Redefine is my word for 2023. If you have been reading my blog posts, you know how I chose this word.

Lately, I have been thinking about adding more creativity to my daily life and sharing it with my family, friends, and community on social media without feeling like work. That has been my hang-up for a while now.

I have recently been putting time into cleaning and rearranging my house. I sent a few photos to family and friends, and one comment was, “I thought you were showing me photos from a magazine; I didn’t realize this was your house!” 
Then another statement was, “this is your calling; you should be offering staging or interior design.”

When it comes to decorating, I like to use what I have. I shop from different rooms of my house and see how I can make it work in another. I have always done this my entire life. I like the immediate transformation and repurposing of things. That is probably why I like thrifting.
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A few days later, as I was journaling, sitting quietly, and listening, I heard, “define your unique creativity.” So this is what I wrote; planning, organizing, listening, ability to know what I know, and painting.

Then I heard, “go deeper, write down examples.” This is what I wrote;

• The ability to make a room feel cozy and comfortable using what I have
• creating a planner that is fun and inviting by using art and supplies I have
• organizing my things in a space that is visually appealing to me
• designing a home that I don’t stress over because I have dogs, cats, and grandchildren
• my more profound connection to animals and nature
• my ability to adapt quickly to life
• my ability to know what is suitable for me and what isn’t when I slow down and pay attention
• creating art on a soulful level
• to notice things daily that most people don’t even see or observe
• to laugh at the small stuff
• to find beauty wherever I am at the moment

Let me tell you when that ah-ha moment hits you, it is simply divine. But, unfortunately, I got hung up on how to create and share “certain things” instead of embracing ALL of myself.

You might be reading this and thinking, duh!

It was a process I needed to go through. The universe allows me the time to play, discover, and grieve my closing chapter and Helps me to honor my creativity and redefine the next chapter of my life.  

All the answers are within. Are you ready to listen?

Hello 2023

I love the start of a new year. It has been a tradition since I was a teenager to sit down on New Year’s Eve, find a comfy spot, grab my journal, planner, and magazines and plan out the upcoming year.

My tradition continues but with a few updates. First, I set an intention, light a candle, get in my comfy spot and surround myself with my animals. Next, I grab my journal, planner, stickers, and laptop. Next, I do journaling, create lists, and follow up by searching for images on Pinterest.

I then spend a few hours sitting, planning, dreaming, and enjoying the process I created so many years ago.

The only thing that has changed is I no longer watch the countdown on TV. Now let’s be honest, I am getting older, so the chances of me being awake at the stroke of midnight haven’t been my priority for the past few years. Although, even when I have fallen asleep, I managed to wake up just in time to bring in the new year before nodding off for the night.

I no longer host New Year parties or attend them. Instead, I prefer a cozy night at home with my husband and animals and do what I love to do; plan and create.

As I step into 2023, I want to remember that. I want to create a life I love living. I want to be present, enjoy life, and not rush through it.

• I want to read the books I purchased currently sitting on my shelf.
• I want to use and share the overwhelming amount of craft and planning supplies I have gathered over the years.
• I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and document their lives.
• I want to spend more time playing and being with my dog Bailey.
• I want to travel more with my husband and start making time to create memories with him.
• Finally, I want to make my home cozy and comfy and get back to gardening.

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I want to be purposeful with my time and spend it wisely doing what matters most, and I don’t want to let go of the people, places, and things that are not worth it.

So 2023, here I come!

As 2022 draws near to the end, I find myself in a different space than last year. I mean more of an internal feeling about the future. It's weird.

Last year when I was planning my goals and finding my word for the year, it was based on my business and community. I created content you would expect a business coach, networker, or leader to perform. That is true for all entrepreneurs. And even though I am still those things, they are not leading my choices or decisions for 2023.   
I allowed those titles to lead and be my identity and how I would show up in the world. Now that I am letting go of Women Empowering Women, being a business coach and go-getter, and leading networking meetings, I am in a much different space preparing for the following year.

When most people let go of a business or job, they have something that takes its place. But, yes, even though I have something taking its place, it is not the same. It may be because I am letting go of a business where I made all the decisions to now assisting my daughter in her company. 

For the first time, I am creating my goals and word of the year around me, what I want to do every day, spiritual me. Don't get me wrong, I include personal goals every year, but they were always directed and defined by my business. Would things have been different if I had led with my personal goals first?

I do love this space I am in. My thoughts and reflections are more profound. I have let go of clutter, people, places, and things. My relationships are more substantial. I am more present. I don't have time for other people's bullshit or self-delusions that they are trying to convince the world of. I'm tired of the same-old people, teaching the same old stuff, trying to overcome their same-old problems. But, unfortunately, social media is a breeding ground for that.

As for the New Year, I know that my word is "redefine." I am redefining my next chapter and how I want to live my life simply and creatively.  

My goals are simple;

• Continue to purge people, places, and things that no longer serve me.
• Embrace and learn the things that interest me and allow me to connect spirituality more deeply.
• Creativity document the moments that matter most.
• Do something daily that my future self is proud of.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.

Wishing you the merriest Christmas and the brightest New Year.

Until next time.

The response to my announcement of closing Women Empowering Women Now has been heartwarming. Women I haven’t heard from in a very long time told me how much they looked up to me, were inspired by me, and were genuinely excited to see what I do next.

I even had a few women tell me how sad they were. But, on the other hand, even a few said I inspired them to look at their life because they need to change.

It has been a wonderful experience so far, letting go. Closing down websites, and email addresses, unsubscribing from memberships and subscriptions, changing my social media profiles, and unfollowing people that no longer serve me (you know, the ones you only follow because of the industry you are in.)  IT FEELS SO GOOD!

As Thanksgiving 2022 comes to a close, I am thankful for my family, friends, and community. However, I know this is not the end but the beginning of a new chapter.

​I did it! I finally announced that I am forever closing the doors on Women Empowering Women Now, effective December 31, 2022. However, I wanted to tell it after the Expo officially.

There will be no more online or local networking meetings, conferences, interviews, expos, or business coaching. After seven years of putting together events, I look forward to ending that chapter.

I am grateful to all those who have supported me on this journey.

So many of you have asked me what I will be doing now. The short answer is family, travel, and paper crafting. But if you want more details, keep reading.

When I started WEWN, I was also doing business coaching. I also had a property management company called PINC Management that I passed on to my daughter so she could stay home to take care of her kids and bring in an income. I wanted her to have the same experience I had when she was a child; the freedom and flexibility to create your schedule.

Well, in the past two years, she has grown her business. So much that she officially needs help. So who better to help her with than me? The founder of the company!

My duties are very light; answering the phone, picking up mail, creating newsletters, following up with contractors, managing the website, and virtual assistant-type work. I will also watch my grandkids when needed (perks of working from home.)

I am also continuing with my paper crafting; planners, junk journals, traveler’s notebooks, mixed media, and memory keeping. It is a great time to document life! I will be turning this into a small business but enjoying the time to play and create for now.

Right now, I am enjoying my Unpack Your online Stash class that I do once a month, which encourages women to shop and unpack their stash.  

Other than that, my husband and I are making travel time a priority. Mini getaways, long weekends, and vacation time!

Now that the Expo is over, I look forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family and documenting the memories creatively!

Until next time.

I am finding more time to sit in silence. It’s incredible when you can sit in silence consistently and listen. For me, thoughts, decisions, and actions, all become clearer.

It’s interesting because I believe I follow the beat of my own drum. I have always been like this. It didn’t matter what class I took or the educational program; I applied what was essential or needed at the time and incorporated it.  

I’m not a follower.

Even when viewing social media, my bullshit meter is on full alert. Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of seeing the identical old posts from the same people in the same place they were a year ago talking about the same old problems?

Maybe I don’t have the patience anymore.

I may be getting older.

I may be growing spiritually.

I am happy with my journey and the changes I am making. Is everything perfect? Of course not. But I feel a sense of calm and peace like never before.

I have always been a very optimistic person viewing the glass as half full. But, of course, that has much to do with my upbeat daily mental health.

Silence has heightened my sense of me. It has allowed me to improve the things I want to improve. It has allowed me to focus more on what truly matters to me. It has allowed me to recognize the bullshit when I hear it sooner.

It has also allowed me to understand that I am more advanced in some spiritual areas than I thought. 

I don’t have to broadcast or teach upon it to prove who I am.

Silence has been able to help me connect with my higher self, and that’s all that matters.

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.