Terri Conrad Designs

Your Story Matters, It's Why You Do What You Do

Fair Warning: This post is going to be long and heartfelt - and personally vulnerable because it gives you a deeper view into my story and why I do what I do - I want to thank you, in advance for taking the time to read:

 

 

 

This image reflects layers of my art & my quote, both of which are copywritten - but most importantly, it reflects pieces of my heart (something I seek to imbue in everything I create). This piece, however, has been mass produced and sold without license to do so, and it is the fourth known copyright infringment since Terri Conrad Designs entered into the art licensing industry.

Sad but true, copyright infrigement is an unpleasant part of this business - it shouldn't happen but it does. The fact that it's happened with such frequency and in such broad scope with our art only reinforces what we are already 99.9% certain about - the source of the fraudulently acquired art. There are a few things I know with 100% certainty:

(1) the truth always rises to the top;

(2) the power to protect and prosper me, my work, my mission and my family is far greater than the abuse of power in fraudulently acquiring my art to profit from it; and

(3) I am in this buisiness for a very distinct reason . . .

"to encourage, nurture & inspire the unique beauty, beloved spirit & unlimited possibilities of the female spirit"

The theft of and profit from illegal use of my art  here strikes a chord with me with this particular piece because of its message - a message I wrote and have exclusive ownership of;  one that is the heart of who I am and my story:

"Family

Where the Seeds of Character are Planted"

When you read my "about" page, I share a glimps of myself with you. What's missing are the details . . .why was it so important for me to work from home so I could still fulfill my most precious role, "mom?"

MY STORY

"Family

Where the Seeds of Character are Planted

I"

When I was about 11 years old, I sat (actually I was hiding) in my closet with my German Shepherd pup, Champ. The man I reluctanly called "dad" (my biological father) was storming thru the house threatening to kill everyone. I beleived he was capable of this. I had seen tremendous domestic violence and other abuse in my then few short years - and would experience much more.

I prayed to a God I then had little knowledge of or experience with.

But surely He must exist, I thought.

"I don't know why I am here, or why I was born into this family. BUT, if you save me, if you protect me, if you let me live

I PROMISE YOU

THIS ABUSE WILL STOP HERE!

I will live my life serving you, in the way You created me to do.

Please,

LET ME LIVE"

 

"Family

Where the Seeds of Character are Planted

II"

I knew before I got married that what I wanted most of all was to have a family. I wanted to be married to a good man and I wanted babies. I wanted to be the momma I wished I had . . .

a momma who

protects

a momma whose eyes reflect the

unique beauty

beloved spirit

&

unlimited possibility

in her children.

I wanted to be the momma who

gives her children a voice

a sense of worth

a sense of value

---

simply because you are

I wanted to be the momma who

daily

planted seeds of Character in her children

the momma who

gave her children Hope

the momma who

Inspired her children to be who God created them to be

the momma who emulated

LOVE

the momma who taught her children to be and to take

Responsibility for their actions, and who

Encouraged them in all ways

and the momma who

Nurtured her babies' sweet spirit

I wanted to be the momma who

planted seeds of character

in her family.

This is what my life, and some of my life lessons are about

and this is why I created this quote and why it holds

deep, deep heartfelt meaning for me.

I shared it in my original art to remind you that

it all begins in the seeds we plant.

---

     When our daughters were still very young, it became apparent that two incomes were needed to support our family. Our plan for me to be a stay at home momma changed. So, I set out, with nothing more that a determination to be able to work from home (so I could still be that momma) and a desire for creating home decor. From my imagination, and God's divine plan, Terri Conrad Designs was developed and our first licensed product launched in January 2007. I experienced a very latent but exciting discovery of gifts I hadn't before known existed.

We are born with a purpose, a plan . . .

    Our daughters are developing their gifts now, Katelyn in dance and Jessica in music. One of my greatest delights is experiencing their discovery with them and seeing them creatively express themselves. These are their gifts, unique to them, which they are called upon by their Creator to share, and to serve for the greater good. Their gifts are a part of their story. Just as mine are, just as yours are for you.

---

    Why do people steal? Is it perhaps they didn't have a mamma to reflect their worth and value, to nurture their unique gifts, or to teach them a sense of responsibility - and they didn't bother to learn these things along the way? These may some of the more organic reasons, but sadly, just like today's news about investors being allegedly misled, it is mostly about money and greed and certainly not the greater good.

The abuse of power in the repeated stealing of my art for monetary gain is no less

vile and criminal in action than that of my father. I realize this is a strong statement. The point must be made and the message driven:

Any abuse of power is not okay. It is self-serving and motivated by greed.

     Perspective is a powerful, powerful skill - in every moment of every day we have the free will to choose how to view what we see, and how to respond. There is a yin and a yang to life, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, for every shadow there must be a light . . .

I find comfort and solace knowing I am the light

 

Priorities

by Mother Theresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends
and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

This was written by Mother Theresa and is engraved on the wall of her 
home for children in Calcutta.

 

Take Courage

It's been far too long since I've peeked in on you and your life - I've missed sharing with you!  The business of being mom, wife, homefire keeper, friend & creative-preneur is as one friend said, "a balancing act." I replied, "you mean a juggling act. If you find the balance in it, do share your secret." Recently, I am daily practicing being in the moment, and letting go - letting myself be lead, instead of contantly leading.

Letting myself be lead, instead of always leading creates a touch of anxiety for me tho,  I suppose because I am admitting I do not have all the answers, or solutions in this present moment so I choose instead to simply be in the unknown - "Oh hello, unknown. I see you are here. I feel your presence. Let's sit together, shall we, and get to know one another? I don't want to run from you or change you, today, I simply want to sit with you."

I yearn to look, to see and to better understand that there exists a greater knowing than that that rests in me - a greater plan - a greater destiny. There is more than one way to reach the desired destination . . . . .right?  I am reminded by his blog post  with both this poignant visual and his thought-provoking content to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 in the journey.

I have a personal relationship with courage - always have - she shares residence with fear . . .fear of failure, fear driven by a painful past, fear of not mastering my life, and my work. But, when I acknowledge these fears, when I look them face on, and say these same words:

"Oh hello, fear. I see you are here. I feel your presence. Let's sit together, shall we, and get to know one another? I don't want to run from you or change you, today, I simply want to sit with you"

then, I am empowered to be, and to trust that I have the ability to take what ever actionable steps are needed when needed, that my creator will lead me according to His plan and purpose, that I will be clearly & safely led.  In doing so, I am encouraged to know that courage is bigger, badder (I know, I know grammer faux paux but it sounds good), and infinately more bodacious than fear.

I quite like the sound of bodacious . . .bodacious courage to take sweet small steps toward all that I aspire, to grow, to create, to be, to seek, to trust, to listen deeply to my intuition, to dare to dream bigger than I can see with my eyes - what'do'you think?

Need some of that - let's bottle it, shall we?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wondering . . .

 

 

How do you . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Have You Received Your Validation Today?

 

 

When I first entered into the business of art licensing, I found it very difficult to claim ownership of my creative expression (my work). I resisted seeking external validation yet, I yearned for it - but I still resisted seeking it. Sometimes, it felt like a daily challenge to process the conundrum and I found it was often a painful place occupying my heart & soul.

Because validation for my being was not forthcoming from the adults in my life when I was a little girl, I suppose I grew up with the belief that needing it reflected some level of weakness or neediness. This is such a false belief. We are created to seek and to receive validation. What I needed to learn is that while it's okay to seek and receive - and give - warm fuzzies along the path of life, we all will fall short at one point or another in giving, and receiving. I even tell my daughters, "Ya know, I'm gonna fail you. I don't want to. I won't do so intentionally, but there will be times that I will simply fall short of what you need."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is because I am human, and I am fallible. The shortcoming is not a reflection of them, but of my humanity. The wonderful news is, we each have one true source, a well that is deep with the purest nourishment for our validation - our Creator. No matter how many times we draw from the well, there is more of what we need.

Social media is an odd little well, that millions of us have dropped our validation bucket into. We look, we see, we perceive, we validate, we don't validate - but, when we put it all into its proper perspective we can become friends with it, and it with us, understanding and accepting it is simply a tool to connect us - not to validate us.

I was recently introduced to Kristen Noelle's Trust Tending blog, and love it! She shares a fun, genuine approachable perspective to and practice with social media when you sign up to receive her posts. I recommend you take a peek in on her.

A commercial creative business is so much about validation: acceptance of the art we create, the contract, the big (well received) product offering, ensuing sales, features and feedback. It's all something we need & that's okay. In my heart & soul, I know that I’m good at what I do, and that there's a lot more to my story than meets the eye.  I work hard and deliver results, but that knowledge and that feeling of capability is internal. Without external validation there’s no feedback, and everything I do exists in a vacuum.

It becomes a problem, of course, when we start seeking out that external validation as the only means of feeling good about ourself. I recently shared with this sweet new friend that this is precisely why I see my Creator as my one true source from which I can venture out and share with all of you, then return to Him for strengh, sustenance, nourishment and the filling up of my validation bucket. Then, swing out far and wide again to hopefully help fill your validation bucket with what I create, what I write and how I connect with you and you with me. The good news is that you too have your own bucket and your own well from which to draw any time and as much as your heart & soul desire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A special thought for you . . .

 

 

 

a little doddlee-do for you just to let you know you're in my thoughts -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband awoke and got our girls off to school this morning letting me sleep in because I am still sick (week 6 or 7 I think!). I slept in until 8 a.m., and it felt great. On round three of antibiotics hoping to finally knock out the sinus infection and related asthma. I am sooooo looking forward to feeling like myself again, and the restoration of my energy.

First thing this morning, I made some time for meditation and my canine-kid, Shayna, stretched out in her yoga prone position, paw on my knee and joined me. Felt good in so many ways.

The sun is shining and it's an absolutely gorgeous day. May have to find my way out there to sit in the sun for a bit.

 

xo

Acceptance, David & Goliath, and Finding & Hearing Your Voice

I was thoroughly emotionally wiped out  yesterday, after my week-long battle with my daughter's school administrators, but, wow, did I sleep well last night. Ya know what, I also had peace of mind and that sure feels comforting, doesn't it, when we have peace of mind?

As I allowed myself to step away to gain perspective, I realized something:

The school is responsible for assisting in my daughter's academic success (this is their only focus - read: perspective). I however, am responsible for her academic success as well as her emotional/psychological well being. The David and Goliath experience in the week-long saga that played out (I beleive) is because they were only seeing and considering her acadamia, and I, her momma lioness, was perceiving the situation and the child as a whole - a person with an emotional/psychological make up that must be grounded and stabilized before she can achieve academic success. 

Without going into great detail and potentially losing site of the point here, let me say my daughter is an incredibly bright (super duper high IQ), creative, talented, emotionally and psychologically intelligent young lady. Her neurological makeup has a couple little qualities that make certain types of learning really, really difficult. She is so aware of this, and that effects her emotional & psychological well being. When we are faced with a challenge, and if you have a pulse, surely you will be, you have a choice to accept it, or change it (gotta love the Serenity Prayer). IF we have the ability and choose to change something, we  need to be motivated and moved, and filled with faith like David when he went up against Goliath. I bet he felt a bit emotionally drained after that little incident.

In the many ensuing long conversations my daughter and I have had over the past week, she talked about the challenge in going up against authority, (not) knowing what to say, and (not!) being heard . . . and the resulting feelings and beliefs that follow - generally not very positive ones. I dare suspect many of us have found ourselves in that kind of a situation once or twice.

Because I grew up in an environment where allowance for voice, independence, autonomy and individuation were not tolerated, fom the moment I became pregnant with each of my girls, I listened for their voice, and once they arrived I made plenty of room for their voice. The world, however,  is not always so tolerant. It's been a pretty tough journey finding my own voice, but worth it. I consider myself a well defined woman, I know what I want, I know what I need, but it isn't always easy to convey that to someone else, particularly when it's Goliath and we may not hold the same perception about the given situation.

One of my besties, Lori, and I were talking this morning about change, and choice. It's not easy, particularly when you feel alone in bringing it to fruition. I cannot help but wonder if too many of us have taken to heart the well meaning message "go along to get along" as the ever sweet Linda Auclair shared with me.

Is it scary for you to act like David? Oh my, it certainly is for me.

I want to be liked, I want to be affable, I want to be accepted!!!

Lately, I kinda think tho, I like finding and hearing my voice a little bit more. I am getting better at it.  The anxiety still rises tho, because  I am aware that others do not always welcome (accept)  my voice, particularly when it requires action, effort and/or change for them.

This all fascinates me. What do you think? Have you found your voice? Do you express it?

Lots of love and light

 

 

 

 

 

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When Life, and Work and Art Collide

Oh my!

I am waiving a little white flag, breathing deep, and trying see the big picture . . . and I am not sure how good a job I am doing. I kind of need someone to say,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

because it's one of those weeks. You know, the ones that go completely awry despite your best intentions?

I find it curious that perspective and acceptance seem to be a common thread in its unraveling.

What do you do when you are a working mom trying to give all you have to both your family and your work, at the same time?  Accept what is, and see that it's about something bigger than what readily meets the eye . . .

It has been an emotionally exhausting week-long ordeal with my daughter's high school administration as I repeatedly attempted to advocate for her rights and overall well being - trying to be aware of the full perspective, theirs and mine - regarding a 504 accommodation she has in place, the behind the scenes-at home work my daughter and I are trying to accomplish together, and an impromptu appearance before the administrators this morning further pleaing my daughter's case for the need for her participate in a school band rally that they had every intention of pulling her from; to another infringement of my work, schedules and deadlines, needing supplies that are not to be found in local stores but only if ordered on line (but I really want -need- them now, please!). I told my husband I am kind of feeling like I've been beat up, kicked down, and rolled around in the mud as I have tried to share my perspective and longed

to be seen,

to be heard, and

to be understood.

Isn't that what we all want anyway? Do you ever feel like saying, "Don't agree with me if you think I'm wrong, don't placate me, but at least try to see me, to hear me, and empathize with (understand) what I am feeling?" Regardless of what the circumstances come dressed as for the day, I cannot help but wonder if we slowed down just a bit, tuned in  more to the issue and/or the person rather than the money, and considered that sometimes we don't always have the right or best answer . . .that if we did these things and at the same time looked, saw, and attempted to understand the person or people we are dealing with, we might, just might reach a more satisfactory result? Right now, I don't know, what do you think?

Given the day's events I couldn't work. The creative process simply was not going to flow thru the tension my body felt. So, I made a cup of peppermint tea, vented with my gracious husband, enjoyed lunch with him, then went to Barnes & Noble...my quiet place for reflection ('twould be the ocean if it were near by).  I picked up copies of three new Sommerset magazines, and ya know what, I am inspired - by the magazines. Thank you Sommerset, because my perspective has shifted from the challenges of life and work to creating from my heart - because that's what I do best, create (that and be a momma lioness when called upon).

Lots of love and light and creativity to you!!!  Tomorrow's a new day filled with possibility!

A Beautiful (but sometimes messy) Life

 

 

 

this . . .

 

is a peek inside my mind today.

I keep hearing that (growing ever loud) voice inside my head telling me to "pull focus . . .PULL FOCUS!" Then, the kinder, gentler side of me (I am trying to favor her more these days) reminds me that "a life well lived is both messy and beautful."

I am so grateful for both messy and beautiful because this means I can allow and embrace it all. My spiritual promise has always been to live my best life - the life God created especially for me. To do this, I must embrace all of what life brings moment by moment, day by day. For like the Phoenix,  when we take the entire journey, go into the flame, we burn away the illusions and arise from the ashes refined, renewed, real and true.

It's all good -

 

 

 

 

 

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What's YOUR color personality?

 

 

 

mine is coral - elegantly down to earth, warm, chic - feels about right.

 

what's yours? take the quiz and

Discover Your Color Personality

then come back and share

til then,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Affirming the Good

 

 

 

 

For the past 6 weeks, we have had a household of sick people - and the past two, have been momma's turn. The beat goes on, albeit at a much lower rate of energy, and we greet each day and it's demands and responsibilities with the best of what we have to offer. I would love a week long respit here to renew and refresh my soul. 

I ran across this piece I created some time ago, and find it fitting to share in today's post . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a complex life it feels good to inquire within and discover the many, many parts of life we have to be thankful for. What are you thankful for today? Is there someone who would love to hear that you are thankful for them?

May your week end be blessed and

 

 

 

 

 

 

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