Good Afternoon, and Happy Monday. Set your tone for the week~ yeah, come on make it a fantabulistic (my word) one! Look at your day, draw in some deep slow breathes, let it out, and know, believe that THIS will be your week to shine. Yes it will!
We lead such hectic, stressful lives, that in the midst of the comings and goings with people holding down two even three jobs, mortgages, elderly parents that need our care, our children, everything, it is no wonder that over half of our population suffers from anxiety attacks, depression and constant worry, that lead to a number of illnesses –even cancer.
I have a lot of experience in this field and don’t always take my own advice. Let me share with you.
As I look back at some very dark moments in my life, I came to the realization that those moments did pass, and that things fell into place, and life went on. I did what I could do during those times and the rest I left to the Almighty. Tough thing to do, since we as a society want resolution NOW and control of every situation. Let go. Do your part, but let go of the worry~~~ this is energy not well spent. When things fall into place you have probably cut your life span by worrying.
Now, let me introduce you to two of my best friends, Patience and Positive, These two came along about twenty years ago, when I lost my job with Eastern Airlines. I was a single Mom with my little Ines, and for the first time since age seventeen was facing unemployment. A very dismal thought. All sorts of things ran through my mind~~ what if I never got a job, what if I had to go on welfare, what if, what if, what if. All those what ifs landed me with all sorts of health problems including an Adenoma in my colon at age thirty-five.
So what I was accomplishing was worrying more about the what ifs and getting sick, then taking a proactive approach to change my situation. This door closed, let me look for a bigger one to open or even a window. I learned patience and trust. Trust that if I kept being proactive one step at a time, I may not see results right away, but I would see them in time. PATIENCE.
Patience. I trusted, I envisioned ~~~~ envisioning a very powerful tool that we rarely tap into~~ I envision all the time now, and I practice patience. Know that the situation right here, right now will resolve itself in a way that may surprise you.
Know that everything, I mean everything good and bad happens for a reason~~ . We may not understand it and it may seem totally unfair, but it is always good even if it feels like the heavens are falling on you. I promise you, there is always light at the end of each tunnel my friend, there is. Do your share; be proactive, envision an outcome, be PATIENT, TRUST, and love yourself!
I then met Positive. A man that I much respect and who mentored me when I started my first company API Conference Management, Mr. Guy Parr introduced me to the works of Norman Vincent Peale~ his books changed my outlook on life and made me feel invincible!
I wanted to employ myself by starting my own company – API Conference Management. We would specialize in planning government conferences- from marketing to securing speakers, printing collateral, daily conference schedule, hotel negotiating, conference registration-the works .Did I mention I had no money and no collateral for a bank loan? But, I had a great attitude, a killer Business and Marketing Plan, and I was not taking no for an answer. I had to sell my idea to the bank. And I did just that.
Armed with all my gusto, I went to the bank. The Vice President of Small Business Loans read my Business Plan and Marketing Plan, looked at me and said,” what collateral do you have”? I have me, I answered. Failure is not in my vocabulary, I am a hard worker, I have a dream, and I am my best collateral. I will succeed.
After some back and forth, he was so excited with my idea and how I was going to make it work , that he extended the forty thousand loan that I needed to get the company started. Subsequently due to my sales numbers I was able to secure 60k more in loans within two years for company expansion. I lead that company successfully for nine years. All the loans were paid off on time, and I enjoyed every minute of it! However, every good thing must come to an end, to make way for the next adventure.
I was not afraid to put myself out there, reach for a goal and make people believe in me. You can do it too.
Granted things are different now-banks won’t give you a loan without pledging your first born!! But, a Positive attitude- can change the way you look at yourself, your situation (there is always someone that is worse off then you), and the world.
Right now, the world needs us to stay positive, as we navigate this turbulent year.
You can do it. We can do it. Take time for you. Relax. Think of beautiful things, and of the great future that awaits you. Whatever your situation is. Don’t say I don’t have time—5 minutes of “me” time will make your day a GRAND AFFAIR!
YOUR SITUATION WILL GET BETTER! I am Marta Ines Quintana, and the day that I share my life story with you, you will see that I am proof of Patience and Positive, and I have overcome many things and will continue to do so.
Have a wonderful, energetic, positive, blessed week. I love you America!
Chef, Marta~ Buen Provecho!
