Sunday, July 15, 2012

What I wish I had said...

Hello, friends!

 *Caution long, but heartfelt post ahead  ;-)*

The Close To My Heart convention ended yesterday, and I was lucky enough to attend this year because it was in Dallas. It was my first convention, and I have been a consultant since 2008! I was also fortunate enough, due to all of my fabulous customers, to win an award for most individual sales in the past year. I'm not one of those people who ever wins anything, so when I found out it was going to happen I was rather stunned. I never in a million years would have thought that not only would I receive that award, but I walked away with two others. Can you say blessed?

Anyway, when I was walking to the stage to get the most sales of the year award, I started to cry. I'm not much of a crier usually, but a flood of emotions descended upon me. I just never, ever thought I would be a person that would win anything, either deserved or by random drawing. I also knew how hard I had worked as a blogger on both of my blogs and how I hopped beyond hope that all of the time spent would at some point pay off. Kristine Widtfeldt, who is one of the company's VPs, handed me the microphone to say something after I had won and I completely froze. You see, I am a little bit shyer than you might expect, and quite honestly, I would never in a million years would have thought I needed an acceptance speech. As a result, very little came out of my mouth besides me thanking my upline and her upline. Both of these women are incredible and very supportive of me. However, I would have liked to have had my thoughts together enough to have said more.

After much reflection and thought I now know what I wish I would have said. I want to share that with all of you now as I see you all as my friends.

"I used to watch Oprah a lot when it was on and found that she could be quite inspirational at times. One thing she always said (and I am paraphrasing) was that God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can. I never really understood what she really meant by that. I thought surely I can dream pretty big for myself. However, now I understand what she is talking about because I would never have dreamed that I would sell enough Close To My Heart to make any kind of a living much less sell enough to win any awards. Yet there I was on stage holding that award in my hand the other night. God truly did dream a bigger dream for me than I ever dreamed for myself. This has made me realize, though, that I need to perhaps start dreaming a little bigger for myself. I think I sold myself short. Now especially since I am recently a single mom, I need to dream as big and as high as I can. I owe it to myself and my little boy."

The more I thought about this the more I thought this is not just about me and my dreams, but it is about your dreams too! I know most of you out there are not dreaming big enough for yourselves and are selling yourselves short too. You are all capable of great things. I know it is hard to believe that sometimes, but I promise you are worth much more than you think you are worth. You can achieve so much more than you realize. God knows that and I know that. You are all stars and you need to shine bright!

Now I could not have achieved this great feat if it had not been for some very supportive friends *cough Joy Tracey* or my FABULOUS blog followers and customers. You guys help me to shine everyday and I love each and everyone of you for that more than you know!

Now, I feel like I want to do something special for my devout customers. It is through your love of the great Art Philosophy cartridge that I was able to achieve what I did. I wish I could send you all a little something, but I cannot. What I can do, though, is send you my love and gratitude. You guys mean the world to me!

Also, what I can do is send an exclusive stamp set to any of you who place an order on my site for $50 or more from today the 15th until the 31st of July. There are limited supplies of this great Close To My Heart set, so if you are interested get that order in soon!


Thank you for listening to me this morning. I hope you all have a blessed day and I love you all VERY much!!

(((hugs)))



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52 comments:

snappy scrappy said...

Congrats on your big win...you deserve it. Lee-Ann :)

Jane said...

That is possibly the best "speech" I have ever heard (read),
Congrats on your win.

Romaine said...

Melanie, congratulations! What a lovely, heartfelt speech! Having to speak on the spot is difficult for anyone, especially us reserved people!
Good for you!

Migdalia said...

Congrats to you!Beautiful Speech!And yes we usually sell ourselves short and God Has Bigger plans for us than we can ever imagine but we need to ask......You see I believe because I know that God Stands and waits for us to ask even though he alreday knows what we are going to ask for.I always used to ask for others anything and everything and Now I am learning through his walk that I need to ask for me and he will take care of the rest. So when I ask I say God if it's going to rain on me with your glory,treasures & Gifts ..please..please let it pour!Your words are very beautiful and moving.Thank You for sharing.God is Good!
Migdalia

Casandra Bennett said...

Melanie, this was such a sweet and heartfelt post. I really enjoyed reading it. I, too, can be quite shy, especially in front of large crowds. Congratulations on such a prestigious achievement. :)

eiyiyi said...

12Heartfelt congratulations on a very well-deserved award. I'm so pleased and excited for you. Your speech was beautiful, no matter when you gave it. Again congratulations! hugs, eileen

Vanessa said...

Your comments were so touching and inspirational! As another shy person, I totally understand how in hindsight you can think of what you wish you had said. I'm glad you were able to say it here among friends. Congratulations on your achievements! (And the picture is lovely!)

Cathy said...

Way to go girl:))

Blue Moon Creation said...

Congrats on your award. (Even with the warning at the beginning of your blog, I still teared up! Lol) I too would have froze had somebody stuck a mic at me to say something! Again, congrats!

Cynthia Baldwin said...

You look beautiful! And such beautiful words too. :)
Big congrats to you! Very happy for your success.

Paper Sewn Visions said...

Congrats on your award. Your speech is so inspiring. Thank you for the time to sit down and really think about it and write it so you could share and inspire each and everyone of us that read and follow your blog.
Hugs, Velma M.

Karons Krafty Korner said...

Melanie - wow - speech made. Congratulations on your fabulous awards.

Unknown said...

you so deserve the awards and I am inspired by your creations everyday. Keep up the fantastic work I check daily to see what you post, pictures etc. Thanks for sharing your talent with us all.

Linda T. said...

I was at convention and saw your speech and read this one from your blog. Sometimes the brain simply can't keep up with the heart. Perhaps, the words you wanted refused to come in that awesome, overwhelming moment, but your face communicated all the gratitude, joy, love, and pride you were feeling for yourself and all the others that contributed or inspired you.

Irasema said...

Congratulations! I am new to paper crafting and I am inspired every day by your work.I hope one day I can be as creative as you are.

Nancy Ball said...

Oh Melanie, I was looking around thinking I might see you here at convention.....but didn't. Must be because you are much more GORGEOUS in person that your blog pictures depict. Seeing your pic on stage now, I recognize you. Congratulations on your achievement.....it was truly an amazing and well deserved one. While we have never met, I have followed your blog for some time now and was pleased to see you were a Consultant. Good Luck and maybe we'll see you on stage again in DisneyWorld!

liz at liz's paper loft said...

congrats!

Joan Smith said...

Oh Melanie congratulations!!! I am typing and my tears are flowing tears of joy!!! I am excited for you that you truly recognized Gods' full plan for you and this my dear is awesome embrace it and raise your hands to the heavens I'll join you now and we'll say "Thank YOU JESUS" You are a blessing Melanie and I've always praised you for sharing your God given talents and you shall be receiving all your blessings indeed!!

Ann said...

cONGRATS, MEL! I know I talked to you on the phone when I was placing an order and I am not surprised by anything with YOU ~ very attentive to your customers and that is wonderful. Keep up the good word, girl.
Ann robbins

1Happy Mimi said...

Congrats to you! Your 'speech' had me in tears.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I know you have worked very hard to get to this point in your life. I look forward to your blog entries every day.

Unknown said...

OMG what a wonderful speech and thank you for sharing your blessings with us. I can only imagine your shock to win this award. Thank you for being the kind and instructive blogger that you are. I have a feeling that God isn't done with you yet! Hugs~Mary

Christine Adams said...

Melanie, I know the "freeze factor" that can happen on stage, but your pure heart came through when you freely gave credit to your uplines. So sweet. LOVE the blog acceptance speech! Start practicing now so you will have it down for next year! ;o)

Congratulations and DREAM BIG girl!

Anonymous said...

I have only ordered CTMH one time and that was from you..you went out of your way to make everything run smoothly..You arre a great blogger!

Liz O. said...

Congrats on your win Melanie, you truly deserve it! I know first hand speaking in public for us - the shy people in the world- is challenging, but as Christine above said, you must start practicing, because it is fabulously innevitable there will be many more to come!!!!

Have a blessed day and thank you for all you do for us!
Liz

Maryellen Webber said...

Congratulations on your awards Melanie! I enjoy your blogs so much, they give me lots of inspration. Public speaking is no easy task, especially when you are
taken by surprise!
Best of luck to you!

jennifer said...

Congrats on your award! I too teared up reading your speech.

Nicole said...

Congratulations on your win!! Your blog was one of the first blogs I started following a little over a year ago and found great inspiration from your projects. You blog kept me motivated to continue on my journey to start my own blog and become a consultant!! For this I am truly grateful!! I hope someday I will have great success also. Keep up the good work and thank you!!

Crafting Katie said...

Congrats to you, Melanie! You totally deserve that award!

Jes said...

Congratulations Melanie! I was there to see you in your glory (and beautiful dress!). It is quite an achievement & you should be so proud of yourself!! Great work~
Jes Ballas, PA

Tina Campbell said...

Congrats Courtney! You deserve it!

Sage said...

I've followed your blog what seems 'forever' and am inspired by you constantly! congrats on your recogniztion, I'm not surprised at all :)

marg0006 said...

Congrats on the joyous honor.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!
dmcardmaker (at aol.com)
(email follower)

Kim B. said...

That was a beautiful post, it brought tears to my eyes and oddly enough helped me with a struggle I was having this past weekend. God sure knows what he is doing. I am so proud of you and I enjoy your blog very much. Keep up the great work!!!

MeGlo said...

Congratulations on a well-deserved award & recognition! I've been following your blog for years and have quite often wished I could give you an award for always inspiring me! Love CTMH truely believe that they try to make a busy mom's scrapping life easier!
Wonder what God's planning for you now?

moknowsall said...

Mel - congrats on the awards. You know - good things come to those who work hard.... and you have, and it, indeed, has paid off.

They say where one door closes, another one opens. Always keep looking forward for that open door!

Maureen

glacey said...

Congratulations Melanie.. for this amazing accomplishment .. this heartfelt post .. and for always inspiring us. Bravo!

mary stuart said...

Congratulations, Melanie!
It's wonderful that you were able to be there in person to accept your award. What an outstanding achievement for you!
Thank you for sharing your speech with us. it was quite moving.
You are in my prayers, Melanie!

Katherine said...

Congratulations Melanie on your reward. Your post was indeed moving. Your followers may have helped you by purchasing the Art Philosophy cart but its the least we could do to thank you for all the time and effort you put forth to help inspire us.

Marcia said...

Congratulations on your sales award and for sharing your feelings so well. I love you blog and your designs.

Windy said...

Congratulations! You've worked hard for this reward and deserve it. Thanks for your inspirational words today and all the posts you do on a daily basis. All are appreciated.

Jessica said...

I am so very proud of you! I have followed you for a couple of years now and i know every morning by about 8:30 my time i will get my morning inspiration. Honey you are so talented and you deserve every bit of that reward. Keep up the great work. And never ever forget how wonderful you are and how much you are loved. Thank you so much for touching my life everyday. Hugs!!

Ana Anstee said...

Congratulations on your BIG win! You deserve it! I have loved following your blog over the last year.
Thank you for the inspirational words today - they have really lifted me up after such a busy awful day today :)
I love my CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge! and can't wait to buy the new one!

Marissa said...

Congratulations! You are an amazing designer/crafter! You deserve this award!

Loly Borda said...

Congratulations! Very well deserved. Your generosity, sharing your creativity everyday with us, doesn't go unnoticed to God. I'm so happy for you.

Sis Patterson said...

Congratulations, Melanie -

You are a terrific and lovely person, and we are all tickled pink for all of your achievements! Lovely reflection on the powers at work in our dreams.

Carol Ric said...

Congrats!

Suzanne said...

Hi Melanie!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your award is so well deserved! Thank you for being an AWESOME CTMH Consultant! I appreciate all your help and expertise and for always keeping me informed. And....your AMAZING projects always inspire me! Thank you for sharing your GREAT NEWS! Take care! :)

Suzanne Watanabe
suzwatanabe@yahoo.com

Lara said...

That was a heartfelt message. I even teared up! You are so right. I loved your new and improved acceptance speech. You are inspiring, thru both your words and the wonderful projects you share. We should be thanking you for taking the time to share with us. Keep on dreaming! Congrats!!

Janet said...

Com\ngratulations on your awards they are very well deserved. As a consultant you are awesome and a wonderful person!! I love all your creations and thank you for allthe time and effort you put into them!!
Big Blog Hugs, Janet

Unknown said...

I was happy to see you get the award at convention, and this speech was really sweet. Congratulations on all your hard work paying off for you! I know Artiste will have you packing your bags to Costa Rica, too! I only hope and DREAM that I'll be there with you :)
~Rachel in Sacramento

 
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