See you at the top!

One bright, beautiful morning plans had been devised to drive up to the #NorthGeorgiaMountains.  The intended destination, the #AmicalolaFallsStatePark. With travel buddy (my daughter), some healthy snacks and plenty of water in tow we started on our journey. The drive was scenic and was a teaser of what was to come. Once arriving to the falls, parking, and armed with a falls site map; complimentary at the gift shop we made our way through a meandering dirt trail. This trail lead to the base of a 729 feet in height falls - the largest in #Georgia.

As my daughter and I stared upward in awe of the beauty of the falls, the reality of the fortitude, dedication, tenacity, and perseverance that would be required to make it to the top was clear. We looked at each other, back to the top, and it was agreed we had what it took to conquer the challenge ahead of us. One steep step at a time we made our way upward. At two or three points along the way we stopped to take a rest, assess our progress and of course snap a few pics. As the sound of the rushing falls got louder and louder the closer we got to the top, it called us upward and onward. Our intended goal was firmly in our grasp. No turning back, we were almost there!

At one point midway the journey, I remember thinking how far I had come, and honestly contemplated the idea of being content to stop at that point. But, that wasn’t the top, the goal, the reason I made this trip, so we snapped more pics and pushed forward. Finally, legs burning, slightly heavier breathing and noticeable sweat beads on our foreheads 3,2,1 steps and we were there. We made it to the top! All the effort, time, and energy were worth it. We stood basking in our accomplishment. At the overlook we accessed just how far we had come.

It was beautiful, exhilarating and profound. And, as I stood there, I recognized the direct correlation between what it took for me to successfully achieve this goal and that of the ones I set in my personal and professional life daily.  It may not be easy, you may want to turn back, but if you don’t victory is yours. So I hope to see you at the top. The view is Amazing!

Let your light shine!

Hey! You! Remember the day you realized you had a musical talent. The day you were told you could cook. The day you realized you were a wizard with technology. Or, that you had a knack for whatever gift, talent, or quality others have complimented you on, but for some reason, you have been too afraid to share. Maybe you have taken the posture that, “It’s not that special,” or, “What difference will it make,” or, “No one will care.” Well I say, what about reconsidering this notion. I did.

Maybe you have taken the posture that, “It’s not that special,” or, “What difference will it make,” or, “No one will care.” Well I say, what about reconsidering this notion. I did.

One day, while thumbing through a magazine, I came across an article on one of my favorite people in the world, Oprah Winfrey. Reading the article gave me a new perspective, as one can easily forget that before all her amazing accomplishments and accolades, she in fact, came from very humble beginnings. And like Oprah, so did Michael Jordan, Meryl Streep, Barack Obama, Vera Wang, Steve Jobs and countless other notable icons. Understand that; they did not roll out of bed one day famous and accomplished, actually to the contrary. All the above had challenges, setbacks, and Naysayers that were stacking the deck against them. Something similar to what you and I face every day.

But despite this, they faced their fears, were diligent in developing their talents, and didn’t take no for an answer.  In this truth, I believe someone needs me to not be afraid to share my talents, my gifts, and my abilities. You could say it’s me lighting my candle that I hope will ignite the next person to light theirs and so forth. Know someone will be inspired by you, by your talents, by your story, too. They are counting on you. So, Let Your Light Shine!

Thrive, not just survive!

The last day I worked a traditional #9to5 was probably one of the saddest, and yet, as I would come to realize, best days of my life. As I set at my office desk packing up my small box of personal items and discarding papers that would have no meaning behind these walls, there was a realization that came over me, I'd just become #unemployed.

A day later my new found fate hit me; I set reflecting, followed by crying, then angry, and back to crying. By the second week, it was clear that I needed to come up with a new strategy if there was any chance at redemption.

The first day, it was opening the curtains to let in a little sunshine, I'd been told vitamin D was a great place to start. I worked my way up to throwing away a pile of balled up tissues and candy bar wrappers that had taken over my bed and admittedly, out of character for me, even on the floor - please don't judge, I was doing the best I could under the circumstances. After finally coming to grips that I was jobless it was time to get to work doing the immediate next thing... Cleaning my place and organizing my closet. Okay, okay, I know this is not what you were thinking, but I'll explain.

I have always considered cleaning and organizing therapeutic, so I decided to turn my newfound joblessness into a positive. You could say I was willing to take a win of any size at this point; a spotless place and meticulous closet had me feeling pretty darn good about myself! Now, ready to finally take on job searching, I was armed with a quality, updated resume; freshened up my interview skills; put together several "she's the one" business outfits and of course the pièce a resistance: a warm smile. My new job awaited! Unfortunately, my job search started to feel more like a day in Vegas - full of possibility, but not hitting it big and just short of selling my soul.

Funny enough, though I was still jobless, there was something #empowering about being able to choose what my future looked like, and I liked it! This process was allowing me to find the real me that had gotten buried, unidentifiable in my previous position.

So months later, when I gave up the job search and decided to start my own business, #ElementsofDelight, it came as a result of all the other events in my life that lead up to that day. If you are the person saying to yourself there has got to be something better than this, be assured there probably is, but acceptance is the first step! I can honestly say that my unemployment journey has put me on the path to finally thriving in life, not just surviving, and for this I am #grateful.