There is always one woman in our lives, whether it is our mom, grandmother, a teacher or a special friend who made a difference to us. They are the women we admire and look up to, women who seem to do the impossible, women who overcome the odds, women who lead the way, or women who raised us up. The women in our lives are there for us in life’s journey.
Who is that woman to you?
Maybe you have several women?
In the journey of life, with the ups and downs that we traveled through each year, we encountered women who have impacted us, given more than we asked for, influenced us and accepted us as we were. Some probably had gone the extra mile and led us down the right path and destiny of our life.
I have a few women in my life through the years. They have contributed to who I am today.
Each has come alongside in a specific season and has taught me these attributes:
Work ethic
I have always had a good work ethic and have been making my own money since I was 11 years old. My mom was my greatest influence. I remember being 4 years old and my mom working all day and going to school at night to improve her career.
Late at night she would be doing her homework and then, the next morning, waking up early to go to work. She would many times work two jobs, sometimes out of necessity, but mostly out of the joy she got from what she was doing.
My mom was elected as a city official that helped make improvements to our community that will last for decades. This shows the importance of contributing to the betterment of our community. She taught me to work hard, enjoy what you do and make a difference.
Caring
I would say my mom and dad both have a wonderful heart and ability to care for others. My mom always is baking cakes for someone’s birthday at work or making a quilt for someone’s new baby. She weekly can be found bringing dinner to a homebound friend, or giving an elderly person a ride somewhere.
Both my mom and dad’s big hearts have given me a heart for others….
Unfortunately, it also means I cry at every sad story or commercial. I have developed a passion to help others. I passionately want to see them succeed in their health, finances or just anything they desire.
Encouragement
My senior year of high school was challenging but I had several teachers who encouraged me and pushed me to be better. One teacher took time to help me prepare for a very intense Leadership Scholarship presentation and interview at a Keuka College.
I was very prepared and won the scholarship beating out 30 other finalists. I wouldn’t have been able to go to Keuka College without that scholarship. And without the foundation I got there in that small classroom environment, it wouldn’t have helped me make it through the difficult Pre-med classes and onto my Doctorate in Chiropractic. I owe that success to the help and encouragement to the encourager at that time, my teacher.
Then there are the simple little cards. One simple card given to me has stuck in my head for over 20 years. Mrs. Bouchard, my senior year high school English teacher wrote us all a handwritten card of encouragement and gave it to us the last day of our senior year.
In that card, Mrs. Bouchard showed she cared about my future successes and me. She taught me the importance of encouraging others and never overlook simple handwritten notes and cards. The simple gesture of speaking life and positive futures to those who crossed my path.
Who I am today, I owe it to the women in my life
Today I am the CEO of a 13-year-old company that helps thousands of individuals all over the world make smarter and healthier lifestyle choices.
But my greatest joy is being a mom and wife. I love that role and it brings me great happiness. I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the people who shaped my life.
How about you? Do you have a woman you admire? One who has impacted your life in a big way?
It’s easy to go through our days and get caught with activities and demands and forget the many goodies. Let’s ponder a moment…
Who are the women in my life that have contributed to my life’s journey?
What did I learn from them?
Who are you today?
Who are you influencing?
I’ve thought through these questions for the last few days. I am influencing my family, associates and clients through my examples of delegation, boundaries and prioritization. As a leader, wife and mom, the people I’m in contact with are observing my attitude, lifestyle and priorities.
Most importantly, they see my success comes from putting God first, myself and my family second, and my career third.
Mother’s Day is around the corner. I want to honor and show my gratitude to all my readers and women in my life. So the best way is to run a contest and get this going.
I’m inviting all of you to join me on my Facebook page and leave a comment about the woman or women in your life. https://www.facebook.com/TheTotalWellnessDocandMom
We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.
The older we get the more women have touched our lives. First and foremost is my mother. What she taught me was strength and how to persevere. The most amazing lesson was her growth as a person that mirrored mine, she matured and changed as she learned lessons in life too.
My best friend Lorraine, who taught me that love can be unconditional and last a lifetime through the ups and downs.
Ellen, who taught me that a kind and gentle spirit has a special place in this world and I was so lucky to have found this friendship at a time when I needed it most.The laughter we share is priceless.
And last but never least– Mary. The lessons, the gifts, the honor and respect are immeasurable. She has given me the gift of a new direction and promise in my life and opened my life and my heart to so many possibilities that had never seemed attainable. As a mentor she has gently pushed me forward when I would have been content to stagnate and as a friend she has been a shoulder, a confidant and an equal.
Thank you to all of these women and the many more I have been lucky enough to have had in my life.
The person I hold dearest to my heart is my Gramma & Grampa. They have been deceased for many years now as I am a grown adult with my own grandchildren and one great grandchild. My Gramma was always there for me as a child and I could always count on her and she never let me down. Whether with problems, happy occasions or just being there when I needed a place to live, she was always there to help and comfort me. She always will hold the largest portion of my Heart. My Husband and children hold the 2nd portion of my heart and the third and final portion belongs to my Best Friend Forever, Debbie, who is the best friend I have ever had in my 67 years and this is why:
A friend is a relative you make for yourself
A friend is one who comes In when the whole world has gone Out
There are big ships and small ships, but the best ship of all is Friendship
A True friend is one who thinks you are a Good Egg, when you are Half-Cracked
A true friend is one you can call at 4AM, or they can call you
A true friend is one who gives a compliment and means it
A true friend accepts us as we are, yet helps us to be what we should
Debbie, you are all of this and more and I truly Love you
[…] week we ran a special post on Life’s Journey with the Women of Our Lives. We are honored to have so many men and women share about the special woman of their lives. In […]