We were honored to see our son marry his one true love this past weekend.  While he may not be my biological son, I adore, love and revere him as if he were.  They have been engaged for years.  As many couples find out later, they grew up within two blocks of each other.  She was on his step-sister’s soccer team during their elementary school years!  They bravely faced and conquered cancer just last year.  They supported each other as a grandparent left this planet.  They faced juggling three sets of parents with such grace it is an inspiration for all.

The wedding day was upon us with an unfavorable weather forecast.  This was a major factor as a good part of the ceremony and reception was taking place at the penthouse in SoHo (South of Houston in New York City jargon).  I KNEW the sun would win.  It did.  It did rain at 11:05PM – less than 30 minutes left of the official reception.  It was glorious, the rays of sun glistening off the architecture of downtown New York, glasses tinkling as the toasts commenced, laughter wafting through the doors as stories of their journey prevailed, and of course the music inspired all to dance – even the 70+ year old grandparents cut a rug and wow the ‘younguns’.

So what’s the purpose of this note, this entry? To inspire! To inspire you to take the steps to take charge of your life!  To realize that acouple, who are in their twenties and living the life they truly desire after facing a bevy of ‘punches’ have moved forward with a renewed vigor and penache to inspire their mom!

How shall you let them inspire you?  What is your next step?  Write your thoughts below – I do read them and comment frequently!

True Love's First Kiss

This blog entry has been running around in my head for well over one week now.  While in Ireland on vacation, we saw all sorts of attire; the super fashionable, to short shorts (and I DO mean short with pantyhose – please explain how this is empowering – please), and everything in between.  Through that observation, I notice how each person was treated according to how they were dressed; inconsequential (the street performer who was dressed rather comically), to those hanging out in front waiting for their taxi in front of the poshest hotel in Dublin, to …well you get the idea.

This observation has showed itself over the years.  Allow me to go down Memory Lane for a spell…years ago, and we shan’t go into how many years, I went on my very first business trip.  My boss, one of the top executives in our firm, her family and I drove to New York City from Washington DC.  Since it was my very first trip, and I a true novice, I dressed accordingly; suit, hose, high heels.  My boss shows up for comfort travel.  We both felt a bit uneasy as we observed each other, but I wasn’t going upstairs to change and delay our departure, so off we went.  What became cemented in my young mind was how we were treated when we arrived at the hotel. We both get out of the car and the concierage approaches me first.  Me!  It was due to how I was dressed, my boss was extremely put out and let it be known that she was in command, but that one seemingly honest action showed me how important it is to put your best out to the world to receive what you wish.

Does this mean haute couture?  Absolutely not!   My first suits were mostly home-made.

Does this mean scrubbing your glorious body before you head off to the local nursery for a day in the garden?  Nope.  Although you certainly can.

It means loving yourself enough to show your best to the world.  Yes, even when traveling in coach for long periods of time.

So darling, gorgeous Goddess.  Try it yourself.  Go out one day, unshowered and slightly disheveled.  See how quick you are smiled at.  Notice how you are treated by staff no matter where you go.

Next, go out, showered, hair coiffed, and dressed appropriately for the day.  This can mean a great pair of jeans, t-shirt, etc. or dressed to the nines.  You decide.  How are you treated differently compared to the other time?

You deserve the best, now show the world you mean it!

See if this rings a bell.  You are running around with the children; after school events, making dinner (even if it is delivery or pick up), cleaning, being doctor and nurse, errands, etc.  Oh and let us not forget to add on all of your work requirements if you run a business or work outside the home!

Whew!  I’m tired just writing that.  I can only imagine what you must feel like!

Do you remember those “Calgon Take Me Away” commercials?  Those commercials while promoting their product also sowed a woman relaxing, lighting candles and spending some quality time alone, with herself.  Well, my dear Goddess, they were and ARE on to something.  It is imperative to take a few precious moments out of the day for yourself.  Each and every day.

When is the last time you just stopped everything and pampered you?  This may mean going and getting a mani/pedi.  This may mean taking a walk to simply reconnect and get outside.  This may mean doing something really  decadent like reading a book in the middle of the afternoon with dishes piled high.  Ooooo …. naughty.

Seriously, when you take care of yourself, when you tend to your needs, and yes this may come across as being selfish, you are sending out a clear message to your family, friends and indeed the universe that YOU matter.  That YOU are important.  And darn it all that YOU deserve the extra lovin’.

Envision this:  there is a glass of water in front of you.  You are thirsty.  You drink from it.  Your thirst gets quenched temporarily, but you get thirsty again.  You drink more and more and more.  The glass eventually becomes empty, dry, with tumbleweeds blowing in the wind.  This glass can no longer offer any relief for your thirst.  It has to be replenished, refilled.  You are the same way.  Look at your internal monitor; what is the water level in your glass?  If you see or feel tumbleweeds, stop what you are doing right NOW, even stopping to read the remainder of this note and go do something, anything, for yourself.

Oh wait, what if you are not sure what your ‘Calgon Moment’ is?  Pretend I am sitting across from you and ask you this very question; ‘What is your Calgon Moment?’  What makes you feel centered, relaxed, juiced up and ready to face the world again?  What is the very first thought that came to your mind.  The very first?  Don’t judge it, accept it.  Maybe you saw a tropical island and are now thinking ‘yeah I’m dropping everything, hopping on a plane to some deserted island.  Yeah, right.’  Never fear!  That vision tells me that you require loads of rest and it is time to start incorporating a daily mandatory nap for a bit.

No matter your inspired vision, thoughts or musings, act upon them Goddess. You so deserve it!  You deserve to honor you.  You deserve some quality time to refuel.  If you still aren’t compelled to treat yourself royally, remember this ~ if your personal glass is empty or nearing empty, how can you be there for anyone else?

Here is your call to action:  In the comment section below, share with our growing community your personal Calgon Moment and how often you treat yourself.  I shall do the same – promise!