| One day I was sitting in my local cafe enjoying a hot cup of tea and
some conversation with several of my "self-employed" friends. We
got onto the topic of "things we would like to be able to do but don't
because of guilt". We all had examples, "wouldn't it be great to
read an entire book in a sitting?", or "what if you could spend an afternoon
finger painting?" or "I forget what it feels like to nap daily."
They were all examples of things we used to do when we were children or
during art school, when it was safe. It occurred to me that we have
a hard time giving ourselves permission to do the things that our soul
is asking for on a daily basis. Then a little bomb went off...what
if something else gave permission for us, what if we let the universe decide
what was appropriate? What if it was out of our hands completely?
And thus the cards were born. I had seen other types of cards on
the market but found them lacking in colour, so I sat down with my paint
and just had fun with it. I started selling them at book fairs and
studio tours, and eventually through mail order and word of mouth.
The idea took off. I got calls from women who wanted several boxes
for all their girlfriends, and men who wanted a special gift for their
wife. One girl saw them on a co-worker's desk and needed a set immediately.
Here are some of the letters I've received:
"Your permission cards are great!!! My friend carries them in her purse, when in need of permission she just takes one. I had mine in an olive crock with a lid...it was o.k., recently I switched to an old teacup. I think the air let's them breathe and they work better." -Kim "Dear Keri, I can report that the cards are a tremendous success and that the whole family does them every morning so you are the local hero." -Wendy "Could you send me another box? My sister is pregnant and stressed so I think she needs to give herself permission on a regular basis." -Karen "Thanks so much for the cards! My mom thinks they're just beautiful, and has been sharing them around her office. p.s. I gave myself permission to triumph last week" I have had several people requesting a new set (they've repeated the old ones so often.) I'm happy to report there's a new set in the works, to be released in October 2000! I'll keep you posted. |