Today I had the pleasure of attending the 2018 Enlighten Women’s Seminar entitled, “Can Women Have it All?” The guest speaker was Julie Moran. She was forthright, honest, and witty.  She spoke of that famous 80’s Enjoli commercial…you remember the one: “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan…cause I’m a woman, Enjoli!” Tell me you aren’t singing it now! And if you are too young to remember it, here you go:  .  (I don’t know why I can’t embed the link-just click on the dot. It works!)

Julie talked about the time when the expectation became one that women could and should have it all: career, family, friends. Then she spoke about the importance of balance. She shared a meaningful story about the time she made a personal decision which put everyone and everything above herself. She spoke about her life, how she tried to do too much in the beginning, how she has had to learn through time and experience ways to balance her work, family, friends, and still have time for herself. Then she said, “Women truly can have it all, just maybe not all at the same time.”

Listen to that quote again, “Women truly can have it all, just maybe not all at the same time.” Does that resonate with you? When I heard Julie Moran say that today all I could think of was TRUTH!

I’m going to be real here with you today friends: I have been struggling with this season of my life. I absolutely loved my mom life.  I cherished it, and wasn’t really ready for it to change. When our youngest left for college and we became “empty nesters” it was not easy.  I was not prepared for the “emptiness”- in our house or in my heart. Now, I know that my boys were off to college becoming independent, young men.  It is exactly what I wanted as a parent, but at the same time I missed the little boys and my role in their lives, and it took some time to for me to adjust to my new role as mom from a distance.  During this time is when I decided that I would actively begin working toward the goal of starting Simply Decorated. I began thinking about how this business could grow, and prayed that I could find a way to help others through my work.

Recently, I celebrated a birthday.  I received these two bracelets: grateful and dream.  My word for this year is gratitude. I’ve attempted to write about something that I am grateful for each day. This gift was heartfelt, and given knowing that it is my focus for the year.  The “dream” bracelet is by a company called The Giving Keys. Every product purchased through their company supports job creation for people transitioning out of homelessness. I have volunteered many hours in an organization to help those suffering from homelessness.  I’m also at a stage in my life where I am “dreaming” big with my new business.  These gifts touched my heart in a very special way.

It was a revelation for me when Julie said today, “Women truly can have it all, just maybe not all at the same time.”  As I sat there wearing my two new bracelets I realized that I need to enter an attitude of gratitude for this new season in my life.  I need to focus on gratitude that I actually have “had it all, just not all at the same time.” I’m still a mom-that will never change, but now I can truly focus on my dream job. Simply Decorated is off and running and I couldn’t be more grateful!

Thanks for all of your support!

Happy Decorating!
xoxo

Cindy