My space has been stocked for a couple weeks now (i.e. slow sales). There's nothing like a slow weekend or two to make me take my critical eye, roll up my sleeves, and get down to the business of revamping my space. It would be easy for me to have a pity party (okay, I did for like 4 hours), and wonder why things aren't selling and feel sorry for myself. But that's not really my style. I am so grateful to take this opportunity and make it productive. What a blessing to have this time to really create something beautiful in my space at Poppy & Co. Instead of being sad about it, I'm making my own success and taking control.
The kids were sick for 10 days and not being able to paint while I took care of them has also fueled my obsession this week to paint some new signature pieces of furniture, paint the walls, oomph up my lighting, re-arrange, collect new smalls, and do a million other things.
People ask me... why this? Why now? Why paint furniture? Why have a store in this economy? Because I can. Because I will. And because I love it.
I'm a big believer in totally and aggressively going after your dreams. Ironically, one of my favorite quotes is "Dwell in possibility." But I don't dwell... I do.
Once upon a time on a therapist's couch I was bemoaning how unfulfilled my life was. I had gone after my dreams and was working in a field I thought would be my forever-job at my forever-company. I hated it. I wanted to love it, but it was making me so miserable. My therapist told me something I will never forget, happiness comes from creating something, often with our hands.
I thought she was crazy. And I thought "how utterly irrelevant that is to my life right now." It wasn't what I wanted to hear at the time. Which was precisely the point, I was doing nothing creative. I was definitely NOT working with my hands. And I was so, very, miserable.
I'm also learning that working with my hands and being creative ties in with working REALLY hard. That hard work is in fact its own balm. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing I created that. I made that.
I try to pass on to my children that it is their hard work that they should be proud of, that it is their continued effort, their struggle, the not-giving-up and persevering that will give them self confidence and self esteem... these are things that will make them happy and successful. I so want to instill in them that dreams are not really intended for dreaming, they're meant to be lived.
Whatever you imagine, do it. Whatever your dreams are, make them happen today. Don't wait for that degree, that job, that windfall, that someday-tomorrow. Do it now and don't look back.
Your life, re-imagined, will be the very best life you can live.
Ready for some eye-candy?
Love it.
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