In the Company of Beautiful Women

Photo by Mary Yohannan
Photo by Mary Yohannan- Life is Better Through Traveling

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.”
Roman Payne

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I believe there are no coincidences. A friend of mine likes to say, “Is it Odd or is it God?”. Spiritual paths and journeys can cross with others at any time. I’ve been blessed to have this happen to me many times.

One of those times was last fall when I was contacted by a friend of mine to discuss a business idea. Tracy and I met for coffee and we had a great talk. During that time I mentioned my blog and spiritual journey, and my quest for putting together a small inspirational book. “Ordinary into Extraordinary” was the working title of the project. Tracy told me she wanted to host an empowerment weekend for women in the spring of 2016. “Can you finish your book by then?” she said.

Always being up for a challenge (and a good kick in the butt), I said yes. At first I was editing my favorite blog posts for a compilation book. This was the initial idea but by month two I was bored, restless, and trying to decide what to do. Enter my fellow blogging goddess, Sunday’s Child. A long talk from west to east coast, lots of encouragement, and a brave idea emerged. Begin a new book, write like there’s no tomorrow, and finish it by the retreat.

As if that wasn’t enough God power for me, enter Karen of BetterBe Creative. I met her just a couple of years ago and she is another goddess. A graphic designer with a beautiful, comforting personality, she has agreed to take on the task of designing my first cover. And guess what? She knows a publisher who can print the book. I’m self-publishing so figuring everything out is up to me and Karen. (PS. this book will eventually be available through the web for purchase- YAY!)

A few nights ago I had the honor and pleasure of meeting the other speakers. Joy Bufalini is missing from this picture (she had to leave first) but trust me, she is as awesome as rest of us.

From L to Right: Yours truly, Mary, Kate, and Tracy.
From L to Right: Yours truly, Mary, Kate, and Tracy.

After we each introduced ourselves and told our little story, I was infused with gratitude for what God has brought together. Tracy and Mary have organized this retreat at the beautiful Antiochian Village in the quaint town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania.The dates are April 1-2. We are motivated entrepreneurs and have all been through the school of hard knocks. We will share our stories with you at the retreat and tell you how we have taken our lemon filled lives and made lemonade.

I realized at our little dinner that this will be a retreat about self love and self care. We the speakers will encourage you to lift yourself up and move beyond the blocks that may be holding you back. The friendship and love we will show you will be with you for a long time. You will be changed by this weekend I promise you.

Click HERE for the registration link to the Women’s Empowerment Weekend.

Check out the agenda!

Agenda for WER April 2 2016

I will be there Friday and Saturday. Come and join us and be transformed.

Blessings!

Joanne

 

Meeting God Halfway

Cropped Rainbow

“Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.” 
― Paulo Coelho

How was your weekend? I hope you had an awesome one. Mine was lovely, interesting and spent with good friends. There was a bit of deep pondering too, including some thoughts I want to share with you.

First, I need to set things up. I have been thinking about my choices lately. Mainly, I have been trying to figure out how to ask God for a bit more financial fruitfulness on the part of my event planning business. This has been a challenge because I believe in praying for wisdom, guidance, strength, etc but not usually for specific things like “Please God, send me another wedding!”

Quite the contrary. I figure God has it all worked out; s(he) is merely waiting for me to make up my mind and decide what I want. Do I want more weddings, special events or small receptions? Have I finally figured out that I am indeed worthy of making a living this way or am I really too scared to go after this big piece of blueberry pie (the equivalent of success) that I have wished and longed for. What do I really want?

So my prayer lately has been “bring them to me”. In other words, I wish to be of service and I’m leaving it up to God to bring me whoever needs my assistance.

Now, to the weekend. When I was with one of my best friends yesterday, I said “the difficult part is whether to stand back and wait for it to all happen, or to meet God halfway?”

What does this mean? I think it means YES, we all want things. Some of us want change. Change for the better, change for something different, change for a new life or a new perspective. And as Jim likes to say, “if nothing changes, nothing changes”, meaning we cannot sit around on our duffs and wait for the world to change for us. It ain’t gonna happen. We have to help it along, do our part. If I need uplifting, I read a great spiritual book. If I need career advice, I choose a person who is where I want to be and ask them for guidance.

Last week, I had a big AHA moment. I realized I should have a business plan and should not avoid it any longer. To avoid it means I’m not really taking this whole event business seriously.

So that thought led to another. What if I create an environment for me AND other women (who don’t have business plans either!) to get together and be inspired? As the thought gained momentum, I ended up stopping at a hotel to ask about meeting room space. Then I went home and emailed a small business training manager I knew, who agreed to teach a class on writing a small business plan. I am putting this all together, including utilizing the talents of other women who will inspire and be inspired themselves. It will be an event that helps other women to take their businesses to the next level!

I hope this is meeting God halfway. I think it is. It doesn’t matter if it is great or super or stellar. (but I think it will be!) I’m going for it. 🙂

Is there a change you are contemplating? How can you meet God halfway?

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