The talented and amazing Candy from Candied Fabrics tagged me in the Blog it Forward mashup — there are 300 bloggers taking part writing about what inspires us the most.

Ever since I signed up for this project weeks ago, I’ve been pondering this thought and always came full circle back to one thing — people who selflessly give of themselves and their talents inspire me the most.

This includes bloggers who openly share the details of their lives letting us know we’re not alone, like Susannah Conway. Or friends I met over the past year who give me encouragement and support through emails, twitters, letters and blog posts (you know who you are and I love you!). And my developer, David, who always has the time despite his busy schedule to provide me advice and help out.

Then there’s folks like Maggie Doyne who at the precious young age of 19 built an orphanage in Nepal. Or Danielle LaPorte providing her no nonsense wisdom and advice daily. And the hilarious Moggit Girls who combine their sense of style with their sense of humor making me laugh everyday.

Each of these people give without expecting anything in return. And the universe will keep providing to them so they may continue sharing their talents. Give thanks and give back. These are the two main ingredients to peace and prosperity. And inspiration.

Five years ago this very moment, I was standing by a beach in Bali wearing a white sun dress. There was a full moon and I was getting married. It was the smartest choice I ever made.

If our next five years together are anything like the last, I know I’ll love him even more. We’ll laugh everyday. And our life will far exceed our wildest dreams and expectations.

I’ve been blessed and lucky many times in my life. But sharing this journey with this cool, handsome, wise and witty man is by far the jackpot. Life is good.

ps: To celebrate, I’m making a Balinese dish called Gado-Gado. It means “mixed” because it’s an variety of vegetables. It’s also that’s what the locals called us there — “Gado – Gado”.

Please invest at least 10 minutes watching this heart-touching PBS documentary about Nepalese women being sold into sex trade in Bombay for a few hundred dollars. They endure the greatest violation of human rights I can imagine. This isn’t easy to watch. I sobbed all the way though it. What I saw really rattled me.

The sad truth is that trafficking and slavery happen every day across the globe. Post earthquake Haiti provides the perfect conditions for this to occur. Our purpose is to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Not to help ourselves because others are less fortunate.

How you can help

• International Justice Mission is featured in this film. You can make a donation through their website.
• GlobalGiving.com has a project to build a new shelter for women victim to sex trafficking.
• Pray, light a candle, meditate on positive intentions for these innocent victims

Namaste

The other day I come across this quote about when you live in reaction, you give your power away. Then you get to experience what you gave your power to.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to test this theory. Someone really wanted me to react. Take my power. Then do a little happy dance while I wallowed in my own frustration. But I refused to hand it over. And boy, that was hard.

Instead of reacting to his accusations and insecure behavior, I stayed calm. I complimented. I smiled. I probably annoyed the heck out of him. He kept at it, trying more buttons. I exhaled. Breathed. Counted a few blessings. Walked away.

My New Friend

Like a little reward for good behavior, later in the afternoon this little guy came showed up in the post. He sits on my desk reminding me to hold onto my power. My little green Buddha of peace, love, prosperity. But mostly peace.

The wind is howling outside my window with a view of an icy white tundra. Everything is frozen. The snow is dirty, hard, and still piled too high for us to get to the mailbox. In the past weeks we endured insane blizzards making us scoop snow for hours, subzero temps that have locked inside for days, power outages, and ice storms. We don’t go out and we’re going a bit crazy staying in. Yes, winter is here with a vengeance this year.

At first I was enjoying a change of routine, the early evenings in, running in extreme temps. But now I just want to go for a walk without my back hunched and toes frozen. I want to hear bird song and feel sunshine on my skin.

This is our third Dakota winter and with each year we get a little better at the survival game. We make sure we take our vitamins — plenty of fish oil and vitamin C. We invest in super warm running clothes and ice grippers for our shoes so we can continue to get exercise. We figured out the importance of scooping snow BEFORE you drive on it. Saturday matinees, baking scones, taking warm baths, investing in a hot water bottle, and of course, building an insanely cool home theater helps.

February is just around to the corner, ending this longest, coldest month of the year. With it comes the Olympics, our anniversary, and a short break to Austin. I can do this. I can make it through a -30 below, two feet of snow, everything frozen and closed down winter. Because as they say, “There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues.”

This is a picture of my mother-in-law and me at Wong Thai Sin Temple in Hong Kong. I’m the blondie and she’s bent over next to me writing. It’s a place where prayers are answered using fortune sticks called kau cim.

While meditating on your intention or question, you shake a cup of sticks — each with a number. One eventually falls out and that is your fortune. The number is tied to a story when interpreted is your fortune.

My mother-in-law goes back every year to ask about the future of everyone in the family. Her report back is spookily accurate. Each year I wait with great anticipation to hear the news. And this year’s was stunning.

My story is about a phoenix that rises from the ashes and flies over the forest. A new beginning. A rebirth. Finding my inner calling.

That’s exactly how I intend 2010 to unfold. My word for this year is “soar”. To fly to new (scary) heights and truly expand my wings. I plan to make it a year where I tap into my deepest creativity, making the most of my talents. This will lead me to adventures and experiences beyond my imagination. This is the year I fly.

I wish you all much prosperity and peace in 2010. You have everything you need right now to make all your wishes come true, so come fly with me, come fly, come fly away… (think Sinatra).

A couple of weeks ago my favorite Houndstooth girls invited me to their Stella & Dot trunk show. This is where a bunch of women get together for wine, nibbles, chit-chat and jewelry shopping. Superb.

While I was there I met this lovely lady sporting a cool capelet she made herself from an old sweater. She told me she found the instructions on a blog and whipped it together in minutes. This is my kind of lady! She quickly became my new BFF when just two minutes later she offered to loan me a bunch of sweaters for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. She had just met me and yet was willing to hand over her prize collection — super ugly, these things could go for mucho bucks on eBay.

To thank her I created this necklace which is just like the one I purchased from Stella & Dot that night. The cool thing about the Stella & Dot necklace is that you can change the brooch. It comes with a metal flower, but for $34 you can buy the brooch in the picture below and swap it out. Ingenious.

I discovered how to make the flower brooch from the same blog that had the capelet tutorial. I got a long chain necklace for a couple bucks from the craft store and hot glue gunned it all together. The back of mine needs some work but overall I’m impressed. It only cost a couple bucks and took less than an hour! The tax alone on the one I purchased cost more than that. I’m definitely making one for myself!

Here’s a picture of me modeling the necklace. The length looks great in this dress. I love it when ideas come together, don’t you?

A year ago today I woke to an email that changed my life completely. It was from Apple saying that my iPhone app, Gratitude Journal, was approved.

Like all anniversaries, I like to reflect on the year and note how far I had come. And nothing compares to this past year with my little buddy, Gratitude. This little app has put me in touch with people all over the world, all walks of life. People who are passionately sharing their artistic talents. And others who just wanted to let me know that the app has helped them through a particularly hard time.

It has expanded the opportunities in my life profoundly. I’m working with amazing talent who teach me something new everyday. I’m honored to be on their team.

But mostly, it has given me a confidence I never had before. Or perhaps it’s a feeling of peace rather than confidence. Sure, I still want to get a nose job and shed a few pounds. But that’s not it. For the first time I really, truly like who I am. I accept my mistakes as learning opportunities and know that the universe wants the best for me. For all of us. And I discovered how happy I am when I’m sharing my talents with others helping those I meet get ahead.

I have each and everyone of you to thank for making this past year one of the best ever. Your encouragement and friendship was an unexpected blessing that catapulted me out a slump and into a new way of thinking. We all have a gem inside of us. And by sharing yours, you changed my life. Thank you.

Forever my niece has told me I’m her favorite aunt. She probably says this to all her aunts, I really don’t care, I just love hearing it. Those words free me to be wacky, unpredictable and childish when I’m with her. We have a blast. And I always leave feeling pretty cool. Like I’m making a difference in her life.

Little did I know that truth be told, she’s in fact my hero. I realized this earlier today when we were having lunch together with her mom (my sister). Given our busy lives, it’s a rare treat to have a couple hours to catch up and today it was extra special.

See, my niece is a freshman in high school and is considering leaping from her tiny 150 people school to one with well over 2000 students. And topping it off with a half hour commute each way. I can’t imagine how scary but exciting that must be for her. Yet, she’s stepping up to the plate and giving her best shot.

To top it off, her mom rang me afterwards with great news that she’s going back to college. She’s finishing a degree in marketing. Today I expected to have a simple lunch with two woman I love and it turns out they showed me how to step outside my comfort zone and to take risks. The logistics of how the two of them will pull of these changes are unclear. But that’s not the point. The point is we need to make that critical first step and trust that the rest will come together in time.

My sister and her daughter are true superheroes. I’m sure they don’t see it right now, but to me their bright red capes are glowingly flapping in the wind shouting “change is good!”. Bravo!

I simply love autumn. It kicks off with tailgate parties and homecoming buzz. Then carries on to Halloween costumes. A splash of birthday in the middle, then followed up by Thanksgiving. And as we all know, giving thanks is my little secret to having peace. Since I’m leaving to Prague this weekend, I wanted to get a jump on things and list all most of the things I’m grateful for.

• All the amazing success I enjoyed this past year. But more so to all of you for helping me get there.
• The incredible weather this November. Keep the sunny days coming. As a farmer’s daughter, I know each hour is much appreciated.
• My good health and the health of my family and friends. Thank you for my running, yoga and mediation addictions.
• Food and my stomach and a roof over my head. And to Houndstooth for making it so smashing. You girls are magic.
• All the travels we enjoyed this year. They have been few but absolutely precious. Bring on Prague baby!
• The overwhelming flood of opportunity. This next year may be my most successful yet. (I plan to say that every year, by the way)
• My friends old and new. They’ve been my crutch and my inspiration. I can’t believe the incredible people who come into my life.
• My husband’s unending support. Don’t plan to get sappy here, but I have to say that guy has some incredible patience.
• The opportunity to work from home. It was a rocky start finding my routine, but now I’m in my groove making it happen.
• Clean air. Clean water.
• Finding a great stylist who’s affordable, always has time, and gives me an amazing do in 15 minutes.
• Starting my first garden this year. A little too much kale, but hey, it’s good for the innards.
• Getting to an age where I really know what I want. Now if I can just find the voice to say it.
• Everyone who found or kept employment this year.
• The people who dedicate their lives to peace, helping others, and our environment.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” – Meister Eckhart

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are. Peace.