It was Thanksgiving when I sat down to catch up on a whole bunch of business related items that I have been throwing in a bag to “complete later”.  Well you know how that goes and I pull out things that are YEARS old that I bought, kept, or meant to do when I got around to it.  Well enough was enough.  If I wanted to do these things for my business, then I would need to MAKE time.  So I did.  

For two straight days after Thanksgiving, I took the time to start planning and thinking about what my dream life and dream business looked like.    I think this is majorly important.  For you to figure out what you want to do in this world, you first need to look at what you really want out of it.  There is no right or wrong answers here.  In doing this simple yet powerful practice, I found out that Thanksgiving and Christmas season is one of my favorite times to give back to others. It fills my soul with joy and purpose. I have had this tiny voice in my head that keeps saying, spend your time for giving.  Do what you can for those who need.  

Then it hit me. I don’t want to spend December running around hustling, getting last min things done until December 24th and being exhausted, overworked and totally uninspired.  I want to spend most of that month doing all of the things I love with my family and children.  

So as of December 2020, I am using this month to plan and prep for the upcoming year. Instead of January.  Then with the time away from doing sessions and retouching, I will spend that energy doing what I can for those who need an extra hand this time of year.  This being a crazy pandemic year anyways, it was easier to not take anymore sessions after the first of the month and reevaluate what it means for me to run my own business, and to shape my life and my families.  

The reason I share this small insight is because I finally followed that little voice.  The voice I refer to as Gods plan for my life.  You can refer to it as the universe, Mother Nature, the Greek Gods, The Constellations, really whatever you want. But it all comes down to the same thing.  Following what is meant as a higher purpose for your life.  We all have one, we are all here for a reason.  Making our way thru the noise can prove difficult and sometimes nonexistence. It’s not easy….oh how it’s not easy. BUT OH HOW IT IS WORTH IT!

So with this new found energy and plan, I took to helping my kids do things to raise money for a local family.  My children first started making ornaments to sell and turn those purchases into a donation for the family.  When I got word of a family of 7 who were in need of assistance, I realized I could do more. I should do more.  

What happened next was just short of amazing.  I reached out to all of you. You amazing, generous, beautiful people and you took action.  We collected almost every item on their list of needs and wants, plus MORE. We were able to collect over $1200 to help with bills this month and next.  My heart was bursting with joy and gratitude for everyone who stepped up.  I want to take this moment to personally THANK each and every one of you.  I appreciate you and know that your help, either purchasing an item, a donation or just a simple sharing of the information I posted helped make this Christmas even extra special.  

If it wasn’t for the amazing action of those who stepped up for the call, my children and I would not have been able to do this alone.  You are all amazing.

So the moral to this post is this.  Don’t be fearful to follow the little voice that is calling you to do something.  Generally it is for a greater purpose than you know at the time.  It is also usually, making you do something that is scary, or a change for you.  It is supposed to be something to push you, to change you, to make you into something new.  

Also, never be too proud, too afraid, or too stubborn to put a call out for help.  We are a species that need to fell connected.  You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone in your pain.  You are loved and You are worthy.  

If you made it this far in my soap box post, then I wish you a wondrous Christmas and a new light and new energy for the new year!  May the blessings of great things bring you happiness and joy in 2021.