I am so fortunate to have met fellow creatives who believe in learning and encouraging each other in this wonderful business. There have been some amazing vendors and venues I have worked with who are this way too! It is refreshing.
Today I’m talking about what some people would call crazy. Community over competition. 
   I get it. We all need to earn a living. It doesn’t mean that we just hand over our clients and not make an effort to be someone who is striving to provide the best for their business and clients. We all have goals. We all have quotas. We all have bills. **Someone please explain to me why I always dreamt having my own car, house, and responsibility would be soo freeing?! ** Buy a house, they said.. 😛
When I think of independence now, I think of four things:
1. Freedom from financial burden
2. Spending quality time with family/friends
3. Successful as a business owner
4. Being the very best version of yourself

   Let’s jump to the heartbeat of what I see right now that is bothering me tonight. Friends and family, fellow business owners: When did we learn that it is okay to act indifferent to others who share the same passions as you? To feel threatened by them because you have the same type of business as them? To act, think, or say unkind things? To be so worried about making $$$ that you aren’t afraid to hurt others in the process?

   As children, we are taught that working together, sharing, and being kind to others will benefit us in the long run. Then, as we get older, we are told the exact opposite. In fact, you have to be so much better than the other person trying to get on that team, scholarship, job, or anything else you can think of, to get what you want. Don’t worry about who you step on in the process. Go ahead and slander the other person too, because as long as you get what you want, it doesn’t matter.. Or does it?
 
   Growing up, my mother was trying to wear many hats, including mom and dad. I didn’t take on her convictions or beliefs. In fact, I was taught to believe in and learn about my own faith, convictions, and who I wanted to be in life. I learned that in order to be successful like the people I see around me I would need to: work hard, be honest, be kind, and treat everyone with respect. I wish I would have learned sooner about people trying to take advantage of your kindness. Haha. Many lessons learned there. 🙂 My goal in life for my children are to teach them to be the best version of themselves. To work hard. To work smarter. To not compare themselves to others. To teach them right from wrong- to explain that doing wrong hurts others in the process. To show them that doing right is not just a moral thing to do: having a right heart and mind is what really matters. Being honest, being loyal- keeping your vows and promises to the best of your ability is your duty. Loving your spouse and no one else means you both decide to be faithful to each other, in the good and bad times. They will not learn these truths unless they see it being practiced in my own life. I could tell them every single day all of these truths, but they will only see what I practice in my daily life. What I make important. Being a parent is a tough job, y’all!
I am a passionate person. If you met me, you would think that I am probably a nice, shy lady. Ha! Once I get to know people, or am behind my camera or desktop editing, I feel like I come alive. I am passionate about doing right, loving my family, my boys and their education, and being a creative. It’s who I am and I may not be perfect, but I believe in this whole being kind to others. Why go through life trying to outdo others? Be you, work hard, be kind, and remember that community over competition is way more important than those dollar signs. A candle never loses any of it’s light by lighting another.