Quote - Courage

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Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin

My Favorite Things

 1) Love these sweet bird vases from Vintage Clayworks. 

2) How cute is this wish village from The Little Red Door? 

3) Love this keepsake box from The Painted Brushed Boutique.

 4) Cute little miniature houses from Sylvia in Da House. 

5) I love the irregularity of this sweet bowl from Blue Room Pottery.

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Quote - I hope you dance

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Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.  ~Miguel Angel Ruiz

Quote - Be the director of your life

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A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life.  ~James Allen

 

On the Web

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I wanted to let you know that I have a couple work trips coming up so my Etsy shop will be closed until late August. Posting here will continue as usual.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Here's this weeks sweet finds from around the 'net:
~ Create as Folk shared this questionnaire and printable, Is Your Dream Passing the Reality Test? While you're there pick up an August blog planner printable.
~ Pick up your issue #2 copy of Wild Sister Magazine. I read it and was completely inspired!
~ If you're a lavender lover like I am, you'll like this post with links from Scoutie Girl. 
~ Yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip for your fruit from Oh She Glows.


XOXO,

Thoughts On Being Brave

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.  ~Aesop

Lately, I’ve carried the word “brave” as my talisman to feel strong and, well, brave. It’s my affirmation to remind me that, “I can do this!” when I feel like hiding under the covers. I’m so grateful for this much needed boost of confidence because I had been in a phase of self-doubt with a side of “I’m not good enough.” blues. 

I’ve taken a step back, taken time to evaluate where I’m going and what is in store for me. I’ve been creating art just for myself that I don’t have the need to share with the world. Reestablishing my truths and searching deep in my soul for a safe place to hide my heart. I’ve needed this time with just myself to reflect and look within. 

I recently began Soul Restoration 1 with The Brave Girls Club and thought it was best for my own personal restoration journey to take a step back and uncover these truths that I’ve hidden within. This class has been one of the best things to happen to me in a while. I need this right now. I need to find the real me.

I don’t want to allow the lies I tell myself, “I’m not good enough.” or “That will never happen for me.” to control my life any longer. I know I have so much more to learn as I find my own artistic style but I also know that I’m on my own journey and cannot compare my journey with anyone else’s. We are each at our own place on our own journey and we are incomparable. Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know you are unlike any other and cannot be equally compared? Soak in that for a while. :-)

brave  [breyv]  

adjective

1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

noun

4. a brave person

So here I am, stripped down bare, and ready to wrap myself in this exquisite cape called Brave. 

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, 

but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not 

feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.  ~Nelson Mandela

I am afraid but I also know that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for. I’m so thankful for all the encouraging support and beautiful messages on yesterday’s Wishcasting Wednesday post. It’s such a blessing to be a part of such a supportive community. Thank you.

Will you be brave with me? 

He who is brave is free.  ~Seneca

Source:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brave

Quote - Live in my heart

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Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.  ~Samuel Lover

Wishcasting Wednesday: What door do you wish to open?

Thank you for joining me for this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you'd like to join this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

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 Today's prompt:

What door do you wish to open?


I will get right to the point with this one; the door I wish to open is the one that I've been too afraid to walk through.

I wish to open the door that leads to the life I've been waiting for. The dreams I've been too afraid to make a reality. The door I've been too afraid to open because I didn't believe in myself enough to open it. Courage, don't fail me now!

My Favorite Things

1) Sweet bouquet necklace from Tamara Love.

 2) I love, love, love this vintage collage ring from Alona Freeman.

3) Gorgeous fused glass pendant from Into the Light Creations. 

4) Another bouquet beauty, from Beads Craftz. 

5) Gorgeous! From Haynes Her Way.

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Quote - Add more color to your sunset

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Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.   ~Rabindranath Tagore