Super-Hero

He's a super-smart billionaire and has a secret cave in his basement where he transforms into a superhero.

He doesn't have a special power.  He's just naturally gifted. I love him for that.  He has gadgets, a fancy special car and can somewhat fly, but he wasn't mutated, radiated or took a pill.  He just figures stuff out on his own and makes it work for him.

Batman is my favorite superhero.  He's humble, somewhat broken, moody, artistic, the list goes on and on.  He appeals to me because although he has a "dark side" he uses what he has available to fight crime.

Using what you are naturally gifted with is self-realization at it's finest.  Every client I work with project-wise has taken a talent, skill, desire or passion to the next level in order to "live the dream". They are turning these basic concepts into their life work and it is a joy to watch.

I look forward to not only honing my own inner skills, but to continue to build with like-minded individuals that are putting their passion on display in the small business world as well.

I'm Batman! Ok, actually I'm...

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

The Thing About Obstacles

If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.  ~Zen Proverb

I would be completely justified to pack my things, hang my head and go home when someone tells me "no".

Yet there is a crazy fighting spirit in me that envisions myself breaking rocks with bare hands.  Jumping barricades with a single bound and yes, even flying to my next destination.

Seeing the obstacle is the obvious thing.  Making a plan is the next thing. Finding the solution is the best thing.  

Once upon a time I answered to the nickname "Songbird".  The funny thing about labeling myself as a "singer" was I was constantly being rejected.  I would go to auditions, meet with "producers", was told my voice was "too rich".  Many things happened during my singing times that would have made me question my talent.  Yet I knew there was something better on the other side of that "no" and my inquisitive nature would not allow me to give up or stop going after the dream to sing professionally.

Life is full of reasons to STOP.  The spirit is full of reasons to go on.    No reward without risk.  What we think we can have is a drop in the bucket compared to what is really out there for us TO have.

Let no obstacle get in your way this week.  I will be fighting for what I want professionally and personally.  Will you?

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

Made for the Maze

When I was younger I always had dreams of running around in mazes like the one pictured above.  I would also have some type of crime or moral puzzle to solve while I was lost.  I would wake up exhausted because I would never be able to get out or solve the problem in the span of time that the dreaming took place.

I find that my life is similar to those dreams.  Physically, I am a naturally clumsy person. I fall a lot and I'm constantly bumping into walls.

Mentally, I'm sharp.  Yet sometimes I am standing against an idea of who I want to be vs. who I think I can be.  It's frustrating.  It's a maze.  It's that circular thinking that sometimes leaves me stuck,  doing nothing, in a grassy corner.

I never had the pleasure of doing a "corn maze" when I was younger. I'm afraid of a few things, and being lost is one of my worst fears.  Never quite trusted myself enough to think I could just walk until I would intuitively find my way out.

So that's the goal of this business.  To keep walking/working until I find the way to what will fulfill my professional and personal goals.  The doors are opening, the passageways are being made clear.  I am perfectly equipped. I just have to trust myself and not stop at the "dead-ends"  

Made for the Maze!

~Creatively Yours

Comparison Shopping

I'm proud to say I live my life and run my business with the motto "what's meant for me is meant for me, no one else can ever have it."

Yet those sneaky feelings of doubt creep in when I least expect it.  Making me question my motives for making such a drastic career move, and believing as much in Creatively Yours as I believe in myself.

I am blessed to have many successful friends.  Those who are forging ahead with their own businesses (in a recession no less) as well as those who work in corporate America.  I am proud to say that the people I have chosen to surround myself with since high school are very smart, goal-achieving people.  They blaze their own trails and take no prisoners.

Their success could be intimidating to someone who does not know their own worth.  Instead of being shy about being a new business owner, I am emboldened by their success.  I'm just as bright and hardworking.  If my peers can do it, I can too!

This morning as I scrolled through my Facebook timeline I came across this:

So timely Mr. Acuff!  Just as a baby can't chew on meat, my business has to grow into bigger projects, budgets and public acclaim.  It will all come in time.

Today I salute my successful colleagues.  By watching their example, I know I can take my small beginning to the next level.  With time, patience, even trial and error I will reach my successful Middle.

Have a wonderfully Creative week!

~Creatively Yours (ARC)

My Block/Vision Part 2

My block is beautiful.  It is made up of many different families, types of trees and too many cars.  Yet it's where I live and eat, where I sleep and dream.  Home.

I took this picture rather randomly the other morning.  The sky was so newly blue with the sun just about to rise and the clouds were so black, framing the leaf-less trees.

There is so much beauty here.

My block is like every other block in the city.  We have our share of problems and concerns.  I read a sign today on telephone pole that they had a public hearing (last week) regarding "redistricting" our voting district.  Funny that this sign was posted on a telephone pole instead of placed in every neighbor's door.  But I digress.

Tonight I'm still mulling over "vision". 

When I took the picture above the light refracted and turned the streetlight above and the street below into an orange-like glow.

How many times have we looked at something through a different lens and it morphed into something else which was unable to be seen with the human eye?  It's a breath-taking experience for sure! Things around us are constantly changing, just waiting for us to take notice.

Creatively Yours (ARC) is proud to announce the addition of a new family member to our fold.  My best friend Ashlie aka Momma's Confections will be taking orders for unique cakes (see below).  She is also available for event/party planning.  She can be reached through me or directly at ashlieds74@gmail.com.

Talk about morphing!  Ashlie did over the top HOMEMADE cakes for her children for many years. After much encouragement she is now ready to start baking her incredible creations for others.  Please join me in welcoming her  to the CY family and congratulations Ashlie on taking this big step toward owning your own business.

With Love and Vision...

~Creatively Yours

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

A few days ago I wrote an intensely personal blog post in which I celebrated my freedom from a job that was no longer serving me in any capacity.  I fought with myself about posting this blog here on the "biz blog" because it exposes a lot of who I am, what I struggle with and basically puts me out on "Front Street".

Instead I'd like to take this time to discuss vision.

Creatively Yours (ARC) is what I always saw in my mind's eye but was too afraid to do.  The nagging doubts kept me up at night as I pondered my next step.  Who is going to take me seriously?  Who will pay me to do things they can do for themselves?  Who do I think I am to put my name on a business and expect it to produce?

What I saw myself doing was bigger than what I went into the office every day to do.  My vision felt like a dream.  Something so big that I couldn't wrap my arms or mind around it.  I saw my future, not a lavish island hideaway, not rolling around on millions of dollars, not even having sushi every week.  

I saw a smile on my face. I saw pleasing the right people that would be led to my company not by chance, but as a Fated choice.  I envisioned my health improving because the only person I would have to "deal with" was me.

Most of all I saw the opportunity to change lives, businesses and circumstances just by being myself.  By allowing Creatively Yours (ARC) to come to fruition I saw the realization of my deep-seated need to be a small business owner in my hometown.

I can see it so clearly now that I'm up close and personal with it.  It brings me great joy and I hope what you see brings you joy as well.

Celebrating the gift of vision, one client at a time.

~Creatively Yours

HOME

"When I think of home I think of a place where there's love overflowing..."  The Wiz

In my surfing travels tonight I came across this beautiful picture of my hometown and current residence Harrisburg.  

I love my city.  Period.

My city is currently in a state of financial crisis that has been reported on the national news.  Crime is high and some people like to focus only on the bad aspects of my town.

I cannot think of a better place to house Creatively Yours (ARC) or to network with a finer group of businesses, consumers and hometown folks.

Harrisburg is struggling like every other city in America.  We are still hearing reports of the recession hitting in areas that have never been hit before and that industries are not "bouncing back" as quickly as the pundits predicted they would.

Yet there is a spirit in my city that is hard-scrabble and tough.  We work hard for our money and spend it just as freely.  I will speak for myself when I say I love supporting locally owned businesses...and I hope that others will feel the same way when they need something  Creatively Yours (ARC) can provide.

Harrisburg is being built up house by house and block by block.  I'm not saying we don't have our neglected areas, areas that are somewhat forgotten or only spotlighted when something bad has happened.  I'm saying there is joy to be found on every corner if you just look for it.

I'm proud to say I'm from Harrisburg.  Proud to say I went to Harrisburg High School.  I hold my head high and will tell anyone who asks that I am a product of public school.  I'm most proud of the fact that Creatively Yours was born here, and no matter how far our business arms reach, this will always be our Home.

~Creatively Yours

proudly hailing from Harrisburg, PA