Wednesday Wishes: Getting Real

Claudya of Unknown Mami fame has a nice little thing going where she celebrates the abundance of the Universe on Wednesdays by making her wishes known, and invites others to do the same. The idea behind posting her wishes is that as she says "... the first step toward getting what you want is knowing what you want." By putting our wishes down in black and white we are consciously taking the time to figure out what it is we want, and thus the likelihood that we will receive or achieve our wishes rises exponentially with our acknowledgment of the wish.  I encourage all to join us in celebrating the abundance of the Universe. Your wishes can be big or small, silly or serious because the Universe is vast and can handle them all.


After missing a number of weeks, this week I have decided it is time for me to get real, so here goes.

Life is a challenge, sometimes that challenge can become overwhelming resulting in stress, anxiety and yes even depression. Optimism during such times can be our greatest asset, yet it too can suffer the blow of the challenges we face. This is where I have been for nearly a year now, with it spiraling this last month to a place where no creativity thrives and even conscious thoughts struggle to survive. A situation verging on impossible. Faced with decisions that feel like they have no viable solutions.  Zapping my optimism as well as my ability to focus, to create, to write.

A while back Michelle at The Space Between Raindrops wrote a post about desperation that really resonated with me. She wrote:

"Desperation breeds attempt. It makes people do things they usually avoid, it unearths latent talent, gets us off the couch, makes us find jobs and research health improvements. Desperation turns us into learners and seekers. Desperation is responsible for the achievement of more than a few of the world’s impossible dreams. Desperation is fuel." Although it has taken weeks, her words have moved me to use this desperation for the positive.

Yes, without going into details which I am sure you don't really want to hear, my situation is desperate. Suffice it to say I have until the beginning of the new year in which to decide if I will give up my dream of making Artistix Network LLC a profitable business, if that is even possible, or close it down. Beyond that, for my sanity I have until May of next year to find a way to become financially independent. Now that may not sound like much of a challenge, however due to various health issues working a regular full time job where I am unable to set my own hours is not possible. So far I have been unable to even obtain a part-time job. With this in mind here are my wishes:

1. I wish to find a way to make a livable income from one or more of my talents and abilities.
2. I wish for the strength and courage to explore all possibilities, and learn how to make them profitable.
3. I wish to regain my optimistic outlook. To take back my life and embrace my life motto.

Oh yes, and Mother Nature ... a bit of sunshine would be real nice about now.

Because the universe is filled with endless possibilities one more wish:

I wish you all a glorious day!

Set the winds in motion with a wish of your own.

Goodbye Eeyore! Hello 2013

Photo taken at a small park just outside a Norfolk Public Library

Sitting in my daughters house in Norfolk, Virginia I am faced with so many decisions. If you have been following my blog you will know that 2012 was a life changing year that has thrown my focus way off. In 2009 we started Artistix Network LLC on a very thin shoestring budget, relying on talent, handwork and dedication to get our company going. Knowing that we did not have much capitol with which to run elaborate marketing campaigns instead of giving ourselves three years in which to make the business profitable we agreed to give it five years. At the start of 2012 Artistix Network LLC was breaking even and showed promising signs of reaching our goals. Then  in February, came the death of my husband and the loss of not only the love of my life but the loss of my primary income. Since then as you can imagine there have been many changes that have challenged both my confidence and my company. 

While I am typically an optimistic person I found myself buried deep in pessimism. With the start of the new year and the realization that little to no progress was made toward our business goals during 2012 I was seriously doubting my determination to press on with our plans. I found myself trying to decide if it was time to as Kenny Rogers said in 'The Gambler', hold'em, fold'em, walk away or run.

Then yesterday I received an email from entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown about her upcoming livecast, that has me thinking it is not time to give up just yet. I would like to share her words and email with you.

* * * * * * *

"I have a friend who *watches way too much TV news*. He hems and haws about the upcoming fiscal cliff, how taxes are going up-up-up, and how the country's going to hell in a hand-basket.

He has this attitude that oozes, "Why try doing anything to create change? We're all screwed. If you make more money, it's just going to disappear or be taken away. Etc." My other friends and I call him "Eeyore", after the gloomy donkey of the Winnie the Pooh books.

While I understand how he feels (and I have these moments too, especially with this year's tax increases), it's important to take a deep breath and put yourself back in the perspective of truth.

*The truth that YOU create your own outcomes*. And while you can't always change the circumstances around you or in our country, and of course you should be aware of what's going on in the world, you should instead put your FOCUS on creating your own results.

*I invite you to shift your mindset*: From one of "just getting by" and fixing what's wrong... to one actionably centered on *what you REALLY want*. To proclaim this is finally the year you seriously create a dramatically better life for yourself.

But you can't just proclaim it. Or meditate on it. Or write affirmations. You've got to get off your ass and *take action*.

For many of us, the fastest path to our dream--both financially and personally--is to *grow our own profitable, purposeful business*. (And by the way, this brings you incredible tax
benefits as well! ;))"

I urge you to turn OFF the news, and tune IN to Ali's *FREE online livecast* happening this coming *Tuesday, January 15, starting at 2pm ET/11am PT*.

It's called "Elevate 2013: Your year to finally create the business and life you love!"

For *over 4 HOURS*, broadcasting LIVE from Ali's beach house living room, Ali and her colleagues will be delivering dozens of *great business ideas, marketing strategies, and success tips*...along with some of the inspiration and motivation you may be needing right now.

They'll discuss *what it really takes to make these changes* in your life, how to address the fears that may surface along the way, and *how to ensure you stay in this new mindset* (because if you don't, you'll fall back into our default negative way of
thinking).

Ali will also introduce you to *several entrepreneur success stories* from her Elevate program, whose strides are guaranteed to inspire you and give you some actionable steps to take away and implement. (These are stories you won't see in the news!)
Get all the details and reserve your free spot here.

* * * * * * *

If 2012 has taught me anything it is that I do not want to live life as an Eeyore! So I am saying goodbye to Eeyore and accepting the challenge of 2013! I will go to this live broadcast and learn as much as I can and hopefully what I learn will help me to grow both personally and professionally.

P.S. *Remember, Ali's livecast happens LIVE* this coming *Tuesday, January 15*, starting at 2pm ET/11am PT! So mark your calendar and register now so you don't forget. I've already reserved my spot and hope you will do the same if it strikes a chord with you as well. 
CLICK HERE TO SAVE YOUR SPOT

Today I am linking up with Unknown Mami for her Virtual Travel meme, click the link below to visit other city's: