Getting Reconnected

Hello!  Well, it's been a while since I post in my blog. A lot has happened in my life since my last post and there are many drafts in my folder of  thoughts and epiphanies I added in to share later.  I'll share them in the next few months, mostly because emotions felt at the time are no longer there so I need to rewrite some of them.

This is me now. So, I feel like I've been hibernating, like so many who stayed home during the Pandemic. Let's not forget the snowpocalypse earlier this year.  I'll call up some images and videos to share of some of this time period.  To say it's been CRAZY is an understatement. 

I think the world is slowly coming out and life is becoming more normal.  For me, it seems I let everything go, work, fitness, business plans, relationships, event planning....  I simply existed.  But you know what, life goes on, whether you are living it or not. So, why not choose the latter?  Time is precious and once gone, we can't get it back.  Let's make it a point to truly LIVE!  

Well, before all the bad stuff happened in what seems like a very long time, I used to "burn the candle at both ends" as one of my dearly departed friends once noticed.  It looks like I'm back.... as it is now 2:43 a.m. and my mind is racing with all the ideas and things I need to do.  My grandbabies, who are now 4 and 7 will be in town for a little while, so I'm too excited to sleep.  I treasure each moment I can get with them as they are growing up quick and changing every time I see them.

As we get into the second half of 2021, I'm working on my List of things to do.....and yes, it's LONG! I'm awake and ready to re-engage, re-connect, and re-build.  My take on life is to do what makes you happy, but "Be Strategic"  You don't have to do only one thing, especially if you are as passionate as me.  

Included in this list:

1.  Travel - I plan to travel to Paris in December and stay a month.  It's something I've been wanting to do and it's for me. I know it will be an experience. 

2.  I've found a home for Once Upon a Wedding Expo at the beautiful Kalahari Resort and Spa.  Stay tuned as planning unfolds.  Save the Date - November 7th.  I'm too excited about this.

3. B3 Network resumes in August.  Time to reconnect and rebuild all those business relationships.

4. I'm going back to school, yes, to major in Fashion Design and Marketing, something I am very passionate about.  Never stop learning.

5. Quality Promotions is being revamped as a Promotional Marketing and Event business.  I'll still do embroidery and screenprinting, but my focus is more marketing solutions through events.

6. CCandids Photography aka Cindy Ann Photography is undergoing formal training to be the best possible at capturing moments. 

We all have our pasts and what makes us who we are.  We also have our goals and ambitions. I'm dreaming big and taking risks and leaps and bounds because anything is possible if you believe. Need help getting motivated?  Drop me a line.  Be safe and get moving!

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 💜