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“My Gutsy Story®” Destiny Allison

July 22, 2013 by Sonia Marsh 17 Comments

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 Destiny Allison

In an instant

In an instant, my world collapsed. It wasn’t just the absence of planes in the sky or the way people wandered around blank and numb. By then, I’d turned off the news, not wanting my young children to be more frightened than they already were. Like most, I did what I had to do to get through the days. I even bought a flag and hung it on my porch — solidarity with my country, grief for what had been lost. I went to work, interacted with a new boss I couldn’t stand, and did my job. Until, that is, I didn’t have one. 9/11 had destroyed the economy and crushed the annual fundraiser our small non-profit depended upon. As fast as the planes had hit the buildings, and with the same shock of disbelief and terror, I was unemployed.

I was a single mom, raising my three children alone. There was little in the way of child support, only a pittance in my savings account, and a new mortgage I couldn’t afford. Everything in me froze. Where would I find a job? How would I care for my kids? Through long and sleepless nights, I stared at the ceiling, my heart racing. Then as winter crept up frost covered windows, something in me started to thaw. Could my layoff have been a gift? Was there a message in all of this?

I had been an artist for years, wrestling my clay and wax at night and on weekends when my children were sleeping or occupied. I had placed a few pieces in local galleries and even sold some, but never enough to let me quit my proverbial day job. Making art was the only thing I never gave up on, the only thing that offered my hard life a measure of relief. In those cold days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, while I worried how to keep the heat on, a voice kept whispering, “Now or never, girl. It’s now or never.”

I made the leap. Instead of job hunting, I started making things, submitting my portfolio to shows, and praying. Instead of reacting to my circumstances, I would change them, take control of my life for the first time, and become the woman I wanted to be.

The first show was hard, but I sold just enough to pay my bills and get to the next one. I learned everything I could about my new business and applied it quickly. The second show was a little better. By summer, I was making more money than my old job had paid me. It was hard. Really, really hard, but I was doing it.

I worked seven days a week building sculptures as fast as I could. Some of them I didn’t like, some were okay, and others had that glimmer of something that sparked my breath. It didn’t matter what I thought about the work. It sold. All of it. What I thought was terrible brought a buyer to tears. The art moved people. I learned how to talk about my work and share the personal stories that inspired the pieces. I learned how to price, when to spend money and when to save it, and how to be myself.  Instead of dressing to impress, I dressed for comfort so I wasn’t self-conscious while selling my work.  Every six weeks I took to the road for a week or two. I hired nannies — something I will always regret — missed my kids, and worried they felt I had abandoned them. In some ways, I did. There wasn’t a choice. They needed food, clothes, a roof over their head, and a decent education. Their teenage years were hard on all of us. Every time I wondered if I was doing the right thing, I thought that if I gave up my passion I would teach them to do the same. I couldn’t live with that so I chose to model what it takes to make it and spent as much time with them as I could.

Fast forward twelve years. My children are grown and I am proud of them. They are wonderful, self sufficient, and kind.  I met the love of my life and married him. I am internationally collected, exhibited by top galleries, and living the dream come true. Then, unexpectedly and in the weirdest way, I threw my back out permanently. My studio days are numbered, my income is dropping, and all of a sudden I’m writing. I released Shaping Destiny last year. It is the story of how I found my voice as an artist.  Having just released my second book, Pipe Dreams, I am reminded of that first journey. Like then, I’m facing a road that is long and hard, but I trust it will be infinitely rewarding. I can do this. I can face my fears and conquer my misgivings. That little voice is whispering again. “Now or never, girl,” it says. The difference this time is that I know who I am, what I can do, and have a family who understands and supports my process. Because I believe in myself they do, too.

Destiny Allison Book Cover
Click on cover to get to Amazon page

DESTINY ALLISON: Destiny Allison is an award winning sculptor, businesswoman, and community builder, but writing was her first love. Last year, she published Shaping Destiny: A quest for meaning in art and life. The non-fiction work was recently awarded 1st place for non-fiction/memoir in the 2013 Lucky Cinda Global Book Contest.

Pipe Dreams is her fiction debut and other fictional works are soon to follow. Allison believes that our lives are our greatest works of art and that we have to be who and what we are, not who and what we’re supposed to be. This theme is reflected in her written works, sculptures, and business endeavors. Allison lives in Santa Fe, NM with her husband and dogs, alternately missing and celebrating her three grown sons.

Pipe Dreams on Amazon

Artwork: http:/www.DestinyAllison.com

Twitter: @sfcsculptor

 SONIA MARSH SAYS: Destiny, I truly admire how you were able to turn your love for sculpting into a profitable business, and how you found a way to juggle your business and home life with three kids, as a single mother. Now you’ve switched to another creative outlet: writing, and from your strength, talent and determination, I’m sure this will be another successful part of your life to celebrate.

(Destiny Allison is on a blog tour with WOW! Women on Writing. I requested she write a “My Gutsy Story®” which she accepted.)

 ***

Be Inspired to ‘Bring Out the Gutsy in You’

 Click here for Special Event News

Are you ready to take the next gutsy step in your life? I’m hosting an event in Orange County on Sept. 26 that will inspire you to act on that dream you’ve been holding inside.

This event is free, and you’re invited.

Click here to reserve your seat today.

Name and e-mail required.

 

 ***

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get  published in our 2nd anthology?

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

Our July stories have started with Liz Burgess  and Sharon Leaf, Patti Hall all sharing her “My Gutsy Story®.”

VOTING for your favorite July “My Gutsy Story®” starts on August 1st-14th. The WINNER will be announced on August 15th.

Filed Under: Inspirational, My Gutsy Story Tagged With: “My Gutsy Story®” Destiny Allison

Comments

  1. Destiny Allison says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:31 am

    Thanks for having me today, Sonia. I think what you’re doing is incredible and look forward to reading and sharing more gutsy stories.
    Destiny Allison recently posted..CongratulationsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      July 23, 2013 at 10:29 am

      Destiny,

      I’m the lucky one who receives so many fantastic stories from people like you. I know you are helping us. I read on Allen Watson’s blog about how he admired your writing.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted..“My Gutsy Story®” Destiny AllisonMy Profile

      Reply
      • Destiny Allison says

        July 24, 2013 at 8:51 am

        I’m excited to see his review. I didn’t even know he was reading Pipe Dreams until I saw his post, “Can Women Write Science Fiction?” That made my day for so many reasons. So good to see a man speak out about objectification and bias. If anyone wants to see his post, here’s the link: http://authorallenwatson.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/can-women-write-science-fiction/
        Destiny Allison recently posted..Can Women Write Science Fiction?My Profile

        Reply
  2. Liz B says

    July 22, 2013 at 9:31 am

    Destiny, thanks for sharing your courage and strength. I particularly love the voice that whispered “now or never, girl.” Many of us need to keep our ears open for these messages. You are truly an inspiration for anyone holding back. Best wishes on your new writing career!
    Liz B recently posted..I Used To Be….My Profile

    Reply
    • Destiny Allison says

      July 22, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks Liz. It’s so hard to listen to that voice when we hear it. We get so caught up in doing what we think we’re supposed to be doing that we tune it out. I love the Gutsy Living mission and hope it helps other women to listen and act on their inner voices.
      Destiny Allison recently posted..Now or NeverMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Lady Fi says

    July 22, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    What an inspiring story!
    Lady Fi recently posted..Catching starsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Destiny Allison says

      July 22, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      I’m glad you found it inspiring and hope you are catching a few stars yourself. 🙂
      Destiny Allison recently posted..Now or NeverMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Sharon Lippincott says

    July 22, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    Destiny, your first book deserved each of the five stars I gave it in the review I wrote, and I look forward to reading your next. I’m so sorry to hear that about your back problems, but assume that your words will enrich even more lives than your sculpture has. I know you’ll walk gracefully through the door to the next phase of your destiny.
    Sharon Lippincott recently posted..Little Story, Lots of LessonsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Destiny Allison says

      July 22, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      Thanks Sharon. That means a great deal, as did your review of Shaping Destiny. Pipe Dreams is radically different, but liberating. I hope you are well and wish you all the best.
      Destiny Allison recently posted..Now or NeverMy Profile

      Reply
  5. David Prosser says

    July 22, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    It’s quite remarkable how you’ve picked yourself up and dusted yourself off each time you’ve received a body blow of some proportions.It takes an exceptional person to be able to do this and you’ve certainly proved that. I wish you much luck with your writing and hope you can forge a successful career out of it.
    David Prosser recently posted..BOGOF 2 ( A kindness update)My Profile

    Reply
    • Destiny Allison says

      July 22, 2013 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks, David. I keep laughing at myself. Making a sculpture that will sell for a lot of money in a few days or write a book that will maybe never sell at all, but if it does it will sell for $2.99 seems absurd sometimes. Nevertheless, it’s something I am compelled to do and the rewards are far greater than the royalty. 🙂
      Destiny Allison recently posted..Now or NeverMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Business Loan says

    July 22, 2013 at 3:32 pm

    I’m going to at once grasp your current rss once i can’t to find the electronic mail subscription web page link or even e-newsletter assistance. Have any kind of? You need to allow myself recognise in order that I’ll signed up. Many thanks.

    Reply
  7. Patti Hall says

    July 25, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Destiny,
    I love your story. You have that gutsy thing about you. You take the punches and turn them into hugs. You are an inspiration for those who are tempted to give up.
    Thank you,
    Patti
    Patti Hall recently posted..Souvenirs from My Heart; Postcards-Three and FourMy Profile

    Reply
  8. carol says

    July 25, 2013 at 5:27 am

    I took a look at your sculptures; they’re strong, vivid, poignant, and beautiful; and there’s something about perfection in them. Your books must be the same! Have we all got similar talents hidden somewhere? Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  9. Mary Gottschalk says

    July 28, 2013 at 9:28 am

    A wonderfully inspiring story. I am a great believer that you can start over again, but it is different when the change is forced, as it was for you. I had the luxury of choosing most of my changes. I look forward to reading your story!
    Mary Gottschalk recently posted..Thoughts on “The Comfort Zone”My Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Do You Know Someone "Gutsy" in Your Community? | Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living says:
    July 25, 2013 at 9:36 am

    […] July stories have started with Liz Burgess  , Sharon Leaf, Patti Hall and Destiny Allison all sharing their “My Gutsy […]

    Reply
  2. Vote for your Favorite July 2013 “My Gutsy Story®” | Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living says:
    August 1, 2013 at 6:42 am

    […] Destiny Allison […]

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