Sitting at my desk, the weight of the day pressed down on me as I shuffled papers and printed invoices, trying to tie up loose ends before heading out the door for an evening of work. My mind was scattered, and the overwhelming busy feeling crept in, making everything seem a little harder than it needed to be. But then, just like that, it shifted. My eye caught the little wooden pig.
In the middle of the chaos, I felt a quiet moment of gratitude wash over me. I never really know when it’s going to hit me—the sudden, humbling reminder of how far I’ve come as a small business owner. It’s always a surprise, those little moments when something—anything—sparks a memory and pulls me back to where it all began.
There are so many things that stand out to me that are private little nods of the work we have put in over the years to be the soap makers we are today. The little wooden pig with her orange bow and painted hoofs to match is one of them. Held together with a few small nails & glue, made of oak she stands on my desk so diligently, rarely leaving her faithful post.
She was made by the gentleman that got me into soap making. If you have read my past blog entries, you will find that he holds many whimsical talents. That creative whimsy is partially what drew me to his booth. It held the same time forgotten hand-crafted energy that has been replaced with linoleum floors and lights that are too bright to shop by. His booth was dressed in a fashion that someone with a headful of creation and drive could put together. Everything from his soap to the wooden handmade items all tied the booth together so well. Wooden shavings scattered for effect, cute signs that gave you a chuckle. His booth had it all, it captured my imagination.
For a few years she sat on my desk in my office when I was a pharmacy technician, she was a token to me that one day I too, would create something people would come to love. She was part of the silent key that would one day, get me to take a creative path. When at my desk, she led my imagination to a homestead of my own, with a small garden, a house with a stove pipe , with hens and ducks wandering the front yard. (Yes, I dream big. To me, it's a fun escape)
In that moment of feeling overwhelmed, she called to me to take pause and send up a prayer of thanks for all that I have and all that we have achieved. It reminded me that small business for me is not a race to the finish line, but an adventure to steady growth and hopefully, one day, leading me to a small homestead with the stovepipe peeking from the roof and hens in the yard. She helped me remember that with determination, even when challenged, I am doing well.
I took a few minutes to cry it all out, thanking God for the opportunities and health to do all that we are able to do. I am thankful for the little wooden pig moments in my life that settle me when I am feeling overwhelmed. I know that moments of struggle are temporary and the wooden pig moments give me wings to carry on with energy and love for handmade soap.

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