Live, Laugh and Love

Hello again.  What do these words mean to you?   "Live, Laugh, Love."  Here's my take on it. 😀

Live and truly experience life's many gifts, including love, adventures, and dare to do what truly makes you happy.  Do not just exist.  Trust your own instincts.  Live for you. This does not mean be selfish.

Laugh until your tummy hurts. It's okay to be young at heart and roll on the floor or bed laughing.  Don't hold that emotion in...feel it...it is "happiness".

Love with all your heart and soul.  If you've found your soul mate, you are truly blessed.  You will know if you have it.  Hold on and don't let go.  Dare to love past culture, ethnicity and ideals.  Take a leap and let go completely.  It is the most blissful feeling in the world.

Well, thanks for following me.  Please share your take on these words.  Drop me a line and give me your insight.  Till next time....  HUGE HUGS 💜

Cindy Ann

Make Things Happen!

Life.  How do we make our lives what we want it to be?  I'm 53 now, but I remember always saying I didn't want to grow up. I meant stay young at heart because if you look at children, they fear nothing...perhaps because they have faith that they will be caught when they fall.   They all have that  "FEARLESS" characteristic.  They trust and fear nothing, and dive and attempt to do things we experienced older people do not. Wouldn't it be great if we all went through life like that, knowing someone will catch us if we fall?  But real life is not like that, or should I say adult life is nowhere near that.  I always tell others to always put your best foot forward and keep moving, no matter what life throws your way. Sometimes in life, we make decisions that will not create waves or adversely affect those we love. I think many people walk on eggshells instead of taking the path they truly want. We each only have one life to live.  So how do we LIVE it?

I noticed that I have complicated my life more than it needs to be.  I ask myself, what are you looking for?  Hmm. I'm not so sure. I dream a lot of a new home, where everything is white.  Go figure...Could it be a need to start fresh with new beginnings?  Could it be that I need to purge all the "baggage, junk and clutter" I've collected in my life?  Is it all the unfinished projects or memories that are making me feel stuck?  Lots to ponder, I'm sure, but I am trying to figure things out for myself and make things easier, rather than harder.  I also noticed that I seem to have split myself in more ways than one....not in the Schizophrenic sense, but in business.  There is such a thing as being good at many things, but being truly dynamic at one takes focus.  I think I'm going to work on this.

My friend Mahlon Arnett used to joke at my A.D.D., "comprehensive" website, and lack of white space.  He was so right!  I asked earlier last week how many screens everyone has open at one give point in time.  This is why I was asking.  Ok, sorry for my ongoing state of confusion lately.  I feel like I'm juggling more than I can handle making me feel a bit lost. I think we all feel a little lost from time to time.  Perhaps it's because of all the projects and desire to do more. I know it is not realistic to have a super long List of things to do and expect to get them all done.  My friend, Charlie Burgess once told me, "How do you eat an elephant?"  I said, "you don't!" lol.  She said, "one bite at a time."  I get it now!  I'm slowly making progress...one box, project, day at a time. :)   Bear with me.  The next few weeks will set me in the right direction.  I'll share upcoming changes and projects in my next post.  My goal for now is to make the next event, year, business, project, day something I can handle...more manageable.  Good idea, Cindy. (Yes, I do talk to myself at times. lol) 

How you might ask?  Through sheer determination, I'm going to review my current situation, strategize, put a plan in place and execute.  I'm currently working on two goals for the rest of the year, of which I have a buddy I meet with or communicate weekly to share progress.  This idea was inspired by my friend, Darlene Templeton.  I can do this!  I can make things happen!



Thanks for following me.  What can you do to make YOUR life easier?  Do you have unnecesary clutter?  Do you take on more than you can handle?  Do you give yourself "ME" time?

Please share your thoughts or concerns with me.  Till next time.  Make it a GREAT life and "BE HAPPY!"

Huge Hugs

Cindy Ann 💜

Happiness

Enjoy your weekend!  I've been pondering a lot lately.  One of my latest conversations is "What is Happiness?"    Is it even possible to be blissfully happy, or do people just put on a front?   Is there sadness behind the smiles?   At his point in time, I am trying to figure out the next chapter of my life.  What am I really passionate about.  What do I really want to do and why?  What are my true priorities?  As one of my new friends said, "You need to find out what your "gift" is.  Well, I like helping people and making a difference, no matter how small.  I like making people happy.  Where does my happiness fit in, in the grand scheme of life?  I know, "Happiness comes from WITHIN," as my daughter often tells me.  Happiness is a state of being, not an emotion.  You decide to be happy.   Perhaps...but in my opinion, outside factors, stimuli make a difference, especially when you are accustomed to putting everyone else before yourself.  Do I choose to be happy?  Of course I do!  Does anyone want to be unhappy?  Of course not!

If I asked you what 3 things make you happy, what would your answers be?

Thanks for following me.  Please share your happy thoughts, places, or people.  Till next time.  Make it a GREAT life and "BE HAPPY!"

Huge Hugs

Cindy Ann 💜

Sometimes Existing is All We Can Do

I'm posting a longer post than usual as  it is a collection of thoughts in one post. I'll try to focus and share more frequently. :)

Well, another few months since my last post.  There are many things happening in my personal life that I can't make sense of.  My life is full of uncertainty.  Anyone ever feel this way?  Sometimes all we have to hold onto is a little hope and faith that things will work out in the best way possible. Regardless, I believe everything happens for a reason.  I also believe that sometimes things have to end or fall apart forcing us to begin building from scratch.  This is where I am in my life.  I said earlier, many changes coming.  Some exciting and some closure on a few chapters of my life.  It's all bittersweet.  The only things that I am sure of is, we will all die and we all have the same amount of time to impact our loved ones and to live life, so make it count.  We also only have one body to take care of and maintain.  I know....so get to it on the maintaining, already.  I don't know about you, but 5 pounds makes a huge difference in how I move and feel about myself, so 15 is life altering!  I need more gym and me time.  No more excuses, right?  Easier said than done.

A dear friend of mine recently shared, "People come into your life for a reason that we may not truly understand at first.  Sometimes it is lessons we need to learn, sometimes it is friendships we need to grow.  Of course just as everything happens for a reason, we also make choices on how we are going to handle what happens..."  I agree with this wholeheartedly.  Sometimes the choices we make take us for a ride off course in life and sometimes the result is great and sometimes, not the result we are aiming for.  Sometimes all we have is hope.  This is so true for so many people.  Having faith in what you believe can make a huge difference.  A little hope can sustain just about anyone, no matter what their situation is.

Being in the wedding and event business, I see a lot of people get married aiming at Happily Ever After.  It's not so easy for everyone to get there, despite all the good intentions.  I have recently learned that the heart cannot be contained.  I know people think that you can help who you love and when you fall in love.  Sometimes, it just happens, and for whatever reason, the timing and situation is not ideal, but I believe that the heart wants what the heart wants.  You can't force yourself to feel what you don't or not feel what you do. You can take the right action that will not create waves or change life dynamics so much that it throws your life and your loved ones lives into chaos. but this is just existing. Life is meant to be lived.  In my opinion life is full of choices that lead to consequences.  I do my best to choose wisely and to "Think before I do".  I wasn't always like this.  I think I tended to jump into things without really thinking and figuring things out as I go.  I've been blessed with family and friends who have been there to catch me.  I know I've never really fallen, until now.  When it is only you, you can afford to do that, but as your family grows and your actions affect others, you are kinda forced to  "grow up."   The kind of falling I'm talking about is inside.  I still do what needs to be done, and handle everything that needs to be handled, but I think I've been existing for quite a while.  I think a lot of people do this, sometimes without thinking.  

Well, thanks for following me..  Drop me a line and give me your insight on existing vs living.  Till next time....  HUGE HUGS 💜

Cindy Ann

Help the Fallen RISE

"HOPE RISES like a PHOENIX from the ashes of shattered dreams."  ~S. A. Sachs

Good morning!  I woke up at 1:30 this morning.  So much on my mind...more pain for another's suffering more than anything.  It was hard to sleep so I allowed my mind to conceptualize on my thoughts.  My friend has experienced much loss in his life.  I am at a loss on how to help.  I'm the kind of person who wants to help others even if it means staying without myself.  I know it's self destructive at times, but it is one my flaws....and yet I wonder, is it a flaw if it helps others?  Hmm.

The one image that comes to mind when I see or hear of others like him suffering is that of a phoenix.  I think I've been through some tough experiences in my life, but none compared to his.  I rose above a lot and find myself wanting to help others in the same type of situations.  One person alone cannot make a difference.  Here's what my overactive mind came up with.....I designed some t-shirts that I think I will donate a percentage of the proceeds to a good cause. I'm not sure how to get this out there, but I know I must make a difference somehow.

Anyone listening, please help my friend.  I have developed this t-shirt line specifically for this cause.

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This is the layout of the t-shirt.  You can get any of the phoenix designs to suit your like or personality or interpretation of what grandness looks like.  Notice that each phoenix has a heart, to show that this idea comes from the heart.  True inspiration truly does come from the heart, and passion enables us to sour to success.

PHOENIX OPTIONS

Get your shirt now.  Contact me and I'll get your shirt(s) to you!

Options are:

Text front or back. 

Horizontal or Vertical

Select Phoenix Option

Color - Current color is white or yellow

Thanks for listening.

Cindy Ann

Hello again!  I vowed to write shorter blog posts, just found myself sidetracked and not making it back, so.....here's a long update.  Promise to make them short and sweet in the future.

It's hard to believe the first three months of the year is almost gone.....hmm.  Many of us make new year's resolutions only to have them fizz within 3 months.  Don't stop....keep going! Well, here's my 3 month check.  My path is definitely zigging and zagging all over. :)  Baby steps...

At New Year's, I focused on what I wanted to do with my life.  It is believed that whatever you are doing when the ball drops, that is what you will be doing for the rest of the year.  It was my first New year's away from my husband, Carlos.  And surely, I hardly see him these days.  I told myself changes were coming...some good and some not so good, but changes regardless.  I'm ready to pursue all the different paths my life has spun for me.  Yesterday, I made a choice to close one chapter in my life..... I know, my friends say, Cindy you give good advice and tips, but never follow it. ....  so here goes. I'm going to not just share good advice, but apply it to my life as well.  I think at this point in my life, I am going to put me first a little bit more often.

So, there are nine months left in the year.  Hmm...which goals will be met?  I have a two page list of things to do...but a list...finally that I've been putting off as life seems somewhat chaotic with my choice of priorities.  I am going to say "No" a bit more often in order the reach some of these goals.  I know, I love time with my grandbaby\ies and would rather play and snap shots of them, but...nothing else would get done.  I guess the key is to make the time I do spend with them and family "quality time."  It does feel great to scratch through on finished projects.  Here goes!!!

This seems to be me...or at least that's how I believe things have been happening.  lol

Seems I've gone down a few paths in life I accidentally stumbled upon, without really intending to.  Anyone ever do that?  Like embroidery, I fell into that trying to help my mom.  I'd love to give it back if she'll take it.  :)  Before I started embroidering, I owned a sewing business, where I sewed and designed custom one of a kind designs like prom dresses and kid's fashions. I loved sewing one of a kind pieces for my kiddos.  I did that for 10 years......I would like to get back to it with a fresh perspective and subject to sew for...meaning my grandbabies and of course, the countless gorgeous models I've befriended through my latest passion of photography.

I'm seriously thinking of closing shop on the embroidery and screenprinrting chapter of my life.  Any thoughts or suggestions?  I don't really market it anymore and have a few clients I keep happy.  I appreciate them for their loyalty through the years.  It's hard to believe I've been doing that for eighteen years!

Second, I totally enjoy putting on the bridal events....and they have grown since my first one in 2013, with so many relationships forged and so many brides we've helped, so will keep doing them.  Afterall, who doesn't like to make a difference in a Happily Ever After?

Currently, I'm looking for sales reps and a power team to call my own for my Ever After Events Group... Interested?  Drop me an email at wilcobride@gmail.com.


I do realize that my over all passion is marketing and advertising all I do and helping others succeed...at least that is the perspective I use for everything.  I just like to include a little fun and capturing milestones along the way....and if I can help others succeed, that makes everything much better.  On being trigger happy, as long as I can remember, I have always done that.  There's just something about capturing a moment.  Once it's gone, it is gone..  ya know?

I realize I need to slow down and focus on one thing at a time....so, that being said,  I'm excited to be embarking on new path with the Modelemi Talent Agency.  We have our first real team meeting tomorrow.  As Director of Events and Coordinating, I can't wait to share what I've come up with.

My last passion is networking and connecting.  I have pulled out of all networking for some time to figure things out for myself.  My last network, B3 Network, I met some truly incredible people that I have grown to love through the years.  I miss it.  My friend and mentor, Mahlon Arnett, recently deceased, changed it and me.  Perhaps I'll start a new network that will combine my latest two paths in Fashion and Weddings.  Thinking on this .....back burner for now.

My latest project, Wilco Bride Guide has been on hold for some time, but I'm happy to say I am making progress on that.  I am currently building my team.  Interested in owrking with Wilco Bride Guide?  Drop me an email at wilcobride@gmail.com.   Let's connect vendors and brides and help tha path to Happily Ever After a positive and memorable journey.

I think I'll focus on the 9 months still left to work on attainable goals I've committed to in the new year.  How defined are your goals?  Keep in mind, there is no straight line to get to your destination, just keep going!

This year opens up new doors or opportunities.  I'm excited to share all the I am working on.  Of course, there is the importance of priorities.  I don't want my family to feel I am "working all the time."  So, setting up a plan is extra important.  What is YOUR best tactic in defining this year's focus?  Please share.

Make it a GREAT rest of the year!  Hugs

Cindy Ann