March 1, 2007 Hi Linda, I wanted to write to update you on what's been happening in my part of the world as it's been awhile since we talked. Please forgive me! It's early afternoon and I am not long out of bed as I now able to stay up as late as I want and get up when I want. And you know me...I have always been a night owl :) It's a really early spring this year and I am peacefully sitting on my back porch swing snuggled under a cozy blanket with a steaming cup of coffee flavored with vanilla cinnamon creamer next to me as I am writing this. I am rocking with the breezes that are gently blowing, bringing with them the sweet smell of fresh, crisp, clean mountain air. I can faintly hear the streams rushing along taking the last of the ice from the banks down to the lake below. I hear the rustling of last years leaves which tells me that the woodland creatures are also out and about enjoying this sunshiny day with me! The essence of nature is all around me. The calls of the birds, just now heading back from warmer climates to once again build their nests in the wooded area that surrounds my property creates natures music in my ears. I, too, now have the freedom to go south for the winters if I want, but I am blissfully in love with where I'm at right now! Oh don't get me wrong, I love going on vacations and we do go on quite a lot of them, for weeks at a time, but I'm always grateful to be back home to enjoy the harmony and openness of my beautiful home. Life is fantastic and I am so at peace with my surroundings. I am so incredibly at peace with life in this moment. I feel, and give, absolute total appreciation and gratitude for being here. I am pausing in my writing every once in a while just to glance about at the beauty of my new home and the acres of woodland that surround it. Oh what a glorious feeling knowing it is all mine and all paid for! My home based business has taken on a life of it's own and I no longer have to have a J.O.B :) Neither does my husband Steve. Did I mention how grateful he is of that!!!!!! I can't wait to have you come for a visit so you can meet some of the fantastic people who have placed their trust in me and joined with me in my business so they could also get out of Corporate America. They are all motivated business builders but they have a zest for life and what it offers, just like me! You won't be able to meet them all as there are hundred's and they are spread out around the world, but the few you will meet are a good example of the quality people, who like me, are grateful to be living a prosperous life on their own terms. I feel and give absolute total gratitude for the wisdom and courage I exhibited in getting started with it in the first place! I am at peace knowing that my business is growing and prospering in perfect timing. I feel a sense of purpose that pulls me forward and as I sit on my porch I realize just how free I really am. I am free to enjoy life to it's fullest and most highest and enjoy the best it can offer. I am free to give, and to receive, and to spend, and make decisions about money, prosperity, security and my future. I am at peace knowing that I am divinely guided and as I enjoy my time here I also look forward to meeting and greeting even more people, to fulfilling my life's purpose and passion and to help them find their life's purpose and passion. I am at peace. I am filled with purpose. And I am free. Wishing you all life has to offer... Take Care and God Bless Syl (I give thanks and I release this vision now!)

Dear Linda, Here is my dream, and I really can see it this vividly: I woke up this morning and slowly crawled out of bed. I pulled back the curtains on another glorious spring day, getting a full view of the daffodils that proliferate the front yard. The birds are busy at the feeder announcing the day, the red of the Cardinal punctuating the moment as if to say, "Hurry, you're burning daylight!" I wrap my robe around me and walk to the kitchen. I let the dogs into the chained-in back yard and pour myself a cup of coffee. My husband joins me for a cup, and we have breakfast together. I love my new kitchen! I love that everything has a place, and the new breakfast nook in the bay window, and the new pots hanging from my ceiling above the semi-island, and the new tile floor that is sooo much easier to clean. We sit in the breakfast nook, listening to the radio and glancing outside to make sure the dogs are getting along, discussing our upcoming day, or upcoming events the kids are planning. After a couple of cups of coffee, I make my way back to take a shower and get ready for my day. I get dressed after my shower, then check the dogs one last time to make sure they have enough food and water, call Princess, my funny dog, and she follows me to my car where my husband is waiting. We drive just down the road to Bolin Family Jewelry, the small factory I have built since my online store made my handcrafted jewelry so popular. Our employees get an on-site free employee daycare and excellent health benefits, including a retirement plan. My "girls", although they are not all girls, get to design a piece of jewelry themselves each week and keep the profits for a bonus, which makes for a nice addition to their check. Each employee is making enough to live on, some for the first time in their lives. Barry heads back to shipping, and I'm in my hoveround with Princess in tow, going through to check on my employees, each at their beading stations, see how the necklaces are coming, see who is being trained in the craft of jewelry making, see who has come up with this week's featured piece, see the faces of the women, who used to think that their lives were going to be spent in a chicken plant stuck with an abusive husband they felt they couldn't leave because they had no real education or skills, radiate with joy at finally having an option. In September of every year, we run all of the items the "girls" created over the last year in a special online feature catalog for one month, and the proceeds go toward our Christmas party and bonuses. After my tour and brief visit with everyone, I head to my office. I check in with my secretary and figure out which messages are the most important. I spend the rest of the morning handling business, then lunch time comes and I head back downstairs. We all meet in the break room, which adjoins the daycare, and the children come join their mothers. My part-time cook has prepared an excellent, healthy meal for us, and we all bow our heads and say grace. Even those who are not religious, or may not follow Christianity, take a moment to follow their own religious customs or simply meditate for a moment. Then, we enjoy a wonderful lunch as an extended family, conversation and ideas flowing, everyone catching up on recent events or trading jewelry design ideas. After lunch, it is back to business as usual. I try to spend at least an hour with the new recruits, teaching them how to make a hematite bracelet, or how to weave a hemp choker and get the beads centered. I double check with shipping to make sure there are no problems with orders going out or coming in. Of course, Barry has everything under control. Then, it is back to the office for me and Princess, to tie up any loose ends and make sure everything is caught up for the day. I contact suppliers, contact customers who have had a question or complaint, etc. My children stop in after school, my son on his way to his job, and my daughter to help out. She is a wonderful teacher, helping anyone who is having a problem. She is going to make a wonderful successor when my retirement comes. And suddenly, before I know it, it is closing time. I say goodbye to everyone as they walk to their vehicles. Barry and I wait with the daycare staff until every child is safely returned home, then close the building up, and he and I and Princess return home to our family. It has been another amazing day.

Hey Roger, Thanks for coming back and sharing your vision for March 1, 2007. A pony! How exciting that is! Congratulations! PS - If you can edit your post, I suggest you remove the last line - because it is a limiting statement that negates all that you have stated above. Write AS IF what you want already IS - and don't allow any limiting thoughts of doubt to creep in. See what I mean?

Hey Syl, Wow, I can see you sitting there with that steaming cup of coffee absorbing your magical surroundings. I believe it was you I read about in USA Today recently... where you were featured as being one of the top female entrepreneurs in the world! It is amazing how quickly your business has grown and it is wonderful to see all the great work you are doing to help those around you to duplicate your success! Congratulations!

Hey Shannon, I enjoyed sharing one of your amazing days. Your jewelry is beautiful and you are so good to your employees. They must love working for you! I don't watch the news, but I got a flash across the bottom of the screen last night about a woman who was making history with her success in creating unique jewelry with employees who are treated more like family. Congratulations for your influence on the world!