I don’t do a lot of celebrating for my birthday. My boys and I will go to lunch, my choice, my treat. I’m just excited that my two teenage boys want to spend time with their mother. That is the best present ever.
Just like you my life has had its share of ups and downs but it was all to get us to this point in our life. I am happy with where my life is right now and where its headed. Doors are opening everyday.
Enjoying Life
The “wolf pack” (that’s my crew that you will get to meet in a future post) and I are planning our BIG 50 party. No we didn’t forget about 49 but 50 is truly something to celebrate. And it will probably take us a year to plan.
I hope that today you find joy in helping me celebrate!!
Belinda
Beewisdom- Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! – Dr. Seuss
In February 2009 I attended TeamTrek www.teamtrek.com as part of my New Memphis Institute Fellows Class (S09). www.newmemphis.org We spent the weekend in Arkansas in cabins and doing OUTDOOR team activities. Although I live in the South I was born in Chicago and I LOVE the city life.
“Darling I love you but give me Park Ave.”
Spending a whole weekend with Mother Nature was NOT my idea of fun or team building. But since this was a major part of the program I packed my gear and got on the bus.
Actually this was the worst time ever for me be away from home and my kids. My youngest son was in the hospital (non-life threatening), my oldest son was scared and confused, I was going thru a divorce, my soon to be ex was acting irrational and I was working on my MBA. I was under so much stress that my son’s doctor gave me a prescription…… Go on the trip, you need a break, because you are not going to be any good to your boys if you fall apart.
I’m so glad that I filled that prescription.
Taking this trip was a lifesaver.
I formed friendships that were and still are life changing.
I learned how strong I really am and that I can take on life and win!
There were several exercises that required me to dig deep. Exercises that required me to climb, jump, trust my team members and trust the process.
This picture shows me at the lowest moment of the trip but it’s also the highest moment of the trip.
My Turning Point
I was climbing a rock wall BLINDFOLDED….Did I mention I was blindfolded, as in no sight, cannot see? I had to trust my team member who was on the ground to give me directions. I was also linked to two other team members. When this picture was taken not only was I ready to give up….I GAVE up. I let go and hung in the air. Everything that I was going thru in my life at that point hit me with full force. I didn’t have the strength to go any further.
But it’s funny how God will send who you need and what you need at the right time
I heard another voice talking to me, encouraging me not to give up. Miska and I bonded earlier in the trip and although we were on different teams she was there for me. She spoke of things that only she and I understood. She gave me the courage to get it together and climb that wall.
God used her to help me!
I gathered my courage, said a prayer, turned around and climbed that wall.
Once the exercise was over all I could do was CRY!!
They were tears of JOY,
Tears of ACCOMPLISHMENT,
Tears of RELIEF
I came home ready to do battle with whatever came my way. My boys are healthy, smart and strong young men. I received my MBA. I survived my divorce and I still believe in love.
I’m still fighting some battles but I have the faith and courage to know that I can WIN!!
Belinda
Beewisdom- Keep trusting God. He will lead you in every step of the journey. Lailah Gitty Akita, Pearls Of Wisdom
Last year I was part of the 2014 Grassroots class at Leadership Memphis www.leadershipmemphis.com . As part of our class we took the One Word that will change your life challenge. www.getoneword.com . The purpose of the exercise is to pick a word that is meant for you, and when you find it, live it, and share it, your life will become more rewarding that ever. To me it’s like a one word vision board.
We each picked a word and shared with the class why we selected that word. It was so inspiring that we had tshirts made. It was an AWESOME experience. The word I selected last year was PEACE. After selecting this word I felt a shift happening in my life. I started seeing places in my life where I wanted and needed PEACE.
For 2015 I selected the word BRAVE!!
I needed to make some BRAVE decisions in order to find my PEACE.
Once again after I identified my word I was put in situations where I had to be BRAVE if I wanted to obtain and keep the PEACE that I already had.
I have made some BRAVE decisions in both my personal and professional life in 2015 and I still have half a year to go. You will read about those decisions in the coming months.
Who knows what will happen next?
Whatever it is I will be ready!
What is your One Word?
Belinda
Beewisdom- Be Brave. Take Risk. Nothing can substitute experience – Paulo Coelho
The Honeybee's Lifestyle 