My Secret Weapon

Did you know that when I was 29 I dropped everything and went to film school?

I completely upended my life because some part of me wanted to be creative and do something different. But because of my secret weapon, I continued.

I didn’t start photography until I was 32. At the time I didn’t know how to use a DSLR—I had to ask my 12 year old cousin to show me.

The photos were too bright, or too dark, or in the rare moments I got it right… I couldn’t engage with the person in the shot. But because of my secret weapon, I continued.

And in the 7 years since then, I have taken almost 800,000 photos.

In 2020 when the pandemic hit, all of my photoshoots were rescheduled, and I started making guided meditations. Believe me when I tell you that the first few were really rough. But because of my secret weapon, I continued.

And now I have made over 100 meditations for Artist Morning. According to YouTube and Insight Timer, people have spent over 1,000,000 minutes meditating with me worldwide.

Bonkers, right?

In all of these stories, I wanted to quit at least a thousand times. But I didn’t.

Because my secret weapon was to remember that no matter how old I am, the part of me who is excited to express himself and try something new is just an 8-year-old kid.

And that young, precious inner-child DOES NOT need pressure and stress when he is just getting started. Not from me, not from anyone else.

Your job as an adult is to protect, nurture and support your beautiful inner child as they are trying new things for the first time.

I love keeping a photo of 8-year old Darius around my house to remind me to be kind and sweet to myself.

Is there something you and your own inner child are ready to explore together?

Big love,

D

PS: If you want to see the short video I made on this topic check out my Instagram or my TikTok.