Tomorrow is my Best Day Yet !!!

“Tomorrow is my best day yet!” And why did those words come to me?? Because I live them. My journey and my reaction to the challenge made me a Self-Made Woman. I rose from the ashes each time and grew to the next level.

All my life I reached for inspiration and growth when handed adversity.? You see, I came from poor beginnings and alcoholic parents and learned early on that they weren’t the best role models for me.? Instead, I learned to use their examples as how NOT to live my life.? My eyes were opened to life’s possibilities when I visited an affluent friend in high school. I saw she had wonderful parents, a wonderful home, a wonderful life … and it made me think, “I want this”.? That experience impacted my life, and I became aware and began to embrace change.? It made me realize the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Who do you have in your life? Do they celebrate YOU? Do they elevate YOU?

Those questions are so important, especially to women.? Like so many, my adult life was spent being a wife following a husband’s career, so I never had the opportunity to develop my own.? That is until I took a major step to take my life back and end my marriage to an alcoholic husband.? It was in the late 90s and I had been on a temporary work assignment to United Airlines in San Francisco for 2 years. I walked into the office of my United Supervisor and said “Victor, I’m getting a divorce and I need a real job”. I was elated when his response was, well, let me write a job description, and let’s make your position permanent. In a couple of months, a new position was posted, I was hired, and I began my own career … at 48!!!

It was an exciting time in my life. I was being paid a great salary, so I bought a little house in Pacifica. It was located high on a cliff over the Pacific Ocean.? Each day when I got out of my car after a long hard day at work, I could hear the crashing waves. I stopped and let that sound cleanse any negativity away before entering my little sanctuary.?

Fast forward to 9/11/2001.? In the snap of my fingers, my life was turned upside down. To make matters even worse, that summer, Silicon Valley had been laying off computer techs right and left.? I quickly realized there was no job for me here.? So, within days, I lost my wonderful job, I lost beautiful my little home, and I had to file for bankruptcy. The emotional recovery was a challenge as I had just started my life over a few years back … only this time, I had nothing.

I turned to meditation and opened my mind for direction and Divine Design.? It has always served me well when I come to a fork in the road and don’t know which way to go.? No matter what you call it, there is Divine Order that governs our lives and we should be open to the messages that are sent to us. When life is hard, it may be because you are fighting your life course and making decisions without listening.? Do you stop and quiet your mind so you get your messages? And, are you open to them?

My answers came. While I was in San Francisco, I had reconnected with Larry, the love of my life, whom I had not seen in 14 years.? He became my saving grace.? After much contemplation, I moved to Southern California where he lived to begin again.? And what a restart it turned out to be!!!

Larry had been a full-time entertainer since 1995 with his strolling musical act.??

Slowly and over 6 months, I started the next chapter of my life as an entertainer. I became Wishboard Wanda and we began performing together as Willy’s Washboard Jamboree.? It was fun. I strolled along with him and was his Playground Director. I made sure the children had a rhythm instrument in their hands when we put out the Rhythm Playground so they could join the band and play along.? Note: we WALKED many miles every day.??

The summer of 2013, eleven years later, I was forced to make life-changing decisions again.? My knees had been damaged in a head-on collision years before, and now it felt like they would not hold my weight to take my next step.? With the distance I had to walk in my “job”, I had to reconsider what I was doing. It broke my heart, but I came to the conclusion that I had to retire Wishboard Wanda.

I needed answers again to questions like: what am I going to do and where was I going to go?? I sat back with tears in my eyes because my life was turned upside down again. Having the right people in your life came to my rescue once again.? Now Barbara, my friend of 25 years, was my saving grace. We decided I would start this chapter of my life in her vacant condo.? In a few days, I began living in a suburb of Los Angeles. Let me tell you, LA has: too many people; too many cars; awful traffic; too much crime for this country girl from Florida.? BUT, (deep breath) I embraced my new environment. I saw that Divine Design was at work again and I was presented with what I needed when I needed it.?

During those first days, it was hard to keep my head on straight, but I pushed through and made a conscious decision each day to stay positive. Keeping a good Mindset was vital to my sanity. In the beginning, I didn’t know anyone and my friend lived an hour away.? It was also the first time I’d ever lived alone. I had hours of solitude to look inside myself and contemplate my direction.? But I needed help, so I turned again to meditation and opened my mind for guidance and direction. I came to the realization that this was where I belonged at this point on my life’s journey and found peace with that.? I also embarked on a quest to find out what I wanted to do with ME.

Fortunately, because of my business background, I was able to get involved in our business in other ways. I became an Entrepreneur in the music industry as I became the tour manager, logistics manager, booking director, tax specialist, and more. All things I could do from my LA office.

I laugh and say, “I get to tell MY husband where to go!”

Actually, as I look back, the most exciting chapter of my life began. These last few years have been unbelievable: I love where I am, I love the person I’ve grown to be, and I love the possibilities that are unfolding for my future.

During my life’s evaluation, I asked myself this question and now I ask You:? What are YOUR dreams? Your dreams for YOU? Do you believe they can become a reality?

And, more important, what is holding you back??

Consider what you could do if you were to work through your fears (like I did), and you were able to overcome them (like I did), achieve your dreams (like I did), and live a life that YOU design (like I do)!

I chose to live with a positive mindset. I used meditation to maintain that mindset through it all.? I set healthy goals that took me out of my comfort zone. From the amazing experiences that have come to me, I am grateful and blessed. As Mike Dooley says, “Thoughts become Things. Choose the right one”. And I feel I did that and I did not crumble under the weight of what life was handing me.

So I share all this because that’s just what I did.? And if I can, anyone can. Then a sequence of amazing events began to unfold starting in February 2017, when I was 67!!! First, I first met powerhouse entrepreneurs Bill and Cynthia Delaney.? The first time I listened to Cynthia’s training webinar, I thought again, “I want this” … she lives in her heart!? She has compassion and a willingness to help others that outweighs any other person I’ve ever met.? Cynthia became my saving grace as well as my mentor, business partner, teacher, and very special friend.

When the student is ready, the teacher will come. AND, this student was ready. And finally, I have a GREAT role model.? I was a sponge, open and ready to grow and change.

In November of that year, I made the decision to go to a business meeting in Tucson put on by the Delaneys.? Cynthia was talking about a class that she had designed and gave out the dates.? Before I understood what was happening, my arm went up … “I’m in!”? ummmm … It was like a string was attached to my hand and pulled it up.? The Powers-to-Be knew I needed to be in this class. So I signed up for their WGP Wealth Creators Course for Entrepreneurs.? Divine Design at work again and I got the message loud and clear.

As doors opened and I walked through them, my life path unfolded in front of me.? I felt so blessed to have been put in this environment: one where I could finally live MY passions.? I love learning and growing. Yes, it takes me out of my comfort zone. Is it worth it? … YES!, absolutely. Don’t let a fear of the unknown or a fear of change keep you from what you deserve.

In one of those classes, I was introduced to Mel Robbins.? She helped shift my brain and taught me how to develop more self-confidence using her 5 Second Rule.? I also learned that you can have confidence in one area and not another. Where I needed help was to believe in myself. You see, it’s NEVER too late.??

To step back in time, when I was 49, I took a trip to Florida to visit my family.? I learned that my paternal great-grandmother was Native American when my step-mom who took me to my father’s grave. I wanted to know more, so I read a book called Medicine of the Cherokee and learned it’s important to live from your heart.??

Larry gifted me with a Native American Flute. His great-great grandmother was Native American. I found a flute circle and met others who were Cherokee. There I met my dear and special friend, Lisa, who helped me discover my gift of healing hands. With that knowledge, I became a Certified Reiki Master. It is exciting that my passion for health and wellness expanded to include my special blessing.?

With pride, I can say: I am a successful “Self-Made Woman”, a WGP Certified Trainer, a public speaker, and now a published author.? Through my Blog Group, I’m A Health and Awareness Coach focusing on Anti-Aging, Weight Loss, Pain Management, and Menopause Symptoms.? Because women have special challenges to overcome, I am ultra-passionate about helping them live the BEST life they can. I’m going to quote Suzanne Taylor: “I believe love is the most important energy in the world. It eliminates anxiety and fear of all kinds. However, we can’t love others until we love ourselves. I find that many women struggle with this. They care for others and ignore themselves until they get bitter and resentful that no one is noticing their love tank has run dry.”? I want to change that and help all women to achieve their own personal goals as I have. Experience is an amazing teacher. It is amazing what you can grow from if you keep a positive attitude through the journey.? My message: if I can, so can you. Life has given me many hurdles to jump over, and I did = one by one. I taught myself to only look forward and not put issues into my backpack to weigh me down and hinder my forward progress.

As I share my story, it is so rewarding to have a positive impact on others, especially women.? I hope it will inspire you at whatever age you might be, to Level Up your life.? You see, I’m 68 and proof it’s NEVER too late.? So, I challenge YOU to:

Live your dreams.

Let your Light shine.

Live without regret, and

Be the best you can be, because:

Tomorrow is YOUR best day yet!