DreamCatcher 2012 Spotlight: The World Needs More Love Letters

What if you filed into a train car on a Monday morning, tired, and more than a little disheartened by the day that hadn't even started yet? You slip into a cold seat, and find a letter addressed to you personally? What if right at that moment, the declaration that you're okay, and more than okay, spectacular, lay etched on the paper, a memento to cherish from a stranger who totally gets you? That is what the folks at The World Needs More Love Letters have in mind with their movement to get everyday people unplugged from the bustle of social networking, and smudged with ink as they pen smiles to strangers.

I really wanted to find a penpal this year. Someone I didn't know, who I could actually take the time out to buy beautiful stationary, dreamy stamps, and send them something special. No sooner had I tweeted: 'Penpal Wanted' on Twitter, I suddenly glanced at someone else's tweet highlighting a link to: The World Needs More Love Letters. Although, TWNMLL's does not specialize in matching people with a writing buddy, they focus on something all the more extraordinary. A letter writing movement of love between strangers.

The World Needs More Love Letters is a movement created by Hannah Brencher, a young woman who began writing letters to strangers on the train with hopes to brighten their day, and find some encouragement for her own. Over 2,000+ love letters later, Hannah has created a lovely hub of letter writing love exchanged, posted, and left in random places to send a smile to an unsuspecting stranger. The folks at TWNMLL's encourage you to write random letters, and slip them in places for other dreamers to find. Or subscribe to their Love Letter Alert List which showcases specific people who need some love folded into an envelope and sent in a bundle to brighten their day. If you know of someone in your life who's day would be brightened by a friendly letter from a stranger, you can also fill out their 'Request A Love Letter' (scroll to the bottom of the page) form to add them to the queue. 

I feel as if I have 'chanced upon' one of the most glorious spots on the internet. Think of the opportunity this presents to really act out the love of Christ by sending something lovely to a person you don't even know. It's like gaining a new connection to the people around you, and being a part of something that is actually building people up one letter at a time. This is exactly the kind of awesomeness that living a 'Forelsket' life represents! I'm honored to send out my first letter to TWNMLL's so that it can brighten the day of this month's recipient. I also can't wait to get creative and leave little snips of endorphin charged sunlight around the city (I see a trip to The Strand coming in the future, wink wink.)

I encourage you all to visit The World Needs More Love Letters, explore the background, and discover how you can get involved.

DreamCatcher 2012: Venita V. Johnson

For the month of March, I'm happy to share a Q&A with another of my dearest friends, Venita V. Johnson. We have shared many a journey together, including co-founding a sorority, with Jennine Carella called Zeta Phi Alpha. She has always had an unwavering perseverance, boldness, and drive to create what she would like to see. It was such a thrill for me to find out that she had published a book of poetry called, Musings of a Lovesick Rabbit, accounts of her journey which covers love, loss, and discovery, with rawness and transparency.

Name: Venita Johnson

Vocation (s): Writer | Self-Publisher

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.- Ambrose Redmoon

In you're own words, I am a DreamCatcher because:... I followed my heart and self-published a compilation of poems titled Musings of a Lovesick Rabbit. I'd always been writing poetry when I felt frustrated, keeping them in word documents and not quite sure what to do with them. My mom originally wanted to publish a book exposing customer service, which she is still writing and when talking to the Xlibris publishing company she told them her daughter had things already written and ready to be published.

Tell us about your book of poetry, Musings of a Lovesick Rabbit, and how you decided it was the right time to take charge of your writing life by self-publishing: I was apprehensive at first because my poems were semi-autobiographical, and I felt I would be exposing too much of myself. I also felt that traditional publishing would be the better bet long term. Thinking about that for a while I realized that my point in writing has been to express myself, and if I wanted to be a professional writer my work had to always come from an honest place. In addition to the fact that nothing about me or my life is traditional, so who really cares? I could self-publish now, learn from the experience and pursue traditional publishing later. Like most decisions in life, I did it simply because it felt right. Remember that every step you take in your writing career is simply that: a step up from before.

Self-Publishing is, in many ways, a visionary concept, because it means that you do not need the validation of other, more traditional, modes. What assured you that this was the right step to take?: In December of '10, I was working at a dead end job with hostile employees that made me silently go insane. I felt like a prisoner in my work situation. Like many recent college graduates, I wasn’t doing what I wanted to be doing for a living and I wanted to make my own success instead of waiting for it to be handed to me.

What challenges arise with being a writer, and better, what are the rewards?: Musings ended up being the biggest learning experience and springboard for my now infant writing career, because it forced me to learn everything at once. I consider the book to be my post teenage diary on display. Everything from galleys, press releases, copy editing, distribution — I learned at once. I had done all the steps backwards and it felt great. Self-publishing is a rebellion that I appreciate. I feel like self-publishing is the right thing to do if you don’t expect a ton of money from it, you want to use your work to further your career and you really have a message that can't wait, you must tell it!

I doubted things once I saw the book sales not coming in as I would have liked, and realized that for a commercially successful book you need a huge, aggressive marketing campaign. I didn’t know that, now I do. But those doubts were thwarted once I talked to people who read the book and loved it, related to it etc. I loved the emails I got from people. Just one person or 90, it didn’t matter. I felt like a success. See, self-publishing gave me the opportunity to be a professional writer, not just an aspiring one, and that gave me the confidence to continually work at what I’m doing. For me I truly look at it as a start. A small but leaping beginning. Even a $10 royalty check is a royalty check, you personally made that happen, and for that you should be grateful.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers/Self-publishers?: My advice for aspiring self-publishing writers is to define your goals. If you are going this route, it presents its own challenges. How will you market? Will you use a self publishing company or an e-book company that will distribute your work, but not for print? How much time can you dedicate to self-promotion per week? And ultimately what will be your next step? Research for 3 months I say. Really figure out what it is you are doing before you do it.

What are some of your other aspirations?: Right now along with a 9-5 job, I am a greeting card writer for an upcoming site that drops in May 2012. I am writing my first novel and submitting my poems for E-magazines. You can keep up with me at VenitaVJohnson.com, and email me at VenitaVJ@gmail.com

Thank you so much, Venita, for sharing your awesome journey with us! For more information on her book, Musings of a Lovesick Rabbit visit her website, or find out more on Amazon!

DreamCatcher 2012: Gabrielle Golobe a.k.a Miss Kismet

For the month of February, I'm thrilled to kick off DreamCatcher 2012 with a Q&A from one of my dearest friends. I've been privileged to observe her journey towards creating her wonderful shop, and blog, Miss Kismet. I couldn't wait to record a piece of her journey for you all to be inspired to go after your own.



Name: Gabrielle Golobe
Vocation (s): Entrepreneur | Photographer | Writer

In you own words, I am a DreamCatcher because: ...I am actively realizing my dreams everyday. I don't say pursuing because that can imply that I'm trying, when I'm doing. My dreams may not be that big, but I am chasing them.

Tell us a bit about your journey towards becoming Miss Kismet: It's so hard to put into words the long journey that is still far from over. Miss Kismet is more than the name of my little business, it's the embodiment of an idea. And that idea is my personal goal to stay true to myself while keeping my dream of working for myself intact. As you know, I opened up shop on Etsy under the name Cinderbella's a little over a year ago, and that jump I took--into something I knew very little about--empowered me. I was at a place in my life where I was lacking confidence and direction. I believe that stemmed from the fact that I wasn't actively chasing any dream I had, and thus I felt like something was missing. Now, that void has been filled.

What draws you to entrepreneurship via jewelry making and photography? Simply put: the need to create. I am first and foremost a girly girl. I love to dress up and I have always worn jewelry, almost 24/7. I used to dream of being a fashion designer, but I quickly found out that I wasn't that great at sewing (I still can't write in a straight line on unlined paper), and that I wasn't built to work for others. Not long before starting my shop I discovered photography, and it's actually in my blood. My mother is a phenomenal photographer, but unlike her, my eye is drawn toward nature. I used to ignore it a lot of times, now I appreciate all the beauty that can be found that's not manmade. Stepping into the roles of photographer and jewelry designer are now just a natural part of my life. It was always there, I just had to find it.

What are the challenges, and better, the rewards of deciding to spearhead your own future by opening your own Etsy/Standalone Shop? The challenges are first taking the leap to open and embark on this new adventure. When you're doing it alone it's up to you to make sure that package goes out, that email is answered, and that customer is happy. I, of course, have the support of my family, but Miss Kismet is a one girl show consisting of me. I am the designer, photographer, editor, shipper, packer, writer, customer service, etc. But with all of that the rewards far outweigh any stress that can occur. I love hearing from a first time, or third time customer, that they love the item they purchased from me and that they'll be returning. It puts a smile on my face, and is the mojo that keeps me going.

Do you have any advice for future shop owners? Don't be afraid. Fear is the enemy of the creative. Fear is the enemy of any dream. Don't get caught up trying to compare your business with others. Each person is unique, and therefore your products, image, strategy and goals are going to be different as well. Have fun in the discovery and enjoy the journey.

What are some of your other aspirations, and what steps do you take towards making your dreams a reality? I love to write! I have been writing since I was in high school, and my dream is to one day soon have a published novel. Whether it's published by a high class agency or by myself doesn't matter. I want to see my name in print, not in lights, and I know that one day it will be. With that in mind, I write whenever I can. And my goal for this year is to write when I feel the need to, not to force it. I'm all about organic creativity. You can't force what's real and there.

How do you overcome moments of doubt? It's hard, but I remind myself, though the steps I take may be small, I have taken steps toward my dreams not away. So why stop now, I ask myself. I also look through the emails, feedback and messages I've received from past customers and friends. The encouragement that I get from family as well as my trust in God are the beacons that lead me out of that place of doubt. Creating is a part of me, I can't stop, so why doubt?

Give us your DreamCatcher Cheer: No matter how big or small, no matter how long you've been at it, proclaim your victories and share your dreams.

Thank you so much, Gabrielle, for sharing your phenomenal journey with us! Want to see what Miss Kismet is up to? Visit her blog for perpetual inspiration, and stop by her shop for endless loveliness! Remember, it only takes a small step in the direction of your dreams to start the process! Get that pen out, purchase your supplies, record your own voice, upload your own photograph...you're halfway there! 

 The next installment of DreamCatcher2012 goes live on March 1st. STAY TUNED...

DreamCatcher Series 2012: Cheers to New Starts

Hello my darling dreamers! I hope that your New Years weekend was awesomely blessed!

I wanted to start my first post of the year off with a positive, effervescent bang! First off, I wanted to alert you of a new feature that I have been considering over the past year. If you read Forelsket, you know that one of my absolute passions is to inspire, and encourage you to live an amazing life, to conquer gargantuan feats through God, and to go after your dreams with fervor and abandon. That being said, the latest feature on Forelsket will be the DreamCatcher Series 2012. With this feature, I will spotlight one special DreamCatcher a month who is going after their dreams with gusto. There are so many people around us everyday who live their lives with stars in their eyes, hearts brimming to love, to inspire, and working hard to see the realized dream. I wanted to shine the spotlight on them, knowing that their stories encourage me, and will hopefully encourage you to do the same.

Who are the special Dreamers I'm looking for? YOU! If you would like to be showcased on the DreamCatcher Series 2012, please feel free to email me with your story, and why you would like to be showcased.

I'm totally excited for this new feature, and for a fascinating year of firsts!

I also came across two inspirational posts that I believe you'll love:







Megan of Charade Style, has brought back her beautiful series "Make Your Life Amazing," where she will feature a soul searching, dream defining post every day of this month. Posts include: "How to Reclaim your True Individuality", "Getting to Know Your Productive Self," and "Take Yourself On A Creative Date."  I can't wait to launch into these posts, pen in hand, with an open heart.

The ever inspiring, Kandee Johnson, has dedicated her first video of the New Year to encouraging us all to see 2012 as a fresh start.

I hope that these lovelies give you the exciting burst you need to be energized for 2012! It's going to be Crazy|Beautiful, so get ready!