A funny thing happens when you are living the life you are supposed to lead. God sends people into your life to keep you on the path. Some will be in the race with you, neck and neck, as competitors (hopefully friendly competition) making you work harder. Others are way ahead of you leading the pack and paving the way. A few of the most important people are on he sidelines. Maybe they only recently noticed you started cheering you on or maybe they have been there all along.
When I was in my last year of college (funny I’ve mentioned college in my last post too) I had this feeling of know I was surrounded by girls who would make me better. Well I am having that feeling again. I feel like thee are some women in my life right now that are positioned to keep my on my path. They support, encourage, and inspire me to continue Chasing Joy.
Of course the top of any list of women keeping me on my path would be my mom. She is awesome and my number 1 supporter. Every now and then when I question this blogging thing and the amount of time I spend doing it she simply reminds me that I like it. She doesn’t insist I continue or encourage me to let it go only reminds me that, oh yeah I really enjoy this.
My friend Shanita goes on this list. She and I have become friends as a result of her reading this blog. She is a truly fun person. She encourages me to let lose a little and have fun. I am naturally a super cautious risk averse person and she helps me to throw caution to the wind. Ok maybe not to the wind but at least a few feet away. She also often reminds me to make sure I don’t let other’s take advantage of me, especially when it comes to dating.
The owner of Bellanor Boutique belongs on this list as well. It’s funny that I knew her briefly years ago and recently ran into each other. Now she is letting me use her Boutique to bring you the Joy of Giving Chasing Joy Event. She opened her boutique during the recession and recently celebrated her one year anniversary. She has held on to the entrepreneurial spirit that I left back in college.
This woman’s online name says it all, PowerMommy. She is about business. She is a wife and the mother of 13 (blended family). She is a CEO and Social Media Star. She is even giving her own conference, Powered Up Weekend, this month in DC. She makes you feel like you can really do everything you want in life.
Model and entrepreneur Jese Gary, is inspiring in multiple ways. She enlightened me on the power of shape ware and how to be your own biggest fan at the Full Figured Fasionista Class I attended. She invited me out to Sand Castle Winery who ended up becoming one of the sponsors for the Joy of Giving Chasing Joy Event. She is also about her business but from a charitable perspective. She started Luxegiving a business that helps charities in several states including Philly. She has even invited Chasing Joy to join her in a charity jewelry sale. She is donating 50% off of any sales from her online catalog this month to Breast Cancer awareness. Just go to www.liasophia.com/jesegary to shop. Click on Browse our Jewelry and put in Chasing Joy in the hostess look up. (First name Chasing last name Joy). Your jewelry will be shipped directly to you from Jese.
My friend Maria at work is my idea of the model employee. She gets her work done, knows her stuff but still makes time to socialize a little and be friendly. She is kind and willing to share her knowledge. I wish more of us at work were like her.
I must mention Brandi from Mama Knows it all. We first connected on twitter during my monthly #ChasingJoy Chat. Then we met in person when I attended the conference Blogging While Brown. Since then she has invited me to an inspiring group of women bloggers of color, Shads of Social Media. She is a true connector of people and has surrounded me (virtually) with some other awesome ladies.
And last but not least my fashionista friends Checky’s Closet and Your Chic is Showing. They have inspired me to take the time to make sure my outer me and my inner me match. That my personality and inner beauty shine through.
Wow! This was supposed to be a short post. But I am truly feeling surrounded by inspiration lately.
So, who inspires you? Who keeps you on the path Chasing Joy?
Wow! I'm honored to have made the list! Honestly, I think that if we are a bit more compassionate and helpful, work would be so much more enjoyable. It's great to have women in one's life that serve as role models. They bring out the best in us! I'm inspired by your commitment, perseverance and dedication to pursue happiness! I wish I had more of that in me! Thanks for bringing us along this journey!
Thank you for including me on this great list! I am inspired by everyone. Really, I find something in each person I meet that makes me want to do something better or differently. For instance, the way that you lovingly post each day and cultivate joy around you…that makes me be better at working to connect folks so that they can experience the type of joy that you talk about here on your blog!
Really feeling this post today. I believe encouragement is the best medicine (right up there after laughter!), so I cosign on all the of inspiration you're receiving.
I'm inspired by my blogging sistas who share from the heart and encourage me to stay the course.
I'm inspired by my friends from elementary school with whom I'm still close. We're like a small tribe!
I'm inspired by my friends Carline and Rosie who are doing awesome work for underprivileged children in the Caribbean.
I could go on and on… but y'all get the picture. We're blessed by association.
Its always great to stop, every once in a while, to look around and see who is with us. Sometimes its the expected list and sometimes its not. God does have a way of keeping on us the path he sees for us, even if we don't see where that path is leading us right away! Thank you for always reminding us to chase our joy!
It is always wonderful to have people who inspire you and keep you uplifted. I love how you acknowledge them here! )
This was a really nice article. It is particularly nice for you to thank people while they can find joy in helping you.