Make Space for Beauty in Your Life | Elisabeth Fransdonk
Our life becomes more meaningful when we take the time to witness its beauty, and use that energy to create moments of beauty of our own.” – Elisabeth Fransdonk
In this episode of Wake Up Shake Up, we’re taking a moment to look up and see. Literally: to see the beauty right in front of us, no matter what is happening in our lives. Our guest, Elisabeth Fransdonk, knows a thing or two about beauty. This photographer, visual storyteller and all-around superwoman is a force of nature. On the one hand, she’s a no-nonsense businesswoman. While on the other, she is a vibrant creator with a gift for finding beauty. Beauty in her subjects, whether they are people, places, or even her favourite group of trees.
Elisabeth sees the light, even when life’s obstacles get in the way. She is certainly no stranger to trials and tribulations. In our conversation she talks about adjusting to life in a new country after moving away from The Netherlands in her 20s. And the many changes that came with motherhood in her 30s. Followed by the ups and downs of building an independent business in her 40s.
When we recorded this conversation, Elisabeth had yet to discover another curveball that life would throw her way, in the form of breast cancer. Thankfully, she has since fully recovered and continues to brighten the world with her boundless enthusiasm. Elisabeth is a naturally curious person and a living example of the beauty to be found when you look up and see.
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MORE ABOUT ELISABETH FRANSDONK
WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT…
- Elisabeth’s book of Square Smiles
- Swiss photographer Marcel Ismand and the days of pre-digital photography
- Spiritual leader, His Holiness, 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on listening to understand
- Robotic dogs
- Modern day Swiss explorer dedicated to saving our planet, Mike Horn
- Photographing pianist-composer Alain Roche during one of his vertical performances
- The 1995 American independent film, Smoke
- Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
- Taking professional quality photographs with your smartphone
- How to practice self-love with blessing and a practical exercise described by previous Wake Up, Shake Up guest, Alex Inchbald
Special note: After we recorded this conversation, Elisabeth discovered that she had breast cancer. She discusses this experience, and her recovery, in this video series produced by the clinic where she was treated.
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Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer
Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production
(All images courtesy of Elisabeth Fransdonk)
