Here I Am-Sharing My Authentic Self Through My Work

I’m sitting in the passenger seat of our old trusty big green car, going through snow covered mountains with giggly preteens in the backseat. I’m getting poked by toes with fur baby nestled in my lap. Hubby is driving with stunning scenes in the background & I think I actually caught a glimpse of a smile. I just looked over, touched his arm & told him I loved him. Him driving us safely though this adventure, somehow connected that I’ve loved him for 17 years this year being married, & time before then. My lips pursed to the side, thinking all the insignificant messes we’ve battled, us all together on this adventure to a cheer comp is such a blessing. There are giggles in the backseat over spotting cows in mountains & gas station stops where I’ve embarrassing one teen for existing & begging the other to wear socks and shoes instead of slippers inside. All of this won’t always be & neither will cheer competitions. Seeing the moms of the seniors on my daughter’s teams heartbroken while cheering them on for the last time at each event, all reminds me how lucky I am to be in this very moment. Sappy or not, I love these memories we’re making. I’m thankful & in reflection, want to share how this relates to my small business. I am not lucky, I’m blessed to be in this moment and have been working on aligning my business to be more of a Kingdom business. As I have been riding in the car, I’ve revised my Etsy shop, this website, & my mind a bit. Last night, I prepared & prayed over pieces I made for others, before packing for our trip. I want to share my why into the existence. I have been told I’m a vibe and my work reflects myself in that I want my pieces to be a little extra, standouts, conversation pieces that will bring joy to others. Spotting something extra & unique like this, I want others to point out, that it’s Clearly Crystal.

I’ve been reading more about what all this love & appreciation for what I do means to my small business. Transforming my negative thoughts of being told what I make is simply a passion rather than work I am proud of giving to others. Reading, discussing, & digging deeper with other entrepreneurs has helped me to reflect that I am a service to others & I enjoy my work. It matters, even if it has brought joy to a few people, followers on FB., or anyone who has received a gift I have made. While participating in our church‘s Business as Mission class (Bridge Church). I’ve been motivated to explore what being my authentic self looks like embedded in to my work. I am identifying what I enjoy making the most, how I implement systems, such as praying over my pieces before packaging. What has been most fearful is worrying that others will think me being Christ-driven in my work means I’ll be judgy of others. God is not Judge Judy & neither am I. I am a sinner, no one is perfect, as I am just living my authentic self in trying to embrace the joy in my heart to everyday work. Me being fearful of declaring that I pray over everything I make, is my true self & hoping it blesses others. My mission is to love others, including whom receive my work as gifts. My hope is that others feel loved and seen when they wear or use something I have made.. That is my heart, my mission. What I enjoy the most is making items that bring joy to others. When someone shows

me the bag clip they purchased, displayed on their bag proudly and/or talks about their own joy while writing with a positive pen in meetings, it makes me so happy. Pastor Christian McDaniel recently shared in class that ‘work is not a curse, it’s a passion that He created for us.’ My work in the Bloom Market is a gift in that I get to be a part of such a unique talented entrepreneur supported community & I‘m also able to dig into my creative side for their social media as well as my own. What I make is a passion & is joyful work from the love in my heart. That love I am sharing with joy, the reader.

Pastor Archie Callahan recently reminded me in class, “The hardest thing is being authentic.” As an entrepreneur with a small business, there is fear that me sharing God’s love in my heart with others is reflected in my work, but I am sharing my authentic self with you as a consumer. I’m not pushing any Word on anyone, not judging in any way.

The goal for my small business is being a Kingdom Business and knowing that there is love in every piece make. I’m okay with me not being for everyone, but I hope my work brings joy & love to all who purchase from me. Every purchase helps support my family as much as it brings joy to my heart. I am promising that I will do my best in quality & share hope & love with you. This is sharing my most personal authentic self with you, my why & how. As we drive through these beautiful mountains, petting my yorkie & my hubby complaining that we need to stop for a potty with 3 girls on the car, I am happy, content in the present & feeling a weight lifted that I have shared this wonderful feeling with you. I feel love through the sunshine pearing through the car windows, despite the windy weather and frigid temps. I am loved & couldn’t be happier that my loved ones are on this journey with me. Thank you for reading this in its entirety. I am not brief in words & again, sharing who I am in the many words I accept as being Clearly Crystal.