MIND:Three Lovely Lady Inspirational Leaders that I Adore: Marie Forleo, Regena Thomashauer and Danielle LaPorte

Over the last two years, my life has changed in unforeseen and unimaginable ways.  I am grateful for the journey and for the new lives that have crossed my path.

The Light Brings Changes (credit: Teia Collier)

As the journey continues through divorce, birth and rebuilding, I have some fabulous new-ish inspirational leaders keep me fueled with wisdom, inspiration, innovation and mojo-fueled grace. They are virtual members of my tribe and help me be the best that I can be.

Here are three that are on my radar these days:

Business advice and straight-talking advice for modern women: Marie Forleo, founder of B-School and the award-winning web series MarieTV.

Here's one of my favorites: What to do when you have a Spiritual Smackdown

Tapping into your womanly mojo and reminders that abundance is yours by divine right: Mama Regena Thomashaeur, founder and author of the life-changing Mama Gena's School of the Womanly Arts

Here is a snippet of Mama Gena's TED Talk from a couple of years ago.

The fabulously zen-y creator of inspirational words with soul to help you help yourself to figure it out: Danielle LaPorte.

After my divorce, this short youtube video, Credo to Making it Happen,  reminded me of the gift that Lord had placed with me and that it is a crime to let that talent go to waste.... despite how much things go not according to plan.

Enjoy the videos and be sure to share in the comments who you are listening to these days.  

I always love to tap into the good stuff.

Teia 

INSPIRATION for JUNE from Eleanor Roosevelt

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball or two.  And more often than not when you look up, take a step back and refocus, you can see that the result is more beautiful than you could've imagined before.

So chin up, buttercup! 

Step for forward and do that which your heart desires.  Be fearless.  Don't let doubt stand in your way. Channel your energy.  Give your dream the benefit of your passion.  Pray in earnest and armor up. 

Happy June, Y'all.

INSPIRATION: DIAMONDS AND VICTORIA OSTEEN

One of the things that I love about Victoria Osteen is that she frequently shares a message of hope and inspiration.  A faith-filled woman that believes in the power of prayer and sharing the good word, you can often find an uplifting thought to share.

Above is one of my favorite, it is a reminder that it takes immense pressure to create a diamond and just the right conditions.  Ironically, all that pressure combined with a unique chemical composition and some pristine work of a craftsman will create some of the most beautiful sparkles known to man or woman... after all, who wants a diamond that doesn't sparkle...

Sparkle on!

DELIGHT: Friday Inspiration from Mary Kay Ash

I saw this fab shared post on Jaime Jamgochian's page.  It reminded me of my time as a Mary Kay consultant and my time as a history teacher -- it's so important that women and children realize that we all have gifts, amazing talent and worth.  Cultivating and sharing those gifts is the name of the game.

Happy Friday!

Confessions of a Preemie Mom: Normal Is Over-rated and Probably Doesn't Exist

CONFESSION:  Don't expect "NORMAL".  It might not exist.

Yesterday was my youngest's one month birthday and in the last two months all of my children have had birthdays; while fairly "normal" occurrence in the scheme of the world is pretty awesome and a milestone marker in my current world.

Normal is a term that lacks value and relevance in my daily life these days... in fact, it's a rapid road directly hurt feelings and unnecessarily frustrating experiences.  

Happy One Month Birthday N! (Credit: Teia Collier)

As I listened to and simultaneously tried to ignore the annoyingly distracting, almost musical beeping of the monitor above his incubator, taking mental snapshots while trying not be entirely nosy as other parents spent precious time with their little ones, a sparkling thought dawned on me -- my normal every-day is not the same as someone else's and though we have and are having common experiences -- mine is unique.

Most likely, the term "normal" is a misnomer.  Instead of focusing on what normal progression should be, focus on being in and living in today.

Credit: Tamar Hela

It helps me to count my blessings.

It lets me be aware of yesterday, engaged in today and excited about tomorrow.

It allows me to reach out to other parents and let other people (and their experiences) in

And it persuades me to take my pleasure in this day.

Z and S in the Dallas Snowmaggedon (credit:Teia Collier)

The striking of normal might be the tool that helps to eliminate those comparisons between experiences, those twinges of jealousy when see another mom holding her newborn baby or annoyance that creeps in when you get an email from Baby Center that congratulates you on entering your 28th week of pregnancy and you delivered weeks ago.  But it also helps me to celebrate the milestones and appreciate the rock star moments of the day like one month birthdays, realizing that "stable" is a positive term, that goodness abounds and the awesomeness of parking spaces that are not cross country from the door.

I am also starting to see that the "normal" world does not revolve around the NICU, nor in real life terms does mine, though it sure feels like it does sometimes.  The roles that I had prior to this stint of NICU stay still exist, this is just one element of my life that has altered and impacted the others.

Life continues to move forward, the world continues to spin, we still dream, we still need, want and desire things, experiences and time, but most of all, there are still adventures to be had.  There is still time to ask what do we choose to do with today?

The view of Dallas from the car asking what will I do with today. (credit: Teia Collier)

For me, that is reassuring, a little daunting and exciting.


How does the elimination of normal strike you?  Does it make sense or are you comfortable with normal?

INSPIRATION: Go Do It! Sparkle and DREAM

Shared by the SITS Girls

I just got back from a quick trip to Wichita Falls, and I had so many memories flood my brain as I remembered who I was as a girl about to graduate from college, full of giddy dreams, plans of conquering the evil in the world and hope for the future.

Somewhere along the line, my dreams, plans and hopes became somewhat more practical, driven by the activity of the day faintly dusted with a little fairy magic.  Now at 33, I am looking for a bit more magic and little less practicality.  I want to infuse my day with a bit of sparkle in the midst of all the routines and daily tasks that I complete.  I also find that when I do everyone benefits.  I am happier -- the kids are happier and all the little things that step into my day seem to flow a bit better or bother me less -- not really sure which.

So here's the challenge -- how do you add sparkle to your day?  I challenge you (and myself) to do/share/give 5 small acts that bring a little more light into the day.

I also challenge you to create a list of all those things that you want to do.  Small, big, massive, frivilous -- whatever it may be from drinking a hot chocolate, trying a new lipstick to launching your own foundation or visiting Rome -- whatever it is, commit it to paper and let's see what happens.

SPARKLE and DREAM.

Cheers to a great week,
Teia

MOMSpiration from OWN: It's Really That Simple

I love when logic and advice is broken down... idiot proof.  Sometimes, I need it like that.  This one is from OWN... the sneakily fabulous network by Oprah Winfrey.   Here's my inspiration for the week.

INSPIRATION: Sparkle, Darling, Sparkle

This week has been a week of fantastic surprises, celebrations of life, love and happiness as well as a handful of trying adventures, thrown in I guess for good measure, but if I know nothing else and above all else, you should sparkle and not let your light, power and energy be dimmed by the circumstances around you.

Sparkle because you are loved.

Sparkle because you love.

Sparkle because today is a brand new chance to move forward.

Sparkle because you were granted the gift of the breath of life to do something fabulous.

Sparkle for no other reason than you can.

Cheers to a fabulous weekend,
Teia