I am thrilled to be part of this Nationwide 5-part series on Working Moms. It aired on Global Television yesterday, and thank you all for the great feedback.
Truth be told… they cut out some of the real moments– like when I asked my four year old son about the best part of his day (a nightly dinner tradition in our family), and he answered, “The best part of my day was when I made farts.” Global, you were too kind to cut that one out!
If you’ve been following my Twitter stream or Facebook fan page over the past few days, you know that I was in Boston over the weekend. I was thrilled when Tory Johnson, workplace correspondent on Good Morning America asked me to come and speak to the female entrepreneurs of Boston, at The Spark and Hustle Tour. Spark and Hustle, you may ask?
In a nutshell… you bring the SPARK, and I’ll teach you how to HUSTLE. Catchy right? Years ago, Tory experienced something unfortunately too many working women face today. Check out Tory on CBS’s The Talk, and see how she turned disappointment into triumph. Tory’s energy is INFECTIOUS.
When I was 18 years old, I would hop into a sleek black private car around 11 pm every night. I’d wave my cigarette magically in the air and ask to be taken to the Soho Grande. The driver would speed off into the dark, bustling night of New York City. Slumped down in the grey leather seat, I’d peer out over the side of the door, so just my eyes were visible through the window. Bright flashing lights everywhere, blurring the images of the young college student’s advertising of the normal after-hours college scene that I wasn’t a part of. The horn would honk, the brakes would slam and I would try not to puke as we swerved in and out of traffic. Another drag of the cigarette, ashes spilling on my bare leg. My cell phone would flash: 10:58 pm. The car would come to a screeching halt and out I’d step. One foot in front of the other. I’d make my way to room 603 and knock. Hike up my skirt, poof up my hair, pucker my lips– “Hi, I’m Michelle.”
A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew that she was going to ask the ultimate question, “Half empty or half full?” But she fooled them all… “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile.
I’m going with the rhythm of the people. You asked. I answered. Summer’s around the corner. Bathing suit season is almost upon us. The weather is improving. Comfort food is out. Healthy food is in.
But the truth is, now is usually the time we try and bust a move. Our snug jeans from the winter months of delicious pastas and warm cream soups, cannot be hidden anymore under a long or bulky sweater. The air is lighter. The sun is brighter. And it’s right about now, that we try to get re-motivated for the summer.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms around the world! To my mother, a little surprise for you. Turn on your speakers. 🙂 xoxEDxox
I gotta be honest. And don’t hate me. But I was born skinny. I can give you a list of flaws and faults that I’ve got from here to to China– bad skin, honker nose, only-child syndrome, and the list goes on and on. But I haven’t struggled with my weight for a day in my life. I put on 40 pounds with both pregnancies. It took me a year to take the weight off, but I did, both times, with little effort. I returned to my ever-steady, 5’8″ frame, 117 pounds. And the kicker? I eat like a horse.
At 30 years old, I left the job I loved. I had fought long and hard to win my role in the ABC News Political Unit covering presidential politics. I worked for a boss I respected and with colleagues I loved. News was my mother tongue, and I had a privileged perch covering public policy and just about anything political I wished. There was no reason to leave.
Except this nagging thought that kept attacking me: What will you do if you are still doing this 10 years from now? Will that be enough?
I knew it was not.
Have you ever gotten “the creeps” from one of your children’s coaches? Have you been on the fence about whether or not to say something about it or raise an alarm? Maybe you’ll be perceived as overly sensitive or the dreaded helicopter mom. I believe that women are blessed with a superpower called “intuition.” You should trust your intuition and hopefully this article will convince you to speak up, no matter how awkward.
Did you know approximately $14.6 billion* was spent on Mother’s Day presents last year in the U.S. alone?
According to a study the National Retail Federation conducted last year, Americans spent billions at restaurants and on clothing, jewelry and flowers. Where did that money go? $1.9 billion went to flowers. $2.9 billion was spent on Mom’s favorite food. Another $2.5 billion on jewelry. The remainder went to clothing or clothing accessories ($1.3 billion), gift certificates ($1.5 billion), personal services such as spa treatments ($933 million), consumer electronics ($906 million) and greeting cards ($671 million).
I help busy women (like you!) prioritize self-care so you can experience less stress, more calm and greater joy every day!
