About a week ago, the Forbes Billionaires list was announced. New to the list this year and the youngest female to be included is 41 year old Susan Blakey, the creator of Spanx. Unbelievable. At the age of 27 she worked in retail and was a stand-up comedian. She wanted to wear a pair of cream pants to a party one evening and needed an undergarment that simply didn't exist. So, she cut the legs off of control top pantyhose and there was the birth of Spanx. She wore the same cream pants every day for 3 years because she couldn't afford advertisement. She was her own walking commercial. Her big break came when Oprah included Spanx on her "Favorite Things" list and that was all she wrote. She was Oprah'ed. I have rigged up and created so many things in my day, but never imagined I could sell any of it.
Another story I love is that of Bethenny Frankel from the Real Housewives of NY. She was a personal chef/caterer in NY and struggling. There were times she couldn't even pay her rent. At the age of 39 she created a company called "Skinnygirl Cocktails". That same year she wrote 2 cookbooks and released an exercise DVD. The next year she wrote a book called, "A Place of Yes: 10 Rules For Getting Everything You Want Out of Life." It sat on the NY Times best sellers list for several weeks. 40 seemed to have been her year. She got married, gave birth to her first child and sold her "Skinnygirl Cocktails" company to Jim Beam reportedly for $120 million! She now has a spin off show called "Bethenney Ever After" and we get to see her purchase her first home, deal with the challenges of marriage, raising a toddler and new success and money. As if that weren't enough, she will be hosting a talk show airing this summer.
Bethenny was one of the original cast members of RHW of NY and I can't believe that in the time I've been watching her, she's created a brand and gone from one extreme to the other...and I'm STILL watching her (insert a kick to my own ass). There was a time when this woman struggled to stay in a relationship and now she's a married millionairess with a daughter and 3 books under her belt. I feel like a serious underachiever right about now. I say this because there is nothing Bethenny has done or is doing that I haven't thought of or dreamed about doing myself. She just actually DID it. All while I watched. SMDH
It comes down to having a real passion and love for what you're doing. It's the ultimate motivation because you truly believe in "it". It's not just a dream or something that feels good to think about like winning the lotto. You want it so badly you pursue it with tenacity, conviction and the right attitude. There are certain things in life that I have gone after in this manner and I have gotten them. Each and every time. I just need to reach further, jump higher and widen my lens because my talents haven't even touched the surface of their abilities. It's much more comfortable to push towards an easy mark, but if you set your sights further imagine the joy of seeing possibilities become reality.
There's a Maya Angelou quote I often reference. "Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you." This should be every body's motto. No matter what it is you love, do it to the fullest and best of your ability. I love to cook and feed people. It is a true extension of my heart and satisfies my creative appetite like nothing else. If I could, I would spend my day in the kitchen and let people come in and eat, whether they could pay me or not. I express myself in food and in word and love to write. Often I don't even intend for it to be read. Writing is actually one of the only times I'm selfish. Most of what you read is merely a conversation I'm having with the woman in the mirror. I am so delighted when friends reach out and actually compliment me on something I've written. It's always a pleasure to know I've touched someone in some way.
Speaking of touched. The other day I had dinner with a friend. On the way to the restaurant we both talked about job stress, relationship challenges and over-all life frustrations. During our meal the convo continued on the same topics but also included money, health issues, the weather, etc. With our bellies satisfied we rushed to valet complaining of the cold weather. The valet attendant that took our ticket greeted us with a gigantic, warm smile. As he called out the numbers of our ticket over his walkie talkie, he never lost his smile and spoke so zealously. He joked around with his colleagues and his every move seemed to be made with pure enthusiasm. We were waiting near where the car would arrive, but I couldn't take my eyes off of this man. I turned to my friend and noticed he was doing the same. We looked at each other and both expressed our awe and shame for all the complaining we just did. My friend is a recruiter for USC. He plays an amazing role in providing education to people. I've been working in HR at a major entertainment company for 10 years. The both of us earn way more than that valet attendant. I have an office with at TV in a building that houses a cafe and a gym on a studio lot that has theaters, a dry cleaner, car wash, store and so much more . My friend gets to travel the country as a job requirement and meet new and interesting people on a daily basis. Yes we both deal with job stress, expectations and difficult people, but we don't stand all day, in a parking garage and meet people who barely say 2 words to us before going about their business. We got in the car feeling extremely blessed and fortunate for what we do.
Susan Blakey, Bethenney Frankel and that valet attendant all inspire me despite how different their lives are. I woke up Monday morning dreading a dental appointment, the commute to work and the issues I had to deal with once I got in, but then I remembered the attendant and his amazing attitude. It all starts with the right attitude. Life would be so much richer if each day was met with that kind of enthusiasm. Each challenge should be delicious and sweet because it pushes us closer to our goals. Oprah may never try my cooking and catapult me to the billionaire's list. Bravo may never play out my love life and business successes on national TV. However, all eyes will be on me because I'm doing what I love and doing it well. And when this life is over, I intend on meeting my Maker with empty hands because I will have used all the gifts He has blessed me with.
As always, wishing you Peace, Blessings and Dee-licious Fun!
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