What I did this summer: Part 4

Part 4: The Plan and Lessons Learned

This 4-part blog series was really quite a lengthy way to tell you what I did this summer. I think I should summarize:

1. I reconnected, played and had crazy fun with my son and my husband.
2. I researched the incredibly intimidating topic of children’s learning disabilities, prayed and came to terms with what we are facing and what we may need to do to ensure my son’s future success.
3. I played with a forgotten interest of mine – fashion/style. I scoured blogs and magazines and thought about how fashion and style factor into the life of a wedding planner.
4. I listened to devoured music – a LOT of music. Everything from Hall & Oates to Christina Aguilera to Harry Connick, Jr. to Johnny Cash to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pink, to name just a few.
5. I allowed myself to dream – and dream big!
6. I began to create a plan to chase those dreams.

Today is my birthday. We won’t speak about how many years I’ve been on this earth, but I can say with certainty that I’m not too old to learn something new. The lessons I learned this summer were humbling.

Lessons Learned:

• I learned that if I’m not careful, I lose myself in work and miss important things in my family that are going on right under my nose.
• I learned more than I care to know about learning disabilities in children.
• I learned that forgotten interests can create a spark of creativity when they are revisited.
• I learned that there is always time for music in my day.
• I learned that dreaming should not be reserved for the “less busy” times in life.
• I learned that it is imperative to share your dreams with others. Ask for honest feedback.

The possibility of failure is paralyzing to me at times. I face bouts of indecision on the smallest of details. My friend says, “Feel the fear and do it anyway”, so I am. I may be getting older, but I’m not too old to chase dreams. I just need a plan.

The Plan:

• Stay connected to family, block out days on the calendar and make time for crazy fun!
• Carefully monitor Gabe’s progress in school. Parent/teacher conferences are October 19-23!
• Start a fashion/style blog for wedding planners. Thanks to help from my friend and brilliant wedding luxury market consultant, Lara Casey, the blog is in the design process.
• I made a conscious decision to incorporate music into my daily routine. (Today is a Bonnie Raitt kind of day – it’s been raining in Atlanta.) J
• I will take time to dream. Maybe not daily, but a quiet time to consider the future sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Cooler weather will be here soon – maybe I’ll build a fire and get lost in my daydreams while staring into the flames.
• Share my dreams with friends. This blog post was a great opportunity to do that. Plus, now that I’ve put it out there, you’ll ask me how things are going and hold me accountable to make things happen!

Thanks to everyone who took an interest in this blog post. Life’s a journey – thanks for keeping me company for this somewhat rocky stretch along the way. J

Question #1: What did you do over the summer? Learn any lessons?

Question #2: What are your crazy dreams? What’s your plan to see them come true?

I’d love to hear from you!

Jeannine