A Special Project featuring Jessica Swift

Okay, ladies and gentleman. I have a very special announcement for you today. Today is all about a lovely lady who is trying to launch a VERY special project...and she needs your help!!

Miss Jessica Swift has launched her Kickstarter project, to make these snazzy rainboots, and she needs your help to get it going! Even the smallest donation will help her meet her goal. Now, these rainboots are not only one-of-a-kind, adorned with illustrations by Jessica herself, but they ALSO have the sweetest secret messages inside to help keep you afloat while you go about your day. How awesome is that? I know, pretty awesome.

I have to tell you, that it is because of Jessica and the other Spring girls that this blog exists. This lady, she was one of a very select few people who inspired me to get off my bum and get out there to take life my the horns. It is because of her that I have changed the way that I think about life and my role in this world. And this is one of the little ways that I can give back, by sharing her project with you. So please help me give back, for all of the inspirational goodness she has to offer to you and the rest of the world! The world needs these boots!

If you'd like to help my friend out, you can go HERE and donate. Each donation comes with a small reward, if you choose to accept it. :)

Thank you friends! Your contribution is VERY much appreciated, and means so much to me. Have a lovely weekend!

Build a Life Raft

Happy Friday Friends! Are you ready for the weekend? Are you ready to take advantage of the next few days? I know I am!

If you knew that you were guaranteed your dream job in exactly six months, what would be your first thought? Would you be ready? Would you be waiting? After the initial excitement wears off, I think I would be kicking it into high gear! This is your dream job! I think for most of us it is not something we would take lightly.

Now is the time to build a life raft.

If this is something that could be a reality for you, there's no better time than now. Figure out just what you need to do to be ready when that glorious moment arrives! Maybe you only have a small amount to do and your life raft is a little animal floatie or you have a lot to tackle and you need a giant sailing ship. Regardless of how much is left to be done, you can do it!

This is the time to get all of your questions answered. If it helps, make a checklist and divide it into smaller, manageable portions. What can be taken care of in a matter of minutes? What will require more preparation and finesse?

Figure out what you're good at, and find a way to market those skills. Are there any areas that could use improvement? Any skills you need to brush up on? Find solutions to target these particular things. You want to shine your brightest!

 If you're starting over in a new career, or just changing focus, you may need to revamp your resume and portfolio. I've found it helpful to do "mock" projects. What kind of products do you want to sell? What services do you plan to offer? Start thinking about and designing these items now! That way you'll already have some inventory ready and waiting.

There are also the big matters of insurance, income projections, record-keeping, etc. Don't leave out these big guys in your excitement! They can't (and won't!) be ignored...and it's best to get them out of the way in the beginning stages.

While you're getting ready for your debut, start networking in the field you're going to enter. It may even be helpful to get a part time job or internship if your schedule allows. Make friends. Attend conferences. Volunteer. Exchange stories. Make sure to support their dreams too!

The important thing is to ready yourself for your new life. Be prepared. Do the work. And when that moment comes, be waiting with arms wide open!

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

{Image 1: Make Your Own Luck by Jessica Swift  Image 2: I Don't Know How to Swim by Jessica Swift}

The Declaration of You

Hello friends!

If you are in the Midwest, like I am, I do hope you are staying safe and warm! We got a pretty nasty ice storm here in Indiana. It is very beautiful to look at though! Everything is encased in ice...the world is white and sparkly.

I wanted to tell you all about an amazing ecourse run by two wonderful ladies, Jessica Swift and Michelle Ward. Some of you know the awesomeness that is this daring duo, but for those of you that don't, let me fill you in.

Jessica= Illustrator extraordinaire, happiness and encouragement guru

Michelle= kick-butt life coach, follow-your-joy supporter, and all-around motivator

Working together, these ladies create magic wherever they go. They make a great team...and their The Declaration of You ecourse is the perfect example. If you're looking for a safe haven where your dreams and aspirations will be encouraged, this is just the place. The community that is being built is one of positivity and celebrating all that is you. By following along each week, you will develop a clear plan and start to realize your full turn-your-dreams-into-reality potential.

I must admit, that I wish I had been able to participate more fully in the course when I took it a few months ago. I know that if my schedule had allowed, I would have soaked up everything it had to offer. Please don't make the same mistake I did! I loved every minute of the course, and it is such a wonderful place to meet some of the most amazing people.

And let me tell you, it is your lucky day! Jessica and Michelle were nice enough to offer YOU an opportunity to take their class for FREE! I know...pretty generous. If you so desire, and I'm sure you do, you can go here for more details!

The Declaration of You

Today starts my second week of The Declaration of You ecourse! I can't believe a full week has already passed. I already feel so behind in my class...but I know I will catch up soon. There are just so many wonderfully talented ladies to meet and discussions to be had and questions to be asked and things to declare!!!! It's pure joy.

Jessica Swift and Michelle Ward have already had me thinking so much about my life, about what makes it special. It has me thinking about all of the things that make me, well ME, and all of those things that I need to change to be my authentic self. It has me thinking about my relationships with other people, too. Do they see the person I think they are seeing? Am I always putting my best foot forward? Does what I think about myself match the person that I am putting out there in the world?

I'm beginning to realize that I'm not always, 100% the person that I want to be. I know that there are things that I can do to be what we call Authentic. I feel like sometimes in the past, I have given up little bits of who I am to fit in better with others. But the beauty of it is, that I really don't have to fit in!! I should want to stand out! And all of those things that are who I am? Those things are real. Those things are what make me unique and happy and beautiful, regardless of what others may have to think or say about it.

{Sing Out Loud Every Day by pleasebestill}

So today, I want to declare some of the things that make me unique, that give me enthusiasm for life!!

• I love to help people, to give, to make others feel better, to solve problems if it'll make their life easier...even the people who may not like me. I can't help myself. I'm a giver.
• I love life. I appreciate the little things, the big things.
• I get emotional. I feel things with my soul, and sometimes, I get overwhelmed...and I cry. And I'm okay with that. :)
• I'm what corporate business people like to call "A Millenial"- I like to multitask and do several things at once. This doesn't mean that I don't give things my full attention or that I don't do a good job. When it comes to work, I don't stop. I complete every detail to the best of my ability...which brings me to my next point:
•  ...I'm also a people pleaser.
• I'm extremely shy around people I don't know. I know this is something I need to work on if I want to sell my goods at craft fairs someday...but I'm much better than I used to be already!
• I LOVE food. Luckily, I also have good genes and was blessed with a high metabolism.
• If I like something, I probably will never tire of it. I could watch the same movie, listen to the same song, love the same things...over and over and over again.
• I'm incredibly short. Shorter than your average 12 year old. The important people don't care. It has never stopped me.
• I have the best family, friends, boyfriend, and lovable pups that any person could be blessed with. I am thankful every moment for every single one of them.
• I am an artist, a creator, a maker of things. The day I stop doing any of these things, is the day that I will stop living. Making things breathes life into my soul.
• I love downhill skiing, but I haven't done it in a long while. It used to be one of the only things that got me through the dreaded Michigan winters. I miss it so much!
• There are so many things that I want to do in life, that I want to give to the world.
• Pizza goldfish are my favorite snack. They have been since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Recently, ALL of my local grocery stores have stopped carrying them. I was devastated...but I'm on a mission to find them!
• If nobody stopped me, I would eat cereal for every meal and be completely content.
• I get really excited and involved in the things that make me happy. I hope someday to surround myself with other people that are like me.

That's all for now! I love how much this class has me thinking and feeling and growing. I'm currently working on a list of goals and "wants" and I can't wait to put them into action. But for now, I want to share an important message from Popcorny:

{Keep On Being You by Popcorny}

The Importance of Being Respectful to Your Elders

There is a level of respect and deference that I feel should be given to those that are older and wiser than ourselves. They know things, and have experienced things, that some of us never will. Their time spent on this Earth deserves honor and respect.

I've seen many individuals treat older people, even their parents and grandparents, with disrespect and callousness. What happened to showing respect to your elders? We should be showing them every possible kindness. We should be thanking them for plowing the way and showing us the ways of the world.

Things we can do to show respect for our elders:

• Give up our seat for them
• Talk to them with appropriateness and dignity
• Use proper language and address them with respect
• Give assistance and offer our help whenever possible
• Listen to them and learn from them
• Treat them how we would want to be treated

{Listen by Jessica Swift}

What will you do today to show respect for your elders? What are other ways we can show deference?