Fear is a paralysing Emotion

okay - so i need to get this out. . . . . . last fall i went throu gh a scary time in my life - the slow economy had definitely affected my business and although i have been through tough financial times before, never a time like last fall.   Not only did fear enter my psyche but i lost my HOPE!  Hope has been the mainstay of my life's journey since i was a child growing up in a dysfunctional home.  I always believed there would be a better day - HOPE!   Losing hope was a devastating and new experience for me.   Time and self talk and encouragement from others helped me to move beyond that experience.  And now i find myself asking "what was the lesson".   Perhaps, it was to give me understanding and empathy for others who have lost HOPE.   To me, losing  hope is one of the most traumatic events that a person can go thru - it is absolutely paralyzing and i think of those many americans who have for one reason or another . . lost hope.   I now understand the importance of the phrase "keep hope alive"   - it truly is the lifeline to be able to move forward in one's journey.

where have i been for the past year?

Wow - it's been almost exactly a year since i last posted and where have i been?   It's been a good albeit busy year - managing two shops (one long distance) has proven to add to my work load considerably but what fun!  We are in the process of giving the shop in Covington a new face by adding items for "big girls" to our current inventory.  My good friend and associate added Cheerful Giver candles to the mix together with some other fun items.  It was the year that i purchased my very own sewing machine and began to take my new sewing challenge seriously.   What fun creating with such beautiful and colorful fabrics.   It was the year that i decided to offer children's birthday parties in my backyard (my very own secret garden) - Since i made the decision late summer, i only did 5 parties but they were fun and i will be developing more party plans for this summer.  But more about that later . . . . .