An eclectic mix of life, art & fiction… and a sprinkle of faith.
The Imposter
The ABC Chronicles

I’m back with the letter “I” today! And continuing with the idea from my last post about Imposter Syndrome.
You know… when I talked about this syndrome before I was looking at it from the perspective that something was wrong with “me.” As if feeling like an imposter was the result of not feeling adequate or qualified.
Well, that is what this syndrome refers to; about feeling like you’re a fraud because you don’t believe that your skills or talents (or whatever) are worthy of the praise or accolades (or salary or grades) you have actually earned and received… and you fear that you will eventually be found out.
BUT, after mentioning my thoughts on academia yesterday, I began to wonder if feeling like an imposter could also be a sign that you are being forced into a mold that doesn’t fit who you really are. That you’re having to mask your natural voice – your authentic self.
Then it isn’t necessarily a question of “What is wrong with me?” – but a question of “What is wrong with this environment or expectation?”
Anyway, I’m pretty sure that the colorful, creative (rebellious) girl in my illustration is my inner child. The mask (imposter)… is the stifled adult. Doesn’t she look bored?
I was pleasantly surprised at where my thoughts took me while I was creating it. I was able to say, “It’s not ME, it’s the external forces that constantly require obedience and conformity.”
Well, I think that’s enough for now. I’m happy to be moving on to “J” next because I’ve got some fun ideas!
In the meantime…
Stay authentic and uniquely you!
Thanks for looking/reading… I hope you enjoyed!
Blogging through the Alphabet in 2025
Abundantia

Gratitude is the seed of abundance.
I’ve decided to go ahead with a new game this year, very similar to one I’ve done in the past – a few times. I’m calling this one…
“Blogging Through the Alphabet, 2025.”
So, here we go! I thought of the word abundance for the letter ‘A’ and I decided to explore it a little, just to see what I could find.
Abundance means having more than what is needed or expected, and when I stop and think about it, I have everything I need… and then some. Remember my stalled attempts to eliminate some of my excess clutter!?
So, when I think of abundance, and realize I have everything I need, it creates in me a sense of gratitude. It also helps lift some of that fog that fills my brain when I focus on what I think I need.
Like courage for example. There are things I’d like to do, but I’m too afraid to try. Sometimes I try to imagine that negativity as a ceiling that sits near the top of my head. When I want more of an “I can do this” attitude – I tell myself to “break the ceiling.”
Of course, that sometimes makes me think of the song “The Roof is on Fire,” but that’s a detour we don’t want to take right now.
Anyway. Thinking of the word abundance helps me imagine that there’s no ceiling at all… just the blue sky above. “The sky’s the limit,” as they say.
Removing that ceiling helps me understand that there are no real limits, only what I have imagined, and suddenly I am fearless.
What made the word even more fun, however, was learning that the word abundance comes from the Latin word abundantia, which means fullness, plenty, or overflowing riches – as that’s when I read about Abundantia… the Roman goddess of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.
Abundantia was often depicted carrying a cornucopia (the horn of plenty) on artwork and Roman coins, from the 3rd century CE, and I decided it would be fun to illustrate a modern day Abundantia (also known as Lady Fortune) for the first post of twenty-six in my new alphabet series.
I was going to include the horn of plenty, reflected in her glasses, but it seemed out of character – and possibly out of date. This is 2025 after all, and rarely (if ever) do I see cornucopias lying around.
Then I considered adorning her with diamonds and pearls, but abundance isn’t about having or obtaining these types of things, it’s about being grateful for what you have, and knowing that it’s enough. Or more than enough.
That’s about all for now. Thank you for reading/viewing… I hope you enjoyed!
Until next time,
Peace & Love.
Check out more of Blogging through the Alphabet 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment.