=&0=&  =&1=& And while we all are constantly inspired by others and admire the amazing work that our mentors are doing, how often do we stop and let them know how much they mean to us? How often do we thank them for making our world so much brighter with their actions, words, art, and love?  How often do we tell them how much their inspiration has impacted our own lives in such a positive way? There is nothing better than receiving an email from someone who bought one of our journals and whose life has changed because of it. To learn that they are now putting themselves first and taking time to go within fills us with such happiness. It feels so great when we read your comments on this blog about how certain posts are helping you see life in a more positive way. Imagine how much positivity and love you could put into the world…  just by saying thank you. just by sharing the love with those you admire and look up to. just by appreciating and acknowledging someone who has inspired you to be your best self. =&6=&

Have you ever felt the need to create something truly wonderful?  You get a great idea and are so excited, motivated, and can’t wait to start. And sometimes you do just that and the magic happens. And other times you sit for a bit too long on the idea before taking action. Your mind kicks in and starts to wonder if it’s really a good idea to create at this moment in your life.  You think about how busy your life is and wonder if you should be adding yet another thing to your long to-do list. And this great, inspired idea that you had goes to the back of your mind and gets filed as a “dream,” and never really makes it to an actual “creation.”  =&0=& =&1=& One way to do this is to stop the overwhelming feelings before they start.  When you get a creative idea, immediately make space to bring it to life.  If your creativity comes out in a physical form (e.g., painting, crafting, etc.), clean your studio to make room for your new creations.  If your creativity comes out in the form of words, clean up your desk – recycle all of those old papers that are just taking up space.  Fill your workspace with positive mementos/photos/quotes.  Get organized in your mind and in your surroundings.  Get rid of the energy zappers in your life.  Unfinished projects. Lists and lists of to-dos.  Messy studio spaces. When you do this, you will immediately feel the energy flowing again. And by clearing out the energy drains around you, you now have actually made more space for something positive and creative. This will help you from feeling overwhelmed from the start. And even if you don’t have something creative in mind – just the act of clearing space and making room will allow creativity to come out and blossom. I will be doing this process over the next few days, too. Give it a try and then come back and share with us what you were able to create because you made some space!  🙂

As many of you know, Dan and I are about to do something that we’ve never done in the history of our company: stop production for one month to focus on our writing.  This is a really big deal for us and a big lesson in faith.  Our lives revolve around working with our wonderful customers, making products, and filling orders. Our livelihood depends on this. And while we feel completely grateful that we have been able to live in this way, we have also realized that our lives are very much out of balance.  We realized that we work for our business instead of having our business work for us.  We wake up thinking about journals, make them throughout the day and late into the night, and then dream about making them while we sleep. And so we knew needed to do something – to actively change the way we work – or things would always stay the same.  So we are taking this month to be quiet, reflect, go within, and see what comes out in the form of words.  We are getting back into the driver’s seat of our own lives. And believe me, this transition hasn’t always been the smoothest.  Even today there are lessons to be learned and little tests put in front of us where we have to really go within and think about how much we want and need this change.  We are so used to reacting and saying yes to anyone who asks us to do something.  The need to please runs very deep.  And now we’ll turn that need to ourselves for one month and see how it feels. I can’t wait to fill up my own tank. And hopefully I will be able to give you all more of me when I return. We are just waiting to tie up a few loose ends today, and then our shops and business will officially be in vacation mode for the next month.  Our ebooks will all be available though (it’s an instant download), and they are all 1/2 off this entire month! We are so grateful for all of your support. Thank you for honoring us on this journey and encouraging us to follow our hearts. I would encourage each of you to do the same and see where it leads…

=&0=& Today he turns 40. I am so excited to have shared the last decade with him, and I am even more excited to see what this decade brings. He is more himself than he has ever been. His essence is strong and solid and grounded and filled with wisdom. I feel so blessed that I get to stand beside him as he continues to grow and continues on this journey. I am so blessed that we get to share each day together helping each other along the way.  I love this man more now than I ever have. Happy birthday, Dan.  You are truly the love of my life.