My parents did the best they could raising us. I think most of us can say that. They divorced when I was 12 & soon afterwards my Dad moved out of the state. I learned a lot from them. Some I would choose to repeat when raising my own children & some things I would do very differently. My kids are doing the same thing with their children today. I believe wanting better for our kids is what can change generations to come! For me, growing up I heard lot of no’s. Things like “We can’t afford that.” Money doesn’t grow on trees!” “That’s too expensive.” As a single Mom, a Disney vacation never entered her thoughts; at least it was never spoken. She worked very hard for us, but she had already settled for “broke.” Do you know what I mean? Where she was would be where she stayed, never seeing change, settling I suppose. This would remain her “normal” and still is today at almost 76 years young! She is happy for the most part, but was never able to break free of seeing life any differently. We all do the best we can do, and so did my Mom. I love her to pieces & am very grateful for the life lessons she’s shown me. I believe our upbringing, our mindset, and our current circumstances do not define us or tell the rest of our story. Instead, they simply challenge us to show what we are made of and choose to create the life we really want! Choices. There really are choices that can change everything as we know it. As I grew, I knew that for my family, for me, I knew I wanted a life full of yeses! A life full of “why not’s”!
I’ve always been a people person! Never the “popular girl” in school, a bit of a wallflower I guess… Shy. I was never a mean girl or hung out with the kids who made fun of other kids. My Mom taught me that all people are created equal, and for than I am eternally grateful! So throughout my life, my heart was always tugged in directions to help people. Even some of my career choices; working in the weight loss industry was one of my J.O.B.S. (Just Over Broke) that allowed me to do just that. There’s no greater gift than helping other people. One of my all time favorite quotes is by John Maxwell, “When you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want.” A sense of fulfillment, I’ve found this to be true and it’s become my life’s design. When you focus on others, the good in that comes back to you. And you can’t put a price tag on that!
So, I love life, I take risks, I work hard, I have a lot of fun & I look at every day as an opportunity to be more, to do more & to give more. I believe it’s possible to change the world we live in. One person at a time. One act of kindness at a time. One attitude at a time. I’ll never, ever settle because I think when I do others will follow. I’ll push myself every day to continue to grow, to embrace the blessings & the gifts God has given me and simply do my best. But stretch, just a little bit more. And maybe, just maybe, I can inspire someone else to do the same.
View the Original Blog Post here http://rondahartman.com/ive-never-been-the-popular-girl/
Content Distribution Provided By Freskos Media, an Atlanta Internet Marketing Company.
