Susan Dunn

Dear Friends,

The past several years have brought so many changes to the world and in my life. The time is right to share with you some very personal insights with regard to my life, my joys and my commitments.

As a typical Aries who tends to analyze, I find myself once again taking stock and contemplating my past, present and future. My desire has been and continues to be, to lead a meaningful life and to make a worthwhile contribution in some way. My love for family always avails me to them. It is also my love for what I do, my "business" that spurns me on. It was not for the money, but for fate, and my desire to design and create, that brought Susan Dunn®, to life. I believe in my products. The comfort and pleasure they bring to many people energizes my drive to perform.

My challenge now is to re-create myself and my product line. Proudly Made in the USA is not going to be a reality much longer. I am currently wrestling with the decision to manufacture overseas. I am not an old dog, and I am still not sure that I want to learn the new tricks. Hmmm…..

All in all, I have a soul that is intact and a spirit that endures with slight wounds from time to time. I feel fortunate, and am particularly grateful to my wonderful family for accepting me for who I am. We all have a few lonely moments of self-doubt, but at the same time, my optimism is undaunted.

Let me share with you my recipe for getting up every day and continuing to live life to its fullest with few excuses.

I like to achieve something right from the start each day. I love to swim. Each morning I awake, put conditioner in my hair, don a bathing suit and swim a mile. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, like the Postman, yes, my swim is non-negotiable. Take my word, something has to be.

If you are not good to yourself, you are not able to take care of others. Find something you love to do and do it regularly. If you feel good, you look good and radiate the energy needed to accomplish the tasks at hand. This I have learned.

Next, I follow with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. I look forward to that big glass everyday. I never met a grapefruit I didn't like! A tablespoon of Laura Scudder's nutty peanut butter and I am ecstatic. By now, it is 8:30 a.m. and I feel dynamite. Some days this is as good as it gets. Other days, more exciting things unfold.

Another must for me is comfort. For many years I dressed for style. Now comfort is tantamount. Everything is easier, or at least tolerable, when my body is happily dressed. It's particularly fun to go to my closet now and have so many appealing choices! Thanks to my passion for comfortable fashion, I have been able to design and produce wonderful outfits that please my body, mind and soul.

On great days, I jump into work on all fours. Lesser days, I do the easiest thing first and go on from there. One step at a time, not trite, but true. I may have missed some important pleasures and experiences along the way since it is only recently that I am not working 24/7. Take it easy on yourself; work is not life and death.

Do you have a hobby? If I have to narrow it down to two, mine are cooking and reading. Restaurants are way overrated. Good clean food, and don't let us forget wonderful wine, are top on my list. Do you ever think about what you are going to have for dinner even before it is lunchtime?

I also look forward all day to a bath with my current best seller. This ritual has become essential to my well- being. Sometimes it's a treat, other times it is therapy after a hard and stressful day. Whether it is five minutes, or a half an hour, I relax and feel renewed in a matter of moments.

By the way, for many years I was a shower only girl. Clearly, I was missing out. I have tried many bath products, and I am going to put in a plug for my creation, Spa Tabs™. They are wonderful seltzer tabs that turn your bath water beautiful hues of Amethyst, Emerald or Turquoise. Once you have taken a bath infused with color, it is tough to go back to clear. Oh, by the way, the scent is so "Spa" that I feel better just for smelling it.

What can you commit to doing for yourself everyday that will make you a more vital and energetic person? Find it; believe me, it is worth it.

How about a pet who you can love unconditionally? Other than my husband, Robert, our beautiful kitties, Lili and Codi, warm my heart and teach me lessons daily. The most profound lesson that I have learned from them is that they LIVE IN THE PRESENT and DON'T HOLD A GRUDGE. One minute they are pouncing on each other, the next minute they are hugging and kissing. Sounds pretty basic, but it is more than that. My loved ones give meaning to my life and help me to be a better person.

I have been asked many a time if I could bottle my energy. It is one of my greatest assets. What is my secret? All of the above and more aspirations below (not in order of importance):

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART
LAUGH MORE OFTEN
SING LIKE YOU MEAN IT
FIND AN EXERCISE YOU LIKE AND DO IT REGULARLY
DON'T BE BITTER, FORGIVE
KEEP YOUR PROMISES
DON'T BE TOO CRITICAL, WE GET MORE THAN ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT
CHERISH AND PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES
MAKE UP FOR YOUR BAD HABITS WITH GOOD DEEDS
HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE
THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS
FEAR WILL HOLD YOU BACK
STEP OUTSIDE YOUR BOUNDARIES
REJECTION IS PROTECTION
IF IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT, DON'T DO IT
BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF, WE ARE ALL CREATURES OF GOD AND DESERVING
THERE IS BLACK, WHITE AND GREY, BE OPEN-MINDED
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF OR YOU WON'T BE EFFECTIVE HELPING OTHERS
ADOPT A PET, THEY NEED A GOOD HOME TOO AND ARE GREAT TEACHERS
TRUST, YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
LOVE OTHERS BUT DON'T FORGET YOURSELF
A JOB WORTH DOING AT ALL, IS WORTH DOING WELL
HAPPINESS EXISTS AND IT'S THERE FOR THE CLAIMING
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO LIKE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
HONESTY, SINCERITY -- AN INHERENT INTEGRITY
BE DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY, OR AT LEAST LEAVE YOURSELF OPEN TO BE
KEEP TRYING, IT'S WELL WORTH IT

My journey continues to be exciting and enlightening. Other than occasional second guessing, I am not afraid to make mistakes. It still does not occur to me what I cannot do. This is a recipe that turns out differently each time, and it is never boring. Our thoughts are extremely powerful and we create our realities.

Thank you for spending some time with me, and remember to enjoy your life fully, now, not later.

Happiness to all,
Susan

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