Monday Motivation - Happiness

Good Monday Morning! I spent a good part of my weekend cleaning out closets, organizing, and de-cluttering. While I still have a long way to go, I'm pleased with the progress that was made. It amazes me how "stuff" just seems to multiply over time... where does it all come from? I'm a firm believer that "less is more," but good grief that's a hard philosophy to follow when you run a business that requires supplies and inventory! My little office is busting at the seams, and I'm so ready for it to become more functional and less cluttered. To get my office in tip-top shape, I'll be having a clearance SALE in my Etsy shop soon! Stay tuned!

As I was cleaning out the clutter this weekend, I realized how "stuff" can easily over-take our lives. It seems that so many people these days want more... more money, more house, more cars, more clothes, more high-tech gadgets, more shoes, more jewelry, more... stuff. It's ironic to me that we want all of these things to define our lives - give us a certain status or fill us up, but then we spend our New Year's and Spring Cleanings getting rid of all the clutter that seems to have overtaken our homes and ultimately our sense of peace. I'm so guilty of wanting unnecessary things - I think we all are. But I want to make a genuine effort to seek happiness outside of possessions. The truest peace and contentment does not come from the things we own - we can't take it with us when we leave this earth. So rather than yearning for more... I'm trying to make the most of what I've already been given. I'm blessed beyond measure, and I want to seek happiness within my soul.

A New Year and New Beginnings

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe that 2012 is over, but I'm so excited about the possibilities that 2013 holds! I was so very blessed in 2012... it was my first full year being self-employed with Beth Hart Designs. And I have you to thank for making that happen so successfully. I really and truly appreciate your business and your support so much.

I have lots of new ideas and am setting pretty big goals for this new year. I know that some hard work will be involved, but my batteries have been recharged and my creative mind is running full speed ahead. It's amazing what a little down time can do! I hope you were able to relax and recharge over the holidays so that you too can accomplish great things in 2013.

While I plan to share my ideas and goals with you along the way, this post is more about inspiration and motivation to make the most of this brand new year. One thing I know with all my heart is that I'm doing what I love and what I feel called to do. I know that design and inspiring others are my passions, and while I always feel that there is room for improvement, I am certain that I'm working in a career that's perfect for me.

Of course, there is more to life than just our careers. I think we all have the dream to fulfill a higher calling - strive towards something greater than ourselves. My personal goals for 2013 include the desire to simplify (get rid of all the physical and mental clutter) so that I can focus on what really matters. I hope that by defining what's most important, I can live a more purposeful life that brings glory to the One who matters most.

This brings me to Les Miserables. The musical has meant so much to me for as long as I can remember. My mom and I would sing along to the soundtrack when I was young, and I've been fortunate to see the live performance twice. The release of the movie this Christmas was a dream come true (I've seen it twice with my mom as well). Hats off to Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway for their most amazing performances. Les Mis is a compelling story of grace, dreams, love, mercy, passion, forgiveness, redemption, new beginnings, and fighting for what you believe in - answering to a higher calling. Not only is the story amazing and applicable to real life in so many ways, but it's set to the most beautiful music I know. If you are not familiar with the story, I encourage you to read about it so that you can appreciate the music that much more when you see the film.

I've always been moved (often to tears) by the music of Les Mis, but with the dawning of a new day and a new year, these songs have inspired me even more so:
To make the most of new beginnings and second chances...
To show grace, forgiveness, mercy and passion...
To love others unconditionally....
To fight for what I believe in...
To dream a dream...
To answer to a higher calling.

And so I encourage you to shoot for the Stars (in their multitude) and Dream the Dream with a Heart Full of Love in 2013. Define what matters most and make that your focus in this new year. We have a clean slate and a fresh start to become who we want to be and to make incredible things happen. Cheers to you! And Cheers to 2013!

Here is a print design with one of my favorite lines from Do You Hear the People Sing - it's about answering to a higher calling and the new life that can begin when your dreams, passions, desires and purpose are in rhythm.