The photo above is Bailey. She will be two years old on November 28th. I think most people that read the title "Love" would assume it would be about a romantic partner. Sorry to disappoint, but this is about my dog.

My husband and I decided that after my dog Jack passed that we would not purchase another dog so we could travel more and not worry about someone to look after the animals.

Even though I have had a dog my entire life, I agreed with him, but the universe had other plans.

I live next door to a Golden Retriever breeder. He hired me to take care of his dogs while he was away. One of his dogs was named Rosie, was pregnant. I started my early morning routine by coming in and finding out that she had given birth. I had come in and watched her give birth. The next puppy that came out was Bailey; although Rosie went after her like she was biting her, I picked her up and removed her. I didn't know.  

I called my daughter to have her come and help, and she arrived to help see the next puppy get delivered. She asked me to get a rag, and while I was away, she gave birth again, but this time she ate the puppy. I didn't know.

I soon realized this little puppy couldn't latch onto and drink milk, so I decided to hand-feed the puppy. I woke up every two hours to feed the puppy. The puppy was with me twenty-four hours, seven days a week.  

After a month of feeding her, I noticed mucus coming out of her nose, so I took her to my neighbor's vet. Unfortunately, I wasn't ready for the news he was about to deliver to me. She had a cleft palate (an opening at the roof of her mouth) and her back legs were a little deformed. So his recommendation was to have her "put down."

I cried all the way home. The puppy was under deposit, so my neighbor had to confirm if the person still wanted the puppy. The response was no. He then told me that I could keep her or he would take her to the vet to be "put down."

After caring for this little girl for over a month, there was no way I could put her down, and my husband agreed with me. His vet gave me this gadget that you need to stick down her throat to get food that would help nourish her. Something inside me told me another way, so I began researching it.

Thank God for the internet because it allows us to hear experiences from people who have tried other ways and had many successes.

We have since then had her cleft palate repaired. The operation was to close up the hole, but it wasn't a complete success; she does have an inch and a half slit opening.

Today she is thriving. She is not as big as her sisters. She tires out quickly. And is a picky eater who burps a lot. She is always by my side and goes with me to as many places as I can bring her. 

My heart is whole, and the love pours out of me whenever I see her. She came into my life for a reason, and I am so grateful.

I have been on a spiritual journey for a long time. I have met some incredible mentors and teachers through Women Empowering Women Now, who have helped me to develop and be more aware of who I am and how I want to live my life.

I am forever grateful for the lessons from the universe. I am awake and listening on purpose. As a former go-getter (I’m learning), I recognize the benefits of slowing down. Seriously, my health has improved. My relationships have improved. My sleep has improved. I’m paying attention to the universe, or the universe is throwing me a lot of hints these days. And the funny thing is, I am more productive than ever!

Through my Balance App, I have been meditating every morning for the past two months. This tool has been a significant change in my life. It has helped me to stop, be still and listen. Now for the first time, I am using meditation on the go.

I have always thought of myself as being very aware of my surroundings. I generally notice things that most people don’t. But now it seems to be heightened.

My spiritual gifts are growing; I know things before they happen. I can read a room fast. I can pick up on the energy of others. I am finally picking up the hints from beyond.

I still have a lot to learn, but I am proud of myself for finally listening to me.

As a creative person, I love the color pink. So I actually named my property management company P.I.N.C. Management. Back then, most property management companies were run by men, and I knew I wanted to stand out, so I called it PINC Management. People In Neighboring Communities. Branding was easy, pink.
 
I have dropped the dots between each letter. I have passed on my business to my daughter, who continues to grow the company. When I started Women Empowering Women Now, I continued using the pink color to help carry on the branding.
 
I still love the color pink. It is my go-to color in almost all my artwork. So then, why am I titling this blog post, Black?
 
Lately, I have been thinking about how I can simplify things around me. I look at clutter and see what I can release, but I want to update and remove some of my clothes. I’m thinking about changing out my clothes, paring down and wearing black and white only. I think it will simplify getting dressed and make shopping so much easier.
 
Whenever I read about someone who wears only black and white clothing, I immerse myself in their story and it motivates me to do the same.
 
But even taking it a bit further and extending it to furniture, bedding, dishes, etc. It’s funny, as I write this, I am looking around my house, and I guess the process is already started! It’s incredible how the mind works! I can see it in the vision books I have created.
 
So I guess I am going to start with my wardrobe. First, I will go through my current clothes and remove anything I have not worn and some items that don’t fit my new black and white theme. Then, I will continue the cycle of removing a piece of clothing after I purchase a new piece.
 
I am going to give myself a year and will do an update in 6 months with check-in blog. The goal is to now start wearing those colors every day. It might take me a few weeks to get to that point, but I already envision my new closet!
 
Wish me luck!

Part of my morning routine is writing in my journals, but now I also write for my personal blog generally about the journey I am on.

If there is anything that I have learned from being an entrepreneur, business coach, and Founder of Women Empowering Women Now is that inspiration is everywhere. You don’t know who you will reach, motivate, or even change someone’s life. Most of the time, it is done without someone reaching out or telling you.

I remember going to a conference many years ago. One of these conferences was out of my comfort zone and highlighted successful women, and many of them in the audience were 6 and 7-figure income earning. 

Many of them I knew because of the online mastermind group I was in. While chatting with these women there, I was amazed at how many successful women took the time to tell me that they watched my live videos. Me! It wasn’t just one or two of these women; I believe I lost count after ten. They knew me. They watched. They didn’t comment, share, or even like my video, but they knew in detail what I was doing.

I remember their messages very clearly. You are doing a great job. 
So many women need you right now, so keep it up. Even out of my comfort zone, that event was a life changer. I went from day one thinking, what am I doing here? I am nothing like these women. To then leaving the conference thinking that I have been inspired to create my next thing: to become a Certified Business Coach and help educate, support, and empower women entrepreneurs.

When I look back, I can see how the map was clearly laid out for me, and now that I am on a new journey, I might not see the map clearly, but I TRUST it is there.

Until next time.

​While journaling this morning and reviewing what I needed to accomplish today, I realized I had nothing on my schedule. Zip. No appointments. I have plenty of things to do, but nothing is of urgency or arrangements that would allow me to schedule how my day will unfold. It’s a rare moment. This moment has me asking myself how I can include more of these days.

I find that days like today are when my creativity and playfulness shine. I am more present with the world around me, enjoying its beauty and stillness. I’m listening to what nature tells me and grateful for the messages I receive. This is when I want to document the life around me by painting, memory keeping, writing, and junk journaling.

It might sound silly to you, but I feel when I slow down, nature shows me all her glory to see. Purposefully putting things in my paths like butterflies, frogs, deer, and hearts.

Even sitting here writing at my kitchen table, I watch the ray of sunshine come through as it dances on the side of my fridge. I’m noticing how the trees swing in the wind and the birds fly as they seem to be part of the show. It’s at this moment that I appreciate everything.

And for even more validation, just before I was about to type this paragraph, I looked down to see my word count (which I never do), and the number was 226. I often see this number that represents home, love, and gratefulness.

I hope you will find beauty in your day today.

​Until next time.

One question I often get asked with my artwork is how do I start? How do I know what to paint, where to put my photos, or what quote to choose? Unfortunately, I don't know what I want to do when I start.  

I look at what supplies I want to use, hit my stash, and just start playing. That makes art so beautiful because it plays out right before your eyes.

I am also a person who loves being messy. I don't worry about mishaps. I also don't take much time deciding what paint, image, or words to use; I see it and immediately start to use it. I just jump right into it.

It's the same with how do I know when I am finished? I knew it was done for this specific piece  (photo above) when the quote matched the art and image I wanted to reflect. I love it when I am finished "playing" and look at it and am happy with what I just created.

The more you regularly take time to play and explore, the more confident you become in your choices. I'm still a beginner but love making time to "art" daily. I am now at a point where I am comfortable with calling myself an artist.

Now it's your turn, you are...

I announced I was retiring a few weeks ago through my online newsletter, somewhat transitioning than retiring. Now that I have a CEO for Women Empowering Women Now, it has allowed me to embrace my creative side more profoundly and purposefully. It has also provided me time to spend with my grandchildren and assist my daughter where I can be of service.

This short journey so far has been a bitter-sweet one. I have released my business coaching except for a few clients I talk to monthly. My days are not filled with endless to-do’s (trust me, I still have tasks), but it’s a different feeling. I feel the urgency has lifted from me, and I am more at ease with the flow of my days. But at the same time feel like I am mourning the loss of my former go-getter self.

As I step into my new journey in this next phase of my life, I am setting soulful boundaries that will protect me and allow me to bloom.

Here are some of them:

• Turning to my art as a creative and emotional outlet daily
• Learning to protect my heart without feeling guilty about it
• Saying No, whenever something doesn’t feel like a big YES
• Connecting to nature, trees, plants, animals, walking, watching, listening, and being
• Writing
• Spending time ALONE
• Making time for those things that matter most

I am learning it’s okay to do nothing. Sit and admire the sunset, play shamelessly with my dog, or sleep in!

I am learning to let go of the people, places, and things that no longer serve me and to embrace and love the life I am living now.