I’m celebrating a milestone today! This post is the 100th I have written since starting the blog in January. I can’t quite believe I have stuck with it all these months. Throughout my life, I have been good at starting things, but rather less good at maintaining them!
I’m not sure why things are different this time, maybe it has a lot to do with how therapeutic writing has become. Each morning, I sit quietly and reflect on recent events, analysing my thoughts and feelings, thinking over my goals and dreams. I’m looking for ideas and inspiration for the day’s blog post, but in doing this exercise, I feel it’s helping me move closer to achieving them.
Perhaps more importantly, it’s bringing me closer to understanding my place on this earth, to see and find out how I can contribute to making the world a better place.
Through writing, I hope I can help you to believe in yourself and to have the confidence to reach out for your goals and dreams, or maybe give you comfort and sympathy knowing that you are not alone when times are hard, and life is difficult.
I originally set out to write a blog that would help us to “sell more candles”, and it has morphed into something very different. I can now honestly say that I would keep writing with or without our business Valentte. Writing has become the thing that gives my life its meaning. It has brought me closer to understanding who I am and what makes me tick.
The most powerful and rewarding thing over the last few months has been the number of you who have stopped on the stall to say you are reading and enjoying the blog. You have shared stories that have resonated with you and described how it has helped you in your own life.
I cannot tell you how proud that makes me feel. How touched I am and how much I appreciate your kind words. I still get very nervous when I post a new article and read each comment repeatedly! I’m sorry that I don’t always reply, there are never enough hours in the day, but I do read every one, and they are the fuel that helps me keep writing.
Today, I would like to finish by saying a huge thank you, for reading, for supporting and just for being a part of our community, without you, none of this would matter.
Together, we climb the mountain, not in giant leaps but one small step at a time.
I read your blogs every day and look forwards to them arriving in my inbox.
Congratulations on achieving 100.
Please keep it going Luke.
We have already discussed that we have shared similar experiences relating to failed enterprises and inspirations that have kept us focussed.
It is heartwarming to meet another person who has reached a point where they are proud of who they have become despite adversities of the past.
The video awaits ……
PS. I love the body scrub ?
Well done Luke! Writing a blog and putting all your thoughts, aspirations and fears out for all the world to read is very brave. You obviously write from the heart and it’s so emotionally charged at times but I would imagine cathartic for you. You are being you’re own psychotherapist. Keep up the good work. Big hugs.
Thank you for sticking with your blogs. I don’t always comment but do always read them . There have been days when your thoughts have been so relevant to me that I’ve driven to work thinking through my own insecurities & worries . It’s nice to feel that you are not alone in your personal journey . Thank you ! X
Your blog,s are so interesting,thought provoking and I look forward to them thankyou for taking the time to write.
I look forward to seeing your blogs they always lift me up especially when i am having bad days with anxiety issues. They are thought provoking making me look at things in a different way which is always a good thing. Thanks for all your effort and hope you can keep going with them as they make a real impact on peoples lives.
So so enjoy reading your blogs, quite inspirational! I get quite excited when I check my emails in the morning and see you have written something. Gives me new thoughts for the day ahead. Also love your products! Please write a book!!?
The best thing about your blogs is that they reveal vulnerability and there is no better way to connect with others than dropping our guard and saying how we feel.
You know, I read your posts every morning with my coffee and smile through them 🙂 we started our business almost a year ago and I can understand every word you say about your past. I love that you have the same thinking and it’s like reading my thoughts organized together in small chapters. I wish you all the luck and thank you for all the smiles! 🙂
Congratulations Luke on the 100th blog! This is the first time that I have responded. I read your blogs every day and find some of them truly moving and so often identify issues within myself.
Keep going and I hope the business continues to
thrive because they are beautiful products. Thank you
Can you please delete my surname I hadn’t realised that it would appear on the website
Thanks
Thank you for your lovely comment. I have removed your surname as requested. Best wishes.
Luke x
Happy 100! I enjoy reading your blogs and respect your openness and honesty. I don’t usually engage with social media, but wanted to say that reading the blog and learning more about you and your company ethos plays a major part in my wanting to buy the products. In today’s world of internet shopping it is nice to know that there is a human being at the other side. I wish you every future success, thank you.
Congratulations on your 100th blog, I do enjoy reading them in Bonnie Scotland. Please continue your great stories on your adventures. Loving Valentte products, candles, difussier, soaps, body lotion etc, I would only buy this product( as you can see by my orders (as the scents last all the way through) I have even posted to Tasmania Australua where my sister is enjoying your products.
Thanks again
Susan
I read your blog in full each time your email pings in . You have evidently gone through some difficult times and I enjoy reading your feelings on things that matter to you . Although I have not yet tried your products I hope to get to a show so I can see which scents resound with me . Good luck and keep writing .
Contgratulations on your 100th Blog. Love reading them every morning.
Great products being using them for quite a few years now and so good to know we can now buy them on line as well at at shows.
Living with a husband with anxiety the blogs really help lift us.
Your an amazing person Luke.
Keep up the good work.
I look forward to reading your blog it really lifts me for the day. having started my own business many years ago now I can relate to your ‘ups & downs’.
Keep writing and pushing forward I am sure your business will be very successful.
Congratulations on reaching 100 !! I read your blog everyday, sometimes it’s 1st thing but if it’s a busy day then it’s later but if I miss it I have to go back and read it – why because I find it fascinating and therapeutic and most of the time i can relate to it. Keep up the great work x
I love reading your blogs and they help me a lot. My husband passed away in January and I find them very uplifting. Thanjyou
Hi Ann, I’m sorry to hear about your husband. Thank you for your lovely message of support. Best wishes
Luke x
Congratulations on your 100th blog Luke, I really enjoy reading your positive and very real insights into everyday life. Keep doing what you’re doing and I’m really pleased to hear how much enjoyment you get from doing this.
Kind Regards
Denise
Dear Luke ,
I would like you to know that I read every post , I am struggling through the after math of a flood that happened whilst I was away working over Christmas /New year.
The insurance people are making me fight for every small thing , I am still without carpet and flooring and a settlement for damaged furniture in my living room .
Your blogs give me heart , to keep fighting for what after all I paid for in getting insured.
I so wish more companies were like Valentte and Would give their customers what they promise, and respect .
Thank you and best regards
Hi Fiona, Gosh what a complete nightmare for you. Keep fighting, my thoughts are with you. I think insurance companies are little better than the proverbial second-hand car salesman. They take our money and then make us run around the houses if we “dare” to try and claim. Sadly it always ends in a negotiation, don’t settle for their first offer, there is always more available. They will try to wear you down so you just accept anything to get a resolution. You have paid to be protected and looked after when a crisis happens, it is wrong that you are left fighting to get what is rightfully yours. I hope that you will see things return to normal soon. best Wishes
Luke x
Luke, your candles are our family’s favourite: because the scent lasts ! (quality) so I am therefore on your mailing list. At some point, I stopped from my busy day and started reading your posts. I must say especially on the occasion of your 100th post: I look forward to reading every word of yours. And that it is most bizarre that I end up reading whatever your topic is and it completely relates to what is happening in our lives.
Can’t thank you enough for your wonderful writing and insights.
Very appreciative of the time you take to write! xx paula
Hello Luke
Please keep writing your blogs I look forward to reading them and they are very encouraging, congrats on the 100th it will soon be a 1000
Keep up the good work
Regards
Oluwatiseyi
Congratulations love the blogs don’t always get time to read them but keep it up !
I enjoy reading your blog every day. I particularly enjoyed your reference to “Footsteps” because as a Christian this has resonated with me all my life. I know you said you were not religious but I do use your blog as one of my three daiky readings. Please keep on writing, and making lovely candles! Gid Bless you.
Hi Luke, I appreciate your blog. Your writing gives me food for thought and inspiration
Hi Luke
Keep it up mate, good reading.
The Winter months will be a challenge.
I also love reading them, always taking time out to do so, keep writing!
Congratulations Luke. Thankyou for taking the time to do your blogs. I look forward to reading every single one. I pass them on to family and friends and tell them about your fabulous products. I love the photos you post along side them too.
Hello Luke, I enjoy reading your blogs and thank you for sending them to me. I am going through tough times at the moment, health and financial and you have definately made me feel stronger and able to deal with everything more easily. I wish you well and hope you continue to uplift people. THANK YOU. Paula xx
Hi Luke
I always take the time to read your blog. Although this is the first time I have commented. I love the way you write so honest and insightful. I can really relate to to what you write about. Congrats on the 100 post.
I look forward to the next 100
Luke, congratulations on your 100th post. I love your blogs and find them inspirational. I remember one in particular where you forced yourself on a long bike ride even though you were tempted to put it off. Just 5 minutes thought took you on that particular journey, and it taught me not to put off those things I find hard as the end result is always worth the extra effort. Love the special offers as well. Please keep these up (the special offers and the blogs). Your products are beautiful, but this personal touch makes them especially so.
Hello Luke, Just a quick note to say well done on keeping up with the blogs, I read all of them, although not always as they come through……. When I have a quiet moment I binge read (confession over). I have been buying your products since I met you at a show, possibly Grand Designs a couple of years ago. I give your gift boxes to friends for birthdays and Christmas, and I always suggest that they sign up for your blog. Of course I also keep my own home well stocked with your goodies. Here’s wishing you and Justina continued success with the business, and hang on in there with the blogs, remember, “together, we climb the mountain, not in giant leaps, but one small step at a time”. ?
Hello Luke Congratulations on your 100th blog. I find them inspirational and really enjoy reading them.
A chance encounter at a quilt show, the lure of your beautiful products should have been enough to get me hooked on your products however I was one of those almost customers who didn’t commit at that first meeting. I did sign up for your blog and it was through this that made me take that next step. I cannot express enough how much I have enjoyed my purchases which are not only absolutely beautiful to use but are also excellent value for money. Your blog is always truly reflective and thought provoking, thank you for sharing may your business and you in the mighty words of Spock…. “Live long and prosper’!!!!
I came across your company in April time right at the moment I had decided to start my own business. I have read your blog posts mostly every day since April.
Your stories have inspired me from the moment I set up of my business, through the moments of ‘am I doing the right thing’, through to now where I know I am doing the right thing but am I doing it right!
I don’t think you could understand just how much your blog posts mean and also how ‘in tune’ they are with my reality. I have come across little things that happen and your blog entry is so relevant it answers my questions and gives me the push I need to keep going.
Please keep writing, sharing your story is so important and you are truly helping others out here trying to make it too 🙂
Hello Luke,
I have so enjoyed and found a lot of wisdom in your daily messages.
I keep meaning to send your blogs to my nephew who is having trouble in finding himself and is turning to drugs to find the answer. I must just take the leap of faith.
However, well done on making your business choices and for sending us all your thoughts together with your honesty.
Not sure how I managed to get your thought posts/blogs/messages, but I do read them everyday.
Congratulations on reaching over 100 and do please keep going.
Many thanks
Dear Luke,
each time I open your email it’s almost like you have a torch shining right into how I’m feeling right at that moment and that you have written the blog just for me, as everything you have said in it is exactly what I need to hear right at that moment, are you sure you’re not spying on me? lol. Thank you for your uplifting posts. Either that or your researchers are very clever!