The Courage To Bloom - Winter 2014

It's probably time for some newer creations:

 

Star Anise in Resin - stunning - $45

 Genuine Vintage Gimbel Bros Pendant - $50

    Music in a Bottle - $40

          The Courage to Bloom - $40

   Fragrant Heart - $40

If you'd like any of these - email me on annie@annieblackberry.com.  Mention the codeword 'courage' and receive $5 off!

Annie x

Don't Give Up

I just feel like there's a lot of people out there going through a hard time. Maybe it's because I have always been going through a hard time (lol) or perhaps it's because I have seen so many people struggling lately.

I want you to know that you are not alone. You are heard. At this very moment I pray for peace for you, the type of peace that passes all understanding. For love you can trust and a heart that is open but not exposed to every hurtful thing that happens to it.

May you find the freedom to do right and the freedom to be who you really are, not bound and fettered by the past and the boldness to face those lies that just won't go away.

May you know the beauty and the upside-down concept that is forgiveness and the inutterable joy of letting go. Not giving in, or giving up, just handing it over to the God who is bigger than all of it and who is Justice itself.

You ARE loved - this I do know.

Annie x

Freedom - Is It Worth the Risk?

'And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.'  Anais Nin

Freedom is precious, freedom is beautiful. But it comes at a cost. Being free means owning our story, getting the help we need to unshackle ourselves from our fears and our pain, and sometimes, it means changing the course of our lives to obtain this invaluable rarity.

 I have been scared as long as I remember. Scared of spiders, scared of dying, scared of what people think of me. My choice basically boiled down to two options: Stay in the pain and fear but hold onto the security of not looking too deeply into those things, or face the terror of finding out why I had those fears and do what I needed to do be free of them. I chose the latter.

 In a nutshell, this has involved 3 years of regular counselling, 6 months of trauma counselling and a LOT of tears and anger. I am still a work in progress. But I have to tell you - once you get a taste of freedom, you never want to go back.

 There are moments now where I feel true enjoyment, true love and true assurance. I love Brene Brown's quote: “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” 

If you stay in fear, I understand. If you choose freedom then I salute you!

 Annie x