Sunday, April 27, 2014

Live The Dream... I DARE you!


We have ALL heard people say it, and have probably said it ourselves; or at least thought it...


"I am living the dream" 
or 
"I want to live the dream"


I remember years ago when I thought this myself. I was getting ready to graduate high school as a licensed Cosmetologist. My "dream" at that time was to become a world renowned hairstylist that traveled the world and also to open a chain of successful salons. I wanted to be independently wealthy one day and knew that having a "JOB" and working for someone else was never going to give that to me. You see, I grew up with parents who worked for themselves, who had their own business and the benefits of that were ingrained into my head from as early as I can remember. We attended private school before my sister died, and we knew what was "important" as we watched them do what they needed to do to be smart with the money that was earned. I did not grow up going on elaborate vacations every year, in fact... family vacations for us usually involved visiting relatives or spending a week in the summer at Cape Cod. We did not have a lot of toys, nor did we ever get more than a few gifts for Christmas. Our birthdays were celebrated at home with friends and family and our parties consisted of balloons and streamers and good old fashioned pin-the-tail on the donkey. It was fun, simple and enough to make us happy and the day memorable.

We live in a day and age where people are broke, in massive amounts of debt and have nothing planned for the future because it is all about NOW. Birthday's have become elaborate parties that cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars; to impress who? Christmas has lost it's true meaning in heaps of toys that kids don't even play with and if you ask them what they got 6 months later they cannot even tell you. Then, a year later you are giving those expensive "gifts" to charity or watching them collect dust in a closet or playroom.
You then wonder why when your kids need a car you have no money to buy it, or when they need to go to college, you hope for scholarships; otherwise they must rely on student loans that they will be paying on well into their 40's. It honestly makes me sick to watch. It is something I have been passionate about for years, and as the years go by it seems to get worse and worse around me.

Living "The Dream" is something I have always associated with being able to do whatever I wanted, with whomever I wanted, wherever I wanted and not having to worry about how much it cost. Living the dream for me is also loving what I do, loving who I am with, traveling and simply enjoying life to it's fullest. Living the dream requires sacrifice, hard work, knowledge and most of all discipline. Most people are simply not willing to do what it takes to actually LIVE THE DREAM. They would rather LIVE in the MOMENT...  to LIVE in the NOW and are unwilling to see what it would take to truly LIVE their dreams. A sad, but true reality.

 So... what is "Your Dream"? Everyone has their own idea right? I want you to dig into your mind and ask... what is "The Dream" for me? Once you get  good idea of what that is, ask yourself if you feel you will ever achieve it, are you willing to sacrifice for it, are you willing to LEARN how to achieve it? If the answers to those last three questions are yes, I want to hear from you. Ask yourself  if what you are doing now will help you live your dream or is it robbing you of it? I want you to be COURAGEOUS, and tell me that you want to LIVE THE DREAM...  be bold, don't be afraid to say it, worst case scenario... you will realize that you don't have one, or that you are not doing what it takes to live it out. Best case scenario, you will find out HOW to achieve all that you want in life with the life you have left.

If you are ready to LIVE THE DREAM... email me at shelleygiard@gmail.com with "LIVE THE DREAM" in the subject line. I PROMISE you will not regret the decision to do so.


xoxo

Shells


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Monday, April 21, 2014

A Purpose, A Place, And a Promise... An Easter Message

What a week! It was probably one of the busiest I have had this year; which left me with no time at all to blog. Although frustrated, I have decided to stop beating myself up when this happens... it drives me nuts to miss my weekly posts, but I am human just like the rest and realize that sometimes my busy schedule simply keeps me from obligations that I have. Blogging is one of the few obligations that I can put on the sideline; while there are others I cannot. So.. my week was overbooked but low and behold, I managed to survive. Unfortunately, my plans for Easter Sunday were squashed when my two youngest woke not feeling well, however I managed to get to church this morning for a positive Easter message and soaked in every word. I was happy as I was filled with the glory of His grace this morning and I suddenly recalled my very special Thursday night.

About a month ago I was asked to come speak on April 17th to a women's hope ministry church in the heart of east Tampa (the "not so great" side of town) by a beautiful female pastor whom I had met and who had read my book. I was honored and humbled that Pastor Alecia wanted me to share my story with this group of deserving women, so I happily accepted. However the last few weeks have been smothered with sickness,  business meetings, travel and bookings, so I had not found the time to properly prepare for this event. Being that I am typically better speaking off the cuff, I did not worry too much, but as Thursday quickly approached right in the middle of yet another busy week, I hoped that I would be able to find the right words being as tired as I was.

After a very long day of doing makeup and wardrobe for a promo shoot for the Tampa Bay Bucs, I changed clothing in the bathroom at One Buc Place and made my way to my speaking engagement across town. As I drove into this part of town I could not help but notice the signs of a poverty stricken, less fortunate culture. Payday advance places,  fast food restaurants and low income retail stores everywhere I looked. I pulled into the parking lot of the strip plaza where this "church" was located and suddenly had a feeling it was going to be a powerful and rewarding night.  I quietly prayed in my car asking God to put the words He wanted me to speak to this group of African American women into my heart and I got out of my car. I was lovingly greeted by Pastor Alecia in the parking lot and we walked upstairs to the suite where she runs her ministry.

I was welcomed by a few smiling women as I walked into a modest room with bare walls, a small raised platform, a lucite podium, about 30 folding chairs and two speakers in the corners of the room. The night was opened up in prayer by a middle-aged lady who spoke with such feeling... it was a long prayer; heartfelt, and her repetitious "Thank you God's" and "Thank you Jesus's" filled the room with emotion. After the prayer was closed, a young lady, timid and meek got up to read a bible verse about judging others and shared what  this verse meant to her. As she left the podium a strong, tall lady from across the room made her way up to the podium and began to share how her week was struggling with a terrible cold while working two jobs every day. She continued to share her struggles for the week but quickly spoke of how much better this was compared to her life on the streets, and for that she was thankful. Chills ran down my arms as she shared her testimony, and a tear rolled down my face as I realized she had been homeless.

The next person to come up was a young lady who was about 7 months pregnant. As she held the microphone, she started tapping her foot on the floor and gently slapped her hand on her leg for a beat and began to sing... no fancy sound system, just raw vocals and meaningful words. The words to the songs were so simple, but as they left her mouth and I looked around the room at the mere dozen woman in attendance I was completely moved with the spirit in this small room. The lyrics to the last song she sang were nothing more than  "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Lord" sung over and over again, but as everyone sang the last round of thank you's.. she added "for the food that I eat, for the air in my lungs, for the shoes on my feet, for the clothes on my back, for the roof over my head..." I was moved to tears as she named things that are taken for granted every single day. By the end of the song I needed a tissue and the pastor finally approached the podium. She praised God and his presence in this room and invited these women to share what they felt they needed to before the "special guest speaker" started.  The lady who had opened with prayer stood up and shared her past of drug addiction and how it was a daily struggle, how this ministry was her saving grace and how she is so happy to have this "family". A young 14 year old stood up and shared her struggles with self esteem and self worth and asked everyone to pray for her... my tears began to fall. This was so raw, so real, and so appropriate as I too was going to get up and be raw and real with my own testimony.

Pastor Alecia then gave me an incredibly humbling introduction of how she met me and as she called me "their sister" I stood, wiped my tears away, and approached the podium. (of course with  my loud voice no microphone was needed.) As the words began to leave my lips, I shared how moving this was in comparison to my large church, how amazing I thought it was how they conducted the evening and how awesome it was that they shared their stories of struggle. I then shared my journey with them. During the hour and a half that they had given me to speak, the words poured out of my heart and as I looked around the room, they were completely engulfed hanging onto every word. I felt so amazing... I felt just like I did when I spoke to inner city schools last year and I decided that THIS is where God wants me to be; it is where I can make the most impact and my heart was filled with gratitude. These are the people that need hope the most... the forgotten, the broken, the ones that most people would turn their backs on. THIS is where I am meant to be.

When I was done, they took up an offering and had a very special gift giving moment where a chosen person  brings a gift each week to give to a person that inspired or touched them... the person who brought the gift gave ME the "gift of love". I was so touched. More than half of the women came up to me and thanked me, hugged me and said I gave them hope. The 14 year old girl that had shared her struggles came up to me and began to cry, I held her in my arms as we sat down for the pastor close the night in prayer. After the prayer Pastor Alecia walked up to me and handed me the envelope filled with the offering they had just received and said they wanted me to have it. Tears once again filled my eyes... as I looked around at these women, this barren room, I did not want to take this money, however they insisted I keep it the moment I asked them to put it back into the ministry.

I have never felt the kind of  love that I felt as I left that night. They all waved goodbye in the parking lot as I drove away; it was truly amazing and more powerful that I could have ever imagined. When I got home, I opened my "gift of love" to find a beautiful bracelet and card. Although reluctant, I then opened the offering envelope to find $115 in it. I could not believe it, a room of 12 women who are barely making it collectively gave $115 of offering to me. I immediately put the money back in the envelope tucked it in my purse and decided it would only be used to give to others...  I did not need this money. Every time I wear the bracelet it will remind me of the blessings that I have and how 12 amazing women gave so selflessly to me.




The next day as I was on my way to another photo shoot, I stopped at a gas station to fill my tank with gas. The man  in front of me handed the clerk $1.19 for gas...  I thought to myself, that won't even cover a gallon of gas." I paid for my gas and quickly walked out to my car, opened the envelope and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. I ran over to the the other side of the gas station and handed that man the $20. I told him to put more gas in his car. He stared at me, puzzled for a moment and then began to explain that he had been out of work... I said, "no explanation needed, just take it." I walked back to my car, pumped my gas and drove away feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Although my Easter did not go as planned and my week was utterly exhausting, I am truly and incredibly blessed. Although my mind may be mush, my heart is full and I look forward to a great week ahead. As your week begins, I hope that you find something to make you smile, I encourage you to count your blessings and take nothing for granted. God's Promise is to be there no matter what.


For God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that whoever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life... 


I am thankful for the storms in my life... for they brought me back to You. I am thankful for the blessings in my life... for they confirm that you're always there. Today I celebrate Your life and the life You breathe into me... Thank you Lord for loving me no matter what. AMEN



HAPPY EASTER !!!!


xoxo

Shells


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Saturday, April 12, 2014

An Unexpected Three-Week Vacation....

21 days since I last wrote a blog entry, 21 days since I poured out thoughts and things onto a glowing white screen, 21 days since I was celebrating 3-21-14; World Down Syndrome Day. It's been an unexpected three-week vacation; two weeks of  either being sick or taking care of my sick munchkins and one week spent playing catch up and preparing to leave on the first leg of my 2014 tour. It's been a crazy ride so far this year; four months in already... I seriously cannot believe it, but what is more baffling is how many changes have transpired already this year. I had the time to think in week two as I lay in bed coughing, stuffy headed and sick to my stomach. Over the course of a three day hot date with my pillow, my waking moments; (they were in deed only moments) were spent thinking about everything that is happening, the doors that are opening up for me and as I blew my nose I smiled for mere seconds because that's all that I had the energy for. On the eve of my first stop for 2014, I am tired... kind of exhausted, yet full of life and energy. I have depleted myself this week mentally with late nights working and getting very little rest but the excitement and gratitude for everything happening is overflowing making me happy-tired instead of grumpy-tired.

I am reminded that July will mark four years since I sat down and began typing my story, I have decided that that on that anniversary will be a day of rest. I will spend it somewhere I can relax... exhale a bit and be proud in the moment. This year is going to be a good one... it's year four; I will soon GROW EXPONENTIALLY, everything is falling into place. I am quickly reminded of the story of the Bamboo plant that I have heard SO many times in seminars, in books that I have read and have always kept that story in the front of my mind; it keeps me going even when I want to quit. I will now share that story with you in case you don't know it.

Unlike most other plants, Chinese bamboo is quite unique. After bamboo is planted, watered, and nurtured for the whole first growing season, it does not outwardly develop even an inch. Then, on the second growing season, the farmer must continue to irrigate, fertilize and care for the bamboo tree and yet still; nothing happens – it fails to sprout just the same as year one.


As the seasons go in and out, the farmer has to continue caring for the bamboo for four consecutive years. What could really be discouraging is that the farmer has nothing substantial to demonstrate his labor in caring and growing this stubborn tree. Four lonely years of hard work and care and nothing to show for it.

And then in the fifth year... the bamboo plant grows more than 80 feet in just one growing season! 


It's quite an amazing story would you agree? Four long years of caring and hard work only to gain nothing. That's how we can get in life so many times... bogged down, discouraged and depleted trying to yield something; to have just one indication that our time is well served, so we hang on. In light of that determination, we keep going. Finally... the season of growth comes rapidly, so fast that it nearly knocks us down but it was worth the wait and the exhaustion.

As I prepare for my speaking event on Sunday, I have no idea how many people are coming. It may be 40 it may be 2, but I hope it's at least 1; at least one person whose life may be changed for the better. If not, I will do as I have done many times in the years of staying positive; I will speak life to myself... I will listen and implement what I hope to share with others. Trust me if I have 5 people show up I may just do a happy dance, because as impromtu as this was thrown together to piggyback it onto  book signing, 5 people will be awesome. If one of those five gets something out of what I said that will make their life better somehow than my mission was accomplished and my time was well spent.

Although some of you may think I am a "big deal", I am not; I am no different than anyone else who has not given up on their dreams. Even if you feel that I am different from you, I want you to know that You have every ability to follow what I have done to get here.

The thing that I am most thankful for is that I have God living in my heart now, that he knows where I am going and that I choose to trust in it. I still mess up, He knows I mess up and it bothers me now more than ever when I do, for I hate to disappoint anyone, including myself. I am glad I value myself enough now to care; for many years I did not.

I apologize for being sick, I apologize for that unexpected three-week vacation, but I think it is exactly what I needed to carry on. I will be back on schedule next week, bringing you hope on Mondays and something to think about on Fridays. I encourage you to stop in and get inspired. Take care and I hope to see some of you in South Carolina.

If you would like to know where I will be, you can go to Shelleygiard.com and click on the "events" tab. 

Have an awesome weekend, stay strong, stay positive, be real and be happy.

xoxo

Shells


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