One Idea.

Some of you may already have heard part of this story, but I do have a point and I wrap it up with a new bow at the end. So if you've heard my "one idea" story go have a sandwich and come back in five minutes. :)

I'll try to be brief. When I first opened my Etsy shop I had a hodge-podge of all kinds of things in there - photography, stuffed animals, knit hats, books I've written, note cards ~ all kinds of stuff. After a couple of months I started thinking that maybe it was too confusing for people stopping by to know exactly what I was doing and selling.

Then I came upon a quote that set me on the path to my decision. (I'm big on inspirational quotes.)

"Take up one idea.
Make that idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea.
Let the brain, muscles, nerves every part of your body be full of that idea and just leave every other idea alone.
This is the way to success, that is the way great spiritual giants are produced."
*Swami Vivekananda*

I distinctly remember the moment I settled on my "one idea." We were visiting my son and his girlfriend in Berkeley, California, in June of 2009. I went for a solitary pre-sunrise stroll along the East Bay overlooking the brilliant city of San Francisco. (Walking has always been how I do my best thinking.) I thought about that quote and which one idea I should choose. I asked myself honestly what I enjoyed doing the most. And I kept coming back to making the little stuffed animals. I had been focusing on photography (no pun intended) for a long time and realized I really enjoyed doing something more tactile. I have always had an affinity for stuffed animals ~ since childhood. They filled a void in a lonely little country girl's life.

So that was it. My one idea would be my stuffed animals.

Done with that sandwich yet? Come back in here.

So partly because my business has taken off in ways I had never anticipated; partly because I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary; partly because I felt I had earned a little treat ~~ one night I came across a beautiful jewelry shop on Etsy - one that personalized pieces ~ and she liked quotes as well. It took me very little time to decide this was going to be my gift to myself. And I knew exactly what to inscribe on the ring.

Yup. "one idea"

So now every day as I'm sewing or typing or doing anything ~ I can look down at my hand and be reminded of my "one idea" ~ and how it has changed my life.

One idea. That is all it takes. Just one idea.

I'll bet you have an idea. You can do it, too. I promise.

(Thank you Brigit of Two Silver Moons for my very special good luck piece. I love it. And it will continue to inspire me every single day.)