If you are reading this it is likely because you are a woman who loves her kids deeply AND has dreams beyond her home. I want to share three things that have led me from survival to success to significance. Many years ago I made the decision to do big things and make a difference.
On April 28, 2019 I went away on a 24-hr prayer retreat. All by myself. No husband, no kid, no friend. Just me. I had never done anything like it. But I had also never been in a place like I was. It was nothing tragic. Just a losing battle.
Ever love something, even something you might be real good at, but want to give up? Quit? Not “feel” it anymore?
The greatest gift God ever gave me was something different. Different than I expected. Different than what I had known. Different than what I planned for. Different than what I saw other moms hold.
I dusted off the Valentine’s mailboxes. A tradition I used to love on my kids when they were in early elementary school. I put them high up in a box stored in the garage for a few reasons. Life got busier the older they got.
Every year I post my “Jen’s Ten” top gifts I have found to give this Christmas. You can check out my post here on this years faves. But with so many obstacles, financial set backs and quite of few challenges even getting to the mall, I wanted to share a few other gifts that money can’t buy.
If you are new around here you have stumbled upon one of my favorite posts of the year. I love sharing some of my choice trends and finds that make incredible gifts. Most of them will suit just about anyone on your list. And there is always a couple to load in the cart for yourself. Many of these items and some of these brands were created in the “quarantine pivot.” Some are owned and operated by women I know, love and admire.
“Every cloud has a silver lining.” I just explained the meaning of this quote to my 14-year old daughter. She was asked to share a “silver lining” from the obvious dark cloud hanging over 2020 in one of her distance learning classes. A silver lining is a sign of hope or a positive aspect in an otherwise negative situation. It suggests that there’s hope or something good to be found in every bad situation.
The Enneagram is not a diagnosis or a solution for all things. It’s simply a powerful tool for personal and collective transformation. And it will give you a snapshot about who my husband and I are as I share a part of our story.
Has 2020 thrown a curveball in your compatibility with your spouse? Are the external circumstances creating intense pressure in your marriage? “Most marriages might survive if the partners realized that sometimes better comes after the worse.” ~ Anonymous
