General Reflections | Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Archive for the ‘General Reflections’ Category

Crying Over Spilled Milk

Posted in General Reflections, Inspirations on February 11, 2010| 8 Comments »

This has been an exceptionally challenging week.

Yesterday I seemed to hit one speed bump after another in the office. Speed bumps of challenges.

The weather has been awful. Dark. Windy. Gray. Seems to end for a day and returns. My knees hurt from multiple trips to the barn, in snow too deep for our tractor to clear the steep barn drive.

Yesterday, however, I was reminded of who and where I really am in this world.

I am blessed. As I stare out my office window at the beautiful landscape I remind myself that I am sitting in a warm chair, in a warm room, with electricity.

My heart reaches out to those that have nothing.

When I spilled milk this morning for the house baby, as the little tike cried louder and louder, and my body wasn’t functioning all that well yet, I remembered my blessings.

Have a beautiful day, whatever you do! I hope you remember to count your blessings too.

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Hard Work With A Smile

Posted in General Reflections, Goat Care (and General Farm) on February 3, 2010| 14 Comments »

The barn and farm project continues.

We expected to have everything reassembled by today, but, things do not always go as planned.

My best mechanism to things not falling into place is humor.

And humor it is!

When I knocked my noggin on the bucket of the tractor. I laughed.

When the tractor would not re-start I did not laugh. Neither did the husband. We didn’t scowl either. But, when I attempted to back up his pick up, turn it around so we could jump-start the tractor, I headed straight into a pile of barn debris. We laughed.

We laughed so hard we could barely walk.

The good times are when things are not going as planned. When a person is tired and not seeing the end of the task at hand. Yet smiling because life is good.

Why not laugh? Why not have a good time?

I hope you are enjoying life as well, regardless of what you are doing right now!

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Being Thoughtful Is Not So Popular

Posted in General Reflections, tagged kindness on January 30, 2010| 10 Comments »

Times seem to have changed…being thoughtful appears to no longer be popular, neither is being kind or polite.

Do you treasure those that speak their minds, but are cautious enough to not deliberately hurt?

What about the words please and thank you?

Do you still appreciate them?

Genuine people are hard to find. Genuine friends are far and few in between. Genuine friends tends to mysteriously know how you are today without you telling them. They love unconditionally. And trust is so very important in those special relationships. And last, but not least, a friend that honestly and openly can say what they think, in a way that offense is not caused, in a manner that really rocks your world = one genuine true friend. And honestly, isn’t that what we aim for, to be a genuine person in life?

Despite the un-popularity of being polite, do you also chose to be there with me?

It does not mean that we paint the world with butterflies and roses. No, we are aware that life is difficult. No bones about it. However, it does mean that we treat each and every encounter with much deserved respect.

Are you with me?

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Cutting a Solid Path for the Future

Posted in General Reflections, In The Soap Shop, Inspirations, tagged aspirations, Goals, Goat Milk Soap, Planning on January 18, 2010| 2 Comments »

Today, as I cut two batches of fresh soap, I thought about my shop, the past year, and how I plan to grow (in both a personal and business sense) in 2010.

Like loaves of soap, formed from an idea, cut into bars, ready to be placed on the curing rack until ready for use, my mind is carving out my future endeavors, deciding how to solidify my dreams.

Have you put together solid plans for 2010? Or, like me, have you made sure most plans are in order, ready for accomplishment (written and measurable), with a few ideas still dangling? Perhaps you know what you want to do, but you are not sure when or how it is going to happen.

I treasure the idea of making things happen.

I see good things evolving. Many are reaching out to better themselves. Many are taking classes, planning businesses, re-thinking budgets, arriving at a calmer place in life. Some of these self-improvements were forced on by the economy, but evolved into wonderful opportunities for the future.

How many times have you said, “I’ve always wanted to do that!” Think about it…what have you always wanted to do? What is holding you back?

I am going to do what I have dreamed of doing. And the only way to do it is to take the first steps, then keep moving.

How about you?

May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future. Author Unknown

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Reflecting on 2009 Communication Lessons

Posted in General Reflections, tagged communication, communication lessons, small business communication on January 16, 2010| 12 Comments »

As a small business owner I reflect on lessons learned as very valuable experiences.

Sharing some of my communication-related lessons from 2009:

I published a blog post about shipping fees. After comments and questions arrived I realized what I had communicated was nearly free shipping! Lesson in communication, when writing involves a monetary change, it is good practice to run the article by another set of eyes before publishing.
Several customers asked if pricing in my website store was based on one bar of soap or three (I normally photograph 3 bars). After several questions were asked, I made changes to the written description. Again, listen to what is being said or questioned, and if it has been said (or asked) more than once, evaluate.
A blog post that is too wordy, with very long paragraphs, tends to glaze the reader’s eyes. The reality is, many of us are scanners (not readers). After reading several writing-style articles, and realizing that I am a scanner with little time (with a craving for content), I learned to keep posts much shorter and to the point.
After reading an article published by Copyblogger I recognized a problem in my writing style. To reflect confidence, leave out words such as (I might, I should, I think I will). Replace those words with (I am, I have, I will, and I do). Write in a way that reflects committment and confidence!

Many of the blessings in life include learning, growing, and realizing we do not live in a box. We can continue to grow throughout our lives. We can study. We can listen. We can look at the world as a child does with an open mind, but carry our beautifully earned package of wisdom with us to make sure we walk our life journey with careful steps. We can also put fears aside, knowing we will not grow unless we let go of the invisible boundaries.

I hope you are enjoying my 2009 reflections. My intentions are to help someone else (as others have done for me) with my own confessions of learning!

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The (Simple) Joys Of Networking

Posted in All In A Day's Time, Family & Friends, General Reflections, Inspirations, tagged conversing, internet-based business, networking, small business on January 12, 2010| 12 Comments »

As a small business owner I find great joy in the various daily contacts that I make.

Many years ago I thought networking meant selling. It does not mean that at all! To network, you are communicating via a common thread.

The stone wall no longer holds anyone in. Networking can come from a blog post or comment, a tweet on Twitter, a post on Facebook, an email, or an actual conversation with a business owner, a banker, or it can be as simple as conversing with a person while standing in line at the post-office.

Owning an internet-based company in the country could be lonely. But it is not. I so much appreciate the contact. The contacts come with an added benefit, learning. Listen to your friends, your casual contacts, your customers. Really listen. We live in a fascinating world, a world full of brand-new knowledge, just waiting to be gained.

Who would ever think work could be so enjoyable?

My hope for everyone: work towards doing something you enjoy, and enjoy working it once you get there!

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Happy New Year

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections on December 31, 2009| 13 Comments »

My outlook today is not wrapped around kicking out 2009 by the seat of its pants. I am reflective of the year that is passing in a few hours.

2009 was a tough year for many folks. Countless people, friends and family members, filed for bankruptcy, lost their homes, and lost their jobs. Many that held onto their jobs are still hanging in the balance. They no longer feel the security of, “I will work hard and this job should always be here for me.”

2009 was also a year to learn and grow. It was a year to look at the outlying pressures and say, “Okay, enough of that. I can be strong, I can survive. I can move forward!” Living for this very moment became the focus. Seeing our savings, our retirement, and our personal possessions diminish was disturbing. But learning to focus on what we can change, instead of what we cannot change, became the key. Difficult times can teach us to be flexible. It can be a tremendous time for personal growth. And it can become a time to celebrate the small things in life, which are truly the big things!

I am looking forward to 2010. Anticipating a new year includes gratefulness for life itself, a yearning to continue to grow and experience whatever life brings. A thank you to God for life. An absolute time for joy!

Happy New Year!

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Merry Christmas

Posted in Family & Friends, General Reflections, tagged Merry Christmas on December 23, 2009| 20 Comments »

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

As you celebrate Christ’s birth, may your Christmas be filled with love, peace, all that you wish it to be!

P.S. I also believe in Santa. Note to Santa, I need a new camera! I promise to not drop the new one (twice).

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Challenges

Posted in General Reflections, Inspirations, tagged daily challenges on December 21, 2009| 12 Comments »

Have you had one of those days where the challenges felt nearly unbearable?

One minute you are gliding right along, the next you realize your well-laid out plans are going to crash, and fast.

What do you do?

And, why do things seem so much more challenging with Christmas 4 days away?

What does this tell us?

Pay attention to only the big things, and remember, everything is small stuff?

When everything is going in fast motion, and your head is still wanting to sort it all out, how about stepping off the fast-moving train and sticking your tongue out to it all? Sounds good to me.

Children are able to do that exact thing, shrug it off, live for this very moment. I think we can too.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

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We’ve Come A Long Way…Baby

Posted in General Reflections, tagged equal pay, equality in the workplace, female business owners, stay at home mothers on December 16, 2009| 6 Comments »

There are distinct placements in the working world for men and women. But the dividing line between the two is miniscule.

I do not believe women belong at home, “barefoot and pregnant.” However, the world is rather lopsided in the fact that women are often unable to stay home and raise their families, tend to their children and homes, as they would like/need to. Current times call for 2 paychecks, sometimes 3 or 4.

When a woman earns a living she absolutely should receive pay commensurate to the job that she performs.

I do think there are jobs that men are better at, not many. In many cases, in a physical sense, men can be the stronger sex. Fact is…5 foot tall men, 120 lbs, are not the norm.

In most cases, women definitely have a strong sense for business. In the business world, equal pay should be the rule.

Equal pay should be the rule for any job that can be performed to its maximum potential, male or female, on a level playing field.

I have caught numerous comments these past few months regarding unequal pay. For example, a woman writer adopts a male name, publishes her blog, book, or article with a fictitious male name, and earns significantly more money as a male than as a female. Why?

Myself, I have had the battle cross before me. The battle of telling someone (especially a male) what I do. The reaction was clearly positioned as I cannot possibly be a farmer, I am a woman. I cannot operate a serious business with potential for growth, it surely is a hobby, because I am a woman.

No, this isn’t about me, this is for equality. Not the bra-burning 1960’s outlook on equality. Not the “cry tears for me” equality because we are still mis-understood. Personally, I am not often mis-understood, nor do I make a huge effort to be understood. I know how to present myself. What I am speaking for is the overall world…if a person does a job well, male or female, equal compensation must follow.

Do you agree? How do we fix the gap?

Note: Female copywriter reveals: Why I’ve been writing as a man. You know me as James Chartrand of Men with Pens, a regular Copyblogger contributor for just shy of two years. And yet, I’m a woman. — James Chartrand, Copyblogger (posted at http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/12/16/media-briefs-female-writer-makes-more-money-as-a-man-murdochs-merry-xmas-memo/)

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