January is coming in hot! I’m only halfway in and I am looking forward to the end of the month recap to share it all in one place. But, for now, another week has come and gone.  Let’s talk about some of the things this week has taught me and that have happened for me:   

1. Brick by brick.  If you ever wonder if I need what I teach, the answer is YES! This week I felt a feeling of angst trying to invite itself into my body and I had to immediately pause to see what was going on.  What was going on? I was allowing my mind to look past today. I was thinking about Wednesday on Monday and thinking about the third week of January when it was only the second week.  I know that moving your focus beyond the present is an invitation for “the O word” to creep in (overwhelm).  I had to remind myself that I have a clear picture of the requirements of January and now my responsibility is to take them on one at a time, being present in each moment and each day and nowhere beyond.  

2. Homemade Salsa. I could eat chips and salsa/queso daily.  This week I made homemade salsa using this recipe (I added an extra can of fire roasted diced tomatoes) and it beats even the best store bought salsa! 

3. Make time for friendship. I have weekly calls with close friends and it has been one of my best ideas.  Designated time for us to check in with each other (in addition to our usual texting/Marco Polo’ing) to see how we’re doing, share how we can pray for one another, laugh, be a listening ear, whatever is needed. 

This week during a call with a friend I was reminded how vital these calls are.  While talking through what was going on I felt myself on the cusp of tears. Tears I didn’t realize needed to flow and it is a gift to have a friend who is a safe space where your body can release what it has been holding onto. 

If you’ve had prioritizing your friendships on your “list” please make it real and find the ways to do it that work for you all.  Sometimes you don’t even realize what conversation with the right person can help you to see, realize and/or release something important.  I was reminded of how needed my deeply held and close relationships are (though I rarely forget because it is something that I value deeply and actively prioritize). 

4. Essence/New Voices Foundation.  This week I had the opportunity to join Shop Live with Essence in partnership with New Voices Foundation.  During a 15 minute segment viewers can shop Best Today® products live on Instagram while I explain what they are and how they help you. The live replay remains on the Essence Instagram channel if you’d like to see it.  I also published an article on Essence this week with 3 practices to help you optimize your time.  

5. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.  We finally checked off an item from our summer fun list this week and that was a visit to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.  The people there were amazing and encouraged us to try samples before making our final selections.  They offer soft serve, Italian ice and their own blend of the two (which I was a bit skeptical about until I tried it) and may I recommend to you the vanilla soft serve paired with strawberry Italian ice. YUM! 

6. This week at Best Today® we hosted our second in-person event, One Today at a Time® workshop where women spend two days doing deep work to get clear on who they are, what they want and create a vision and plan for their lives.  These events are always so enriching watching women come in and devote two days to answering tough questions about themselves and finding the joy, intention and freedom they’ve longed for. 

Next week begins a quarter full of speaking engagements and corporate trainings both virtual and in person!  If you’re ready to get your team on one page with their time management I would love to be a help to you.  Here is info on how to contact my team to tell us about your needs and bring me in to help.  I would love to be a help to you! 

Until next time, may you lead with love, joy and intention in all your days!