Cat's in the Cradle?

Group: Newbies

Written by Carla Gardiner on Nov 27, 2009 3:56 pm

Read More: Discipline

Ok, who out there is a work-a-holic? Come on, admit it. Do you work an 8 to 5 day job? Have you found the way to pay off those bills, take that vacation you've longed for, fire your boss? Of course you have, it's your new home based business, right? Well, you've decided this is what is best for your family and you are willing to pay the price, right? What is the price, do you know? I know this because 12 years ago this was me, I wanted to fire my bosses, quit my job, travel, pay off bills that were consuming us and I was willing to pay the price. What I didn't know was what price I was already paying. You see, I worked full time, and had 3 part time jobs, plus I ran my two kids to their after school sports and followed my husband’s sports, too. I did my best to keep house in between all of that, and of course there was laundry and shopping to do, I was one Wonder Woman, or so I thought.

Do you like and know how to have fun? You are light years ahead of me, I worked so much that I didn't know the meaning of fun. My life revolved around work and others so much that there was no time for me, not even to take care of myself. Others saw an unhappy, frowning lady who couldn't even walk with her head up, she just went through life trying to get by thinking that this is how it is, these are the cards I've been dealt, so let’s just play it out. When I found the chance to maybe change some of my circumstances I hoped I could someday have some fun, it sounded...like fun. I was about to learn how to relax, how to enjoy being in the moment.

A few weeks into my new business my sponsor told me I needed training. When she told me it was $200 and it lasted 2 1/2 days, I about flipped. Why, I didn't have the money nor the time, was she kidding? But, I had made a substantial investment into my business and if I wanted to get that back and make money I figured I had better go. When I walked into the room I wasn't sure what to think, loud music was playing and everyone was bubbly, chattering, excitedly visiting and introducing everyone to this elegantly dressed, sophisticated woman in the front of the room. She certainly didn't fit the profile of someone from my area, heck I went dressed in jeans and a cotton top.

When the meeting started everyone in the front of the room was sharing their testimonial about what these trainings had done for them, sounded like a revival to me and I was so skeptical. I wondered who this girl thought she was, riding into our town in a red Mercedes Benz, flaunting and promoting herself as someone of importance and success, that was my perception of her, I judged her very harshly.

When I attended that first training I thought I was going to learn about my products, my company and how to sell, sell, sell. What I was about to learn changed my life forever, thank goodness. When I learned that I was going to spend 2 days working on ME I almost walked out! Why, there was nothing wrong with me, people like me, I am a good mom, a good wife, I work hard and I can sell anything I put my mind to, what is to change? Who is this girl, coming into my territory, telling me that I need to change? Do you think I had something to learn? Maybe something like how to not prejudge someone, how to forgive someone for something they didn't even do, how to get over myself and my big ego?

Hmmm, well now, I learn differently than most, I think, in that I am very visual, methodical and am absolutely drawn by music. This trainer was good; she used both and captured my attention the entire weekend. Have you ever really listened to your favorite song, I mean the words? Well, I hadn't, I had gone through life just listening to the melody, it just carried me along...sound familiar? That weekend, I learned to think deeper, listen intently and find myself in the moment. I learned how to begin forgiving people and circumstances that had happened to me, I learned to forgive me for things that weren't my fault, and these things sometimes are referred to as baggage. Needless to say endless tears fell for hours, but at the end of the weekend I felt lighter, better about me and ready to hit the streets, or so I thought.

It has been twelve years since my first training and still when I hear one of the songs that were played that weekend, it takes me right back to that first seminar that changed how I look at myself and others. I started listening to the words of songs, which brought a whole new meaning to my musical listening pleasure as well as my growth as a leader, friend, wife, mother and daughter.

So, the lesson for you and me today is to listen to this song, intently, capture each and every word. Are you living and working a balanced life and business? Or, are you paying the ultimate price? Don’t wait, listen and learn, now.

Cat's in the Cradle