difference by using their talent and passion to make a contribution. First, I attended the Yadkin Riverkeeper event featuring Erin Brockovich. Mayor Allen Joines of Winston-Salem was one of the speakers at this event held on the Wake Forest University Campus, June 2010. Erin was a bold, outspoken and captivating presence, and I’m so glad to have seen her in person.
Mayor Allen Joines at the Yadkin Riverkeeper event featuring Erin Brockovich
Brian W. Smith
I also meet best-selling author Brian W. Smith this month. Brian enjoys addressing controversial topics in his books and any book club discussing his work is sure to be lively! His latest book Beater addresses the problem of domestic violence (a topic very near to my heart) from a different perspective. In this book the woman is the abuser and her man is the “victim”.
Author Brian W. Smith and Wende Sanders
I love being surrounded by people that are following their callings, and not allowing themselves to be limited by naysayers or fears!
“Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me.”-Will Smith playing Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness
This movie is in my DVD collection. Chris’ story is a wonderful example of how talent, determination, perseverance and grace can pay off. This is one of the most powerful moments in the movie. It’s also a wonderful example to show the world that many African-American men are loving, commited and present fathers.
We all have times in our lives when things are very difficult and disheartening. During those times, please, please don’t quit. I hope you find some encouragement in viewing this video. I’ve also added the whole poem below the video. Enjoy!
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
It’s wonderful to have someone in your life who believes in you and tells you that he/she does. If you don’t have someone like that in your life to do that for you, BE that person for yourself. Or, you can give me a call! If you are a parent, please make sure your children grow up knowing that you believe in them. Don’t make the mistake of ASSuming that they know. TELL THEM, repeatedly!
I love the song “I hope you dance!” Personally, I spent WAY TOO MANY YEARS sitting on the sidelines and holding up the wall at the party of life. I’m so grateful that now I’m “dancing” literally and figuratively; I’m enjoying living a Phenomenal Lifestyle! I’d love to pass on a piece of that to you too. I hope you enjoy this video!
“You’re not the same as you were before. You were much more muchier; you’ve lost your muchness.” –Mad Hatter
“My muchness?” – Alice
“In there (your heart/core), something is missing.” –Mad Hatter
I recently saw (twice) Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton; I can’t believe how much I loved it. It was such a powerful metaphor for life. In my opinion, the dialogue above was one of the most powerful moments of the movie. And, based on Alice’s continual reference from that point forward to possessing her “muchness,” it was powerful to her as well. Many of us have found ourselves involved in events and circumstances that caused us to lose our muchness. Survivors of any type of abuse, molestation, rape, harassment, stalking, disease, cancer, job loss, etc are very likely to experience this as a result of their negative experiences. I’m very grateful to know for a fact that we can regain our muchness, once we decide that we deserve to reclaim it!
As with most aspects of personal development, it begins with making a decision. I hope that today you decide that you deserve to reclaim your God-given right to restore your muchness. If you still have some of it, but it seems to be on life support, then decide to resuscitate your muchness. If you are one of the phenomenal women that has successfully reconnected with and revived your muchness, please look around and help another woman that is currently where you have been. I promise, you won’t need to look far to find one.
Just as Alice does in the movie, we all have a Jabberwocky (scary dragon) that only we can slay. And we all have access to the “sword” we need to slay that dragon. The question I ask of myself and encourage you to ask yourself is “Am I willing to have faith in God and myself, face my fears (despite how real/pressing/pee-in-your-pants-scary they may be) and take the action to retrieve the sword and slay the foe?” For me the answer is “Absolutely! Yes!” I will admit that there was a PROCESS for me to get to that YES. But, I did it, by God’s grace and I believe you can too. If you decide, to reclaim your muchness and be much muchier once again!
On May 14-15, I had the extreme pleasure of leading a woman’s retreat for single women. The event was called Smart, Sexy & Single: A Women’s Retreat and it was my response to the constant negative messages and attitudes that single women over 30 have hurled at them without regard to how they may impact us.
The workshops I facilitated during the retreat were: Sex, Spirituality & the Single Woman, A Woman’s Guide to being Happily Single and How to Avoid Marrying Cheaters, Jerks & Liars. This event was far more powerful than I could have even imagined and there were numerous aha’s, moments of extreme clarity and new understanding of why we make many of the choices we make (even when those choices may violate our values and principles).
I’m happy to have had the opportunity to use my knowledge, passion and gifts to help such a dynamic group of women. May God bless each of them with the happiness and love they deserve, just because.
Call Certified Career Coach & Life Coach Wende Sanders, MS, CC today at 336-407-3828. See how I can help you or your group reach your highest potential in your work and beyond.
Universal Possibilities LLC serves Winston Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh, Wilmington & Charlotte Areas in North Carolina (NC)
“Creating the Lifestyle You Thought was Out-of-Reach”
Green Policy
Being environmentally conscious is very important to me in my personal life, so it was only natural to make “green practices” a part of my business as well. Universal Possibilities LLC employs paperless systems when possible, uses recycled paper when paperless isn’t possible, reduces energy consumption and recycles everything that can be recycled. I believe that businesses as well as individual citizens have a responsibility to make sure we leave a world that is safe, sustainable and beautiful for the generations that are to come. I’m very honored to run Universal Possibilities LLC as a green company.
If you are a parent, please make sure your children grow up knowing that you believe in them. Don’t make the mistake of ASSuming that they know. TELL THEM, repeatedly!
