Fiercely Happy

All this talk has led to this.  I have jumped.  I have taken a chance.  I have simultaneously put my faith in myself and tossed it into the wind.  It started as a thought, and with quite a bit of hard work, it has become a real beginning!  I have had many, many beautiful beginnings in my life.  I’ve started wonderful jobs, wonderful friendships and wonderful ideas.  And I think many of those happy pieces molded me into who and where I am right now.  So, before continuing, I’d like to thank each person that has spoken into my life.   You play a role in my leap of faith!!

Now, onto my leap.  Like I said, it started with an idea.  I come from two entrepreneurial parents.  Fantastic ideas flowed like wine in our home.  So, it came as no surprise when I kept leaning toward the creative side of work.  I always had a wild hair to try something myself.  And let me tell you, I had more business ideas than Trump!  Baby clothes, baby food, greeting cards, babysitting websites, eco-friendly cosmetics, organic baked goods, personal chef.  You name it, I’ve thought it.  But it was scary to think of relying on myself for an income.  I decided it was safer to express my creativity in my free time, and work for a living.  So, on a quiet night (when was that?!?), I was making a present for a friend.  I always, always, always buy candles for presents.  Housewarming, graduation, birthday, wisdom tooth removal, whatever.  A candle is the perfect gift.  And the ones I like don’t come cheap.  So, I decided to get my crafty brain in gear and make my own.  After quite a few sad candles, I made a cute one!  Then I made 25 more for my girlfriends bridal shower.  And that started the ball.  ”What if I sold these?  What if people bought these?  What if I MADE MONEY?”

Five months and three trillion candle trials later, I have done it.  I just sold my first batch to the ridiculously adorable eco-friendly Green Tree Boutique in Laguna Beach.  

The store owner, Liz, couldn’t be more lovely or gracious.  She was enthusiastic and immediately wanted them for her shop!  And I think she was going beyond being nice and actually really like them!  And I walked out with the biggest smile on my face.  The potential for failure was hovering.  And it still is.  But let me tell you something!  I will gladly take that chance every time to feel the exuberant joy in trying!  You really should give it a go!  When you have the same potential to fall as to fly, you get to ride life’s real energy.  And even the fall has possibilities to take you places.  A little bumpy at times, but I’m all about the silver lining:)  It’s the ride the blows your hair back and whips your blood around!

Now comes the part I’m not great at.  The endurance.  I am great at starting something, but I tend to shuffle around when it comes to seeing it through.  So, I have decided to post daily reminders around the house as to why I will still love doing this tomorrow and the next day.  ”I get to be home with my babies”, “I am exercising my crafty bones”, “I am making money having fun”, “I am in control of my success”, “I am awesome”.  I feel the rightness of this decision in the depths of my soul.  When I plug my ears to the naysayers and the realistic points of view, I hear my quiet inner voice saying, “give it a try!”

I have found these last 30 (uh, 31) days incredibly enlightening.  I found this blog to be the perfect sounding board to catapult me into my next chapter. I now have this online diary to look back on when it gets rough.  It’s been rough before and I weathered those storms like a champ.  I can’t thank you enough for your words of encouragement, and of sharing how the blogs worked into the story of your life.  And very special thank you to my number one fan, Jen.  She liked my post every single day on Facebook, she sent emails of love and blessings and commented in person about our lives perfectly intertwining in lessons being learnt.  And I know there were others that faithfully walked along with my this last month.  Thank you, thank you!

As the universe perfectly aligned this journey, so it also aligned its end.  My father came into town yesterday, and I greatly appreciate not having anything on our agenda.  And I will be taking a delicious vacation up to my parent’s beach house on Thursday to celebrate my mama’s birthday.  However, I promise to come back here with my lessons and tips for fierce happiness!

To end, here’s a sneak peek of my new endeavor.  I will update you when I open my etsy store after I return from my vacation!  I am thrilled beyond words and hope you enjoy

Lavender Chamomile, Mediterranean Fig

Fresh Bamboo, Peppermint & Eucalyptus

hand stamped antique medallion

Recycled labels with vintage fabric

Quotes from my birthday poem from my lumberjack

Peace and light to each of you sweet friends! xx