"She remembered who she was and the game changed." - An Intro to the Affirmations Gift Shop - Part 1

          I was standing behind the register of my retail job. A national chain that I never imaged working at for more than 6 months post college graduation. But I was now in my 30’s and back at it for the third stint again. Needless to say, I was depressed and feeling like my soul was dying- little by little. I felt lost. I was stressed to the point of having literal chest pains. And I felt like I was drowning in a life I didn’t want.

          The only perk of my frustration- so I thought at the time- was the inspiration to write a one-act musical play. This would become “Retail! the musical” a one-act musical composed entirely on a ukulele and written for 4 singing characters. Complete with a positive message and inspiring songs to help people pull themselves out of their personal ruts like I struggled with daily.

          But alas, with the whole Covid19/social distancing craziness going on, producing a collaborative musical or play was not an option. At least not YET.

          And my current job in a retail pharmacy was NOT feeding my soul AT ALL.

          What was a lost girl like me supposed to do??

          That’s when the Affirmations Gift Shop was born. Or at least that’s when it officially came to fruition.

          So now, I’m about to finally launch my online store. Full of positive, encouraging, life affirming products, books, and home decor. All things to empower people to live their best lives, love themselves, heal of past wounds, and encourage others around them. All things that are my life mottos and personal life missions.

          I’ve always felt called to be a positive influence in the world through the arts and media, a positive voice to encourage the lonely and brokenhearted. Someone that I didn’t have growing up in my formative years but always wished I did. That little girl that tried to feed and fill her soul with encouragement from books, magazines, movies, music, and other inspiring messaged merchandise. I wanted to be THAT and create THAT for other people in the world.

          So that’s where this Affirmations Gift Shop comes from.

          I might have lost myself for a long time. Thought I wasted my life working for nearly a decade in various customer service/retail jobs. But honestly all of that just prepared me for this vision and purpose even more. All things that I will elaborate on in future posts and my upcoming book series “Better Late Than Never”.

          But until then, I just want to remind people that it’s never too late to Create the Life You Want. Just step back, look at your experiences and strengths and what you are truly passionate about, and figure out ways to turn that into a life you can be proud to call your own.

          That’s what I’m doing.

          I may still be figuring out who I am and what I TRULY want sometimes, struggling with my own weaknesses and using my head to make decisions more than I’d like to admit (all things  I will elaborate on in future posts). But I will get there.

          And so will you.

          That is if you’re willing to do the inner work and are not afraid to face the internal demons and deep rooted causes of your issues.

          Thankfully I am a writer and am able to process my issues and wounds through the written word. And I plan to through future blog posts, books, songs, and merch.

          But I also know that doesn’t come easily to everyone.

          So that’s what much of these products and resources I will be offering through the Affirmations Gift Shop will be supplying to others. I pray that the products, ideas, concepts, and stories I share through my sites and events will encourage you. I pray they will inspire you, empower you, help you heal and learn of your worth and value in this world.

          These are all things that I’ve struggled with throughout my life and it kills me to see anyone else struggle with those feelings as well. So I am determined to create, promote and sell products, events, and services to help counteract that.

          Thank you for following me and this store on this journey.  I hope it will be a blessing to you as much- if not more- than it has been for me. And I am confident it will continue to be from this day forward.

          Like Lalah Delia said “She remembered who she was and then the game changed.” My game has changed. But what about you?? What game do you want to play in your life? I want to help you win in this game of life. Let’s do this together. I believe we can. Thank you.