Blog Archives
Really and Truly
Here in this place, we tend to say, share, what we really want to, truly need to. There is some kind of unwritten rule perhaps, that that is why we are here? And when we let that voice speak, the one that may not get the chance in other parts of our day, or with other people, or maybe with anyone else at all, how can we be anything but inspired by the other voices chiming in on our conversations, adding fresh perspectives and warm nods of agreement and understanding.
I never expected to find myself here and when I first began I certainly did not envision such a place. I considered rolling up the carpet a couple of times, but a little something told me to just ‘deal’ with those funny feelings that come when we step outside our comfort zone. And then to find that there are others who are a whole lot just like you. Hanging out too. Like the best virtual coffee house in town.
This inspires me every day.
And I think it goes without saying that there is that little flip and flop in your belly when someone says, “hey, I notice you, I like you…”
And sometimes, it feels like a whole lot must be said, when really, what is most important is a simple, heartfelt thank you, and a wave back. So, today I wave, and say thank you to those who said, “Hey, you over there, I see you and I am listening”
Two people who inspire me with each post, each share, each find…have gone and turned me into a puddle of gratitude mess. Some days it is laughter, others head scratching – yes exactly what I was thinking -wonderment, sometimes even tears, and always admiration. I don’t quite have the words for how to express when someone who inspires you, says that maybe, on some days, you inspire them too.
So, I wave and say thanks to Mimi (Waiting for the Karma Truck) who shared the Inspiring Blog Award with me. With each post, Mimi manages to raise up thoughts I didn’t really know were there, but are; or make me laugh in some kind of solidarity; or stop in my tracks (to re-read) so I can fully absorb the grace I find in what she writes, and always makes me feel I have a place there in her corner. And because it is humbling to “accept” an award when I still feel like I am finding my own blog legs, it seems to take me an inordinate amount of time to figure out how to say thank you, which I say also to David (Lead.Learn.Live), for this very same award he shared a ways back at this point. Each day I visit his blog, he ceases to amaze on finds that strike a chord, make me ponder something about life, walk away with a new appreciation for words and images and somehow has managed to pick out a few finds from my old stomping grounds, making me feel right at home.
So I say with the most heartfelt thanks I can summon in words, thank you!
So, as it goes, the ‘rules’ are
The Rules:
1.) Copy and Paste the icon on your blog- will do!
2.) Thank and link back to the blogger that nominated you- Of course
3.) List 7 things about yourself – done!
4.) List blogs that inspire you – check!
Seven things:
- I hesitate every time I hit the publish button…
- I ‘performed’ in the 3rd grade talent show; my friend played her guitar, and I did something that approximated singing. It’s a wonder I don’t have nightmares about that.
- I have seen an iceberg
- It is one of my greatest sadnesses that my son never met either of his grandmothers, and that they never got to know him.
- My cable service/DVR crashed recently, and other than grieving the loss of approximately four hours of viewing Jon Hamm on Mad Men episodes from last season that I hadn’t had a chance to watch yet, what I missed most in the days it took to get a new one, were the music channels.
- I look for, and savor the moments of play in my days: joking with the barrista at Starbucks, surprising my students, teasing my son, finding moments to say something unexpected that makes someone smile or laugh.
- I took the time and started a conversation with the woman who works at my post office recently. I know her name now, how many kids she has, that she has a cake decorating business (23yrs!) and I get a big smile every time I walk in now. It’s really not that hard.
The bloggers who continually inspire me:
In our day -to-day 3D lives, we tell those closest to us how much we care for them, over and over; it never gets old, right? And so, with abandon for the idea of not wanting to be repetitive, I am sharing blogs that, in addition to the two already mentioned, Mimi, and David, are the ones who truly do inspire me, whether it be the insightful thoughts and diverse perspectives shared, the validating inclusion in the blogging community, or engaging in the comment conversation. Know that I look forward to finding out what you share on any given day, and that if we were to have the good fortune to bump into each other in a coffee house, how much I would enjoy sitting with you and just seeing where the conversation might go.
To each of you, thank you for sharing what you share, for your insights, your ideas, revealing bits of you along the way, trusting all of us. Please know that if you just want to savor this, sip it like a perfect latte. Or cup of tea. Or, if you want to share, pour a cup for other bloggers who inspire you. You get to choose!
One
One thing can make all the difference in the world.
How one father’s life taken, far too early, can inexplicably change the course of a family for generations, forever.
How one person can change an entire day with just a smile.
How one mother can forever change the world of one little girl.
How one person who abuses their power can cause the suffering of an entire people.
How one child makes a family.
How one leader can dash the morale of an entire soul.
How one partner can render someone invisible to themselves.
How one comment starts a conversation.
How one degree hotter makes water boil.
How one conversation can start a friendship.
How one word can change a whole story.
How one song can lift spirits.
How one friend can make you feel so at home.
Yes, one thing can make all the difference in world.
Do you have a one?
Seven and 7
Over the summer, my son attended a variety of camps: soccer, baseball, zoo, aquatic, etc. They were all great experiences for him, kept him engaged during the day while I worked and introduced him to new skills, kids, adults, and routines. The last camp of the summer was by far his favorite, technology camp where he was exposed to what goes into programming a video game. Heaven for an eight year old.
On the last day, they held a parent showcase and I went to see his project, meet the instructors and get a glimpse into what his life had been like during his geek week. I was already impressed with the professionalism, organization and friendliness of the staff, but what impressed me the most was that at no less than three times during the parent showcase program, the kids were asked to acknowledge other campers by pointing out qualities and attributes they found helpful, likable, and worth mentioning. I beamed as I heard other kids acknowledge my son for things like being a good friend, a good helper and good at helping them figure out solutions. But when it was kiddo’s turn to return the acknowledgments, I was even prouder to see him easily share his gratitude for other kids he had only just met; understanding that he was better because of them.
I was impressed with this camp for integrating this into their curriculum, impressing it upon these kids, who will before we know it – be decision makers, leaders – the importance of recognizing others for their uniqueness, their contributions and their part in the larger whole.
I feel the same about the blogosphere; I had no idea when I first began here, the degree to which other bloggers support each other. It’s remarkable, really. I work in an environment where this is a missing piece to a large extent, and so perhaps for me it is more glaring, more obvious. I think the blogging community has much to teach what is often referred to as the ‘real world’.
And so, with that, I acknowledge – with a big thank you – Rhonda {Help Me Rhonda} and Amber {The Smile Scavenger} for passing along the torch of recognition known as the Seven Things About Me blog award – you both are amazing and I am so grateful to have found both of you here on the wordscape of blogland.
And in case you were wondering, I can do the math, so together, you get 4-teen.
It’s harder than it seems [right Rhonda?] to come up with seven, if not 14, things that would be remotely interesting to all of you. I mean, you couldn’t possibly want to know that on a high school ski trip, I rode up the chair lift with a ski instructor/emergency responder, whom I told I was a newbie, and whom reassured me he’d make sure I was fine, that at the moment we needed to jump off the lift chair, he caused me – and him – to fall, a split leg roll over backwards under the chair, tangling of our skies, causing the people on the chair behind us to also fall. And then, only to see him get up, in a huff, without helping me, and ski off down the run? Or, that my illustrious career in shoplifting began and ended when I was five years old? No, those are not the kind of things you were hoping to learn, were you?
So, of course there are some rules I must follow.
Thank the blogger who nominated you :: Rhonda, Amber, thank you for passing the torch of generosity!
Share 7 14 things about yourself :: 2 down, 12 to go…
Nominate other bloggers* you think deserve the award and post on their blog to let them know. It’s my hope to highlight bloggers I haven’t shared before with you here, and keep your eyes open…there just might be some more love to share around another corner.
So, I threw in an extra one. A bonus, you might think, but one of them is a myth; can you spot the one that is not true?
3. Apparently I go blank when asked to share 7 things about myself, as that is exactly what happened when Rhonda and Amber passed along this lovely blog award.
4. I often use the term enigma to describe myself; I am this and I am also that. I love monochrome and bright bursts of color; I am an introvert, but walk easily in extrovert shoes; I like sweet and I like salty [better if together!], I am a goof-ball with a serious, introspective side; I plan and I procrastinate; I am sarcastic and I am sensitive; I am a leader and I am happy to follow [as long as I believe in whom I follow].
5. I blush way too easily, and when I realize I am blushing, I just blush more. And I hate it!
6. I have no musical talent whatsoever, but music helps me interpret the world around me and my own feelings.
7. I dropped out of the Brownies when I was 8. After my parents bought the whole uniform set for me. Including the watch.
8. I envy those who wear their heart on their sleeve; mine tends to hang out in my pocket.
9. I played basketball in high school.
10. I have run two marathons and four half marathons.
11. In the 8th grade, I played on the school softball team and it was last inning, last ups, we were down 1, bases were loaded, 2 outs and I was up. I struck out. And yes, I am over it, sort of.
12. I got the chicken pox on my 17th birthday.
13. I dream of learning how to paint one day.
14. I learned how to drive on a ’66 mustang with no power steering and a cast on my right arm, with my older brother as my teacher. And yes, I am right handed.
15. I broke both arms at the same time in college, the night before final exams. And no, that’s not when I learned to drive.
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* I hope you enjoy the acknowledgement that I think you are super, and smile when I see a new post from you in my inbox, or a comment on a post. It is entirely up to you to sit and savor this or turn it into a post of your own; please know you are under no obligation from me. Cheers!
Where We Meet
It’s a funny thing, this blogging, and it gets my attention how we find each other, and connect, and how it happens in the most unexpected moments. Maybe its finding something that’s been Freshly Pressed, or reading the comments of one kindred blogger that leads you to another. Or someone finds you and it quickly becomes a source of mutual admiration.
At the end of the day, I realize that it’s not so important how we connect, just that we do. And we do, and on some days, it’s something to reckon with.
What I got to thinking about though, is the place where we meet; where we intersect. I think it is safe to say that we each have our own blogging story; what brought us here in the first place, what has kept us here, what propels us to keep going. But where we become the same is when we find like-minded cyber souls who provide this unique place of camaraderie and conversation; when we find voices that inspire and inform us; when we respond to hearts that challenge us to share more of our own. When we connect with spirits that lift us up and make us laugh, or cry, from that place in our core where we know we are understood. We laugh because we relate; it’s the real life Seinfeld moment. It’s funny, or poignant, because what we just read is something that we just KNOW in our bones.
Sometimes, we know it so well, there are no words, at first.
But what about the part that came before?
Someone I know, well, ok, my husband, is one of those people who can walk in, in the middle of a movie or tv show, and start watching for a while. And then suddenly when there is but, oh maybe, ten minutes left, he gets up and walks out. This drives me crazy; I don’t understand this at all. I want the whole story, start to finish. I often want what comes when the story ends; what happens to those people, those characters I just invested in? If I miss any of the dialogue I am lost, I want all the words.
So it is fitting, to me, that I wonder about where we meet.
We are all here for our own unique reasons and in our own unique way. But of those I have ‘met’, there seems to be, at the heart of all this, a resounding exclamation of gratitude, friendship, joy, comfort, laughter, a safe place for our gentle souls. We find each other in our own way, find a voice and a story we recognize and we join the chorus, we dig a little deeper and before we know it, these people are part of our day, part of our story. Thinking about it this way, it surprises me that we are a little surprised when we do connect. I suppose we are just funny like that.
What stuck in my mind is that we connect with each other at various stages along our roads, at different points in our stories and our own discoveries; at different points in finding our own voice. We then move forward from that point on – and I have this crazy image in my head - that we are now each driving one of those ridiculous clown cars, each stuffed with more characters than would seemingly fit. But, they do! My clown car has got some awesome characters and in my car, we keep the radio turned up. Way up. 
We merge and keep moving forward from that point on and our stories become part of the new collective.
But I have to admit, I wonder about what happened back there, earlier on down the road. What I might have missed, the stories that I haven’t heard, the bumps in the road I missed.
If as people in the real world, and we met in person, we would probably share those stories of what came before meeting; we might talk about where we grew up, how we came to be in our careers, big loves and big break ups, stories of sneaking out and bruises to our hearts and egos, maybe about when our children were born, and when our pets came in and out of our lives and about the people who shouldn’t have, but have left us. Whether it was time or not. And the all-important little silly stories that spell out who we truly are.
So, my curiosity comes with a question, an invitation really. Just like our own stories, what we wrote earlier on doesn’t just fade away, it becomes part of what and who we are now, what we share and who we connect with. So, here you are today, cruising along the blogging highway and I say, make a U-turn and take us with you….if there is a post or blog entry that is back at exit 7 and you have new characters who just joined you at exit 63 , leave a comment with a link and share. I’m betting that I am not the only person who likes to see the whole movie.
Oh my, blogging goodness – speechless update!
So, today, I am totally speechless. Which is a bit backward for a blogger, right? Let me try to explain. If I can.
It makes the most sense if you read the post from yesterday {below} if you haven’t already…and then pop over to visit Truth and Cake again. What I didn’t include when I shared her amazing response to being Freshly Pressed was this small important detail she included:
As an added bonus, I’ll peruse your posts and choose three that resonate with me to feature on Truth and Cake next week.
Instant fame!Instant fortune!Okay, just a lot of love and warm fuzzies. I look forward to reading your fantastic posts. Have a great weekend!
In the end, the response to her invitation was amazing and there were over a hundred posts to enjoy and experience, all of them amazing, honest, funny – and everything in between. So, head back over to Truth and Cake today, and you will see why I am in fact speechless. And amazed. And honored. And Smiling from Ear To Ear.
Rian, you are one of a kind and we are all better because of you. Copious amounts of gratitude to you, and hats off, Ten Gallon Hats off to you!
Posted 7.16
Last week was a big week This week is a big week in blogland – at least from my perspective. I feel privileged to have witnessed a remarkable occurrence, a mini movement you might say.
When someone reaches success – it’s easy to sit back, soak it all in and just revel in the attention. What would you do if you were Freshly Pressed?
Last week, one of the bloggers I have been following the last few months, was Freshly Pressed on WordPress, for the second time. She is completely deserving, her posts are insightful, thought provoking, and always leave me thinking and considering things in a whole new light. I feel expanded, challenged and at the same time, somehow comforted when I am done reading one of her posts. Like when you have one of those great conversations with someone and find yourself thinking about it for days after. Feeling like you just connected with someone who can meet you on a level that doesn’t happen all the time. When I saw an email arrive with her latest post, and that it was something to do with being freshly pressed, I assumed it was going to be a post about her excitement or gratitude about the recognition. Which would be so fitting.
And, it was. But, it was so much more at the same time.
Rian, from Truth and Cake, turned the spotlight right around and turned it into a party for all of her readers, with a simple, but profound, invitation,
“I’m inviting you to Freshly Press yourself”
and gave us all some simple guidelines for how to do just that, right there on her blog. Imagine a party, where everyone is talking, everyone is listening, and while the conversation never stops, everyone feels heard, everyone feels that their voice is welcomed. She shared her motivation behind it all:
“I want all of us to succeed as bloggers.”
So simple, but in a world with so much competition, it was unexpected, fresh, new, reassuring. She took her success and in one easy turn, created a movement among her readers. Everyone started visiting each other’s blogs, but it kind of felt like folks were stopping by for coffee or tea, right? I felt a sense of community and dare I say, something a bit kindred? I found new blogs with voices I like, bloggers new to me found mine and expressed that they found some resonance here. In my opinion, that is success here in this blogging space. Comments left for me over the weekend, on a post I hemmed and hawed about even posting in the first place, were ones that shared they found something they related to. Isn’t that why we are all here?
Others shared in their comments about fears of getting it right, while others commented about learning that it’s not what everyone else thinks that matters and sharing their own reasons for blogging, and most importantly the realization of the importance of just writing for themselves. I think most of us can relate to that!
Aren’t we all in good great company?! So, my hat is off, in admiration to Truth and Cake for sharing her success with us, for connecting voices that weren’t before, for raising the bar for all of us, and for having a vision that I happen to find refreshingly revolutionary.
But wait there is more!
{ I told you it was a big week in blogland! } Earlier in the week, another one of my favorite bloggers did something pretty awesome too. It’s remarkable really, the the connections that are formed here. Ever try explaining this to any of your non-blogging friends? It’s really hard to capture.
Paula from Stuff I Tell My Sister celebrated a halfway point; at the six month mark of blogging she is a well decorated blogger. And deserves each and every accolade. She is warm, welcoming, real and supportive. Oh, and did I mention, fun? In the same pay it forward, share the spotlight, shine the light on others, way, she passed on the recognition to several bloggers. Amazed to find myself in the midst of some really great company, I am honored to be in the position to say thank you!. Following the great examples set forth by these two amazing ladies, and in the spirit of blog awards, it is my turn to shine the light on others. I’m breaking the rules too, and not following the protocol of any one award, but instead sharing with you some blogs I think are worthy of your attention!
I am grateful to have discovered some new territory in blogland recently, there are more I know I will get to know over time, but let’s start here, shall we?
- Waiting for the Karma Truck
- Mother Sugar
- The Usual Bliss
- Makeve
- HipMama Media
- Mikes Look at Life
- The Polka Dot Palace
- Nancy Francis
I hope you will stop by each, including Truth and Cake and Stuff I Tell My Sister {if you don’t already} and listen for a moment; I am sure you will find that you hear some great voices…
Borrowing from an earlier post, I am glad to have my little blogging world be ever expanded, and to each I say…
Ps…
Oh my, blogging goodness
Last week was a big week in blogland – at least from my perspective. I feel privileged to have witnessed a remarkable occurrence, a mini movement you might say.
When someone reaches success – it’s easy to sit back, soak it all in and just revel in the attention. What would you do if you were Freshly Pressed?
Last week, one of the bloggers I have been following the last few months, was Freshly Pressed on WordPress, for the second time. She is completely deserving, her posts are insightful, thought provoking, and always leave me thinking and considering things in a whole new light. I feel expanded, challenged and at the same time, somehow comforted when I am done reading one of her posts. Like when you have one of those great conversations with someone and find yourself thinking about it for days after. Feeling like you just connected with someone who can meet you on a level that doesn’t happen all the time. When I saw an email arrive with her latest post, and that it was something to do with being freshly pressed, I assumed it was going to be a post about her excitement or gratitude about the recognition. Which would be so fitting.
And, it was. But, it was so much more at the same time.
Rian, from Truth and Cake, turned the spotlight right around and turned it into a party for all of her readers, with a simple, but profound, invitation,
“I’m inviting you to Freshly Press yourself”
and gave us all some simple guidelines for how to do just that, right there on her blog. Imagine a party, where everyone is talking, everyone is listening, and while the conversation never stops, everyone feels heard, everyone feels that their voice is welcomed. She shared her motivation behind it all:
“I want all of us to succeed as bloggers.”
So simple, but in a world with so much competition, it was unexpected, fresh, new, reassuring. She took her success and in one easy turn, created a movement among her readers. Everyone started visiting each other’s blogs, but it kind of felt like folks were stopping by for coffee or tea, right? I felt a sense of community and dare I say, something a bit kindred? I found new blogs with voices I like, bloggers new to me found mine and expressed that they found some resonance here. In my opinion, that is success here in this blogging space. Comments left for me over the weekend, on a post I hemmed and hawed about even posting in the first place, were ones that shared they found something they related to. Isn’t that why we are all here?
Others shared in their comments about fears of getting it right, while others commented about learning that it’s not what everyone else thinks that matters and sharing their own reasons for blogging, and most importantly the realization of the importance of just writing for themselves. I think most of us can relate to that!
Aren’t we all in good great company?! So, my hat is off, in admiration to Truth and Cake for sharing her success with us, for connecting voices that weren’t before, for raising the bar for all of us, and for having a vision that I happen to find refreshingly revolutionary.
But wait there is more!
{ I told you it was a big week in blogland! } Earlier in the week, another one of my favorite bloggers did something pretty awesome too. It’s remarkable really, the the connections that are formed here. Ever try explaining this to any of your non-blogging friends? It’s really hard to capture.
Paula from Stuff I Tell My Sister celebrated a halfway point; at the six month mark of blogging she is a well decorated blogger. And deserves each and every accolade. She is warm, welcoming, real and supportive. Oh, and did I mention, fun? In the same pay it forward, share the spotlight, shine the light on others, way, she passed on the recognition to several bloggers. Amazed to find myself in the midst of some really great company, I am honored to be in the position to say thank you!. Following the great examples set forth by these two amazing ladies, and in the spirit of blog awards, it is my turn to shine the light on others. I’m breaking the rules too, and not following the protocol of any one award, but instead sharing with you some blogs I think are worthy of your attention!
I am grateful to have discovered some new territory in blogland recently, there are more I know I will get to know over time, but let’s start here, shall we?
- Waiting for the Karma Truck
- Mother Sugar
- The Usual Bliss
- Makeve
- HipMama Media
- Mikes Look at Life
- The Polka Dot Palace
- Nancy Francis
I hope you will stop by each, including Truth and Cake and Stuff I Tell My Sister {if you don’t already} and listen for a moment; I am sure you will find that you hear some great voices…
Borrowing from an earlier post, I am glad to have my little blogging world be ever expanded, and to each I say…
Ps…
Gratitude is Free, Right?
Gratitude is free. Or at least it should be. Right?
I know someone who seems to think otherwise, and those around this person are constantly, and I mean constantly, asked, reminded, expected even, to express their gratitude for things given, things done, things provided. It has come to the point, where what is offered by this person is no longer wanted; it’s tainted. Too many strings attached.
When we give a gift, or share our time, affection, insights or kindness, we have to do that because for us it’s just the right thing to do. Not because we expect something in return.
I was thinking about this dynamic this morning, while taking a shower, the home of some our best thoughts, right? I suppose it’s because our actions are so rote and routine and we can’t get distracted by anything; our minds are actually free for those minutes. I digress …
In my quiet moment, I found that I was re-living a conversation I had with this person just yesterday where I was ‘encouraged’ to expect – and ask for! – gratitude and appreciation from a certain group of people that I support as part of my job. I felt myself tense up during this portion of the conversation and I resisted this suggestion; I resented it in fact.
I believe strongly in showing appreciation, saying thank you, and giving credit where credit is due, but we must be free to take those actions on our own, because it is what we feel compelled to do, because it is what we feel. If we are not thanked or recognized, do we stop giving? In some cases, this is a real dilemma affected by many factors. Is it chronic or a one time situation; are we wrapped up in an imbalanced relationship?
No matter the situation, I tend to believe that to demand gratitude is a lose-lose proposition. On the giving end, isn’t the joy of giving compromised if you are just waiting for the gratitude to show up? What if it does not come at all, or soon enough or in the way we imagine it will look like? It seems the only thing that would come back to us is disappointment and perhaps resentment. On the receiving end, wouldn’t our joy be compromised also? Instead of reveling in the ‘gift’, we are instead worried about getting it right and how to fulfill someone’s expectations.
Gratitude is not the same as being indebted to another. It’s normal to feel some kind of emotion when someone helps us, shows kindness and affection or simply just gives us a gift. But the difference is that with indebtedness, we feel obligated to make some kind of repayment and compensate the giver instead of being free to naturally express our gratitude.
But where the distinction lies, the way I see it, is that indebtedness can lead us, as receivers, to avoid the person who has helped us. And, when we are in debt to another, the relationship can never be equal, mutual, free, Gratitude, on the other hand, can instead propel us to reach out freely to those who give and deepen the connection.
Thinking of it in this way, it hit me like a ton of bricks on why I felt resentment towards the person who ‘suggested’ that I demand gratitude from others. And it underscores, and makes clear, unfortunately, my resentment towards the person who demands it from me.
Irony is rarely lost on me. While following through on my normal morning routine, I checked my email and found the latest post from Paula, over at Stuff I Tell My Sister, one of my favorite bloggers, and by the second paragraph she is expressing gratitude, giving thanks to others. She takes it one step further in fact and bestows gifts upon others, me included. I am over the moon full with gratitude. The kind that swells up and just begs to get out. I am smiling again and finding myself in the midst of gratitude shared, earned, given and received. You can bet I want to reach out and deepen that kind of connection. Thank you Paula!
By virtue of circumstance, I must continue to interact with the person who has the idea of gratitude all mixed up; but it is clear to me that I can - and will - own my own interpretation. For that, and so much more, I am grateful.
In gratitude,
What I learned from a blue dinosaur, a geek and a little green monster
I realized the other day that it is often the little things that make a big impact on me. I was having a conversation about this with someone who realized that a single red flower on a bush she walks by every day inspired a slew of creative thoughts and insights. Amazed at how something so ordinary could break open a pathway to ideas, it got us to talking about this and before I knew it, I was getting some ideas of my own. I realized how some things, that may seem minor or insignificant can be our best teachers.
For as long as I can remember, I have read signs, cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, what ever is in front of me; I just like reading. At some point in time, the reading started to become entertainment as companies took some liberties with their packaging. I found it amusing and uplifting, for example, how the Kashi brand took off with the idea surrounding ’seven whole grains on a mission”. I love Luna Bars, and even before the girlie version hit the market, I liked the original Clif Bars. I am not sure if I liked them so much because of their taste, portable convenience and nutrition, or if it was because of the great packaging. They always had a story to tell on the wrapper and it just seemed to make it a whole lot more personal and therefore I kept buying. When the ladie’s Luna Bar came out, I was over the moon [yes indeed, pun intended!]. The flavor was great, calories were reasonable and I loved how on the back of each bar is a message from one woman to another, thanking her for her inspiration. I have one in front of me now, and the message on my Peanut Honey Pretzel says this,
“Audrey, you taught me how to walk to the edge, listen to my heart and choose with no regret. Thank you for believing in me.” - Erica.
I read those messages and I can’t help but be inspired, and in that way how when you car is clean it seems to actualy run better; those personal messages make it taste better and I bet it’s even a little healthier too! I feel like I am part of something good when I enjoy a Luna Bar. Which is just about every single day. Really.
Reflecting on this I realized how important it is to let these kinds of things inform me; be my teachers. Not too long ago, I ordered something from the company called PhotoJoJo. Their website alone is a ton of fun; full of whimsical charm, fun information and great products. I look forward to getting their emails and spending time on their website. Being a photography fan; when I had some extra cash, I ordered a couple of items from them, and as with any online purchase, it’s so fun when the package arrives . When I opened the box, I was just happy to get my new toys, but then I saw a little blue dinosaur. Apparently, they send a stowaway with most orders; and the receipt? It felt like a party on paper! Those two elements transformed my purchase from a simple transaction into an experience.
I am not afraid to admit that I get my geek on; I love devices and technology and am a self-proclaimed gadget girl. So, for me to purchase soemthing from Think Geek was like any other day; I bought a great mini speaker for my iPhone that I discovered through DigiTwirl. Turns out the mini-speaker was perfect; I loved it. The crazy thing was, my dog loved it too; so much that he chewed the cable to bits. Literally bits. I emailed their customer support to see about purchasing a replacement cable, and when I explained the situation; the reply that came back to me was,
”is your dog ok?”
and followed up with a replacement policy so unbelievably customer friendly. I was blown away.
I’ve kept that little blue dinosaur on my bathroom shelf ever since, and every day he’s provided some inspiration to me; in intangible ways. I’ve considered how it would feel to run a biz or organization with a focus on that kind of creative freedom and fun, to give customers an experience. I’ve thought of how freeing it must be to care about your customer’s dog.
Little did I know it, but many months down the road, I would come to open my own Etsy shop; and while noooooooooooo where near the scale of any of these awesome companies; I realized that they have inspired and informed me. No matter how small my creative biz may be; I think about how I felt when I interacted with those companies and if I were able to replicate even a fraction of that; I would feel like a success. The handmade community is exceedingly supportive; creative {obviously} and positive. On the contrary, I work full-time in an environment where those elements are not found easily, or in abundance. It’s challenging some days, to not let it get to me and permeate my overall attitude. It takes an almost daily restart to stay on track with an attitude of gratitude and generosity. Yet, I make a daily point of approaching my Etsy shop; and as much as possible all areas of my life, with that sense of abundance.
I was mulling this over on the drive to work one morning; but I was feeling those hints of self-doubt and struggling with the questions of “can I do this?”, “will it work”, and wanting to dream even larger but instead feeling small and defeated that particular morning. Shortly after that, I saw a post on Facebook where a person in my community was really starting to make a name for their art. Without missing a beat, I found myself being critical; judging them, their art. Trying to convince myself they weren’t really that good. Immediately I could feel the difference in me. It felt awful. I noticed and I caught myself and literally reminded myself out loud to refocus my energy towards abundance, generosity and promotion of others.
I felt better almost immediately.
I realized though, that I had been paid a visit by a little green monster. I was feeling self-doubt and small; and so when I saw someone rising, as they should be, my initial response was envy and to avoid that uncomfortable feeling, I instead attempted to try to diminish their success in my mind. As if that would make me feel bigger? I know, right?! I am not proud of this; by any means, and it’s hard to admit, but there it is! The little green monster has joined ranks with the dinosaur and the geek as my own personal teaching faculty in well-to-do abundance. Do you think they have good snacks in the teacher’s lounge?
Later that morning, I checked my email and I see a message for a new blog post from Lisa Jacobs’ blog, Marketing Creativity. The post is titled, “Competitively Speaking, Think Abundance“. After picking myself up off the floor {ever have that feeling a blog post was written for you?}, I read on and this paragraph more than validated my early morning anguish.
As we are all human, we all are capable of that sudden jolt of envy when we see the high sales and huge success of another. What I try to do is transform that scarcity thought from envy to admiration. Do you realize that small business magazines, like Inc., are doing articles on Etsy sellers, like Ashley G and Drew, who are reporting six figure salaries with their handmade craft? SIX FIGURES! With nothing but the most respectful admiration, I shout, “Yes, please! That’s for me! Hallelujah!” By keeping my creative juices positive and forward-moving, I work toward success.
So yes, when I am feeling abundant and generous, I am contributing in my own small way to the success of others and because I believe that one action begets another, I am in fact working towards my own success; on a variety of levels. So, I am abundantly grateful to the little blue dinosaur {he’s back on the bathroom shelf after a romp in the grass for his photo shoot today!}, the geek and yes, even the little green monster. They have each taught me such important lessons; and I would like to leave you with another perfectly stated comment in the same blog post by Lisa Jacobs:
Here’s a new thought…..: change your affirmations in a direction that leads you away from competitive, scarcity thinking and toward that sea of interested people. If you take one thing from this article, I hope it will be this quote from Wayne Dyer: “Abundance is scooped from abundance, and abundance remains.” That’s Universal thinking, and to that I say, “Yes, please!”
{cheers, go live abundantly!}
