One Word. One Woman.
Thursday, February 25, 2010, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We're moving! Visit us at Find Your Sock Yarn and re-subscribe to get the latest updates. Your favorite features like Question of the Week, Words of Wisdom quotes and fun giveaways will be there. Archives will remain here for now. Thanks for visiting!
Today over at Find Your Sock Yarn we are excited to introduce you to Carla. When Carla turned forty she decided it was time to discover what it was that she really liked to do. Come visit us over at FYSY to read more about Carla’s journey and discover what her new path in life is!
If you haven’t already done so, please, please, please be sure and subscribe to FYSY so you will continue to get updates. We don’t want you to miss out on anything and we have a giveaway coming up this Friday!!!
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Categories: One Word. One Woman.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne says…
When Leigh Anne discovered Reachel’s blog Cardigan Empire she immediately fell in love with Reachel’s sense of style and fashion and her darling personality. When Leigh Anne found herself traveling to Arizona she emailed Reachel to set up a personal style consultation/shopping trip with her. Leigh Anne has also done a virtual shopping consultation with her.
Reachel’s darling personality shines through on her blog but she is even cuter in person. She has a way of making you feel beautiful and helps you look beautiful too! We are excited for you to meet Reachel and learn from her as she shares some great tips on how to simplify your closet! Welcome Reachel!
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
With experience in consulting hundreds of companies and individuals on their dress, appearance, and etiquette, I believe fashion is much more than what we wear. Fashion is an opportunity to introduce ourselves succinctly without ever opening our mouths, an opportunity to show respect for ourselves and those we encounter, fashion is an opportunity to inspire and contribute to the beauty of the world around us.
I adore any combination of travel, vegetarian cooking, modern art, French cinema, Italian opera, poetry, gardening, and my husband.
Favorite color:
Crimson
Favorite food:
Greek Yogurt with Honey & Plums
Pet Peeve?
Scuffed heels
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world):
I find few things more enchanting than the scent of honeysuckle
One word that describes you:
fancy
What’s your motto or mantra:
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” –Coco Chanel
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- A. T. Bagley
- Feminine Glorification
-
Environmental & Personal Beautification
Word of the Month ~ Simplicity
A simple life can be surmised in two comparative adjectives: lesser, neater.
Your wardrobe is no exception.
A simple closet is minimal and methodical. Like a fine corporation, every hireling in your closet should earn its keep. Each garment represents a personal employee that proffers services (nudity protection, style identification, beauty enhancement) and claims benefits (closet space, washing/mending, visual consideration). It is your responsibility to determine the needs or your individual organization and hire a competent team to deliver on those requirements. Each item should fit, flatter, and exemplify your personal brand. If an article of clothing isn’t delivering satisfactory work, it is your duty to reorganize or terminate the relationship.
Below are tips on how to achieve a lesser, neater wardrobe:
Lesser Tips
- Hang all your garments backwards (with the hook facing open towards you.) As you wear a garment replace it in the closet in the reverse direction. If you have transposed hangers at the end of twelve months, item extermination should be executed.
- If you struggle to part with a well-loved, but useless item of attire, take a picture of it. Write a story to accompany the image, draw therapeutic hearts and stars around it if it helps, but abandon the actual item.
- Find a home for items, which are in good repair, but do not match your current size, style, or fashion goals. Gift what is mismatched to a fashion deprived family member, friend, or charity.
- Only seasonably appropriate items should be presented for your daily fashion evaluation. Wool sweaters should not clutter July diurnal dressings nor should gladiator sandals muddle January’s daily dandification. Switch your clothes, shoes, and other accessories out every season. If your abode does not accommodate a separate closet, section off your available space so only the most relevant items are directly in front of you, dominating your attention.
Neater Tips
- Store your seasonal items in clean plastic bins where they will remain cool and dry. Keep infrequently used items up high or in less accessible sections of your wardrobe. And do not let me catch you with maternity garb in your daily mix when your baby is more than three months old.
- Immediately place items that are soiled, torn, de-buttoned, or otherwise injured in a fashion ambulance. If they have not been hemmed, cleaned, or repaired within a week, consider how much these items mean to you.
- Fold knits to avoid stretching them out, but keep the entire pile visible. If they roost in a drawer, roll them so you can see each player, not just the top fold. If they nest on a shelf, make sure there are no more than a handful of items per pile and put the heaviest items at the bottom of the pile.
- Shun wire hangers like Tineid moths. These clothing predators will create shoulder nipples in the favorite wears. Even plastic, tubular hangers are an inferior choice as they lack the power to hold a wide neck top or heavy denim. Instead opt for a crystal dress hanger, wooden hanger, or my favorite the quilted hanger (made by loving grannies everywhere). All should offer slip, crease, and snag-free protection.
- Class you closet out by life roles initially: casual pants and casual tops, professional trousers and professional blouses, social dresses and social layers. After your roles are zoned, you can pretty it up by category and color: group like items together; color sort from dark to light, solid to pattern. When a specific occasion arises you’ll know exactly where to reach.
Confident dress is effortless when you’re willing to wear each component in your closet and they are pre-qualified for collaboration. Regular pruning and systematizing will ensure you will never again wail, “I have nothing to wear.”
Visit Reachel at Cardigan Empire for more fashion and style tips.
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Categories: Encouragement, Inspiration, One Word. One Woman.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women (and occasionally…a man or two 
) who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
Have you ever wondered why when someone asks you to list your strengths and weaknesses it is so much easier to list the weaknesses! Why is it so hard to recognize our strengths?? Being able to identify and recognize our strengths can be a tremendous help in our relationships, parenting, work environment and just about every situation!
Today we would like to introduce you to our friend Dave Dutton of Stuck in the Rut. Dave has developed a system to help people identify their natural strengths, their gifts or as Dave likes to call it their “Given Talent”.
He is also our first M-A-N interview and we are delighted to introduce him to our iLashGirls readers!
We have both been through Dave’s program. Dave helped us to identify our given talents. A Given Talent is your unique way you think and act every time you do something that’s energizing to you. It’s your natural you… the you that’s been there since you were a ten year old that’s been your faithful companion. It’s the very core of you. This information has helped us as we work together. Knowing each other’s given talents helps us to draw on each other’s natural strengths. It is amazing how knowing this information has helped us work more effectively with one another.
Word of the Month ~ Gifts
Be sure to read all the way to the end of the interview as Dave is offering a fabulous resume package!
Dave is the owner and CEO of Stuck in a Rut. He has served as an executive for companies ranging in size from a billion dollar internet company to a $20,000,000 personal growth company.
First, a few personal fun facts and then our questions…
One word that describes you:
Determined
What’s your motto or mantra:
I won’t grow up.
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Finding the inner genius of those around me.
- Watching people blend their individuality to do amazing things.
- Anything outdoors and challenging with friends and family.
Tell us more about what made you create this system.
As I was busy climbing the corporate ladder, I couldn’t help but notice how people tended to stay in jobs they were good at, but they didn’t particularly like all that much. I saw how people got branded by what they’ve done, which made it was next to impossible to get into something very different from their past. It seemed that a person’s very first real job tended to cast the die for the rest of a person’s life (for better or worse).
I didn’t like the fact that the job system made us into our past, mainly because my past was as an accountant and I knew it wasn’t me. Yet everybody seemed to insist that was me.
I saw this identity crisis in all parts of the job system: in how we do resumes, introduce ourselves and network… virtually everywhere. I saw lots of people around me fall victim to the same problem. We were no longer a person. We’re just a job title.
That seemed like insanity to me. Human beings connect to other human beings not through their job title, but through who they are inside. Yet everybody around me was following a job system that seemed to insist you are your job title. I said baloney!! That’s not me. I’m not falling for that deal.
Through a process of asking myself over and over who is the real Dave, I was drilling way down into the core of me. It turns out this process is what conceived The Clarifier®. Looking back on it, what I was doing was separating “true Dave” from the “Should Bee Dave”. (A Should Bee is something that’s not really you. It’s just become a part of you because it was imposed on you by outside influences.) I knew I wasn’t a very happy camper when I was operating through my Should Bees which made me even more determined to separate myself from my Should Bees.
I continued this drilling down into the real Dave for a period of about eight years with the only intention of finding how to tell others about me. What I eventually found was deep down inside me was a particular core way of thinking I did each and every time I was doing something energizing. This core way of thinking totally defined me. This core way of thinking we call your Given Talent was, still is and always will be me. It’s what motivates me and what I can’t get enough of. It’s who I am when the “Should Bees” are stripped away.
We originally started out thinking this was mainly a career tool. We have since found the findings of The Clarifier® is much bigger than just about careers. It turns out to be a huge self discovery tool.
Three hundred people later, I can tell you for sure that everybody has their own particular step-by-step core way of thinking they do largely intuitively that totally defines them. It’s their particular form of individuality. It perfectly describes you.
All from this country boy who just wanted to know how to describe himself to others so they could know the real Dave.
Why is it so important for people to discover their Given Talent?
When someone lives through their Given Talent, you’re living through your natural creative self. It’s who you are when things are flowing. When you’re using your Given Talent, you’re working through your very soul. It’s like the creative ten year old within you just waiting to get out and have fun.
When you know that, you can excel by just being you. You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to prosper in a career and elsewhere. Life is extremely gratifying when you’re using your Given Talent, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a student, someone in mid-career or someone looking for more after retirement. You can’t get enough of life using your Given Talent.
Who could benefit from discovering their Given Talent?
Even though the name of our company is Stuck in a Rut, being stuck isn’t a requirement to benefit from The Clarifier® which is the name of the process that uncovers your Given Talent. It’s a fantastic self confidence tool. Our clients consistently tell us that it gives them a sense of authenticity, validation and clarity of purpose they’ve never had before. It’s a wonderful tool for those looking for more in their life, or just want to know more about what really makes them tick. It’s a fantastic gift for a high school or college student. It keeps you from spending a bunch of dollars and time on your child’s education only for them to be bored by it.
Can you share more about the process you take people through in helping them discover their Given Talent?
The core part of The Clarifier® is an interview that can be done in person or by phone. The only homework before the interview is to remember specific energizing days (usually a play day) where the time flew by. During the interview, we ask a series of very simple questions using a very complex technique where we drill down more and more into the particular way of thinking you do during that day. This way of thinking is typically very unconscious which is why most people don’t see it in themselves. It’s what defines your form of intuition.
A very common experience our clients have is what we call “connecting the dots”. Near the end of the interview, you’ll see how your Given Talent shows up virtually everywhere. You’ll instantly know why some things flowed so well, and others were a struggle. You’ll see how your Given Talent explains not only the right career for you, but a ton about your relationships, hobbies, etc. It is not unusual for our clients to have a hard time sleeping that night from the excitement of finally understanding so much of what they’ve struggled to understand for years.
Can you share with us an example of a Given Talent?
This is an example of a Given Talent and how it translates:
Dan was considered the best IED Tech (bomb disabler) in all of Iraq. Even though he was good at it, Dan hated his job for obvious reasons.
Dan’s Given Talent is this. He is fascinated with motion, especially human motion, because he believes it is a glimpse into how the other person is thinking. The sequence of motions of others are like his roadmap into their mind. As he watches how others physically move, he is able to (with uncanny accuracy) predict what is going through the other person’s mind. That whole process happens within Dan in nano-seconds. He’s been doing it since he was a kid, he did it as a soldier, and he’ll even do it in retirement. He can’t help but do it because after all, that is him.
That’s why he was able to defeat much larger and more skilled martial arts opponents. That’s why he was so successful disabling IED’s in Iraq. In effect, when he disabled a bomb, he wasn’t disabling the bomb…he was actually disabling the bomb maker.
Dan went back to finish his tour of Iraq, and he used this knowledge to know exactly how to become an even more effective IED Tech. When his tour ended, Dan immediately enrolled in law school. Today, he is whizzing through law school to become a litigation attorney. Can you see Dan being able to read the mind of his opponent?
There are more examples on our website.
Once someone discovers their Given Talent how can it help them. How do they apply it in their life? Work?
When you know your Given Talent, it’s obvious where to direct your life to get more energy and fulfillment into it. It takes the guesswork out. You know what you do naturally that brings energy in you and joy to those around you. You know what occupations and activities will energize you and why. Your Given Talent even explains tons about your relationships. It’s like the ultimate compass. It shows you precisely where to go for fulfillment.
Share some ways you’ve seen knowing their Given Talent enhance someone’s life.
We’ve had lots of stories over the past four years. I’ll give you a couple of recent examples:
Mary came to us after being off work for seven years. She hadn’t had an interview in eight months. She used to work in the oil and gas business, and she couldn’t find work in that industry any more. (She didn’t like that industry but felt like that was her only option.) When she contacted us, she made a special point of telling me she was “skeptical” of anything working for her.
A week after she went through The Clarifier®, she called us because she was so excited. She started out by saying “she was having fun just being her”. (We use the sign-off on our e-mails of “Have some fun with just being YOU.”) She told us that she heard of a job and thought it perfectly fit her (the real her), even though she had never been in the industry or the specific job. She interviewed by phone and explained herself through her Given Talent and how that might lend itself to that position. The employer loved her genuineness and invited her in for her second interview. (That was a week ago, so we haven’t heard yet from her second interview.)
Another woman came to us after spending thousands of dollars on well known personal growth programs. As we wound our way through the interview, her Given Talent began to shine clearly to us. When we shared it with her, she broke down and cried tears of joy because finally she understood herself. In that very moment, she went through an extreme connecting the dots experience where she went back through her life and understood everything.
People go through The Clarifier® for lots of different reasons. Some just want a different job. Some want to refine their business. Others want to know how to enter the job market for the first time. Others just want to know more about what makes them tick. The Clarifier® will uncover what within you is your driving force, your individuality. And all you need to do is have the time of your life reliving energizing days.
Knowing your own Given Talent, how has it changed your life?
If I were to describe what we do in a few words (which is difficult), I would say we help people find their natural gift and show them how to add value to the world using it. We show you what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. Nobody can ever take that away from you, regardless of the job market.
My Given Talent is what helped me develop (purely by accident I might add) this cool process that dramatically transforms people’s lives in the space of a short fun conversation. My job is now to help as many people as possible understand their Given Talent, because it’s the greatest gift I can give back.
******************
Giveaway
Simply Irresistible Resume Package includes everything you need to complete your irresistible resume. It is a completely innovative way of writing resumes that uses sophisticated direct marketing techniques combined with proprietary Stuck in a Rut concepts. Highlight your gifts and make your resume read like a compelling story of you!
Value: Could be priceless!
Enter to win by leaving a comment and tell us how current your resume is and why you need to win this resume package.
Comments must be posted by midnight PST on Friday, April 17th and we’ll pick a random winner on Saturday, April 18th.
For more information, please check out Dave’s website.
*************
Giveaway Guidelines
- Anyone in the U.S. with a valid email and a name is eligible.
- Sherra says you can use a code name if you want to.
- One entry per person, please.
- Emails are never published nor is your identity revealed if you choose to use a code name.
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Categories: Giveaway Surprise, One Word. One Woman.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
Rhonda has been making us laugh since last year when we discovered her blog, Because Mom Said So and have been reading it ever since.
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
Born and raised in Arizona, where I met and married to my sweetheart Peter for 26 years. We are the parents to five children and two son in laws. Our two older daughters, Katherine and Rachel are married and living in Utah. Their husbands Kai and Dustin respectively, joined our family last year. Our third daughter, Annelise is a freshman at BYU in Idaho and our youngest son, Elijah, is 10 years old next month.
We have lived in Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut. My husband Peter has worked with IBM in all those years. While I did graduate from University of Arizona with a BS in Business, I have been a stay-at-home mom actively involved in my community, PTO, my church, and for the last year, planning “cross-nation” weddings for my two oldest daughters. I love writing, traveling, reading, (I am an avid reader of all things historical) and truly have a passion for people.
We are in between stages of parenting. With children married, attending college, high school, and elementary school, we have a a lot of parenting years under our belt. AND…we are still finding new and innovative ways to drive them all crazy.
Favorite color:
Red
Favorite food you associate with Home:
My homemade French bread
Pet Peeve?
Rude sales clerks. Those who use “um” too much when talking. Loud talking on the cell phone.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I NEVER wear pink.
One word that describes you:
My word this year is Perspective. However a word to describe me would be something along the line of determined.
What’s your motto or mantra:
My favorite saying for several years is a quote by Booker T. Washington. “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
What are the top three things you that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Traveling with my family
- Entertaining in my home for anyone and everyone
- Last but not least studying the gospel of my religion and the religions of others.
Word of the Month ~ Home
Give us your definition of home:
Organized chaos. Loud and loving. Our New England “contemporary cape” is truly a place of refuge from the crazy world. Above our kitchen table I have a beautiful 6′ x 7″ sign that states: Love is Spoken Here. Our home is never empty and every Sunday my son will ask “who’s coming to dinner today?” We love having visitors and people are always dropping in. We love it.
Tell us a little bit about the home you live in now?
We are in Fairfield County of Connecticut. The southern most state in the New England states. We live on a little over an acre of land and have “the best sledding hill in the whole wide state!” A direct quote from our 10 year old son, Elijah. Our little town here is almost 20,000 people and mostly residential. One high school, one junior high school, one middle school and three very small elementary schools. With that being said, our community is fiercely close. A lot of our community commutes into the “city.” That being New York City. We are close to New York City and go there often for our major entertainment. However, living here in Connecticut is peaceful and quiet, and very, very safe.
Favorite room in your home?
My family room. That’s where the action is and family stories are told.
Favorite thing to do at home?
Entertain for the lively moments and read for the peaceful moments.
We know you’ve raised 5 children as a stay-at-home mom, what are the best parts about being home with them?
This is easy. Being home when my children walk through that front door and are the most chatty about their day and lives in general.
What’s the hardest part?
Trying to stay on top of where everyone needs to be, and when they need to be there.
What do you hope you have taught you children before they leave home?
A strong sense of independence and who they are. Children who are responsible and can make smart decisions. Children who have a strong testimony of a living Christ.
Tips for your newly married daughters and young moms on how to create a warm, comfortable home on a tight budget?
Stay away from the credit cards and remember that usually what will matter most in the years to come will be how much you love each other and the time spent with one another. Remember to shop wisely, budget wisely and have no secrets.
As your kids leave home, how has your home changed? Do you have more closet space? Do you miss their messes?
Our home has changed very little since my two older, now married, girls have left. Along with a daughter who left in August for college, we are down to a family of four here in our home. This past summer when I came home to THREE less daughters I walked around in a haze. Missing them so much and realizing that they will never be back here in the same way. Our home will never be the same. Plus, it was just so difficult to throw anything away that I ended up boxing it up and putting it right back into closets. Thus using up all my spare closet space I may have had to begin with. I think the one thing I have found that I do absolutely LOVE about my daughters leaving is that they return with incredibly awesome husbands. Who could ask for more?
Any tips for moms who are transitioning to that new empty nest phase?
Enjoy the time they are there but really rejoice in some much needed “change of space.” The kids coming home won’t mind that things are changed if you still give them a place to call their own. As long as it is known that whomever is in the home will still be expected to do the chores and that includes dog “doo doo duty.” Well, atleast in our family that’s how we did the change over. We told them when we dropped them off at college that we were taking over their rooms. Sprucing up a room with new paint, a thorough cleaning and in our case…new carpeting. I think our children know that to make things to comfortable would invite eventual contention. No “kid” wants to go away as an adult and come back to home rules. As long as we have younger kids in the home, our rules are still fairly strict about coming and going at all hours. Not to mention who is coming and going in our home. So, our older girls have always been expected to live by those guidelines. They understand that they have to set a pretty high bar as younger ones are watching and mom and dad do not need to try and explain away why did “so and so” get to have guys over at 2:00 AM and I can’t? (Does this make sense?)
How do you make your home a place your older kids want to come back to? Or do you want them to come back?
Well now that we have had our third daughter home for a semester, we try not to make it too darn comfortable as we want them to go and be productive. OUT in the world. However, they all know that should they ever need to come home for a period of time that they can do that too.
Share a life lesson learned about the importance of home, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
I think the one most defining thing I realized with life is that is too short to harbor bad feelings. That forgiveness is the true way to happiness. To love and serve the Lord unconditionally. I have been so happy that I made my mind up years ago to let bygones be bygones. To not allow petty differences to stand in my way of having happiness. I think too often we allow ourselves to be and stay hurt. To be over sensitive about something. To allow hard feelings to dictate how we treat others.
As a young college student, it did not take me long to realize that holding a grudge only hurt me and not so much the person I was “grudging” on! Clearly, making that my goal in life…to move past hard feelings, has been my ever ongoing quest for a happier life.
All of this has been such a tremendous part of who I am. I am always reminded of the story in The Miracle of Forgiveness (Author Spencer W. Kimball) about a man from Arizona, Martin Kempton and his family. Martin had gone with another deputy to seek out two WW1 deserters. Sadly, both Martin and the other deputy were ambushed and killed by the deserters. It was an awful time in Arizona history and Martin had left a large family. That “family” is my family. He is my great great uncle. The story has long been a family lesson on the beauty of forgiving. As you see, Martin not only left a large family but he left his wife with all these children in Arizona back when it was still not yet a state. The land was unforgiving and life was extremely difficult. Not once in all those years did anyone every hear his wife, my great great aunt complain or murmur against the men who took the life of her husband. She carried on with a strong faith in the Lord, knowing that to hold onto any hate would only destroy her. The children never heard their mother mutter under her breath about her horrible luck or lot in life. This has served as the most valuable of life’s little lessons as I have raised my own children to be forgiving and develop the ability to “move on!”.
To err is human, to forgive Divine.
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Categories: Encouragement, One Word. One Woman.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
Time flies! We can hardly believe it has been six months since we first launched iLashGirls.
It has been fun to see how the site has grown and how it has evolved. The most important part of iLashGirls is the community of women we are building – and that means each and every one of you! We have enjoyed getting to know so many of you through your comments and those of you who have been guest post writers and interviewees!
We have lots of fun things planned and are excited to share and build our themes around our “Word of the Month” for iLashGirls in 2009. We want to grow our community of iLashGirls participants and contributors and
we need your help.
- Do you know anyone with a great story to tell?
- Is there someone out there in blogland that you would like to hear from at iLashGirls who we could contact about being a guest?
- Would you like to share your thoughts and ideas as a guest poster?
We are looking for both monthly guest writers as well as one time guest posters. Feel free to brag on your friends or yourself! You do not have to have a blog yourself in order to be a part of iLashGirls.
Please email us directly or click here to use our contact form! We look forward to hearing from you.
Help us make iLashGirls the best “Gathering Place for Women” on the internet!
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Categories: Inspiration, Moments & Memories, One Word. One Woman.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne says…
Both Sherra and I are in awe of Jo-Lynne and how she is able to run 4 blogs all at the same time! I used Jo-Lynne to give my family blog a face life. You can see her pretty work here. Jo-Lynne writes about it all – being a mom to her three children, reviewing fun new products, keeping you up to date on the latest beauty products and fashion and beautifying other people’s blogs! We are excited for you to meet Jo-Lynne, learn a little about her and how she is able to keep it all together and stay focused amidst the craziness of her life.
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
I’m a mom of three living in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I blog daily at Musings of a Housewife, where topics include everything from motherhood to fashion to recipes to reality TV to weekly giveaways. I also run a blog design business, DCR Design, and a beauty and fashion blog, Chic Critique. AND I have a review blog at Reviewsings.com. You can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/dcrmom. By the way, DCR are the initials of my children’s names. When I’m not online, which is an increasingly rare occurrence, I like to shop, read, watch TV, and spend time with my family. And I’ll never turn down a pedicure.
Favorite color:
Hm, that’s a tough one. To wear? Black. In accessories, deep red/cranberry. In techie gadgets, pink. I’m a bit of a girly-girl. :-
Favorite food you associate with Winter:
Soup! Beef stew, split pea soup, chili… those are a few of my favorite things to make when it’s cold outside.
Pet Peeve?
Oh there are so many. I can only name one? Let’s go with someone chewing obnoxiously in my ear. And my threshold for the obnoxious is LOW.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I don’t think there is anything that no one knows about me. I have a way of sharing way too much information about myself. I guess it might surprise some that I’m quite insecure. I think I hide it well.
One word that describes you:
Friendly
What’s your motto or mantra:
Tomorrow is another day!
What are the top three things you that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- My husband, I love spending time with him. He still makes me laugh.
- I love to go to the mall. Bonus points if I get to go alone.
- And I love to blog. I couldn’t leave that out!
Word of the Month ~ Focus
Give us your definition of focus:
I guess I’d say focus is working with a specific goal in mind.
Certainly no one can be focused all the time, can they? What are some tips or techniques you use to stay focused?
Lists. I have to have lists. I usually have several going at once! I also love my Mom Agenda – a desktop calendar that has room for me to record my appointments, each of my kids’ activities, my dinner plans, and my blogging deadlines and reminders.
As a mother of young children and running a business out of your home how do you deal with the distractions of daily life that cause you to lose focus? (phone, email, etc.)
I wish I could say that I deal with it well all of the time, but I don’t. I get overwhelmed and snap at my kids all too often. Sometimes I just don’t answer the phone. Sometimes I send everyone to their rooms so I can work for a while in peace. But mostly I just try to do it all and hope that it all gets done somehow.
Being the beginning of a new year, people often set new goals or resolutions to help them get focused for the new year – did you set any you’d be willing to share with us?
I plan to re-evaluate my commitments. And I’d like to come up with some sort of schedule for my various tasks, I think that may help me be more efficient. If all else fails, I am willing to consider letting some things go. I really don’t want to be consumed by work to the detriment of my family, so I will prayerfully consider what I might let go if I am feeling overwhelmed after the holiday rush is over.
What is your favorite avoidance behavior – the things you enjoy doing when you are trying to avoid being focused?
Twitter! It will suck you in if you let it. The other thing I tend to do when I am avoiding being focused is get caught up in short, simple tasks that are really not necessary but somehow make me feel better. Maybe it’s because there is a sense of completion. Or instant gratification. I’m all about that. I think for me, the hardest part of accomplishing a task is getting started.
What is your best advice for women who are searching for more focus in their life?
Decide what you want, what it is you’re working towards. Have a goal. And then figure out how to meet that goal. Prioritize accordingly. If something you are doing isn’t helping achieve that goal, then drop it. You can’t be afraid to say no either.
Share a life lesson learned about focus something, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
“Do the next thing.” At a time in my life when I didn’t think I could put one foot in front of the other, a wise man said to me, “Just do the next thing.” I believe those were actually the wise words of Elizabeth Elliot, but that conversation was the first time I heard them. I have managed to regain my focus and accomplish my goals many times by practicing that very simple and yet very sage advice. When I get overwhelmed, I tend to shut down and not do anything productive, but by trying to focus on one small task at a time, I eventually get myself back on track and get the job(s) done. And sometimes I just have to take a break and come back to it later when I’m refreshed.
How do you make sure you focus on fun and not just work, work, work?!
That’s the thing. My work IS fun! I love it! I can’t get enough of it. But I know that I have to have balance between home and work and friends and God. So I have to remind myself that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, and just walk away sometimes. The work will be there when I get back.
Do you have any favorite books on the topic of focus that have helped you?
Who has time to read books? I’m only half joking. I feel like my time is better spent making a list or organizing my desk or folding laundry or reading to my kids or doing something on my agenda. I guess you could say I’m a very naturally focused person.
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne says…
Organizing Junkie was one of the first blogs Leigh Anne discovered when she entered Blog Land. Laura was always so quick to respond to comments or questions that Leigh Anne had. Leigh Anne also loves Laura’s site because she is an Organizing Junkie Wannabe!! Laura is an incredible resource for organizing anything and everything!! She knows how to focus in on a organizational problem and solve it! They both share a love affair with Rubbermaid too!! Enjoy Laura!
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
I started my blog “I’m an Organizing Junkie” when my youngest was six months old three years ago and I was looking for a way to connect with other woman. Not only did I find a way to do that but I also found a way to be a stay at home mom while still paying my grocery bill. I’m completely addicted to anything to do with organizing. Unfortunately I don’t also share this same addiction towards cleaning but I’m working on it. Thankfully my kids are at an age (11, 9 and 3) where they can help in that department. I’m also a huge advocate for menu planning and as a result started Menu Plan Monday on my site to encourage others to give it a try. So far over 200 ladies join in the fun each week!
Favorite color:
Pink!
Favorite food you associate with Winter:
Beef Stew with fresh homemade bread from the bread machine
Pet Peeve?
Two opened boxes/jars of the same thing. It sends me right over the edge 
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I like to pretend I can sing Opera and will belt out conversations to my kids in Opera just to annoy them. It’s fun and it’s an instance mood lifter.
One word that describes you:
I was going to say Organized but that’s too obvious so I’ll say Silly instead.
What’s your motto or mantra?
Slow and steady wins the race.
What are the top three things you that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Organize and containerize of course. Nothing is off limits well except for my husband’s workshop. We’ve agreed I won’t touch that
- Creating a calming and inviting home sanctuary for my family
- Not dwelling on the negative but instead I try to be positive about all things and not take life too seriously
Word of the Month ~ Focus
Give us your definition of focus:
Concentrating on one thing at a time and giving it your undivided attention. In other words be present in the moment whether it be with the people you are with or the tasks you are tackling.
Certainly no one can be focused all the time, can they? What are some tips or techniques you use to stay focused?
Keeping an uncluttered schedule. This is very important in our house because too much going on leads to frazzled grumpy people. Therefore the kids are only in one activity each and not usually at the same time. Also during this season in my life I keep my commitments to a minimum as well. I am the parent group Treasurer at my kid’s school and that is it for outside activities for me. It’s hard to say no sometimes but it’s the only way I know how to keep things in our house sane. I despise the frantic out of control feeling that comes with chaos and will do almost anything to avoid it. We lead a very simple lifestyle.
As a mother of young children and running a business out of your home how do you deal with the distractions of daily life that cause you to lose focus? (phone, email, etc.)
Yes that definitely happens especially with my three year old still at home with me all day. He no longer takes naps so it is hard to focus on work during the day. So most of the time I don’t. It’s not fair to my son and he is my first priority. I usually concentrate on my work after the kids have gone to bed in the evenings or first thing in the morning.
Being the beginning of a new year, people often set new goals or resolutions to help them get focused for the new year – did you set any you’d be willing to share with us?
I’m not a resolution girl at all. While I do believe there is a place for goal setting I find that sometimes the concentration on what we don’t have and want can keep us from appreciating and enjoying where we are and what we have right now. I mostly focus on short term planning and living one day at a time.
What is your favorite avoidance behavior – the things you enjoy doing when you are trying to avoid being focused?
This is an easy one for me. Right now I’m addicted to Scramble on Facebook and I can easily get sucked in to just one more game
What is your best advice for women who are searching for more focus in their life?
Reducing the chaos in your life whether it be by eliminating activities or streamlining your systems allows you to live a more simplified lifestyle so you can focus on the things that are most important.
Share a life lesson learned about focus something, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
What I’ve learned over the years is that multi-tasking is highly overrated. I know that if I just focus on the subject at hand I can get it done so much faster than if I’m trying to do a million things at once.
How do you make sure you focus on fun and not just work, work, work?!
Well I love to have fun and am game for just about anything. I also love to make others laugh and being silly usually does just that. It’s just a great feeling to be able to put a smile on someone’s face. I’m also fortunate that my work is fun for me. I love to zone out on an organizing project concentrating on nothing else. When I’m done I feel rejuvenated and centered. And if all else fails, belting out Opera will do it every time
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
Laurie at Tip Junkie runs several blogs – Tip Junkie and Executive Homemaker. Both of her sites are dedicated to helping and supporting women, something that is important to us here at iLashGirls. Laurie’s blogs are full of great ideas. Laurie is a “gatherer” too! She brings together some of the best ideas out there in the blog world – all in one place. Both Sherra and Leigh Anne have enjoyed Tip Junkie since we first ventured into the blogosphere. We hope you will enjoy getting to know Laurie too!!
I am a happily married, mother of 3 boys, and have become more girly with every boy. I got married early in life and got my Ph. T. (putting hubby through) while working as an administrative assistant in a dental office. I have a passion and drive for promoting creative women and their ideas. I am the creator of Executive Homemaker.com and Tip Junkie.com. I try to embellish my life with fun and creative ideas while managing a household of all boys.
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
My love language is Quality Time. So I love to hang out with my man and my friends. I also love to throw a party. For example, last year I really wanted to get to know some of the older and wiser women at church. So I threw a Cougar & Kitten Luncheon where I invited a couple Kittens (30 year olds) and a couple Cougars (50 year olds). It was such a fun afternoon. I was so blessed for reaching out to these women; they are an inspiration to me.
Favorite color:
Pink and Teal (but not together – he he)
Favorite food you associate with the holidays:
Pumpkin pie {{yummy}}
Pet Peeve?
When someone asks my advice on an important subject and then doesn’t take it. {{wink}}
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I’m addicted to Little Debbie snacks, especially the honey buns.
One word that describes you:
Passionate
What’s your motto or mantra:
Create Your Own Experience
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
- Recreating a fun idea (or event) inspired by a friend or blog; for my family or a friend.
- Promoting creative women who don’t know how to promote themselves.
- Working with my husband on our latest crazy idea.
Word of the Month ~ Celebrate
Give us your definition of celebrate:
Enjoying the moment
What is your favorite memory of a celebration in your childhood?
It was when my mother threw an Olympic birthday party for my 7 year old brother that corresponded with the summer Olympics. Come to find out, we were so excited about it, my brother and I invited the entire neighborhood door to door a couple days before. {{oops}}
However, I remember that my mother went OTT on all the events and awards. She even had a 3 tiered winner’s platform which my dad made and took pictures of all the medalists! The backyard, house, and front yard were filled with teams of kids wanting to work together to win the events. It was the best birthday party I remember attending as a child.
What is your favorite holiday to celebrate?
Halloween
How do you celebrate throughout the year, not just at the holidays?
I love holidays and have little traditions to celebrate each one throughout the year. St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween are my 2 favorites. We are also a ring and run family. We’ll Egg Your House with plastic candy-filled eggs for Easter and the Phantom will show up at your door for Halloween with treats.
Do you have any unique celebrations that have become traditions within your family?
Here are a few:
I also take my boys with me when shopping for a Secret Santa gift or whatever service I’ve signed up to do through church or school. I have them help wrap it and we talk about why we’re performing the service. I believe it has really helped them focus on giving to others and helping the boys appreciate what they already have.
What’s your best tip for a new wife or mom on how they can create a new celebration tradition for their young family?
Don’t forget the little routines you did growing up in your family. You might not have considered them a tradition but you can make them into one. For instance, every year my parents went on a date on Christmas Eve and the kids were left to fend for ourselves. This meant grilled cheese sandwiches and hot cocoa for dinner and rocking out to Christmas music as loud as we wanted. I now do that with my boys as a family every Christmas Eve and it’s become a tradition that we all look forward to.
You can also find tons of holiday tradition ideas on Tip Junkie. I’ve compiled a list of great ones for women who want to unite their families with fun and simple activities.
How do you find reasons to celebrate the “little things” in spite of the stresses of every day life?
Oh, this is so vital. I think the key is to stay organized and find a system of managing your household that works for you. I use the Executive Homemaker Binder that houses all your important information all in one place; at your fingertips.
I have also found that blogging has helped me focus on the fun little quirks my family has as well as the milestones we achieve.
Can you offer some suggestions on great ways to celebrate on a limited budget?
Here are a couple suggestions you can do year round:
- Playing games as a family, having a family game night.
- Making homemade decorations and putting them up as a family. (banners, artwork, things to hang from ceiling or door ways.)
- Reading stories and books about the holiday.
- Making holiday goodies and delivering them to friends.
- Watching holiday movies as a family.
Share with us some ways you give your celebrations that added “signature” touch?
I love to laminate. It brings me joy. So my “signature” would be creating something in Microsoft Publisher like a party favor, game, or activity. You can find many examples of things I’ve made on Executive Homemaker.
Share a life lesson learned about celebrating, something, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
Having a son with autism, a son with ADHD and a strong-willed 2 year old; I’ve learned that life is what you make of it. You can focus on what you/your kids don’t have or you can create your own experience. I choose to stay positive, change what I can, deal with what I can’t, and make sure I do the things I love. Creating, promoting women, and spending time with the people I adore are the things I love. I make sure I do them often.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
The Inspired Room blog has been inspiring both of us for many months. In fact, Leigh Anne says it was one of the very first blogs she started reading which inspired her to start her own blog. Melissa Michaels is someone we wanted to get to know better and we definitely know you will enjoy meeting her too. (Maybe Leigh Anne will get to meet her in person before she moves away from Portland!) Be sure to visit her site for unique and beautiful ideas that you can easily incorporate to celebrate the simple things this holiday season and every day!
I’ve always been a romantic when it comes to homes and what impact they have on our life. I started an interior decorating business in order to help people find their personal style. I am a big believer in weaving together life and design. I love inspiring women to shape their life first and then have the joy of living a beautiful life be reflected in their homes. As a result of that process, women love their homes and the home becomes a big part of celebrating life every day.
As a way to share more information with clients and potential clients, I began a blog called The Inspired Room a little over a year ago. Much to my surprise, the blog took off with a life of its own and provided me with writing opportunities in online magazines, as a featured writer for a large retail chain and a position overseeing the Home & Garden channel of Blissfully Domestic magazine. I never imagined how the internet would grow and expand my business but I love every minute of it. I meet amazing women every day that inspire me and keep me energized.
I currently live in Portland, Oregon with my husband and three kids, but we are in the process of moving up to Washington to start a church.
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
Favorite color:
That is a toughie. I love all colors. I guess if I had to choose one, I am most drawn to the color coral, if it is a rich pink orange, not pastel. I often buy tulips that color!
Favorite food you associate with the holidays:
The meal I think about most around the holidays is our traditional Christmas brunch with our kids while we are opening gifts.
Pet Peeve?
Complainers.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I never drink the last sip of water from my cup. I’m not sure why.
One word that describes you:
positive
What’s your motto or mantra:
I use this one for my blog “When life inspires our home, our home inspires our life.”
What are the top three things you that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
Faith & Family are at the top of my list. I suppose my home and how I can share my passion for it with others is in third place.
Word of the Month ~ Celebrate
Give us your definition of celebrate:
Making a lasting memory out of life’s special moments.
What is your favorite memory of a celebration in your childhood?
I remember my mom using our “You are Special Today” plate. I also remember birthday parties! They were almost always at home and simple, but just as fun (or even more fun) as the lavish things kids expect today on their birthdays! I also remember my dad making a big deal out of Christmas morning. He’d have the fireplace lit and Christmas music on when my sister and I woke up that morning. It was his way of making the day memorable.
What is your favorite holiday to celebrate?
I love Christmas.
How do you celebrate throughout the year, not just at the holidays?
I love celebrating in little ways more than I enjoy the big events. I love spontaneously taking my son to get ice cream when he has something to celebrate, or leaving little notes in a lunchbox telling the kids how proud I am of them.
Do you have any unique celebrations that have become traditions within your family?
We have a unique way of ushering in Christmas. It has turned into a silly tradition that has been going on now for nearly 20 years now. In Portland we have an old sign on a building that has a lighted deer on it. In December, they put a red light on his nose. Every December when we drive by that sign, we turn it into a big party in the car! We sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at the top of our lungs, and (this is a bit embarrassing to admit) we talk to him as though he can hear us and he talks back to us. I would do Rudolph’s voice and try to cover my mouth so the kids couldn’t see me talking. When the kids were little they LOVED talking to Rudolph and believed he could really hear them. It was adorable to listen to. As they got older, they started to realize it might just be all in fun but they would play along just in case. Then eventually of course they knew we couldn’t talk to Rudolph, but we keep it up because it became a tradition.
What’s your best tip for a new wife or mom on how they can create a new celebration tradition for their young family?
My suggestion is to start something manageable as a young family that doesn’t involve a ton of time or money. I’ve started a few traditions that I couldn’t keep up due to busyness or finances certain years. Breaking a tradition is hard, so it is better to start small and be consistent. Think about little moments in life that might be fun to celebrate. Children losing teeth could spark a celebration, the Friday night before school starts up could be a special family night. My middle daughter enjoyed celebrating her half birthday at school. We would bring cupcakes to her classroom and sing “Halfy birthday to you.”
How do you find reasons to celebrate the “little things” in spite of the stresses of every day life?
I think these days we all feel overextended. And sometimes we don’t celebrate life because we think that requires us to take on more than we need to or go beyond what is really necessary. Because of the stresses in life we need to make more of the little everyday things. My husband and I decided early on in our family that enjoying every day life was more of a priority to us than big vacations, big events, holidays or elaborate celebrations. We lowered our expectations away from those big events and placed the focus on little things we could enjoy more spontaneously and regularly. Big events require more money, more effort and more stress. We make the small moments reason enough to celebrate and enjoy those moments far more than the ones we might get stressed out over.
Can you offer some suggestions on great ways to celebrate on a limited budget?
I think if you tie together simple elements like drinking hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows and watching Charlie Brown Christmas, for instance, you create a special holiday memory for pennies. I think the best traditions and celebrations are very low budget and involve just spending time together. Those are the times the kids remember the most. Setting a special dinner table to honor a family member or having them wear a crown for the night can celebrate someone’s achievement. Decorate a large poster board to praise a child or highlight a special celebration. We have a chalkboard in our kitchen where we can add to the feeling of celebration by writing a greeting that changes with the events in our life. Celebrations don’t have to cost money, you just have to leave a lasting impression by making the day seem special in little ways.
Share with us some ways you give your celebrations that added “signature” touch?
In our family, setting the table ahead of time is a big part of our “signature” touch. We feel like if the table is all set and pretty, we are ready for a celebration. We usually use a lot of candles, either lining walk ways to the door or on tables in the house to set the stage for all of our events. I think a lot of people would associate our family celebrations in life with candles!
Share a life lesson learned about celebrating, something, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
Life is short, don’t wait for the big events to fully live your life! Every day has something worth celebrating.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008, by Leigh Anne & Sherra
We will be interviewing women who inspire us, encourage us and renew our spirits. Women from diverse backgrounds…women just like you…women very different from you…women who share and teach so we can all learn something new. Their words may be just what you need to read today…
Leigh Anne and Sherra say…
Leigh Anne and Sherra both have known and admired Susan for more than 15 years. Her presentations and speeches were always the highlight of the various events and conferences we attended. Since she has left her corporate position we have maintained our friendship with Susan and continued to be inspired by her. We each have our favorite “Susan-isms” that we love sharing with others. Susan is a perfect example of our word of the month – Happiness. Susan always has a smile on her face and she chooses happiness even when it would be easier to do otherwise! We are excited for you to get to know Susan!
I’ve done the College Student thing – waitress, mail sorter, hostess; the See The World thing – travel agent, tour guide, airline work; the Small Town thing – news editor community weekly, the Corporate Executive thing – Vice President for international Direct Sales company; and now, the Entrepreneurial Ownership thing – my partner and I do personalized women’s retreats and also offer coaching, speaking, training and writing services.
I live a charmed life with my husband and black lab on the Mississippi River in Minnesota. And I believe the 60s are the best of all years – maybe that’s because I don’t know what my 70s hold!
First, a few personal fun facts and questions…
Favorite color:
Magenta
Favorite food you associate with Fall:
Baked butternut squash swimming in butter, salt and pepper.
Pet Peeve?
I’m not good at tolerating intolerant people.
What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)
I’m addicted to cereal – Sticky Bun Pecan Granola mixed with Cheerios, raisins and vanilla soy milk. I eat it every morning and when my husband’s gone, I eat it for dinner, too.
One word that describes you:
Positive.
What’s your motto or mantra:
Choose Joy!
What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?
Only three?
- Okay, one, I feel called to help women, live more positively and purposefully, to not play small.
- Two, I am passionate about helping women uncover and realize their dreams. We use a wonderful process my partner Jenny developed called DreamStorming and we help women create Dream Boards, Dream Albums and Dream Cards.
- Finally, I believe all women today want three things more than anything: Confidence … Connection … and Calm. After all these years, I’ve grown in these areas and feel my work is to support women in finding more Confidence, Connection and Calm in their lives.
Word of the Month ~ Happiness
Give us your definition of happiness.
Happiness is a Choice. That’s why I say Choose Joy. I once asked my friend Kathie why she thinks her life works so beautifully. I love her simple answer: “I want to be happy.” She CHOOSES to be happy. When we are handed that lemon, we have two choices – one reaction starts a downward spiral and one starts an upward spiral. When we want to be happy, we will make the most positive choice and take the best-feeling action we can at the time. When I’m in conflict and deciding what to do, my guiding principles is: Err on the side of Love.
Happiness is an Intention. I begin every day with this intention: to be joyful and share joy with others. I spend time each morning in quiet, reading inspirational messages, asking for guidance, listening to uplifting music, framing a day of joy.
Happiness is an attitude. Very simply, the more positive we think, feel and act, the happier we are. Period. My friends call me Pollyanna and that’s fine with me – they know I’m happy.
We personally know you have a gift for helping women see the joy and happiness in every day living, tell our readers more about how you choose joy in your life and how you help others do the same.
Of course there are big ways to be happy – serve others, be grateful, share generously, find stillness and answer your calling. I like to add smaller, tangible ways to Choose Joy.
I integrate joy in my To Do lists. In my planner, I have one page for each day’s tasks – at the top, I write a positive line from my morning quiet time – a quote, something nice someone said, a line from a song. So, every time I look at my To Do list, I also see an uplifting message. Then at night, at the bottom of the page, I write Blessings – a few of the positive things that happened in the day – a call from a friend, a lesson learned, a connection made, finding a great new pair of shoes! If you start the day with inspiration and end it with gratitude, it’s got to be a happy day.
Make fun and make surprises. This summer, three girlfriends were coming for coffee and to their surprise (and mine) I decided to really fuss. I set up a la-di-dah brunch – a white linen tablecloth on the picnic table outside – my company dishes, crystal goblets for juice, cloth napkins and little vases with flowers from my garden. The beautiful table sparkled in the morning sun – and they loved it – took pictures with their cells. How can you surprise someone today?
Other ways to Choose Joy in our daily lives: When I want to get over something negative or move past it, instead of telling myself, “Let it go,” I say “Let it be.” That feels better to me, more accepting. I don’t begin or end my day with the news – it’s too nasty – I try to catch the six o’clock news or read the paper when everything’s already active but I don’t let it interfere with my quiet time. Hang with like-minded positive people. It’s okay to let it be…
Certainly, no one can be happy all the time, can they? How do you deal with unhappiness?
When I’m unhappy, my job is not to take action or solve the problem; my job is to make myself feel better – because when I act or make decisions in anger or sadness, I don’t make wise choices. So, when I’m unhappy, I do anything to feel better in the moment – play Josh Groban music, go fishing with my husband, help someone, work out, return to my quiet time reading – and when all else fails, I curl up under a blanket and take a nap! Once I have a little emotional distance, I’m better equipped to deal with whatever’s causing the unhappiness. And sometimes, while I’m busy trying to lift myself, the negative emotion dissipates. I also play the Count My Blessings game. It is impossible to feel grateful and unhappy at the same time.
What are the most important things that may actually not be “things” that bring you happiness?
Teaching what I know. Learning something new. Helping women connect with women. Supporting my husband. Gathering with my girlfriends and laughing til we snort. Welcoming friends and family to our home on the river.
Share with us some things that make you smile and put a little extra joy in your day.
Handwritten notes in my mailbox. Having time to watch Oprah. Sunday paper and coffee with my husband. Time in the hot tub at the end of a tough day. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
As a former corporate vice-president and writer and now with your new retreat business coaching and connecting with women, what is your best advice for women who are searching for more happiness in their life?
Make decisions when you’re excited and act when you’re inspired – guaranteed, you’ll have fabulous, happy results. Decide and act from a place of frustration, chaos, anger or other negative emotions, guaranteed, you’ll have unhappy results. When I’m wondering which decision to make, which action to take, I ask, “Does this feel like Joy in my Heart or a Pit in my Stomach? Act when you feel the Joy, not the Pit. Then trust and let it be.
Share a life lesson learned about happiness, something, perhaps that you know now that you didn’t know when you were 18?
I didn’t know anything I’ve just shared at 18. Truth is, I learned most of after 50 – that’s why I love this season of life.
My Life Lessons: Choose Joy. Don’t play small. Dream. Find quiet time. Set an intention of happiness everyday. Serve others. Start your day with inspiration and end it with gratitude. Count your blessings. Surprise someone. Act when you’re excited and inspired. Be positive. Live with Joy in your Heart not a Pit in your Stomach. Take naps. Laugh til you snort. Err on the side of Love. Let it Be.
Giveaway: Happiness Coaching with Susan!
Two winners will each receive a one hour coaching session via phone …
and a small personal gift from Susan.
Enter to win by leaving a comment and tell us how you think a coaching session would benefit you! We’ll leave this one up for some extra time since it’s the week of Thanksgiving. Post your comment by midnight PST on Sunday, November 30th and we’ll pick a random winner on Monday, December 1st.
P.S. Susan is definitely an iLash Girl!
Check out the diamond rhinestones on her lashes.
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Categories: Encouragement, Giveaway Surprise, Inspiration, One Word. One Woman.
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