Celebrating Your Stampin' Up! Accomplishments from January ...

View from Backstage
Recently, I surprised myself by
taking an hour-and-a-half nap
on a Sunday afternoon. Some
people might enjoy this quite
often; in fact, a nap might
even be a normal part of their
weekend routine. But I almost
never take naps, and on the
rare occasions when I do, they
are quick catnaps, not hourlong
snoozes.
On this day, however, I woke
up feeling like a new person,
and I realized my body was
trying to tell me something.
“Hey, pay attention and give me a break. You don’t need
to push me so hard. I need a little rest and relaxation, and
more than five minutes would sure be nice!”
We need to listen to our minds and bodies when they send
us these messages. We all need moments—and sometimes
days—of renewal. We spend a lot of time and effort
shouldering responsibilities and checking off to-do lists and
meeting deadlines and caring for others. Living life can be
exhausting, and taking breaks when possible is crucial if we
want to enjoy the journey.
Of course, key to enjoying renewal is recognizing what
renewal is; renewal means different things to different
people, depending on our personal preferences and the
season in which we find ourselves. Recently, I had lunch
with a friend who has three young children, including a
nursing baby. As we finished eating, she remarked how
wonderful the break had been. While I also enjoyed our
time together, I sensed that it been much more refreshing
for her, because she has little time to herself these days.
I remember those days well, when even a few stolen
moments in the bathroom were sweet solitude. I wouldn’t
give up those days for anything—family is the most
important thing in my life. But children do demand a lot
of time and attention.
These days our girls aren’t nearly as time-consuming as
they once were, but I find myself still needing a break from
other things clamoring for my attention. I love what I do,
but it can be exhausting. For me, short breaks from my
regular responsibilities work wonders.
I know other people who plan weeklong vacations. While
those longer getaways can sometimes tire me out, other
people write them on the calendar and anticipate them for
weeks, even months. And they return completely refreshed
and ready for everything life throws their way.
We are all different, but we do share a common need to
enjoy life and make time for renewal, whether it’s in our
personal lives or our professional lives; sometimes the two
are inseparably connected! Occasionally, we get stuck in a
rut in our businesses, and all it takes is a slightly different
approach in the way we do something to add a new
excitement and freshness to our attitudes.
As you consider ways to renew yourself, think about what
you can do with your stamping events. If you’ve followed
the same basic outline during your workshops for a while,
juggle things around a bit. Sometimes simply changing the
order in which you present things makes something routine
feel different and fresh. Add a stamping game to your
workshop or, if you always demonstrate the same kinds of
products and techniques, consider trying new ones.
You might also schedule an open house or a hostess
appreciation night if you haven’t done those before. These
events take more time and effort, but the payback can be
tremendous. Open houses widen your circle of influence
and can be a great way to introduce what you do to a new
circle of friends. Hostess appreciation nights single out
a specific group of people who deserve your thanks and
support—and they often lead to repeat hostesses!
Teach a technique or scrapbooking class. This can be
fulfilling on several levels as you focus on a new dimension
of your own stamping as well as add a new aspect to your
business approach.
On a more personal note, look for ways to enrich
relationships with personal expressions of love and concern.
If you’re not already doing it, stamp a card every week and
send it to someone whose day will be brightened when she
opens the envelope. Over and over again, I have learned
that we can never underestimate the power of reaching out
to others, both on those we touch as well as on ourselves.
We all need moments—and sometimes days—of rest and
renewal. A wise man once said, “In all of living have much
fun and laughter. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just
endured.” I encourage you to recognize the things you
enjoy most in life, the things that calm your mind and rest
your body, and then take the time to do those things. You’ll
find yourself feeling like a new person too!
Vol. 7 Issue 4
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