First and foremost, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you have a blessed day, wherever you are, whoever you're celebrating with! And remember...always remember...the reason for the season! 

Second, I wanted to share something that has been on my mind. It's something that keeps popping up and has been resonating with me a lot lately. Some would call that a sign. 

So here it is. It's nothing revolutionary or new. But it's important. And today, of all days, it is especially important. 

Be kind. Always. 

​It really is that simple.

As we walk through this thing we call life, we will meet so many different people. Some will hurt us, some will help us, some will change us, some will help us grow, and some will hold us back. I could go on and on about how the people you meet and invite into your life will change your life, but it's safe to safe we all know that by now. 

But I think the one thing we often forget, or at least put to the back of our minds, is that everyone is going through something. 

That person that was rude to you on the phone this morning...they may have just had an argument with their boss. That waitress who didn't come back to your table fast enough for your liking...she may have been crying in the bathroom from a fight with her husband. That person in the car in front of you that was driving entirely too slow for you...they're lost in their thoughts as they struggle to make ends meet. 

We are all struggling with something. Whether it's something internal or external, big or small, we all have some sort of stressor in our lives. And the hard part is that we often forget this. We are so wrapped up in our own lives, our own struggles, that we forget other people are going through things too! 

The hardest thing for me is to remember to be patient and kind to others when all I want is for my life to be "easy" and for whatever I want to be done, to be done right then! It's not always easy to remember that we are all human, struggling through life together, each with our own worries and problems.

I have been reminded of this over and over again this past six months. The people who have come into my life have been extraordinary. And have helped me in so many ways. My biggest takeaway is that each of them had their own story, their own struggle they lived through. And I would have never known if I hadn't taken the time to get to know them, or shared my story with them. 

From the outside looking in, most of us look like we all have it together. We only post the good things on social media. How often do you see someone's post and you think, "Ugh...I wish I had [her/his] life"? 

But that isn't real. And yes, we know this. However, we often get into our own heads and play the "woe is me" game. Just know there are also people looking at your life and wishing they had what you have. 

The reality is we all have struggles. So let's try to remember that when we are dealing with others. Always be kind, because you have no idea what they're going through. What happened to them that morning. Or yesterday. Or six months ago. Or last year. Let's try to lift one another up instead of constantly trying to tear each other down. 

Enjoy this beautiful day. And share the love with others today. Smile at a stranger. It may just change their life. 

Be safe as we head into the new year, and I will see you in 2018!! 

With love and wellness, 
​Whitney

A friend of mine recently told me he didn't trust direct sales companies. Or more specifically, he didn't trust (or necessarily like) direct sales employees.

This got me thinking. What is it about direct sales that turns people off? Is it the employees who are, for lack of a better word, too "direct," or worse, pushy? Is it the actual business model itself? Is it the word "sales?" What exactly is it that immediately makes people turn up their noses and say, "No thanks!"?

I've heard a lot of different reasons and excuses since I started on my direct sales journey. One is, "I'm not a salesperson," while another is "I don't have time." I've also heard, "I don't want to bother my friends." Or even, "I don't know anybody to sell to." And my absolute favorite is, "Isn't that a pyramid scheme?" 

I think back to when I started my direct sales journey and I don't even remember having those thoughts. I don't remember thinking anything negatively about direct sales or wondering if it was a pyramid scheme. For me, it was just an opportunity that I could turn into whatever I wanted. 

So let's dissect some of those reasons and why people are so turned off by direct sales. 

First and foremost, I think the biggest one is because people who are new to direct sales aren't the greatest at reaching out to people. In my business, we get a lot of training and examples to send to people; but I'm not sure if all direct sales companies do the same. And the worse possible message you can send is to someone you've never talked to, never reached out, don't even know other than from being Facebook friends, and it's a copy and paste. I know you've gotten one...with the quotations and everything still attached. 

Worst. Message. Ever.

Don't get me wrong...I've been there. I've done the wrong thing, sent the wrong messages. But what's more important to me, and should be for all direct sales people, is building relationships. I don't want anything from anyone other than connecting and getting to know one another. I've met some pretty darn amazing people from around the world, all thanks to Facebook! 

A close second to this one is when someone doesn't look at your profile and try to get to know you and sends you a message about losing weight or getting healthier (or whatever the message is). When I get these messages, it makes me shake my head. I am a health and wellness coach and Crossfit almost daily. I don't need to lose weight...and I may be interested in getting healthier, but there is such a better way of messaging me than leading with that. It's so impersonal and honestly, it's a turn off. 

And let's be real...when people say to me that they don't have friends to reach out to or they don't want to bother people...it's not true. Just take a look at your Facebook profile and your daily lives. We all have a network of people and when you absolutely love your business, when you love your products, it isn't bothering people. I have loved reconnecting with people from my past whom I haven't spoken to in years. And it's not because I want to sell to them, but it's because I am passionate about what I do and can't help but share it with everyone! And psssst...I don't lead with my business!!

And a pyramid scheme? Really? First and foremost, pyramid schemes are illegal. So no, direct sales aren't pyramid schemes. Yes, you can build a team and you have the potential to earn income off that team, but the bulk of your income, at least in my business, are from customers who use and love the products. So you can 100% be successful and earn a nice income (or a shoe/college/vacation fund!) without ever building a team (or thinking you're involved in a pyramid scheme). 

I want to be clear about one thing regarding direct sales companies - they aren't a bad thing. They aren't a crazy scheme that doesn't work. They aren't something negative that you should shy away from. They work if you work it, much like anything and everything else in this world. The problem is we all want easy...and quick...and unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Yes, direct sales may not be the "normal" business, but it's definitely becoming more of the norm. Life doesn't have to look like it used to...graduate from college, get a 9-5 job, get married, have kids, blah blah blah. It can be SO. MUCH. MORE. 

Stop worrying about what others think (that was a big fear of mine at first). When you take that off the plate, you'll be amazed at how much more you accomplish and how much happier you will be! Here's the truth about that - other people's opinions don't pay your bills. They never will. So why do we spend so much time worrying about what others' think? 

Live your life the way YOU want to. If that's with a direct sales company, do it! If it's the traditional route of business, do it! Follow YOUR dreams, not someone else's! 

I'm here to support you and help you in whatever capacity that looks like for you. 

I hope you have a beautiful week! We are ONE WEEK AWAY from Christmas! Holy smokes! Are you ready?? Cuz I know I'm not! 

Enjoy your day! And expand your horizons a little this week...maybe don't blow off your friend who just started her own direct sales journey. This is a business where someone is trying to support their family, just like everyone else. It may look different to how we think it should look, but that doesn't make it a bad thing. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

We always seem to do the most reflection of our lives at the end of the year. We look back at the year to see how far we've come, if we've reached our goals, what we could have done differently. And more important, we look forward at the year ahead and we set our goals (aka, our resolutions) and how we want to be different this upcoming year. 

But let's be real. How many times have you gotten to the end of the year and either realized you hadn't met any of your goals (resolutions) or worse, you can't even remember the resolutions you set!! I'll be the first to raise my hand...I have ZERO idea of what my resolutions were coming into 2017, or if I even set any!! 

I can almost guarantee, however, that whatever my resolutions were, how my year is ending is 100% different than what I would have wanted at the beginning. I can also guarantee that my goals going into 2018 are FAR more important to me now than ever before.

I've known for awhile now that I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to set my own schedule. I didn't like having to be somewhere at a certain time and answering to someone else for my time and worse, making money for someone else (that I only saw a portion of). And I set out to do just that a few years ago. 

At that time, I had someone standing next to me...to help support me and cheer me on. I mean, it's always easier to make big life changes with someone there to help. That thought of failure is a little less scary.

However, this past summer, just as I was kicking my business into high gear and fully embracing being an entrepreneur and my own boss, life decided to kick back. Life certainly has a funny way of doing that to us! 

And I can tell you...the fear has definitely set in again. I won't sugar coat it or tell you it's been all peaches and cream, because it has been work. And it has been scary. But...it has also been 100% worth it. 

I would be in a remarkably different place had I not started out on this journey to do it all on my own, to be my own boss, when I did. If I hadn't ran after my dreams, let nothing stop me or get in my way...well, let's just say I am MORE scared of what that would look like. 

When the world is ripped out from under you and you're left standing there, figuring it all out on your own, it is the most vulnerable position you can possibly be in. However, this journey, this business, MY business...it SAVED me. It allowed me to figure it all out, on my terms, in my own time, without leaving me stranded on the side of the road. 

I wouldn't change any part of my journey. Yes...you read that right. Not one part. Because it's taught me so much...it's helped me grow so much. It's helped me become the person I have been longing to be. It's helped me feel powerful and strong and independent in a way I never have before. And it's shown me that I will let NOTHING stop me...from being 100% me, from pursuing with my whole being exactly what I want (in whatever capacity that is), from creating the life I've always wanted. 

I am just starting the adventure of my life. It may have taken me 35 years to get to this point, but I am so incredibly blessed to have finally figured it out. Things may not be ideal, I may be starting fresh (yet again), and the future may be unknown...but I am 100% embracing it all. Because it is exactly where I am meant to be. 

Nothing...and I mean NOTHING...is going to stop me from creating the life I've always wanted...always dreamt about. Life just opened itself up to me in a way it never has before. And I thank God for that. Because I am not settling for mediocrity anymore. And neither should you. 

What dreams do you have that may have been placed on hold? What goals are you not pursuing (for lack of time, money, etc.)? What is one thing you can change today to start pursuing your dream life?

It's never too late. Ever. 

We only have ONE LIFE. One. Why are you not chasing after your dreams with everything you are, with everything you have? 

Let's chat...because I'd love to know where you are and where you want to be. Life has taken on a whole new meaning for me. And I am excited to passionately pursue exactly what (and who) I want. 

I hope you have a beautiful week.

Dream big. Live passionately. Love with all your heart. Be YOU. 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

Sometimes we live in a world of blissful ignorance. We think we are happy. We think everything is "perfect" (as if there really is such a thing). And we think there couldn't possibly be anything wrong in our lives (relationships, marriages, jobs, etc.). 

And one day, when we least expect it, the rug is ripped right out from under us. There is no warning. There is nothing to prepare us for what's to come. 

And just like that, we are forced to handle what the world has thrown at us. Whether we like it or not. 

In those times, there are so many thoughts that go through your head. You wonder if you're going to make it through, especially when it often feels as if you are barely keeping your head above water. And you wonder if the pain will ever stop...because the pain is so incredibly deep. And don't get me started on the confusion and heartbreak and fear...of the future, the unknown, of what is yet to come. 

It hurts like hell. Because everything you thought was amazing was all just... not. And there is no manual for how to handle that kind of betrayal. Oh how I wish there was...but nope. Sorry! You gotta figure it all out on your own! 

Here's the thing though. In those times, while it may feel like the world is ending and what you're going through is never-ending, you truly learn so much about yourself and the people in your life. While there may not be a manual or a perfect way of handling such situations, there is God and prayer and friends to keep you upright and putting one foot in front of the other. 

It sounds crazy, but I am thankful for what this summer and situation has taught me. From learning about myself to learning about my friends (the ones who were [and still are] undeniably there for me) to learning about what exactly I wanted in this thing we call life. 

So many people have said to me, "I don't know how you do it. You are so strong. I would be falling apart." The thing about it is...I wasn't given a choice. And it wasn't a matter of whether or not I could do it...I HAD to. I had to get up every morning and keep moving forward. I had to continue working and figuring things out. I had to be there for so many others, even when I didn't know how to truly be there for myself. 

But...I also had to learn how to ask for help. How to humble myself to accept said help. I had to learn to truly lean on God when I didn't think there was any way things would work out. I had to learn to fully trust and accept that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, even if it didn't make any sense to me. And I had to learn to fully trust and accept that my friends, my true friends, were going to be there for me through thick and thin.

And while it certainly hasn't been easy by any means, it has been a season of growth. Spiritually. Mentally. Emotionally. And yes, even physically. And it's been a season of rebirth...of starting over. Of realizing my strength and using it to rebuild. To have the courage to know that it's okay to begin something new. 

So yes...it didn't work out like I thought it would. And it 100% hurt like hell. But I am okay with that. I am happy at how this has changed me. And I am truly excited for what's to come. 

Because truthfully...nothing will stop me now. I've been through hell and back, and I'm ready to take this life by the horns and enjoy everything it has to offer me.

So know that it may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. Wherever you are in life, whether it's good, bad, or ugly, just keep moving forward. I promise, it will one day be a thing of the past and you will be astonished at all you've accomplished. 

I hope you have a beautiful week! And happy December!! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

PS - living in blissful ignorance is NOT  fun a place to be. Just a little FYI as you head into the week.