What was I trying to say?

Have you ever been in the middle of a sentence and forgot what you were going to say?  Or maybe you want to use a word in a conversation but can’t think of it? Or maybe even use the wrong word the wrong way?  Or better yet, have someone say something and you are clueless on what the meaning is of a word so you don’t understand what they said.  I know everyone has it happen on occasion, right?

This past month has been a struggle to find the right words from writing my blog to talking to people to even working with customers in my business.  I usually can play off not remembering the names of products or prints when talking to customers – I mean I know what the best product is to solve their particular need, I just can’t remember the name of the product.  I may remember customer’s faces but 99% of the time, I can’t remember their name.  Then there are those moments when hubby tells a joke and then has to explain it because I didn’t process any of the words.

Why am I tell you all of this? It has been awhile since I shared about my struggle with MS.  On the outside everything seems to be great while on the inside there is a never ending struggle to keep my life the same as it always has been.

Okay, back to words…..

We all use words ALL the time.  From speaking to thinking them in our head or writing them down on scraps of paper. Not a day goes by without the use of words. My words seem to come out all mixed up.  It is like someone poured all the words in my head into a blender and then dumped the chopped up words on a table. Some where along the lines, the words get lost. 

Thankfully when I write, I can proofread and wait before I hit send on an email or post on social media..  Otherwise, my sentences would have words which don’t belong or the sentence would ramble on forever.  The scary part for me is when I talk. I will say something and then pause for a moment wondering “What did I just say?”.  Most people are polite and just smile if what I said makes no sense.  While others will question what I said or meant which causes more frustration for me.  Then there are those times when I “thought” I said something or asked for help with something only to find out the words never actually came out of my mouth.  UGH!!!

I hear everything correctly in my head but the words coming out of my mouth…well, they aren’t the ones I was thinking.  It’s crazy how the filter between my brain and fingers, or my brain and mouth, seems to get things all mixed up.  Even when I am trying to read aloud from a piece of paper – my tongue seems to have a mind of its own.   I wonder if there’s a replacement filter I can install? They make filters for the car which is replaced after so many miles of use. My air filter in my office gets replaced after some many months.  Our water filter gets replaced every 6 months.  Maybe I can get a filter replacement for my brain?

I thought auto correct was the solution.  WRONG!  Auto correct messes me up even more. It rewrites my words into different words and inserts random words into sentences which has nothing to do with what I’m trying to say. The end result – I get more confused then I already was.  Is that possible?

Life with Multiple Sclerosis. I’m learning to laugh about situations or at least be honest and tell people what is happening.  No, I don’t look like I have MS.  This crazy disease is playing havoc on the inside of my body – messing with my words, making my arms and legs constantly tingle and robbing me of my memories.

There are many auto-immune diseases out there which play havoc with people on the inside while their outside appears to be “normal”.  Maybe not to them because they are living with the craziness of their disease.  So the next time someone stumbles on their words, says something totally out of wack in a conversation or seems clueless in a conversation – have some patience for you never know what may be happening on the inside.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

The Great LuLa Road Trip

I want to introduce you to an amazing LuLaRoe consultant.  I met her through my Traveling Angels and she helped me coin the title “the Angel Thirty One” lady.  When I met Dawn at a recent vendor event, she shared with me her summer goal of “The Great LuLa Road Trip” and she helped me to brainstorm some ideas I am going to try as well.

Hi lula loving ladies! My name is Dawn Valentine and I’ve been a consultant since October alongside my boyfriend Greg. I first heard about LuLaRoe when my sister in law invited me to an online party. I bought some clothes out of obligation, which ended up not even fitting, and after putting on my leggings which were falling off of me I was smitten! Yes! With leggings that were too big, I was in love. I had to figure out what all this LuLa craze was! I had seen an advertisement for this beautiful Perfect T- black background with dandelion flowers. This quickly became my obsession and my ultimate unicorn. 🦄 It boggled my mind that the consultant didn’t have THAT actual shirt. What do you mean I can’t order it? Do you only have this shirt in this size? I was learning the allure of LuLaRoe. The limited prints and patterns and the HUNT was real. So I joined a bazillion groups and found so much more than clothes. I found a culture. Fun loving girls working hard to support their family. I thought to myself, “I can do this.” I loved it all- the games, the giveaways, mystery hostess. Every page always had something unique. Something exciting I wanted to be a part of. And that’s when I said to Greg, I want to do this! I can do this! And so we did it! And now here we are a part of the fun and the culture of LuLaRoe about to embark on a series of Pop Up parties from NJ to Florida, we are taking our love for LuLa on the road! You can follow our trip by subscribing to our YouTube channel LuLaRoe DMV. We will be vlogging our whole experience! Everything! From the moment we wake up, to each and every party to driving down the entire cost and back! It’s going to be amazing and we’d love to have you with us. And just for subscribing to our YouTube Channel, you will be entered to win a LuLaRoe wardrobe giveaway! Want to increase your chances?! Anyone who books a party with us this summer will get 5 entries! If you can’t have an in home, we also do online parties! Or maybe you know a friend who wants to have a party? We’ll give you two entries for that too! Help us share our love for LuLa! We have some huge dreams of being able to provide for ourselves with LuLaRoe and you all help us reach those dreams so thank you! Looking forward to seeing you on the LuLa Roe’d!!!!

Dawn’s goal was 10 parties on this road trip and she has booked 8.  She set a goal and went for it. Join her on Facebook and YouTube to be part of the fun.

Think about how you can take your business on the road.  Going on vacation? I know we all need them BUT why not have some fun meeting some new people along the way.  Staying at a hotel, have a trunk party or ask the hotel if you can use some space to share your products with guests.  Nothing salesy or pushy, just some fun.

Have friends or family along the route?  I mean we all have Facebook friends far and wide, right?  Why not offer them a home party or a theme party or a trunk party?  When was the last time a Facebook friend said they wished they lived closer to have a party?  I hear it ALOT!  Now is the time to take advantage of the situation.  How about a party on the go at a local restaurant in their area?  Think about the friends you will make the potential new customers.

Dawn and Greg are driving to Florida for vacation.  They are partying all the way down and back.  Not only with Dawn grow her customer base BUT she can also write off her trip as a business expense.  Yes, almost all of her vacation will be tax deductible.

I’m so excited to see how this turns out for them.  I’m thinking about my next road trip and how I can party along the way.  Headed to Atlanta in route to Florida for the Leadership Incentive Trip, maybe I can schedule a party or two along the way.

Got a unique idea on how to market your business?  Share it with us… Together We Achieve More so let’s help each other out.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!