I have always been struck by a few lines in the song by Extreme, More than Words.

"Now that I've tried to talk to you and make you understand...
Hold me close and don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know."

These words are not specifically what inspired me to create Aware Bears, but they played a helpful part in the morphing of a thought into a dream.  The bears I make, as written about in The Process of Morphing a Dream, resulted in the making and marketing of Aware Bears.  Why are they so unique?  Why do I believe in them?  What makes them a "need to have" item? Because they are more than words.

A smile expressing love and happiness is more than words can ever express.

Advocates need to be creative in their thinking.  They should not be confined to the edges of an 8 1/2 x 11 paper or manual describing what they should feel, think or how to help.  It's a calling.  It's instinctual.   I have stated I am a passionate advocate and for me that brought many challenges both emotionally and intellectually to my creativity.  There were many times I thought there must be something more than this bracelet or ribbon to raise awareness.  There must be something more than that great poster we can share with the public. So many times I felt confined to thinking "in the box" and my creativity stifled. 

Thinking outside of the box is essential to all creative processes.

Punching my way out of the box was not easy.  It took several months in fact of challenging the sharp corners of risk and red tape surrounding the box but with patience and maneuvering I emerged.  Feeling some relief, I took my first breath. I took a second deep breath and found I could think and see dreams again.  When I looked at the original Old Fashioned Bear I made I knew there was something special there.  Something that people of all ages could appreciate, hold onto and feel the message it gave when they received it. I wanted to create something more than another awareness tool; it had to be unique, something needed, wanted and helpful. The morphing process began. 

First, the bears are made by a Peer Supporter - me.  I was diagnosed with PTSD years back and recently am experiencing physical health challenges.   That's not the message - the message is I CARE.  I am AWARE of what you may be experiencing and I UNDERSTAND what it's like.  More than words are sometimes all that is needed to show your support and care to someone you love or care about.   

The second deep message is as a Peer Supporter or advocate, I support the need to raise awareness.  Can it be done by absently agreeing to pay and extra dollar at the checkout stand for whatever cause is asking for it? Perhaps - I know that method raises a lot of money, but does it really raise awareness? Are you ever told the story behind the cause when you pay that extra dollar?