{by Lucrecer Braxton from Art Slam}

There isn’t a worthwhile thing in the world that can’t be accomplished with good hard work.

You’ve got to want something first and then you have to go after it with all your heart and soul. ~ Margaret Rudkin

When I started the Art Slam, it was my fourth “from scratch” blog. I shut the others down knowing full well I was losing huge readerships. Why did I do it? They were no longer me…authentic. I felt lost in a world of scrapbook supplies, moms with cameras and enough online fakeness to make you want to hurl. I had lost my voice. My words did not seem like my own and I spent a couple of years searching for the essence of who I was. It was during this time I moved my journaling past just writing to making art within my journals. It never fails that when a challenging time comes into your life, you either rise to the occasion or you shrink back and allow it to consume you.

Recently, I was introduced to the story of Pepperidge Farm’s founder, Margaret Rudkin. Her youngest son suffered from asthma and severe food allergies. Concerned about his diet, she tried her hand at making bread and failed miserably with her first attempts. She did not give up and despite what skeptics told her about their doubts she could make nutritious bread that tasted good, she proved them wrong. I can not count the times I have had people tell me they doubted me and my ability to do anything meaningful with my love of art. There’s always going to be someone who does not think you can do something because THEY can not imagine your dream becoming reality. Thing is, the dream was placed in you, not them. You can not allow what others think to stop you from dreaming and being all you were meant to be.

Like most of us, Margaret did not set out to start a business, she had to do something to support her family. As a mother, you do what you have to do to support your family. I can remember when I lost my job a few years ago, I relied on what I knew best in order to help support my family in our time of need. I used my graphic design and photography skills to bring in some extra money. I started writing again and discovered a more patient, confident voice. I started this blog knowing it was not about having a huge readership, but about being a real, authentic person who could inspire with my art and words instead of breaking people down. There is enough of that mess going around online without me adding to it. When you stop by here, I hope you leave feeling better about who you are, inspired to live your life fully everyday and wanting to be all that you can be. Blessings to you.

During the month of May, I invite you to visit the blog carnival at Blog Nosh Magazine and share your stories. Join me and grab Pepperidge Farm coupons to purchase your favorite tasty treats. Mine happen to be the Bordeaux cookies. I can eat a whole bag by myself.

Post sponsored by Blog Nosh Magazine and Pepperidge Farm Celebrate the Heart and Art of Motherhood.

An artist, photographer, and scrapbooker, Lucrecer Braxton’s work has been recognized in print publications and throughout the digital world. Her personal blog, Art Slam, blends all of her talents and highlights the beauty and focuses on the positives that surround her. Subscribe to her blog, follow her on Twitter, and be prepared to be inspired.

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Inspired?  Recognize a dash of Lucrecer’s and Margaret’s tenacity and compassion in yourself?

Our carnival of storytelling celebrates the art of
stepping up to the plate in order to answer a need and
unexpectedly discovering a fiery talent just waiting to flourish.

Please join our carnival and share your own story of stepping up to the plate and delivering a bit of spit-fire that you may never have realized you had.

To participate:

• point your readers toward the carnival here at http://storybleed.com so they can explore your fellow writers’ stories
• add our carnival badge to the bottom of your post using the code provided below (so we know you are an active participant), and add your carnival post link in the linky below.

We’ll be selecting 5 additional carnival posts to feature on the front page of Blog Nosh Magazine (with your permission) during the month of May so add yours now!  We can’t wait to read your story!

<a href=”http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/News.aspx”><img src=”http://www.velveteenmind.com/Carnivals/PF/PFBN400x100.jpg” ></a>

Heart and Art of Motherhood carnival sponsored by Blog Nosh Magazine and Pepperidge Farm.