By Cristie Gardner

A few years ago, my husband and I traveled to Guatemala to visit my sister and her husband. While we were there, they gave me a gift I treasure deeply: a beautiful necklace with matching earrings. But what made it truly special was the story behind it—the story of Creamos. That story transformed a lovely gift into something priceless.

For generations, hundreds of families—most led by single mothers—lived in the garbage dumps of Guatemala City. They survived by foraging for scraps of food. They had no clean water, no reliable clothing, and no opportunity to pursue education or a better future.

Then one day, a volunteer named Anna Hadingham had an idea. She wanted to help these women provide for themselves—to give them a way to literally earn their way out of the dumps. Anna had some experience turning recyclable materials into jewelry. She taught the women how to cut thin, triangular strips from glossy magazine pages, roll them into beads, glue them, and string them into stunning earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

The women were thrilled. For the first time in years, they saw a spark of hope. This simple skill opened a door to dreams they thought were long lost: going to school, protecting their children, gaining stability, and building a better life. And so, Creamos was born.

Creamos provides safe, dignified, income-generating opportunities for mothers in the community surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump. Their children gain access to education and life skills, breaking the cycle of poverty through resilience and support. Now, over 20 years later, Creamos continues to thrive—an inspiring example of how one idea can transform an entire community.

Sometimes, when we face challenges, fear can paralyze us. We feel stuck because we don’t know how to fix what’s in front of us. And that “stuck” can last for years—sometimes generations. But here’s the point: the solution is always out there. Somewhere, within the resources already surrounding you, lies the answer. So…what’s stopping you?

For those women in Guatemala, the solution was literally under their feet—thousands, even millions, of magazines discarded in the very dumps that had kept them trapped. Their future came from the same place that had symbolized their past. All it took was one person with an idea and the willingness to share it.

If you’re feeling stuck… if you’re scared or unsure… if you feel like you’re down in your own kind of “dump”… I hope this message lights a spark in you. Use your mind. Use your heart. Let inspiration guide you toward the action that brings hope, progress, and prosperity.

The Law of Polarity reminds us that low tides are followed by high ones. The ocean ebbs and flows. The sun always rises. Darkness is followed by light; winter by spring. Every effort you make matters.

So again—what’s stopping you?

Give yourself permission to think, to pray, to explore your ideas. Allow yourself to fail, fall, and try again. Give yourself the grace to believe that you can create the life you want—by listening to inspiration and living the laws of success. Don’t give up. Stay the course. Keep going.

Because in the end, you will be unstoppable.

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