I am working on my relationship with money. It's easy to say there is not enough or I can't afford that or there is no way I will ever pay off my student loan, business loan/second mortgage or mounting credit card debt let alone take a vacation or do something fun and frivolous.
The economy has been *ahem* challenging at best and though the recession is officially over we've yet to see an uptick in my field (veterinary medicine). The simple fact of the matter is people are choosing not to spend money on their pets (at least not yet). My income has consequently dropped year after year. This has been a four-year negative spiral; each year I bring in less money than the year before. 2010 being no exception.
So what's a momma to do? In my case it means tapping in to that right-sided gray matter and opening a vintage shop. And let me tell you. This little shop has made all the difference between us being okay and us flat out floundering.
So I thank you. YOU the people who read this blog and visit my shop and chat on Facebook and spread the word. You who give me moral support, a shoulder to lean on and an outlet to express myself.
YOU! YOU ARE AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND LOVED!
But YOU have done so much more than give me a financial and emotional bridge. You enabled me to give my all to save a sweet stray kitty. You allowed me to make a Kiva loan to a lovely lady in Guatemala. And today, thanks to you, I am supporting my local radio station.
You see -- money has a beautiful flow. When you support me I can, in turn, support others. Though I believe in karma the simple truth of the matter is it feels so good to give and to nurture. And I have YOU to thank for the ability to do just that.
Now because you have given me so much I want to give something back -- the lovely spring nest pictured above. This nest is deceptively simple but contains hidden meaning:
- First know you can create something from nothing; this nest was born from discarded burlap and wool.
- Second know beauty is everywhere (even in that bag of rice you dragged home from Costco).
- Third know Spring follows Winter; ergo you can and will bloom year after year.
- And finally, know there is always enough. This bears repeating. There. Is. Always. Enough.
To enter this giveaway do nothing more than comment below. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you should your name be drawn. Comments for the giveaway will close Wednesday the 9th at 6:00 pm (pst).
Again I say thank you; to each and every one of you.
With all my heart. XO.
14 comments:
I adore this little nest, and especially since it was made by you, from recycled items~fabulous. I'll cross my fingers and hope this tiny treasure finds its way into my home. Happy Karma.
Patti
Your posting today is such a great word! I love that you are able to enjoy your vintage shop and that it is able to make you enough $$ to do the extra things along with paying it forward to someone else. That feels so good, doesn't it?!
You don't need to put me in for the drawing as I just recd something very special from you last month. I just wanted to let you know that your blog touches me everytime I read a posting.
--Jen
What a beautiful post. I hope you realize what an inspiration you are.
Life is a funny thing; the smallness of it within the vast & continual discoveries of the unknown. I can't believe how long ago we met, or the fact that I really only came to know you through writing, and then photography, and now our relationship continues because we are friends though we have never met face to face...
Your blog lets me continue to delve into the discoveries; How we are alike, what touches you deeply, pleasures and pain...
So far I have only wished my way through your shop. (we are there with a declining income and more than two jobs to make up for it...) and we are there with giving to needs (Haiti, New Zeland, a family staying in their van during this frigid Montana winter...). It seems wrong to spend on myself when there are so many less fortunate than me. One of these days, though, I will tip toe through and pick up one of those vintage cameras and set it on the counter with a fistful of hunted and gathered change - crumpled and sweaty as it may be!
Thanks for never holding back. :)
The nest is very sweet. Money is such a complicated thing, it can bring such stress or such joy when there is enough to help others. I am so glad things are looking up for you.
Thank you for this lovely post. This past week I have had such a negative attitude towards money, but your post made me see this a bit different.
I'm with YOU! I love sharing with others.... I love helping out strays and giving to awesome charities! That's what life is about, I think.
I think you are a really cool person, and if you had your practice in the Lehigh Valley of PA, I'd definitely want you caring for my cats! I left an awesome vet in California, and haven't found a good place to go yet.
But since I can't do that, I can shop at your etsy store! Good luck to you... think positively and feel the abundance that's in store for you! :-) There's plenty in this world for all of us!
I just discovered your blog, through mayamade, and I'm hooked! This nest is lovely, and I look forward to reading more of you in the future!
kaseymgm (at) gmail (dot) com
Super cute! Please enter me!
always enough...
I am struggling with my taxes..
and so frustrated with the amount of money that goes to...?
and yet
Every time I need a reminder to resonate in the abundance,
I find little love notes from the universe
Like your blog
and I am filled
Thank you..
SO MUCH!
I'm posting not really because I need the nest, it is lovely, but your words are the real gift. You have put so beautifully the lesson I hope "these challenging" times have taught our nation and our world. Really, what do you need, and can't we see what we already have? I too find solace in caring for my family, friends, and community in the simplest of ways. Stop by sometime, something might catch your eye or resonate with you too. Blessings to you beautiful woman :) BTW - I was gifted "Simple Abundance" years ago by my sister, I LOVE that book!
you are so right, there is always enough, I wrote about this once, you have just reminded me, I must try to find that journal and maybe put it on my new blog, thank you for your inspiration :)
love that sweet little nest, so simple...so sweet
Your Etsy shop is wonderful. I thought that Etsy was just for handmade items, but I guess they have changed that. I would love to have a little shop like that.
And to the other part of your post, just yesterday I paid $800 to have a nasty looking but thankfully benign growth removed from my adorable Boxer. I could have let it continue to grow and wonder if it was cancer but that seemed irresponsible. I once read a sign that said "If you can't afford a vet, you can't afford a pet." I have never forgotten that.
Love your blog!
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