Sometimes life can feels a little like those adorable fluffballs, one setback after another, one ‘No’ after another. It’s important to remember when you’re knocked down that it’s not the end, that you will get up and that things will continue to move forward. For example, if the only thing you know about me and Bramble Berry is our current website, this cheery looking blog and the lovely photos of a healthy and happy family, you’d be missing 90% of the story. Over the years, there have been plenty of doors closed and mishaps (like when our entire warehouse flooded with groundwater and sewer and insurance wouldn’t pay for the damage or when our office roof literally peeled off in hurricane-force winds or when I was embezzled from or watching me go through a painful and contentious divorce or when … … the list goes on and on). When those things happen, my mantra is always “Thank goodness I have a successful thriving business to even have these problems! After all, if I didn’t have a warehouse, there wouldn’t be a roof to be torn off!” Sure, it’s hokey but it puts it all into perspective for me.
Bramble Berry’s Business Coach suggests celebrating successes for one day and never wallowing with setbacks more than one day either. I’ve embraced this philosophy and it’s served my company and my life well. So, my friends, make like a little fluffball duck and just keep on keepin’ on; get up, every single time, and move forward, even if it’s just a little bit at a time. When you look back over a lifetime, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve flown.
Hi, Anne-Marie!
I love the video and I love your attitude! When I have a setback, I always think of Walter Disney and how he managed to build an empire with just a dream and determination… 🙂 This way, my setback is nothing!
The glass is half-full for me, too! I love your blog!
xoxo
P.S. Thank you for visiting Magic Senses Blog. I always enjoy reading your messages! It puts a smile on my face.
Oh that video scared me at first because I thought they would be hurt! They look so little and fragile. Good metahpor though. If those little ducks can get through that, well I should be able to make it through a heck of a lot!
It is such a breath of fresh air to hear your positivity! Life has been REALLY hard lately and it was a great reminder, especially as I’m starting a soap business, that going with the flow can really make things a bit easier. Ann-Marie, I appreciate how you put yourself out there, get personal, and say what you feel. I always love checking into your blog and watching Soap Queen TV…your genuine happiness rubs off on me. God bless you!
You are such an inspiration, A-M! I was just remarking to my sister last week that I don’t know anyone quite so up-beat as you. It’s great advice and I aim to follow it and emulate you! 🙂
Aw thanks. I’m pretty sure it can be annoying. My husband never complains but once, when we were traveling, the British Airlines check in counter people were like “Wow! You are so happy and chipper!” And Chris was like “Uh, yeah, she’s like this all the time.” And then the two men shared a very sympathetic long, meaningful look. I do know it’s irritating in the morning especially. Ha ha … Jamisen seems to be super smiley in the mornings so maybe he’ll get that ‘Glass Half Full’ part of the genetic mix. I sure hope so. Life’s more fun when you’re happy! Thanks for being such a long time reader. I love getting your comments =)))
Ann-Marie,
Thank you so much for sharing, I am new to your website and did not know all that…amazing. You are an inspiration! So glad you were able to protect your account:)
You and me both! Though man, we’ve been going through the switchover today and yesterday (trying to sort out the new checking out versus old, the checks still going into the old checking account etc…) and it sure makes me wish I had coffee again! Ha ha.
I’ve been off caffeine since before I got pregnant (in preparation) and I could use it now. LOL! =)
Thank you for that dose of reality. All too often we look at others’ lives as far rosier than our own. You are a real encouragement to me; thank you!!
~ Michaux
Everything is rosy when all you see is what they present. Online interactions are particularly difficult to gauge the ‘reality’ of the situation; it’s human nature to put your best foot forward and online even looks glitzier because you NEVER see anything but what the person wants you to see. It’s like editing your own Hollywood movie. I choose not to dwell on the negative so you won’t see much of it from me but you don’t see much of it from me in real life either (for example, the BB checking account was hacked on Friday, it’s been extremely stressful, the bank called this morning to say someone was trying to debit the account for $64,000. There’s two choices: (1) roll with the punches, make a plan, rally the troops or (2) fall apart, post to FB, Twitter, and complain to anyone that will listen. Which one is more productive? #1! Which is why our money is safe – because I implemented a plan on Friday when the account was compromised). =) Long winded response to your comment but I get so passionate about choosing to be happy. It really is a choice, every single day.
thank you!!! I have had my big fair share of set backs lately and this is soo helpful! I am not alone!!! I will keep moving forward. Thank you soo much!
xoxo ~ Shannon
One step in front of the other, one step. Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. So, let’s start that new ending today =)
Great video Anne-Marie thanks for sharing. 🙂
thanks for sharing the video and the advice. i think that learning to get up again even after we’ve been knocked down is one of life’s greatest lessons.
It’s a hard lesson to learn and I think that if you don’t learn it early enough, you get ‘stuck.’ There are some people that are perpetual victims and it’s almost like they are on ‘stuck’ mode there and truly cannot get themselves out of it.
It’s nice to know you’re normal- lol!
It seems that success is determined by how we deal with and learn from our failures. Actually, they’re not even failures, but opportunities for improvement. Boy, I have a lot of opportunities!
Excellent advice! I work in a public library and have the opportunity to see children at play. The way a toddler will run, fall, jump up and keep running always makes me smile. Something to remember when those gusts of wind make us stumble! Thank you. 🙂
It is amazing! I see those kids fall and always cringe. It’s going to be ME worrying about my little guy when he falls, not him (ha ha). =) Make like a child and forget about the hurt; I like it!
i love the idea of celebrating your successes for a day and yet not giving setbacks more than one day either. helps to not take yourself so seriously but keep everything in check!
i’m new to soaping and would love to come up and take a class sometime! it’s a bit daunting to figure out by oneself!!
blessings,
olivia
We would love to host you! OtionSoap.com is where we do all our classes and on FB, they are: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Otion-The-Soapmaking-Bar/92779021830 They just posted photos of their latest class yesterday and they looked IMPRESSIVE! =)
Great insight Anne Marie!
Thanks Ms. Judd! I’m loving being friends with you on FB. You’ve got such a sunny and happy personality, even through adversity.
Those ducks are so cute! So glad I saw that because it’s making me smile about the winds that are blowing me around! And look at the mama duck keeping up with her babies. So sweet!
“Sticks and stones can break my bones but winds will never hurt me.” LOL!
I just laughed and laughed at the video – it was so precious. Though, it was only precious because the ducks were okay of course! =)