Moving to a new town and being at home full time has forced my ever active mind into a new territory of dreaming and self reflection.

Here are some of the questions I have been asking myself – and my evolving answers…

Who am I? I am Hope, and I am a mama, a wife, a friend, a daughter and a maker.

What do I really like to spend my time doing? I really enjoy making things, from fabric, yarn, paper, wood… really whatever inspires me to be creative.

What brings me joy? Lots of people and things bring me joy. Spending time with my family and friends tops the list… so does making things and sharing what I’ve made with people who can use and enjoy whatever it is that I’ve made.

Over the past many years I have spent the majority of my “making energy” designing lesson plans and units so that my students could better understand and interact with the study of history. I loved every moment of this. Now that I am no longer in the classroom, my creative energy has been funneled into many directions- this blog being one of them.

So, what of Doreen Virtue, Anita Moorjani and Etsy? I’ll tell you.

Doreen Virtue- If you are unfamiliar with her, she is a communicator with angels and an online presence of love, positive energy and encouraging words of guidance. I was first introduced to her through my mom, who suggested I draw oracle cards from Doreen’s website during a particularly hectic feeling time. I did, then promptly downloaded her Angel Therapy app to my phone and subsequently acquired an actual deck of her archangel cards to have in my home.

Why it works for me- faith and interaction with something greater is a tricky thing for me to discuss- mostly because I find it a deeply personal matter- and I have never associated myself with any particular organized religion. I do, however, hold a deep respect for and fascination with that which I cannot see, but trust to be. I’m also forever listening to the wisdom of those who find themselves connected with the divine nature of life, death and the universe.

Anyway, I drew cards with the intention of understanding what the next step for me is -career based in particular because for the first time since grad school I’m unencumbered by a career path. I had everything all lined up before we moved, and now I’m more or less “free” to find a new way.

So I cleared my mind, opened my heart to Doreen’s angel guidance and pulled cards. Again and again I was told of a new career, one that is authentic to me. Good.

Anita Moorjani – the beautiful woman of East Indian descent who grew up in Hong Kong and died of cancer – but returned from the other side with a message. Her message – BE YOURSELF. Know that you, all that you are and all that you do is the divinity of the universe expressing itself. Each experience you have is blessed, guided and meant to be lived consciously. Your soul is immortal, and the other side- is home. She teaches that our only job is to shine our light, and to do our best to cherish and honor, not only every living being we share this earth with, but also ourselves. Beautiful. Who couldn’t get behind that?

Smiling over and over while listening to her audio books  (Dying To Be Me and What If This Is Heaven?) I found myself thinking a lot about what I want to do, to try, and how exactly the divine experience plays out through me, my creativity and my day to day life.

Follow the Happiness- I make things. It’s what happens. It is something I am driven to do. It fills me with positivity, relaxation and joy. It’s meditative, calming and energizing all at the same time.

I have decided that I would like to have a little shop. A small, bright, happy, tidy shop with flowers and scones, hot tea served in beautiful cups in the winter months and iced tea in the summer- made extra special by the fruit and mint leaf infused ice cubes. In this shop, I’ll spend my days making things, and people will come from all around to sip tea, enjoy scones and see what’s new. It’s a lovely fantasy, isn’t it? Someday it may be a reality, you just never know.

Until that day, I am still making, baking and steeping mint tea- at home- for myself and the people in my life.

There have proven to be a couples of things that I make, and have given as gifts, that have gotten pretty good reviews – always a thrill to think a handmade gift is so thoroughly used and enjoyed!

After some suggestions, inquiries, and encouragement, I’ve made up my mind to open my fantasy shop (or shoppe really, because it’s a fun way to spell it) minus tea and scones- online!

Once I decided that and began to acquire the supplies and lists of to-dos, I, and everyone in my home, got sick. All motivation to create,  clean,  or pretty much do anything that didn’t involve sleeping or taking a hot bath, vanished. So here I am, groggily emerging from the sick week, slowly but surely making my way towards having the merchandise needed to open my online store.

So, what’s next?  Follow along with me while I navigate these unfamiliar waters. I’ll be sharing what I learn, and I will- Ask. Listen. Try. Make adjustments. Repeat.

Have you ever done anything like this?  I’m all ears if you have any suggestions for success! Cheers!