How a book changed my life...

  When I picked up a copy of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" in the airport, I honestly don't know what I was expecting. I think I was hoping for words of advice for dealing with difficult people. I was looking for facts and suggestions for motivating others to work harder. I was looking for SOMEthing. I reached a certain part of the book that talks about "beginning with the end in mind." Basically, as morbid as it is, it encourages the reader to think about their funeral. Sick, right? Well, I had a few hours on the plane with no internet and nothing else to read so I kept reading. I started to think about the words I had read. I scribbled characteristics in the book (GASP, yes really.) that I would like to be remembered for when I die. Stay with me friends, stay with me.

  I continued to read. The next part of the book encouraged the review of the previously scribbled characteristics. The book stated that, regardless of whether I was aware of it or not, those "characteristics" were my definition of success. That, if I am able to embody all of those characteristics, I will be happy. I will feel successful. Interestingly enough, none of the characteristics were a reflection of income.

  After I got through that "aha moment," it was time to plane hop. So, I grabbed my luggage, highlighter, and did the terminal shuffle to my next plane. After getting settled, plugging in my headphones and opening the book, I reached the next game changer.

  The book talks about a "personal mission statement," that encompasses the characteristics previously discussed. Something literally came over me. I don't know how to explain it, quite honestly. I turned to the back of the book, where i found a few blank pages. I wrote the following with no scribbling, no backspaces. The words were coming faster than I could get them on paper. Tears came to my eyes as I realized what my "mission statement" has been for a long time. Please find my reflections below. I have written the words exactly as they are. Forgive the lack of commas, paragraphs, and repetition.

12/18/2014 
   I know I am on the brink of something. Some job, some opportunity, some task that is much larger than I am.  I will affect many people in a positive way, I will lead, I will change others, I will change things, and I too will be forever changed. That is my hope. I trust the process. I trust the timing. I trust that I will have the drive I need, the support I need, the acceptance I need, the people around me that I need, and the past experiences that I need. I trust that each challenge, each step will be exactly as it should in order to affect those who should be affected and to only make me a better, more loved and more significant person.

   I realize that I am exactly where I need to be right now and that I have "a clearly defined end for the beginning." I realize that if I continue to make choices with my values, goals, insight, and vision in mind, I will continue on my personal path to success. I realize that compromising my moral obligation and need to make this world a better place, a safer place, a more kind place is going to take me off my path to my self-defined path of success.

   I vow to myself that in my career and in my day to day life that I will not compromise my will and desire to provide my children with a safe, loving, accepting home and education. Nor will I compromise or jeopardize anyone else's ability to do so for their own children. I make a conscious effort to reach out to leaders and mentors, to use tools and people God has placed before me, including the walk and words of Jesus. I will look towards others for solutions, for guidance, and for vision when mine becomes foggy by challenges larger than I. I will remember that I will not win the battle if it means losing the war.

   I pray for clear eyes, and I pray for mentors. I pray that I meet and become interdependent with like and unlike minds. I pray for strength that comes from believing in what you do and doing what you love. And, I pray that I have just enough time to do all of my life's work as a leader, employee, friend, wife, and mother. I pray for the unwavering faith needed day to day, moment to moment, that will sustain my efforts in times I feel like giving up or walking away. I pray for patience and i pray for understanding. I pray that through the rest of my life's work, I never lose sight of my impact- my life's impact on others. I pray that I never lose sight of the obligation to the ones I am responsible to and the ones I am responsible for.

  I pray that at the end of it all, I am able to reflect on 12/18/2014 and the reading/reflecting on  the principles in this book as well as the work/opportunities ahead and know that I have created, have been a part of, and have dedicated my breath to a world much bigger than the world within the confines of my home and my family.

   It is my heart's prayer that the work, my job, my career will be an inspiration to my children, my family, and my friends. It is my hope that in choosing to step out of my comfort zone in my career and having faith in the process, the people, and the Hand of God, that nothing will be impossible.

   It is my goal not to compromise my family or ethics, my dreams, my values, or morals in order to temporarily better myself. It is my prayer that my children and my husband will never feel that I didn't have enough time for them but that every.single.minute with them was nurturing, was leading them in thought, work, word, or deed.

  I pray for wisdom. And, for the ability to balance my work and life at home. I pray for the means necessary to adjust the balance as needed. I pray for the awareness and ability to spend individualized time with each of the 4 children that I have. I want to ensure that they feel that they are uniquely and equally loved and adored for the beautiful and talented, gifted people that they are. I pray to never lose the ability to "make time" for each of them individually and that the individual time leads to 4 very special relationships with them. I also pray that this fundamental and unconditional love will inspire them and remind them of how interconnected and interdependent we are as a family and as a world. I pray that they continue to teach me and that I continue to teach them. I pray that I help them to become confident, kind, tolerant people who share my drive to change the world by helping people.

  I pray that my husband continues to value my work, not only for the financial resource it is for our needs, but that he is able to see how important my work is to me. I pray that my work, my character, my walk of life encourages him and inspires him. I pray that my life is proof that God exists and that God loves him. I pray that he continues to be here for me to provide reassurance and remind me of my vision, my path, my goals, and my commitment when I become tired, or overcome by one of the many challenges ahead. I pray that he will never lose sight of his impact on my life and the lives of our children. I pray that he is able to see with clear eyes and a thankful heart this journey and progression we are so lucky and fortunate to share. More than any hope I have for my husband, I pray that he continues to respect me and adore me. That he continues to test me, challenge me, care for me, and grow with me, hand in hand, no matter how far apart until my very last breath.

  I have always felt that I love my kids more than anyone else loves theirs. I have always felt that I love my husband more than anyone else loves theirs. I am beginning to see, we all have the same love, the same passion, the same power, and the same obligation to SHOW it. I pray that in the days, weeks, months, career, and life ahead that I am able to communicate my love in everything that I do.

This is my vision.
This is my dream.
This is why I am here.
This is success.
I am going for it.

Dear Lord,
  Strengthen my hands, open my eyes, and send me. I love you and I am thankful for it all and so very undeserving.
Amen.

-12/18/2014