It was 2:00am when my brother rang me to tell me Dad passed away. I was already half-awake — I just zombie walked a trip to the loo. Colin answered the phone and when he said it was my brother, my first thought was that they had their baby a few weeks early. But the look on his face when he handed me the phone quickly told me otherwise.

I more or less had sleep problems since then. Sometimes they would go away, but for the most part I would wake up at 2:00am on the dot. I tried all sorts of things. We got a new bed, no luck. I quit caffeine which seemed to help some. I began to wear eye blinds and ear plugs. I kept a Gratitude Journal. That helped.

A friend of mine who has also been battling sleep problems recently posted on Facebook that her journaling has cured her for three days straight. Every night or morning, whichever you prefer, you write down everything that riddles you in the night. And go deep to the route of the cause. Why is it bothering you? Is there something deeper? Get it all out and on paper.

I haven’t tried the journaling yet because miraculously these last few weeks my sleep has been better than ever. By 9pm I can’t keep my eyes open any longer and I’m zonked out with lucid filled dreams until 7am. A solid ten hours. I even ditched the ear plugs. Part of me doesn’t like admitting this because it’s sort of up there with people who brag about eating anything they want and not gaining an ounce.

I have my recent job change to thank. I started working from home a few weeks ago. I have a lovely office with big windows overlooking our street below. I get to see suburbia life at it’s fullest - delivery trucks, lawn services, dog walkers. But most of all I get daylight. Something I didn’t have a lick of for years in cublicle-land. It’s amazing how much my body responds to natural sunlight.

My 2:00am What-if’s may return and if they do, I have a pen and notebook waiting to fight them off! I leave you now with a poem that would rumble through my head during those early waking hours.

Whatif by Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I’m dumb in school?
Whatif they’ve closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don’t grow talle?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won’t bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

By time you read this, blogs will be equivalent of today’s view of Pong. Vitamins will keep you going for another 30 years giving you enough strength to run another marathon, amongst other things (wink, wink).

By now you’ve seen a decent share of our planet. You traveled to the remote regions of Bhutan, Africa, and Asia. I’m so pleased you finally learned how to sail and play guitar. As well as speak fluent French. Tre bon!

It’s a good thing you listened to your heart all those years ago and took a chance with that book. It’s helped so many people. Not to mention give you the funds needed to live for 110 years. What a thing to meet Maya Angelou and appear on Oprah too. And that was just the start!

Looking at you now, my fears seem so trivial. Fears? Maybe I should call them uncertainties. Whether we should stay in middle America or move to southern Europe? Start a new business or stick to what works? Paint the dining room grey or keep it tan? Chicken or fish for dinner?

You make following your heart seem so easy. You know exactly what to do and are fearless. Your eyes are filled with so much coyness and laughter, you are drunken on life. Some may call you selfish for living as you do, but as Oscar Wilde so eloquently put it, “Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.”

You are your own woman. Living life fullest with your own intentions. Not pushing your beliefs and thoughts onto others, and not letting others push theirs onto you. You are a role model, friend, wife.

I’m not even half your age as I write this. Half as experienced. Half as wise. Half as versed. But equally filled with ambition, desire, and a head full of big dreams.

Maggie Doyne came into my life through a casual email from my life coach. The message read, “Don’t you wish all our daughters grew up like this?” and a link to her blog. I quickly tucked in and found myself entrenched in her stories for hours. She is an old soul in a young body, filled with wisdom beyond her years. Personally I think she’s a philosopher reincarnated.

At just the tender age of 19, Maggie founded Kopila Valley Children’s Home in Nepal. It is home to innocent victims orphaned by years of human rights violations and war. Using her own babysitting money, she purchased the land, organized the contractors, and build the home entirely from the ground up. Through her work, Maggie has given shelter to 24 kids, sent 60 others to school, and assisted in the placement of over 700 orphans in the region.

It all started when Maggie took off to see the world after high school. While trekking through the Himalayas in war-torn Nepal she met hundreds of children orphaned and homeless. Falling in love with their big smiles and bright eyes, she was stricken by what little they survived on. She flew back to the States and babysat kids, plants, animals (you name it!) and saved each cent with a vision of building them a home.

Maggie found the Blinknow Foundation and is the recent recipient of Do Something’s $100,000 grand prize. In her speech, Maggie breathlessly says:

“Sometimes making someone’s dream come true is a “yes” away. Thank you, Do Something, for being my ‘yes’ tonight!”

Maggie’s brave adventure started with a “yes” from her parents years ago which created a chain reaction, eventually evolving into a career of social entrepreneurship at just 22-years-old. Today Maggie is tackling human rights issues in the region, improving the lives of children affected by violence, child labor, sex trafficking, and poverty.

Maggie’s story reflects two of my favorite theories. First is that each of us have everything we need to make a difference (Maggie had ambition and $5000 in savings). Second, if we give back the universe will continue to provide us with abundance (congrats on the $100K, Maggie!). This makes Kopila Valley Children’s Home one of my favorite charities. If you like what you read, be Maggie’s “yes” and consider a donation. There are a lot of ways you can help.

Friends, please welcome the amazing and insightful Maggie Doyne….

What inspired you to build Kopila Valley Children’s Home? How has it affected your life?

It’s a really long story that can be hard to condense in a few words. My life took a 360 degree turn when I was just about to graduate from high school. I had a bit of a seventeen year old crisis. Who am I?… What should I do with my life?… That sort of thing. I had spent my middle school and high school obsessed with trying to be perfect at everything. Getting the perfect grades, trying to be a star athlete, the editor of my yearbook, a good friend, daughter, and sister, social light. I took on more than I could handle and with the intention of getting into a really good college and getting on the fast track. It turned out I wasn’t perfect at any of those things and trying to be perfect at all of them took a toll on every part of who I was. I could see my life going in a direction I didn’t want it too.

I could see myself going straight to college and falling deeper into this dark hole of doing what I was supposed to do, what everyone expected but not what was really in my heart. I’d lost my passion to learn. Thanks to the support of my parents I was lucky see this and recognize it in myself at a young age. I suddenly postponed my plans for college and signed up for a gap year program to backpack all around different of the world. After taking an internship in an orphanage in India, I began to meet young Nepali refugee children and became curious as to where they were coming from and why. I ended up going on a backpacking trip with a young Nepli refugee girl in search of her relatives in the remote Himalyan mountains of Nepal where I met hundreds of children in need of a home. I decided right then and there to build one for them.

You write quite endearing letters to the children in your home on your blog. What have you learned the most from them?

They’ve taught me the value of human life and the importance of childhood. I’ve learned alot about the healing process. They are the true definition of resilience. They make me laugh and they’ve brought so much joy and meaning to my life. We’ve really become a family over the past few years.

What was your biggest challenge when building the Kopila Valley Children’s Home?

During the early phases of construction and settling in with the community, I hadn’t learned a lot of the language. Losing your ability to communicate leaves you feeling pretty vulnerable. Sometimes I’d have an English speaking friend come and translate and other times I was completely on my own, with masons, laborers, and villagers that I couldn’t fully communicate with. The first few months were hard but I got through it. Looking back being in that vulnerable position of not knowing/understanding (what people around me were saying), and desperately wanting to know/understand, empowered me to learn more quickly and in a more meaningful and deep manner. I took Spanish for 7 years in middle school and high school and still can’t string a sentence together but Nepali came pretty easily to me. You can’t get by here without being able to speak the language and I was almost forced to learn to speak. I realize now that if I was never challenged, if I had never felt frustrated about not being able to communicate, I would have never learned.

Your website states that your mission is “To create a self-sustainable living community for destitute children that provides their most basic needs and also contributes to post-war recovery and peace in the nation of Nepal.” This seems like an overwhelming challenge. How do you stay focused with such a large task?

One of my favorite quotes of all time is this.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

chinese philospher - lao-tse - 6th century bce

I focus every day the sanctity of our home and making sure that my children feel safe and loved. I’ve noticed that the peace in our home and the joy of our children often radiates to our neighbors and our village, the city we live in and people who come to visit from other countries in the world.

Children are the future. When our world’s children are educated, when they’re given childhoods, and love and a home, and enough food to eat, they grow up to share that with others and create peaceful homes of their own. The model for our home works because it is just that; a home with family living in it who love each other very very much. When I feel overwhelmed with the big picture of the world or the political situation in Nepal, or the extreme poverty I see around me I stop and try to focus on the smaller things that I know are in my control. Bathing my children, trimming their fingernails, cooking a meal together, and reading a bed time story. Then my heart feels peaceful again and then I can keep going.

Kopila Valley Children’s Home currently has 28 children and is continually growing. Who else has the home helped besides the children?

We had over 250 members from the local community employed to build the home. Six or so women stayed on with us as our permanent staff. We’ve been able to enroll almost 100 children into school.

You recently won $100,000 from The Do Something Awards. How do you intend to use this well deserved prize?

We are purchasing a larger plot of land and building our very own school. I’m striving to make it one of the best most innovative schools in Nepal providing quality education to poor children who normally wouldn’t have a chance to go to school and receive an education. Part of the school will also be a community center with a medical clinic, vocational training, art and music open to the children in and around our village.

You seem to be blessed with an entrepreneurial mind - how did you find yourself on this path?

Well I give a lot of the props to my amazing parents who, since I was a little girl have always, always encouraged my heart, and told me
that I could do anything I put my mind to and believed in me.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when all of this startedto be very honest. I was 19 years old and had this “nothing can stop me” mindset. If I saw it in my mind, I knew I could make it happen. I had a dream of building this home for homeless and orphaned children. I could see it, in my mind before I even had a dollar in the bank account and the funds to build it, before I even knew what a non-profit was. I could see the children playing on the swings and being tucked into bed at night, and eating meals and singing songs together. I visualized what I wanted my life and the lives of my children too look like. I took things a step at a time, a day at a time. When I didn’t know the answers I found someone who did and asked them. I learned to share my dream, vision, and what was in my heart with others. Before I knew it, I was supported and embraced by people from my close-knit community in Mendham, NJ where I’m from and then people from all over the world who cared as well.

Who and what inspires you?

The children I live with, the men and women I have the pleasure of working with here in Nepal, my neighbors and friends, my parents, my two sisters Kate and Libby, Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou, my friend Megan Shull, The Dalai Lama, art, music, writing, and being outside.

What would be your advice for someone who wants to make their dream a reality?

The hardest step to take is to begin. You just have to take the dive. For young people who want to start a project for social good in the world. Two words. Do. Something. Go to dosomething.org. They’ve written up a whole guide there on how to get started with a project and they just awarded me $100,000 to fund my next project and continue onwards with my dream.

What’s your motto?

One of my favorite new saying that I’ve heard being used a lot lately is GLOBAL COMMUNITY! The world is changing. We’re not isolated from each other any more like we used to be, mainly because of advancements in technology and transportation. We are one. We’re all the same sharing this great big earth together and we all have a responsibility to it as global citizens of this earth and to borrow from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say to them?

I’d be thrilled to spend some time with Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, the pulitzer prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, and his wife (and pulitzer prize winner too), Sheryl WuDunn. I am sooo excited to get my hands on their new book Half the Sky, and am inspired by the work all three of them do but geesh there are so many amazing people in the world, I think we can learn something from anyone, from simple Nepali farmers, to pulitzer prize winning journalists, everyone has something to share.

What next do you have planned?

If I have learned one thing as of late it’s to not get too ahead of things, so yes, on the short term I have a list a mile long which includes four very active and playful four year olds, and a houseful of 26 hearts who need tending. That said, I have some big dreams sketched out that include a school for my kids and our community here in Surkhet, as well as continuing to be a sustainable and positive member of this community. I believe in the power of all of us working together to change the world for the better. One of my dreams is to create safe homes and communities for children all over the world in need of refuge. My heart is full and the future is exciting. There is so much, still, to do.

There is a lot of talk about the date 09/09/09. In Chinese the number nine means longevity. Being married to a Chinaman, I have grown to understand the significance of numbers and their role in universe. We based our wedding date on the numbers, as well as the house we purchased. In fact, I think my husband secretly is thankful for my birthday of 11-1 which are all good numbers.

So I’m going to take a moment and on this auspicious day and share with your some of my wishes. Like finding the time and the courage to make my business a huge(r) success. To have a personal assistant or at least someone to do the ironing. And to afford a spa day at least once a month.

I wish for more time with my family and friends. The chance to travel to Bhutan as well as a food tour through Japan. And while we’re on the subject of food, I wish for two slices of Queen City Bakery cake to share with my husband after I pick him up from the airport tonight.

I wish for a personal shopper to help me zest up my wardrobe. To write a great book and promote it across the planet. To learn how to sing and play guitar. Become a yoga instructor.

I wish to have plenty of abundance so we can continue giving. I wish for amazing health. Bravery. Peace.

I wish to have courage and insight to change my life and become the person I am meant to be.

What are your wishes….

I used to consider a 99 cent bottle of polish as indulgence. And at times, that’s all my budget could afford. But then my inner diva nagged at me, “Look girlfriend, you’re working two full time jobs. You can afford to treat yourself just a bit more than that!” So I put away the money I saved from quitting coffee for my “inner diva fund”.

I started with a facial and a good brand of lipstick. Then a new haircut, a manicure and some facial products. One week later and I feel transformed and amazing! My attitude is hot and unstoppable. The only thing I’m wondering is why it took me so long?

My best little find is my new Clarsonic face brush. Going for $150 this was a major spend on a beauty device. But my skin looks a million times better and in return I feel a million times better.

Normally rewards would only come after accomplishing some major insane task. It would always be too late, too small, or not happen at all. I just couldn’t find the time or would talk myself out of the price.

Now I know that rewarding and pampering myself is something I have to include in my weekly routine. Perhaps it’s not always going to be a vanity call. In fact, I know my next one is going to be something completely different. But I’m going to listen to my inner diva and keep her happy. Because when I do, she turns around and makes me feel like Wonder Woman, Angelina Jolie, and Lady Di all in one. And you just can’t put a price tag on that!

The major American newspaper, USA Today, did a big story on happiness and they featured my sweet little app, Gratitude Journal, in the article!

The story is titled “Staying positive in negative territory” and is well worth a read. I’m extremely honored to be a part of such a piece.

The writer, Sharon Jayson, was so impressive. She contacted me earlier this week. As she was asking me questions she feverishly typed away with the next question on her tip of her tongue. A multi-tasking extraordinaire with a sharp mind and quick whit.

Thank you Sharon and USA Today for telling the world about Gratitude!

After the amazing and truly unexpected success of Gratitude Journal, I crafted another app with the intention to improve peoples’ lives — Vision Board Deluxe (iTunes link). It is such a sweet relief to finally have this little darling out in the world!

See, it took Apple a month to approve Vision Board. First a rejection, then a resubmission, and a lot of waiting and wondering in between.

In the mean time, I was flooded with lovely messages from folks itching to get their hands on this little gem, wondering when it will be available. And rightly so. I’ve had the luxury of using it daily for over a month and let me tell you, it’s powerful stuff.

I created vision boards before. Basically you go through magazines and cut out pictures that scream “I want that to be my life!” and paste them to a big tag board. You hang it someplace where you will see it daily so you attract those things in your life. That last bit is the clincher. Not quite matching with my decor, my vision boards usually ended up in the closet losing their effect.

That’s where the Vision Board app is so amazing. I have it with me all the time. If I’m bored in a meeting, waiting at the airport, or for my laptop to boot up, I flip through my Vision Board app. But most importantly I make sure I look at it every night before I go to sleep.

Too often we go to bed with our minds filled with negative thoughts from the day’s drama or tomorrow’s worries. Not only does it damage our sleep, but we’re still emanating negative energies the entire time we’re fast asleep. According to quantum physics and the law of attraction, these energies grow and attract more of the same in our lives. Instead, I recap the goodness from the day in my Gratitude Journal followed by dreaming about the future with my Vision Board. I go to sleep feeling positive and good and continue to give off those vibes all night long.

As a result, my life has shifted so quickly this past month. Something small like a note saying “Meet creative and inspirational women” manifests well over 150 of them one week later! An image of my ideal career leads to a phone call with someone who can open doors. Of course, it’s not the image that got me there, but looking at it, believing it, closing my eyes and feeling what it’s like to have it, and then acting on it.

Creating another iPhone app was a lot smoother the second time around. I used the same formula outlined in my book “Inside Secrets to an iPhone App” and the costs were pretty much on par with Gratitude Journal. Although I gave my superstar developer David Loewental a small bonus just because it is such a charm to work with him.

I had the amazing Scott Jackson create the genie icon which he whipped together on just one go. Impressive, no? All the other design work I did myself.

I have the mix of an amazing team that are not only unbelievably talented, but super cool too. Decisions are made in a second. Honest opinions shared respectfully. And everyone strives to have their very best to come through. It’s been so rewarding to work with such deep talent.

Best of all, all three of us have the same intention — to create something that improves the world, puts out good vibes and creates peace in others’ lives.

If you don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch, I highly recommend Jennifer Lee’s Unfolding Your Life Vision Kit. It’s gorgeous and portable as well!

Visualization works. Athletes use it, performers, politicians …you name it. It’s a little secret weapon of very successful people. The key to attracting the life you want is to see it, really feel what it’s like to have it, then believe with all your heart that it will come. It might not be in the form your mind thought it would be, but you will attract what you put out in the world. So start collecting those pictures and put then on a tag board, in your iPhone app, or Jennifer’s Vision Kit. Give thanks, vision your future, live life to the fullest.

ps: I promised David I would share him with the world. This is really hard to do given I did this with my last developers and they got so popular I couldn’t afford them in the end. But David promises he’ll always be my friend even when he’s super successful.

David Loewenthal
phone: +1 206 612 6741
email: davidloew@hotmail.com

Eat dessert first.

Rewarding myself is something I try to practice daily. It’s my way of taking care of myself - refueling - so I have the energy to take care of others. It’s not easy because we’re taught that indulging in what we love is selfish. But trust me, it’s vital to staying creative and feeling amazing. It sends a message that I am important and vital. And when I’m feeling good, others get the benefit of my strength.

So what is your source of rocket fuel? They say it takes 21 days to create a new habit so come up with your own personalized recharging plan. Start by listing 101 things that make you giddy and drunk with pleasure. Then make sure you add as many of these things to your daily routine. Once you get started, you can’t imagine a day without just a bit of me time.

101 Things I Love

1. Laughing until I have tears in my eyes.
2. Scuba diving.
3. Trying a new recipe.
4. Picking fresh veg from my new garden.
5. Going for a run at sunrise.
6. Watching a good movie that sticks with me for days afterwards.
7. Snowboarding on fresh powder.
8. Waking up in a foreign country.
9. Meeting people who openly express themselves.
10. Seeing an old couple holding hands.
11. The taste of white peaches.
12. Every single yoga class I have ever taken.
13. Driving through Europe with the top down on the convertible.
14. Walking in a warm tropical rains.
15. Dancing.
16. Reading a good book from start to finish in one setting.
17. Baking.
18. Eating what I baked.
19. Going someplace with no electricity, telephone, or internet.
20. Hooking up with a friend I haven’t seen in years.
21. Making new friends.
22. Hiking a mountain.
23. A cold beer after mowing the lawn.
24. The sounds of a children’s playground.
25. Seeing a show at Red Rocks in Colorado.
26. Meditating.
27. Taking photos.
28. Learning a new language.
29. Launching a new product.
30. Writing.
31. Riding my bike on windy country roads.
32. Listening to an opera singer in an old French chapel.
33. The new Mercedes GLK.
34. Getting my teeth cleaned. Really!
35. Swimming in the sea with the feel of salt water on my skin afterwards.
36. The smell of lilac bushes in the Spring.
37. Horseback riding in Colorado.
38. A free upgrade on my flight.
39. Afternoon naps.
40. Playing with my nephews and nieces.
41. Sushi.
42. Helping someone get ahead.
43. Hanging out with my family.
44. A cup of hot tea in the morning.
45. Chatting with my hairdresser as she makes me look gorgeous.
46. Putting together a cool new outfit with old clothes.
47. Shoe shopping in Paris.
48. Riding the trains through Europe, Asia, or India.
49. Picking berries then making crumble.
50. Banana pancakes.
51. Donating to a good cause.
52. Going to a black box theater.
53. Visiting any art museum.
54. The smell of fresh coffee.
55. Thunderstorms.
56. Riding on the back of Colin’s motorbike.
57. Farmers markets.
58. Getting a massage.
59. Sipping wine while listening to good tunes.
60. Picking out a present for a friend.
61. Riding in a massive semi-truck.
62. Taking a long hot bath on a cold winter night.
63. Sailing.
64. Crawling into bed with the smell of line dried sheets.
65. Find a color of lipstick that works.
66. Winning any sort of prize.
67. Throwing a party.
68. Taking in a view over a city.
69. Watching my friends win.
70. The sound of piano music.
71. Reading gossip magazines at the salon.
72. Drawing.
73. Comedy shows.
74. European chocolate.
75. The sound of my husband coming home.
76. Singing in the shower.
77. Discovery a great hole in the wall restaurant.
78. Soft sweaters.
79. Ice cream. Pretty much any flavor.
80. Dressing up for a party or show.
81. Buying plants.
82. Browsing book stores.
83. Writing a letter to a friend for no reason.
84. Trying unidentifiable food from stalls in foreign markets.
85. Giving a talk.
86. Listening to a good story (but not gossip!).
87. Cooking a grand meal with Colin.
88. Making the impossible happen.
89. Eating outdoors.
90. Stretching in the morning.
91. Doing my nails.
92. Getting a facial.
93. Working from home.
94. Laying in bed day dreaming.
95. Playing mind bender games on my iPod.
96. Finding a penny & leaving it heads side up for the next person.
97. Chatting with teenagers. It’s fascinating.
98. People watching at Waterloo station.
99. Playing with puppies.
100. Treating myself to a whole new outfit.
101. Redecorating the house!

A couple weeks ago I ordered half dozen books about female entrepreneurship. I’m only on the first one and already feel it’s making a huge difference. The main message is that women’s approach to business is different than men’s. Mainly because women are natural connectors.

Women love to gab and can bond over something as small as a brand of tea. We don’t really need much more in common that a love for Jimmy Choo shoes. When I moved to South Dakota, I was lost without my female friends back in London just a quick text message away. They gave me confidence, support, and a bond I attribute to my success.

I half-heartedly tried to rebuild my girly group here with little success. To be honest, I wasn’t trying that hard because until now I didn’t realize just how insanely important it is. This past week I’ve made it a point to expand my female network every day and I’m taken back by just how easy it’s been!

Here’s just a few of my new amigas:

• Jennifer Lee of Life Unfolds. I’ve admired Jennifer from afar and now we have all sorts of good ideas in the mix. Jennifer is an extremely talented artist and and I’m so honored to work with her!
• Kelly Watson of WomenwiseMarketing.com. I have read her marketing blog for months and am doing a guest post.
• Jamie Ridler of Open the Door. Another inspiring artist who’s all about doing what you love, Jamie just launched a new website and will be giving away promo codes for my new app, Vision Board.
• Christine Kane of ChristineKane.com. A singer song-writer who first inspired me to create a vision board, Christine’s blog is one not to miss. She’ll be giving away my app as well.
• Valentina Ramos of ValendinaDesigns.com. Her fabulous work will be featured in my Vision Board app!
• Susanah Conway of Ink on my Fingers. Susanah is the catalyst who woke me up to the power of collaboration when she interviewed me on her blog last spring. She is an outstanding photographer and writer and I’m lucky enough to be taking her Unraveling eCourse.
• Leigh Duncan-Durst of LivePath. I just got back from a three hour rap session with Leigh and I have to say it’s so cool to have this talented woman living in the same town as me.

Don’t get me wrong. I love collaborating with guys too. In fact, there’s a few names of some amazing men I could add to the list as well. But for now, I’m focusing on my girly group. There’s just something about girlfriends that makes life complete.

Last week I discovered another amazing artist, Valentina Ramos of Valentina Designs. She creates inspirational, fun, unique, and gorgeous art which will certainly lift your spirits and put a smile on your face. She also has a very cool name.

I contacted Valentina straight away to see if she was interested in a little collaboration project. I’m pleased to say you will be seeing more of her great designs in my next new app, Vision Board.

My app is currently waiting approval by Apple. As soon as we get the green light (hopefully this week), I plan to sent out an upgraded version of the app which includes Valentina’s stunning designs.

If you want a little piece of sunshine for yourself, you can also get copies of her work from her Etsy shop.

Every time I see her work I’m inspired. Her messages are real and are ones we need to be reminded of daily. Thank you Valentina!