day 9

day 9.

feeling soooo good. 

it's the weekend again....& here we are. our 2nd weekend.

See? You've gone through 1 weekend so you can get through another...successfully.

It's important to BE KIND TO YOURSELF during this process..this journey. From reading a lot of your comments...many of you do not feel like you are successful. or that you deserve to be successful.

This is where the kindness needs to start...please, please, please believe that you are...worth it.

You deserve it because I believe that you are on this earth with a special purpose. Do NOT listen to those voices that tell you the lie that you are not worth it. BE KIND TO YOURSELF & meditate, pray, tell yourself & please listen. really listen. You are awesome!

For those of you that are being kind to yourselves....yea for you! I know it's not always easy, but as you keep doing it, you believe it & it becomes more natural...feels more right.

Our art journaling through this process is KEY to really becoming aware of yourself...of your abilities..your creativity....your worth.  As many of you have said *& some were surprised by this finding* your eyes are being opened as well as your heart. You are learning a lot about yourselves during this....

yea baby. That's exactly what this is about!

WTG!

So, I wanted to share my 21 Challenge journal that took on a life of its own...totally unexpected.

You see....everyday I do my 100 Creativity Exercises to boost my creativity.  One of the exercises is to put a huge piece of paper on a door & doodle...write...explore.

I drew it out of my jar & was about to put it back & get another one because I didn't I had time to do that PLUS my 21 Challenge art journal I'd made.

But, I decided to do it anyway.

I grabbed a roll of Kraft paper & got creative putting it on my work table in my family room.

I grabbed my silver Sharpies & have been journaling, writing, exploring & nurturing my creative soul every day. 

Yes, it's a bit unorthodox, but I've sooo enjoyed my journaling...I've used 3 different huge pieces of paper & what's fun is: since it's in our family room, our kids have been playing along, too. I love how this little twist on the exercise really boosted my creativity...I've been having so much fun creating!

I've been quite....enlightened!

I just didn't expect that...but, I LOVE it!

and....

There's something about the juxtaposition of the raw Kraft paper & the BLING of the silver sharpie...

me likey!

The great thing about this is: you are free to BE KIND TO YOURSELF.  You are not getting graded on this art journaling...you're not turning it in, getting critiqued for it...it's simply a way to use your art to heal & grow...creating your habit!

so...here's to our creativity! I'd LOVE to hear how the 21 Challenge has boosted your creativity!

day 8

day 8.

...feeling soo thankful for the week we've been on our journey of change.

I have to admit...yesterday was a rough day...for several reasons. I was very emotional. *the 21 Challenge tends to do that to me* I loved reading all of your comments about your Soul Restoration. And I have so say...I could NOT pick one. In fact, it breaks my heart to only be able to pick one of you 21ers. Every single one of you is worth it. deserving. & loved.

But, alas, random number generator had to come to the rescue!

so...

BECCA!!!!!

You are the random winner of the online course:

Soul Restoration!

Email me so I can get your info to Melody!

and again...THANK YOU Melody & everyone for everything!!!! **eta: and, you can go on over & play in the AWESOME game at Brave Girls for a chance to win a spot! ....
I think that's pretty Awesome!**

Reading everyone's comments, thinking about my own goal for this 21 Challenge journey & PMS, I'm sure...I was just really weepy. grateful. struggling. happy. overwhelmed. emotional.

As you can see, I was having a mix of good & bad feelings all day long.

When I get this way...I can turn 2 ways:

inward; & let those little demons get me...talk to me...get back in bed. give up. ...that downward spiral until I feel worthless.

OR

outward; & focus on those uplifting feelings to help me get out of whatever emotional state I was in...

engaging in something worthwhile to make others happy & in turn..I will feel happy, too!

so: I thought of my 21 Challenge quote today: CHOOSE WISELY.


my choice?
 I'm making treat bags for Thanksgiving friends & family.

I have this little gift/reward/treat for YOU, too, my 21er friends!

This free download:

 (click HERE to download)

Here's how it works. It's just like one of our House of 3 Printables. It comes in a PDF file which means ANYONE can use it. Simply open up, hit print & cut it out!

DIRECTIONS:

1. There are 4 (4x4) treat toppers at the top of the page. They are designed to be folded in half (2") & have a little 'blessing mix' word art on the front, & on the back...a little 'thankful' ditty that explains what's in your treat bag.

2. The bottom 4 word art pieces say: Blessed beyond measure & Attitude of Gratitude. (4x2)

3. Print out on cardstock, white sticker paper or even photo paper to put on your treat bags.

4. Fill up your treat bags with the ingredients: 

Bugles (little cornucopias)

Pretzels (the twisted kind that look like arms folded in prayer)

Candy Corn (reminding us of the Pilgrims)

Orange slices (represents the fruit of Thanksgiving)

&

Unshelled Nuts (represents a seed)

5. Staple the Treat Topper over the bag & VOILA! Great to give as neighbor 'thank yous', for teachers at Thanksgiving, or even have them as a snack for kids *and adults* on Thanksgiving day! (the day we END our 21 Challenge journey!)

6. The 4 little bottom pieces of the Printable, can be cut out & made into tags if you've printed on cardstock or photo paper. OR if you've printed on white sticker paper, make them into labels & they'd be great to attach to a little hostess gift, or whatever your heart desires!

Happy Day 8, 21ers! Here's to CHOOSING WISELY.

Do NOT give in to those little demons...choose to turn it around.

The power comes from within YOU!

focus outward...& you will be blessed inward.

attitude of gratitude, friends.

It works!

day seven & a giveaway for your soul!

 

day seven.

going strong!

Remember the importance of your goals. Sometimes at about the 1 week mark, when we enter the 2nd week...we tend to get tired or feel burned out....

Just think of how many days you've come so far. You do NOT want to start all over again, right?

This is why your ONE goal is so great...

let me take you back to day one.

You were excited. Fired up.

Don't let that fire burn out.

You have NOT come 1 week into this to quit, right?

If you're not going to conquer NOW when will you? 

It.

is.

time.

...time to focus on yourself & becoming your best you. 

....time to use your daily art journaling to create a better you.

...time to really soul search.

Girls... I have LOVED hearing about your experiences in learning about loving yourself. What is important to YOU. What is keeping YOU fired up with excitement...& it sounds like it's: learning new things about yourself & how you look at your self. I'd LOVE for all 21ers to go over to Melody's Brave Girl blog post about 'body image' & answer these quick questions for a poll she's doing. I think it may really help bring somethings to light for some of you! 

If you're still feeling like you're just not getting it. I get that. *wink*

For some of you, it may be your first time...& let me tell you...this kind of thing does take practice. Don't judge yourself & think you are a failure. Restore your inner joy. Restore your inner confidence. Restore your inner soul! You deserve it.

You may want to look into this: Soul Restoration. 

I'll be taking this online course in January. Melody is such an amazing person & I'm so excited to learn from her.  I think it goes hand in hand with The 21 Challenge & will even let us continue this journey. Check out the videos, too. sooo inspiring!

aaaaaand.....

guess what?

Melody is giving away 1 spot to the online class of Soul Restoration to one of you 21ers!!!! Isn't that awesome?

THANK YOU, MELODY & KATHY!!!!

YOU GUYS ROCK!

so.

Leave a comment here...letting me know WHY you think Soul Restoration would be a great continuation for your 21 Challenge.

love you girls!

Stay strong! Do those things that will make you even stronger. We are entering into week 2 & this is a challenge...but you can do it!

I'll have a little reward for you tomorrow....

stay strong, girls!

We can do this!

day six

day six.

can i get a holla?

this is soo exciting! 

We are doing it! 

How are you treating yourself?

Is it getting more difficult?

easier?

today, I want you to remember:

YOU ARE OF GREAT WORTH.

I truly believe this. And...it is your heritage to be happy.

I believe we are all children of God & He has a plan for us.

And struggling is part of it. Because we grow. We become stronger. 

And through that...we become happier. We learn that we CAN be happy no matter what our circumstance is. We have that choice. We can choose to be happy.

If everything was always easy-peasy....how would be become stronger? better? & learn so that we can  help others?

Have you ever noticed that when you go through a struggle you feel like it's ONLY happening to you?

You may ask: "WHY ME?"  But, when you come out of the clouds & into the sunshine...you are stronger. And you meet someone down the road who is going through what you did...& you can be that strength to help them through...because you have become stronger. you have compassion.  

And that is why it was you. You were needed to help that person.

By taking this 21 Challenge journey...you are allowing yourself to be happy. to learn. to grow. & yes...to struggle. And you are in control of the choices you make. 

 YOU are of great worth to yourself, to those around you & to those that you will meet later on down the road. 

One of the things about this challenge is the art journal you are creating. I've loved hearing how some of you are tailoring it to your needs. How much time you have, how much you can do. i love it!

Each of you are creating something everyday & it's confirming your growth. & strength.

"....through the things you create and by your compassion, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you." D. Uchtdorf

Remember that!

Now, if you are *losin' it* & want to quit....don't.

Let me put it into perspective:

Do you realize that 9 days ago was Halloween? man....I feel like that was yesterday!

but, it was nine days ago.

And those 9 days have gone by...no matter what.

And, in 9 days we'll be past our 2 week mark!

Keep it all in perspective.

Keep going.

YOU ARE OF GREAT WORTH.

And, YOU ARE MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE!

p.s. no web show tonight....so sorry! We'll have to take a rain check. next week though..for sure!

day five

 

day five.

Is it clicking?

Are you getting into the groove of things?

About this time...it's time to ask yourself:

Am I making the most of every minute? every day? every week?

And I say:

SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY 

to become your best self.

This is it. The days are whizzin' by no matter what. And we are on day FIVE!

Celebrate your successes. Learn from your mistakes.

And either way...you are becoming your best self!

**note: If you are NOT feeling it yet...do not give up. Remember that each of us are working at our own pace. I read this last night & loved it...it's so true. Thanks, Melody! We all need to be kind to each other...we never know what they are going through. And...with that; we need to be kind to ourselves. You can do this.

I gotta tell you, though...knowing how many of you are on this journey with me makes it SOOOOO much easier to stick to you, don't you think?

loved hearing from all of you!

Thank you!

so....our winner for the Compendium Gratitude book & cute felt flower is:

KRISTY~(send me your addy)

Oh how I wish I had enough books to send to each of you!

ok.

day 5.

SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TODAY!

 You can do this!

busy busy day today...my sweet T-bird turns 13 today...I'm seizing this opportunity to play all day! :)

Felt Flowers

We've had such a great interest in these felt flowers...we are making them left & right...so, here're the detes: 

small flowers: $7

med. flowers: $10

large flowers $13

huge flowers  $15

*add bling, feathers or pearls on any of them & it's $1.00 extra
+
s&h (5.50 per flower & $1.00 extra for more than 1...up to 5 flowers. then another $1.00 extra for 5 more flowers.)

colors available in all sizes:
felt:
black
gray
cream
pink (only a few left)
brown
peacock blue (only a few left)

fabric:
mustard yellow
chartreuse green
gray
cream muslin

To place your order, please specify size, color & bling options.

I'll send you an invoice via PayPal & we'll get them out to you!

thx.

r

day four

 

day four.

How are you doing?

How are you feeling?

Are you still with us?

You may still be on fire. Feeling the JOY. Feeling the PEACE. Sprinkling MAGIC.

or

You may be struggling. Stop.

be patient. be calm.

imagine your best self.

 follow your heart.

&

be you.

Be your best self. 

Do what it takes to be your best YOU!

and...most importantly...be grateful for your strengths, blessings & your life.

You have been blessed with so many things. We all have.

& when we stop & have an attitude of gratitude.

it gives us HOPE.

Hope. every day.

I love this book I used last year in my 21 Challenge. It's by Compendium...one of the most amazingly inspirational book companies...If you haven't seen their books...please check them out.

and...today, for 1 of our 21ers..I'd love to give away one of these books:  Gratitude by Dan Zadra.

It's so inspiring & really brings it to home. Leave a comment here & let me know HOW your 21 Challenge is coming along...& I'll pick someone to send it to! & I'll add a little felt flower to it, too! 

*That's one thing I'm thankful for lately...just a bright, fun flower adornment...You know me! *wink* Happy day four. be grateful!

and....remember to support each other on our 21 Challenge facebook page, too!