There's something I've been thinking about a lot, lately, and I've decided that I'd love to share. Sometimes I'm asked -why- I do what I do. There's a lot of aggravation in running a jewelry business and a lot of competition out there as well. Sometimes the frustration for the business side of things can be overwhelming to someone with a creativity driven mind and, in my case, being self taught (in the world of business and creation, both) held a great deal of all of that.
And yet, I LOVE what I do. Even when there are frustrating parts and the occasional stumbling blocks involved in turning it into a business.
Creating jewelry, for me, is a spiritual experience. Prayer is energy sent out into the universe on a purpose. Like prayer, my creations go out into the world with a purpose as well. They leave my hands and are sent into the world to -touch- others in positive ways. To make women feel special and pretty. To brighten someone's day.
I love that my jewelry can make women feel special and pretty. I love that when one of my creations are worn or given as a gift, they have the capability of brightening someone's day and making that day or that person feel a little more special. I love that the rosaries and prayer beads I create are treasured and valued for their meaning and purpose, and that over time they become imbibed with the hopes and prayers and dreams of those that cherish them.
When I design jewelry, I don't draw it out first. In fact, in most cases, I don't even have a plan. I just sit down and start putting together what -feels- good to me. Whether a design is simple or complex... silly and fun, or reverent or elegant.... I want to share those good feelings with others, and I hope and dream that every piece I make has that same feel-good feeling within it when it is sent out into the world and arrives at its new home.
I love creating jewelry for this reason. I love sharing this part of myself with others and giving others something to enjoy and cherish, something that makes -them- feel good and influences them in positive ways.
By turning my passion for creating and designing jewelry and my love for touching others lives in positive ways into a business, I'm able to do what I love every day. That I can do what I love -every day- and share that love with the world is one of the greatest treasures in my life and I'm grateful every day for the opportunity to do just that.
[A gratitude post inspired by Dr. Nima Rahmany.]