For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.
People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learned never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal.
Welcome back to WomenOnTheFence.com!! It’s a brand new year. And a brand new year, means a brand new start. There is no more perfect time than NOW to make your vision board, and put your plan into action.
Yes, 2012 is about ACTION. This year, we’re not just talking – we’re walking our talk. And it’s gonna be powerful. This year, we’re DREAMING BIG.
I frequently mention my vision board on Twitter and Facebook, and many of you ask me about mine, as well as ask me how to make one. Now, I would post my vision board for you to see, except I’m kinda superstitious, and feel like my vision board is like a birthday wish. You know, you cover your eyes, make a birthday wish, and only if you tell no one, it will come true? Yeah, that’s kinda how I feel.
I can’t believe it’s the end of 2011. It seems like life is just whizzing by. I quote Ferris Bueller when I say, “Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” But it’s true. In sitting here feeling introspective, I realize that life does move pretty quickly. If we don’t enjoy the moments, or have a little FUN every now and then, well, living becomes just existing, just functioning, and not truly living.
By the end of December, I have a feeling many of you feel this way. I know I do.
This is the time of year that I actually relax, and break from blogging for a couple of weeks. I spend quality time with my family, and they get all of me. No distractions, no deadlines, no stress. This year is no exception. In fact, I felt SO much like the baby above, that I decided to close shop early– today instead Friday. Yup, being your own boss rocks sometimes! 😉
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
Here is the deal. Two of my friends forwarded me this video last night. I confess, I had to watch it twice. It’s just so, well… awkward, gross, funny, weird. I can come up with a million different descriptions.
This is from the show on TLC called Virgin Diaries. I think the title needs no explanation. CAUTION: Don’t forget to BREATHE.
Like most people, I have failed more times than I care to remember. I’ve struck out playing baseball, I’ve failed to win the client, I’ve lost the big opportunity at work, I’ve had to close two of my restaurants, I lost my race for city council of Atlanta when I was 26, I was fired once, I was once a month away from bankruptcy, I was initially rejected by over 100 publishers, I’ve made mistakes as a parent and boss and the list goes on and on and on.
I told you last week I was given an award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Leadership’ for my volunteer work in my community. Here is a memory of that night.
My hubby was on “Daddy duty” this past Sunday during our yearly women’s luncheon for Breast Cancer Research: “Women of Action, Pink Lady Fund.” Each year, three outstanding women in our community are honored for their accomplishments and tireless dedication to their work and community, and for being “a woman of action.” Six hundred women strong. The highlight of the event, is always the guest speaker. The event is only a few years old, but over the past few years, we have seen the likes of Marianne Pearl (who was portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the movie A Mighty Heart), Margaret Trudeau (former wife of our former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who suffered with mental illness), and Jeannette Walls (author of the best-selling book, The Glass Castle).
Low self-esteem seems to plague the female existence. We are faced with the insurmountable task of being beautiful, successful, sexy and powerful, all while making it look easy. Low self-esteem has been my Achilles heel since I was very young. Growing up, I was chunky with spotted skin, so I worked diligently toward being the class clown. Having my classmates laugh WITH me before they could laugh AT me was an art form I perfected.
I help busy women (like you!) prioritize self-care so you can experience less stress, more calm and greater joy every day!
