|
As
I turn the big FOUR-O
this month, the "possibility"
of entering mid-life looms large. I used
to think mid-life was something that happens to "other
people" and that I had plenty of time left
before the strands of "stray gray" appeared.
Turning
40 can't be all that bad, I suppose. Growing
older is an inevitable process, one in which my
own self-reflection offers new light and brings new meaning
to the things I value the most in my life.
Here
are just a few pearls of wisdom I've collected
as I turn 40:
- some
of the best things in life really are in your own backyard,
- brand labels
don't hold the same importance as they once did;
it's not necessarily what's on the outside, but rather
what we feel deep in our hearts, our minds and our souls;
just as a great outfit can make the woman, so too can
a great smile, a wonderful sense of humor or a
kind and nurturing way; find your own style and adopt
it as your own "brand label,"
(don't miss Jackie Stanley's "Express Yourself"
article this month.)
- to be truly happy
and enjoy what we have, we
must be optimistic and endeavor to "see the glass
as half full;"
 As
we take time to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays,
I'd like to recognize and
offer my own thanks for the following:
- Journal
Editor Linda Ray for her professional editorial
guidance;
- all
the wonderful articles,
short essays and tips from the Journal contributors;
- the
Journal's board of advisors for
their time commitment;
- the
kind, inspiring and encouraging
words from many Journal readers who enjoy
receiving the Journal each month;
- and
most of all the unwavering
love and support of my husband Bryan and our children.
This
month's featured North Carolinian is
Ann Miller Woodford, a visionary and the "first
of one dozen." After reading about
Ann, her background and her
grass-roots activism, you'll see and understand
why her community development organization is called "One
Dozen Who Care." Ask Ann and she will
tell you that one person really
can make a difference in the lives of others;
all it takes it time, effort
and a willingness to pursue what really matters most.
Have
a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this month and remember
those in need.
The
best is most certainly yet to come.
Best
Regards,
Paula
Monahan |
A
resident
of
Raleigh,
North
Carolina,
Paula
Monahan
is
a
past
President
of
the
American
Marketing
Association,
Triangle
Chapter.
With
over
fifteen
years
of
experience
in
sales
and
marketing,
Paula
is
putting
all
of
her
learned
skills
and
talents
to
good
use
in
this
online
publication
for
women.
As
a
way
of
reaching
out
and
connecting
with
women
from
a
variety
of
backgrounds,
her
goal
is
to
create
a
networked
community
of
online
women
readers
who
value
inspiring,
insightful
and
empowering
content.
Linda
Ray