A long time ago
I packed it away.
Buried it deep
So I could move forward.
But somehow it got out.
It captured me
And now it won’t let go.
I can’t move forward.
I’m stuck.
Stuck in the middle of it;
Drowning in it;
Buried and gasping for air;
Trying to break free.
Free from the past.
Free from the pain.
Free from the life
That would not be.
So I can move forward
For real.
And finally
Live.
It’s been almost a week since I finished reading the Hunger Games and every day I like it more. The story’s been tumbling about in my brain and I can feel it is on the verge of becoming one of my favorite books.
Ten or fifteen years ago the Hunger Games would have been an immediate favorite. It may have even been #1. I would have heavily identified with Katniss’s struggle to survive and the mindset that goes with it (having had to survive and escape a bad home situation as a teen). For most of the last 15 years I’ve been stuck in that survivor’s way of thinking, but that is changing. I can still turn it on when needed, but overall my perspective is starting to return to normal. I still identify with the struggle to survive, but for the first time that isn’t enough for it to be an automatic favorite.
I read almost the entire book in one day last week. Between that and feeling like a zombie (hence my reading all day), I think my opinion of the Hunger Games has been delayed. I didn’t have that time in-between reading sessions to digest what I’d read and decide where it ranks. However, after finishing the book I knew one thing for sure. I knew I wanted to read book #2.
I know I love Katniss’s strength and love of family. I know I love Peeta’s heart and I feel for him. I know that there are profound themes concerning government, innocence, good vs. evil, human nature, and more that I am still processing. I know that all this plus two more books means that there is a very good chance that the Hunger Games trilogy will become one of my favorite book series. It may even join the ranks of my all-time favorite series: the Lioness Rampant and Trickster, the Novels of Tiger and Del, Vampire Knight, Twilight, and Harry Potter.
What did you think of the Hunger Games (no spoilers please!) and what are your favorite book series? I’d love to know. 
We are selfish creatures. We are primarily motivated by our own needs and desires and only stray when outside forces interfere (such as our parents). In our society we are taught that being selfish is bad. That we should share and think of others before ourselves. Selfishness to the extreme can certainly do some harm, but overall we are made to feel guilty about any level of selfishness at all. This directly contradicts our natures and can make us uncomfortable whenever selfishness is a necessary or integral part of an action we intend to take, such as starting a business.
If you stop and think about the true, underlying motivations for any action you take, you will discover a selfish reason at the core. Even the most nurturing, caring person who always does for others first does it for a selfish reason: because it makes them feel good.
We need to erase the idea that selfishness is always wrong and start embracing the idea that selfish pursuits can bring good into the world.
What if pursuing your own happiness ultimately brings happiness to others? What if the business you start for your own selfish reasons creates products and services for others that makes them happy? That improves their lives or increases their joy?
I believe that if what you do makes you happy you will spread your happiness to others through your work. If you can take it one step further and turn your happiness into a successful business, then your business will become a vessel for spreading happiness!
So go for it! Be selfish! Pursue your own happiness! Because in doing so you will bring happiness to others.
You’re a maker, a designer, a creator. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your idea. You’ve risked your hard-earned money, your limited time, and, whether or not you realize it, your reputation because you believe in what you have to offer.
LuvCherie Jewelry will be in Portland, OR at Geek the Halls this weekend from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday! Bring your friends to this awesome geeky holiday craft show!!
Amazingly simple and yummy, I needed a soup for my cold today. A couple months ago I came up with my own version of creamy broccoli soup. I had intended to make my that recipe again, but I spotted the edamame in my freezer…
One of the greatest challenges I’ve had in running my jewelry business is product photography. On trips I’m always the one taking photos, but that’s done little to prepare me for photographing my own products. Since starting my business I’ve learned a bit about lighting and aperture and composition. I’ve read every Etsy photography guide,…
Welcome to the first post in a new series called Small Business Bytes. The purpose of this series is to share with you the best bytes of knowledge from a variety of business blogs, guides, and eBooks in a condensed form that will fit into your busy life. I just finished reading Scoutie Girl’s Crafting a Life and it is loaded with valuable information for both your business and your life.
Here’s a video with 5 quick facts that will be on the About page of the upcoming LuvCherie Jewelry website.
One of the easiest and most acceptable ways to express yourself is through jewelry. Maybe you are restricted in the clothing you can wear. Maybe you are limited to suits or a school uniform. If you have the freedom to choose what jewelry you wear, you can still show the world who you are.
