Showing posts with label sisters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sisters. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Game Changing Woman

I read. A lot. Not books — and I should change that — but short articles from lots of different sites: Read Write Web, Big Think, Eloqua Blog, 85 Broads, etc.

The “founding members” of 85 Broads were women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broad Street in New York City. It now includes women from all over the world. Recently, they posted an article that really captures the power women have to make a difference. To all you women who read my blog, remember this when you're feeling down. To all you men, you're probably married to a game changing woman. Make sure you let her know that.
We’ve been getting this question fairly often lately. “What makes a woman a game changer?” In order to describe it more deeply than “Well, you know, she’s awesome.” We came up with a few ideas:
She has swagger. She is love. She can run four blocks in heels. She can run a marathon. She can swim bike run and/or play a musical instrument and/or change a tire all on her own. She’s independent. She’s warm. If she’s a mother/wife/girlfriend, it is to someone that she chose. Not because she needs a partner, but because they make her more herself. She laughs with her whole self. She breathes. Slowly. Sometimes to take it all in. Sometimes to keep from blowing up. She is courageous and fiery and ferocious if need be. She kisses boo boos. She can parallel park like a champion. She has an invisible crown, halo, superhero cape and magic wand. She takes the good with the bad. She goes after everything she wants in life. Without guilt. She leaves it all on the field. She gives it everything she has. She fails. She succeeds. Most importantly, she tries. She’s in the game. Not on the sidelines. She revels in quiet, calm stillness. She makes sure she is heard when she has something to say. She can be afraid, but respects fear and moves forward anyways. She makes babies. She makes money. She makes up her own mind about when and where and with whom to do both. She is joy, happiness, determination and perseverance all rolled into one. She is any and all of the above. She knows herself, loves herself and above all, she is always herself. She’s a game changer.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Gratitude Day 13

1- Other people shopping for me. I've needed brown shoes for my sister's wedding. I had looked but hadn't found anything that really worked for me. My friend Kate and my sister both researched and shopped for me. I now have shoes. So glad I had other people's help on this one.

2- Indian food. How can lamb, naan, and curry be wrong? Love it!

3- Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. My sister was on a business trip this past week. On her way home she stopped at the Cheesecake Factory and bought me a slice of my favorite kind. The best part about this little gift is the cheesecake is so rich it lasts more than one sitting. Thanks Nettie!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

AOG - Day 25

1- I am grateful I was able to spend some time with my sister today. We rarely get to have one-on-one time. It was fun to catch up on life.

2- I am grateful to be at home for a few days. It's nice to escape from school every once in a while.

3- I am grateful to have a nice warm bed to sleep in when I visit my parents. Long story on that one but I'll just say the couch used to be my bed. Not any more! :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

AOG - Day 18

1- I am grateful my presentation went well.

2- I am grateful for my sisters who help me out in life. The listen to me, invite me on vacation with them, and one let me borrow all her kids pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals to help me with my presentation.

3- I am grateful for moments when I can forget about school and just relax.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Gratitude - Day 18

1. I am grateful for my MBA family and the support I receive from them as I try to swim the waters of the program. Just when I am about ready to drown, one of them comes along, pulls me up, and begins swimming beside me. Last night one of my MBA family shared 2 Nephi 2:2: he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. Then he gave this insight, "The lord is waiting and ready to help, but sometimes he gives us challenges for our gain." I love my MBA family.

2. I am grateful for visits from Nettie. We have so much fun together and her timing is perfect!

3. I am grateful for the strength I see in others. My friend Mel is one of my favorite people. She teaches me so much through her example. I have seen her endure many trials and times of adversity. Her sister died tragically in May and now her mom has been diagnosed with cancer. With all that is happening around her, she still finds hope in the gospel. Thank-you for sharing your hope with me. “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.” (Mosiah 4:9)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Gratitude - Day 15

1. I am grateful for siblings who give me perspective when I feel out of my element.

2. I am grateful for the opportunity to make new friends and the joy that brings into my life.

3. I am grateful for memorable quotes. One of my favorites right now comes from Randy Pausch: Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 5

1. I am grateful for my sisters. We have so much fun talking with one another. I called Suzy once when she had laryngitis. I told her that I would call back in a few days because I didn't want her to strain her voice. She told me she wanted to talk. So I turned the volume on my phone as high as I could and we talked for over an hour! My sisters and I have so much fun with one another.

2. I am grateful for Option B. I always try to plan my life with a goal in mind. However, I feel that Heavenly Father smiles at me from above and chuckles a bit knowing that is not the way my life is going to head. Right now I can't plan the next few months in my life because so many unknown factors exist. At least I know someone above is smiling and guiding Option B.

3. I am grateful for a clean room. My mom will laugh at that one because I was a messy child. Right now with so much going on, it is nice to know that I have one place that is free from chaos. Many of you out there know that making my bed is the bane of my existence. It is such a pain especially when your bed is against a wall. But it still gets done, sort of. :)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I Could Never Love Anyone More Than I Love My Sisters

Many of may have heard of the missionary from Farmington, UT (Lindsey Spjute) who died while jogging. As it turns out, she is the sister of my good friend Melanie (Mel to those close to her). As soon as I heard the news, tears filled my eyes and my heart ached for the Spjutes. Recently, I have had a difficult time understanding death. When my friend Tim died in October I felt like my heart had been ripped out of me. When Mel told me about Lindsey those same emotions returned. It is easier to accept death when it comes for a grandparent who is suffering. But it doesn't seem to make sense for those who are so young with so much to live for. Gratefully, we have the gospel which gives us an understanding of the plan of salvation and eternal families. It doesn't mean that the pain disappears. However, this is one unique situation where you can be overcome with pain yet still find peace. Mel said it best, "My heart is tired." As I sat through sacrament meeting on Mother's Day I reflected about this tragic turn of events and my own family. First, my mom. My mom is incredible. She goes out of her way to help people. She is my "go to person" whenever something in my life happens. When I got into BYU for MBA school she was the first person I called. When I am mad and need to calm down, she is the one who helps. When I am lonely, she invites me to drive with her to St. George for lunch. Okay that only happened once but I still remember how much that meant to me. She brought us to piano lessons weekly. Fixed dinner daily. And chastised me hourly. This has been very much appreciated as I have gotten older. For she taught me how to be a better person. I know I am lucky. Next, my sisters. My sisters are my best friends. Hour conversations are normal. If I don't talk to Suzy once a week, I feel like something is missing. She is always inviting me to come stay with her family and to join them on family trips. Melissa lets me be part of her family and is always willing to let me indulge her kids with treats. She shares her kids with me. Kathrine keeps me laughing. She loves being part of our lives, even though she lives the furthest away. Lucille is my comrade in arms. Most of my childhood memories revolve around Lu. All I have to say is Mickey and the Beanstalk, Stratego Men, 1-2-3 on so-and-so, etc. The list goes on. We still have great times together. Last is Annette. I miss Annette. She is in Turkey and Greece right now and I have been making a list of the random things I would normally text her. She let me tag along with her this year-as I had no friends-and crash on her couch when it got late. We both love movies and I love watching something new with her. It will be hard when she moves to California. I could ramble on for hours about my family (I'll do Dad and the brothers on Father's Day) but I just want to close with saying how much I love my family. I am lucky. I could never love anyone more than I love my sisters. --Louisa May Alcott