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I’m deep into holiday hostess overdrive mode as I’m having a little cocktail soiree tonight and I wish all of you could be with me to celebrate the beauty of this quiet season.
I just wanted to let you know how incredibly grateful I am for you and for this past year I’ve had with my magic marker mojo business, but first a bit of news…..
They love me in Germany!
As an early Christmas present, I was featured in an article in the FAZ, a German daily paper based in Frankfurt that’s one of the three main newspapers in Deutschland. The article is about how graphic facilitation is changing the way we do meetings.
The link takes you to the German version but here’s a translation of the best part. (Email me if you’d like to see the whole thing.)
She doesn’t see herself and her colleagues as an artist. Art has as it’s primary target from the inner impulse of the artist. This is not happening at “Graphic Recording”. It’s more that she see herself as a kind of translator, who listen for keywords and atmospheres /spirit and try to bring all the information in an hierarchy. “We structure complexity” says Stuart, who studied politics and art and is a member of the “International Forum of Visual Practitioners”, in which around 80 persons from all over the world are organized.
It takes a village.
Back to gratitude, I have so many people I’d like to thank personally and I hesitate to name names because invariably I’ll leave someone out, but here goes:
To Julie and Brandy, my fellow magic-making colleagues, thanks for all the mutually supportive chats, brainstorms and fine dining experiences throughout the year. Julie, thanks for Big Sur. The night I stood out under the sky of a bazillion stars and saw the Milky Way again, I renewed my soul. I love you both madly.
To David, Fabeku, Chris, Lisa and Cairene, you all have been my biggest encouragers and supporters. I feel like my business is a teenager, no longer a toddler, entering a period of fun and exploration, largely because of the wisdom you’ve given and reflected back to me.
You all are running your own gorgeous, authentic endeavors and I’m beyond thrilled to be in your posse. (If you don’t know these folks yet, you should….just sayin.”)
To my wonderful clients, the individuals with their amazing ideas, who come to me for visioning and strategy sessions, you inspire me all the time. I’m so grateful that you trust me with your “baby” and that I can contribute to getting your idea out to the world. We’re gonna do amazing things next year!
To my fellow facilitators who I’ve teamed with to make some big shifts at some big organizations and companies, it’s been wonderful working with you and learning from you.
To the fabulous people at businesses and organizations who I’ve worked with this year, I’ve enjoyed it so very much and hope to strategize, brainstorm and vision with you again very soon.
And to everyone who’s hung out here with me on the blog, I appreciate you so very much. So. Very. Much.
You witnessed a couple of really challenging moments for me and responded with such amazing kindness and compassion. Your care kept me afloat and hopeful when I needed it the most.
You rejoiced with me when it was time to celebrate. But mostly you showed me that I’m doing good work in the world and it’s being noticed. Slowly, deliberately, creatively, I’m building my little world in my own way and leaving some colorful breadcrumbs for my fellow travelers. I’m so glad you’re with me.
May all your starry dreams come true.
So during this time of year when the nights are longer than the days, the fields lay fallow and the stars are tucked into place in the sky, I wish you the deepest of dreams for all those bright ideas of yours. And know that you always have someone who believes in you.
Peace and prosperity for you and yours in the coming year. And always love. Love. Love. Love.