Sometimes the hardest thing about working for yourself is remembering not to give up on yourself, to follow your heart. It's not an easy road pursuing your passions. It's not easy to lose your job and start over when you are in your 40's. It's not easy being a woman in any kind of business. It's not easy to come to grips with the fact that it takes a long time to get where you want to be. Rarely does anyone succeed on the
A friend recently asked me, "Shell, what are you going to do when you fail at this?" My reply (after I got over the shock of the question) was, "Failure is not an option." I heard a song the other day and it summed up everything I was feeling. I'm simply in the middle of the ride. It's a magical, awesome, wonderful, ride. The ride of my life. I'm sharing my passion with you; the person who enjoys creating things as much as I do. The person who needs to escape "reality" for a little while and be a kid with no worries. Art has a way of doing that. My passion is inspiring you to have fun, laugh, and create. There are no rules here, no judgement, no bills. There is nothing but positive and sincere belief that I think you are awesome and deserve some fun. Lots of fun!
Thank you for pre-ordering my Fabled Fusions book. The 20% discount runs through July 15th. Hop over here to see how to get it.
Until then, enjoy this song that gave me a positive lift this week. "Don't write yourself off yet. Little girl you're in the middle of the ride. Everything will be just fine. Everything will be alright."
See ya Monday. Now go play, make something fun with your own two hands and be happy. Everything will be alright. I think you rock! :)
I'm gonna go kiss some bunnies.
xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies
32 comments:
Oh, I know this message is for me, sweet, Shell!! Thanks!! I too have the faith that all is well and will always be well!! And your new design is fabboo, fabboo!! Kiss the buns for me too, will ya!! :-))
What kind of friend tells you you're gonna fail? O_o; Pffft.
Besides, if I know Ms May, you'll put your stubborn on, be awesome, and do very well. I just have to convince my bf that he doesn't actually need groceries and he needs beautiful things for my walls more. :)
(Sneaks the buns some blueberries and whistles innocently)
I was so glad to read your answer to your friend's question - so glad to know that for you, failure is not an option....
Regardless of how many of us believe in you,believing in yourself is the most important gift you can give to you.
You will get there, and it will be great.
Go Shell!
Many of us believe in you, Shelby Marie. Don't let anyone plant a single seed of doubt in that beautiful, creative, successful mind of yours! Ever!!!
xo
Deece
Shel, you have only failed if you failed to try. Don't let the doubter's get you down.
Are you sure the person asking you that question is a friend? With a second book coming out how could anyone think that you are going to fail. Your designs are so beautiful and interesting. I love the fact that they are different than anything else I have ever seen. They are truly from your heart and beautiful works of art.
You know Shell, I find it so hard to think why someone would say that... or why you should doubt yourself....from what I see you have already succeeded greatly.... started your own business and now a second pattern book... it's just amazing... one step at a time... one breath at a time...
Hugz
How can you possibliy fail when you have already succeeded Michelle,some people are just daft!enjoy your ride and may it take where ever you dream,xx Rachel
P.S.give the bunnies some kisses from me too.
With friends like that, who needs a mother in law???
Ok ok, no more joking.
You are an INSPIRATION!!! I cannot believe you could doubt yourself. Not one bit. You are amazing and talented. I could never come up with such wonderful creations, much less SELL SOMETHING.
My goodness. H and H need to give you a bit of a shake, then snorgles and bunny kisses.
Fail? Hardly!
Shell i'm saddened to hear that someone would say such a thing to you. You won't fail as your designs are all wonderful & any one can see you put your heart into all you do. Hugs,xx
What a horrible question! My son is also starting his own quilt pattern business right now and is questioning himself as his first book nears publication but like you he is pushing forward based on his faith in himself. I so admire those of you that push trough the fear and doubt and go for your dreams!
Michelle dearest,
YOU and I both are in the same bunny boat. I'm still on the ride, but this time it's with my writing. I hear EVERYTHING YOU'RE SAYING HERE, and I believe everything you're saying. Interesting question this friend posed to you; sometimes the doubts of others come to us in the form of a sincere question, but we are TOO TOUGH to stop, aren't we? When we are artists at heart, other peoples' doubts simply cannot penetrate deep enough to hurt us, but rather to MOTIVATE US to find what really makes us tick, then to proceed. You have already arrived at a destination that is only yet another marker for the rest of the journey. I too am a little girl at heart, and I never, ever want to stop. I'm with ya.
Oh this was a GREAT POST! Hi Hannah-Banana.....YO, Harrington!
Hi Shell, I am so happy to be over here visiting you again! I've changed direction with my arty focus and been so busy learning all kinds of new things! I've stopped doing my mixed media and am now enmeshed in everything wooly, including learning to spin my own yarn!!! Who knew?! :D
OMGosh how true is everything you said! We all feel it... you know, I think as long as we have the courage to begin the journey we have already succeeded beyond the many who are to afraid to ever try! In my eyes my dear friend you are most certainly a success, yes it's all hard but did anyone ever tell us it was going to be easy?!
You are a true inspiration and I am immensely glad that I found you in blogland!
Hugs to you and the Buns,
Beth
Sounds like we've had the same kind of week, lol - so glad you keep on believing girl, you've got what it takes and don't you doubt it at ALL. Big big hugs to you!~!!!
Not sure that the friend who expects you to fail is really a friend at all
I can't believe a friend would ask you about what you are going to do when you fail! Perhaps she's jealous!
Big hug to you sweets from one little scared rabbit to another. I know just how you feel. But listen, you've got what it takes, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise! Keep believing, keep working, and let those hurtful things people say roll off your back. And remember: "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau
Hang in there!!
Inspiring post Michelle, thank you for everything.
hugs R.
shell, whateever happens with your business (and you certainly seem to be headed in a great direction), you are already a resounding success. The way you touch so many of us with love and kindness, the way you inspire, is amazing! That's the kind of success that you CAN take with you!
Some days are diamonds. Some days are stones Some times a hard life puts a chill in my bones. ... tra la la
Hey - listen. Maybe failure IS an option (it happens a lot.) Not trying is not an option.
I'm going to mow the lawn. (And snuggle a couple of bunnies too!)
Shell, your work is beautiful! I am sorry your friend used the word "when"..."if" would have been better. What is the saying, it is better to have tried and failed than to have not tried at all! I hope you don't fail!
I'm not going to be my usual rude self because if any friend of yours said that then I'm sure they couldn't have understood what they were implying - or are a just a totally non creative person who simply cannot grasp the concept of your creative ability and talent.
When I think of how you have moved forward in the last five years since I've known you, the changes you've had to face and what you've accomplished - it's fantastic. Your success and achievements have inspired me not to give up on several occasions, sweets - and you Rock!!!
I like this quote from another successful woman - who ended up doing ok!
The only failure one should fear, is not hugging to the purpose they see as best.
George Eliot
PS Love the Jimmy eat World clip - they rock too!xxx
That was kinda rude; that question!! You are a big success to me...love your patterns!!
Whoever was rude enough to say such a terrible thing to you is a sad and lonely jealous person! YOU ROCK!!! Besides being adorable and smart you are extremely talented and clever. Your art is blissful and perfect. Thank you for writing this very important post. We can all use a little lift from time to time. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts Dear...
What kind of "friend" would say that? Unbelieveable.
Hi shell, first I see you as a success,,,how? YOU are happy.... There will always be people holding the ladder for you as you climb and just when you are within reach they will be the same people who will be shaking you down...
I like to find the cheerleaders in my life not the ladder shakers. I will always be behind you gently moving you forward, you can count on that....there are many of us who are thrilled at what you are accomplishing...Keep that head up, the air is much sweeter lol
When? WHEN?! Now, I could understand if said so-called friend said "if" you fail, but WHEN?! That would have earned them a smack upside the head from me and poop in their shoes from Mr. Mick--and I would certainly no longer categorize them as a friend of any kind.
Honestly, the nerve...*grumbles and goes off to cool down a bit*
Oh my goodness - what kind of "friend" would even say something like that??? Don't let anyone make you doubt yourself - your creations are always beautiful and I KNOW you'll do well. I absolutely love the one in this blog post!
You are an inspiration for anyone who wants to be creative and even start their own designs. You just keep up the good work.
What a great post! You are so creative and talented and do awesome work.! I used to tell my daughter when she was younger about giving up that it was ok to keep trying. Plus, how many times did she fall down before she learned to walk? You are not a failure unless you give up. Enjoy the rest of your ride! We're here to inspire you on!
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Some folks are no better than apes in the zoo! Throwing poop at the window! Hand her a napkin and when she says what for, tell her she still has some of the bs on her lip. Thank you very much. If you are that close of friends, she won't have her feelings hurt. I agree - who needs a mother in law?
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