Please welcome this week's WOW, my longtime friend Laurie. She was one of the first people I met when I had to move during my sophomore year of high school. We've been friends a very long time and have experienced several different highs and lows through our friendship. She always has had a huge heart and I love that about her the most. Thank you Laurie for taking the time to answer all these questions! Here is her interview:
1: If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why? So many ideas, but:
“No” is a complete sentence.
Or “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday” own this and then I can say “I choose otherwise”. (Adapted from a Stephen covey quote)
2: In the last five years what have you become better at saying no to?
Pretty much everything,
But to highlight one, I say no to people that attempt to shush me, using attempts at shame, insults or pretending that being positive means not calling out things that I believe are wrong in our world. I think trying to shush people belongs in libraries and maybe in church service.
3: What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the "real world"?
I would encourage them to find a job, that they think they want to do, and then start working towards a career in what they discover along the way. Don’t get stuck in a type of job if it doesn’t serve your heart or soul or stimulate your brain in an interesting way. Be brave, work hard and work smart!
4: What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you've ever made? (it doesn't need be financial in nature)one thing that comes to mind is investment in my mental health and healing so I could open my heart. Family, (husband, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren etc)., friends and other friends I haven’t yet met, I hope have or will benefit from that work through my love and service to them.
5: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life? Being patient. To breathe before action so I’m more aware of choice. Choice is always present, being aware of it helps guide me to better ones.
6: How has a failure, or apparent failure set you up for later success? Do you have a favorite failure of yours? Failure is planned practice. If you are failing, it means you are working on something that you believe worthwhile. It is important to understand you will fail until you master it. I’m better at understanding relationship after failing often and still. I am getting better, and there is always room for improvement. Just keep working at it. I’m grateful for every day I get to wake up and practice/fail/improve again.
7: What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months or in recent memory? Sounds silly,
But a pair of Skechers. My feet are often in pain and these have helped me feel better. Lots of other things,
but this is the first thing that popped in my mind.
8: When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do? Breathe deeply and pray and sometimes cry. If possible I take a bath and then just break it down into doable tasks. One thing I learned from childbirth always helps me: I breathe and think-this will be over by tomorrow. I do this during adversity or something I need to do that may be tedious, painful,
Or difficult.
9: What is the book (or books) you've given most as a gift and why? Or what are one to three books that have greatly influence your life?
1.Light in the Wilderness:Explorations in the Spiritual Life by M. Catherine Thomas because it is a deep amazing book that deepens my faith and keeps me asking poignant questions.
2.The Answer to How is Yes by Peter Block- empowering book. “How?” is the biggest roadblock. If the answer is Yes, you have the how will manifest. Doesn’t mean it will be easy, but it will be reachable.
3. Scriptures. I love reading words of Jesus and the love God has for us.
10: What is one piece of advice you would give to a woman that you wish you knew earlier in life? I think we meet people at the right time for each of the individuals, so I don’t really have any.
11: What do you think about the theory of "the love of your life", what does that phrase me to you?
I’m not a believer in one love. I’m a believer in love in action. Possibilities and people show up when you are open and ok being alone. My dad always told me that love grows exponentially, the more you love, your capacity to love grows.
12: What is something that you would find most helpful in your life right now? (what would be the best problem solved for you)
A personal assistant.
Thanks again Laurie and check back next Wednesday for our next WOW!
XO
Titanium