FEELING BLESSED & MIGHTY THANKFUL

My tangent, first and foremost today, as I sit feeling wonderful and overwhelmingly blessed, my heart begins to sink for those feeling less fortunate this winter.  Those who are cold and hungry and those who cant seem to find even just one twinkle in their eye of hope and light.  I wish I could hug them all and tell them they can do it and give them all a meal.  However, I can not do that, I will immediately get generous and do what I can little by little.  This is not to say only during the holidays can you feel for these people, but it is true, its much colder and scary and not to mention darker, longer.  Between Suicide Awareness and Homelessness, I find it important to throw a smile at everyone you see and try not to look away ALL the time.  Stay humble, stay open and be amazing everyday, for everyone you meet is struggle some hard battle.
Now that is my intention today but boy do I have so much more to say.  ;-)

I spent the day with some of the most amazing men and women yesterday and my very first Rodan + Fields conference/training.  Going in, I already felt grateful to work for a company with such great credibility and training, but I was in for so much more.  When they said "MAGIC" would happen there yesterday, I said, "yea alright"  its magical but didnt quite know what that all could mean.  I heard from the most successful financial advisors, cardiologists, non for profit volunteers, teachers, stay at home moms, big Ad network execs, and so many more.  All of their stories, coming out organically as we did our exercises with partners in which we didnt know and work our way around the room.  One story in particular grabbed me and will stay with me.  Many people saw right through to this amazing opportunity for the sky rocket financial potential and said they started this to retire themselves, or their husbands or to pay for their kids college tuition.  etc....

Our cardiologist friend stood up so boldly, to let us know that the money is great but what is more greater than any amazing paycheck is the time to spend growing or being with your family and that although she went through many years of college and became exactly what she always dreamed she wanted to be, a cardiologist.  She said, I am not the person I wanted to be, my family doesnt have the mom that they deserve to have and that her truth couldnt be any further from her dreams, until R+F.  She not only saw this company skyrocketing, and all the potential this early on to become a part of it for the amazing financial freedom, but she so vividly told us her dreams were now to allow her kids to eat dinner with her that was home cooked rather than out of a plastic tupper ware container, and her dreams were to send them to whatever school they wanted (even though financially she could already do that) but to actually be able to TAKE them there, and visit them and take them on vacations, TOGETHER.  This is not a mother getting soft, this is a person realizing that life is too short to not be EVERYTHING you always dreamed of being.  You can be a career person, with the time, and still replace a CARDIOLOGISTS paycheck with this company.  Financial freedom is amazing but freedom alone to paint your life the way you want to paint it, is priceless.

I am beginning my journey in my Rodan + Fields, micro enterprise, and going out to share this gift to those who also can see the big picture and the real solid gold potential.  We are not the "avon" ladies selling product (NO offense to anyone who sells AVON - that company too is great with their donations and special causes) but we are BUILDING this ginormous company from its infancy right now, and although the products are amazing.  Our goal is to expand and cover this globe one consultant at a time while helping them achieve their own personal success.  The product sells itself, because it works and we all have great skin and the doctors have spent their lives working on skin.  They're now sharing their gift with the world.  It is not a gift until you can give it away.  I am blessed to be one of their first generation consultants and even more blessed to be surrounded by such smart intelligent, loving, and inspirational people while growing something together, on our own watches.

Over the years, no matter how many times people say to separate business and personal life, I come to realize that your business plan is one of the most personal decisions you can make.  Choosing to spend 10, 15, 20, 40 etc hours on something a week is a VERY personal thing.  That is your time.  That is precious time.  Life is too short not to make yourself proud and not to have a bucket list that actually has goals and milestones in which you can achieve and can be thankful for.  I realize I shared someone elses story, not my own.  So, I will now share mine.

My now, husband and I decided this past spring that we were tired of living mediocre lives, and loving just when we had time.  We were tired of hearing ourselves complain or even discuss the same possibilities over and over again.  We decided to finally move to the town we have been loving for years, and be closer to family and friends, we decided to see the glass as half full but work our way to filling it.  So, in a matter of 2 months, we sold our condo, moved up to Cold Spring, and finally set our wedding date (which was a short 4.5 months of planning time).  We decided to lead with our heart and to make good wise decisions.  This train was moving fast.  I was finding much success in a job I disliked, and so much glory in all the other things in life.  While planning my wedding, I started to use R+F products, and saw amazing results just as my friend who introduced me had as well, Dia is her name.  I began to research the company and found out who and what this company actually was and how there was this shiny diamond in the rough calling my name.  Right as I decided to start talking about joining, I was laid off from my job, despite all my success, and I was okay with it.  I spent the next month learning more about R+F, receiving compliments on my skin, and getting my wedding planned and ready.  I spent that month the happiest I have ever been.  I received so many compliments on my skin during my wedding, that I signed up for R+F from the airport to my honeymoon.  I wanted to hit the ground running as soon as I got back and thats just what I did.  This was to be a side job for me while I decided my next career move.  However, I soon learned, that my next career move, found me.  I learned that this business was my next career move and that I could fund mine and my husbands dream of beginning our own small business eventually in our new small town.  Anything that may have seemed like a downer in the story was a blessing in disguise and a true gift.  WOW.  I will be travelling with this company to Nashville in January as we launch our new products and GO GLOBAL!  The best part is, I have great skin, an amazing outlook on life, and I am only just getting started!

This blog is not a sales pitch BY ANY MEANS, it is me expressing my true, raw, appreciation for so many blessings and AH-HA moments.  It is me sharing my thoughts, and expressing my excitement so that I can look back on this even if times get tough, as a reminder of why I started, and why I saw the potential.  It also serves to invite you to support me on my journey and if you or your friends have someone with a similar story to mine or some others that I will continue to share, than they might see what we see and join us in expanding GLOBAL in 2014!! Keep me in mind when you hear these stories and share the possibility and maybe buy some amazing eye cream (my current obsession) haha.

Thanks for stopping by to hear what I have been bathing in lately.  I appreciate you all and thank you for all the support! Life is a BFD, treat it that way.  Live BIG, Travel tons, smile every damn day!!

-Dee
DeeREDEFINED

BARRE CERTIFIED!

It's official... Basically!  I AM A CERTIFIED BARRE "TEACHER"!

It has been a long time coming, and I am so insanely thrilled with the fact that I waited until now.  I have had the honor of learning from first generation Lotte Berk trained and amazing leaders, Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred Devito (a husband and wife team, and owners of Exhale Spa & Fitness).  The two of them and one of their top trainers Barbara, have enlightened us with their mind and body wisdom and grace.  This is only their SECOND training that has been offered and they are beginning the accreditation process (woo hoo), as theire is no nationally recognized standard of training for barre (hence why you see so many wacky variations).  I feel so privileged to have met them, let alone work along side them and have picked their brains for 40 hours!  They have taught us the core fundamentals and movements of the original barre method.

The group was a mix of pilates and all variations of "group ex" trainers, as well as first time teachers in the industry (like myself).  We all gelled very well and inspired each other, boosted each other, guided each other, and drank with each other!  It is bitter sweet that our time in the studio has come to an end, but I will be making my way around to everyone's studios up and down the coast, and possibly even as far as Dallas, Montreal, & Seattle, to support and surprise each of these amazing people!  These woman (and men, Fred) have been a blessing to work alongside.  I will forever be grateful and fueled by their energy and support!

My classes will begin around the Cold Spring area come December and January. So, stay tuned for more announcements on where you can catch my energy filled, core based, barre classes!  I am thrilled to share this knowledge with the public and begin my journey as a teacher!

I have pushed myself past the threshold of comfort into an amazing, eye opening, experience.  For that, I am inspired to continue to be persistent, patient, and confident with the chosen path of life.  All of the things, I have said for years I have wanted to do, are slowly but surely becoming my reality.  I am grateful for life and have a new appreciation for each breathe.  No day will go to waste.

What has pushed you to use your courage?  Have you challenged yourself lately?  Please share!

Namaste. Exhale.

#DeeRedefined

PROJECT: ORGANIZE!

Project getting organized!

As we flip out seasonal clothes, we also become more reliant on our mud rooms, and our multiple pairs of shoes.  Not only are the clothes bigger, but the flip flops that were so easily stored are now the piles of boots.    Somehow, the mail piles, and the projects, and the need for more food in the house.

So, the question becomes, how can we remain organized and simple through these cooler months.  I am going to start with home office de-cluttering.  I am going to start there because I am one who has many projects colliding into one.  So not only does this space need a face lift, but so does the time management within this space.  I look forward to telling you more about the projects in the pipeline.  

I am going to start by sectioning off my daily routines and work myself into a rhythm that fits my lifestyle, our schedule(s), and still leave time for those precious newlywed moments.  I married the man of my dreams, but us perusing our dreams together may collide with alone time and that just #aintcool.

First up, Mondays are for Manis and Macro E ALWAYS, but those can be later afternoon ME time(s) on Mondays.  During the day will be for Marketing.  See the theme here, "M"s are for Mondays.  Time to create flyers, widgets, have Marketing Meetings.  This is actually kinda fun!

Tuesdays are for tune ups, checking in with co workers for Tips, and Tricks, and simple updates.  I will also read industry Trades, and Talk on the phone with guests and clients in need of assistance or questions.

Wednesdays are "Warrior Wednesdays" at one of my studios @LifeInBalanceFishkill.  So I will carry that into my daily rhythm as well.  there will be time for yoga and exercise and much more WORK.  Those phone calls and monday meetings, will become WORKS in progress on Wednesdays.  When I cross things off the lists on Wednesday(s) I will feel empowered.

Thrifty Thursday will be for finding ways to cut down on expenses.  Paying bills, purchasing for the store(s), posting specials, researching new and inexpensive ways to market and advertise the businesses.  Cutting coupons

Friday is for FUN.  To make dinner plans with friends and visit friends where we are most likely not able to see them as the schedules fill up.  Friday is also a great day to be sure you call your Family and check in with them if there has been a little bit of time that has passed.

Sanctuary Saturday, to clean and RE-organize certain areas, do lawn care and laundry that wasnt able to get done in between everything else in the week.  also to Support local businesses and stroll along main street to be sure we know whats going on in our town, and hit up the farmers market.

Snuggles on Sunday heheh.  We will make sure we get back into date nights and special nights.  Sundays are for that.  Maybe we will travel out east to get inspired or check out the beaches covered in snow (not yet but its coming) or taste some of favorite yummy wines.  Either way, dates are in order.

As mentioned I will begin with a semi organized office, adding some "fung shway" and getting our bulky clothes out of the spare bedroom.  Stay tuned for after pictures.  Here are the befores.

Please share tips and tricks on how you stay organized in life and home!  I would love to hear some feedback!

Namaste.

#deeredefined