Life is Beautiful!

This has been such a crazy year! I can't believe it's already almost over! I can easily say that it has been the worst AND the best year of my life. Worst, because I lost my dad and I miss him terribly. Best, because all of my dreams that I have worked for over the years, have come true this year! I'm not sure why this is, perhaps a lesson from my dad to make sure I remember that life does go on without him. Maybe it's him watching over me and making sure things happen for me. Maybe I've finally figured things out and losing my dad has given me a new motivation to achieve my dreams and goals. Whatever the reason, life is beautiful, sometimes in a sad, profound way, sometimes in an inspiring, wonderful way.

So, as I near the end of the week, and the beginning of my Holiday vacation, or time off in this case since we aren't actually going anywhere, I have started thinking about what I have accomplished this year and my goals and plans for next year. Accomplishments this year are higher in number than any other year I can remember. I can hardly believe that I am now in the place I've been working so hard all these years to attain! For anyone out there who is just getting started, this is PROOF that it can be done! If I can do it, anyone can. It makes no difference where you come from, where you live, what your education is, how much money you have or even who you know. If you have a dream and the perseverance to see it through, you can do anything you set your mind to! I started out as a teenage mother, high school drop out, from a lower middle class family, who had people tell me that I would go NO WHERE! I guess it helps that I have always been motivated by people like that. In fact, I am extremely grateful for those people in my life!

My accomplishments for 2008:

1. We opened our Art Studio spaces and quickly expanded into an awesome gallery space. I am now in the position to help other artists with their dreams and goals

2. I have put together a complete body of work, large and small, in my new spiral abstract style.

3. I have started licensing my art for needlepoint designs, giving me a residual income!

4. We have paid off ALL our credit card debt!

5. I am now becoming a force in my local art scene, people come to ME for advice!

That's all I can come up with off the top of my head, but it's a huge list for me! Next year I have even bigger dreams! Now that we have almost made it through our first year in business, some of the smaller dreams within the business can be started. I have so many ideas that I can't wait to begin.

May everyone have a wonderful, happy holiday season and a very happy new year!