Hi,
I've had words in my head to send you, but not the ummph to send them. Perhaps they'll get themselves birthed out of me over the weekend, so I can share with you.
But I wanted to write about something else that's on my mind right now.
I listened to a podcast this morning about awards and rewards. It's the time of year when schools have presentation ceremonies. My boy, 9yrs old, will be sitting in his class group (year 3) and likely will not receive an award. I ponder that he probably won't anticipate he'll get one. He knows the kids who will, and he knows he's not one of those kids.
Perhaps that's mostly the way with many of the kids in the school - in traditional schools all across the country.
The podcast itself is not really something groundbreaking, but is always interesting to have the conversations. My daughter (who now homeschools and is officially in yr11, but will go to TAFE next year) always got top marks and awards at school. She told me, today, as we listened to the podcast this morning, that it actually made her feel like she had high expectations to live up to. Which was hard (especially for someone with social anxiety and autism, who did a lot of masking during her primary school years).
The main reason I'm having these thoughts is that since the main shipment of our fabric packs are reaching their recipients I'm receiving reviews through my website and direct emails with feedback. Most - almost all - are positive. 5 star reviews, with beautiful words. Words that make me smile and my heart to swell. Thank YOU for your words (both in my inbox and as reviews on my website).
But then, I've had a few (barely any at all) that aren't so great. Over the time of setting up reviews on my website most of the not 5 stars are because people haven't yet received their order (simply out of my hands once it's in the hands of the postage system).
Really, what I'm talking about here is that I am doing what I'm thinking my son might be doing on his upcoming presentation day. I'm hoping for good things. I'm not sure if I'll get an award or good words, or if I'll be noticed (you beautiful people do notice me, and for that I feel grateful).
The podcast mentions to remind our children to do the work regardless of the outcome, regardless of the awards or of how people see it (or overlook it, which can happen in classrooms). That I should do my work because I enjoy doing my work.
And while it's vitally important for me that you love what I offer you, that what you purchase from me exceeds your expectations, perhaps it's importantly (more / equally / I don't know) that I am proud of what I put out into the world.
*having said that if what you receive is never up to what you expect, I'd love you to contact me as I'm always open to feedback.
