Looking Forward to 2017

My word for 2016 was CONFIDENCE. 

CONFIDENCE to believe when the way is rough.  CONFIDENCE to hang on when the going is tough. CONFIDENCE will guide me when my business is slow.  CONFIDENCE will guide me as I move forward with the Rays of Hope – Angel Connection.  CONFIDENCE will guide me as I overcome doubt with my new contract working with a grassroots non-profit.  CONFIDENCE will guide me as I learn to live with my recent diagnosis of MS.  CONFIDENCE will guide me as I see and believe in the person that others see in me.  CONFIDENCE will guide me as I squash the inner gremlins that have haunted me all of my life.

As a wrap of to this year, I’ve been reflecting A LOT as well as praying on what my word will be in 2017.  I love the beginning of a new year, with all of the hopes and possibilities of what’s ahead, but I know it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed with having 12 brand new months to tackle too. By sharing some of the things I’m looking forward to next year, my hope is it will encourage you to think about what you’re excited about in 2017 so you can enter the new year feeling ready and raring to go!

1. 5 Year Anniversary!

I can hardly believe hubby and I will be married five years and we have been together for 16 years.  My goal is to earn the Leadership Incentive Trip with Thirty One so I can take him on a cruise for our special anniversary.

2. Adventures, big and small!

We’ve been lucky enough to do a little traveling – North Carolina to visit the girls and I headed to Ohio for National Conference.  We had adventures like traveling the State to see doctors about my MS & the many symptoms.  I want to embrace the mini adventures next year too – day trips out to explore new places, and weekend breaks.

3. Full-time in my business

I have been in direct sales for almost 6 years and I am really excited to see what this next year has to bring. I am committing to my business full-time so it will be my main source of income to help with the household bills.  No more part-time job.  I am so grateful to be able to work from home with so many amazing women.  Along with my direct sales business, one of my biggest priorities in my business next year is to continue to create different ways to show up and be of service to the community.  I feel so grateful every single day this is my job, and I want to just give it 100% and show up fully for my business in 2017 along the way.

4. Continuing to embrace less stress, more joy in work and life

This has been one of the biggest takeaways for me in 2016 – a mindset of less stress, more joy is what serves me best in my work and my life. Keeps MS symptoms at a minimum and makes for a happy Hope.  I am learning how to embrace the seasons in my life.  I’m feeling focused, productive, and inspired as I end 2016.  In 2017, I want to give myself permission to live my creative life on my own terms, and embrace my own natural ebb and flow of rest and hustle too.

5. All the growth, discovery, and lessons ahead to come

I don’t know about you, but I learn, grow and change so much during a year.  In 2016, I’ve discovered so much more about myself, who I am, and what is most important to me.  I feel so much more aware and connected to what matters most in my life. I’m so excited to experience all the lessons 2017 has to bring.

I want to thank you so much for following my blog this year.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect with you every day.  My vision in everything I do with my business and online presence is to support, encourage and inspire you to be the best YOU, you can be.  I hope to continue to do it in 2017 too.

I believe this is each and every one of you…

What will your word be for 2017?  Share it with us and let’s work together to make this year a success….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

God Thinks You’re Beautiful

 

I looked out of the window as our plane began its descent. The sky was a glorious collage of pink and gold as the sun began to set. I knew a 2‑hour drive awaited me, so it would be dark by the time I got to my hotel.

As I made my way to baggage claim I checked the information sheet I’d been given for the following morning’s event, to remind myself of the names of the couple who were kind enough to pick me up. I’ll call them Jean and Stan. They were waiting by carousel 4 with big smiles and a sign with my name on it.

“It’s so kind of you to do this,” I said.

“Our pleasure,” Stan replied. “We love to drive and we love to make new friends!”

The baggage carousel began to move and I watched for my bag. One by one the other passengers picked up their suitcases until all that was left was a lone sneaker going round and round, forlorn and unclaimed.

I took my baggage tag to the agent and asked her if she could see where my bag had gone.

“I’m afraid it’s still in Dallas,” she said. “We don’t have another flight due in tonight but we can get it to you in the morning.”

I had a problem.

The following morning, I was attending a church conference and all I had were the jeans I had traveled in. I knew the other ladies would have brought their prettiest outfits to wear and I didn’t want to look like I’d just climbed off my horse!

I asked Jean if we would pass a mall on the way to the hotel.

She said no, but we’d pass a large well-known chain store if I wanted to give that a try. I said, “Lets go for it, Jean!”

Well, apparently there had been several school proms, two weddings and a big sale at the store the previous week, so there was nothing left in my size. The only dress I could find was two sizes too big (better than too small) and made for a much taller woman, but I bought it anyway.

The following morning I got up, and before I stepped out of bed I reminded my heart, as I do every morning in life, of my favorite verse to begin the day, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8).

I treasure this verse. The psalmist speaks of God’s unfailing love, not ours — for we will fall and we will fail, but God never will.

I showered, put my dress on and surveyed myself in the full-length mirror.

“Well, Lord!” I said out loud. “What do you think?”

What I heard in my spirit was the gentle voice of my Father saying, “Beautiful!”

In that moment every chaotic emotion fell into place as I remembered whose I am and the undeserved privilege of being a child of the King, a partaker in His grace and mercy.

I didn’t hit a fashion home run that day, but I had a deeper sense of the value our Father places on us … on the days we like what we see in the mirror and the days we don’t. It was a gift to have some of the things I normally rely on stripped away to lean on Christ and Him alone.

I don’t know what you see when you look in the mirror.

I don’t know what you depend on to feel okay about yourself.

But I do know this … if every time you catch your reflection you would remind yourself that you are a beloved daughter of the King above all Kings, peace would flood over you like a river … even if your dress is two sizes too big!

Thank you Sheila Walsh

How To Boost Your Self-Confidence

Do you know what day it is???? If it is Wednesday, it is HUMP day which means that it is WOOHOO Wednesday.  A day where we talk about YOU!   We are going to CELEBRATE you!

My word for this year is CONFIDENCE but some days it is more about self-confidence then it is about confidence in my business journey.  For years, my confidence wained because of other people or things or society constantly reminding me that I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, rich enough, stylish enough, or whatever enough.

I’m done with all that.

Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with my insecurities but the difference is that I know how to overcome the bad days.  I have never felt more confident in my life.  So, if you are struggling with “self-confidence” here are some tips:

1. Let go of people that are not positive influences in your life.

We all know that no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, right?  I love this analogy by Valerie Burton:

If you are not being treated with the love and respect you deserve, check your price tag. Perhaps you’ve marked yourself down. It’s you that determines your worth by what you accept from others. Get off the clearance rack and get behind that glass case where the valuables are kept. Value yourself, and accept nothing less.

It’s really hard to walk away from people, or cut people off – especially if you love them. But you have to recognize that they are negative influences in your life. LET THEM GO (yes, I am singing FROZEN, again).  You deserve better, and you’ll find the strength to walk away.

2. Do, wear, try, anything that makes you feel beautiful.

Get dressed up (or at least out of the jammies or sweats) and go out dancing with your friends. Put makeup on and do your hair. Curl or straighten your hair just because.  I was trying hard to embrace my curls over the last few months but I wasn’t feeling it.  I actually felt like a hot mess so my confidence level started to slide.  Out came the flat iron and my straight hair – POOF!  I am feeling better about me.  I’m a jeans girl with a simple top but I am learning how to accessorize so that I feel PRETTY!  Was the first song you thought of “I feel pretty, oh so pretty”?

3. Book a ticket somewhere and just GO.

For those of us on a budget or who have a family, this may be a little tougher.  How about a mini trip ANYWHERE just to get away…  Have a slumber party with a girlfriend.  Go out and meet new people.  I am going to attend a “meet up” tonight at a local restaurant/bar just for something different.  A quick getaway may not SOLVE your problems, but it will help you to change how you VIEW your problems.

4. Laugh, a lot.

Laughter is healing – even when tears are streaming – laughter heals. There’s someone in your life that can make you laugh while you’re crying. If it’s not your mom/dad, brother/sister, or best friend – it can be your favorite comedian.  Watch a comedy stand-up, silly TV shows or sitcoms.  It’s a wonderful way to get yourself smiling.  Happiness is contagious – laughter, especially.  The more you laugh, the happier you’ll be, and the happier you are, the more happiness you’ll attract.  Remember the Law of Attraction?

5. Discover a new passion, hobby, and work really, really hard at it.

Do you have a hobby? If so, make some time to practice so you get better. If you don’t have one – or aren’t sure what you want to do yet, try anything and everything.  The results will be that you’ll find what you DON’T like – so you will get you closer to finding out what you do like.  The feeling of accomplishment is like no other feeling in the world.

6. Put yourself first.

This is one that was the most difficult for me but it is the one that got me on a track to self-love, self-acceptance and self-confidence.  Reinvest the energy you used to spend thinking about other people into YOURSELF.  I see the eyes rolling and the thoughts of “I’m being selfish” flashing in your mind.  Believe it or not, when you put energy into yourself and become your first priority, you will be able to inspire and care for others.  I know it sounds crazy but it is true, trust me.

So, when those inner gremlins start to raise their nasty heads and have you doubting yourself – pick up your sword and FIGHT!  What are your best tips for gaining and keeping your self-confidence?

Have a ThirtyOne-deful day!

 

You Are AWESOME!

Happy Monday!  I am so excited because TOMORROW I will be picking up Belinda and Ashley at the airport.  They will be spending Christmas with us – a whole 6 days!

As the holiday week kicks off, we are grateful for a short work week and many of us are looking forward to spending time with family.  Then there are others who are stressed out trying to be PERFECT or to have the PERFECT holiday.  Here are some facts that you should remember courtesy of Austin Blood:

1. Everyone has rolls when they bend over.  

2. When someone tells you that you’re beautiful, believe them. They aren’t lying.  

3. Sometimes we all wake up with breath that could kill a goat.

4. For every woman unhappy with her stretch marks is another woman who wishes she had them.

5. You should DEFINITELY have more confidence. And if you saw yourself the way that others see you, you would.

6. Don’t look for a man to save you. Be able to save yourself.

7. It’s okay to not love every part of your body…but you should.

8. We all have that one friend who seems to have it all together. That woman with the seemingly perfect life. Well, you might be that woman to someone else.

9. You should be a priority. Not an option, a last resort, or a backup plan.

10. You’re a woman. And that alone makes you pretty damn remarkable.

I know you are probably wondering what drew me to this list, right?  STOP for a minute and think about each one of these as it relates to you.  In the craziness of life, how many times have one of these inner gremlins creeped in to steal your JOY?

I could identify with a few of these and I am blessed to have a tribe of women who remind me on a regular basis to CELEBRATE who I am today.  If you don’t have someone to remind you how awesome you are – let me be that person.

Don’t worry if there aren’t a lot of presents under the tree – it is truly the thought the counts.  It is the love behind the gift that really matters.

Don’t worry if the cookies are burnt or the meal is not fancy.  Be grateful that you were able to cook a meal and had someone to share it with.

In a world filled with death and destruction, CELEBRATE who you are and treasure the moments.  We each have our own talents that need to be shared with others.  From a smile across the room to a “thank you” to someone holding the door.  From an offering of a cup of coffee to someone in need or a random act of kindness.  You can ENCOURAGE others.

If no one has told you today, let me be the one who says – YOU ARE 

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

The Power of One Word From You

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body – Proverbs 16:24 ESV

I was wandering around the tourist area of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Shelves with tacky little statues, snow globes with leaning towers, and $10 T-shirts crowed small booths for tourists.

Shifty men with cases of “genuine fake” watches swarmed like bees. Rolex, Cartier, and Infinity—all for fifty bucks or less. Flashing fake gold and flaunting fake brands; their swift feet were ready to run if the authorities were to show up.

“No thank you, no thank you, no thank you,” I sang as I swam through the men hocking their wares.

Then I spotted her. She sat on a bench with colorful scarves for purchase draped over her arm. A blue, yellow and red headdress wound around her head, and a purple full-length dress hung loosely from her shoulders. The bright colors shone against the backdrop of polished mahogany skin.

Tired eyes.

Tired feet.

Tired life.

What appeared to be her “handler” shared the bench with her. I walked over and bent low to look her in the eyes. “You are so beautiful,” I said.

“Deese?” she questioned as she held up the scarves for examination.

“No, not the scarves,” I replied. “YOU are beautiful!” I waved my hand from the top of her head to the hem of her dress and back up again. “YOU, all of you!”

She turned to the indifferent man beside her for translation. When she understood, her face lit up like morning and her ivory teeth flashed like a slice of sun. She simply nodded as if to say, “Thank you.”

I walked back over to the group I was traveling with, and in a few moments I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the woman. Without words, she handed me a bracelet, one I’m thinking she had made herself.

It wasn’t anything fancy—just little white lettered cubes with alternating black beads strung together with elastic. But I wonder what it cost her to give it to a tourist.

I didn’t offer to pay for the gift. That would have taken away her pleasure in giving it. I did hand her a few coins for allowing me to take her picture.

I showed her the image of herself in my camera. “Beautiful,” I said once again. She smiled with a nod. Walked back to the bench. And handed the coins to the man.

Tears filled my eyes.

I don’t know what this woman’s life is like. I pray my assumptions are wrong. But I do know this: For one brief moment in her monotonous day of pedaling scarves, she felt lovely…because someone stopped and noticed her.

Oh how easy it is—this speaking a word of encouragement—this speaking words of life.

As you go about your day, look for opportunities to say a kind word. I promise, you won’t have to look very far.

Thank you to Girlfriends in God for today’s post.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!