Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Daring to dream...in the midst of utter chaos
It's amazing how beautifully chaotic life is one moment and how the next feels so overwhelming it's almost too much to bear. No matter how hard it gets though, things seem to flow back into the wonderful mess of a life, that's still total mayhem but also comfortable and safe and manageable. Too many days I've settle for manageable over fulfilling or inspiring because it's easier and I'm tired, and I don't think I'm alone in this.
Have you ever thought of something you'd love to do... that you're good at... that you're passionate about, only to put it out of your mind a nano-second later because it seems like too big of a dream...too overwhelming, too time consuming, or too [enter whatever excuse you want here]?? I have, too many times to count.
Last April Gena and I were trying to load our CRAZY(!!!) monkeys into the car after anightmarishly grueling refreshing trip to the farmers market (FYI if you see us coming turn and run... I repeat, turn and run... it's for your own good) Anyway... we were wrangling the grimy, sticky, wild animals into their seats and I yelled out to Gena, "Hey we need a bib that just clicks to our keychains so we just always have them with us... my kids are disgusting!!" and that was it... she was in... and so the crazy, whacked out Earth Monkey journey began...
Gena didn't even know what a blog was 9 months ago and I have never followed through with anything... EVER(this includes but is not limited to recipes, any sort of directions or crafty projects)!! Still, in spite of ourselves, next week our first line of eco friendly bibs, pacifier holders and changing pads will be here... well they'll be at Gena's house, in her spare room.... all 30,000 of them... hold on I need to go hyperventilate... It's terrifying and exciting all at once. The past nine months have been a chaotic circus. So many times we just had to look at each other and laugh (to keep from crying) as we designed, planned, reworked and re-reworked our company with screaming kids crawling up our legs. When we'd meet during the day, desperately trying to get things done, our kids would poop on the floor, fight, bite, and pee on each other. We tried meeting at night after the kids were in bed, but our dialog went something like this.... "Ummmmm, hmmmm... I know I was going to tell you something... OH!... no that wasn't it." and the other one would answer with a yawn and a blank stare in a total mommy stupor. We know nothing about the retail industry, or manufacturing or overseas shipping, or marketing (Thank the good Lord for Google)... but we had a dream and we're a little nuts... so we just went for it. We haven't sold a single piece yet... we still have what feels like a million details to take care of in a very short mount of time... and I'm sitting here shocked and amazed that this is actually going to happen... it's a great feeling... one I never would have felt if I hadn't let go of my desire for comfort and control.
So today, if you're a stay at home mom... a work at home mom... or a work at work mom... I hope you can think about something you've always wanted to do... and just start doing it... even if you have crazy monkeys and no time to yourself, even if you have no money or resources. Because it's amazing what happens when we stop settling for "manageable mayhem" and just dare to dream... It's a new year and a great time to let go of fears and baggage and be the person God created you to be... so join us here at crazy, and just go for it!
Watch for the Earth Monkeys official launch soon!! Here are just a few of our products, all made 100% from recycled plastic bottles (*carabiners made from recycled aluminum).... Freaking out here... ok I'm breathing again... I guess no one said it wouldn't be scary:)
Have you ever thought of something you'd love to do... that you're good at... that you're passionate about, only to put it out of your mind a nano-second later because it seems like too big of a dream...too overwhelming, too time consuming, or too [enter whatever excuse you want here]?? I have, too many times to count.
Last April Gena and I were trying to load our CRAZY(!!!) monkeys into the car after a
Gena didn't even know what a blog was 9 months ago and I have never followed through with anything... EVER(this includes but is not limited to recipes, any sort of directions or crafty projects)!! Still, in spite of ourselves, next week our first line of eco friendly bibs, pacifier holders and changing pads will be here... well they'll be at Gena's house, in her spare room.... all 30,000 of them... hold on I need to go hyperventilate... It's terrifying and exciting all at once. The past nine months have been a chaotic circus. So many times we just had to look at each other and laugh (to keep from crying) as we designed, planned, reworked and re-reworked our company with screaming kids crawling up our legs. When we'd meet during the day, desperately trying to get things done, our kids would poop on the floor, fight, bite, and pee on each other. We tried meeting at night after the kids were in bed, but our dialog went something like this.... "Ummmmm, hmmmm... I know I was going to tell you something... OH!... no that wasn't it." and the other one would answer with a yawn and a blank stare in a total mommy stupor. We know nothing about the retail industry, or manufacturing or overseas shipping, or marketing (Thank the good Lord for Google)... but we had a dream and we're a little nuts... so we just went for it. We haven't sold a single piece yet... we still have what feels like a million details to take care of in a very short mount of time... and I'm sitting here shocked and amazed that this is actually going to happen... it's a great feeling... one I never would have felt if I hadn't let go of my desire for comfort and control.
So today, if you're a stay at home mom... a work at home mom... or a work at work mom... I hope you can think about something you've always wanted to do... and just start doing it... even if you have crazy monkeys and no time to yourself, even if you have no money or resources. Because it's amazing what happens when we stop settling for "manageable mayhem" and just dare to dream... It's a new year and a great time to let go of fears and baggage and be the person God created you to be... so join us here at crazy, and just go for it!
Watch for the Earth Monkeys official launch soon!! Here are just a few of our products, all made 100% from recycled plastic bottles (*carabiners made from recycled aluminum).... Freaking out here... ok I'm breathing again... I guess no one said it wouldn't be scary:)
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4 comments:
I'm in love, can't wait to see these up close and USE them, YAY! So proud and excited for you girls, and so excited that you followed your dream!
I did the same last year with my book. I had given up, several times actually, but something amazing (and horrible) happened. I held my grandfather's hand as he passed away. It was in that moment that I realized "this" (death) is the worst thing that can happen, so why not do anything and everything I have a hankering to do?! (within reason, the law and the ten commandments ;-)
We aren't guaranteed anything in this life, not 24 hours, might as well make the most of it, and if we fail, let's pick ourselves back up and try again. I'd rather be known as a failure for trying too many wild and crazy things, then not be known for anything!
Sooo I knew it was only a matter of time before one of the EMM posts would make me cry- and today is the day! Hit a little close to home:)
I am so excited for you both- and seriously, good for you for going for it! I wish I could get my hands on those EM goods as I am headed to a baby shower this weekend:)
We are so excited to get them in our hands... thanks you both for the encouragement!! Shauna... you're comment could be a blog post in itself!! How inspiring!!
There's a sign in my office that reads: It'll cost nothing to dream and EVERYTHING not to. I applaud you both for taking that giant leap into the unknown. LBYG (Love Both Your Guts)
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