I have a confession to make…I love Lululemon. I know, I know—so expensive! But their workout clothes fit well, wear well, and are super comfy. Honestly, though, the primary reason I shop there is because if I’m going to break my neck working out, I’m going to look good doing it.
But the reason I’m fessing up to this retail splurge is not to talk about the clothes. It’s to talk about Lululemon’s famous bags—you know, the ones covered in inspirational sayings. They may be a little corny, but some of them are worth contemplating, even for us wise women of a certain age.
1. “Do one thing a day that scares you.”
I doubt that I obey this tenet every day, but it reminds me of the first time I got up in front of a group to speak. I was really scared. I mean, super scared. But I took a few deep breaths and just plowed through. Now I can hardly wait to get in front of an audience. Sometimes they’d probably like to take the hook and drag me off, but I do love to make people laugh. My mother was an accomplished pianist, but she never played for anyone—she was too scared. Let’s do something that scares us this month and report back.
2. “Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.”
I made a lot of money as a court reporter. I worked hard because I loved what I did. I saved money and purchased properties. Then I got involved in a sibling lawsuit and lost almost everything. I was devastated. I cried, stayed in bed with the covers over my head, and talked to my therapist three times a week. I let the case go to trial because my sister refused any settlement offers. I thought I couldn’t possibly lose, but that saying, “Sister sues sister and only the attorneys win,” is very true.
But I came out of that with my B&B and my ability to write. I wasn’t going to let this setback ruin my life. I wasn’t going to be a victim. Great women are not victims. Nightingales B&B thrives, and my books are selling. I started writing principally for revenge and discovered that most of my writer friends started for the same reason. But as they say, living a good life is the best revenge. Now I thank my sister—she helped me realize my potential.
3. “The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.”
This is my mantra. I learned its importance the hard way when I suffered a horrible breakup with a man I’d been in a relationship with for seven years. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t concentrate on work. I’d given myself a transition period, but it had a limit.
One day, my mom was in her office talking to a friend when I overheard her friend say that she was going to be starting a hypnotherapy business. I was familiar with the process of hypnotherapy and positive affirmations because I’d used it to pass my State Court Reporting licensing exam. So I marched into Mom’s office and asked her friend, “When can I start?”
I worked with her for a few weeks and was soon sleeping all night once again and back at work. That was 2007. I’ve continued with positive affirmations ever since. A positive approach to life brings joy and abundance.
4. “Friends are more important than money.”
They certainly are, and I count each and every one of you as a friend. So, my dear friends, let me know how you’re doing. When have you benefited from doing something that scared you? What setbacks have made you stronger? What positive affirmations keep you going? We’re in this together, us women of a certain age.
And finally, a saying I’d like to add to my bag: Follow your dream. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.
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