Being vulnerable can be emotionally exhausting. It feels like you are handing your heart over and sharing all the dark corners that you want so desperately to keep tucked away in hopes that they will just go away. But being vulnerable is also beautiful in that it brings healing and light to those dark places.

Mindy, owner of Adorned Accents, has a powerful testimony about her journey through very dark, difficult times and how cracking it all open gave her the opportunity to let in the light and begin the healing.

Our time with Mindy made us laugh, cry, and walk away feeling a renewed sense of hope. Her heart is genuine and so, so beautiful. We hope our conversation will leave a lasting impact on your heart. We know it did for us…and for that we are so very grateful.

Get to know Adorned Accents..

Website - https://adornedaccents.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adornedaccents/ 

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

There were many wonderful take-aways from this weeks conversation with Aaron, owner of Three Trees Woodworking, but one of our favorites was the meaning behind the name of his business - we're not going to give it away…you’ll have to listen to find out!

Aaron has such a neat story...Having walked many different paths in life, he has gained invaluable wisdom that has lead him to where he is today. We really enjoyed listening to and learning from Aaron and we know you will, too!

Get to know Three Trees Woodworking..

Website - https://www.threetreeswoodwork.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/threetreeswoodwork/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

Kerstin, owner of Waves of Grace, talked with us about how scary it can be to follow your dreams when you feel unqualified. She said something that has stuck with both Alison and me - a little nugget of wisdom that we’ve held onto tightly… ”god does not call the equipped, he equips the called.” If you, like us, have a dream that has lived in your heart for a very long time, rest assured that our gracious God would not plant that seed and allow it to bloom in your heart unless it is His will to help your dreams come to fruition. Those moments of doubt and fear, they are not coming from God. It is in those moments that you need to lean closer to Him - be in prayer, get in his word, ask your friends to pray, slap those scripture-filled post-it notes all over your house! When it is His will, it will become your way. Press into Him and trust that His plan is perfect.

Get to know Waves of Grace..

Website - https://pillowsofgrace.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pillowsofgrace/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

Jamie, creator of Nourish Natural Products, talked with us about the importance of slowing down, being still, and taking care of you. Meditation and yoga have become soul-nourishing routines that she does every day. She has a passion for finding healthy, natural remedies for all that life throws at us and her purpose has become sharing those natural remedies with the world.

Get to know Nourish Natural Products..

Website -https://nourishnaturalproducts.com

Instagram - https://instagram.com/nourishnaturalproducts?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

Lauren's passion for creating meaningful and powerful designs bloomed at a time when life felt pretty dark; a time of letting go of the path she had planned and accepting the path God had planned for her. Lauren’s designs are, quite literally, messages of hope. Despite being diagnosed with a chronic illness in her teens, she wakes up every morning with the determination to make the most of her day. She radiates peace, compassion, and kindness. Her joy is contagious and she is a truly beautiful soul.

Get to know Ember Road Designs..

Website - https://www.emberroad.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emberroaddesigns/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

Briana talks about the importance of remembering to fill up your own cup - after all, you can’t pour from an empty cup! She fills her cup through creating handcrafted, genuine leather baby and toddler shoes and bags. She found what she loved and made a life doing it!

For many people it is not realistic for their career to be the thing that fills their cup and that is okay! You can’t spend every day all day doing things you love! It is, however, important to find something that does and carve out some time during your week to devote to it. Whatever fills your cup deserves a space in your life. When you make that a priority, just watch and see how much you can pour out to others with gratitude and grace.

Get to know Sun and Lace..

Website - https://sunandlace.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sunandlace/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

In a time where selfishness seems to be running rampant, it takes an attitude of gratitude, generosity and grace to be selfless. Now don’t get me wrong, you’ve got to take care of you, too, but once you’ve taken care of yourself you need to step out your door and look for ways you can take care of others. Lisa gilson, owner of Giltee, has made it her family’s mission to be active volunteers in their community. Hearing her talk so joyfully about the work they are doing is heartwarming and inspiring!

Whether you have an abundance of time and money or just a few spare moments and coins, your contributions to your community will make a difference and have a positive impact…You will be putting the words “love your neighbors” into action. it is a thing of genuine beauty!

Get to know Giltee..

Website - https://giltee.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gilteeapparel/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/

Finding white space in your every day...

Alise, owner of Branch Collective, talked about the concept of creating white space in your life. She compares it to a song - a song can’t be in constant crescendo as it would be loud and chaotic. Without the softer, more pleasant parts of a song, we can’t fully enjoy and appreciate the crescendo.

Another way to think of it is this - imagine you get home from work and there are dirty dishes all over the counter. It feels cluttered and overwhelming, now picture yourself walking in to a clean kitchen..can you imagine the different feelings that arise in each of those scenarios?

If we don’t create physical and mental white space in our days, we will run from one thing to the next in a constant state of heightened anxiety and very little fuel to keep us going. i don’t know about you, but i don’t want to continue living my life in a state of overwhelm and exhaustion.

Get to know Branch Collective..

Website - https://www.branchcollective.store/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/branchcollective/

Stay in Touch With Us..

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/makingalifepodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/makingalifepod/

Our Shop..The Local

Website - https://thelocalwi.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelocalwi/

Pintrest - https://www.pinterest.com/thelocalwi/_created/