Dare to Dream

NO DREAM IS TOO BIG

I've been reading books and listening to videos talking about pursuing your dreams. To be honest for a while I stopped dreaming. I had things I wanted to do and tasks that I needed to accomplish but never really sat back and dreamed. I was always taught to be realistic and dreaming in my opinion was something you did as a child but now that I was a grownup there was no time for that. 

It wasn't until joining Thirty-One that the idea of doing something different came into my mind. Once I started to dream about success in my direct sales business, I really began to allow myself to dream even further because of the opportunities that success would provide. I've been spending a lot of time dreaming of my future and the future of my family and I decided that I would like to share my dreams with you. It is a work in progress and is constantly changing but right now this is my dream.

Let's start off with mornings

I am not a morning person as I am a night owl so I would not have to wake up before 7 am and rush to be somewhere, unless it is to take Maggie to school. I would love my work and be excited to get the day started whether it is writing my blog, being a Senior or National Executive Director for Thirty-One, a bit of both, or something totally different. Either way I would do something that I am passionate about, that makes me happy, and allows me the opportunity to inspire people to live better more fulfilling lives. I would set my own hours and allow myself to sit in front of my computer in the morning with my cup of coffee in my pajamas or sweatpants quietly working.

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I would set my schedule so that I would never have to work on a Sunday and I would set aside that time to go to church and spend time with my family. If I did work weekends it would only be for a few hours doing a party or vendor event on a Saturday but the rest of the day would be for family time. I would be able to make my schedule based on our activities as a family rather than the other way around. I would never EVER have to work a holiday ever again and even take the week between Christmas and New Years off EVERY year and not have to compete with someone else for that time off.

My husband and I would have most if not all of our debt paid off so that our income can be ours and go towards the kids or vacations. I would be able to work from any location in the world and still be able to work when I travel. My family and I would have the ability to take long vacations since we would not have to rush back to work. We would travel and see different parts of the country and the world. 

My home would be a little bit bigger than my current home just to have a bigger family/playroom and some extra storage space on the first floor otherwise I'm content with my home as it is. I imagine my property to be large and secluded. There is actually a house close by that has a large property and their own boat dock on a small lake and I can imagine us having something similar for us someday.

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I love dancing. I miss ballroom dancing but I think I would be happy doing any type of dance. I have passion when I am dancing and I love watching others dance. I also miss singing in a choir. I love music and what music and singing can do to your emotions, your spirit. I would definitely get involved with dancing and singing again. 

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I love being creative. Whether it is crafts, editing documents/pictures, writing, etc. I love creating things and I am so excited to learn more ways of creating. I want to take a sewing class and learn to make things. I love colors and patterns and fabrics and I would love to learn how to make my own pillows, curtains, upholstery.

I'm sure the more I think of it, I will come up with more but for now this is my dream.

What would your dream life be like?

Believe in Yourself

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HOW IS IT YOU CAN KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE?

I believe in my heart that I will have success in my goal of becoming a WAHM even though I have no evidence that it will happen. It may seem like I am no closer now than I was when I started over 6 months ago but I know that everyday I am. I could very easily allow myself to be discouraged but I am learning ways to stay positive and full of hope that my dreams will in fact come true.

KICK THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OUT

I have not and will not always be sure that my dream of becoming a WAHM is possible. I have so many reasons to doubt myself. 

Our debt/monthly bills are too high

My current income cannot be substituted

I won't be able to balance work/home life if I am home

I can go on and on. There are times when the negative thoughts begin to creep into my mind and if I allow them to, I begin to doubt myself and whether it is possible. I start to think that maybe it will not happen, maybe I'm not cut out for this. 

Then I remember how much I want it. 

Every time I have to leave my daughter to go to work. 

Every time I find myself unhappy with my current job. 

Every time I see other women just like me who are doing it. 

I am suddenly filled with excitement and realize that success is not an option. I have to do it and I will do it. 

So how do I know? (No, not the Whitney Houston song)

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I BELIEVE IN GOD

I know that with God, things that may seem impossible to you and I are nothing for Him. It is a lesson that I have to keep teaching myself over and over. I am constantly having to remind myself that with God by my side, I can accomplish anything. I just need to have faith.

I BELIEVE IN MYSELF

I know deep down in my heart that it is possible. I can't explain where the confidence comes from but I know. Part of it comes from seeing other women just like me that are doing exactly what I want to be doing. I heard the stories of National and Senior Executive Directors in my company and I can see myself in them. I know that if they can do it, I can do it. 

The other part of that confidence may not really be confidence at all but could be more of a need, a desire. I know that in order to be happy and live a fulfilled life, I have to make a change. I have to stop seeking out my answers, looking for signs of what my purpose should be. The way to find my purpose is to look deep down in my heart to find what I love and makes me happy.

I love being able to make my own rules. 

I love being creative. 

I love helping people and knowing that because of me, something good happened to someone else. 

I love creative expression (Singing, dancing, writing) 

I love new experiences and I welcome change. 

I always knew that these were the things that made me happy but it wasn't until I began my quest to discover my purpose that I started to link everything together. We all have gifts that were given to us but linking what I love and makes me happy to my gifts and talents was something that I never thought to do. Now that I have, my purpose in life is beginning to form a more clear picture. I know that I have only scratched the surface but at least now I know that I am on the right path and it all began with a small decision that I made in my life by becoming a direct sales consultant. 

Being able to discover these pieces of me has led me right where I am right now. Being a Thirty-One Consultant and writing this blog has allowed me to begin my journey in finding my purpose in life.

If you are like me and are struggling to find your purpose, start reflecting back on your life and experiences and ask yourself these important questions:

What makes you happy? 

What do you enjoy? 

What gives you fulfillment in life?

Your answer likely has been with you all the time, deep down in your heart and you just never took the time to find it.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday

What a busy weekend we had for Maggie’s 1^st Birthday Party and Christening. We had so much fun with family and friends! 

Since Madelyn was 3 months old she has been watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Jr. and it has become her favorite show. When it came time to decide on a theme for her first birthday party, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was an easy choice. 

A few months back I did a baby shower for a friend and had fun putting together some of the decorations so I started looking on Pinterest to find some ideas for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed birthday party and found tons of ideas and pictures. I was so inspired that I knew I was going to do my own decorations for her party. 

I originally wanted to do the invitations myself but I did not have the time or the resources to create them. I really wanted to include the Mickey shapes but I could not justify spending the money on one of the Cricut machines to get the Disney Shapes that I needed and I am not very good at drawing. I also looked into getting invitations from a party supply store or the dollar store but they were so boring and did not live up to the beautiful invitations I saw on Pinterest. 

One day I decided to check out ETSY and I found these adorable Mickey Mouse Invitations. They captured the theme perfectly and ended up being cheaper than the invitations I saw at the party supply store. After I placed the order they were at my doorstep a few days later and envelopes were included so all I had to do was address the envelopes and send them out. Everyone loved them and thought that I made them but I could not take the credit. I’m too honest ; ) 

The Happy Birthday Banner was an idea I had after searching on ETSY for a banner that I could purchase. I saw some really cute banners but could not bring myself to pay for them when I knew I could make them myself. 

The idea came to me when my sister told me that you can download free fonts from the Internet. I decided one day to try my luck and searched for “Free Disney Fonts” and "Free Mickey Fonts". Much to my surprise I was able to find the perfect fonts that screamed Mickey Mouse! I was so excited and from that point on the ideas just kept coming. For the Happy Birthday Banner, I downloaded the Mickey Font font to my computer and used it in Word to type each letter big enough to fit one per page. Then I printed each letter on cardstock of a different color. It was so easy that I actually shook my head afterward in disbelief.

The Name Banner was another idea I had after finding multiple pictures on Pinterest. Similar to what others had done, I originally wanted to decorate the wood letters that are sold at craft stores but I decided it would be too much work. After printing the Happy Birthday banner so easily,  I decided I could create the character letters using cardstock and construction paper. I searched on ETSY for hours trying to find printable cutouts for each of the characters. What I ended up finding were Photobooth Props and they worked perfectly! 

I was able to get cutouts for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto but I still needed one more character so I decided to do Toodles. I am not going to lie this project did take A LOT of time and effort but the finished product made it soooo worth it. This was by far the project that excited me the most and the one I was most proud of.

The Welcome Sign I used the Walter Font and Mickey Font in Word and the Mickey Hands were part of the Photobooth Props. 

The Monthly Pictures Banner was also an idea that I got from Pinterest. While I was pregnant I saw multiple posts of people taking pictures of their children each month in the same spot to track their growth and I knew I wanted to do the same.  I started taking her picture in the same part of our sofa since she was a month old. I printed 4 x 6" pictures and glued them to scrapbook paper in different colors and then glued those onto cardstock. Someone gave Madelyn a Mickey Doll a couple of months ago and the tag that was attached was shaped like Mickey's head so I made sure to save the tag because I knew I could use it for her party. My sister helped me out by tracing the tag on black cardstock and then I used Word to print the numbers for each month. My original plan was to have them on one line but I ran out of ribbon so I used a different ribbon to do the second line and it actually came out great.  

I kept the favors simple by filling cellophane bags with colorful candy to go with the theme. The favor tags were easy to create but they were a lot of work. I used the Walter Font and searched for Mickey Mouse images on Google. I used Word to create 1.5" circles to make sure the font size would fit the size of my paper cutter. I also used Word to print 2" circles on scrapbook paper to make the red and blue chevron circles and my 2.5" circle cutter to cut out the red and blue cardstock. 

Even though it was a lot of work and was stressful at times trying to get everything done, I really did enjoy being creative and making my own decorations. I definitely plan on doing some more craft projects including a wedding scrapbook and a scrapbook for Madelyn's first year. 

Do What You Love

One thing about me that you will soon learn is that I loooovee Pinterest. It does not matter what your interest is, you will certainly find inspiration and ideas that apply to you. I have even found some really great inspirational quotes including this awesome quote from Steve Jobs that I had to share because I believe it is so true.

Everyone has heard the saying by Confucius or at least a similar version “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life” and I believe that it is the truth. Even though I am a pharmacist and went though many tough semesters in pharmacy school, I still am looking to find a career that I love and am passionate about. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being a pharmacist and I do like my job and the people that I work with but it is not my passion.

On my way to work one morning I listened to Steve Jobs’ commencement speech for Stanford University and hearing it put tears in my eyes. He made so many great points and everything that he said made me feel like he was speaking directly to me. I encourage you to listen to it because I feel the message can have a profound impact on everyone, no matter their situation.
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

I have this burning desire to do something different and every day it grows bigger and burns deeper in my chest. I have always had the desire to find a career that I was passionate about but I find it hard to let go of the rational side of me. I love music, singing, and dancing but as much as I love them I know that I would not have had a stable career pursuing those interests. I lived in fear and chose the safe path. Not to say pharmacy school was easy because it was by far one of the hardest things I had to do in my life but it was safe and stable. I feared the consequences of taking a chance and doing what I enjoy and am passionate about.

Others may look at me and see “successful”. I graduated high school; I have a pharmacy degree, a good paying job, a house, and a wonderful family. I’m sure those around me see what I have and say "She did it, she is successful" but in reality I long for more, something else. If I have to leave my daughter to go to work, I want it to be work that I am proud of and that makes me happy, not what others view as good work.

All my life those around me stressed  the importance of having a degree and a good paying job but what is good for one may not be good for another. I have learned that I need to stop playing by the rules of others and do what makes me happy and feel good. I should not feel guilty about not being happy in my situation just because of how others may view me. I’ve spent so much time doing what I felt I was “supposed” to do that I didn’t stop and learn what is right for me. Sometimes I feel as though I am lacking a complete sense of identity because I have been so busy doing what others tell me I should do. I honestly have not taken enough time to reflect and get to know the real me. Who am I? If someone asked me that question I probably wouldn’t know how to answer.

How many of you have let this happen in your life? Do you enjoy what you are doing? Are you doing what makes you happy? Do you even know what makes you happy? Have you taken the time to get to know yourself?

I encourage you to take time out to get to know yourself right along with me because the only way to determine what is good work for you is to know what makes you happy and keeps you excited.