I can do hard things

I've been avoiding writing. Not because I don't want to but because I know it will take some time to sit down and do it and time is something I feel I haven't had much of. Since the holidays we have been in the throws of club volleyball and busy with all that comes with that. 

In February I had an awesome opportunity to present at a Scentsy corporate event.  I was terrified and felt totally inadequate for the job. I was asked to present in a breakout session for leadership. My topic was Recognize,Appreciate and Empower.

 In my presentation I changed the order of these words and shared that this is more than 3 words. It's a process. 

-Recognize

I shared what it meant to be aware and alert of the obstacles within your businesses and your team members. 

-Empower

Empower by teaching and providing the tools, resources and examples.  Empowering with ABILITY! 

-Appreciate the value. Appreciating what it took to recognize those obstacles and empowering yourself or others with the ability to work thru it and grow. 

This opportunity taught me a lot about myself, the way I handle my business and those I'm involved within my business. It helped me grow and learn more about myself.  

I'm not a public speaker and I'm not good on a stage, but I'm grateful for this  opportunity and all it taught me. 

I also am blessed and grateful to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends who lift me up and believe in me. The day itself was amazing and as usual I always look forward to being surrounded by my Scentsy family 

What I learned from sitting the bench

I started pre-athletics in the 7th grade with all my friends. I loved volleyball from the get go. I never started and never was on the A team. I played basketball as well but didn't excel in either to any great degree. Just being able to practice and occasionally play was enough for me. Later in high school it was the same. Never got much playing time -- but it didn't matter. I loved the game that much. I loved cheering my teammates on. Or so that is what I told myself right?

To be quite honest, I was always a little relieved to not be put in the game situation for fear I would screw up and make a mistake. 

I've had the opportunity off and on through the years to join in a volleyball game here and there- for some reason now I have a little more confidence out there. PUT ME IN COACH! I got this. What is so ironic to me, especially since Jaici is now playing volleyball and has a passion for this sport too, I am hearing the things the coaches said to us for years coming out of my mouth! Lol! I understand what they were trying to teach us and even better WHY they were coaching certain drills. 

I remember one certain drill our coach lovingly called "character builders". You had to get a hand on the ball no matter what! 

Anyways, you are  probably wondering where all this came from- I was thinking about the successes I've had as an adult and those successes were when I pushed the fear to the side (it's always there) and just met the challenge head on   If I had only had that mind set as a teen on the court. 

I was comparing a lot of these things to my Scentsy story. I've been blessed to enjoy success and growth. But with success also comes the down times and the complacent times. I've let fear creep back in. I'm sitting the bench again. Hey coach PUT ME BACK IN! As much as I love to see everyone grow and succeed . I want to continue to grow and achieve with them!  It takes courage-- but thank goodness I've got amazing team mates who encourage me and instill the bravery in me when I think I have none left. 

 Am I still afraid of failure? Of course! 

But I won't let that fear keep me on the sidelines this time. I am good enough, smart enough and BRAVE enough to do more and BE MORE!

Being a part of a team - no matter the amount of play time- has definitely helped shape me into the leader I strive to be each day. I truly believe that each person on the team plays a vital role. I'm grateful for the time on the bench, but I no longer want to sit by and watch - 

Roll with the punches

The Wickless Wonder Woman and I had our fair share of set backs this past weekend at a local fair. We had our Scentsy set up and we were dealt a sticky hand. We overcame each obstacles with class and tact. We shared our hearts, our passions and our Scentsy Spirit. Not one person that stopped by left with a disgruntled word or negative thing to say. It was a lot of hard work. A lot more hard work than either one of us had anticipated, but we were blessed by this sweet community and invited to come back next year as well. We could've given up or left each day early- but we knew in our hearts it would be a success because we believe in what we do. 

We rolled with the punches- 

Get comfortable being uncomfortable...

I shared this with my group several months back, and felt inspired to share here today. 

The majority of y'all I have never personally met. The majority of y'all I have never even spoken to. BUT I can make a promise to each of you, that I look at each of your names each month. I am truly grateful and honored to have each one of you in my group. That being said, I am sharing these thoughts with each one of y'all because I feel the need to brag on some folks who do quite a bit to help ensure that you succeed too. 

Leadership is a bittersweet role. With each success comes more responsibility. I never in all my days dreamt that I would be in a "leadership role" . Before Scentsy, I was a follower and on most days, I still follow. I am not a natural leader. I am not the one who steps up and asks for responsibliity. I have always lacked the confidence and drive to take on larger tasks. I did and unfortunately still do compare myself to what other leaders are doing. That being said.... when I found Scentsy, I found a passion inside of me that I never knew existed and something within me changed. I say "when I found Scentsy" but in all honesty it didn't come to me overnight or even in a few days. It took almost a year for me. If it hadn't been for the constant and genuine guidance of my leaders, I am sure I would have given up that first year. I know that not everyone feels as passionately about this opportunity as I do, and that is fine, but several of you do and I know that even more of you will find this within yourselves as well. 

When I finally "opened my eyes" to what was in front of me, I changed.I felt this was something I could do-and share, because I believe in it, I believe in the leaders, the products and I believe in the future of The Scentsy Family.  I have grown and become a better person because of my Scentsy journey. On this journey, I have met and been inspired by so many amazing people. I am proud to call them friends and co-workers. I know it is because of so many of these people that I have continued to stay and grow within the Scentsy Family. 

I am just one person, therefore it is impossible for me to guide each one of you personally on your Scentsy journey. That being said, I must brag on all the leaders in my group. Once you sponsor your first recruit, you become a leader. You train and share all you can to help this person start their business on the right track. Some haven't gotten the leadership they have needed when they signed up, some have gotten above and beyond help. I am aware and realize that not every situation is rainbows and butterflies with happy endings, some are contentious and hard work. I am not writing this to say everyone and everything always goes perfectly on the straight and narrow path, but I am writing this to remind you that each of us have several responsibilities. I wasn't always able to do Scentsy full time and still have to make sure I find a healthy balance between work, family and other responsibilities within my life. 

I want to THANK each of you who are committed to your businesses. Thank you to each of you who have stepped out of your comfort zone. Thank you to each of you who have welcomed new members to our group. Thank you to each of you have helped other consultants whether you benefited from them or not. Thank you to those who see the positive happening, even when it seems negativity is spiraling all around. Thank you to each of you who have helped those who may not have help. Thank you to each of you who "own it" and don't point fingers and blame others for their lack of success.Thank you to each of you who have helped inspire me. Thank you to each of you who have emailed me to reach out for help. When I help each of y'all it is a growing experience for both of us. 

Someone once told me, " if you aren't putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, then you aren't growing"  I am very uncomfortable in a leadership role, but I have grown more and become more because I refuse to give up on myself and all of you. I know this company can lead us and guide us and carry us into the future for a long, long time. I am building more for my future and my children's future by working my business TODAY.  

"Life is not about right now... it's about what is to come"  I am not sure if this is an actual Orville Thompson quote or if he read that somewhere else, but he shared that on a call recently and it never rang more true to me than it does now.  Remember to thank those that have helped you. Remember to be patient with those that haven't.  

Leaders come in all shapes, sizes with all different kinds of personalities. I am grateful for the ones that have been placed in my path. You all inspire me and remind me of what I am doing and why I am doing it. This is a whole lot more than wax and warmers people, IT IS A FAMILY!

love you all!

xoxo

Jaime 

Grateful-ness....

        Is that really a word? Don't know if it is or not but I have it. I have been through a personal struggle this past month. No maybe not a struggle, more like a trial.  A crooked little path. Which has caused quite a bit of reflection on this stay at home mama!
       I'm so proud of my Jud. He is filling out to be quite the young man. He loves going to church on Wednesday with all the other Young Men and I'm grateful to each of these leaders and young men who are setting such good examples and helping mold MY young man!

          One of my longtime friends(since 4th grade) has an even bigger trial she is battling right now. Please visit her blog Fingerprints and share with others. The prayers are needed. Her blog does all the best explaining. She is a beautiful writer. Grateful for this amazing woman and girl. They both have no idea how many lives have already been touched by them. I LOVE YOU CAULEY GIRLS!!!
         Jake had a little scare this month with some kind of allergic reaction that caused bronchial spasms...( asthma like symptoms) Pretty scary when  your 7 year old is begging you to take him to the doctor because he can't breathe. He missed a whole week of school and was on all kinds of steroids and breathing treatments. Made me extremely grateful for a Dr. who wasted no time in getting him immediate attention.
        I found out a little over a month ago that my L5 in my lower back was severely compressed. I found this out because my big toe on my left foot was numb and staying numb. I went to see Dr. Barry and he told me that I needed to be in his office everyday for treatment....well that worked for a while, until life got in the way and needless to say I haven't been in to see him in quite a while and this past 2 weeks I have been paying for it. BAD! Like laid up in the bed, no running , no working out, hardly able to walk kind of pain. Grateful for a great husband who made me stay put and took care of things when I couldn't. Makes me even more grateful for my health and how important it is to take care of our bodies.

       My Scentsy life is still just that. A life and home surrounded by Scentsy. It is a family blessing for us and we are reminded of that every day and every month and every year that my business is a blessing. I am grateful to loyal hostesses, customers and Scentsy friends. Scentsy has forever changed the person I have become and still developing into.  If you are still not sure what Scentsy is please visit  My website. I know that some folks get tired of hearing about how important Scentsy is to me, but if you know me, then you know why it IS just so important to me and who I am becoming.

        The Pilcher's are growing. We are growing stronger and taller every day. Next month Denny and I will celebrate 13 years of marriage. So hard to believe that. So crazy to think that we are grown ups responsible for the lives and guidance of these 4 little creatures we are blessed to share this journey with. I struggle everyday with patience and knowing that there is so much more I should and could be doing with and for my family. I hope that one day they will overlook my imperfections and be grateful as I am. I pray that they will look back and say...dang it my mom may not of cooked a home cooked meal every night or sang with the most amazing voice, or always had the house clean, but she laughed with us and danced with us and makes the best cookies on the planet!(from scratch YO!) I know my husband and kids aren't perfect, but to quote a great country song "They are close enough to perfect, for me"!!
( jake went home this sunday because of being sick)

I've been playing with high school friends, 

attending dance recitals,

spending time with family for Christmas

lovin' on this cutie pie,

livin, lovin' and laughing with the cutie,

spending blessed time with my mom and siblings,

taking some family photos.

shopping for these kiddos,

selling some of this yummy Scentsy stuff,

cherishing these kinds of moments,

and holding on for the ride of a lifetime!

Hope your holidays were busy, crazy, head spinning wild like ours was...cause that only means there is that many people out there that love you and want to be a part of that ride you are on. Here's to a blessed 2010!!...and full and exciting 2011

GIVEAWAY

visit MYGIVEAWAYTODAY.COM for a chance to win free stuff everyday...but today is special because I am giving away free Scentsy!! Please visit the link and get yourself in for the running for some yummy Scentsy to either keep or  to give as the PERFECT GIFT!!

I can be honest

This is my little Primary class I teach on Sunday. We talked about being honest and what that means exactly. We talked about how the 2000 Stripling Warriors were true and honest. They loved putting on their headbands and marching around like warriors! I know Jarom wore his the next two days everywhere we went!! ...and yes that is my guy giving the Rockstar sign!! If we could all just remember to be as honest as these Sunbeams are!

Happy Halloween!!

I've been reading several blogs lately about decorating for fall. I am not very good at decorating at all. I have one fall vase with fall fruit/flowers attached to it that my mom gave me a few years ago for my birthday..other than that I am not so good. I usually get some pumpkins and mums and stair step them on my front porch.

 This is Jack- Our standby Halloween candy junkie! Jaici discovered him when she was just a wee little. I have a picture somewhere of her on top of the table sneaking some goodies!!

 Of course you can't forget the decorative hand towel for the kitchen!!

 I love these new warmers Scentsy has made available for the holidays...not just Christmas!

 I am either super cheap or I just don't have the eye to know how to cutesy stuff up!! Regardless of my abilities or should I say lack of abilities to be like Martha Stewart, I do love fall. It is my favorite. I love scarves, hats and pulling out my boots from last year! This time of year is so inviting to me. The leaves are changing and yes it may get to 90 degrees this afternoon but when we go to bed and when I wake to go run, it'll be hats and gloves! It's pretty chilly in the a.m. right now !!! I love it!!! This time of year is totally me!

A time to celebrate!

This precious daughter of mine turned 9 on October 1, 2010. I can hardly believe it! Jarom and I took her lunch and a goodie bag to school to help her celebrate! I love her and the ever so sweet spirit and calming effect she brings to our home! I would be the lone female if it weren't for my little sidekick Jaici! I love her so much and feel so blessed to be called her mother!

Give Thanks!

It's the time of year again where the leaves are changing and football season is in full swing. Here we are actually getting chilly mornings and evenings and easier afternoons. Here in Gilmer, we are all ready and talking of feeling Yamboree coming soon....which for those who don't know what it is..it's our local fair that goes on for 3 and half days. This warmer is this month's special with Scentsy and it just made me think...that this is the time for pumpkins and reflection..but can't we remember to "Give Thanks" year round? I personally love when the air turns cooler and sweaters and jackets are a must. I am truly grateful for the amazing family I am blessed to spend each and every day with. For an amazing husband who loves me and spoils me entirely too much. He is truly the best thing about me. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my amazing babies who make my life exciting. I am grateful to be with Scentsy and for the amazing opportunities it has put in my path. I am grateful for my bestest friends. I hope to try and carry this "give thanks" attitude a little longer than normal this year....my wish...is for you to do the same.