Don’t forget where you came from – it paves the road to where you’re going.
Chris says in class, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”
How true it is.
My life’s been on a crazy ride the past few months. A great ride, but crazy nonetheless. For a while, I was stuck in a rut. Knowing what to change and how to change it were both extremely challenging. So I did what anyone does in that situation. I reached out to those who knew me best and were my biggest supporters to help find the courage to make some necessary changes.
And now here I am. I’m in the process of starting a marketing consulting business geared towards small businesses. I’ve always known I wanted to be my own boss, I just couldn’t focus on which boss I wanted to be. I have lots of ideas for future business ventures, but picking just one and pursuing it was scary, to say the least. And that’s where my support system became a pot of gold for me. You know who you are, and I have a huge debt of gratitude to each of you for putting and keeping me on track. But I’m taking this time to say a special thanks to the one that believed in me and my ideas before even I did.
Over ten years ago, I had already started talking about “someday, I’m going to own a business”. And my poor mother would sit and listen to me drone on for hours about pipe dreams, and she’d even go so far as to say she enjoyed every word. I know she did, because she’d always get excited with me, and offer up a lot of ideas to go along with mine. And then we’d part ways, and I’d fall back into the reality of life and put off thinking about that “someday” for months on end.
And now it’s becoming reality, and I’m so excited to share the reality of it with her. Nine times out of ten I’ll go to Mom with what I believe to be a great idea, or a new avenue to pursue, and she’ll respond with “That’s great, Andee. Remember I told you about that?”. “No”, I’ll reply. “Sure. I sent you an email about that three years ago. You must not have been at a point in your life to open your mind to it.” Lo and behold, she was right. She’s known my path longer than I have. I guess that’s a natural instinct, being a mom. I’m not sure. But I’m sure glad she paved the way for me. Thanks, Mom.
Take a moment and think of how you got where you are. Is there someone to thank for that? If so, give them a holler. I bet they’d love to hear from you.
Safe travels.
‘Til next time,
Andee
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Lin Vosters-Salm said,
March 4, 2010 @ 10:04 am
Morning “ups”:
Shut up! the alarm clock, boot up the pc, tip up the eye moistening drops, pick up the cup of coffee. Needless to say, this morning’s “up’s” got short circuited. And my computer will be next if I don’t stop dripping tears over my keyboard. After reading your blog, my eyes don’t need artificial moisture and who needs caffeine when you get such a delightful boost of Andee’s unpredictability early in the morning. I’d have loved nothing more than call you as soon as I read your (late night) words, but I know you well enough to know you’d ignore your cell ringing like an alarm clock early in the am. I’ll give you time to start your day, according to your internal clock, and call you around…noon?
Thank you for your special words of gratitude, Andee. Tho’ I know there are so many others who share equally in supporting you as you design your path forward. For all those folks, a special “thank you, too, for being in Andee’s pot of gold.
Love,
Lotsa’ sunshine,
Safe travels,
Mom
Al Lautenslager said,
March 5, 2010 @ 7:55 am
Lin, Ive not known Andee long but in a short time it is way obvious that you have a lot to be proud of. Im glad she is in my pot o gold. She is the human sponge, looking for any and all knowledge to soak up and use in her ventures. I share a similar story about my entrepreneurial ventures related to lessons from Mom. Amazing in many ways the similarities. Good for you. Good for Andee! Al.
Lin Vosters-Salm said,
March 15, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
Al, in your “comment to my comment”, you wrote “I share a similar story about my entrepreneurial ventures related to lessons from Mom”. Is your story verbal or written. If written, could you forward/link the story to me, please? I’d love to read it. Thanks so much,
Lin