Practice what you preach ;)

Just a few days ago I blogged about not letting the "storms" in life get the best of us!  But, then I totally contradicted my words and fell into a slump.. :s

Monday night, the actual storm that was brewing outside of my safe haven, ended up breaking through the walls... LITERALLY!!  The storm caused a lot of damage and stress... I tried not to let it get to me because after all it is just "stuff"!  But I think as the day went on and nothing seemed to go my way, I slowly started getting frustrated and feeling down in the dumps. It probably doesn't help that I haven't had a decent sleep in over a week.. life has been busy and roadblocks have been appearing more than usual. But then I realized that, although I have had some minor health concerns, I am ALIVE and well.  I feel ridiculous that I let myself get so stressed out about minor things when there are people in this world who are suffering much greater trials... During that storm, I lost a bedroom ceiling.. but some people lost their homes, cars, and even family members.

It's easy for us to get wound up in our own little bubbles and convince ourselves that it's the end of the world when one thing doesn't go our way... It's especially easy when you are going on little sleep... But who wants to live their life being depressed over something that in time will be nothing... I, for one, do not!  Although I had a rough couple days, I am not going to let that bring me down and affect the life I am blessed with.  It is not worth it!  So to the people who had to be around me the last couple days, I am sorry!  I'm sure my silence, irritability, and shortness was not a pleasure to be around!  I promise to bring back the girl who doesn't stop smiling!  :)  Life is too short not to be happy.. not even for one day!  

It Happens...

Cozy fire, glass of red wine, a chick flick, and a crazy storm brewing beyond the walls of my safe haven... A perfect night for catching up on blogging!

Hurricane Sandy has made herself known.  Even in my small town we are feeling the effects.  Crazy winds, lots of rain and power outages... the storm is definitely here!  A while back I wrote about a quote I had seen.. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."  Although I have NO intentions of going outside and busting a move, I am reminded once again how life can get a little crazy and we need to be able to step back and appreciate the good things...

Life is so unpredictable just like the weather.  We can have a plan for our future but we can't plan for the unpredictable events that lead our lives down new paths.  A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to see a friend speak about an event that changed his life.. drastically!  He is the most admirable person I have EVER met. I look up to him in so many ways and he makes me strive to be a better person.  His speech made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt and also cry to the point where I couldn't breathe.... This person took a tragedy and instead of letting it define him, he kicked it's ass and didn't let it get in his way of living.  During his speech, he talked about how a community came together to help him and his family... I think this says a lot of who he is as a person... Before his accident, he touched many people's lives and now he is changing lives everyday by his courage and strength.    

After tonight, lives will be forever changed by this storm... not necessarily in my small town, but cities which are in direct contact are going to to see and feel the devastation.  As much as we want to control and plan for our future, we have to remember that anything can happen and it's how we deal with it that defines us...  

Be thankful for every day you live, for every day is a gift and an opportunity... Seize these opportunities and don't let them pass you by... You never know what tomorrow is going to bring!

1 in 7 billion

7,000,000,000. This is the estimated population of our world today. 7 billion people!! I live in a small town of 75,000. I have travelled to some parts of the world and met hundreds of people throughout my lifetime thus far. I cannot help but think that the people you meet on this journey called life, are meant to be a part of your story...

People come in and out of our lives every day. Some stay for awhile and others stay a short time but leave a lasting impression. I truly believe in fate and that things happen for a reason. I guess as I get older I realize how unpredictable life can be. I have known some great people who's stories were cut short for unfair reasons. These people have left lasting impressions on me and my outlook on life. I have no clue what my fate has in store nor do I care to find out. But I do know that I want to live my life with no regrets. I want to leave a lasting impression on every person I come in contact with. I want my life to mean something.

I look at the people I have met who fit into my story. Besides the obvious ones like my friends and family, there are others that I think of often and the reason I do is because they have moulded who I am today. For instance, Dr. Engel. I met Dr. Engel on a pretty bad day and he was a bearer of bad news. But I don't remember him for that.. I remember him because of the relationship he built with me and my family over the years. He was an amazing man and doctor. I don't think there is one person in my life that has ever made me feel so comfortable and just at ease. I could try to explain him but I know I could not do him justice. About 5 years ago, he took a position in Kingston and I haven't seen him since. I don't know if I will ever have the opportunity to thank him but I am so glad to have met him. He will always be in my heart and I will always be forever thankful that he came into my life.

Dr. Engel is just one of many people who have affected my outlook. These people have made me want to be a better person and lead a better life. I want to be a Dr. Engel to someone. I want to leave a lasting impression...

Life is unpredictable but that's what makes it so exciting. Instead of wasting your time worrying about what could happen, start living... Be that person who people look up to and admire... Leave a lasting impression!

ErNiE

So, it's been awhile since my last REAL blog post.  I'm not sure why I haven't posted in awhile... I just haven't...

I thought today I would dedicate a post to one of the most important people in my life.. MY BROTHER!

My brother is one of the most amazing persons I know.  He amazes me everyday and I look up to him in many ways.  I feel that the busyness of summer has gotten in the way of me being a part of his world and I miss him.

My brother and I haven't always been as close.  He is 6 years older than me and growing up I use to annoy the HELL out of him.  But what are younger siblings for, right?  As we got older though, I feel like my bond with my brother grew.  He has always been there for me no matter what and he shows a genuine interest and concern in all aspects of my life.  Anyone who knows Arron, knows that he would take his shirt off his back for his family and close friends.  Everyone comes before him and he has always been mature beyond his years.

Arron is a hard worker, an incredible father, a loving husband, and the best brother a girl could ask for. His love for music, wrestling, and inappropriate comments makes him the life of any party.  Arron is extremely talented and his life experiences have moulded him into the amazing person he is today.  My brother didn't have the easiest adolescence but I know that he grew stronger because of these challenges and anyone who meets him will tell you he has the kindest soul.

Arron, I want you to know that I love you.  I look up to the person you have become and strive to be half the parent you are.  I am happy that we come from the same family and I feel honoured to call you my brother!

Peter Pan Syndrome...

There are moments in our lives which define us.  But more importantly, there are people in our childhood that mould us into the adults we are today.  I look back on my childhood often and am so thankful that I grew up with the loving family I have.  I am thankful for the opportunities I was given and the way I was raised.  I know that life wasn't always easy for my mom and dad but, as a kid, I would never have guessed they struggled.  But having struggles with relationships, money, careers, etc., is a part of growing up and being an adult.

When you are a kid, you think your mom and dad have these special powers... they never get scared or worried, they always know what to do, and they seem to have ALL the answers.  But as you grow up, you slowly realize that your parents are human too and they too can make mistakes and be afraid and worry.

I really struggled for a long time with this whole "growing up" concept.  I didn't want to be an adult and leave the innocence of my childhood.  I wanted to stay in this place called childhood forever.  Growing up scared the heck out of me!  I look at children today and it makes me sad.  So many of them are rushing to grow up.  Rushing to be adults and not enjoying the beauty of their innocence.  It makes me sad because one day they will be all grown up and regret not having their childhood a little longer.

It's crazy that we live in this world.  We are not certain how we got here or what are purpose on this earth is, but we know that we go through a life cycle and, as far as we know, it only happens once.  I think we need to step back and remember the beauty of our childhoods and our innocence.  Take that memory and help mould the young people today to cherish these moments in their lives.  Help them to stay kids for as long as they can.

Growing up can be fun and exciting.  But with fun and excitement also brings responsibility.  And don't get me wrong, I love all the new memories I have been making as an adult but, I feel that I can truly appreciate them because I was a kid for as long as I could be thanks to the amazing parents who raised me!  :)

Never forget what it was like to be a kid!!

HEN by Gen

I am super excited about my next post.  Below you will meet a young talented jewelry designer from London, Ontario.  My sister-in-law introduced me to her line and I become instantly obsessed!  I just purchased my first bracelet today... first of many.  I found Genevieve on Facebook and asked if she would be willing to answer some questions for my blog and she was happy to.  Genevieve is following her dreams and I love that she was more than willing to share her story of success with me and my readers.   So, without further ado, I introduce Genevieve Smolders, creator of HEN jewelry.


Hi! My name is Genevieve Smolders and I am the Owner/Designer of the Canadian Jewelry Company, HEN Jewelry.

I am a small girl with a big heart and an even bigger smile. I am very motivated, creative and passionate. I like anything that has a rich or deep history, or story at that, 90's rap & R&B, 90210- the newer edition, and a strong weakness for chocolate chip cookies. But most of all, I am proud to be Canadian!


I started doing HEN as a full-time job this year in March 2012. At the time, HEN was only a part-time thing for me, and I was also working part-time (and going nowhere) working in a bakery. After getting really fed up I decided to ditch the bakery and do HEN full-time to see what I could do solely on my own- and by the looks of it, so far so good!

How did you get started making jewelry?

Funny you ask that... I am a graduate of Fashion Communications (a glorified graphic design degree) from Ryerson University. In second year, or maybe third, I can't really remember, I took a jewelry making course as an elective. I SUCKED and I hated it... Okay maybe sucked is a strong word, but I definitely didn't excel, and I was jealous of my classmates work in comparison to mine. I must have got at best a C in the course, and I left it with the intention of never looking back. However! One summer, bored and alone in my Toronto apartment, I heard my tools and supplies screaming my name from the closet. After that night, I was hooked.

How did you get the name Hen Jewelry?

HEN is a childhood nickname. When we were little kids, my brother used to tease me singing 'Gen is a hen that lives in a pen...' and from then on, it stuck. I decided to use it for my line because it embodies who I am without using my full name, and I love birdies.

What inspires your pieces?

Very rarely do I look at anything or have an inspiration before I go and buy my supplies... Which is quite backwards to what most jewelry designers do. What I like to do is let the pieces that I can find inspire me and spark my imagination, and from there, I create! I guess I could say I get inspired by anything vintage, and/or bohemian. I try to create one-of-a-kind pieces that people can truly love and cherish when they wear it.

Where do you hope to go from here?

The goal for this year (and subsequent years to follow) is to get HEN into every province across Canada... I have two down and only 8 more to go! Exposure is very necessary, and it's time to expand and let people know about me and my line. I'd like to get into more shows and events, meet people and travel to different boutiques in Canada.

Where can your jewelry be purchased?

Hen Jewelry is available at:

Girl Friday (740 Queen Street, Toronto.)
Leslies Clothing (551 Richmond Street, London.)
Desi's Boutique (505 Bathurst Street, London.)
LUX Butik (2-1200 London Road, Sarnia.)
Small-Mart General Mercantile (121 Ontario Street, Stratford, Ontario.)
Opal & Onyx (140 Stavanger Drive, Unit 2, St.John's Newfoundland.)
ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/henbygen

& By Contact through Facebook- private message me-www.facebook.com/HenJewelry !

This is my first of many HEN purchases :)