Category: Leisure

Leisure, Uncategorized

From failure to success

beingmesober

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

Fail! Who wants to see that on a paper or class grades! Who wants to think of being a failure.  No one, but we do at times and it can be a horrible feeling.

When I knew I wanted to sell real estate my children were still young and I wanted to be there for them and knew that real estate would be a demanding career. So in 2009 I paid and signed up for the course. I was super excited to finally start my career.

I was still actively drinking at that time and failed the first phase 3 times! I quit and gave up and thought of myself as a failure and did the whole self sabotage thing.

My husband and I went on a trip with our good friends 3 months after I failed my exams, but I was also 3 months sober. Ugh, what a hard time that was as I look back. One evening when we were out my friend asked what was happening with my course and I told her I failed. She asked if I was enrolled again. I said no, I can’t do it. She turned to me and told me to sign up, to do it again, that I can do this if I really want it. You can do this she told me.

After returning home I signed up once again. I passed the 1st phase the second exam, the third phase on the first shot!! Whoohoo! The third phase took 2 tries, then the commercial side of it, I almost quit again after the 4th attempt at the exam. My daughter told me not to give up, that I’d come this far and that that is the advise I would give to her. Hmmm, how can I quit, I couldn’t.  If for nothing I had to keep going to show my children what determination and commitment looks like.

I finally did it!!! 2010 was the year I was a licensed Realtor!!! My dream came true. I was so proud of myself for sticking to it and not giving up. My kids were proud, my husband was proud and my friend was so proud.

My career was very successful and I did well. I loved the opportunity and experience of helping people move towards their dream. I felt like I had made it. I was something, I was smart and capable of anything I put my mind and effort into. Even after failing all those times it made me love and appreciate it more.

Failure isn’t failing. Its experience and allows us to do better. Failure gives us appreciation when we succeed, ✨️ its about not giving up, and getting back up, it shows how strong we are and how capable we truly are.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Leisure, Mental Health

What bores me..

beingmesober

What bores you?

When I was about 10, I told my dad one day as he was digging a huge trench for hedges around our new home, I told him I was bored! Man, was that a mistake. He looked at me and said, “You have a bike, a pool everything you want, and you’re bored”? “Ya, I said, “I dont want to do any of that.” He told me to grab a shovel and start digging and fill up the wheelbarrow, when I was full to take it down the road. Down the road wasn’t just 2 houses down, it was a good jaunt and I think I did about 10 loads. I was exhausted and made a mental note that day to never tell my dad I was bored.

Today however I sometimes get into a funk where I want to do so many things but can’t seem to get the motivation. Then, I feel bored! What is that? I don’t enjoy those days but I know they will pass.

Leisure

Most memorable road trip

beingmesober

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

My most memorable and favorite road trips have always been with my grandmother, my Aunt and cousin. We would use my dad’s van, which was so cool. It was custom made by my father and grandfather, a fitting name of Night Moves with loovers on all the windows, navy blue argyle patterned padded vinyl on the walls, a bunkie with doors that closed, a couch and mini fridge, even had a little counter and sink, amd of couse the nicest shag carpet!

All us girls would load up and hit the road to Atlantic City, or a smaller trip to our families resort trailer park or the long drives to Florida. It always makes me smile when I see those vans today that were the coolest in the 70s and 80s. But none of them can hold the memories of the road trips or the memories of that van. Night Moves was named after the song by Bob Segar, one of my fathers favorite singers and his favorite song.

The van, the name, the song, remind me of all the memorable moments that I cherish deeply.