We've have all heard the saying " hard work pays off". Never before has that meant more to me than this last month. Over the last 3 to 4 years, I have been busy, busy, busy working on Fabulous@50, building a vibrant website, growing the Fabulous@50 community and working on the growth of the annual trade show. I admit, there has been times, where I have wondered if I was on the right path. This last month has truly shown me that I am...whooohoooo!!!
This last couple of weeks has given me three wonderful gifts of recognition. Our Live Your Laughter Fundraiser for the Suit Yourself Charity was a wonderful success, making over $6,400 which gave us the top fundraising honor at the Suit Yourself High Tea at Sutton Place. Working with a fabulous group of women made this so much fun and created stronger bonds in business and relationships between us. As a team we stepped up on the stage at the High Tea and were recognized by our peers, celebrating our hard work together.
Then only a few days later, I was blown away by being honored with the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Turning Point Category. If you would have told me 12 years ago, that I be at these events, never mind being an nominee, I would never have believed you. Being the center of attention and being recognized was always something I was uncomfortable with. There are many of us hard working women, who have problems receiving, but would not think twice about helping and supporting others. That is what makes us fabulous!
I am humbled by the women I stood next to, but also proud of myself for doing what it takes to be there. I took the opportunity to meet the amazing Dr. Amour, who was the recipient of the Lois E. Hole award. She was gracious and when I said to her, that I wished I had had a mentor like her when I was a young women. She responded, wisely, "Dear, you did the best you could with what you had". Yes, how true that is for all of us. This women is well over 70 and is now someone I aspire to be like when I reach that age, a leader, a mentor and still making a difference in the community with kindness and grace.
My lesson this year has been to enjoy the win, celebrate the successes! A new friend of mine, Diana Grailing, told me that I needed to "eat the kill". How gross, until I thought about it, she knew me quite well already. Instead of celebrating and relishing in any success, I jump right into something else and I don't take the time to really enjoy all the hard work it took to get the job done. So many women, especially from our generation, have a very hard time receiving compliments and recognition. Ladies, I want to say to you, you are all fabulous! You are kind, thoughtful, giving, and deserve to be told this by others and especially from yourself. It is not a crime to light your own candle, people need a light to follow.
Have a wonderful summer!
Fabulously yours, Dianna