I said yes because it made my heart thump

               I recently read an interview in Writer’s Digest Magazine with Cheryl Strayed, author of Torch, Wild, and an online advice column on The Rumpus called “Dear Sugar”.  When asked by Christina Katz why she took on the no-byline, no-pay assignment of writing an ongoing advice column, Cheryl said “…I felt sparked when I wrote that first “Sugar” column. I said yes because it made my heart thump.”

                I just love this answer! This is what is called ‘living in your sweet spot’, knowing yourself well enough to know when it is right to say “yes!”  This is the real trick to living every day with intention; only saying yes to the things that ‘make our heart thump’, because it almost always means having to say “no” to something else. So listen to your gut and fill your life with the people, places and projects that you truly believe will add to your joy.

                Thank you, Cheryl, for stating it so simply!

USING PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS AS WEDDING FAVORS

We have all been handed a promotional pen or coffee mug with a company logo imprinted on them from time to time.  The companies that create these items have an enormous variety of products that you can turn into a table favor or gift for your wedding party. By adding your custom artwork (a photo of the bride and groom or your names intertwined with the wedding date for example) for a one-time set up charge, you can turn an ordinary item into a keepsake that people can really use:

For a beach wedding, tuck a bottle of sunscreen, some sunglasses, and a rolled-up beach towel into a sand bucket:

For your bridal party, provide an tote bag with a sewing kit, compact mirror, travel size toiletries, etc:

For a table favor, colorful bags of mints are a nice choice:

The possibilities are endless!  I have personally used 4imprint.com to purchase many promotional items in the past and their quality and service are first-class.  They will provide free samples of most of their items if you want to inspect an item for color, size, and quality before ordering in bulk.

The Greatest Failure is the Failure to Try

I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel last weekend, and I really enjoyed it. It's the story of a band of misfit senior citizens, strangers who find themselves thrown together in a place far removed from everything comfortable and familiar, bound by a common quest to find a place to belong and feel wanted again.   I especially connected with Judi Dench's character, a widow who walked through her fear and embraced the challenges she faced.  In her blog to her loved ones back home, she wrote that 'the greatest failure is the failure to try', and the statement hit home for me.  How about you?  What are putting off because you're afraid you won't be successful?  Is it a job change, taking on a new project, asking forgiveness, making new friends? Let go of whatever it is that is holding you back, and TRY! I don't think you'll be sorry.