Evaluating What's Important

I wrote not too long ago about thinking about my direction in life, in particular where I'm going in jewelry design.  More than a few people emailed me expressed the same feelings, and I did what I could to encourage and to help people submit their work to magazines.  I'd love to see some new blood in those pages!  A lot of people have said they feel like "why bother" when they see many of the same names month after month, and with as many blogs as I read -- I know there's a ton of amazing people out there.  I'm sure you'll see some at the Bead Soup Blog Party (which starts September 17th but the hop will continue for a while afterward) and I'm going to invite as many magazine editors as I can to watch the show.  So bring your A-game, folks!



Now, don't get me wrong.  I LOVE to make jewelry and meeting up with my customers at shows is SO much fun.  But I need to take the time to explore some things without the pressure to compete.  I've been a runner but not a winner, yet the memory is still sweet.  Trying to compete has made me see some people in a new light and it has been stressful.  I'd much, much rather lift someone else up than be stepped on being passed over.

It's SO very hard to avoid drama.  Life seems to revolve around it and it can be SO very interesting -- let's be honest, now.  But regardless, it's a TOTAL waste of time.  What in the world is it with the bead world?  For heaven's sake, it's just glass and a bunch of pretty rocks!  But I'm taking a stand -- I'm starting to take control of my angst and moving in new directions.  Two days ago, I turned in my very first submission for a writing contest.  And while it's a really long shot, I could care less.  The very action of making a change, of stopping the complaining and doing something different to see if it will change my creative expression in this other thing I love, jewelry -- it's liberating.


I'm learning that the people who don't like me -- don't like me.  And that's totally fine.  As I tell my son, not everyone likes everyone.  It's how you TREAT those people that shows your worth.  The people who smile to my face and write kind things, then turn to snark to others -- they aren't worth my time. 

Remember that, folks.  YOU have the power to make it go away.  If you feel you're being left behind, or you feel like your creativity isn't up to par with someone else's -- quit looking at them.  A mentor is someone who lifts you up, not someone who you feel inferior to.  YOU need to be a friend to YOU.  If you need a break, turn off the blogs and put away the magazines.  Pull out the glass and pretty rocks and remember why you bought them in the first place.  It should be for the fun and the beauty and to advance YOU for YOU -- not to compare yourself to someone else.

THIS!  This is so important to remember.  With me, what you see, what you read, who you meet, is what you get.  I'm not a made-up character I play for the benefit of an audience.   I have thin skin -- I'll be the first to admit that.  I'll also be the first to admit that will probably never change.  It's just how I'm wired.  But I CAN realize it doesn't matter.  I've fought thirty hard years to be able to reach the age of 42 and be able to say the opinions of myself, my husband, and my son are what matter.   Cliques and mean people are so middle school.  Just laugh at that nonsense.

If you don't get anything at all out of my post today, remember this quotation.  YOU ARE PRICELESS to someone.  And I guarantee it's more than ONE someone, and you may never know who that person is.  But they exist.

Put that into perspective.  If you feel like your life isn't going the way you want it to, stop for a second and pull out a sheet of paper.  Instead of writing down everyone who loves you,  write down those people for whom you've done small kindnesses.  Who have you loaned a dollar to in the grocery store when they were short?  Who did you share an umbrella with?  Who did you mail a card to lately (you know who you are).  Who did you email and let know you were thinking of them at that very moment (you know who you are, too).

You have absolutely no idea how very, very important you are.  Remember this when you feel down. 

Love yourself.

The rest comes after.

Quote of the Day:  "Under Pressure"

Book Review:  "A Game of Thrones"

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene and is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.