10 Comments

• 1. Michelle Chance-Sangthong&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 8:46 am

  Great Post Julie. I continue to work through this as well. Had an interesting session with my Coach and we talked about those ‘Big Rocks’ in the jar – I always thought of the big rocks as service to others, family, relationships – but rarely have I ever considered my own personal health and well being as a “big rock”priority – I knew it was important – but not important enough to make it a PRIORITY. Such a simple switch, eh. Thanks for your inspiring thoughts – as your friend I truly do appreciate it.

• 2. Sharron Bennett&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 8:53 am

  Julie ~ I must say how much I admire you! I have been ordering off and on from SYT for a few years…and started to read your “blog” updates when you were going through your divorce. I never replied to any of them until today! Something about your words:

  What about you? Can you honestly say to yourself “Life is good. Life is authentic. I am happy. I am fulfilled. I wouldn’t change a thing.”?

  So, I sat down on the couch, and listened to the birds outside, drinking a cup of tea…and asked myself those same questions! I too, went thru a nasty divorce in 95-struggled financially…wondering how to pay the bills. But I got by, with family and friends. I even scrapped enough money together to take my son on the Disney Cruise when he was 7 years old! He is 17 now, on the High Honor roll in school, a Cadet in the CAP, and a volunteer fire fighter too in our hometown here in DE! I just recently lost my father to cancer, and suddenly now I feel the urge to scrap something, anything at least once a day! I’m trying to get those Disney cruise pictures in an album –even though the pictures are from a disposable camera — I don’t care! I love scrapbooking, and have just recently been published in 3 different issues of Ready~Set~Create e-magazine! I have a job I love, and when I called in sick today, and spoke with my boss — her 1st words to me were “feel better” — unlike past jobs I had, where you were grilled about your sickness, how long you’d be out, etc. My job doesn’t pay as much as others that I used to have in NYC — but the trade off to have respect and work with people that I like is amazing…and no amount of money will replace that!
  I also met a wonderful man 9 years ago., a pilot….and we dated for 3 years and got married in Key West in 2004! The first item I bought from SYT was a Key West die cut! How funny is that? He adores my son too and he is teaching my son to fly a plane!
  So yes, I am happy…yes, I am fullfilled, and no I wouldn’t change a thing!

  Thanks Julie…for the inspiration and giving me cause to reflect on my own life too!

  Warmly, Sharron

• 3. Beth&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 9:04 am

  Also Life is Good, because you are good, a good mother,a good daughter, a good sister, a good girlfriend (Friday night guy) and a good friend. Happy Birthday!

• 4. Melba tello&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 9:54 am

  Julie I love your blogs. They are so inspiring in so many ways. Everytime I read them in one way or another it helps me. I admire u tremendously and love your company. I love every time I order anything it always carry a little note from the person who handle the order. Nice touch.
  God bless u always.

• 5. Cheryl Norton&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 10:09 am

  Julie . . .

  What an absolute pleasure to wake this morning and read your email. There’s an old saying that “life is what happens in between all the plans we make”, and that certainly describes all of the changes you’ve experienced in the last three years. The most wonderful thing is that you survived, have grown as a person, emerged with a positive attitude, and that both you and your children are happy. What more could anyone ask. The “bonuses” are that you have found someone special enough to be included in your life and that you are fulfilled. Best wishes to you always for continued happiness.

  Fondly,
  Cheryl

  P.S. I’m the woman who shared her own story about finding my soulmate after 50 years apart, and life and love continue to get better, richer and more fulfilling with each passing day. I wish the same for you.

• 6. Janet&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 10:26 am

  My husband died unexpectedly at much too young an age. I’m partially disabled from a birth injury and having to take care of everything by myself has taken a toll on my physical well being. I couldn’t have either the career I wanted or the family I wanted due to my physical challenges. I have always tried to make the best of everything and was lucky to have a job with flexibility. I have rebuilt my life as best I could and have certainly become a stronger person. But I will never say I wouldn’t change a thing.

• 7. Donna Harris&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 11:44 am

  Great post! Just one question ~ you said,
  “……. I am fulfilled. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
  So why are you dating? (Just a thought!
  Love you!

• 8. Trina Strock&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 12:23 pm

  You know, I used to only see that things were on sale or new and just go to the website. I was really missing a lot of great information. Things that make me think, and things that make me realize that everyone is human and I’m not the only one that has “stuff” in their life. I really appreciate you Julie!!! And good for you that you are dating (and that he’s gorgeous!)!!! I for one am happy for you

• 9. Deb Richardson&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

  Hi Julie,

  I am afraid I am not much of a computer geek and when it comes to blogs, facebook, and twitter, I have not a clue, so I am hoping this gets to you. You asked about wonderful surprises, well here is my story:

  9 years ago my husband and I both retired from the Navy in a joint ceremony. We both worked at the same training command so it made things a whole lot simpler. My husband had served 28 years and 27 years for myself. Additionally, my youngest son was getting married the following day, so family came from all over the country to participate in these wonderful events. A dual military retirement is not something you see everyday, so we tried to make ours even more unique. My father-in-law, who is retired Army, wore his uniform and sang the national anthem with his wife, our two sons who were both in the Navy at the time, were also in uniform and read “The Watch”, then relieved us of duty, and our fathers were honored during the reading of “Old Glory” where they were each presented the American flag which had been flown over a certain historic spot of our choosing. Mine was over the Arizona Memorial. The surprise for me was when my husband gave his farewell remarks. He was thanking me for my support and happened to mention that we would soon be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Well at the time, I was paying attention to what he was saying but out of the corner of my eye I happened to notice that a bunch of my students at the back of the auditorium were getting up out of their seats. The room was slightly darkened so I could not see what exactly was going on. I soon found out; in honor of our 25 years, he had 24 students each bring down a dozen roses and laid them on the stage at my feet. He then presented me with the last dozen. Needless to say there was not a dry eye in the room, including mine. I can happily say that next year we will be celebrating our 35th year of marriage! Even today I get choked up about what he had done. Thanks for letting me share this story. Best regards, Deb Richardson

• 10. Leslie Novakknipp&hellip  |  May 26th, 2010 at 8:30 pm

  Hi Julie,
  I just love to read your emails, they are SO inspiring. I too had gone through an ugly divorce in September 1998. I was so very shocked. Someone I trusted with my very life could betray and hurt me the way he did. There I was alone to raise 3 children, (10, 7, and 5yrs old).
  It is so true, family is everything. Being an only child myself, my parents were there every time for us. The kids and I moved from KY, back home to IL. It was such a struggle, financially, emotionally and physically. But I knew what my priorities were, kids first always. My children are older now (23, 20 and 18yrs). My youngest will graduate from high school next week. Yikes, 3 in college (a police officer, a doctor and a social worker). These kids have grown into such wonderful young adults, I am so blessed. There are days when I feel sorry for their father, he had chosen early on in the divorce not to know them. I’m so proud of who they are, and what they will become. I am now finding more time to sit and ponder those questions you pose.
  I’ve read everyone’s blog, things always seem to workout. I look forward to this next chapter of my life, as my children leave the nest. The chapter that says, “my turn, me first”. I hope someday to find that special someone. I hope someday to be able to trust again. I hope someday to look back on all this and realize how much stronger I have become because of it. I will also, put these question on my calendar Dec. 31, 2010 and assess my progress.
  So, keep up the good work Julie, both in life and with your company, because I’m going to need to blog my findings, and of course scrap it!
  Love and strength to you all:)
  Leslie