The MOTHER of Re-Invention
I’ve been in a crisis…a series, actually. It’s not that I’m offering excuses, but in effect I am.
For months, my life has been a whirlwind of clients, traveling, networking, workshops and speaking engagements. It’s been non-stop. Don’t get me wrong, the ride has been great. However, due to recent events, the ride has become the equivalent of a merry-go-round run by a crazy “carnie” who won’t let you off. (If you’ve been to a fair in Chalmette, LA then you’ll understand where I’m coming from!)
That’s the point where I’m at…I’m dizzy, nauseated and OVER the ride. THIS particular ride, that is.
Somehow over this past year and a half, I’ve become someone I don’t recognize. It’s forced. Un-natural. EXHAUSTING! In all this effort to find a niche, a market…I forgot about what brought me here in the first place. The “WHY” I became a work-at-home/stay-at-home mom. The stress of it all has effected my health physically, emotionally and spiritually.
A few months back my body decided to get off the ride. My fibromyalgia and lupus flared to the point that one morning I woke up and had lost function in my left arm. (I’m left-handed people!!!) Seriously? I couldn’t FAKE being fine with one arm. And slowly the realization came that my body was manifesting what my mind had known all along. I couldn’t keep up the pace with a life that I did not want. Our bodies are intuitive like that.
So, I’ve been on hiatus. I’ve had to tell the over-achiever in me to “Shut UP!”. I’ve been forced to say no to many things. It’s been hard and easy at the same time. And you know what? I’ve never been more content with any other decision. Because. I. Matter!
This past week, my Dad has been critically ill while hospitalized at the VA. (Another issue to tackle at a later date.) It’s made this whole re-invention crisis seem rather small in the face of what matters most. Family.
So, here I go again. Deciding what to be now that I’m all grown up. THIS time, I’m putting first things first and doing it all on MY terms. Reminding myself as often as necessary WHY and WHO I’m doing this for. Regardless of where the road takes me, I hope you’ll come along for the ride. (And I promise, you can get off any time that you like.) It’s bound to be hard, scary and crazy–but that’s me…the MOTHER of re-invention.
***Here’s my WHY***
My 3 Words…
I wish I could take credit for this brilliant (and I do sincerely mean brilliant) idea, but alas I cannot. Thanks to Chris Brogan for sharing this process on his blog. In a recent post, he related his method of setting goals for the new year. (Actually, this is not new as he has shared this method in years past on his blog as well.)
I’ve never been one for the whole “New Year’s Resolutions” myself. Why? Simply put, most people (including myself) have fallen off the wagon by week TWO of the new year. 
However, as someone commented on Brogan’s post, it takes a real paradigm shift to narrow one’s thought process to 3 words by which to guide your year. I whole-heartedly agree! And since I couldn’t get this idea off my mind, I decided to take a stab at it… Read more
GIVE…Like a Rock Star??
I had to bring you this heart-warming story about two people making a DIFFERENCE right now in the world…two 9 y.o. girls! Yep, 9 year old BFF’s. (That’s Best Friends Forever for those not up on the latest lingo!)
A friend of mine, Aly Calvo (follow her on Twitter @alyandandrea) is doing her part by raising her daughter right–how? By teaching her to live an OTHERS FOCUSED life–and her daughter is spreading the message.
It all started last year, when her daughter Mady and BFF Gabby decided to do something different. Instead of getting gifts for their 8th birthday, the girls wanted to GIVE a gift. That gift was to grand a WISH for a child courtesy of the Make A Wish foundation. The price tag? $5,000.
So, in true ROCK STAR fashion, and with a little help from their moms, the girls got to work–they even had their own website! And after all was said and done, they raised $5006 and granted Christopher his WISH of a lifetime–to meet Stephen Spielberg. But the story doesn’t end there…
The girls desired to continue their “Wish Granting” on an annual basis–and so here we are again. This month, the girls turned 9 and they’re on a mission to TOP last year’s donation. They are raising $6,000 to grant yet another wish. And in true ROCK STAR fashion, they’re Tweeting and on FB too! I want to help and know that you do too!
Any amount is welcomed. Forwarding this post, TWEETING this post, SHARING on FB (Remember to become a FAN!) –all is welcomed.
May we call endeavor to lead the future of our world in a spirit of love and giving…like ROCK STARS!
(Here’s the video from the Fox Houston 26 News Interview…)
Catering to Cowards?
For several years now, I’ve suffered terribly from back, neck and shoulder pain due to fibromyalgia and lupus. Each year, the doctors try to stuff more and more pills down me but nothing really helps. In fact, I’ve described myself as the oldest 33 year old in the world because I feel like a young woman trapped in an old body! Read more
Is there a ROCK STAR in You?
Some dear friends of mine, Aly Calvo and Andrea Kulberg, featured me recently on their blog Rock Star U. I am honored to have been chosen as a ROCK STAR and feel so blessed to have women like these in my circle of influence.
Because I am committed to their mission “to touch a gazillion lives and make a difference in each definition of personal success”, I wanted to invite you to read THEIR story in their own words. Read more
Bless The Child…
This is one moment I HAD to share. One of the things I love most about being a mom is the funny things my kids do and say. So here’s the story…
My boys are TOTALLY into wresting, you know–WWE or whatever it is. They LOVE it! Today, is Friday so it is ALSO “Friday Night Smack Down” night on T.V. To get in the proper spirit, they talked their Granny (my mother) into putting temporary color on their hair following their haircuts today. Note: I was NOT there, because I was downtown networking. (Note to self: NO haircuts when mom isn’t present!) Read more
'Fess Up Friday…with a TWIST!
Ok…so we ALL make mistakes, have little slip-ups, etc. that weigh heavily on us from time to time. For those of you who know me well–I know it’s hard to believe that I’m not PERFECT, but please try. LOL. Read more
