A New Start

I am so excited to be living again! I have fueled my passion - I feel invigorated and renewed!

A few years ago, when scrapbooking became more than just a hobby for me, I was introduced to a whole new world of paper-crafting creativity. As I began to discover more about this art, I ventured into different aspects such as direct selling, attending classes, and hosting classes. Throughout my journey, there is one place that I would consider a sanctuary for anyone who could appreciate this sort of crafting: "My Daughter's Wish." This retail boutique is unique because of the variety in it's inventory, the creative sample projects displayed, and the overall colorful atmosphere (there is PURPLE everywhere - my favorite color!!). In my mind, this has been the place where inspiration begins and flourishes. The possibilities seemed boundless. However, I never believed that I could truly be a part of that level of paper-crafting, scrapbooking, card-making sort of genius. It was always so high above me; it always seemed so much greater than anything I could ever hope to create or be a part of. I didn't believe that my quality of crafting would ever be equivalent to the greatness that I saw in this place. I thought that I could only ever be an admirer from afar.

This is me in front of "My Daughter's Wish" - at its original location in downtown Walnut Creek. This picture was taken about a year ago.

I have come to respect my created projects in a new light over the past few months. I see more clearly now the areas where I can succeed and I will humbly admit that there are areas where I am not artistically inclined. I am secure in my originality - this is a new feeling for me! The more I create, the more I can appreciate my work for what it is: an extension of me. This new-found confidence has led me to reconsider my feelings of inadequacy. Creativity is defined as being imaginative or characterized by originality, which means that my work is my own; no one can recreate something I have made in exactly the same way and I cannot recreate what someone else has made in their exact same way. So where is that standard I was holding myself to? Certainly a dwelling of creativity can appreciate individuality, my own included. This time, when a good friend suggested that I apply for work at "My Daughter's Wish," I finally conceded. I called in on a Tuesday to find out if they were hiring and was told to fax in my resume. The next morning, Wednesday, I got a call to come in for an interview later that day. I took some 'samples' of my work and showed them to the owner, who apparently liked them. I was hired! My first day of work was Friday of that same week.

The moral of the story: I'm learning to believe in myself. Its hard to be confident when you hold yourself to someone else's standard of creativity. I value that I am unique. I can stand out on my own. As cliche as it sounds, I've learned that I can be proud of whatever I can create because I have put a part of myself within it. I've got a cute sign (that my mom gave me) hanging on the wall above my crafting desk that says, "Life isn't about finding yourself, its about creating yourself." I couldn't agree more. I'm so excited for this chance to start anew working for a company that values what I am fond of, that supports my goals, and encourages further creativity! This truly is my 'dream job!'