šØ Welcome
How do we let go of expectationsā¦in our creativity, in our relationships with others, in our relationship with ourself?
Iāve been living here in TĆ¼rkiye for almost three years now. One of the big lessons Iām learning over & over again is to let go of my expectations for how things are supposed to work. I was raised in the rural Midwest. Things in general flow differently in my small Iowa town than they do here in this ancient capital city of over 6 million people situated along the famous Silk Road. When it comes to cultural differences, I feel Iāve accumulated the skills over the years to be able to adjust my expectations so Iām not constantly frustrated or surprised or overwhelmed by the differences. At least most days.
But when it comes to my creative work, its not the same. I need more skills to temper my expectations about my artwork and story books. Iāve been building my art studio business for almost twenty years now. Each year, Iāve made that essential slow bit of progress toward my creative dreams. Some years were slower than others because of the way life rolls.
Because of those slower times, I feel this need to complete projects quickly these days because I have so many that I want to create. The amount of time it takes to complete a book, for example, can range from several months to several years. The first book in the Autism Brothers Book series that Iām working on nowā¦Iāve been working on it for well over a year now. And at the time of writing this post, thereās only 12 hours left to reach our book launch funding goal.
How can I let go of my expectations for what will happen with my creative project over the next 12 hours?
Do I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst? (A very practical Midwestern viewpoint that I learned early in life.) Or do I hope feverishly for the ultimate outcome, then be utterly devastated when it doesnāt occur? (My go-to strategy for may years, certainly.)
Today Iām trying to find a middle path.
Where I can let go of my expectations. But where hope still lives.
So thatās the goalā¦to embrace the outcome with the faith that what is meant for meā¦will not miss me.
Whatever expectations you have for your creative workā¦if you are shooting for the moon or keeping it real low key or looking for a third path like me - Iām sending love to you.
Good journey,
~Emily Lupita
šø Autism Brothers Books
Update: Only 12 Hours Left
One of the biggest creative dreams I have is to launch an inclusive book series featuring my two Autistic sons, Charlie & Archie, as the main characters. As a mother to two boys on the Autism Spectrum, Iāve been on the look-out for books featuring Autistic kids. There arenāt nearly as many inclusive childrenās books out there as we need. Representation matters.
These are the final days of KICKSTARTER project to try and fund the first book in my new series, called Autism Brothers Books. This is the video about the project.
Visit the KICKSTARTER page here to pledge your support for our project. Because Kickstarter is an āall or nothingā platform, we need to reach the funding goal by Monday, October 23rd or we lose all pledges and receive nothing.
š Our Story
Charlie and Archie are real-life Turkish-Mexican-American brothers. They are both diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, although they are on very different places on the Spectrum. Iām the Brothersā mom. Iām an American Latina author & illustrator from Iowa, USA. Here we are togetherā¦complete with our colorful crowns.
š¦ My Mission
I am creating the Autism Brothers Book Series because I want my sons to see themselves in the books we read. Iāll say it againā¦representation matters. I want Charlie & Archie to see themselves going around the world on travel adventuresā¦if not in real life due to their specific exceptional needs, then in these stories and paintings made with love by their mom.
I want this for others, tooā¦for all the Autistic individuals and their families out there who deserve representation in childrenās books (and everywhere else, too).
š Thank you!
Thank you for your encouragement and support of this very special project. Itās so close to my heart. Please consider sharing with your family & friends & local Autism awareness organization.
š©š»āš» Instagram
I have a goal to post my new portraits and videos up on my Instagram account as they flow out. I hope to connect with you there as well. @EmilyLupitaSeries
šš¼ A Prayer
ā¤ļøāš„