My grandmother grew up on a farm outside a small town in North Texas. Life brought its mountain tops and heartaches across her path and her response to those experiences made her into a strong, compassionate, and loving woman who in her early 40′s became “Mama” to my two sisters and myself.

Mama’s friends didn’t support her decision, but life had taught her to think differently than most people.

 

She Could Have Said No…

 

She could have said, “NO!” but compassion moved in her heart!

She could have refused but love compelled her!

She could have said, “Find someone else!” but in her mind she knew that no one else would rise to the occasion.

 

So She Took Us As Her Own And That Has Made All The Difference…

 

…because she loved me unconditionally.

…because her belief in me helped me to believe in myself.

…because she listened to the questions and yet let me find my own answers.

…and when my answers differed from her own she didn’t walk away!

…because my personal development as a little girl, teenager, young woman, wife, and mother was a journey that she respected as “my own.”

 

It’s true for each of us isn’t it that the journey through life is “our own?” But, “Thank God” for those in our lives who have seen us through eyes of love and acceptance and in so doing have given us the courage and confidence to blaze our paths as only we can do.

When doubts and trials come our way and  we are bombarded with negative thoughts which attempt to hinder us, we must refuse to let them find a resting place in our minds. Rather, we can return in our minds to those moments of encouragement and replay the words that meant so much to us.”

“I had no one like your Mama in my life” you may say.  And my response to you is, “Fear Not!” for if you believe you can indeed invite such people in your life.

You can have those who will join you along the way and if you look closely and carefully, you may be surprised to find them all around you.

You’ll find them in the coffee shop, in the clothes shop, or in your favorite restaurant. You’ll find them on the pages of the books that line the library shelves. You’ll find them in the lyrics of the songs, in the words of  movies, and even in the laughter of children.

 

When You Open Your Mind And Heart, You’ll Find That Your Vision Expands!

It really is true that you can seek and find, you can knock and the door will open, and as you give it will be given unto you so that you find that for which your heart longs.

Don’t wait! Begin now to reach out and touch the lives of those around you. Find out what makes their heart sing and be the one who believes in them. As you do you’ll find your own life growing richer with each day.

We’ve all heard the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Well it makes Jill a very dull girl as well!

Now, I’ll have to admit that I’m “preaching to the choir” here because this is something that I really need to work on. If I’m working on a project, I become so laser focused that I could spend hours in front of my computer or typing away on my laptop.

And when I do, my family begins to complain, and I really don’t accomplish as much as I could if I would pace myself and work in two hour increments with breaks in between. But I digress.

We need to lighten up a little and add more down time just to “be” and enjoy our lives. My husband once told me that I didn’t know what fun was anymore. “OUCH!” But he was right, and I knew that I was the only one who could change that.

So, I began to take small steps (I’m really big on small steps!) to perk up my life a little bit.

I’m not a “party girl” so throwing a big bash wasn’t going to work for me. I began to get out more; going for walks, out to lunch, or to a movie. I started shooting hoops with my boys and trying to learn how to actually catch the football that they threw my way.

I’m going to start quilting again, and I’m planning a trip to the beach with my kids.

We’ve booked a cabin in the hills of Tennessee so we’ll be hitting the road in June and our sons, their wives, and their kids will be joining us.

A trip to Gettysburg this summer would be fun because all of my boys spent years studying the Civil War.

Katherine and I like to go to the Ceramics Shop and paint whatever objects catch our fancy. It seems that the more time I spend doing little things that are fun, the more inspired I am to do more.

What about you? How often does fun makes its appearance around your house and what form does it take?

We’re all different and fun comes in many different forms for each of us, and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to write a comment and share what fun things you love to do. Your words may very well inspire other readers to try something new this week.

So, be sure and leave your comments below.

 

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Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled…

And that has made all the difference…

If you’re an Entrepreneur you’ve already taken the road less traveled and leadership is calling your name.  Don’t be afraid to step up to the plate and answer that call!  Face the fear and do it anyway! It’s as simple as taking others by the hand and teaching them something new, serving them, and leading by example.

The first thing to understand is that there are people looking for YOU and your unique gifts and talents.  And until you move past the fears that hold you back from connecting with and leading those people, you will never move forward in your personal or business endeavors. You’ll simply sit on the fence watching as success passes you by. And you deserve better than that!

You deserve to fully embrace entrepreneurship with every fiber of your being and step into leadership not only for yourself, but even more importantly for those who need and desire what you can give to them. Many people are searching online for someone they can connect with; someone they can get to know, and like, and trust.  They’re searching for someone who will be honest with them and point them in the right direction. And unless you put aside your fears and share your life, your value, and your knowledge with them, the connection they are seeking will elude them.

It goes without saying that a brand new entrepreneur doesn’t know everything that a seasoned entrepreneur knows, but don’t forget that the seasoned entrepreneur had his beginning days as well.  The truth is, knowing everything isn’t necessary. What is necessary is the willingness to lead by example.

Leading by example means learning something new, implementing it, and teaching what you’ve learned to your team. It means being willing to attend events, seminars, and trainings to connect with your industry leaders so that you can learn from them and build relationships with them. It means being committed to master your craft over time and guide others along the same path.

Commit to doing the few simple things daily that lead you in the direction you want to go. Continue to grow personally so that you can share with others what you learn about personal development. Develop a mindset for success and guard against anything that would undermine that mindset.

Be authentic and share your journey so people can see that you’re like them, and if you can succeed so can they.

If you develop the mindset of a leader and follow the steps of true leaders consistently, you’ll be amazed at the transformation of leadership that develops in your life.

Is it scary? Of course! But so what! You didn’t become an entrepreneur to sit inside your comfort zone did you? Let nervousness be the adrenaline that moves you forward and drives you across the finish line. Then do it over and over and over again!

Be the real YOU and let your light shine!  Live authentically in your life and in your business and people will follow.  And when they do, it will be an incredible and fulfilling journey.  And it will be so much fun!

 

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