I just turned 50 and during this past year have lost my mom. I left my career in Sept of 2008 to take care of her and was with her until the moment she left us. While my mom and I were together I started making little designer clay hearts to pass on to people who were kind to both of us. In the beginning it was my mom’s hands that softened the clay with the warmth of her small frail hands. The little hearts were made to travel and extend kindness. After the hearts had been making their journey from person to person I was inspired by a friend to create a website in hopes of sharing kindness stories. I took that advice and wheretheheartgoes.com was born. While making and passing out the hearts people asked if they could buy them. I was even asked invited to talk about the story of the hearts and their inspiration. Selling the small kindness hearts was never my intention and to profit from something that gives me great joy feels strange. I have been having a hard time re-entering the workplace and finding a job so friends tell me it is ok to sell the hearts as they are still travelling and inspiring kindness. This is a huge struggle for me. My question to each of you is this, “Is it wrong to take something that started from a place of love and benefit from it financially? Does it take away from the beauty of its creation?”
| Transforming Passion into Profit | Hot Conversation |
February 26, 2010
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i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
My condolences on the loss of your mother.
To answer your question, I see nothing wrong in taking ”something that started from a place of love and benefit from it financially.”
Think of the hearts business as your mother’s final gift to you–a new career.
Happy hearting.
If selling or benefiting financially from the beauty of creation never happened, we wouldn’t have the Sistine Chapel or Mount Rushmore or the Taj Mahal. Do what you have to do during this time. It may just be God’s way of starting you in a new direction.
Passing on little hand made kindness hearts-what an incredible idea. Many people have made a living from their artistic talent becoming a desired product. ”To take something that started from a place of love and benefit from it financially” is probably one of the best ways to start a business. I’ve heard people say to do something you love for a living-not that easy for a lot of people.
Your idea came from love and I think your Mom would want you to benefit from a wonderful idea. I’m off to visit your website!
I can’t find a link to buy a heart? Did I miss something?
That is because I have only been selling them in my hometown and to people I met at the market locally. The website was to tell the story. That is why I put the question out there. I have to say your support has touched me and I am going to set up the hearts to do the online selling. Thank you so much.
Great! It’s such a warm feeling to think about the hearts traveling and inspiring kindness. Sort of a pay it forward idea. Do you include a short story about the traveling hearts and kindness when you sell them?
Hi Jeannie,
There is a message and story on each card with a pic of my mom’s hands holding the first heart I made for her when she was in hospital, the mission of the travelling hearts and the inspiration to pass them on to someone who is either kind to you or who simply needs a lift.
Thanks! I’ll email you to get more info.
I agree 100% with the other ladies – this opportunity has been given to you – use it and spread the joy.
I see nothing wrong with it. I have lost my mother 4 years ago and after taking care of her for 6 years, I found boredom in the evening hours. Being able to sew, I started making small gift items which now I sell to specialty shops. Elisa’s Custom Creations was born. Good Luck.
How absolutely wonderful. What began as an expression of gratitude has touched others. It is an opportunity to share your passion and if it blesses you financially …… where is the downside? Your Mom would have been the first to encourage you to go forward and recieve.
Incredible idea. Many companies were birthed by people doing what they love. Famous Amos (Cookies) and many others started from doing what they love.
You have my whole-hearted support. It’s a wonderful idea. Being able to turn something you love into a living is the way it should be. I’m proud of you, good luck.
I don’t think I have felt such support since my mom was here with me. Every post I have read has brought years to my eyes but they are tears of joy. Thank you all.
Your mom must be proud! She inspired these creations and God has given you a way to earn a living. Great story. Take advantage of the opportunity, there are not too many happy endings lately. All one hears is “there is a crisis”. So this is an upbeat story. Go for it!
I really don’t know what to say. You, the women of Vibrant Nation, have offered me such inspiration without knowing who I am. I don’t know about you but I would say constitues one of life’s little miracles of heart! There is nothing more powerful than connection.
Pass it on. <3
I’m seeing “Oprah’s Favorite Things” in your future.
Now that would blow my mind. Anything is possible, isn’t it?
Satori – I understand your hesitance in taking something that you made to thank and help people and then profiting from it. But I have to agree with all the other VN posts on this subject – I think you should go for it! The reason is because of your heart – you didn’t start out with the intent to sell the clay hearts or take advantage of a situation for your betterment. Quite the opposite. You took something and made it touch people in many different ways and it took on a life of it’s own. Just think of how many will be able to pass this caring along to others if you make them available. It is a blessing!
You were given the idea for a reason and if people want to buy them then sell them. Everything that is sold has been someone’s vision. Thank the angels for gving you the idea and in time to have yur Mother in the picture with them.
The world needs more kindness, I think your hearts are a beautiful way to spread it.
I heartily agree. (pun intended)
I love the pun!
Thanks Rose. I get as much joy giving them as people get receiving them… perhaps even more. When I pass on a heart my own grows a little more and I truly experience pure joy!