Naomi Barnes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Naomi, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of building my character. It’s a personal journey and most don’t get to see the rough days, the slow days, sometimes they don’t even get to see all of the happy days. But I have consistently shown growth in stability, confidence, compassion, understanding, and self love. I have become someone my younger self would have loved, someone my younger self would have been protected by and adored.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Naomi Barnes, I have my own art business located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I go by Naomi Hendrix (hence, Hendrix Arts) and I have been creating since the young age of 3. I find joy in creating just about anything but my true happiness is creating space and ethereal visuals. I have always loved science and marine biology since childhood so the focus and anatomy have become like second nature to my hands. Art was always my way to express myself. Growing up in foster care and losing people dearest to you, I found that my faith and my talent are the things that have proved unwavering. I have committed myself to show my light to the world. I have a plethora of passions but to be able to give back to my communities and relate to those with similar pasts, uniting cultures to show perseverance in getting to the “happy place”, in creating our own bit of “Heaven on Earth,” one creation at a time.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served it’s purpose and must now be released is survival mode. I had adopted these beliefs as my own at an early age thinking that minimizing who I felt I could be would keep the peace. As I got older and went through things I realized that the people I dimmed myself for didn’t even see their own light without me shunning my own. And then I had a come to Jesus moment, and my mind and own beliefs changed. I had to rewire my mind, my beliefs and sharpen my morals and integrity. Now can it still be a challenge, yes, it is easier said than done. But one must remember that rejection is just Divine protection and that what is for you will not miss you, especially the lessons.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, absolutely. Very recently, actually, at a prior employer. I had felt so burnt out and overlooked because I showed up everyday, I did the work at every capacity, I committed to pushing myself beyond limits and fears, I got up every day regardless of what everything else looked like and I saw no reward. No applause. No cheering. I had to sit with myself and ask myself why, if I’m working towards a vision the Creator has only given me, would I then seek approval from the very sources that have shown to be unequipped to hold my light. I read the book Let Them by Mel Robbins and it always brought me back to my statement, “Rejection is Divine Protection.” Let them. Let them choose someone else for that position, that trip, that role, that relationship, that friendship. What is truly meant for you, to expel you, expand you, and accelerate you, will never miss you.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
A few truths that are foundational in my life are that nothing in this life belongs to us, you can be everything in a package at the wrong address, and that time waits for no man. My dad used to tell me these things as a toddler on our late night strolls and even as a teenager and young adult I didn’t understand. My pastor, adopted father and mom, and other mentors taught the same lessons in their own ways and now that I’m older I completely understand. So much to the point I don’t see a need to articulate it, I’d rather show you my character and my beliefs because I know if we are of mature intellect the respect and comprehension are already at the forefront.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
There have been a few times where I got what I wanted and still found myself being unsatisfied. In relationships, in business, in art, and life. I realized that these things at these moments were surface level satisfaction, they didn’t feed my soul in ways in which I knew to be fit. I was still adamant on finding that sweet spot and I knew the easiest way to get there would be the road less traveled. The road of expanding your knowledge and applying that to everything in your control. The road of trial and error, of discipline, of silence; the road of the mustard seed. Because true happiness comes by way of fulfillment, whatever that may be to you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nae_hendrixx?igsh=OG8wN2RlcWU0OWpj&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/sensei_hendrix?s=21&t=MKQ0bWMRSO8tyoDHhocU6w
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HRaaefunF/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Naomi Barnes/ Naomi Hendrix. Hendrix Arts, LLC
