And so it Begins . . .

Clarity started to come for me when I began meeting with my new personal coach, Kara Kemp. I was stuck. I was struggling with what I valued most and what I wanted to do with the remainder of my life. One of the first exercises Kara had me complete was Brene Brown’s Values Lantern and Values Clarification (see below). What an eye opener. Through this process I have learned how important it is to become aware of your values and beliefs and then live up to them - live in them - live through them. For the Values Clarification you go through a list of roughly 120 values, select 10 and then rank them order of importance. Eventually you narrow it down to 2. Yes, it’s difficult and values can change over time, and often do. It’s important to remember that when we do not honor our values, life can get very messy.

GROWTH was my number one, and AUTHENTICITY was my number 2. There were so many others to choose from, but growth just seemed to cover everything. Most of my life I have dealt with imposter syndrome. It’s a pretty tough mindset to beat. It’s very difficult to admit, but I bet some people close to me won’t have to think hard on it. I suppose I fall somewhere between these 2 categories (1) The Superwoman/man (taken from - https://kajabi.com/blog/what-is-imposter-syndrome). Do you feel like you should excel in every role you play or feel like you have to work harder than everyone else to prove your value? If you’re constantly seeking external validation, it’s time to look inward. Start acknowledging all that you’ve accomplished and celebrate success each and every day.  (2) The Expert: Are you constantly thinking about what or how much you know? Do you feel like a failure if you lack knowledge in a certain area? Remember, no one knows everything about everything. It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something. Treat it as an opportunity to expand your knowledge. Whew! I can’t believe I just shared this with the world. (Just working on my authenticity!)

Important to me is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I know not everyone has that (I wish they did), and I also know that without growth and authenticity, it will be difficult to show the world the joy that brings me. I have many friends who are not believers, and I love them the same as I love everyone, sometimes more, because many of them find it easier to treat others with the empathy and love than some of my believing friends. A sad truth. I am a strong believer in sharing about my Jesus, first through my actions. Lord knows, this is a work in progress, and sometimes I fail miserably.

In the last 5 or so years, I knew that I wanted to do more to make the world better. I knew that before I left this world, I wanted to show my grandchildren what it means to be a good person, to express empathy, and treat all people with kindness, respect, and compassion. How could I grow into that person even more, yet abandon authenticity and growth.

There are two events that have really rocked my world in the last year. The first is I began volunteering at a local ministry that serves the community in need. The homeless, the disadvantaged, the elderly, and ANYONE in need. What I do there has been a real eye opener. I am what they call a peer counselor. I meet with each person, we talk about their life, where they slept last night, their financial situation among other things. and we ask if we can pray for them. I send them away with whatever I can offer in the way of love, conversation, food, clothes, and many resources. It has touched my heart in a way that has been life changing. I am growing in ways I never dreamed of. And if you have ever met with a homeless person, they can smell inauthenticity a mile away. So I would say I am living and walking in my values in that capacity.

The other event is THE MOST important for me to address. My husband, Ben, the love of my life is quite a bit older than I am. We have been married 27 years. In August he will be 85 years young. He is in relatively good health, and his mind is a steel trap! But he is slowing down quite a bit. I just want to be with him without a lot of commitments and stress. It is working out beautifully that I am beginning a ministry called The Second Hand Daisy. These are gently used upscale clothes and accessories I will sell online and out of my home. All profit (which is nearly 100% - based on donations) will go to the local community in need. This is something I can work at - at my own pace, at home, and still have time with Ben. It involves very little stress . I have had to give up some things that I have loved, but I now feel like I am 100% in tune with my values. One thing I am learning as an over-doer, is that you have to make space for things, which means that sometimes you have to let other things go that you love.

Some of you who know me, know that Girls Next Door (singing group) has been working on a few things in the last 3 years. It has been fun singing again and getting reacquainted with my dear friends. We always said God had something in store for us and I believe that . It just might not look like what we mere humans expected. I prayed and I struggled and I asked God a lot of questions and this is where He has led me. We announced a few days ago that I will be leaving the group (making space), but the good news is, they will continue doing what God is leading them to do, as will I. For whatever reason, I am not meant to be a part of that. I am a little sad, but I have a great peace. AND, I have a great love for these 3 women I basically grew up with.

So what will this blog be about? Um, EVERYTHING? Some of this and some of that. My life, my ministry, my thoughts on a million things as they hit me. I might have two followers, and that is ok. I want to write, I want to share, I want to make the world a better place. I hope you will come back and see me!!! I hope you will be inspired to share your story - every has one!

Love and Peace,

Diane