Ripples

When taking this photo, I wondered about the effects that acts of kindness, encouragement, and inspiration may have.

This entire blog was started and is carried on in recognition of the possible ripple effects! I’ve hoped that by sharing genuinely, I may inspire others to do the same, that taking off the mask and choosing not to hide may encourage others to be seen and connect, that choosing to focus on joy, in spite of so much pain in life, may help others make that choice as well, that acknowledging wounds while choosing to let go of pity, shame, or a victim mentality may help others to free themselves, that letting go of grief while holding on to love may encourage others to find their way through loss in a way that enables us to really live and thrive, that changing my ‘what if’s’ from ones based on fear and paranoia to ones based on hope and love, may inspire a more optimistic outlook regarding what is possible, that a loving, healing light may shine on, in, and through me.

Recently, I started thinking “you never know where 1 like/share/pin might lead” so maybe featuring fellow artists and friends that are extremely hard working small business owners could help spread the word and help support them in some way.  I started a new board on the new Loving Rd pinterest page to share favorite small shops.  I’m thinking of this as a little online street market or art fair. I love little boutique shops independently owned. It takes amazing people to create businesses (and jobs!). There is something very special about the attention and effort local small businesses put forth! It also takes so much time to set up an etsy shop with photos and details in addition to making the actual unique items. I wanted to find a way to give something back to the artists and local business owners that inspire me so much.

Looking through the board, I feel way out of my league surrounded by such incredible creatives, yet also extremely blessed to be sharing, supporting, and learning with these artists and business owners! It’s worth the time to take a look through the board for the sheer beauty and inspiration of it even if you aren’t planning to shop!  I will be adding pins over time so follow the board if you’d like. If you have a site you’d like me to include, please share a link in the comments!  This is about supporting people and spreading the love.  It’s also about nurturing connection and acknowledging beauty.  Many of these artists have touched me in an uplifting way with what they share freely online through their imagery and creations in addition to what they offer for sale.  Perhaps sharing links to their work may lead to heartwarming moments for others as well.

To my pleasant surprise, a friend of a friend, (that I added to the favorite small shops list/board) and fellow member in a small art facebook group that I participate in, found the new Loving Rd pinterest page and the favorite small shops board and has pinned several of the items/shops and she has over 2000 followers on pinterest… which to a newbie like me sounds HUGE!  I’m so glad that I decided to try, having no idea whether my seemingly small circle of influence and online following would actually reach many people, and that this little effort might actually reach many more than I imagined and possibly help support some artists and small businesses!

What a wonderful way for the universe to show me the possible ripple effects of one small effort! <3