One Word Not a Resolution

It’s that time of year, reflection on the year past and looking forward to the year ahead.  I haven’t been blogging much, because I honestly didn’t feel like I had much to say….that is constantly changing so let’s talk about RESOLUTIONS!

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner… some are at work eagerly anticipating another day or two off.  Others are eagerly preparing for the festivities or maybe even starting to celebrate.  Somewhere in the midst of all of the craziness, there is always the talk of New Year’s Resolutions, right?  Most pick a resolution by a problem that has plagued them (sometimes for years) and vow to change it.  How has that worked for you?

Doing away with resolutions and embracing ONE WORD began in 2013 for me when my then DS Director challenged us to pick a word….

My 2013 word was FAITH:  Faith to believe when the way is rough and faith to hang on when the going is tough will never fail to pull us through and bring us strength and comfort too. Helen Steiner Rice. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20

FAITH helped me when business was slow.  FAITH helped me to step outside my comfort zone.  FAITH helped me to stay on track with Weight Watchers.  FAITH helped me to overcome the doubt and fear.  FAITH got me through as Rob suffered congestive heart failure.  FAITH got me through when fear gripped my heart at the thought that I might lose him.  FAITH kept me calm as I overcame my fear of dentists.  My FAITH grew each day as I sought God’s guidance before I made major decisions in my personal and business life.

Over the next 10 years, here were my words:

2014 – EMRACE

2015 – CONFIDENCE

2016 – ACCOUNTABLE

2017 – INTENTIONAL

2018 – COURAGE

2019 – GRATITUDE

2022 – ACCEPTANCE

For 2020 and 2021, I can’t remember what they were and I can’t figure out my posts.  It was life during COVID and moving to our forever house.

This “One Word” experiment moved me from the long list of changes to ONE WORD.  It helped me to take all my big plans, narrow them down into a single focus and create a vision.   When things got tough, when Doubtful Debbie and Negative Nellie visited; I went back to my ONE WORD and gained focus.  It wasn’t always easy but it helped me.  Notice I didn’t say resolutions, I said goals.  I am prayed on my word for 2023 and God has nudged me in the direction I need to go.  That ONE word will be my guide in my personal, and business life.

 

My word for 2023 is ABUNDANCE!

Abundance is defined as an appreciation of life in its fullness, joy and strength of mind, body and soul.

As 2023 kicks off with some health challenges, I will embrace a healthy mindset, practicing gratitude in EVERY situation.  I know everything we go through is a blessing – a gift in one form or another.  I have learned over the last 6 months about living abundantly.  I have been blessed with a tribe of women who think and act abundantly.  I have been blessed with Coach Ann being a part of my life – professionally and personally.  She has taught me (and many others) that these things will kill abundance in my life: playing the victim, negativity, having a pity party, making excuses and blaming others.  I will continue to eliminate these things in my life in 2023 so that I can live abundantly and share my abundance with those in my life!

What is your ONE WORD for 2023?  Or are you still in the “resolution list” mode?  Either way, share them with us.

Have a blessed day!

Reflecting on 2021

A new year………….

I’m not sure what happened to 2021.  LOL.  I actually had to flip through my planner to see what went on.  The memory is not what it used to be.  It seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

We spent the year working on the house – our forever home.  Not a lot needed to be done but it is those little things that catch you off guard.  Lots of outside projects got done.  I’m looking forward to our first “crop” of fresh garlic which should be ready in the spring.  Who knew growing garlic could happen outside in the winter????  We shall see.

The MS life seems to be changing again.  There have been more “mini” MS flare ups – foggy brain, unable to process thoughts along with the tingling in my fingers.  I have resigned myself to wearing my brace more often when I am out and about.  I have to also be careful NOT to overwhelm myself with trying to do lots of things – the realization came after spending a week prepping for Thanksgiving only to have a meltdown and having to take it easy for the rest of the weekend.  Not too bad since I got to fur-baby sit.  I’m learning new things like: my mind is often “blank” so I spend more time in quiet instead of trying to carry on conversations.  Emotions blindside me – out of nowhere there are tears or smiles.

With 3 1/2+ years in recovery, I am feeling better about me.  Most days I even like me despite the fact I am struggling to get back to goal weight.  Life on life’s terms is not always easy but I’m grateful I found an amazing home group, a new sponsor and attend meetings regularly.  Lunchtime meetings work great for this old lady.  LOL. ❤  Working through the steps has been eye opener.  God has allowed me remember things (in tiny pieces) – in his time not mine when he knows I am ready to face things.

My side hustle as a bag lady is going strong. I’m grateful for the wonderful people it has brought into my life – customers and hostesses who I am blessed to now call friends.   I am venturing out in the “food” world.  Good food, fast and easy with the ability to tweak the recipes to count my WW points.  I love sharing new recipes along with the #epiclife.  Of course, having a bigger kitchen has helped because now I actually ENJOY cooking again.   I have also been working on new angel designs for the Spring craft season and can’t wait to share them.  They will probably show up on the Etsy site soon.

I will admit, I still get stuck in my head with the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” or the comparison game.  I’m learning one day at a time to enjoy the moment and know the only person I should be comparing myself to is me, the day before.  My basic goal is to just be a better person today than I was yesterday.

Over the last 10 years, I have picked a word – a theme to the year.  Last year’s word was GRATITUDE!  Gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.“.  I learned to practice gratitude every night or at least I tried to.  It was easy to have gratitude for the good things but a struggle during the challenges of the year.  I know through the challenges, I learn and grow, for that I am grateful.

Finding a word for this year was a little tougher than I thought it would be.  No matter how hard I have tried to avoid it “acceptance” keeps popping up. So I guess I better take the God wink as a sign….. ACCEPTANCE is defined as “the action of consenting to receive something offered or being received as adequate or suitable“. Dictionary definitions sometimes baffle me.  I hate when they use part of the word in the definition.  Grateful, I found an article while I was looking for a definition called “The 5 Things Everyone Should  Know About Acceptance“.  These words stood out for me:

Acceptance doesn’t mean you can’t work on changing things.

Okay, I got the message!   LOL.  Guess there will be a lot of posts on this topic because I don’t think I am the only one who struggles with it!  Change is something I tend to struggle with when it comes quickly, my brain doesn’t adjust easily.  BUT change over time is a whole lot easier.

What will your world for this year be?  Share it with us…Best wishes for a safe healthy and happy New Year from our house to yours!

One Word Not a Resolution

In looking back over the last year, I realized in all of the craziness I forgot about my “word”.  Honestly, I don’t even remember what it was for 2020.  Life got away from me – COVID, recovery, selling our condo, buying our new forever home, settling in and living life with hubby in retirement.  A whirlwind of a year which is coming to an end….So, I’m planning 2021.

It is just a few days before Christmas and already some are looking forward to the new year.  There are hopes of a better year, for some type of normal to return to our lives.  For some, this has brought up the idea of New Year’s Resolutions, right?  Most people usually pick a resolution by a problem which has plagued them (sometimes for years) and vow to change it.  Has it worked for you in the past?  I know it never did for me.  Here is usually how it goes:

January – motivated, committed and on track to keep resolution

February – some motivation, mostly on track

March – motivation gone and Resolution forgotten

Does this sound like you?  Well, in 2012 my Director with Thirty One asked us to pick a word for the upcoming year. It was the first year, I tried it and it worked!  My word was  FAITH:  Faith to believe when the way is rough and faith to hang on when the going is tough.  faith will never fail to pull us through and bring us strength and comfort too. Helen Steiner Rice. 

That one word got me through so much during the year….FAITH helped me when business was slow.  FAITH helped me to step outside my comfort zone to grow my business.  FAITH helped me to stay on track with Weight Watchers.  FAITH helped me to overcome doubt and when I took on a part-time job.  FAITH got me through as hubby suffered congestive heart failure.  FAITH got me through when fear gripped my heart at the thought I might lose him. FAITH gave me strength when Rob had oral surgery.  FAITH kept me calm as I overcame my fear of dentists.  My FAITH grew each day as I sought God’s guidance before I made major decisions in my personal and business life.  My FAITH has got me through.  Each year after, I selected a word. Some years I was more focused then others either way, I was blessed in so many ways.

This “One Word” experiment moved me from the long list of changes to ONE WORD.  It helped me to take all my big plans, narrow them down into a single focus and create a vision.   When things got tough, when Doubtful Debbie and Negative Nellie visited; I went back to my ONE WORD and gained focus.  It wasn’t always easy but it helped me focus on the goals I had for the year.  Notice I didn’t say resolutions, I said goals.  I am still praying on my word for 2021.  I know God will nudge me in the direction I need to go.  This ONE word will be my guide as I strive for the goals I have for 2021 in my personal, and business life.

What will your ONE WORD for 2021 be?  Or are you still in the “resolution list” mode?  Either way, share them with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Reflecting on 2019

 Happy 2020!  A new decade, a new year, a new month and a new day!  A clean slate all around….

It seems weird writing a blog post today since it has been about a month or so since my last one. For my regular readers, I am sorry I did not give you a heads up.  I needed a break after 6+ years of writing, I was empty.  I didn’t think I had anything more to say.  I’m still not sure I do but we will see what 2020 brings….

Last night I saw all of the posts talking about the last decade and it got me to thinking.  At first, I stressed over what I couldn’t remember then I asked for guidance and some memories came back.  So here goes my decade in review….

In 2010, I saw my daughter graduate from college with honors.  I was working full-time at a job I loved and commuting crazy hours to get work.

2011 was a roller coaster year.  I started my direct sales career with Thirty One.  We planned our wedding and after a 9 year engagement walked down the aisle.  Edythe, one of the rocks in my life passed away.  I retired from my job as COO at Bethel Development. We ended the year with a cruise for our honeymoon with family.

2012 is kind of a blur. Hubby had congestive heart failure and spent 13 days in the hospital.  I promoted to Director with Thirty One and walked across the stage to celebrate with my daughter.  I spent lots of time trying to figure out what I really wanted to do.

2013 – 2016 were a definitely blur. There was lots of testing to determine what was going on with me.  I was losing my memory (even more), leg spasms, depressed, and more I can’t remember.  I spend time working part-time jobs at WaWa and Wall Storage. Relapse was a strong part of these years. We planned Belinda’s wedding and celebrated their beautiful day in the mountains of NC.  Shopping, spending money, and drinking was my way of filling a void in my life.  I got the “unofficial diagnosis of MS” – grateful to finally have answers

2017 started rough as my Dad spent much of his time in the hospital and then passed in April.  I started Angels by Hope as an official business.  Still looking for ways to fill the void. My MS diagnosis became official and I started on medications (3 times a week injections).

2018 brought the smack in the face I needed to face the unmanageability of my life.  Credit card debt was high, income from my business was dropping and I was an emotional mess.  I walked back into the rooms of NA in May looking for the joy I once I had.

2019 brought a change in diagnosis to “progressive MS” and with it a cane and a brace for my left ankle.  Recovery has been a blessing as I am slowing rebuilding relationships with family.  I am blessed to still have both my Thirty One business and Angels by Hope going strong.

So, this is just a glimpse at the last 10 years.  I am grateful for Facebook memories and this blog (since March 2013) to help me remember when I can’t.

I have been searching and for a word for 2020.  Last year’s was Courage and it definitely fit the year I had.  Courage in so many areas of my life to step out on faith, out of my comfort zone.  This year’s word didn’t come so easily.  I prayed.  I took those “word tests”.

My word for 2020 is GRATITUDE!  Gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.“.  I know when I practice gratitude, everything else in my life will be okay.  Not just gratitude for the good things but also for the challenges.  Through the challenges, I will learn and grow.

Best wishes for a safe healthy and happy New Year.

New Year Sale………….

Why not kick the NEW year off right….  Instead of an after Christmas sale to clear out inventory, Thirty One is offering a Customer Appreciation Sale in January.  They are letting us say thank you to all of our amazing customers with a SALE!  A HUGE 70% off sale!  I don’t know about you but this time of year is a love hate relationship for me.  Trying to kick off the new year by sticking to my resolution to stay on budget AND stock up on some of my favorite items as gifts.  What is a girl to do???

We are preparing for a catalog change (March 1st).  It takes a lot of time to prep – at least for me.  LOL.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE all of the NEWESS. I can’t wait to weed out my inventory and get new product (especially when I earn lots for FREE). I HATE the fact some of my favorite products are always on the chopping block. If you are in direct sales in any way – a customer, a hostess, a team member – you totally get this.

Of course, as a consultant I will know what is coming at the end of January – maybe you will be able to find out too IF you book a last chance first glance party with me OR join my team. 🙂 I know when some of my favorites head out, there are some AMAZING things being revealed in the new catalog.

Did you think I would reveal the new catalog?You are so silly!  Those who are getting a sneak peak are my Hostess of the Month Club members. OR my Elite VIPs.    The rest of you will just have to wait a little while longer….  .Now, if you were thinking of joining my team, this is a GREAT time to do it! Why?

#1  The Winter Enrollment Kit! You have TWO options – signature and deluxe.  Which one would you pick?

#2  Host your launch party, have a $1000 in sales and YOU will earn Wishes Rewards PLUS a commission check! You get to use Wishes Rewards however you want – VISA gift card, Disney Bucks, or for “stuff” for you business.  Every time you sell $1000 in products during the first FOUR months of being a consultant, you will earn these rewards!  You can join TODAY and take advantage of the outlet sale to start earning your commission AND your Wishes Rewards.

 

#3 Ask a friend to join you on your journey.  If they join you in your first 4 months, and they sell $1000 in their first FOUR months you will get additional Wishes Rewards. Sounds like a game of dominos, right?#4 The January customer special is AWESOME!  I love how customers can shop the outlet sale AND take advantage of the January Customer special  Ready to get organized?  Here is your chance with TWO of these products for every $35 you spend.

#5 The BEST part of being a consultant is  when you enter the $1,000 launch party, you’re going to earn $250 in cold hard cash!!  Would that help pay the bills from the holidays?  If customers shop the outlet sale by January 15th, YOU will get paid on January 25th.  You can earn back the money you spent to join AND have some extra.

Did I mention that you get ME too. I’m the one in the “mouse ears”.  Each year my customer pick that hat I will wear to National Conference!

  

I am here to help you on your journey. Let me know if you have an questions about joining Thirty-One. I LOVE to answer questions.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Here is how you can reach me:

Website: www.partywithHope.com

Facebook: Hope Wissel

Email: HopeWs31@gmail.com