I have always been one that believes everyone has a purpose...But not everyone finds it, fulfills it or even wants to discover it - But those that do have a richer life because of it... 

Photo by Julia McKay, Whig -Standard
I believe I have found mine...All my life I've been dreaming of the next thing, wanting to move country to country, striving to excel in each job or career path - But truly never feeling like I was doing what I was made to do...
And now this silly little blog that started on a whim and helped heal my heart by sharing our story, is now such a part of me...It is my purpose...And I have a richer life for it...
Speaking of richer...That's what I need to be...Making some moula as I'm officially off my maternity leave and we've made the decision that I'll be a stay-at-home-momma for a bit. {Yay and my feelings on this for another blog, another day} That being said I gotta pull my weight around here & try to bring in some dough...
It's funny when I wrote this post "14 Things That Are Going To Happen In 2014" I also wrote 14 Things that I envisioned or wanted to change about Happy Soul Project and it's been sitting in my draft folder since then...I think I wrote it more for myself, goals I had or needed to accomplish. 
So big warning friends, reading further may be a tad boring & I tend to go on and on and on and on...


 But why I wanted to share it with y'all now is because looking back at those 14 things, it's amazing to see that some of what I hoped for is outrageously happening on its own...
So without further adieu or is it ado? Either way, here were my thoughts 2 months ago and where Happy Soul Project stands today...
ONE: I need to realize I can only be me - That's it really...I can read as many blogs as time allows and be in absolute awe of their talent and creativity...I can't offer per say what others do; amazing pics, recipes, clean eating tips, redecorating with mason jars or heck even lovely hair tutorials...I don't do much but share what is happening in my small little word...But that's okay - That's more than okay and I need to realize that's enough...That's genuine & honest and as much as I wish I could offer more I need to just be me.
TWO: On the moula side of things I need to be adding sponsors/advertisers to the blog...Many bloggers do this on a much larger scale incorporating give-aways and promotions but for me having small business owners that relate to my life is more than enough...



THREE: In a weird way all of a sudden photography {or being a momma-paparazzi} is my new obsession...I constantly get asked what kind of camera I use, can they book me to take photos & I even had someone ask if I could teach an intern...These all make me laugh, and laugh hard because I use my Samsung Phone for every single photo taken...But maybe they see something I don't and I need to really look into this side of things - Maybe buy a decent camera or take a photography class...



FOUR: I need to start landing some freelance writing gigs or landing articles that will bring light to Happy Soul Project's message.




FIVE: If I truly believe I can do this or make it as a writer/blogger, whatever you want to call me, I need to treat this like a serious job...If deep down I know one day I will meet Ellen - I need to do the behind the scenes work more...


SIX: I need to figure out the next steps for Happy Soul Project. I read other blogs that have so many views it blows me away...They have success in a way of sponsorships, a loud, heard voice, partnerships with other writers, creative endeavours, Etsy shops and small businesses...And I want that - I want that bad...I want to share art and others and creatively bounce off one another...I just don't in the slightest way know where to start...
SEVEN: I'm gonna need a good old fashion dayplanner....In my previous jobs that feeling of satisfaction stroking something off my list is needed again...

EIGHT: I wish I had a blogger/writer mentor...I have oh, so many questions...For example, I need to know what other bloggers do - Ive been approached to write, guest blog for other websites or magazines...And while extremely humbled and flattered, I don't know if it's wise to spend the time writing elsewhere or if it's smarter to write and leave all you got on your own blog?? It's a time issue for me right now I think, but gotta figure that out.
NINE: I need to get Ellen's attention this year...If I have to make another bloody annoying video pleading with her or heck even me pranking the Costco lady by eating all her samples, not leaving and just continually talking...Something, anything to get her to share Pip's story...




TEN: I want to open Happy Soul Project up to Guest Bloggers who have the same message and are trying to inspire others to look at life differently...Other moms who don't necessarily have a blog or a voice publicly but have a story to tell...I want other voices speaking and bringing awareness...I can only do so much in this area...

 It's amazing all the advocates out there and what they do...They are crusaders for Down syndrome...Warriors taking on school boards, policies, laws, drafting grants, running non-for profit organizations, operating stores.

 And right now it's just me, my voice...But I want Happy Soul Project to have a bit of a choir...I want to open it up to share different perspectives...For me when I found out Pip had Down syndrome, no book, website or doctor could help - but hearing other voices, that's what did...



ELEVEN: Last year I was nominated, humbled and honoured to be #1 in Circle of Moms Top 25 Canadian Moms...I had grandeur ideas of what it would bring - I thought it would open doors, bring new people to site - but in all honestly it got me one little tweet or shoutout, a place on their site and a badge to put on my blog...All good but I need to know what to participate in and what to let just slide...I hate bombarding people to "vote" all the time...

TWELVE: I have so many design ideas for Happy Soul Project but the thought of trying to learn more than what I've already pushed my capabilities to do is just not going to happen...I need a blog designer and I need er bad..

THIRTEEN: Managing social media - It's like a full time bloody job...I think I've finally wrapped my head around the blog, Facebook page and Instagram but with Google+ and Twitter, I am a hot mess.

FOURTEEN:I need to stop obsessing over numbers and what if and when...It will happen if it happens - Let it be- Let it grow and let it bloom when it wants...


TODAY: 
So many good things have happened the last few weeks...All the media attention has been surreal...Just this week Pip's story was on the Front Page of our local news and we were featured in my hometown's newspaper...

Pip & I are on a huge billboard Downtown Windsor- How freaking awesome is that?
In a way all this media whirlwind, kinda needed to happen to give me the courage to just go for things...

It's what I keep telling myself when I realized the risks involved and the work ahead. But I've never been as utterly exhausted, excitedly giddy or as exhilaratingly happy as I am about where Happy Soul Project stands today:
  • I am opening a Happy Soul Project Online Store...Last week I designed the stores logo & our first t-shirt and I absolutely love the creative side of it all.

  • Within the store will be two initiatives that I am so excited about...
      • Painting Outside the Lines - will be featuring artists with special needs. We currently have an amazing mother and daughter duo who have been working on beautiful painted signs that I can't wait to share with you...More on this on another blog...
      • Awesome Eh? Project - a portion of proceeds from every sale will be going toward this initiative that will be random acts of awesomeness proving to others that there is hope & happiness out there...It could mean buying a teenage girl with Down syndrome a prom dress or sending a new momma flowers who is struggling with her baby's diagnosis...It could be anything yet to me it is everything. To me I want to make someone, have absolutely nothing left to say but "Awesome Eh?" by whatever random act is done...I love this aspect of the store...And the title brings my Canadian pride to the mix..
      • Current sponsors {yes that is happening too thankfully - to find out more or become a sponsor contact me here} are donating items to use in the Awesome Eh? Project and our arms are open wide to any other cool donations that could help bring happiness to someone else.
      • Collaborating Projects - I am collaborating with numerous people and projects on special items that will be available in the store and can't wait to share it all with you.
  • I am currently working with a Blog Designer to give Happy Soul Project a wee bit of a Facelift and make it exactly how I envision it to be. 
  • Doors have opened and I have been Guest Blogging on sites like Dandelion Moms, Little Four Eyes and I really am going to dream big and hope to be published myself on Huffington Post this year.
  • Pip's story not only has made it to newspapers and tv, she will be featured in a British magazine in the upcoming weeks...The writer and article are so perfect and so dear to my heart because it tells my story, as I would tell it...
  • I have numerous Guest Bloggers lined up to share their stories from a sibling's point of view with a sister named Pip who had Down syndrome to featuring a momma with a little baby who has a severe skin condition - All stories to sing in Happy Soul Project's choir the same song, "Different is Beautiful".
  • Operation Ellen was launched and I can't believe the amount of people sharing and getting in on trying to get her attention...She's gotta call, I can just feel it...

Are you exhausted, excited and exhilarated yet?
It's amazing to me, that 2 months ago I had to tell myself, "Let it go - It will happen when it happens - And just like that it has...

I truly believe it's Happy Soul Project's time to soar...And can't thank y'all enough for giving it wings...