Love your life!

This is me.  It’s me a couple of years ago when I had first started Island Contessa.  This is what I refer to as a ‘first generation’ design.  I still have a version of this tunic but its gone through a few design changes and some different fabric, etc.  I will probably never really stop tinkering with it completely although I will probably ALWAYS have a tunic in my collection.  But, I digress.  When I look at this picture, a scant three years old, I think, ‘what would I tell this woman about Island Contessa now’?  The short answer is nothing.  Everything I know now, the mistakes and the successes; the setbacks and the victories; the joys and the pains, all happened to improve me as a designer and; honestly, as a person.  Too often we say to ourselves, ‘if I could just make this much money’ or ‘if I could just live here’ or ‘I NEED this job’–fill in the blank, I’d be fulfilled or happier or satisfied with my life.  Here’s what I know.  I love my life.  Not just the good parts; all of it.  Do I want to make more money?  Sure.  Would I like to have Island Contessa known the world over? Maybe. Do I think I could do better at running the business?  Always. But I know that whatever I learn; whatever mistakes I make; whatever success I have; it all leads to the life I’m living and I’m grateful for that.  We need to stop holding our breath and wishing away our lives and grab the one in front of us.  It is, after all, the only one we have got.

Loving life,
​Lori