#9: A New Perspective

I'm supposed to take pictures of merchandise and post them.   I just snap the photo and move on.  No real thoughts about lighting or settings or any of that.  It's just a picture...right?  Not so much.  I've been learning differently over the last few days.  When I take the photo from the side, I see a different texture or a different color.  If you zoom in, you see the imperfections a little better.  And if you zoom out, it all looks perfect.  And isn't that the truth about life and people?  Are you willing to zoom out a little when someone or something isn't all you thought?  Accept and move forward?  Try taking a different look and see what you can find that's new and interesting about what you see all around you every day.  A new angle can open up new possibilities.

#8: What I've Forgotten

I have to make an admission of guilt.  Having something linger over your head can keep you up at night, can make you physically ill and be a general heartbreak.  What I've done just kinda happened.  But lately it has snuck up on me and basically whacked me really hard. 

I think I am pretty good at making people who come into my store a priority.  It is a blessing every single day to see the most amazing women walk through my door.  I love learning about their lives - both happiness and struggles.  I especially love when I can give them an experience they will remember and make them realize that my store is a safe place of secrets and laughter. 

But what has happened to the others in my life?  I bet it looks like I have forgotten them.  But, I haven't.  Some days I don't even see my husband except for a few stolen minutes.  This morning he was still sleeping when I left to go workout and had already left for work when I returned.  I don't like that, so I stalked him at his office to get my good morning kiss. 

I think about them when I wake up early and the sun is peeking up.  I think about them when I pass the skate place, I think about them when I see Wheatfields.  Problem is, I don't know how to go back and make up for lost time.  Is it possible?  I'm not sure, but I hope not. 

I am guilty of not giving the gift of time and letting go too easy while letting the craziness get in the way.  It has taken a toll and I am afraid that the price I am and have paid is way too high. 

So, I am stealing a moment of time as I write this and am making it my #8 of my top one hundred...a mixture of giving someone your time and forgetting about all the other stuff that has to get done AND even when you can't physically be there, still "be there" and make sure they know. 

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#7: Resetting the Odometer

I have this sign in my store:  "Some people try to turn back their odometers.  Not me, I want people to know why I look this way.  I've traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren't paved."  So many have tried to buy it that I've had to put a sticker on it that says it isn't for sale.  It always makes me wonder what their roads were.  How did they get to this place?  Are they happy where they are?  Or do they think they settled and now wish they had gone out of their comfort zone to take the risks?
I know my "roads" were hard, but in other's eyes, they probably see that I have an easy life.  My roads weren't too terribly physically seen, but they are there.  Some days you can see it in my eyes and face, and other days you won't see it all because I won't allow it to be seen.  I think we are all like that. 

If I am completely up front, I really don't want anyone to see the "road maps" on my face.  We call them laugh lines (but they don't really make us laugh after awhile), we call them "elevens" (those silly lines between our eyes) and we see the spots and marks that tell others we are getting older.  My body may be of a certain "over 40" age, but my mind says I'm still in my early 30's.  I am actually shocked some mornings when I wake up and look in the mirror...it's like "what the hell?"

I will admit, I am a user (or former user) of a ton of products on my face.  I kept thinking something will help it and once in a while I would find something that I liked...until my body got used to it and was like ho-hum, here we go again.  I have drawers of stuff and currently a big bag that I pull out every morning and every night (maybe not every one, especially after a margarita or two).  But I've noticed that while I pull the bag out, I'm only looking for a specific few.  And they are my #7's. 

Every woman (and man, even) should have their "go-to" products for skincare.  I honestly used to be a rep for a skin care line.  I loved (and still do) the products.  I think I started out using just about every single one and am down to only the basics.  And believe me, there were probably about 10 I would use.  But those aren't my #7. 

#7 is one bottle of amazingness and actually has done wonders for more than just my (and others) skin as far as helping me get rid of wrinkles - my face looks brighter, is softer and doesn't feel dry any more.  I didn't have to change what I was normally using to wash and moisturize...the moisture is sealed in using Skincerity and that, in turn, helps in so many ways.  Skincerity was originally developed as a drug delivery system through millions of dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health. During this process, its unique rejuvenation attributes were discovered and has since been awarded numerous patents. And all I do is roll it on at night and wash it off in the morning.  It's one bottle with magical results.  You won't believe the results others have seen.  Well, once you start using it, you'll believe in only 5 days...guaranteed.

How do I know?  I started getting carded again...with surprised looks on the cashier's face when they looked at the year.  I'll take that road any day.

#6: Share and Share Alike

If #5 was about being silent, then #6 has to be about sharing.  About being motivated and inspired by those in your circles and those things you see and hear.  I think we all need to have a power-charge once in awhile and surround ourselves with something that gets us excited and energized.  That "woohoo" feeling can be contagious and if we show it, others grab on and want to experience it, too.  It's also about having the right timing and believing.

Last night I met with a few women about a great business product.  I've been a part of the organization for about eight months, but was struggling with actually doing anything with it and how to share it with others without scaring them off.   But I'm realizing I can do it.  One step at a time, right?  Isn't that how anything goes?  If knowledge is the enemy of fear, then fear better watch out, because we are heading right in it's direction head on.

The product?  Well, it's amazing.  It's had results that you honestly have to see to believe.  How it started and where it's evolved from and the way it's coming to the United States is fast and furious.  Best part?  This is the ground floor.  It isn't something that has been around for years and has a lot of reps and people already using it.  The potential is there for you as much as it is for me.  And this morning I shared it with someone who is as excited as I am about it.  They are ready to jump on board and expand their business, too. 

Curious?  Want to know more?  Then I am ready to share with you as I learn more and more.  Get ready as I share #7, 8, 9, 10 on my top 100.  I think if you are ready to have that door open to potential, your potential is limitless.  And then you'll be wanting to share and share and share....

#5: Silence

So, I've been away from the blog for awhile.  Silent.  And I have been silent in other ways of my life, too.  It can be good or it can be bad, depending on how you choose to look at it.  I'm choosing to look at it positively, and that is why I chose it for my #5. 

A very smart businessman here in Papillion, a man that I have come to admire and respect and one that I want to be proud of my accomplishments sat down one Thursday morning to talk to our Association.  He is very humble and certainly does not brag about all the incredible things he has done in his lifetime.  He was asked about how he did - the key to his success.  It was so simple:  "I listened."  He listened to what the people wanted.  He listened and observed to see what was needed.  And in the end, contrary to what some thought he should do, he was right. 

Silence is the key, I think.  Being quiet and just hearing what others are saying.  Not working on a rebuttal or what you want to say while others are talking.  Taking the time listen and to be silent.  Your heart and head will tell you when to speak. 

#4...in my power

I was going to write my #4 about an actual article of clothing, but nope.  Life makes me change my thinking when I go to actually write something.  Though it isn't something you wear, it is something you should have with you at every step...knowing you have, in your power, the ability to make a difference in someone's life.  That you have, in your power, the ability to make things better.  That you have, in your power, the ability to determine your destiny and influence the destiny of others. 

When something bad comes to light, the immediate reaction is to lash out and blame someone or something else.  To just say what you are thinking in the heat of the moment instead of analyzing and seeing the truth in it.  Have I just gone off the deep end without stopping to see how it will affect someone?  You bet I have.  And then I regret.

Where is the truth in what happened?  What can be done so it doesn't happen again?  What can I do to make it better for myself, others around me and those to come?  In my past life, I tried to do those things and wasn't very popular a lot of the time for many different reasons.  I saw things and heard things that you never want to know about because if you did, you would think I was lying...people don't treat others like that, but they do.  For a while, I had, in my power, the ability to make it better for those to come and for those needed help.  When I knew that "power" was gone, I left and started Absolutely Her. 

And now, I have the power back to make a difference in the lives of those I currently serve.  And those who are near and dear to me.  I have the power to use face to face contact to let others see that I care about their lives and the lives of those around them.  To use the goodness of my consignors to help in any way I can.  To use my power to spread love around.  I told someone that I have never told before that I loved them.  She is a woman so strong, she probably doesn't see her strength.  She is a woman who fights and loves deeply.  She is the mother to a young woman  who is my "intern daughter".  And she is a woman I admire.  She has power. 

Today think about your power.  What do you have the power to do?  Who do you have the power to help?  Who "empowers" you?  Make a difference in one person today...the smallest of gestures can bring the greatest of rewards.

#3: A Little More Personal...

This morning I had the pleasure of having a breakfast meeting with the wonderful women of REgroup (Trish, Pauline, Diane & MJ).  One of the things that came up was my mom doing what mom's do best and bragging on her "littlest angel" as she went to the other shops during our REgroup shopping tour a couple of weeks ago.  I will say it used to embarrass me a little when she would do that, but not any more, because I completely understand as I want to brag about her today. 

Mom

I don't know if she will care that I am telling everyone, but she is 82 years old and has a more active social life than I do with all of the different groups she is involved in.  She is the president of a couple, volunteers at Midlands Hospital, "babysits juries" for the courthouse and can usually be found at the Legion with her best gal friends a couple of times a month.  (I actually taught the ladies how to play quarters a few years back - that was a great sight to see!)

When my dad died 24 years ago, she had the option of shutting down and dwelling or get out and enjoy life.  I am so thankful she decided to venture into areas she had not known.  She seems to have her own "bucket list" and is working on checking those things off and adding new ones. 

Now I know not everyone has the kind of mom that I do and I know that not everyone has been able to be the kind of mom that I have.  So my #3 isn't that it's necessary to have a mom, but to have someone in your corner who brags you up, is there when you need them - someone you know loves you no matter what.  And it's to be that person to someone else. 

As we have Mother's Day this week, let's take the time to celebrate all the women in your life.  And when someone special comes into your life, embrace them and make them one of your top one hundred. 



Still learning after all these years....