All we need is love

Hello friends, As I sit down to write this post, I feel like there are a million feelings swirling around in me. The mid-term election just happened last week. We are having one of the most beautiful falls I have ever experienced here in the Pacific Northwest. There have been more mass shootings recently. I feel healthy and strong in a way unlike anything I've ever felt before. California is on fire. I have been having some serious fun with arts in education lately. And the holidays are upon us. Whew! Talk about all the feels! Do you ever feel like your heart is getting tossed around in a Vitamix? Well, that analogy might be a little too messy. It's more like you're on an emotional rollercoaster caught in a tornado. Too violent? Maybe it's like being on a trampoline with a bunch of 3 year olds. Whatever. You get the point. Life is all of it - Joyful. Excruciatingly painful. Hilarious. Vulnerable. Harsh. Tender. Terrifying. Peaceful. And there are often times where you experience all of these emotions in a matter of weeks. Lately it seems more common to experience all of these feels in a day - or within an hour if I happen to read the news. Let's just say it can be a tad overwhelming for the ol' adrenal system. So as I have been thinking about how I can use my art to best serve you right now, I find myself spinning through all of these emotions. What can I offer? How can I best serve in this moment when the world seems so out of control and surreal so much of the time? From where I'm standing, it seems that many people are afraid. Many people are unsure of themselves. And many people feel the need to hide their fear and insecurities. Most people are working their tails off but still feel like they aren't enough. Many want to know that they're not alone. They're craving comfort and connection. People want to laugh and feel lighthearted. They want to know that they are loved, seen, heard, and understood. They need less anxiety in their lives. Many people are looking for an easy solution because they are so very tired. They need some s-l-o-w moments of peace and reminders of the beauty and grace in their lives. They need help seeing all the good that is still all around us. As cheesy as it sounds, it feels like we could all use some more love. Don't get me wrong. I'm a business woman. An entrepreneur. I depend on the boost of the holiday sales as much as the next biz. I would LOVE for you to support my shop when you do your holiday shopping. And yet, I have a hard time jumping into all the holiday hype without at least acknowledging this fact. We need to give LOVE more than any "thing" we can buy for anyone. So that's my wish. Please give LOVE this holiday season. As you jump into Thanksgiving, and Black Friday, and Cyber Monday in the coming weeks, please pause to imbue your intentions, actions, and gifts with love. From the way you interact with the merchants and fellow shoppers to your attitude when driving; and from your self-talk while dressing for a holiday party to your conversation with Uncle Larry - please choose love. I would be honored and delighted if you chose some of my artwork as a way to spread some love this holiday season. I am offering FREE shipping on all orders placed through my Etsy shop until December 10th. I also have *new" gift certificates and holiday greeting card bundles available for purchase in my shop. I want to keep it simple for you. Let me know if there's an item or package you'd like and I'd be happy to work with you to make it happen. And I am sending you so much love now and always. I am eternally grateful for your companionship and support!