Secret to a Happy Life

Secret to a Happy Life

I saw this graphic on Facebook today, and the first three sentences are perfect if you want to know the secret to a happy life.

secret happy life

photo from Facebook

Don’t sit on the couch and wait for it.

Go out.

Make a change.

I’ve done these three things a few times in my life and I’ve seen the fruits of my labors.

The first time I “went for it” was when I met Donny Osmond for the first time.  It was my life’s goal to meet him.  I knew inside me that it would happen, but I didn’t realize it would happen so early in my life.  You can read my experience about the time I crocheted an afghan for Donny and I was able to go backstage after his concert and give it to him in person.

This experience was way more than just meeting my idol.  It taught me that I could set a goal, work toward it, and achieve it.

The second time was when I built my modeling career.  Working as a professional model was also a goal of mine.  I paid my dues by working for free and for next-to-nothing in the beginning to get experience and to network.  I went from begging people to let me work for them to having so much work that I changed my phone number to unlisted.

I took my modeling career full-circle.  I fulfilled my dream and got to the point of burn-out.

I learned that in order to work, I needed to be able to sell myself.  I had to convince the client that I was the best model for the job.  If I wanted to work, I needed to create an air of confidence and that became a really important quality in other aspects of my life, too.

I wrote down my career goals and had a visual reminder of what I had accomplished and what I still wanted to do.

The most recent time was when I started eWillow.com.  I’ve loved stationery and greeting cards my entire life.  I love making cards.  eWillow.com is my baby.  It’s an idea I conceived and I’ll always be proud of it.  However, it hasn’t always been easy.  I’ve learned a lot of lessons about dealing with different personalities and that success is defined differently by different people.  Your idea of success is not that same as mine and vice-versa, and that’s okay.

In conclusion, YOU have to make things happen.  If you aren’t happy today, no one is going to wave a magic wand and change your life.  You need to decide that it’s up to you to be happy.

Start by writing down your goals and what you want to change in your life.  Don’t wait until New Year’s Day. Do it now!

Also, getting back to the original list, I don’t have a problem unfollowing (and blocking) negative people on social media, but I still need to work on a few of the items, especially the part about going to bed and waking up early.

Share your thoughts about the list!  What has been easy for you?  What do you hope to improve?

secret to a happy life

My Favorite Childhood Toy

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Jolly Green Giant Doll

 

When I was little, I was so excited to save the can wrappers from our Green Giant vegetables so that I could mail away for a Jolly Green Giant Doll.  The Jolly Green Giant was a pretty popular dude in the mid-70’s.

jolly green giant doll

I saved the labels and got the doll in the mail!  Yippee!  I loved that stupid stuffed green toy.  Maybe because it took me a lot of work to get it.

And then, the unthinkable happened.

One night I woke up and threw up all over my bed.  The pillow, the sheets, and yes, my Jolly Green Giant doll.

My mom didn’t seem to have a problem washing my pillow and my sheets.  But my Jolly Green Giant doll?

She threw it away.

I’m 51 years old and I still remember that stupid stuffed green doll.  Ho, ho, ho, Green Giant.

jolly green giant doll

 

More Cyber Monday Deals!

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More Cyber Monday Deals!

One post about Cyber WEEK deals wasn’t enough, so here are Cyber MONDAY ONLY sales for you!!

Too bad today isn’t a snow day so you can stay in bed all day and shop away, huh?

I LOVE everything by Ted Baker. Absolutely EVERYTHING!  Their “Black Friday” sale ends Monday (tonight) at midnight.

more cyber monday deals

When I modeled, cell phones were the size of toasters. I used a planner to keep track of all of my stuff. I’m so happy that planners are trending again, and they are so much cuter this time around! FranklinPlanners has GREAT Cyber Monday deals for you!

more cyber monday deals

Halston Vintage! Another thing that takes me back to my modeling days!

more cyber monday deals

Cyber WEEK Sale from Saks Off 5th

Cyber Week Sale – Saks Off 5th

Saks Off 5th

You have to check out the fabulous Cyber Week Sale from Saks Off 5th!..

Saks 5th Avenue will always hold a special place in my heart.  That is where my modeling career began and I have so many fun memories from those days.  I’ve made a few lifelong friends, too, which is most important to me.

For our first Christmas, Neil gave me a black suede swing coat from Saks.  I still have it and wear it every winter, even in sunny south Florida.

To celebrate Cyber Monday, I’m sharing some great Cyber WEEK Sales from Saks Off 5th.  Take a look at my favorite picks and have fun shopping!  Offer is valid from November 28th until December 4th.

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! 1000s OF DEALS UP TO 85% OFF* Shop Now Valid 11/28-12/4!

cyber week sale saks off 5th

 

3 Little Known Things Confident Girls Have In Common

Confident Girls

I’ve raised two confident daughters.  That’s not to say they don’t have moments of doubt. We all do.  But when it comes to the basic things in life they pretty much know how to manuever their way through difficult situations and they know who they are.  So do their friends.

On the eve of the Gilmore Girls reunion, I thought I’d compile a short list of the 3 little known things confident girls have in common.  How do I know these things?  Because when my girls meet new girls with whom they click – girls who speak up in class, girls who aren’t afraid to voice their opinions, girls who have no fear of men – these three common denominators always make themselves known.

First, They All Watched Gilmore Girls

Ah, Gilmore Girls!  Isn’t it wonderful to watch a show that depicts educated, complex women who aren’t dependent on men?  A single mom who worked hard and has a wonderful relationship with her super-smart daughter.  A daughter who respects her mother and her grandparents and the people in her community.  A community that wishes each other well and praises the achievements of women.

confident girls

Second, They All Played with American Girl Dolls & Read the Books

What a wonderful way to learn about American history than through the eyes of historical fiction where the characters come to life in the form of beautiful dolls!  The books are excellent and inspiring.  My daughter Adrienne swears her intrinsic desire to help others came from Samantha’s desire to help her friend Nellie.  If you think American Girl dolls are too expensive, think again.  My girls still have every doll, book, and accessory that they have ever received.  Can you name the toys your girls received for Christmas for the past eighteen years?  They are worth the investment.

confident girls

The girls are the stars of the show and there is never a hint that a girl cannot be whatever she wants to be.

Third, They All Loved Princess Diaries

Princess Diaries – not your typical princess movie where the girl gets the guy and she turns into a princess.  This movie changes the princess narrative.  Instead of needing a prince to save her, this princess realizes that she can use her title to change lives.  Much like Princess Diana, Princess Mia knows that the title is much bigger than she is.  Instead of sitting back and being pampered, Princess Mia’s reluctance to accept her role changes when she realizes she can use the title to affect change.

confident girls

The next time you’re around confident girls, ask them these three questions:
“Are you a fan of Gilmore Girls?”
“Did you play with American Girl Dolls?”
“Do you love Princess Diaries?”

Chances are they’ll answer “yes” to all three.

confident girls