Today is my Birthday. One year ago on this exact day (September 24th) I was sitting on Oprah’s couch helping to tell Stephanie Nielsen’s story “Your Life could Change in an Instant”. What has happened in my life over the past year is spectacular and I’ve made quite a transformation! At the time, I didn’t think the show had too much of an impact on me. However, looking back on this past year, I can honestly say that the experience changed me in a much more positive way than I ever could have expected.
Back then, I even felt that I wasn’t sure I personally got out of the experience what the producers had hoped. I thought I was supposed to feel like going home and being more of a dedicated and content stay at home mom. That somehow, I was supposed to find happiness in motherhood. But it turns out that my ‘transformation’ had much less to do with being a better mom, and much more to do with being a better person. Being true to myself. Chasing my dreams.
Instead of making me “happy to play with playdough”, my experience meeting Stephanie and being on the show had a much more powerful effect… it made me want to take on the world! It helped me to realize that I had so much more to give and to do with this life. I thought well, if I can be apart of something like this… sit with Oprah (and hold my composure) on national television, totally exposed ;), then I can do anything – what was I waiting for?!
It truly lit a fire in me. It woke me up to the fact that if I want things to happen, then I have to go out and make them happen! I’ve had some exciting opportunities come my way and I am taking full advantage of them because I finally believe, I can do anything. It wasn’t so much about not being happy as a mom but more about being creatively frustrated and lacking the courage and the confidence to get up and do something.
For me, the month of September is Magical! (and I just got chills writing that)
Comments
Happy birthday!
WOW…I would say that after Oprah you can reach for the stars now girl! 🙂
I love the message of this post. I was in a funk off and on in my late 30s. Now that I’m in my 40s I’m not afraid to dream big dreams, but sometimes it can still be a little scary. That’s a powerful gift to give to my daughters, too. DREAM BIG!
Hope your birthday is magical! 🙂
What an awesome story! I can see how that would be an amazing experience. For me it is my wedding day. I was married young and divorced after only 11months. It was a horrible experience and left me absolutely crushed. For 10 years I “made it” on my own but when I met and married my Husband it was like the life was breathed back into me. For me, it was my missing piece and I am so grateful. I try to remember it each day, but especially on our anniversary I feel that magic all over again.
That is one amazing journey and I am so proud of having you as my friend. Your work ethics coupled by your amazing insight clearly has led to your achievements. Toasting this as another successful birthday. *Clink!
…and I got chills reading it!
Sometimes the obvious is the hardest thing to see. When you finally believe in yourself it gives you the wings to fly :0)
Happy Birthday! You are a superstar today and always! You are totally reaching your dreams, you inspire me to reach for the stars.
I love this post and am so happy to have your infectuous pressence in my life.
Celebrate and Have a Spectacular Day!
Love you Bloggin’ Sista,
Romy, The One Who Raves
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU. Autumn is my magical season because you were born. Love Mom
Andrea, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I think you are an amazing person and I am very lucky to have met you. I hope you have the best birthday ever. I love the post.
Happy birthday! I am so glad that you shared this. Having known you for the last few months I have seen you take on the world! I can’t wait to see what this next year brings for you!
Happy Birthday to a chick who definitely knows how to make things happen! I’m so psyched that we are making some things happen together. 🙂
Hope you have an awesome day and let’s do some belated celebrating in Ojai – shall we? 🙂
xo
Lee
I agree. September IS magical. And wow, I did not realize that you were on that Oprah show with Stephanie last year. I am intrigued and will be doing some digging in your story to find out more! I love this post. I love to hear that a fire has been lit and you are becoming all of who you are – because from what I can see so far, you are pretty darn amazing. I hope this birthday is magical in a whole new way – and here’s to many more to come. Who knows where you’ll be next year?!!
You go, girl!
Julie
Dream big! A year ago I found out that due to budget cuts I was losing a job I love. Now I have a new fabulous job and I’ve sold two books (a dream come true) a lot can happen in a year if you make it so.
Happy, Happy Birthday
~Suzi
Happy Birthday. September is a great month and life is good. Got my box btw thks. 🙂 Enjoy your day!!
Happy Birthday fellow Libra!
What an amazing journey! I’ll never forget when O’s peeps called you while you were grocery shopping at Whole Foods. I am so proud of all you have achieved this year, and I am happy to have been along for the (now bicoastal) ride. I wish I could be at the Fellmanor to celebrate…..but I hope you can feel all my blessings for the year to come radiating across the country! Love You! xoxoxo
(sorry I am late with my comment) This was such a powerful and touching post! I love when you have (to quote Oprah) an “ah ha moment” as profound as this one! I have them about every 3 months… I seem to evolve with the seasons. Something happens when one gives way to another to remind me that I am on a great adventure! I hope you’re birthday was awesome and here’s to many many more!!
Pingback: Monday mashup: We’re going to Peter Pan! - The Mom Blog : The Orange County Register