One of the best parts about going to events and doing shows is the other cool vendors you meet. A quick camaraderie forms as you marvel over each others’ products, creativity, and plain ol’ gumption.

Ms. Sarah Love is one of the shining stars we met at EcoGift in December 2008. Sarah makes all sorts of lovely things, including this amazing calendar. I got one of her 2009 calendars from her when we were at the show. Each month featured one of her drawings paired with an inspiring message, such as “Innumerable blessings are constantly flowing through your life.” Plus, each day of the week has another inspiring mini-message like “Smile at strangers.” I loved it and promptly bought her 2010 calendar, sight unseen, when it became available. Imagine my surprise and utter delight when I opened this year’s calendar to discover that it is filled with…affirmations! And not only that, a few of them are similar to the affirmations on our shirts (“I am love,” “I am joyous,” “I am free”). Talk about a kindred spirit!

I know that there are some friends of mine and people I’ve met who can’t fathom why you’d possibly want to print positive affirmations on the inside of a shirt. It seems ridiculous to them. But for every one of those people I meet, I also encounter a Sarah Love! The desire to create something beautiful in this world is what inspired us to create Within, and Sarah was similarly inspired. It’s so much fun to connect with people who are on your same page and really understand where you’re coming from. Always remember that no matter what your dream or vision, there are plenty of others who will love it and may have a similar idea themselves…and heck, they might even create a calendar about it! And that, my friends, is called being on the same page!