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

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?

Send A Little Love Today

One of my favorite things to do is appreciate and acknowledge people. One of my favorite ways to do that is by sending personal, handwritten cards.

About a year ago I friend of mine turned me onto SendOutCards. I have simply become a raving fan. I totally love how easy it is to send a card, and make someone’s day in an instant. What I love about this company is that it helps me be the person I want to be - one that appreciates and acknowledges people as a way of being in the world. After all, no matter how much we have, we achieve or we create in our lives it’s the people we have built relationships with that make a difference. Next to our health, it’s THE thing that makes a beautiful life.

I love people. And I love contributing to the lives of others. Sending a thoughtful card is one of my favorite things to do. I am not even sure why, it just is.

Is there someone in your life you’d like to acknowledge, appreciate or send a little love to today? Click here, and send a personalized greeting card ON ME. What could be better?

I am off to go send cards.....

The Giving Zone

Everyday I meet people who are truly living a life they love. Today I am honored to shine a light on Bruce Painter, creator of Giving Zone Radio. WOW. Bruce is up to really cool things!

His book "The Giving Zone" offers reader access to a 'realm where your dreams come true'. Hello? How much better can it get? Bruce is a perfect example of living a life you love.

When Bruce and I met - through Gail Goodwin of Inspire Me Today - it was such a delight. Bruce was gracious enough to invite me on his radio show for an interview. Take a listen.

And check out what Bruce is up to. He's a man with a vision, a passion and a commitment to living full out.

Blazing Trails, Inspiring Others

When we follow our passion it shows - and it MATTERS in the lives of those we serve. Take Debra Morrison for example. With an impressive list of accomplishments that highlight a career dedicated to others, Debra has built her personal passion for helping women soar into both her financial planning practice and her motivational speaking business.

A deserving spotlight was shown on Debra by the Daily Record. Take a look. You'll be inspired by who she chooses to be in the world. Recently Debra was named one of "New Jersey's Best 50 Women in Business" for 2008. Bravo!

Debra is a fabulous woman who has found the secret sauce: do what you love, and you'll inspire others to do the same.

The Art of Snail Mail

I could make a very strong case that the foundation of my success has been built on sending people note cards. Over the years I've literally sent thousands of cards. It's my joy writing notes to thank and acknowledge people. What better way to stay connected to your friends and customers?

When I started Affirmagy, however, writing notes to all our customers became a huge task. One that, frankly, I was not doing well. There were times when I would write 'thank you for your order' notes hundreds at a time, only to find my hand hurting, and my mind questioning the wisdom of this time investment. I couldn't personalize all those cards... and after a while the quality of my handwriting would decline beyond my standards.

Who wants to get a note from a business owner whose writing resembles a fourth grader?

Enter SendOutCards. There isn't enough time today to adequately brag all over this company. Let me just say this; I wish I'd thought of it. Kody Bateman's vision, and his commitment to others is extraordinary. Please take a look. SendOutCards makes it SO easy to stay in touch, acknowledge, thank and love on people when they least expect it. It's a beautiful thing!

Click here to visit... and notice that you are coming to the Affirmagy page. We are proud to be a part of the SOC family.

How an email changed my life. And launched a fundraiser for the cure.

Remember Erin, Jodi and Jill?
Erin is a gal whose email sparked our vision to raise money for breast cancer research and education. Jill and Jodi are the two friends she gave our blankets to last fall while Jill was in hospice.

Like others, you might have asked yourself HOW the whole Book and Blanket Bundle came about. Well I decided to create a 3 minute video to capture the story and the impact that these three women have had on my life.

View the video here (you don't need an account) or go to YouTube.com and search on "affirmagy"

Or you can go here to view the video here on the blog.

Please share with us your thoughts - you can email  me at designalifeyoulove [at] yahoo.com. And if so moved, please share this video with your friends and colleagues.

Thank you.

One Promise. Two Sisters.

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending the Susan G Komen luncheon. What a powerful event. Hattie Kauffman, CBS News Correspondent, delivered the keynote address. Hattie is a Seattle native, and a breast cancer survivor. As she told her story to the crowd of Komen attendees, we were all moved to learn that this was the first time she'd declared "I am Hattie Kauffman, and I am a breast cancer survivor" publicly. She was diagnosed in 2001.

Today I am even more passionate about finding a cure for this disease. No woman should have to deal with the emotional and physical tolls a diagnosis brings. And certainly no woman should die from cancer in her boobs - one of the very things that makes women, women.

Today I am even more clear that choosing to take on raising money for breast cancer research as part of the fabric of our company was 100% the right decision.

Today I am grateful for all the women who have touched my life who are survivors. It's a club that I am glad exists.

This October, won't you please help us help others? Please check out the opportunity we've created to make an impact with our dollars and our hearts. If this sings to you, we ask that you get your credit card, buy a bundle and make a difference. Then, please share this opportunity with your friends.

The power of a promise has the amperage to move mountains. Come be a part of our promise to raise $400,000 dollars and make a big difference in the lives of the 500+ women diagnosed each day.

The windy city with Mark Victor Hansen...

At the end of August I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Chicago at an event with Mark Victor Hansen. Mark was the one who initially blessed our idea to raise money for breast cancer research and education by combining our Courage Affirmawrap and the book Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul.

After getting a chance to share with him the amazing response this initiative has received, he asked that we snap a photo. So here we are, with Michelle Drake, author of the new book "From the Kitchen to the Corner Office: Mom's Secret Recipes for Success REVEALED!".

Come help us raise $400,000 for breast cancer research and education. Buy a our exclusive Book and Blanket Bundle and we'll donate 20% of your purchase to breast cancer charities including Susan G Komen for the Cure, up to $50,000. You can also choose to "Pay It Forward" and we'll donate your Bundle to a woman facing treatment.

Thank you for helping us spread the power of affirmations and inspiration while raising lots of money for the cure.

Gratitude Monday

I wanted to start out the week sharing how grateful I am for the people on my team that are helping us raise money for the cure. October is upon us. And the book and blanket bundle is gaining momentum. My thanks to Michelle, Nancy, Paul and all of you who have raised your hand, bought a bundle, and are spreading the word around the country.

Do you want to join the hundreds of Affirmagy Angels that are making our vision a reality? It's easy. Here  are a couple of ways to jump in and contribute to our goal of $400,000 raised, and thousands of bundles donated in honor of Jill H and women everywhere.

Step 1: Buy a bundle (or two, or three. The record so far; 5 bundles bought and 'paid forward' by one great guy - my papa)
Step 2: Share us with your world via ezines, email, blogs, enewsletters, etc.
Step 3: Repeat

We've pulled everything you'll need into the links below - including 75 words that wrap the whole thing into one paragraph. It's pretty cool.

check out this Press Release with all the details
check out our Media Kit with the magic 75 words to share with friends
visit YouTube to see how this all started...
buy a Bundle now and make a difference today

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of moms, daughters, girlfriends, and sisters.

I am grateful.