I Woke Up Like This

Your best self starts as soon as your feet hit the floor! Make it count every single day!

Neverland

Have you ever been to a place you never thought you'd love? Come along with me briefly to a place I refer to as, Neverland...

By the time I arrived to high school, I realized I how much I loved math. In fact, you could have kept all of the other subjects at that time (smile). I recall loving the challenge in figuring out any problem that was put in front of me. Even when I went to college, statistics was a class I actually enjoyed going to.

Then there was this other world I will refer to as, Neverland.  Now in my world of Neverland, the thought of writing a paper was NOT so exciting. The work got done but there was no passion or love behind it. I did what I needed to do to pass...I'm sure I'm talking to someone out there who can relate in some shape or fashion with a different example.

Fast forward many years later and my Neverland (of writing) has now turned into a beautiful destination for me. In fact, it is not just a destination but a journey that I embrace and continue to love traveling to over and over again. Keeping an open mind and curious spirit to explore a destination I never thought I'd love has helped me to evolve.

What was once your Neverland?

The Big One

I don't know about you, but I was a big fan of Sanford and Son growing up. Well, do you recall the line when Fred would say, Elizabeth, I am coming to join you?  This week for me will go down as one of the toughest weeks I've had to endure in my adult life. In fact, I can't help but call it, The Big One! All the while, the rest of life, the need to meet deadlines and commitments, etc. were continuing to go on around me. Let me just say, it was the hardest weight lifting to date and you know what, "still I rise". Have you ever had a life moment(s) like that?

Here are some of the things that have gotten me through:

Faith

The Bible

Remembering that things happen for a reason, even when you don't understand why

Remembering that tough times don't last, tough people do

The importance of a strong village when raising children

The amazing support of small group leaders 

Meditation

Yoga

You will never know when to expect The Big One. Nonetheless, always remember that it is not what happens to you as a result of The Big One but who you become as a result of how you react to The Big One!

Life...Bring It On!!!!

On this somewhat cloudy Sunday in Atlanta, I decided to spend additional time documenting my life on paper. Yes, I am using this time to update my plans for retirement and to ensure everything is in good order for my eventual transition so that my daughter and her future are in great hands. I know, sounds a little gloomy but hey, it's life :-).

I remember when I took the first step to leverage a financial planner. I was in a tough place in life and had experienced yet another set back that hit my heart and soul in a way that I can't describe. But regardless of my circumstances, I knew I had to dust my shoulders off, get myself together and be strong. That time forced me to shift in so many different ways and while it has been almost ten years, I have taken the experiences from that place in life to focus and continue to hone in on the life I knew I deserved.

It's been since that time that I established a trusted relationship with my financial planner,Wendy. She has helped me to think differently and never gave up on continuing to set the vision in front of me so that I could make the best decisions on how to move forward to achieve my financial goals. As a result, I am much further along than where I started and I am more confident about my retirement future and the legacy I will leave behind for my daughter. If you don't have a financial planner and your story is the story I once had...where you are just doing the basics, making excuses that you'll "get to it" and not putting much focus on the the realities we will all face, I am happy to share my financial planners contact information with you. Trust, teamwork, listening and acting has moved my dream light years ahead of where I was.

Special thanks to my wealth management advisor, Wendy Thompson of Northwestern Mutual.

The Dash

2015 has served as a great reminder of "the dash" between life and death. While we all know that tomorrow is not promised, the reality rings loud and clear when death happens to those you love ...even more-so when it is unexpected. Life is about giving and about serving and being a force for good. That is what I think of when I think about my "dash" and what I consider to be a part of my foundation.

I share this with you and say all that to say that the first quarter of the year has shaken me a bit and has forced me to pause, reflect and check in with myself  and my "dash". Self awareness and course correction is so vital in all that we do! How we lean in and lead our lives...personally, professionally, etc!.

How do you want to be remembered?
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
What are the top 3 words you would expect to hear as someone describes you?
Does my list of actions outweigh my list of coulda shoulda woulda's?

I'm sure you have your own set of questions...these are just some of mine.

Embrace YOUR dash!

#LWP #BeTheVerb