2016’s Why

The end of the year is nigh and I have been waxing sentimental. What do I want to leave behind in 2016? What do I need to say or do to have those things be complete? And I’ve been working on a client’s Christmas letter. You know, those letters where people have their kids each write a paragraph and they usually mention things like vacations and recipes. In any case, in the midst of- and inspired by- all that, I penned the following in a year-end Thank You to a client: The business that we did together this year allowed me to DO lots of things:

• be with my family during my stepfather’s decline and passing
• develop myself and make a difference for Young People and Teens in five courses around the country
• spend time with my loved ones during both difficult times and joyous
• volunteer for Turningpoint Shelter for Domestic and Sexual Violence
• grow my business

And BE: * FEARLESS * COURAGEOUS * GENEROUS For some people, being entrepreneurs is about money, drive, and proving that they can do impossible things. And those things used to be important to me. And they may become important to me again. But the things that I outlined in my note can be summarized into two parts and have truly been my Why in 2016: Loving Others and Expanding Myself (in that order). My business allows me to freely do those things. And for that, I am grateful. I am also grateful for the privilege of serving my clients, for this country, for the incredible benefits offered at Starbucks for my “morninglighting”, and for the support of my husband. And finally, in the spirit of closing things out, I have to address the book that I said I was going to have written by the end of the year: It’s not written. And I am not sure when it will be. The irony is that the book is to chronicle my female entrepreneurial and spiritual journey. You know, the journey where I realize that I don’t have control over everything? Well, maybe I don’t have control over the book either. Don’t get me wrong- deadlines and goals have a place. And in this case, being a creative project, I am giving myself some room. Stay tuned. I promise. Happy New Year.