Bloggers Meet & Greet

Friends. It has been a great couple of weeks. I only say it like that because if you would have asked me a few weeks ago my answer would have been very different. I have been stuck in one of those self pity moods. Have you ever been there? I am not proud to admit that, but it’s the truth, and some times the truth feels good to say out loud. The sad thing is, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. My family is healthy, we have a beautiful home over our heads, my husband and I are stronger than we have ever been, my business is growing, but we are busy… very busy.

The business is what lead down the road of self pity. I began a journey a couple months ago, and that path brought me to an unhealthy place. With my husbands new role as Lead Pastor, my son beginning his first couple of months of preschool, me taking on more hours at the church for children’s ministry, and my business beginning to grow, I began to pity myself for how much I HAD to do. What I failed to realize was that I GET to do them.. and what a blessing that is. Once I started pitying myself, I began to rule out the blessings and only complain. I know I was not a fun person to be around because I started to think my situation was worse than anyone else’s. Obviously this is completely false, and looking back I see the selfishness in my attitude,  and how it slowly crept pity into my life. Luckily I serve a God of grace and of perfect timing..

My friend Sandra, who writes one of my favorite blogs, by the way, had a great idea to get other local Sothern California Bloggers together to start a Meet and Greet group that would Gather, Socialize, Encourage, and Support each other and other Small Businesses.

Our first Meet & Greet took place at Soft Goods. If you are local, you need to stop by this store.. seriously, you will want it all. But if you aren’t local, you need to shop her store online. Everything is out of this world good.

The location was perfect, tranquil, and peaceful. It is JUST what I needed. We had Katie from Halfway Wholeistic join us as our guest speaker. She spoke words of wisdom that hit  right to my heart. She spoke of balance. The kind of balance where you allow yourself to sit every once in a while and actually enjoy life. I had started to think that life was just supposed to be this insane. That in order to have a successful business that I must work myself to death to get there.

She encouraged us to be genuine in our work. To incorporate our head and heart into what we do. I think I have left out the heart in the past and have wondered why I am starting to dislike what I am doing.

This week I practiced balance. The kind of balance where I  allow myself to do fun things at least.. wait for it… once a day. To rest… once a day, even if its for ten minutes, and in that process still work and feel productive, in fact, I feel more productive and excited for what my day holds because I am living a balanced life.

The girls that joined us, Alina, and Karen were just encouraging. I loved meeting them, hearing their unique stories and perspectives, and we even got to enjoy some goodies along the way.

Special thanks to Erica from Perfect Petals and Decor, who rocked our floral arrangements, Country Chic Paints who donated a bunch of Chalk paint for us to try, and Gina from doTERRA oils who donated some of my favorite essesial oils.

These Sweet treats were amazing and they were dairy free and gluten free. How in the world do you make something taste that good without all of that? You’ll have to order from Melanie to find out.

This was a night to remember. In fact it changed my whole perspective on the way I want to grow my business, and live my life. Take time to live, enjoy life, and spend time with the people you love.. there is literally NOTHING better.

Happy Week!

If you are a Southern California or Orange County Blogger, or are looking to become one, and are interested in future Blogger Meet & Greets, please click here.

SPECIAL THANKS TO FAYE CLAIRE for capturing all of these moments.