Same Vision New Path

Almost 19 years ago I was searching for something. Desperate to find myself and my purpose. What was I going to do with my life? When would I become more than I was? Waiting tables, working in bars, in and out of college classes. There had to be more. And then I found it! I enrolled in cosmetology school. Hoping that this would be the one thing I would stick with, the one thing I would actually complete. Within my first few hours of my very first day, I knew I had made the right decision! And less than a year later, I was a licensed cosmetologist! FINALLY! Something to be proud of! A certificate and a license with my name and picture on the wall! This was HUGE to me and my family! For the 4 years prior, my life was up and down. Where was I going? What was I doing? And yes I had made the choices that put me in that position, but I just hadn't found my niche. Until that day in 1997! 

Fast forward 18 years, I  can honestly say doing hair has truly been my passion. I have been able to not only help clients feel better about how they look, but have also shared special moments and  memories with them.  They have become friends and several like family! I remember years ago telling Jason "I love my job!" Because not once has it ever felt like a "job". I have been an independent hair stylist for 14 of those 18 years. Able to set my own schedule for my family and with the ability to work around my clients needs as well. Sharing those "first" moments; banquet hair for young teenagers, prom, weddings, and even helping to figure out their new style as they crossed over into that new world and title of Mommy. Those are moments I will ALWAYS treasure and cherish. 

Tuesday December 29th will be my last day. Early retirement if you will. It has definitely been a bittersweet decision. Jason and I have actually been praying and debating on this for a year now. Finally a few months ago, God made it clear what I was to do.  While a piece of my heart will always be with cosmetology, right now our family has been given an amazing opportunity in health and wellness these last 2 years to help others. We have been beyond blessed to get to see so many friends and family members begin to feel better physically and emotionally. While we are also feeling the best we have felt in years! Not only do we physically feel amazing, but now we also have the time freedom to travel with our boys across the nation as they race motocross! We are having so much fun as a family! We have replaced our income, are financially debt free and both of us are now "rewired".   I love and adore my clients so much, some of them have been with me since 1998! Remember how I said some are like family? ;) 

This blog post today is to let those special people know how much I love and appreciate each of them. Also to let others know that sometimes God changes your path to use you for more.  And when He does, that's ok! Be bendable, be flexible, be open, and most of all, be grateful! I never dreamed I could be passionate about something else, something different. I am no longer desperate or searching, and God is using us as a tool to help others. 

Bragging Moment

It’s been a while since I have blogged, but I have to shout out my husband for a minute....He will absolutely HATE this by the way! He does not like recognition OR to be put in the spotlight. And I have been quietly watching him do this for a little bit. But I am feeling like it needs to be known and I am beyond proud! We have always believed in #Payitforward. You know how people will pay for the person behind you at a drive-thru? Even when we were strapped, we still would do it when we could. And I would silently pray “please don’t let their bill be over $10”! Maybe you know that feeling, maybe not. It’s the same feeling I used to have when I wasn’t sure if I had bought too much at the grocery store and would pray that my debit card would go through and not be declined. Yep, been there more times than I would like to admit. But God has ALWAYS been there for us NO MATTER WHAT!!

Well, we have been blessed lately and we still like to pay it forward. My sweet husband had a fabulous idea that honestly, I can say I probably never would have thought of. Sometimes I just don’t think very far ahead. LOL He usually tries to keep bottled water and granola bars in his truck to hand to homeless people or “panhandlers". But he recently started purchasing small increment gift cards to hand them for some kind of hot meal. And yes there were some people who were horrible to him on FB for that, because it wasn’t a gourmet/organic meal…But we won’t go there today. :) Anyway, he floored me yet one more time with his compassion when we were at Jimmy John’s and he bought our lunch, then went on to purchase a $100 gift card. I wasn’t really sure who or what that was for, but didn’t really think much about it until he handed the card back to the guy at the register and said “Here you keep it, and buy each person’s lunch that comes in behind me until it runs out”. Needless to say the guy was shocked and maybe just a little confused as was I and then it hit me what he was doing! Paying it forward even when there’s no one behind you in line! I have had those moments were I thought “Man today I was ready to pay it forward but there’s no one behind me”! Genius! LOL

Anyway, he has done this a few more times at drive-thru windows with me in the car, and I am pretty sure he has probably done it other times that I don’t know about, but would never tell me because he doesn’t brag on himself with things like that. This is not a bragging post on us or our blessings, I just wanted everyone to know how amazing and compassionate my sweet hubby can be. Because he doesn’t always come across that way in person or on social media. Ha Ha! And yes marriage is hard and we still have our moments. We are not perfect and never claim to be. But I would like to challenge you, how can you #Payitforward? It doesn’t have to be big. Sometimes the smallest gesture means the most! Have a blessed week friends!