Let's Get Down To Business

I got a nervous pit in my stomach when I typed the title to this post. At the same time, I'm really excited about it.

As of today, I am 38 hours into my required 45-hour internship! Things are moving along nicely. My hope is that, sometime during the month of April 2008, I will become a bona fide Certified Music Practitioner (CMP). I still have a few hoops to jump through ... recording a sample of my music for MHTP, submitting a list of all the music I use, etc. It's all subject to their approval.

My internship hours have been pro bono. My one big goal as a CMP is to now find some paying gigs! Just because I'm interning somewhere in no way guarantees that they will decide to start paying me. (This subject could take up an entire blog post.) Suffice it to say that I'm working to not be the least bit pushy with these organizations in which I currently practice. My hope is that the work will speak for itself and that the decision to hire me as an independent contractor will be one that makes sense for them. (Let's just say that a marketer I am NOT.) Naturally, I'm dropping the obvious hints that my internship is almost fulfilled and will be having face-to-face meetings with certain people in the near future. Please pray that I present myself in the best possible light for these folks.

Anyhoooo ... I am getting down to the business of creating my professional/business image. The problem with so many small businesses and independent contractors is that our brochures, business cards can look slightly unprofessional. Gaining real graphics experience or having the cash on hand to PAY a graphic artist is a real problem for those of us without some kind of corporate umbrella.

So where does one go for cheap, quasi-professional looking graphics? Well, Avery, of course!

I lucked out and found a graphic that fits me to a "T." Not only is it colorful, it is representative of the seasons. Seasons and life cycles are an integral part of my everyday thinking. And the clients I meet and with whom I work beautifully embody this cycle of life. This is an image that I would be happy to have people associate with my work.

Then there's the issue of a name. Hmmmmmm ... a "name" for the business. Yeah ... no ... I think not. This is something that is built on ME, so me name is what will be on the shingle.

Cindy L. Purifoy
CERTIFIED MUSIC PRACTITIONER

Has a great ring, huh? (SHEEPISH GRIN)

Can y'all believe this??? I have almost reached this goal of mine -- and you were all there to be part of it with me! It was just one year ago that I began classes with the Music for Healing & Transition Program. Just ONE year ago!! And look at all that has happened.

God is ah-MAY-zing. You have all been incredibly supportive and generous. I've felt your prayers and seen things come to fruition for me and in me that I never could have imagined would have occurred.

I must remind you of this life-changing quote I heard in January 2007, just before all this took place:

Concerning all acts of initiative and creation: There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans - that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manor of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would come his way. - W.H. Murray

And so we move upward and onward. It's just the beginning!