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Celebrate July & our Freedom!

July 1, 2012 By Debbie Leave a Comment

Happy July 1st, my friends! Where is this summer going? We just got back from the beach at 1 am last night (or I guess that is morning!). Had a wonderful time, after Sunday it was bright and sunny after the tropical storm Debby came through.

I love vacations, gets me recharged, energized! I love to shop and check out the trends and see what is fun and new. I always get new ideas too. So last night we got home and I was so excited and started pulling out fabric out of my fabricaholic stash to get ready to create today. Went to bed around 3 am, those of you that know me know that I am NOT a night person! But I love new ideas and get so wired I cannot sleep. Can’t wait to show you what I come up with.

I am reflecting on July, how we are so blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to do what we want to do. If we want to start a new business, we can! We can run with our ideas and share with others. I don’t take this for granted and am thankful to those who have fought for our country.

So, pursue and be happy and celebrate our country this week!

What are you thankful for and what are you pursuing?

ps-click on the ecard to share! 🙂

Be a Lucky Chick!

March 5, 2012 By Debbie 6 Comments

My newest tee is the Lucky Chick-I thought it would be fun for the Spring, my favorite season! It’s available in our popular long sleeve burnout and a short sleeve gradient lime tee. It’s designed with green in both tees so you won’t get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day, but I think you can be a Lucky Chick all year long! (Someone said they will be wearing it to the casino, didn’t think of that one-but that works!)

What is Lucky?

I looked up Luck in the dictionary and it said “success or failure brought by chance rather than one’s actions”. I am not really a believer in that kind of luck. Yea, you can be in the right place at the right time, but I agree with what my friend Kim Fuller said on my Happy First Facebook page-she’s a “make my own luck chick”! I love that! I believe that we all have the power to change our future based on our choices. And I know things happen in life, but it is the attitude we have and how we handle circumstances that creates our destiny.

I believe I am lucky because I am here! I went through Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 17 years ago and am happy to be here! (And have you seen that Happy to be Here tee?) I feel blessed with my family and friends and just all the opportunities and adventures that are all just waiting for me. I knew in my heart when I was going through treatment that something good was going to come out of my experience. Through creating Happy First I have met so many incredible people and am making a difference! I have met other entrepreneurs, survivors and patients. My newest friend is undergoing treatment from Hodgkin’s and she lives in South Africa. She found me through my blog. You never know where your experiences can take you. (By the way she is doing great!)

Find your Passion and Pursue it

In an earlier blog post, I wrote about finding your passion and pursuing it. It doesn’t mean you have to quit your current job or anything. Just figure out what you love to do and start doing it. You never know where it will lead you. Some of you know my story, I started out in college as a fashion design major and then switched to accounting because I was so good with numbers and thought I would make more money being a CPA. But I was miserable; I didn’t like it-it wasn’t my passion.

When you decide on a path, it is like things and people just start appearing and falling into place. “Leap and the net will appear”. A word that keeps popping up with me recently is synchronicity. That word showed up in 2 different studies (below) I was doing on the same day! The dictionary defines synchronicity as – the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection .

Some would say it is coincidence, but I like to think that things are not really coincidences. I have really been delving this year (my word for 2012 is delve-check it out). In January I signed up for both the Baron Baptist 40 days to Personal Revolution and started reading a book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. That book has been sitting on my shelf for years-I don’t even remember who told me to buy it. I started these studies on the same day and it is weird (or synchronous) how these two go hand in hand. I am going to to tell you more about both in another post-what a creative journey!

Anyway Baron Baptiste talks about having a vision shift -he said “our greatest power to change ourselves is found in our ability to see beyond the veil, to see with an enlightened vision. He said a vision shift calls for attention, intention and faith. He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson- “Once you make a decision , the universe conspires to make it happen”. He mentioned the word synchronicity.

in her book Julia Cameron said “Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open”. Another quote she included was by Goethe “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do , begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.”

I’m not trying to be weird or voodoo here, I am just saying, once you decide and commit to a path, things fall into place.

Finding Synchronicity

I feel like I experience synchronicity almost every day. People are just coming into my path. A couple of weeks ago I had coffee with Judi Groves, founder of Breast Impressions and Turn Tulsa Pink. I thought we were meeting really quickly so I could give her her Super Chick tee. Anyway, 2 hours later we were still talking! She is contagious. She loves life and helping others and has a huge vision. Then last week I went to a friend’s party and met Kayce Hughlett. Kayce wrote a book that I bought on the spot that night-As I lay Pondering Daily Invitations to Live a Transformed Life. We immediately clicked – we are kindred spirits. She just included me in her blog-Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds– I am honored!

Both of these women and I talked about how you are never to old to start pursuing your passion. All your experiences and circumstances are leading you up to what you are supposed to do now.

I want you to realize that YOU too are created for greatness. I want you to find your passion and pursue it! I truly believe that every one of us is supposed to do something with our talents.

What is your passion? Remember, each one of us can be a “Lucky Chick!”

Live in Full Bloom

April 4, 2011 By Debbie Leave a Comment

It’s Motivational Monday again! Mondays come so quickly! I am trying to write this with a spoiled Jack Russell Terrier on my lap. We went for an hour run this morning so she is tired!
Today I want you to think about Living in Full Bloom-living out to your potential. Finding what makes you Happy! Doing what you are meant to do! Again I want to ask you, what is your passion? What do you like to do in your free time? I believe each and every one of us have special talents and creativity inside waiting to burst out! (That is one meaning of the Happy First egg) I think sometimes we repress it because we either don’t think we have time or are afraid to take the plunge! I think we are happiest when we are creating and doing something we love to do! Make yourself take the time to do something for you. It will make you happier in other areas of your life. Take some time by yourself to just be still and reflect on what you would love to do. Your passion might be something that you just do for fun or it may become a career for you.
I am now reading for the second time an awesome book; it is “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen spends a whole year researching happiness and does some new things each month to boost her happiness. She has a theme for each month. My favorite month is September which she titled “PURSUE A PASSION”. I love it-we think alike-my quote I put on my website in 2007 when Happy First launched is “Find your passion and pursue it”.I love this-in this chapter she says-“But whatever your passion might be, happiness research predicts that making time for a passion and treating it as a real priority instead of an “extra” to be fitted in at a free moment (which many people practically never have) will bring a tremendous happiness boost”In an earlier chapter (March) she said this about passion- “I’d become convinced that passion was a critical factor in professional success. People who love their work bring an intensity and enthusiasm that’s impossible to match through sheer diligence.”
I guess I relate so much to Gretchen because she was an accomplished lawyer but didn’t love it so she decided to pursue her love of writing. I was a CPA that didn’t love it so I dove into my love of fashion and encouraging others. The time just flies for me when I am working on Happy First. I get lost in it! I love it!
Pictured are two of my favorite tees- the “Live in Full Bloom” tees. They are perfect for this time of year- one is a chocolate cap sleeve tee. The other is a v-neck A-line organic tunic (great with jeans or leggings) in a red chili color.
I want each and every one of you to Live in Full Bloom! Be the wonderful You that You were created to be! You are unique and have talents no one else has!
What is YOUR passion, something that you would like to do or already do?

The Art of Goal Setting

February 21, 2011 By Debbie 7 Comments

Last Monday I talked about figuring out your dream or vision for your life. Once you do that, start writing down your goals to get there. It is weird how when you write your goals down and start focusing on them, it starts coming together! I am a very goal driven, type A person. I do so much better if I have goals set before me. Goals energize, challenge me. You can do anything if you put your mind to it!

Write down your goals on paper

Put them where you can see them every day. You can make a whole list of goals, but start out focusing on no more than three at a time. A book that has helped me so much with this is “The Power of Less” by Leo Babauta. It is about setting goals, reaching them, focusing and simplifying your life. He talks about figuring out what your goals are and saying “No” to activities that are not in alignment with your goals. This has been a constant struggle for me; I have a hard time saying no! I want to be involved in everything and I want people to like me. I don’t like to be left out. I want to be Super Mom, wife and business owner. But I am learning in order to be effective I cannot spread myself too thin. Babauta’s book also talks about time management and how to be more streamlined in your day. I highly recommend it.

Once you set your goals then break them down into projects and tasks to get there. Your goals must be measurable, not just broad statements. For example, don’t say, “I want to lose weight this year or exercise more, say “I am going to be at this weight by this date and this is the way I am going to do it”. Goals seem overwhelming at first, but if you break them down with a timeline and into projects made up of tasks, it is doable. If you have too many goals or make them too difficult, you will give up easily. I read an article in the business section of the Tulsa paper back in January by Harvay Mackay. He talked about goal setting and said “Setting goals is all about taking charge of a situation.” What is it that you really want to accomplish? You have to really want it!

Harvay Mackay cited an example about a company setting a difficult production quota goal. There were 2 different test groups. They both had to reach the goal in 12 weeks. The first group was just told to reach it in 12 weeks, the second group was given weekly goals to reach that same difficult goal at the end. The first group only reached 66% of the goal, the second group exceeded their goal. That is why it is so important to break down your long term goals into monthly, weekly, daily goals.

I love this quote by Harvay Mackay “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.”

I have divided my goals into different areas-home, business and fitness. I will share them with you over the next few Mondays.

What goals do you want to set?

Spark and Hustle!

February 17, 2011 By Debbie Leave a Comment

Spark and Hustle

I just had the most amazing time with about 200 women (and a few brave men!) at Tory Johnson’s Spark and Hustle 3 day convention. Tory is an award winning business leader, New York Times best selling author, workplace contributor to Good Morning America, and a speaker. I knew I would enjoy her convention, but it way exceeded my expectations! My head is still spinning from all I have learned and experienced. Cindy Morrison (former Emmy-winning tv anchor and now author, speaker, and founder of socialvention) was instrumental in bringing this event to Tulsa-this is an 8 city tour and we were so lucky to get it here in Tulsa! Check out www.sparkandhustle.com and see if there is one in a city near you, I highly recommend it!

It was for anyone that has a business or business idea (a spark) and wants to hustle their business! I decided to go to learn new things, meet other business owners, and exchange ideas. I brought 5 business owner friends along. We all had the best time meeting new people and just soaking up the information. One thing we did that really helped was presenting our business to others at our table and have them give us new ideas. It was exciting to hear a completely fresh perspective!

In addition to Tory and Cindy we listened to inspiring speakers including Paula Marshall, CEO of Bama Companies, Kristine Sexter (an award winning speaker, consultant and columnist-such a go getter!), Marley Majcher, business owner and author of But are you making any money, Michelle Pippin, a small business coach (so many good ideas!), Simon Bailey (a dynamic motivational speaker), Jo Khalifa, owner of www.mojoroast.com (what an inspiring speaker!), Jeretta Nord, OSU professor and owner of www.acupofcappuccino.com, Shari Alexander, co-owner of the Expert Message Group (I really enjoyed her speech about public speaking and writing your own book) and Vivian Tenorio, owner of www.signatureflan.com . We also listened to some local business owners, many of whom I have wanted to meet.

I loved hearing about how these women had a dream and made it happen. They gave us nuts and bolts of what they did to succeed. It was so inspiring but it was more than a motivational seminar; we learned business concepts, we networked and exchanged ideas and helped one another in the sessions! I made so many good friends at this event. This is what Happy First is all about, encouraging others to pursue their passion! I soon will be writing some inspiring stories of entrepreneurs I know. If you have a story to share, please let me know through my contact form above. Also, if you want to go to Spark and Hustle, enter HOSTHAPPYFIRST under the discount code, and you will get 10% off of the convention price! I want us all to help one another in our journey to happiness, success and fulfillment.

Find your passion and pursue it

February 14, 2011 By Debbie 5 Comments

oklahoma blizzard 2011 Tulsa has had record snow the last 2 weeks. Winter is not my favorite season (I am more of a warm weather girl) but I do like occasionally being snowed in to be with family and simply slow down. For me, winter is a time to plan and reflect. I like to set goals, especially this time of year, so I thought I would write several entries about goal setting for your personal and business life. I will be posting them on Mondays.

Defining Your Dream

The first thing you must ask yourself is what do I truly want to do, pursue, change? Call it the vision, the dream, or the goal. I think we all have dreams inside of us waiting to burst out. We all have talents of some sort, some of us just may not have explored them because of time, money, fear of failure, or life just getting in the way.

How do you figure out your dream? Start out by spending some time alone and write down what you enjoy doing. What makes you happy? What did you like to do as a kid? (I did crafts and drew fashion pictures all the time) Did you aspire to be or do something but someone or circumstances shut you down? Is there a cause you really believe in? Somewhere you would want to volunteer? Just listen to what is inside of you and dare to think of the possibilities. It is never too late to be or to do! Don’t look at past experiences as failures but as stepping stones leading up to what you are to do now.

Surround yourself with positive, outgoing people. I read a great book years ago called Balcony People, don’t know if it is still in print but it was all about the people in life that lift you up and try to get you to come to the balcony. Don’t listen to the Basement people that try to drag you down. If you’re not sure what your strengths and talents are, ask your good, true friends what they think your strengths are. Also, branch out and find some people with common interests and network and exchange ideas. In the past few years, through networking meetings and trade shows, several new people have come into my life that now are my dearest friends and mentors.

This is our one life to live-go for it! Design your life, no one else is going to do it for you. What are you waiting for? Start now. Don’t wait for everything to fall perfectly in place, just get started.

I think we are the happiest when we are pursuing something. Wouldn’t it be fun to choose work (or a hobby or a cause) you love where you just lose yourself in it? We have choices and opportunities. We live in a country where we have freedom to open up our own business, go to school, learn new things, meet new people. It makes me sad to see so many people in unhappy jobs, relationships, situations. I know some things we can’t control, but most of our future is based on our choices.

I love being a wife and mom. My family is my top priority. But for a very long time I have had a gnawing inside to do something even more, especially now that my kids are getting bigger and more independent. I want to reach out to others. I love making friends and lifting people up. I know I went through cancer for a reason. I am finally figuring out that I am supposed to encourage others and use my creativity. I founded my company www.happyfirst.com to inspire others through fun clothing and accessories. My message is “find your passion and pursue it”.

I want Happy First to be a place where you can come and be inspired and encouraged. I would love to hear what your dreams, goals and aspirations are! Maybe by just professing it, it will get you started. Maybe you have already started and are in pursuit. Please share!