Attending a Business Conference

My husband and I attended a large business event this past weekend. 

At the incredible Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

With 27,000 other individuals wanting to live life on their terms by helping others reach their dreams. It was huge.

The idea was for each to Catch the Vision of our dreams and hopes for the future. For me, it is replacing a full-time teaching salary so that I do not have to go back to work full-time. It is the ability to take the kids on vacation and not worry that water bottles are $8.00 at the amusement parks, it is about me taking charge of my health, it is about me working from home, and it is about helping other women make a difference in their family's lives.

I left the event armed with information and ready to grow my business to the next level but more importantly, ready to make a difference. Over the next few weeks I will share what Emmitt Smith, Walter Bond, Erik Wahl, Michael W Smith had to say but I will also share the stories of those like us. Women that decided that they, too, wanted to work for home and are now making more than they could have ever dreamt possible.

Because when you work hard and focus on your goals anything can happen.

QUESTION: What are goals for the next year?

When You Dream Big

When you dream big, big things can happen. You have to get past the fears, insecurities, denials, and what-ifs to transfer the dream to reality but it can happen.

Your dreams can lead you to your knees.

Your dreams can lead you to tears and heartache.

Your dreams can lead you to joy.

It is in my heart to encourage women in their faith and to take steps toward realizing that God has a plan for each of them that is not limited by our dreams, ideas, or limitations. And this morning I took a big step and told people that I wanted something done to support women that had a need. I worried for a moment that I was stepping on toes, going out of bounds, or asking the impossible.

And within an hour movement happened.

It would be easy to say that it was me and my phone call and almost relentless search for how can we do more. But I would be wrong.

I was given a dream and the desire and I obeyed. I believe that God heard these women calling out for help and he is answering.

Don't get caught up in thinking that your dream is too big or too impossible or too out of bounds. Dream and live your purpose.

QUESTION: What will you dream and take action on today?

Honor Your Calling

the kids art that I then added to for this post...

We are all called to do something with our lives. For some, the call is brief and may be only the gift of a smile or kind word. For others, the call for our purpose is a heart ache that sucks the breath out of our lungs and leaves a flutter in our gut. We wake with the thoughts of our purpose and we go to sleep with the same thoughts.

What does your heart ache for?

You need to honor your calling. It is why we are here. You have a gift that has been given to you that will not look like the person next to you. Your purpose is part of you.

When you honor that call you feel the most alive.

When you honor that call others often recognize it in you and tell you so.

When you live your purpose you change your world.

QUESTION: What is your calling?

4 Ways to Use Your Skill to Give Back

Last year I felt a rather sharp thumping in my head and chest. I was not having a heart attack or a migraine; I was feeling the call to do more with my life in a purposeful way.

If you are anything like me then there is a chance that you aren't sure what you can do. And if you only look at what you do for a living then you will most likely find skills you can use to be a "professional giver."

1. Use your talents for a cause. If you are a writer then you can help write grant proposals for a non-profit. If you are a teacher you can help inner-city youth that are struggling. If you are a baker then consider helping with a group that feeds the home-bound elderly. If you are friendly then be a greeter at your church or at a local function.

2. Encourage your employer to get involved. My husband's company formed a partnership with a local school and allowed employees to leave to help with struggling students. They also have a division that educates farmers about new tools and management. One local business had a collection box for old coats that were then donated to a local shelter for children.

3. Mentor with your experience. We all have learned many things through our experiences and can share that information with others. Big Brothers Big Sisters and teen youth groups are just a sample of what you can do as a mentor. Once I began selling online and purchased supplies wholesale, I found myself asked on several occasions about the process. Be open to helping others.

4. Use the internet. I know several women whose vocation and calling is not in an office but online. They use social media and websites to get their message across for the benefit of a cause. One mother I met creates flyers and notices about the importance of restraints for child seats for an organization in another state--online. Now you can help and you don't even need to get dressed to do it!

None of these have to take a lot of time, energy, or money but they do utilize skills that you are already using. So why don't you use them to help others?

QUESTION: What is a skill you can use?