finding contentment

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Thought I'd share a conversation I had with my husband today. While it started out as somewhat of a basic chat about work, it ended up as one of those moments that I'll remember for some time. At the end of our conversation, Ted said, "I dare you to find contentment in yourself". Hmm, I'm a hard worker and can live up to that challenge...I think. How simple a statement, yet a very difficult summons.

Basically, our conversation was about how I've been caught up in the tangled social media web. I mention this to Ted from time to time. While social media is a wonderful source for inspiration, it can also be draining to creativity. Let's face it, it is impossible for one person to create all the best work that is published by an entire society.  Yet, I sometimes get discouraged that others may have thought of something first, other designs or photos are better than mine, or I'm missing out on certain happenings.  I'm always looking for what's next on the horizon.  While creativity usually abounds, seeing great works by others will occasionally cause a stifle as I unrealistically reset my goals based on others' successes, rather than my own. I am now making a conscious decision to utilize my time online more wisely - not get sucked up in it for hours only to feel worse for wear. I feel I need to stay a bit more grounded, so I'll be turning over a new leaf by limiting my online searching, using more time to look within myself for inspiration.  The key to disentangling my media spiral will be finding a balance between the enjoyment of others' works, staying current, and striving to be a contributor of the arts around us.

Some of you may feel this a bit whether your a small business trying to tread waters with the rest of your online competitors, or even on a personal level with good 'ole Facebook. My goal for you (and me) is to try and find some contentment. Realize that you need to look within yourself. Follow your own path. Just be the best you. Look within yourself for your creativity. It's there. I usually find mine in the shower, for instance.

In closing, as we drove to my eye doctor appointment today for about the 50th time this year, I've realized a few things. I'm so very thankful for my eye sight, as it's been quite a year of eye problems. I will forever be thankful for my vision. Health is truly our greatest possession. Contentment, well, I'll be working on that one, while keeping a level of passion for the business and new designs and products. And finally, confidence. You absolutely need this, so keep your head held high. You are more splendid than you know.

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Just had to jump on the blog for a second to let you know that I'm right in the middle of taking a few days off due to eye surgery. All is well and recovering just fine. Be back early next week and enjoy the weekend. Sincerely, Susan

3x3" business card designs

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businesscards

businesscards

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simple slates

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When I was a little girl my grandparents had a home surrounded by little gardens created by my grandmother. Each unique in their own way. On the west side of their home was an enchanted plot that seemed magical to me. I'm not quite sure if it was the smell of fresh flowers or the way the sun hit this little piece of heaven.  Regardless, the variety of colors along with landscaping created a vision that will forever be embedded in my memory. It truly was a garden that you would have expected to see fairies appear.

This treasure on Earth was separated by a little slate walkway that guided you through it's beauty. Years later after some altering of the garden it was transformed and these magical slates where taken out and replaced by a cement path. Being that my grandfather kept everything, these slates were placed in a little shed for years and stacked, humbly waiting.

When Ted and I bought our first home, I knew I wanted those slates to bless our place of residence and offer the same feeling I had as a child, so we brought each and every one of those stones to their new house and today they sit proudly in front of our home surrounded by love. While I didn't have the camera in hand at age 7, I thought I'd snap a photo of our walk way today. Yes, they're just slates, but oh so much more than that to me.

You hear it all the time, but it truthfully is the little things. Simple slates.