One Little Word 2015 :: TODAY

     

Adverb : on or during the present day

  Noun :: this day

:: the present time

 Synonyms :: anymore, currently, nowadays, presently, right now

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One little word. It can mean so many things. It only has as much power as you allow it to have. But when you DO give a word power, one little word, it can be amazing! I have always loved setting goals at the beginning of every year to keep myself motivated and on track with my life and my business but every since I heard of the 'one little word' concept, I was on board! So now I just choose one little word every year and it helps so much. 

My only problem is, it usually takes a little longer for my one little word to find me. Last month, I thought I had my word figured out but then something just didn't feel right about it so I waited and I'm glad I did.

I feel like you NEED your word to find you. To follow you out of a situation or perhaps lead you into one. You need it to stand for something that motivates you or keeps you driven.

The first year I chose HOPE, as it was only fitting because of what I had been going through personally & health-wise and I loved that word. Still do. HOPE is such a powerful word and will always be a favorite of mine. In fact it may be my all-time favorite as I am still drawn to it so so much. Then last year I chose CREATE as my one little word. It was the perfect word for last year, especially after my name change and I did a LOT of creating and still am.

 

BUT this year, this year's word finally found me just the other day and I think it's perfect for me. My One Little Word for 2014 is going to be  . . .

TODAY. 




Why TODAY? What does this mean to me? 

Well when searching for my word, I thought about what I wanted it to represent and how it would affect my life. It made me look inside and discover some things about myself that I wanted to improve on, get better at or try to change this year.

For instance, I have a tendency to worry about tomorrow. That needs to stop. It is also easier said than done. I am making progress already because I have noticed I'm a little more relaxed, not so high-strung with some things. My faith did that and is helping in this way, since we are only to focus on today because tomorrow is not promised, so why in the heck am I robbing myself of the joy and the moments of TODAY with worry? That has to stop and hopefully this year I will make a total 360 with this. At least I am trying. ;)

 

I'm also a  . . . what you would call a professional 'starter'. Yup. Hello my name is Laura and I am a starter. I LOVE starting projects, getting 2/3's of the way done with them, get bored with it and never finish. How crazy is that? The best part is the finished product right? Well I guess with me, it's the starting part - I'm so weird I know. So this year I am gonna finish some projects TODAY. I have decided that I will make realistic mini goals every day that I can finish so I can say to myself "look at everything I accomplished TODAY" instead of "uggghhh this is all the stuff I did NOT get done" . . . this is going to work as I have already implemented this and it is helping me get 'er done already and is quite motivating! ;)

TODAY. What we do TODAY is important because we are exchanging a day of our life for it. 

All I can say is WOW. I don't know about you but that really resonated with me, as sometimes, (ok alot of times) I am guilty of saying, "later" or "we'll do that tomorrow" and then I do something really dumb instead in it's place that does not even matter but I think it does at the time I said that. So the choices I make with HOW I spend my time now are viewed differently. I am relieving myself of the 'guilt' I used to have when I want to take a moment for myself or run out to do something fun with my daughter when we should be doing chores or homework. I am starting to live more for TODAY and my daughter is seeing all of this and I know that the lesson will be so worth it for her to learn as well. I am teaching her to love TODAY and embrace it with two big open arms!

TODAY I want to make sure I am on the right path with my business. Sometimes it takes trying new things. Learning something unfamiliar to keep me on track. I have a tendency to put those things off because I think it won't matter right now or they seem like too much work. I feel good about where I am heading and have lots of ideas that I would like to make happen this year. I also need to work on key areas that are outside of my expertise so I have to rely on someone else to help. I have already started with this. I am taking steps to improving in the areas I need and it feels so go to check them off the huge "to-do" list. I just need to do it TODAY as it only helps in the long run.

TODAY is sometimes all we have. We never know if it is the last day here. Life changes in a second so make sure to make it count every. single. day. Make TODAY all about what YOU want as much as you can. I am.

 

Do YOU have a one little word? I would love to ink your word into an art print for you so you could have a reminder to keep you motivated and focused for the year. Check out the examples I have done for some clients and their one little word here to see what I could do for you.

I would LOVE to hear from you and know if you are doing the "One Little Word" this year and what exactly YOUR word is? Perhaps you will start now with me . . .if you do, let me know that too below . . . let's do this. ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

One Little Word 2014 :: CREATE

Verb : to make or produce (something) unique

: to evolve from one's own imagination

: to cause (something new) to exist

  Noun :: the act of creating

:: something created

 Synonyms :: build, design, devise, discover, make, organize, plan, produce, start, imagine

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I love the concept of picking ONE LITTLE WORD to keep me motivated for the year. I used to do a goal sheet every year but that just became depressing when I didn't achieve everything on it so I stopped doing that. I do love goal lists, but in this season of my life, right now, I needed something new. Then came along the genius idea of doing ONE LITTLE WORD and I jumped on board. Last year I chose HOPE as it was only fitting because what I had been going through personally & health-wise and I loved that word. Still do. HOPE is such a powerful word.

BUT this year, this year's word is perfect for my life this season. And YES it took me like 3 months to figure it out (don't laugh-lol) but it's all good. My One Little Word for 2014 is going to be  . . .

CREATE.

:: " It is better to create than learn. Creating is the essence of life!" ~ Julius Caesar

:: " Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." ~ George Bernard Shaw 

:: " Creativity is contagious, pass it on." ~ Albert Einstein 

CREATE. What does this mean to me? 

I am getting back to my roots persay. What I was trained in & studied all of those school & college years ago. I'm going all "organic" on you. Back to my roots. My first loves. This is the time to get back to basics. Getting back to what gets makes me feel alive. Good old fashioned ART. This is why I love the word CREATE as it has the word ART right in it . . . so it's the perfect word for me this year. It means I will CREATE in various ways . . . whether creating in different organic mediums . . . acrylics, pastels, ink, watercolor , markers . . . to make a finished piece of art to sell to the masses . . . you will see me offer my artwork a variety of ways soon & it will all be organic & raw and I am so looking forward to sharing it all with you.

I will be sharing how I will CREATE a better home. I have put so soo sooo many home projects on the back burner for so long and this year it stops. I started last summer and I will continue to knock them off the list. It feels so good to finally be able to get those done.

I will share yummy treats that I CREATE in the kitchen. I LOVE to bake so you may see a creation or two here. ;)

Create. Is MY word for the remainder of the year. Heck, if you've been paying attention, this word is NOW part of my NEW name "Eye Candy CREATive Studio" . . . it fits better. It encompasses all that I will be talking about & sharing with you on here. I'm excited for this challenge I have given myself and I totally am ok with the fact that it's a few months slow getting started. Out with all the rules and just start. Start creating. Start making things. Start finding what makes you passionate. For me it's to CREATE.

I would LOVE to hear from you and know if you are doing the "One Little Word" this year and what exactly YOUR word is? Perhaps you will start now with me . . .if you do, let me know that too below . . . let's do this. ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop!   Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

FREEBIE :: New Years SUBWAY ART

Happy New Year!
Here's to a wonderful, FABulous & blessed year to all of you!!!!

I thought I would start out the very first post of this new year with a FREEBIE for all of you. We all have a clean slate for this new year to make goals, develop better habits, be nicer to people . . . whatever it is we want. Personally I have been trying to come up with my "one little word" for the year & have narrowed it down to a couple but waiting just a lil while longer to make sure it is the correct one for me. Plus I have LOTS of new things coming at you this year.

In the meantime, I designed this for all of us who need some motivation to get us started in this new year. Print this out, frame it & use it as a reminder to make this year the best for YOU! Enjoy ;) 

This print is sized for an 8 x 10 frame but could easily be enlarged to fit an
11 x 14 or whatever size you needed. Print it out at home or take it to a printer for a larger size.

Just download your

"New Year Inspiration" print & ENJOY!!

**FREE printables are for personal use ONLY and may not be sold or claimed to be your design. By printing any freebies, you are agreeing to these terms. 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos! 

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

{HOPE} MY goals, MY one word & MY mission

     

Verb :: want something to happen or be the case.

 Synonyms

 noun :: expectation - trust - promise

 verb :: trust - expect - anticipate

:: the feeling that what is wanted can be had.

:: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

:: to believe, desire or trust. 

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  I am a little behind on sharing my GOALS for 2013. Major surgery will do that. ;) But nevertheless, I am a H-U-G-E advocate of creating, making & holding yourself to a list. Ya know THE list of goals you make for yourself. The list you make for your business. I love lists. I love goals. I love *trying* to challenge myself every year to 'beat' the list. lol

Last year was about 'rolling with it' in my business. The major point being to NOT freak about the list - to let things go. Be more flexible. I think I did pretty good. I definitely had alot of things I needed to just 'keep rollin with' and that were out of my control and yet here I am.

This year's list is a little different. I am switchin it up on ya. Also I am incorporating my ONE WORD for 2013 again into it all as well. Last year my word was BUILD. I took that word and I feel successful with what I BUILT - relationships, this biz, the design shop, the blog, a new team & much more. Now time to enter the word for this year: HOPE.
 

image via Trust In the Lord

If you follow my blog, you all probably know I have already been using HOPE as my word through my personal journey & my recent surgery & I just LOVE IT! It brings me great comfort + it is a REALLY great word for business, life & pretty much anything as it has so much POSITIVE backing it up! ;)

Just take a look:

:: "HOPE is a waking DREAM." ~ Aristotle

:: "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without HOPE and confidence." ~ Helen Keller

:: "Don't lose HOPE. You never know what tomorrow may bring"


HOPE & MY GOALS: 
Noun :: a feeling of expectation & desire for a certain thing to happen
I do expect this for my business. I am claiming this for my business and my life. The HOPE that makes me smile. The HOPE that sees the good. My HOPE. 

Verb :: want something to happen or be the case.
I WANT this for my business. I have that feeling of expectation for certain things to happen. For things that I built last year, to come together & bear fruit this year for me. I HOPE this happens. 

 Synonyms
 noun :: expectation - trust - promise
 verb :: trust - expect - anticipate
I love that the words 'trust' & 'promise' are synonyms because how FAB is that rockstar line-up? HOPE - TRUST - PROMISE {giddy on this one}  

Anticipate . . . having HOPE is so much like Christmas morning. You expect it every year, you anticipate it's coming & you HOPE Santa brings you goodies. ;)

:: the feeling that what is wanted can be had.
:: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
:: to believe, desire or trust. 

I do have the feeling that what I want this year can be had & so so sooooo look forward to it. I BELIEVE it is possible partnered up with my HOPE. :)

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I am not sharing my list this year as I am not sure you all really care so much about the specifics as I am assuming it's more about the reasoning as I am sharing here today.

One thing I will share with you on the list, is the HOPE mission I am doing. It's about looking past ourselves, reaching out to others - it's something we all "think" we do but it doesn't happen that much (unfortunately). Honestly . . . we NEED to stop & take the time! . . . we need to give people some HOPE. I guarantee you right now, people you personally know - ya know the ones you think are ok & their life is so great? They are more than likely dealing with something every day that you may not know about. Some people are just trying to make it through the day. We all NEED to know someone cares!

The last few months have been a real eye-opener for me personally. I was on this journey, and I didn't know how it would end and I was surprised by how some people reacted to it all, how some people were never there for me & then how some came out of nowhere & made themselves available to me. Going through something life & death will show you who really cares. It changed me. It opened my eyes. Some days it was VERY lonely for me & I HOPE no one ever has to feel like that.

So this is my mission for the NEW YEAR . . . MY year of HOPE!  
Connecting with people & offering a bright spot in their day. A lil' HOPE. It's simple, really. I am starting out slooooooow, so I can make it into a habit. My goal is to reach out to just ONE person a week. I want to give back. Make myself available - to let them know I am thinking of them by sending a quick email, text or tweet. Give back by taking a moment to invest in people. Maybe I send something in the mail. Maybe I pick up the phone & have a conversation with them. Maybe I leave a blog comment or like a status on FB at the very least. Every week, every day, will be different. But my goal is by the end of the year (hopefully way sooner) I can check in, reach out to someone EVERY day & offer some HOPE. I want to give someone the same HOPE I was given. The same HOPE I have. :)

I believe, we as women, need to be there for each other & take a minute to check in with each other,  . . . to invest in other people. That moment we take, that minute we give to them, may mean the world to someone else. It may make all the difference in someone's day. That one minute could be all they get from anyone, all day. People assume that others are being taken care of, they have lots of friends looking out for them or someone else is tending to them. What if you assume wrong? What if they don't? Maybe you think that person is strong - she can handle anything! What if she can't? Maybe all they need is ONE person to give them HOPE for the day. All of us need HOPE. We all struggle every day. Our struggles may be huge one day & small the next but they are all our struggles.

Let's assume that we are all anyone has. Does that make sense? Why don't we make ourselves the one little slice of 'HOPE' for others. Make your concern known. Make a hello matter. Make an email count. YOU put that smile on someone else's face. Do it. Do NOT assume someone else is beating you to it. Don't assume people take the time. Don't assume people are ok. Let's get out there and make people see the HOPE. Give them something to hold onto. Let them see the HOPE in people, in you, in the everyday.

We can choose to do nothing & hope someone else will do it. 
Or you can join me in wanting to make a difference in someone's day. To let someone know they matter. What will YOU do? Did this post matter to you? Did it give YOU hope? Will you let me know? Leave a comment & let me know what you will do or if you have HOPE.

I have always said "it's the little things" that make a difference to someone. 
. . . one little minute . . . taking the time to think about someone else . . . 
And did I mention it feels so good to make someone's day?! ;)   I HOPE we can make a difference - in other people's lives, in our businesses, at home, in relationships . . . we CAN have everything with HOPE!

I can't change the world but I CAN change what I do. So watch me. I am only one person. But I am mighty with my HOPE. ;)