled in a Master's of Holistic Wellness, and I started to learn tools that taught me how to get better. Well, this is my 5th burn, and my first year back after experiencing what I can only summarize as an ego death. I see all the lovely photos you've taken of all these lovely people, and for the first time in my life, I don't have any doubt about how BEAUTIFUL I AM. I know that you captured a smile from me that came from a place of self-love, inner beauty, peace, and contentedness... none of which I have ego around. This burn, I committed to holding up a mirror for others to see their own inner beauty... I can't name a greater joy than watching someone fall in love with their True Self, and I got to do that this whole burn. I think you caught me in a moment of rest, remembering to fill my own cup so that I could fill others (literally and figuratively!!!) To me, "Fuck your ego" doesn't mean "Fuck you", nor "Fuck your burn". It means, "Fuck your ego, because you don't need it. You are beautiful and whole without a mental construct of yourself that you try to show the world or compare to others. Be kind and compassionate with yourself, like you would with a small and scared child. And when you feel ready, shine baby. Burn bright, love freely, offer just the best version of yourself, whatever that may be.... but leave the ego out. You don't need it... you got you."

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