putting it out there

i've been wanting and trying to put it out there since I was a young woman.  mostly with my art work that is.  i've had some satisfying results on a small scale in recent years, but never had the courage to take it to the next level.  and only with my art work, not my writing.  although i did get one of my poems choosen and published in a highschool anthology.  the desire to put myself out there has been a growing ache in the last couple of years.  it has gone from a daydream, then to a satisfying hobby, then to a very,very small part time art business and now a desire to make my living with it.   it's where my heart wants to be.  i've journaled on and off since i was twelve years old.  it has gotten me through some very hard times in my life.  as with my art, i've wanted to share my writing with the world, but it until now, it was beyond scary to put it out there.  but the time has come to face that fear, as i am with my art.