The most pleasing thing about our decision to celebrate a holiday each day in March is the fact that we did it. We headed into our venture with a simple belief that each day shines and that if we looked hard enough we could find cause to celebrate.
And I think it proved true. Except, of course, for March 15, when the closest cause for celebration was Brutus, the traitor, or the migration of buzzards.
I learned a lot this month about a lot of things. I learned about the accomplishments of great citizens (Seuss, Einstein, Booth, and Jane Eliott), about inspiring organizations (Peace Corp, Salvation Army, and Girl Scouts), about useless trivia (okay and dandelions), about the power of little things (thank you notes and asking good questions) and about appreciating life's simple pleasures (our names, our lips, our choice to Act Happy, chocolate covered raisins, and pencils).
Most of all, I learned the old statement I heard long ago is true: what you focus on will expand.
Focus on what is right with each day and reasons to celebrate will fill your calendar.
Focus on reasons to be thankful and more reasons to be thankful will present themselves.
Focus on the accomplishments of an officemate and your positive energy will give them cause to accomplish more.
Focus on the qualities you most admire in your spouse and watch how frequently he looks for reasons to employ them.
And since today is National She's Funny That Way Day, the day for celebrating women who make us laugh, we should see if the principle holds true with laughter.
Look for reasons to laugh and laughter will find you.
I stumbled upon this video and it worked for me!
Shining off until tomorrow when we repeat the whole cycle for April...
(Just kidding. I love April Fools).
Get the lead out and celebrate National Pencil Day. Grab a box of pencils and share them with an officemate or friend. Your treat will be extra fun if you package them with this short parable I found on the internet.
Five Important Lessons From a Pencil
1. Everything you do will leave a mark.
2. You can correct the mistakes you make.
3. What is important is inside of you.
4. In life, you will undergo painful sharpening, which will only make you better.
5. To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.
Shining off until tomorrow...
Try making me a promise, would you?
Try promising me that sometime today you will help celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owner's Day by visiting a locally owned business. Maybe a coffee shop, a bakery, a novelty store, a local boutique, or even an auto body shop.
I believe small businesses shine because the vast majority are born out of passion. Like with Bella Butterflies in Grapevine, Texas.
I take a monthly art class at the back of the store and last week one of the owners, Ashlea, shared part of her story.
Ashlea explained that she was a Biology major in college. She was a diligent student, but it was the sketches in her notebooks that earned her highest praise. In fact, many professors asked to keep her sketches and to use them in future classes. That was Ashlea's passion for art manifesting itself in an unexpected way.
When Ashlea was in her twenties and friends began setting up their first apartments, many asked her to paint art for their walls. Art was Ashlea's passion so she happily agreed and then willingly gave it away.
In her thirties, the voice of her father echoed in her head, reminding her that art was not a practical career. Even after Ashlea's daughter was born and her friends were begging for duplicates of the novel items she created, Ashlea did not think to answer her calling.
In her forties, Ashlea's urge to create art was so strong that she and her business partner opened the doors to Bella Butterflies. Their business model is as innovative as they are and is a true testament to the way in which the world will conspire when we want something badly enough. The front of the store is host to all sorts of unique items that women can purchase for for themselves, their children, or their homes. It's a little like walking through an attic filled with curiosities.
But the back of the store is where magic happens. The big back room holds six foot tables, art easels, and enough art supplies to feel like a candy store for kids. Art classes are held weekly and when the space isn't being used as a launchpad for aspiring artists, it is a studio where the owners do what they love - create art. Art, by the way, that is for sale in the front of their store.
Giving business to Ashlea and her business partner feels good. It is my way of saying, "You go girls! Kudos to you for believing that if you stocked your shelves with nothing but passion, your business would shine!
Here's a question for you: If you were to own a store based on your passion, what would it look like? What would the name be? Would you sell something or would you provide a service of some sort? Visit us in the comment section and tell us all about it.
Shining off until tomorrow...