“In order to be truly happy, you have to stand for something larger than yourself. To move forward you have to give back.” ~Oprah Winfrey
It’s Monday again, and as I write each week, more and more I find that I just want to be simple and open, and share words that are full of life and that will empower and help you in your day-to-day life and business. Sometimes I end up writing some important business principles like a message about time mastery, or magnetic marketing strategies, or something about the Pareto Principle, for example. These are great, don’t get me wrong, but so often I have such a strong impulse to just encourage you—in a basic, foundational way, with the kind of encouragement we all need from time to time. I really feel that way right now.
Changes in 2012
2012 is a very special year for me, one that I have anticipated for a long time. Some amazing things are on the horizon for me and for many other women.
As you may know, after 12 years in the “vision” state (the DBA is dated January 8th, 1999), I have decided to officially launch Women of Splendor on May 25th 2012, which happens to be my 50th birthday, and I am both very excited and a little apprehensive at the same time. This is something that means more to me than securing my own success.
Women of Splendor is about women helping women, women mentoring, collaborating, and supporting one another, and for me personally, it’s about helping other women to live totally authentic lives.
This is a new life chapter, and going forward with Women of Splendor for me means fully functioning in what I know I was born to do—to build up, to encourage, to support, to inspire, and to make a significant contribution into the lives of others! For me it’s about investing in people, and equipping individuals to in turn invest in themselves—into what empowers them, what brings them joy and happiness, what makes them come alive, and what makes them
connect meaningfully with others. The rest of my life will be about empowerment and enrichment—pouring value and wealth into the lives of others!
No More Games!
So many women (men too) are tired of the games and are so ready, and eagerly waiting to break free of societal and self-imposed limits, to shed the crippling expectations of others, to make their own rules in the business world, to say “enough” to the pressure to be a “success”, to fashion lives that are freeing, to interact with others from a place of truth and honesty, to or themselves what success is and should be, to get real and walk through life with authentic power, and to create the kind of lives that are meaningful and valuable to them, whatever they define that to be.
Through Women of Splendor (get a free membership for a limited time at http://www.WomenofSplendor.com/BrillianceSeekers), women worldwide will enter a different yet empowering conversation that creates a new landscape of courage and authenticity!
This List May Help You
As I mentioned earlier, in May I turn 50. Most women might feel uneasy turning 50. Not me. I am thrilled. Turning 
50 means I have earned 50 years of life, and I have 50 years of fabulous experiences with their correlating wisdom under my belt. It also means I want to make the most of each day going forward.
In my early teens, I made a conscious decision that I would continuously grow as an individual and care more about others each day. It has not always been easy, and there were more than a few setbacks for sure.
Over the years I committed to making certain changes in my life, and I am always adding to the list. As I walk in what I determine, that list becomes more of a lifestyle. In the last few years I made some more significant additions, and I am keeping my word to myself. Here are just a few of the promises I made to myself that will affect the rest of my days, and that make my life rich and full of purpose:
1. I refuse to be jealous of anyone.
2. I will embrace others with an open heart and not put up any walls.
3. I will enlarge my “territory” by meeting new people and opening to new experiences.
4. I will fully encourage others and support their success.
5. I will learn about my emotions and inquire into them, beyond just noticing them.
6. I will be aware of how my behavior affects others, and I will make necessary adjustments for good relationships and success.
7. I will not argue with reality –I will love and accept what is.
8. I will learn from others and never think “I know it already”.
9. I will participate fully in my life’s purpose and calling, and help shape my destiny.
10. I will be a giver not a taker.
11. I will help and encourage others.
12. I will take responsibility for all of my actions and results.
13. I will take steps towards my goals & vision without getting caught up on the “how”.
14. I will define success as being MUCH more than gaining money.
15. I will always do, say, and be exactly what my heart says I should—I will walk in the freedom of being totally authentic, no matter what others do or say.
This new year, I found it refreshing and nourishing to go over these promises I made to myself, and sit with them a while. Life is so not about ourselves, and living to “get” will never beat the excitement and fullness of living to be a giver. This list may help you design a new year and a new lifestyle. Feel free to use it, and I also encourage you to make your own list that will soon become your own purposely designed lifestyle.
Have a Wild Week of Reflection, Empowerment, and Authenticity,
Margo
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