Recently, I was asked to speak at the Heart Association's Go Red For Women "Love Your Life Tour," sponsored by the cosmetics company, Jafra.
I threw caution to the wind, and said, "Yes," even before consulting my calendar—a bold move for a mother of three, especially on a Sunday afternoon.
Of course, I was not the only woman at the Jafra event who had to juggle other peoples' schedules in order to find a few hours to attend. In fact, I asked the room. Just about every woman there – married, single, with or without kids—had someone else to consider before deciding to attend.
Truly, most adult women live a huge part of their lives making it possible for others to live their lives. Now, we usually love these other people and we desperately want them to be happy. But giving to others has its cost, and we are often the ones to pay. The challenge is to create a balance for ourselves.
So, I said "yes" before checking my calendar because there is nothing I enjoy more—okay, almost nothing—than being in a room filled with inspiring women who are working hard to transform their lives. Even more gratifying is the opportunity to speak to them, to inspire them to make the choice to live their lives as if what they want for themselves really matters!
The theme of Jafra's "Love Your Life Tour" was "Recharge, Refocus, Reclaim!"
Recharge — gaining new perspectives on living healthy living.
Refocus — paying attention to taking care of ourselves (and the need for balance in our lives).
Reclaim — becoming aware of the lifestyle choices we are making!
Of course, making choices is what life is all about. Fundamentally, everything we do is a choice. Every action, every in-action, every conversation started, and every talk avoided: they are all choices.
Creating change in life is not about whether or not we're making choices, but it starts with an awareness of the choices we are making. Right now. Every day.
For example, over the last several years I have lost a lot of weight. I did it by paying attention to the choices I was making on a daily basis. I never went on a diet. I never read any of the books. In fact, after three kids, I had actually decided to accept my middle-aged-post-baby-body for what it was—about 25 pounds overweight, with a badge of honor around the middle. I made a conscious choice not to worry about my weight, anymore.
I chose, instead, to focus on Getting Healthy. One step at a time. One minor change at a time. And what I learned, clearly, is that what we pay attention to grows (or shrinks, as the case may be). When we focus on the little changes, the big ones tend to follow on their own.
As I was thinking about what to say to the women of Jafra, I focused on choices. And then I realized that real change happens when we shift our perspective to adopt as our personal mantra: Up Until Now.
- Up Until Now, I haven't made as much time for myself as I'd like.
- Up Until Now, I haven't focused on what I really want.
- Up Until Now, I didn't know that things could be different for me.
- Up Until Now, I didn't believe that I was really entitled to live MY life, rather than make it possible for everyone else to live their lives.
Since you are making choices every moment of every day, "Up Until Now" can change your life. It can empower you to make the decisions that lead to genuine and lasting change. The little choices that lead to big change.
The women of Jafra inspired me. They get it. They are ready to go out there and transform their lives, one choice at a time. They get that, Up Until Now, their choices were getting in the way of their success. But not anymore. Now, they are beginning to realize that their choices are the key to their success.
All it takes is a little awareness about the choices we are making, a shift in perspective about what's possible, and the belief that you DESERVE to make your life happen. Up Until Now, the change you seek may not have seemed possible; NOW, it's up to you!
This blog also appears as part of my regular column on ShareWiK.com.