Sara Rayman
  • Philosophy
  • Portfolio
  • Photography
    • Sessions

SARA RAYMAN

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform
one million realities."

                                                                                              - Maya Angelou ​  ​

EMAIL

Admiration

11/13/2020

0 Comments

 

I was obsessed with Reba. When I was growing up, I watched her every move and attempted to copy every vocal swell and trill.  It wasn't just her vocal prowess that I admired. I saw a smart business woman, a brazen lady, a fearless and fierce woman. I wanted to be like that. I imagined myself having the courage to go after my dreams and maneuver life with that same determination and grace. Let's be real, I'm still obsessed with her.
My Gramma was my superhero. She was bigger than life itself and her energy filled up any space she was a part of. When she was a young mother, she migrated her husband and three kids from Arkansas to California in hopes of finding greater opportunities. She lived through adversity and joy with a steadfast faith. She was brave and strong and stubborn. She was a model for me and I soaked it up. She's still my superhero.
As a teenager, I was mesmerized by Carol Burnett. Not only is she an expert at making people laugh, but her authenticity and compassionate spirit attracted my attention. She's not the typical Hollywood beauty, either, and I saw myself in the awkward body not quite fitting in. When I made people around me laugh, I was elated and hoped I had her wit. Carol is unique and funny and big hearted. She still mesmerizes me.
I graduated high school the same year my mom graduated college. She went back to school after her kids were old enough not to beg for her full attention. She took care of the household, three kids, and a husband while reading books, researching for papers, and studying for exams. She knew that holding a degree would provide her and her family with greater opportunities. I'm not sure she knew that the very act of accomplishing the achievement spoke volumes to me as I observed her determination, vulnerability, perseverance, and commitment. Those qualities are reflected in me.
I could keep going with examples that I admired  in my formative years like Erma Bombeck, Mary Higgins Clark, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, Julia Childs, Maya Angelou, Oprah, Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Barbara Walters… the list goes on. As I look back on the women who have influenced my life, I realize another common theme. There are a lot of firsts… trailblazers, pioneers, groundbreakers.
Throughout my professional career, I have often found myself as the only woman in the room. I wouldn't dare compare myself to the aforementioned giants, but when I was in those situations I relied on their spirits (I don't know how else to say that), to give me the gumption I needed. Don't get me wrong… I've also been lucky enough to be mentored by several great men in my life. But being able to see someone who looks like you in a position that you admire, gives you the confidence that anything you want to achieve in life is possible.
This year has been full of heartbreak, isolation, and uncertainty, challenging almost every aspect of all our lives. With every challenge brings opportunity. To be alive and witness the first woman to be elected the Vice President of the United States is surreal, wondrous, inspirational, and overdue. Regardless of your political views, this moment in history is powerful for all women. It's showing all the little girls and awkward teenagers that it's possible. It's possible to achieve whatever you put your mind to, even if it seems the cards are stacked against you. It's possible to have a voice and try to change things for the better if you persevere, even when you might feel alone. It's possible to show future generations that women are strong, confident, competent, and equal.

0 Comments

My Resolution for Love

7/7/2020

0 Comments

 
My heart is heavy and at the same time, full of hope. I've been struggling to figure out how I, one single person, could add to the positive impact that we, the people, are trying to have. It feels like there is a revolution for love and I want in. I'm so grateful and fortunate to have experienced personal and unconditional love in my life and believe that if every single person were able to experience that, we would be one step closer to living in the kind of world we dream of. A world where a human being doesn't put his knee on the neck of another human being to the point of taking their breath and life away. A world where innocent children don't get locked away just because their parents were trying to cross a line on the earth. A world where we don't make assumptions about other people simply because they have a different skin color. A world where we don't react from a place of fear or bias or negativity. A world where we don't default to hate if someone has a difference of opinion, but rather seek to understand one another from a place of empathy.
This is the world I dream of but sometimes feel discouraged because I have but a single voice. I'm reminded of the Edward Everett Hale quote (if you don't know who this is, he's worth a search): "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
So, what can I do? I can continue trying to grow and improve myself every single day in hopes of being a good example to those around me. I can encourage positive change in my circle of influence. I can say something if I think that other people feel the way that I do and just need a little encouragement. I can vote. I can do the something that I can do.
0 Comments

Create...

2/27/2020

0 Comments

 
You know what brings me joy? Making things. I believe part of what makes us human is the inherent desire to create. I don’t just mean making our essential needs like tools, houses, electricity and the like. I mean the things we make that add other kinds of benefits and value to life. The things that if we don’t make them, a part of us feels like it’s missing.  The things that add beauty, light, and inspiration to this world we live in.  My sister-in-law just made a knit sweater. My brother makes incredible music. My sister made two kids. I make lots of things… when I was younger, I made clay bowls, drawings of the perfect front yard, yarn potholders, and wooden cutting boards. Now I make photos, delicious meals, and shelves. For work, I make classes. These classes not only help my colleagues improve their teamwork and communication skills, they help make leaders be better leaders. I get to be a part of making the world a better place by making things that help inspire other people. 
0 Comments

Friends

2/20/2020

0 Comments

 
What's beautiful is long lost friends getting back in touch and reconnecting with each other. You know those people that you've connected with in one way or another throughout the years… the ones that if you got a flat tire and needed help, you could call and they wouldn't hesitate to bring the tire iron… the ones that you've commiserated with because they're the only ones that can see your point of view… the ones that make you feel young and vibrant because of their full of life presence… or simply the ones that find some seemingly important question they need to ask but really they just want to say hi because it's been too long. Those relationships are all different and unique, but equally beautiful. I believe we all want to connect with other people and when we find the ones that we bond with so easily and strongly, hang on and keep reaching out.
0 Comments

Spread Love

1/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Here’s what I believe Social Media is for… it’s the modern day tie of energy that connects different cultures, generations, music, art, interests, extended family, long distance loves, and lost friends.  It’s about spreading light and energy and love…It’s about learning that long lost friends are also beautiful people… it’s about grandparents getting to see photos of their grand babies from 2000 miles away… it’s about Aunts proudly posting videos of their nieces ballet recital and their nephews silly antics… it’s about seeing cute puppies, kittens, and baby goats… I just love baby goats. It‘s not about spreading darkness. There is enough of that already in the world. So, my plan is to post something beautiful and full of joy often. It could be something as simple as a photo of my cozy slippers reminding you of the feeling that super soft socks on your feet is the definition of comfortable… or it could be more obvious like a breathtaking sunrise or a selfie with my the love of my life. Whatever the case, I’m reminding myself that the beauty of this world we live in and the joy of this one life that we have to live outweighs the darkness.
0 Comments

    Author

    A "wanna be" deep thinker, playful puppy mama, and super sassy wife.

    Archives

    November 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


​615-642-3068
© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Philosophy
  • Portfolio
  • Photography
    • Sessions