Redefining the 4M Lifestyle

One year ago, I embarked on the journey of building a lifestyle brand dedicated to women achieving levels of authenticity in their various life spaces. And like many other things in my life, my consistency waned. I let you down – my blogs were late, and conversations became shorter, then virtually nonexistent, because I couldn’t figure out how to do it all.  I didn’t know how to handle change, growth and success in the competing areas of my life. More importantly, I hadn’t figured out how to advocate for self and say, “Hey folks, I’m drowning a little bit in the midst of it all”.  

As I thought through what I wanted the next year to look like it was apparent that I needed more than a brand to be sustainable. I need support and accountability. Those are the same things that I hear from many of you in our individual conversations and encounters. So the goal here is changing. We are moving from a brand to a community. We are a community of women striving for authentic living in every area of life – that of mates, mommies, moguls and most importantly ME (who we are when all of the other is stripped away). We provide support and accountability to one another as we continue the journey to authenticity.

The goals for the 2nd year of the 4MLifestyle are to provide:

1.       Consistency – I’m recommitting to having “Live” conversations with you. Screaming kids in the background and all if necessary, because that’s what my life looks like right now. The same for blogs – I want you guys to read what I write, good, bad and indifferent. Writing is a part of who I am, our opinions may differ but that’s part of what makes us grow and be amazing.

2.       Resources and Support – Over the last year, I’ve sprinkled in a few articles and videos here and there. But I want to include more of these resources, even if just for a laugh, to remind you that you are not alone on your journey.

3.       Community – Keyboard courage and social media sometimes interfere with our ability to really connect. I desire for us to get to know one another on a deeper level. If we work together, we can define what support looks like for each of us on our individual journeys and create a safe space for authentic living.

4.       Accountability – We all have dreams and goals, even if we’ve never shared them. Part of authentic living means going after those goals. We’re here to help each other achieve them, even if it’s a simple reminder to “just keep going”.

So Happy Anniversary 4Ms! Will you continue to join me on the journey to building a community of authentic living in every area of our lives?

A Few Thoughts on Leaving a Legacy

I think about death. Not in a scary way but in a “what’s on the other side” way. Yes, I believe I’ll go to heaven but what will be left of me here on Earth. Will I leave a mark? Will it be known that I was here? That’s what I think about.

I’ve had the honor of helping to write the last words about some loved ones over the last few years. I’ll admit, it was HARD. I questioned whether I was writing the right thing. Did I capture the essence of who they were and the work that they did adequately? And the truth of the matter is that it would have been so much easier if they’d told me what to say. J

So many times we as women walk around as representatives of ourselves. We morph into various roles so much so that when the real us shows up, she’s foreign. And I wonder about the mark our representative is leaving. There’s been a lot of talk and thought around me about legacy. But the true question is, are we creating our own legacy or is someone else creating it for us. Here are 5 things to think about as you consider your legacy track:

1.       When people encounter me, is it really me or a representative?

2.       Is what I’m doing helpful to someone else? Or, my greatest contribution to humanity thus far has been?

3.       If I leave this earth today am I certain that I have tapped and emptied my talent veins? I have done my best with everything I have been given?

4.       Complete the phrase: When people think of me, I hope they remember…

5.       Fill in the blank: The person(s) that live with me will say _____ about me.

I am here and full. Full of life, gifts, talents and treasures. I’ve been selfish – bending under the guise of being overwhelmed. But I mustn’t break and fail to produce. I am compelled, no obligated to explore the bounds of my creative output. I want to be empty – totally poured out. Sharing and giving – leaving a mark of meaning on all that I encounter.