Happy Birthday to Me!

It’s been a good birthday, but kind of weird, too, since I’m on a work trip and not at home. But… we’re in Florida—and while I’m not a huge fan of Florida, primarily because of the humidity, the weather here has been nice so far. I’m in the Ft. Lauderdale area, and staying in a really nice hotel. I happened to get an ocean view room on the 30th floor:

No complaints!

I had cards to open from hubby, a group of work folks sang happy birthday to me, and lots of people have lit up my Facebook wall. I’ve also gotten some texts too! So, I’m feelin’ the love, and it’s great!

Now, if only I could squeeze in a nap between all my meetings…

Wordless Wednesday - The Late Edition...

Maddie, our little singer...

My Sister Got Married

Kevin & Wendy, married May 5, 2010

The wedding was really sweet, and a good time was had by all. 

I've always enjoyed taking pictures of people-- and I think I'm getting better and better at it.

But, there's something special about taking pictures at weddings. It's something I've considered doing for fun, or if a friend who's getting married and can't afford a proper wedding photographer.

I haven't gone through all of the pictures I took yet... only a few. I'm hoping to get through the rest soon! 

The ones I've processed are here. Feel free to take a look!  

Wordless Wednesday - My Girls... Double Trouble!

Brianna

Nikita

The Four Agreements

Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves. - Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

Lately—and especially in response to some of my more recent posts, several friends have recommended that I read The Four Agreements. 

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be impeccable with your word
2. Don’t take anything personally
3. Don’t make assumptions
4. Always do your best

I had actually tried reading it almost 10 years ago, when a friend gave it to me and said, “this seems like something you’d like”. I tried reading it then, but it just didn’t “take” at the time. I don't think I even made it past the second page.

Like just about everything else, the timing with this book has to be right.

Well, the time was right now.

I learned so much from this simple, easy book. While it's written in simple language and it's a fast read... I often found myself reading passages over and over again, to really let the lesson sink in. I have of course marked up my copy accordingly.

(Yes, I'm one of those.)

The agreement that hit me the hardest was number two: don’t take anything personally.

I’m the queen of taking everything personally!

You take [words/actions] personally because you agree with whatever was said. As soon as you agree, the poison goes through you, and you are trapped... What causes you to be trapped is what we call personal importance. Personal importance, or taking things personally, is the maximum expression of selfishness because we make the assumption that everything is about "me". We think we are responsible for everything. Me, me, me, always me! 

I read that at least six times, almost in tears, with a wave of indignance rising up—a lump in my throat that I could not swallow back down.

This is a curse of the relater… aka the people-pleaser. I want everyone around me to be happy and feel good, and I’ll sacrifice what I want for myself for the greater good of the group—so there will be harmony.

Harmony is key.

But… the flip side is that I also want everyone to like me. And I’m slowly realizing how selfish that is.

And that sucks.

I don’t want to be selfish!

How awful!

But, like any other eye-opening, knife-in-the-gut realization… now that I know—I can work on it.

I know it’s impossible for anyone to be as hard on me as I am on myself. It’s highly unlikely anyone judges me as much or as harshly as I judge myself.

I’m also learning that life is too damn short to be so critical and judgmental towards myself. My heart, soul, and my being are worth more than that!

The book was hugely impactful for me, and I immediately realized where I’d been faltering. And yet—I also know that in the circumstances, and at the time, I did my best, so I was able to let it go.

Letting go of all of yesterday’s failures—whether large or small, perceived or real—is altogether freeing and empowering. I feel free to be myself and get up again… and I feel empowered to do my very best with every moment of the day.

Today, I have only done what I want to do, and I’ve taken pleasure with every task—even the mundane tasks, like getting ready for the day.

And, it’s been an absolutely glorious day.

Today I have not been critical of myself.

Today I have been positive, smiling, and relaxed. I have listened before speaking.

I have paused.

I have breathed.

Today I have enjoyed this precious and precarious state of being called life.

Today...


I have done my best.

Asking Questions vs. Forming Judgments

I’m feeling a bit needy today and wanting comments and connection.

But, also trying to keep in mind the valuable lessons in The Four Agreements, which I recently read. So, I’m concentrating on not taking it personally when people don’t respond, comment, or reply to emails/phone calls/etc.

The behavior of others has nothing to do with me, after all, and everything to do with that individual.

I really didn’t believe that when I first read it, but after careful consideration, I agree.

I’m also learning to ask more questions to gain better understanding, instead of making assumptions which usually leads me down a road I’d rather not traverse.

Case in point: Someone asked me if I still had a necklace that matched a pair of earrings I have listed on Etsy. The earrings are quite simple, but the necklace that matched them was—while a nice design, it may be considered “too much” by some because it’s a more intricate piece than some folks like.

I replied with pictures of the necklace that had sold. I asked if she was interested in having me make something for her that would match the earrings.

After seeing the picture, she replied with a no thanks.

Here’s where the road diverges.

In the past, I would have read something into that.

She didn’t like the necklace.

She thought it was ugly.

She thought it was too busy.

Etc.

Instead, I did something different.

I asked her a follow-up question.

I asked her if she would tell me what she likes. Not because I wanted to sell her a necklace, but because I’m re-evaluating my inventory and what I offer to my customers, and I’m genuinely curious.

Which is absolutely true. I always wonder what people think, what people want to buy, what people like and want to wear. Those questions are in my mind anytime I design a piece.

See how easy that was?

Instead of making an assumption, or a judgment that almost always leads me down a road of negativity, asking her those questions also allowed my train of thought to get away from the “not good enough” fears.

Instead, I got to nurture my positive, optimistic, inquisitive side.

I could get used to this!

Wordless Wednesday - My Beautiful Niece and Great-Niece...

Simply Healing: The Latest Batch

Well, I was a busy bee this past weekend, and I managed to get 13 more Simply Healing necklaces not only photographed, but actually listed on Etsy.

Honestly, y’all who do that on a regular basis… how do you keep up? It takes me so long to get all the photos taken, and then to process them—crop, lighten, resize, etc… not to mention writing the Etsy descriptions and making sure I get the stone meanings correct… and then there’s my least favorite part—naming each piece! 

Maybe now you understand why I update my Etsy site so sporadically?

I wouldn’t complain so much if I didn’t also have a full time job, which lately has been taking up a lot more than just “full” time of a typical 40 hours work-week. I come home exhausted, and my comfy chair and TV are always calling me, begging me to allow them to swallow me up whole until it’s time for bed.

That’s a hard habit to break, once you’ve eased into it.

But, in light of last week's curve ball, I figured listing some things on Etsy and then immediately crossing my fingers might not be such a bad idea.

This newest batch of Simply Healing jewelry is a lot of fun, and even more inspired than the first batch was! I’m having a ball making these little necklaces… partially because they appeal to my gnat-like attention span, and partially because I love working with high quality gemstones, but it’s also really nice to make some pieces that the "average Jane" can afford.

Especially in these economic times.

So, I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a couple of pictures of these new pieces… and I’ll leave you with a little link to my Simply Healing line, now on Etsy. 

Have a great day!