Recipes From A Life: Essential Ingredients for your Business Success went ‘live’ today. Live as in it is finished, for sale and ready to work for business owners everywhere. I am in shock. I can’t feel anything. Is this the feeling that comes with reaching a massive milestone in the middle of a life changing journey? My hands are shaky, my mouth is dry and my stomach is jumping.
I think back to milestone moments from when I was in business for myself. I remember the day the sign hangers came to hang my last building sign. It was a beautiful sign, full of colors and of life and oh, so BIG. I remember standing in the middle of the parking lot with tears streaming down my face from pride. I had already been in business for 15 years or so, but I felt as new and fresh with that sign as I did with my first signage-cheap white frosted four inch lettering on my front door glass.
I remember hiring my first employee. I remember the first night my babies spent the night on my office floor and we had sugared donuts in the morning to celebrate before they went off to pre-school. I remember when I accepted shipment of my first shiny new special ordered convection oven. I had to drive around the block a dozen times while they unloaded it because I was too jumpy from nervousness to watch.
What milestones do you remember? What experiences have shaped you as a business owner? What memories warm your heart and give you the lift you may need to go on when you are exhausted? What goals have you reached that leave you reenergized and invigorated?
I challenge you to work on some new plans. Reach out for milestones. Fuel yourself with memories. Make great out of not-so-great. Drag up that feeling you felt when you were still in love with your business and the ideas that energized you in the beginning. STOP and allow yourself to remember your first sale, generous customer or big shipment… Challenge yourself to feel the feeling you had when you opened your original bank accounts and the paint on the walls was still fresh and tacky to the touch.
My stomach is calming down and my hands aren’t quite so shaky. Next challenge-celebrate!
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61739-710-3
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Casey's Rocket Ship
Last Fall, My Casey and a group of his Younglife brothers got together and came up with personal goals called ‘Rocket Ships’. On a whim, Casey proclaimed that his ‘Rocket Ship’ was to run the Austin Marathon, just a few months away. The goals the other guys set for themselves were as equally physically challenging if not more so. I don’t remember them correctly but I think one of them was going to slam dunk a basketball and another was going to ride his bike from Austin to Colorado.
Unbeknownst to anyone really at all, Casey started training. Every now and then I would see a Facebook reference to the #rocketship. Then one day I was working in town and happened to drive up the street where he lives and there he was out running. Running and not to be interrupted to hug his Momma. Light bulb! My Casey is serious and he is going to run the Austin Marathon. All 26 miles of it. His mind was set. He was putting a training plan in place, conditioning himself and he was going to do it.
Casey ran the Austin Marathon last Sunday. The whole thing. I was in a hotel room watching his progress on my computer jumping up and down, praying, jumping some more and praying some more as his orange bubble arrow on the screen told me approximately where he was and which check points he had passed. He finished the whole freaking marathon and he finished it in the middle of the pack. He reached his Rocket Ship. The first and youngest of his group of brothers to achieve their goal, My Casey ‘did it’.
I am beside myself. Seriously and happily beside myself. I drilled initiative into my children. I drilled into them with all my might that they CAN visualize their future and they CAN effect change. I beat into them that they CAN do anything they want to do. My Casey set his Rocket Ship goal before he had any idea how he was going to train for and achieve it. He decided. He visualized. He planned. He trained. He did it!
When is the last time you set a goal? When is the last time you put out to the universe what you wanted. You didn’t know how you were going to get it but you knew you wanted it anyway. Once you set the goal, did you put a plan in place to achieve it talking and visualizing all the way? When is the last time you 'did it'?!
Five years ago I put purple note cards all over my house that just said ‘The Book’ on them. Didn’t know which book as back then I was actually working on the cookbook. Didn’t know how I was going to do it. Didn’t really know why I was going to do it. I just knew I wanted to write and I wanted to write ‘The Book’. Five years and two moves later, on my vision board is the last of the purple note cards. Five years later, my book is about to be released.
My Casey is only 19 years old and in my opinion he has it figured out. He came out an old soul and he is working his life with maturity. He understands that his destiny is his alone to master and he is well on the way. I’ve encountered many people who will argue to their death that they need the plan and the money before they set the goal. How very sad. When Casey set his goal of running the Austin Marathon he didn’t even own a pair of running shoes.
Now, not only does he have the shoes, he has the medal. He and his Rocket Ship can do anything. What is your Rocket Ship going to be?
Unbeknownst to anyone really at all, Casey started training. Every now and then I would see a Facebook reference to the #rocketship. Then one day I was working in town and happened to drive up the street where he lives and there he was out running. Running and not to be interrupted to hug his Momma. Light bulb! My Casey is serious and he is going to run the Austin Marathon. All 26 miles of it. His mind was set. He was putting a training plan in place, conditioning himself and he was going to do it.
Casey ran the Austin Marathon last Sunday. The whole thing. I was in a hotel room watching his progress on my computer jumping up and down, praying, jumping some more and praying some more as his orange bubble arrow on the screen told me approximately where he was and which check points he had passed. He finished the whole freaking marathon and he finished it in the middle of the pack. He reached his Rocket Ship. The first and youngest of his group of brothers to achieve their goal, My Casey ‘did it’.
I am beside myself. Seriously and happily beside myself. I drilled initiative into my children. I drilled into them with all my might that they CAN visualize their future and they CAN effect change. I beat into them that they CAN do anything they want to do. My Casey set his Rocket Ship goal before he had any idea how he was going to train for and achieve it. He decided. He visualized. He planned. He trained. He did it!
When is the last time you set a goal? When is the last time you put out to the universe what you wanted. You didn’t know how you were going to get it but you knew you wanted it anyway. Once you set the goal, did you put a plan in place to achieve it talking and visualizing all the way? When is the last time you 'did it'?!
Five years ago I put purple note cards all over my house that just said ‘The Book’ on them. Didn’t know which book as back then I was actually working on the cookbook. Didn’t know how I was going to do it. Didn’t really know why I was going to do it. I just knew I wanted to write and I wanted to write ‘The Book’. Five years and two moves later, on my vision board is the last of the purple note cards. Five years later, my book is about to be released.
My Casey is only 19 years old and in my opinion he has it figured out. He came out an old soul and he is working his life with maturity. He understands that his destiny is his alone to master and he is well on the way. I’ve encountered many people who will argue to their death that they need the plan and the money before they set the goal. How very sad. When Casey set his goal of running the Austin Marathon he didn’t even own a pair of running shoes.
Now, not only does he have the shoes, he has the medal. He and his Rocket Ship can do anything. What is your Rocket Ship going to be?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Outside and over my fear-thank you, Martha Stewart
Admittedly, I totally dig American Idol. I love The Apprentice also. I think Jennifer Lopez is stunning (and Simon’s t-shirts were delicious) and Donald Trump is just a trip. Years ago there were plans for a new show, Martha Stewart’s Apprentice. It actually aired one season, the season after she was released from jail. I didn’t watch any of it. But, full discloser here, I auditioned for it.
My company was doing well. Business was very good. But I wanted to shake some boredom and take things to the next level, somehow, someway. I signed up for an intimate marketing class being taught by a friend of a friend. We worked on things like finding our niche, taking useless headshots and perfecting our elevator speeches. A lot of money spent to spend a lot of time socializing with other entrepreneurs. At the time, The Apprentice was new, Mr. Trump was hot, Martha was riding on his coat tails with a cloned show and my new wacky marketing friends thought that I would be a shoe in. I was probably a bottle of wine or two in before I committed.
I applied to audition and was accepted to interview in person in Oklahoma City. With children farmed out, gas in the car, toothbrush and deodorant packed, resumes copied on bright yellow paper, I drove seven hours non-stop to Oklahoma City to the appropriate audition hotel. I was completely out of my box and into a seriously uncomfortable zone. The experience was an all night one. Sitting, standing, inside, outside in the pouring rain and then the drizzle. Alone. In a group. Big group, little group. Sizing up the competition. Being sized up by the competition. There were beautiful people. A few pit bulls. And every size, age and shape. And me.
The actual audition took about three and a half seconds and boom, my toothbrush, plastic smile and I were in the car for the long drive home. What in the world had my yellow resume and I just done? Seriously? Martha Stewart’s Apprentice? What the heck was I thinking?
I was thinking outside of the box. In doing so, I gave myself a much needed shot of energy. A spark. A conversation starter. Something to put in a press release. I was so silly proud. I was exhausted on adrenaline.
Just like I am so proud of every single American Idol contestant. Some of them are terrifically dreadful and some of them are dreadfully embarrassing but seriously, come on, SO WHAT?! They are out there! Completely outside of their comfort level and functioning in an unknown atmosphere on nothing but adrenaline with huge cameras in their faces. Every one of them needs to be so proud. They are taking a chance, following a hunch, a dream or a dare. They are DOING something!
When is the last time you took yourself out of your comfort zone? When is the last time you did something outside the box? When is the last time you took a chance? When is the last time you challenged yourself and rejuvenated your business plans as a result? When is last time you stepped outside and OVER your fears? When did you last make the decision to live instead of just exist on habit?
Thank you, Martha Stewart, for passing me by. Hope you are doing well. Looks like I was supposed to write the book instead. Thank you wacky marketing friends. Good thing I had a headshot for the back cover.
My company was doing well. Business was very good. But I wanted to shake some boredom and take things to the next level, somehow, someway. I signed up for an intimate marketing class being taught by a friend of a friend. We worked on things like finding our niche, taking useless headshots and perfecting our elevator speeches. A lot of money spent to spend a lot of time socializing with other entrepreneurs. At the time, The Apprentice was new, Mr. Trump was hot, Martha was riding on his coat tails with a cloned show and my new wacky marketing friends thought that I would be a shoe in. I was probably a bottle of wine or two in before I committed.
I applied to audition and was accepted to interview in person in Oklahoma City. With children farmed out, gas in the car, toothbrush and deodorant packed, resumes copied on bright yellow paper, I drove seven hours non-stop to Oklahoma City to the appropriate audition hotel. I was completely out of my box and into a seriously uncomfortable zone. The experience was an all night one. Sitting, standing, inside, outside in the pouring rain and then the drizzle. Alone. In a group. Big group, little group. Sizing up the competition. Being sized up by the competition. There were beautiful people. A few pit bulls. And every size, age and shape. And me.
The actual audition took about three and a half seconds and boom, my toothbrush, plastic smile and I were in the car for the long drive home. What in the world had my yellow resume and I just done? Seriously? Martha Stewart’s Apprentice? What the heck was I thinking?
I was thinking outside of the box. In doing so, I gave myself a much needed shot of energy. A spark. A conversation starter. Something to put in a press release. I was so silly proud. I was exhausted on adrenaline.
Just like I am so proud of every single American Idol contestant. Some of them are terrifically dreadful and some of them are dreadfully embarrassing but seriously, come on, SO WHAT?! They are out there! Completely outside of their comfort level and functioning in an unknown atmosphere on nothing but adrenaline with huge cameras in their faces. Every one of them needs to be so proud. They are taking a chance, following a hunch, a dream or a dare. They are DOING something!
When is the last time you took yourself out of your comfort zone? When is the last time you did something outside the box? When is the last time you took a chance? When is the last time you challenged yourself and rejuvenated your business plans as a result? When is last time you stepped outside and OVER your fears? When did you last make the decision to live instead of just exist on habit?
Thank you, Martha Stewart, for passing me by. Hope you are doing well. Looks like I was supposed to write the book instead. Thank you wacky marketing friends. Good thing I had a headshot for the back cover.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
My Cemetary Garden
The mound over my ‘Other One’ Momma, Frances’ grave is totally misshapen as a result of the dysfunctional weather we have been having the last month or so. Where just a few months ago it was a new smooth hump, today it was hills and valleys. Perfect for me to cover with the massive amount of flowers I purchased this morning at Hobby Lobby. I covered the miniature hills and valleys with a vast array of colorful plastic blossoms, spread out my blanket as close to my cemetery garden as possible and settled in for a long deep conversation.
Tomorrow is my Frances’ birthday. I’ve been with her for each of her last 17 birthdays. It is very appropriate that her birthday would make Valentine’s Day a two day holiday for us. In the beginning we would go out to dinner and/or the theatre to celebrate. In the middle, birthday celebrations were at a varied assortment of assisted living homes. In the end, there were a couple of birthdays in nondescript rehabilitation homes and dreadful hospital rooms. Regardless of where, the festivities always included flowers and a Dairy Queen Blizzard. No one loves either as much as we did. Together. I haven’t had a Blizzard since she passed. Just wouldn’t taste the same.
The hole in my heart that was created when my Frances went to the other side is both unbelievable and unbearable. The only thing soothing it is knowing that she is at peace with the one and only love of her life, her husband Paul. They only regret is that I didn’t make the years I had with her even more valuable and phenomenal memories even more phenomenal.
I want you to stop. Stop what you are working on and take a moment to look around you and breathe. Give yourself a new chunk of time. Right now. If you can spare five minutes, take it. If you can spare five hours, please take them. Go to someone you adore and shower them with flowers. Not just because it is Valentine’s Day. Do it because it will feed your soul and theirs. Do it because this life is so short and the relationships we treasure are more important than an extra Spring afternoon working your business. I promise you that you will return to tasks at hand feeling refreshed, energized and with a new perspective on priorities. Your business isn’t going to go anywhere if you are gone for a small chunk of time. What you are dealing with in this moment will still be here in the next.
My chat with Frances today was amazing and I expected nothing less. She answered my questions with the candor and honesty she has always used with me. The plastic garden I planted swayed in the breeze and showered me with her unconditional love. My wish for you is a relationship with an ‘Other One’ Momma of your own and an afternoon to shower each other with attention.
Tomorrow is my Frances’ birthday. I’ve been with her for each of her last 17 birthdays. It is very appropriate that her birthday would make Valentine’s Day a two day holiday for us. In the beginning we would go out to dinner and/or the theatre to celebrate. In the middle, birthday celebrations were at a varied assortment of assisted living homes. In the end, there were a couple of birthdays in nondescript rehabilitation homes and dreadful hospital rooms. Regardless of where, the festivities always included flowers and a Dairy Queen Blizzard. No one loves either as much as we did. Together. I haven’t had a Blizzard since she passed. Just wouldn’t taste the same.
The hole in my heart that was created when my Frances went to the other side is both unbelievable and unbearable. The only thing soothing it is knowing that she is at peace with the one and only love of her life, her husband Paul. They only regret is that I didn’t make the years I had with her even more valuable and phenomenal memories even more phenomenal.
I want you to stop. Stop what you are working on and take a moment to look around you and breathe. Give yourself a new chunk of time. Right now. If you can spare five minutes, take it. If you can spare five hours, please take them. Go to someone you adore and shower them with flowers. Not just because it is Valentine’s Day. Do it because it will feed your soul and theirs. Do it because this life is so short and the relationships we treasure are more important than an extra Spring afternoon working your business. I promise you that you will return to tasks at hand feeling refreshed, energized and with a new perspective on priorities. Your business isn’t going to go anywhere if you are gone for a small chunk of time. What you are dealing with in this moment will still be here in the next.
My chat with Frances today was amazing and I expected nothing less. She answered my questions with the candor and honesty she has always used with me. The plastic garden I planted swayed in the breeze and showered me with her unconditional love. My wish for you is a relationship with an ‘Other One’ Momma of your own and an afternoon to shower each other with attention.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Good Pain
How bad does pain have to be before we stop and take notice? Physical pain. Relational pain. Emotional pain. At what pain point do you stop and say, “Enough is enough” and decide to deal with whatever the issue? At what point do you stop blocking out pain and decide to address it before it is debilitating?
I have a serious pain right now. No boring details here, but I hurt. It’s not emotional so please don’t worry about any sort of rambling pointless tale. None the less, I have a pain and it has halted me enough in my tracks to decide that it is time to address it. In stopping and getting quiet and trying to focus, as usual my mind collides with issues long since addressed but worth readdressing: pain within your business.
I was looking at some amazing quotes to post on the Facebook page (Annmarie (writer)) earlier today and found my mind wandering to the days I was in business and to my relationship with my employees. With the book coming out, I have a list started of the old employees, including ‘my boys’ that need to get a fresh signed copy right away. There are some old employees of mine to whom I owe either a debt of gratitude or an apology. My intention is to send each book with a personal note.
Some of my employees were a pain. A major pain. But what invaluable lessons I learned from them in finally addressing the pain I allowed them to cause me! Some lessons that I didn’t even know I was learning until many years later while some lessons were learned on the spot. I had terrible employees that I should have fired long before I did. I had rotten employees I was brave enough to release just in time. I had great employees that I should have given more power and credit too. Each type -class A pains.
There is lots of pain in owning your own business. Some of it is great, like pains that come with growth, major decision making and too much business. Some of it is downright painful like an employee who steals or lies. Either way, we all need to stop and address our pain regardless of what it is. Proactively reacting to pain head on everyday is only going to make us stronger and more intuitive. You will become a better leader for addressing the pains in your path instead of just being a lukewarm manager who trudges forward following procedure, painfully. Successful business owners and leaders are not afraid of pain. I don’t want you to be either.
Yes, I am going to successfully address my pain. Now.
PS. annmaries.org is looking great and I can't wait for you to see it!
Please 'like' on Facebook to keep up with the latest including quotes and questions to get you centered and thinking!
As always, thank you!
I have a serious pain right now. No boring details here, but I hurt. It’s not emotional so please don’t worry about any sort of rambling pointless tale. None the less, I have a pain and it has halted me enough in my tracks to decide that it is time to address it. In stopping and getting quiet and trying to focus, as usual my mind collides with issues long since addressed but worth readdressing: pain within your business.
I was looking at some amazing quotes to post on the Facebook page (Annmarie (writer)) earlier today and found my mind wandering to the days I was in business and to my relationship with my employees. With the book coming out, I have a list started of the old employees, including ‘my boys’ that need to get a fresh signed copy right away. There are some old employees of mine to whom I owe either a debt of gratitude or an apology. My intention is to send each book with a personal note.
Some of my employees were a pain. A major pain. But what invaluable lessons I learned from them in finally addressing the pain I allowed them to cause me! Some lessons that I didn’t even know I was learning until many years later while some lessons were learned on the spot. I had terrible employees that I should have fired long before I did. I had rotten employees I was brave enough to release just in time. I had great employees that I should have given more power and credit too. Each type -class A pains.
There is lots of pain in owning your own business. Some of it is great, like pains that come with growth, major decision making and too much business. Some of it is downright painful like an employee who steals or lies. Either way, we all need to stop and address our pain regardless of what it is. Proactively reacting to pain head on everyday is only going to make us stronger and more intuitive. You will become a better leader for addressing the pains in your path instead of just being a lukewarm manager who trudges forward following procedure, painfully. Successful business owners and leaders are not afraid of pain. I don’t want you to be either.
Yes, I am going to successfully address my pain. Now.
PS. annmaries.org is looking great and I can't wait for you to see it!
Please 'like' on Facebook to keep up with the latest including quotes and questions to get you centered and thinking!
As always, thank you!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Another 100,000 Miles
My sweet little green convertible drove past 175,000 miles yesterday as I was winding through yet another seemingly untouched portion of Texas. Over the last two years, we have logged over 100,000 miles together traveling this magnificent state on roads that are new and smooth and a few that unfortunately, were not. Never in my wildest visions and dreams did I ever think that I would spend this much time driving or that I would spend this much time traveling Texas. What struck me yesterday as my little car passed this milestone with me was that I have driven in almost all 50 states of this USA without a GPS. Now, driving alone in Texas, my GPS has become an oddly close friend.
Having driven so much in the past without one, I was very skeptical and leery about even owning a GPS. We had a hard time together for a long time because it just couldn’t be trusted. When it would send me in a direction that made absolutely no sense, I would not mind it, second guess it and continue to travel the way that I knew would be best. It got the blame when I was lost no matter what. I would test it in Austin, where I live and if it didn’t send me to a favorite location the way that I would normally go, it would confirm to me that I was going to be right more often that it was.
I freely admit, now, how wrong I can be. One day I was traveling, again, in the middle of nowhere when I made a conscience decision, for no particular reason other than probably boredom, to once again not mind my GPS directions. I ended up on a nine mile stretch of deeply rutted dirt road much too narrow to turn around in. The trees on either side were thick and heavy and I started to sweat and breathe a little too hard feeling a little too fearful. My little car is very low to the ground so it took me an hour to travel these nine terrible miles. It took me just under an hour to decide that it was time to mind my GPS without question.
Since giving my power to my newly found old friend, I have seen places and things that have blessed me. In the middle of nowhere, I have driven around a corner into a wide open space and seen sunsets as big as the whole Texas sky. I have seen deer, goat, cows and many other amazing animals enjoying their natural habitat. I have visited small diners in remote places and had the best coffee and meals offered with the sincerest of smiles. I have seen magnificent homes on top of hills, in the middle of open spaces and tucked up against their barns. I have seen ranch gates that looked like the entrance gates to heaven and ranch gates that were modest, private and small yet equally as welcoming.
I gave power to my GPS and it opened my eyes and led me to new and now cherished experiences. I have to wonder, what else I might be holding onto that in its release, I may be blessed. What are you holding onto that you need to give up control over? An unfaithful customer? An unhealthy business or personal relationship? A commitment that drains you of both energy and time? An employee that is a bad egg and will always be a bad egg? A time management system that is not working?
I talk to my little car and yes, she talks back. She is digging the scenery as much as I am and we’ve decided that here just might be another 100,000 miles in us both. I don’t talk to my GPS any more. Didn’t do either of us any good when I did. Now I just give her control and enjoy the ride.
Having driven so much in the past without one, I was very skeptical and leery about even owning a GPS. We had a hard time together for a long time because it just couldn’t be trusted. When it would send me in a direction that made absolutely no sense, I would not mind it, second guess it and continue to travel the way that I knew would be best. It got the blame when I was lost no matter what. I would test it in Austin, where I live and if it didn’t send me to a favorite location the way that I would normally go, it would confirm to me that I was going to be right more often that it was.
I freely admit, now, how wrong I can be. One day I was traveling, again, in the middle of nowhere when I made a conscience decision, for no particular reason other than probably boredom, to once again not mind my GPS directions. I ended up on a nine mile stretch of deeply rutted dirt road much too narrow to turn around in. The trees on either side were thick and heavy and I started to sweat and breathe a little too hard feeling a little too fearful. My little car is very low to the ground so it took me an hour to travel these nine terrible miles. It took me just under an hour to decide that it was time to mind my GPS without question.
Since giving my power to my newly found old friend, I have seen places and things that have blessed me. In the middle of nowhere, I have driven around a corner into a wide open space and seen sunsets as big as the whole Texas sky. I have seen deer, goat, cows and many other amazing animals enjoying their natural habitat. I have visited small diners in remote places and had the best coffee and meals offered with the sincerest of smiles. I have seen magnificent homes on top of hills, in the middle of open spaces and tucked up against their barns. I have seen ranch gates that looked like the entrance gates to heaven and ranch gates that were modest, private and small yet equally as welcoming.
I gave power to my GPS and it opened my eyes and led me to new and now cherished experiences. I have to wonder, what else I might be holding onto that in its release, I may be blessed. What are you holding onto that you need to give up control over? An unfaithful customer? An unhealthy business or personal relationship? A commitment that drains you of both energy and time? An employee that is a bad egg and will always be a bad egg? A time management system that is not working?
I talk to my little car and yes, she talks back. She is digging the scenery as much as I am and we’ve decided that here just might be another 100,000 miles in us both. I don’t talk to my GPS any more. Didn’t do either of us any good when I did. Now I just give her control and enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Your Own Truth Serum
I stayed in bed very late this morning. Until long after the sun had risen and I could see through the small horizontal high window in my bedroom a teeny part of the tree branches of the only tree in the backyard. The branches were dancing in the wind and telling me that being quiet and listening to the truth serum in my head was okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. In rhythm.
2011 is going to be my year of calm and quiet. At least my intention is that it starts out that way. The book (Recipes From A Life: Essential Ingredients for your Business Success) will be released in just a couple of months and I need to be quiet and centered until then. My life is going to change and I am excited deep in my bones for this new adventure of change. I dream realistically about where I am going to let this book take me. The places I will travel and the people I will meet are all on my vision board.
But first, I needed this morning. Today is my Baby Casey’s birthday and I needed to relive his birth and slowly let my mind wander over the last 19 years of his life and my world with him in it and now with him in it less and less. These last six months have been filled with changes in direction. Some good; some not so good. But all meant to be as God does nothing that isn’t intentional. Praise him.
I stopped writing last Fall. On August 6th to be exact. I wrote two things late last summer that wreaked havoc in my life and the lives of some people around me. Writing is a passion of mine and my words caused people to stop speaking to each other and changed the course of some relationships. Not in a positive and happy way; in a devastating way. This was not my intent, at all. My intent was to show love and admiration. To show passion and respect. Instead, my very own words broke my very own heart.
So what did I do when my passion hurt other people unintentionally and unexpectedly? I stopped. Cold turkey. As I lay in bed this morning watching the naked tree branches dance, I realize that this wasn’t a good thing. I know my intentions were pure and honest. I know I bore no ill will. And I know that it is time for me to start writing again. Even if I only pick up my pen to write in my gratitude journal each night five simple lines about what I am grateful for that particular day. I can’t leave my words bottled up inside any longer. I have too much to share. It is time to let my words heal my own heart.
As I proofread the book for the final time, I think about all my potential readers and the passion that they are putting and will put into their businesses. As they work themselves to the bone and drag themselves home at night to their families, what can I say to keep them going? What can I say to inspire them to stay true to their passions and excellence no matter the consequences? What can I say to keep them on course if what they are doing IS the right thing and they know that satisfied ‘life is good’ feeling?
I can only be honest and tell them that if they do not follow their heart, they will be dead inside. Just as I have been since August 6th. If they don’t stay true to themselves, that they won’t be able to look in the mirror or see inside their own heart. If they don’t honor themselves, they will waste time reaching toward their dreams and goals and they won’t be working their plan. And if they don’t get QUIET every now and then, their focus will be lost or misplaced.
I had an appointment this morning that cancelled. That is the only reason why I had this opportunity to stay tucked in and focus inside myself. It is time for me to write again. It is time for me to start living again. It is time for me to get on with book tour travel plans. It is time for me to totally energize myself from the inside out. It is time.
Thank you, God, for the quiet, the trees and the truth serum. Thank you, My Casey, for growing into such an amazing man. Thank you to all the small business owners out there that pour yourselves into your businesses every single day with everything in your heart and soul. I know exactly what you are going through. The good and the bad; the up and the down. When you are rich and when you feel poor. My hope is that I will be able to write words that help you to stop and reflect and enable you to empower yourself and relieve some pressure. I pray that you too will soon have an unexpected day to luxuriate until the sun comes up basking in your own truth serum.
Coming soon: annmaries.org
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2011 is going to be my year of calm and quiet. At least my intention is that it starts out that way. The book (Recipes From A Life: Essential Ingredients for your Business Success) will be released in just a couple of months and I need to be quiet and centered until then. My life is going to change and I am excited deep in my bones for this new adventure of change. I dream realistically about where I am going to let this book take me. The places I will travel and the people I will meet are all on my vision board.
But first, I needed this morning. Today is my Baby Casey’s birthday and I needed to relive his birth and slowly let my mind wander over the last 19 years of his life and my world with him in it and now with him in it less and less. These last six months have been filled with changes in direction. Some good; some not so good. But all meant to be as God does nothing that isn’t intentional. Praise him.
I stopped writing last Fall. On August 6th to be exact. I wrote two things late last summer that wreaked havoc in my life and the lives of some people around me. Writing is a passion of mine and my words caused people to stop speaking to each other and changed the course of some relationships. Not in a positive and happy way; in a devastating way. This was not my intent, at all. My intent was to show love and admiration. To show passion and respect. Instead, my very own words broke my very own heart.
So what did I do when my passion hurt other people unintentionally and unexpectedly? I stopped. Cold turkey. As I lay in bed this morning watching the naked tree branches dance, I realize that this wasn’t a good thing. I know my intentions were pure and honest. I know I bore no ill will. And I know that it is time for me to start writing again. Even if I only pick up my pen to write in my gratitude journal each night five simple lines about what I am grateful for that particular day. I can’t leave my words bottled up inside any longer. I have too much to share. It is time to let my words heal my own heart.
As I proofread the book for the final time, I think about all my potential readers and the passion that they are putting and will put into their businesses. As they work themselves to the bone and drag themselves home at night to their families, what can I say to keep them going? What can I say to inspire them to stay true to their passions and excellence no matter the consequences? What can I say to keep them on course if what they are doing IS the right thing and they know that satisfied ‘life is good’ feeling?
I can only be honest and tell them that if they do not follow their heart, they will be dead inside. Just as I have been since August 6th. If they don’t stay true to themselves, that they won’t be able to look in the mirror or see inside their own heart. If they don’t honor themselves, they will waste time reaching toward their dreams and goals and they won’t be working their plan. And if they don’t get QUIET every now and then, their focus will be lost or misplaced.
I had an appointment this morning that cancelled. That is the only reason why I had this opportunity to stay tucked in and focus inside myself. It is time for me to write again. It is time for me to start living again. It is time for me to get on with book tour travel plans. It is time for me to totally energize myself from the inside out. It is time.
Thank you, God, for the quiet, the trees and the truth serum. Thank you, My Casey, for growing into such an amazing man. Thank you to all the small business owners out there that pour yourselves into your businesses every single day with everything in your heart and soul. I know exactly what you are going through. The good and the bad; the up and the down. When you are rich and when you feel poor. My hope is that I will be able to write words that help you to stop and reflect and enable you to empower yourself and relieve some pressure. I pray that you too will soon have an unexpected day to luxuriate until the sun comes up basking in your own truth serum.
Coming soon: annmaries.org
Yes, you can follow on Twitter: recipesfrmalife
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