Kristen Marie's Blog

Kristen Marie Schuerlein is Moving

Come see my new homes....

My Company: Design Duo Inc

My Expression: Vision Translator

My Musings: Musings From The Midpoint

The Creative Power of Worry

"Worry is a prayer for what we don't want" - Unknown

Consider this quote for a moment.

Powerful, isn't it? Knowing that words and thoughts create our lives, why would someone choose to worry?

I used to date a man who worried a lot. Whether it was something big or something small, didn't really matter. He had simply gotten into the habit of focusing on what he didn't want as if doing so moved him toward his desires.

It was amazing to watch the accuracy in which he attracted and manifested EXACTLY what he was attempting to avoid. That's the cool part about this Universe we live in. All thought is creative. The Universe doesn't care (or judge) what you want or don't want, it simply gives you that which you focus on.

The other day I was worried that I would mispronounce this gals name as I introduced her on a podcast I was hosting. And holy cow, wouldn't you know, that's exactly what I did. Simple example, yes. But it's the same for everything. Whether you are worried about not getting the job, or being on time, or being unloveable. It's literally all that same. Worry is prayer for what we don't want.

Once we get this, we can direct the power of our mind toward the thoughts that DO move us toward that outcomes we desire. It just takes a little mindful thinking. And it's a ton of fun!

Napoleon Nailed It.

Last week I picked up my copy of Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I have the original 1937 text in a faux leather bound book, with gold gilded edges. It looks like a bible.

And in many ways, for me, it is.

TAGR may be the most influential and timeless book on the power of our minds - our thoughts - to manifest what we desire in our lives. The more I read, the more I see the literal power of language. Everywhere. All around. In all things.

That's the simple philosophy behind Affirmagy - we get what we affirm, confirm and impress into our minds. Powerful stuff!

If you haven't thumbed through TAGR lately, I encourage you to. And grab your highlighter while you're at it. Because, whether it's 1937 or 2010, Napoleon really nailed it.

1853 days

1853 days ago Affirmawraps made their debut in a fashion that set the tone for what Affirmagy is all about. It was February 14th 2005, Valentine's Day, and 120 Abundance blankets were given to ministers at a New Thought gathering in San Diego. One by one they were given as a gift to see if wrapping people in positive affirmations was a good idea. (Can you believe I ever wondered that?). Giving Abundance away, just to see people respond, was a powerful experience in itself. Choosing to build a company that would ultimately touch the lives of tens of thousands worldwide was when my life totally changed. (I still remember the knot in my stomach as I wrestled with stepping into this new venture)

Affirmagy came into the world BEING what it believes; the world is a better place with more Abundance, Joy, Love and Inspiration in it. Affirmagy believes that we are that which we speak, we attract that which resonates with us vibrationally, and that we are the creators of our lives.

It's funny to say "Affirmagy believes" like its an entity. In many ways is it.... and in many ways its simply a philosophy, a way of being in the world.

In reality, those things that Affirmagy believes are what I believe. Although I've never said it like that before. From day one it was vital to me that Affirmagy not espouse a certain viewpoint or dogma. This company - this philosophy - isn't about faith or religion or theology. It's very very simple. It get more of what we want, focus on what we want.  Get it in our space, our language, our thoughts. Peace, Wholeness, Gratitude. Whatever it is for you. Simply choose.

That was what wrapping ourselves and those we adore in Affirmawraps has been all about this past 1853 days. What a journey.

Thanks for being on the ride. Thanks for supporting, watching and cheering us on all this time. And thanks for knowing that our lives are exponentially better for everyday that Affirmawraps were sold.

Now, Affirmagy lives in a new way, a new expression. But it's still the same. It's all about focusing on what we want. And going for it.

Fitting It In: The Birth of Affirmagy

Last night I realized how powerful the idea of "Fitting It In" has been in my life. It's how I started Affirmagy..... just fitting it into the cracks and spaces in my life.

I heard once that if you cut out 1 hour of TV a day, you'll gain 365 hours a year to do other things. 365 hours divided by 8 = 45 work days... that's 9 weeks of 8 hour days! Imagine what you could create in over 2 months of worth of work days. Amazing!

By fitting Affirmagy into my life, my life has never been the same. Just taking those first few steps in having the courage to dream.... to think through how we could even produce a blanket with words on it was shift in thinking. How do you DO that? What would they say? How would we let people know about them? How would we write them? Is this doable?

Having a good idea is a wonderful thing. Making the time to explore, nurture and give it shape is something altogether different.

I am not sure what exactly compelled me to follow my heart and create Affirmagy. All I know is that by choosing to fit it in, we've touched tens of thousands of people. And brought more love, Joy, Gratitude and Compassion into the world.

Not bad for a little idea on a napkin.'

What idea do you have that's waiting to come into your life? Is it time to start finding the time to fit it in?

Defining Success

I've never not been successful at something before. I always make it work. I am an entrepreneur through and through. And prior to Affirmagy, I started Design Duo Inc, a graphic design and marketing studio. I've always made DD work. Through our start up years in the 90s, through the dot com bust in the early 2000s, through Graves' Disease that seriously set my butt down for the better part of 2004.

I've co-owned a seasonal consulting company.

I've helped starts up take off, and watched as they've stumbled.

I've run non-profit boards.

I've bought and sold investment real estate. All on my own. Little old me.

I set me sights on something and I make it work.

I always make it work. Until Affirmagy. And then I experienced what it's like to not have something work. To spend all your money, chasing your dream. To follow your gut, your passion, your vision up and down and in and out.

To step into the great unknown. To leap without a net. To put your own financial health and that of your business partner on the line. To be scared to death and in action anyway. To listen to that deep still voice, and follow it. To have the courage to set it all down and celebrate the journey.

And I've learned the true power of choosing how to define success.

Affirmagy was an idea on a napkin in late 2004. I didn't see it coming. I didn't see it enveloping my life for the better part of three years.

I didn't see selling my house (in totally committing to Affirmagy, I gave myself 2 years to make it work... having a house and a yard would slow me down, I thought. So the house went and I downsized. Turns out I sold at the height of the market in April 2006. Talk about unseen blessings)

I didn't see at the end of three years together, my man - who was in my life from 2005 to 2008 - would tell me he thought I didn't have a viable business and he didn't think I would be successful.

I didn't see not taking a paycheck for 2+ years, and that my business partner would come to work day after day, month after month, because she believes in me.

I didn't see the tens of thousands of lives we touched. The letters. The stories. The days I would read emails from our customers and I'd cry and cry moved by the compassion and love human beings are capable of expressing.

I didn't see getting partnering with Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Susan G Komen. I didn't see creating fundraisers for kids to go to church camp, and raise money to go to take care of elephants in Thailand, and build schools in Malawi (my thanks to Linda Reppond for reminding me). I didn't see articles in national newsstand magazines, and being considered by a senior producer for the most popular daytime talk show ever. O my! I didn't see the hundreds of people I've met and letters I've received. And the countless who told us our blankets helped them say the things they couldn't when their loved ones were transitioning. 

I didn't see getting on QVC and the financial heartbreak that it was. And the blessing it became.

I didn't see grieving my identity as the owner of Design Duo after 10 years... and having to reconcile that it wasn't a step backwards coming back and being that again. (To my shock and delight our past clients we THRILLED we were back in the design/marketing/branding game. I had no idea we left a hole when we stopped taking new work in 2006).

I didn't see gaining such deep levels of strength, resolve, resiliency and fearlessness that were either a part of me already, or that I gained during this journey.

And I didn't see that an idea on a napkin would shape the rest of my life by not fully taking flight. You can call Affirmagy a failure. I call it one of my greatest creations and greatest successes to date.

In the coming days I'll being sharing the lessons I've learned and the incredible gift this company has been in my life.

Stay tuned.....

Since November 24th...

I was having lunch with a good friend earlier this week, and she made an amazingly good point "Kristen, people want to know what you are doing. Tell them."

As I pondered that idea while enjoying my chicken Phad Thai, I realized she was right. I've been super quiet about what I am doing these days... mostly because, well, I am DOING things (you know, heads down, rocking and rolling)... and partly because I don't know what to say. OK...

"I never got Affirmagy profitable. It never fully took flight."

There, I said it.

The past couple of months have been filled with amazing things.... incredible things.... sadness, celebration, success and good old "some how, some way, we gotta make this work". I've started two blogs that I've never made live.... one celebrating 40; and the other about Design Duo, the other me. The "me" before Affirmagy. The me again, in a whole new, powerful, passionate way.

As I am writing this, I've made a decision. This is my blog. At least for now. I still believe - perhaps even more passionately than EVER - in designing a life you love. So, for the time being, this is my blog. My voice. A place for all the shades of Kristen Marie.

Affirmagy never fully took flight. At least not how I thought it would.

And I can't wait to tell you why it's been one of the best successes of my life!

Abundance Affirmawraps Spotted at a James Ray Event!

Terri Levine (the guru of coaching and a dear friend) sent Abundance Affirmawraps as gifts last holiday season to her VIP clients. Check out this totally fabulous man modeling his Affirmawrap at a recent James Arthur Ray weekend event.

How cool is this? (I so love my life!)

What's your Good Cheer Company?

Ever come across something and declare "I wish I'd thought of that!"? Well, I sure do. Here's my latest find:

The Good Cheer Company makes these fabulous little metal puzzle pieces with words like "I am powerful", "I am grateful" and "I am magnificent". WOW COOL IS THIS IDEA? I have "I am blessed" on my key chain. What a perfect gift for yourself or for someone you adore.

In addition to the puzzle pieces, I just bought their Cheers to You CD. Oh my! Go take a listen. It's totally fabulous.

I love that the minds behind all this actually took the time to build it! That's what it's all about folks; finding your heart's desire, giving yourself permission to go after it, and surrounding yourself with people who support your big dreams. That's a powerful combination that serves the world.

What's your "Good Cheer Company"?

Positive Affirmations

Vital Affirmations.com is a fabulous resource for all things affirmation oriented. I just came across this site, and while I haven't researched it fully, I did want to share with you this article on affirmations.

I think you'll enjoy it.