I have been a photographer without a fixed location for much of my career here in Chicago. A permanent location never seemed in the cards for me.

As years went by, the vision of this passion would flare briefly when I displayed my photos in local coffeeshops, bakeries, libraries and other unconventional spaces.

I once had a charming space in a vintage building at a prime location in the Wicker Park area. As everything I earned was consumed by rent, I quickly learned the grown-up lesson about pricing my services appropriately!

Back to home base again, not only for financial reasons, but to do a deep dive into the inner self that kept sabotaging me, saying I did not deserve to be successful.

Seeking independence, going my own way, creating something different: the miasma of all these rejections seemed to hang in the air, clouding my picture of myself with my dream.

I did not know I had to keep seeing the dream in detail, no matter what my current situation said, no matter what painful memories I remembered, to eventually hear the clear quiet that guides my actions.

Part of this is going back to the experience with an opened heart.

There are many times life’s formative experiences are created on a misinterpretation or misunderstanding from times when you were very young.

That young mind creates the meaning, but it need not stay destructive: it can be a reserve of power and purpose if redirected.

Money is a powerful force, and can be positive, and life-affirming, but at times, issues around earning more money can bring up old memories of relationships ruined over money, unwanted attention, crime, and other situations that create unease and concerns that money is dangerous to have.

An topic that needs to be addressed regards the secret, sabotaging fears of how having more money will change life.

I love to share what helps open energy around me, and I share an original money affirmation I use that has been helpful for the ideas my inner self has expressed around making increasing amounts of money.

There are different ways to use this gem:

1. Record it in your own voice and listen to it as the start to each morning.
2. Gently sit with each sentence and let the images and emotions and experiential memories well up, allowing the emotion to move through without resistance.
3. You can choose one sentence and use it as the inspiration to consider through the day.
4. Say it out loud during your morning walk in the park in the strongest, most positive voice you have.

After the affirmation, ’embody’ it –

Wiggle a ‘happy dance’ like a kid! Smile! Clap and shake out your body! Give thanks for the abundance you have now and already have experienced! Spread the good energy around in your world!

In my case, it took a few years to achieve, and meeting a terrific guy (attraction also happens when you begin to flex your abundance!)

who allowed the use of a beautiful big window on the side of his beautiful Victorian building that shows my artwork, beautifully visible to daily traffic of prospective customers. That window with its’ beautiful gold sign, makes me smile every day!

PS: I love to use the word beautiful! The word (used with the emotional feeling of viewing beauty) contains great energy in it!

As long as this amazing location of my dream exists, I read words of thanks over the picture window every day,

asking also for increased good energy for everyone who sees it, and encouragement for other people chasing their dreams of entrepreneurship and independence.

I share this affirmation publicly: may the thankful energy of a dream come true open windows of opportunity and increasing all that is good in your world.

All the best,

Dorothy Perry of Perry Portrait Art is dedicated to photographing the good energy of unique people throughout Chicago.

I welcome you to answer and send the completed Contact Page to talk about envisioning yours.