I am sure for all of you there has been some kind of changes this year within your life. Some may have been big, and some may have been small, but whatever the changes were probably made some sort of impact in your life. So let's talk about 2012 in review. Lots of things happened to me this year.
Let me explain...
Last year started off as every other year, boring, disliked my job, and very unhappy. Those were just a few of the emotions I was feeling. I would get up in the morning, and just say to myself "Shelley, just put on a happy face, and everything will be alright." So that is what I did. Each day got harder and harder, I would go to the bathroom at my workplace, and cry, God why are you so mean. I have these wonderful "gifts", I work hard, I am a good person, etc... but you won't let me go anywhere else but here. I could never understand up until 6 months ago, but I get it now. Life is not on my schedule, it is on God's schedule.
In April I attended Lifeclass with Oprah in Toronto, it was simply amazing, in addition I met so many new friends, I felt I was right where I needed to be. I also had the pleasure to listen and learn from Bishop T.D. Jakes, Deepak Chopra, Iyanla Vanzant, Tony Robbins, and of course Oprah. These were great lessons, the biggest take away was discovering that I was standing in my way, and the needing to change my story. Since then I have embraced the changes in my life, and acknowledged all the goodness that is happening.
May was the most emotional month. I had to have surgery, my son had a serious head injury, my mother overdosed and was in the hospital for a period of time, and my brother was very sick. All within a couple of weeks of one another. I stayed strong and we got past it. With the sad stuff came some real fabulous stuff as well. While I was off on my "sick" leave after surgery, my work closed down, and I was offered a permanent lay-off. I was not sad, I was so happy, actually ecstatic was more like it. This was fantastic news, because this was my ticket out of there.
Once I received the news of my lay-off, I was on the move to find my place in this world. In spring I was invited to be an OWN Ambassador for the Oprah Winfrey Network. This has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I finally realized where I belong. I am now in a community of like minded people who want to be of service to people and make a difference in the world. Since being home I started praying each day, and I noticed really great things started happening. I knew I was onto something here. Living a good life, and praying each day started bringing me so much happiness and joy.
This was one of the best summers, I spent good quality time with my family, camping, and visiting family in Newfoundland. The great things kept coming, the OWN Ambassadors decided to attend OYOU Conference in October, their was approx 30 of us that traveled to California. Some Ambassadors stayed a few days, and a few of us stayed a week. It was THEE most amazing vacation/trip I've ever had in my life. One of the greatest blessings was having a private lunch with Oprah. She invited the 30 of us to a beautiful lunch, and spent time speaking with us, and interacting with us. She called us "The Carriers of Light". I am so honored to be a part of the OWN Ambassadors.
When we were in California we were scheduled for several events around L.A. Such as Sony Entertainment, All Saints Church in Pasadena, OWN Ambassador Meet & Greet at the Yard House, After Party (with Iyanla Vanzant) in West Hollywood, and Lunch with Oprah. It was exciting, to be recognized as an OWN Ambassador, I was so proud. One day we spent in Santa Monica, and while I was on the pier in Santa Monica, I was invited to speak with the host for a Wal-Mart Communities commercial. Can't wait to see it. I also loved having conversations with so many wonderful people, Iyanla, DeVon, Oprah, Maya, OWN Ambassadors, and Rev Ed Bacon. One of the conversations that sticks out for me is the one I had with DeVon Franklin, he said his wife (Meagan Good) and himself enjoyed my blogs and for me to keep writing. He has been such a great source of inspiration and support.
In addition, the Canadian OWN Ambassadors have been invited to attend viewing and launch parties for programs that are on OWN Canada. It is always great when we can get together. The people at OWN Canada and Corus Entertainment have been so welcoming to all of us. We were also invited to the Super Soul Sunday viewing party with Mastin Kipp from The Daily Love, what a great venue that was! I really appreciate being a part of such a great network of people.
When I came home from California, I was yearning for something, I knew I had to put myself out there. I've been watching my friend Derrick Shirley's journey this past several months, and knew I wanted to get involved with his organization "It Takes 2". Having a private lunch with Oprah made me realize I was destined for bigger things. So I sucked up my ego, and put myself out there, and after a great discussion with Derrick, I am now the publicist for him and "It Takes 2". Life is Good! I love Oprah's quote "You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it".
In the fall of 2012, I was asked to write an article for Alwayz Therro, a magazine based out of New York, and is about American Culture, Style, Fashion, Music and Lifestyle. The article I wrote was "How do you stay positive in the world we live in today", December's edition, http://www.alwayztherro.com/december2012/index.html (Page 27).
In closing....When I completed my Coaching designation, I knew there was bigger plans for me, and each day I feel it more and more. One of my greatest legacies would be, to push, and persevere, never give up. I hope I've shown my kids, friends and family by pushing through great things will happen...All you have to do is believe and dream big!
Thanks for stopping by, much love xo
Shelley
P.S. Just as I was finishing up this blog, I received an email alert, guess what it was...A follow from Oprah herself on Twitter...Talk about a Joy Rising moment!
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