What does it mean to have “courage” or to be “courageous”? Webster’s dictionary defines courage as being “the quality of being brave or valor” To me, courage is standing up for what you believe no matter what. To me, courage is being fearful but acting anyway and lastly courage means going against the norm of what everyone else believes is the “socially accepted” thing to do, say, or be and doing your own thing. In some way, shape, form, or fashion we choose to be courageous from the moment we wake up, until the time we fall asleep at night. The other day before I walked out of the door, the holy spirit said to me “every day you either choose to pick up your gifts and dreams or  you choose to lay them down. Which do you choose today?” I nearly fell to the ground and wept, because it touched a deep inner place in my soul that only God and I know exists. As a woman, business woman, mother, wife, nurturer, provider, and all of those wonderful roles that I play each and everyday, the very core of who I am is expressed through the gifts that flow effortlessly through me and the same is true for you. It is how God made us. The gift that God planted in us is at the very core of our being, just as a writer, writes, and a singer.. sings. Each and every person on this planet was born with a God-given gift, many if not all of us with multiple gifts, my question to you…do you choose to pick up your gift or lay it down today?

Just the other day my daughter and I were sitting in the living room reading a book, my son was snuggled up reading one of his favorite “Diary of Wimpy Kid” books and my daughter was insistent that we read “Charlie Brown’s Christmas”. As we sat there reading the story, my daughter jumps up and says “I finally know how to whistle, want to hear me!” So, for the next 5 minutes or so, my daughter demonstrates her ability to whistle, one whistle at a time. She would whistle a sec, catch her breath, perch her lips, and whistle again. If you can imagine, it was the cutest thing ever! It reminded me of when I was a little kid, expressing my “first time”.  The first time I learned how to ride a bike or the first time I learned how to roller skate, all the first you learn as a child and share with the world. As a child, it is the excitement and joy of learning something new and being completely happy and joyful of the complexity of the task, yet simplicity of it.  What about as we get older? The excitement, joy, and innocence of learning something new, evolving, and transforming into greater beings is definitely something to share and express. As we get older we can sometimes forget the zest and zing that makes our heart jump for joy when learning something new about life, world around us, and the world within us. Remember to take in the new, share and express what brings you alive and as some would say “tickles your fancy”.

I had the pleasure of attending Synergi Group’s (www.synergigroup.com)  Brand University Marketing Conference in Va Beach today.  Not only did I walk away with a wealth of information, power connections, but I left the conference charged and equipped with a list of ways in which I can make my business and inner self better.  The conference touched on topics such as client building, PR, do-it-yourself-marketing, being authentic, paying -it-forward, direct mail basics, You! The superstar, elevator pitch, going from wimpy to wow..just to name a few! I had the opportunity to talk to and pick the brains of many women who are  living their dreams and walking out their purpose in life.  The knowledge gained and opportunity to build relationships was priceless.

I believe that in order to become the person we desire to be, we must make it a priority to attend workshops, seminars, and read books on how to better improve our lives, relationships, families, businesses, and careers.  In addition, we have to be willing to change and grow. Knowledge is Power and Relationships are essential!

 Thank you Tammy Freeman, (CEO Synergi Group) for an awesome conference and awesome location!