From the desk of...

TRUE STORY...

Growing up I was made fun of and heard these things repeat over & over again in my head:

"Your smile's like the Joker!"

" You've got a big mouth & all gums!"

" You have such big, bug eyes!"

" Your big nose looks like Gonzo from the muppets!"

" You have a big forehead!"

" You have such big ears!"

" Your hairline looks like Eddie from the Munsters!"

" You have rabbit teeth!"

all of which, I used to look in the mirror and just be so darn hard on myself and believed all the negative comments, all the way until I was 42 years old! ( I'm now 48! ).

But because this happened...

My daughter started to grow up. As she did, everyone would tell us how she's really starting to look like me. Her big eyes, smile, shape of her face..

One day I was driving with her in the front seat for the first time, 6 years ago, and I looked over at her getting so grown up, and I was staring! I thought to myself, WOW! She really IS so darn beautiful!

That night, as I was staring in the mirror taking off my makeup, I started to be hard on myself as usual:

- ugh, chin hairs!

- ugh, where did that double chin come from?

- ugh, bags under my eyes!

- ugh, jowls? What the heck?

Then I stopped myself in my tracks! Who are you looking at you imbecile? Your beautiful daughter looks just like you! That means that YOU are beautiful too!

So I closed my eyes, took in a long, slow breath, told myself I'm beautiful too, then opened my eyes back up & stared at myself in the mirror. This time, seeing someone different.

This time I smiled. Even giggled with remembering EXACTLY WHO told me all of these POSITIVE things over the same four decades:

"You have amazing eyelashes!"

" Your smile is so genuine!"

" You have such white teeth!"

" Your energy is so infectious!"

" Your eyes look so magical"

" You have great shaped brows!

" You do your makeup so pretty!"

" You don't ever need makeup, you have natural beauty!"

" Your gestures are so sexy!"

" Your face tells such great stories!"

" You're such a beautiful creature!"

I ran all the compliments I ever heard over the years through my head, and after looking at my daughter, seeing her in me, this was the very first time, in 42 years, I actually believed them! Up until then, it was so much easier to believe the negative things about me, then the positive.

Now, if I look in the mirror and see things I don't like, like thinning eyebrows, chin hairs, bags under my eyes...

I just laugh and tell myself my own advice: "Control what you can control".

I do quick fixes & touch ups. Take extra time to clean or whiten. But for what God gave me: my eyes, my lashes, my nose, my mouth, my gums, my teeth... and how I look at myself and others, how I treat myself and others, how I carry myself...

I look in the mirror every single day & say: You are the example to your daughter. She is beautiful, and YOU are beautiful!

Now go kick some assets today!

I no longer hear those negative comments. I've learned to let go of any negative people and their comments of days past, and only surround myself by the ones who help lift me up. I focus on and carry all the positive compliments with me, ringing in my ears, to allow an extra pep in my step.

My point: I think you have all seen me evolve into my best self over the past 6 years. Just getting closer & closer to my inner and outer beauty. I had to literally MOVE to get myself & my kids further away from things, situations & people who were holding us back, and build myself and kids up- build brick by brick, day by day, one step at a time, within ourselves, our home, and my business.

What you see now, did not come easy. Me, my books, my kids... our successes...

We're in a very good place, but we're still climbing.

My message to you:

Focus on the positives.

BE uplifting to others.

Stay the course.

Never give up!

And YOU are beautiful too!

One love,

Gonzo.

Lmao.

I mean, Christine.

www.bumble-fly.com

Who Are You?

Are you the same person you were 10, 20, 30 or 40 years ago?

Yes, of course life has changed, perhaps you graduated high school or college, maybe married, with or without kids, possibly relocated...several different jobs, a newly found career... but who are you?

Sometimes "LIFE" causes us to pause, forcing us to readjust our thoughts or direction, either to get ourselves to the next level, or sometimes even just to survive. During those moments, do you stop and think: "What am I really all about? What makes me happy? What drives me? What am I striving for? What do I really want? Where do I want to be? Well, in those normal questions, is always the foundation: "WHO AM I?"(really).

We are often unsettled in our hearts until we find our PURPOSE, but how does one "find" that? Some are blessed enough to discover it along their journey, however, most are still on the hunt. As we search, we usually get slowed down, feeling stuck, being a victim of "circumstances".

What if the self- discovery process can be broken down into easy, manageable parts? What if you didn't have to answer such big questions all the time, with big, thought out answers? What if "LIFE" could be simple?

Many of us look back at the "simple days" and daydream of what once was. But truly think about that! In those "simple days", was it really all that "simple"? Life had the same up and downs, you were thrown curve balls, you overcame challenges, you were disappointed, brokenhearted, anxious or scared... The only thing that was "simple" in days past, is you were JUST YOU.

The digital world and social media this past decade added a layer of expectations on you. In the "simple past", you weren't reviewing daily pics of yourself, comparing how you look from day to day or even moment to moment. You didn't know what your neighbors' house looked like inside, what they recently bought, where they went, what they are eating, what they look like every phase of their day... you just focused mostly on YOU, and what makes you feel good -how you were comfortable. You really only concerned yourself with the self image you wanted to step out into each day of the real world with. And most of the time, what you put out there was CHARACTER more than appearance or possessions. Each morning you looked in the mirror instead of your phone screen and simply asked WHO AM I? And what am I going to accomplish today?

I have a childhood best friend that I meet up with only several times a year. As we reconnect each time, she always seems amazed, "Wow! You're saying the EXACT same things you were saying when you were 18!". I started to really focus on that. Her comment didn't seem so unusual at 28. But then again at 38? And now 48?

This time, with much more CHANGE in my life, being married and divorced, having two teenagers, experienced plenty of loss of family and friends, evolved career, endless jobs and people coming and going... REALLY? Am I really the same person, saying the same things, as that 18 year old?

The answer is YES!

There may be a long list of reasons why one would grow, or "change", however, let's focus on what may have stayed the same. Character. Integrity. Personality. Beliefs. Your Upbringing. Values. ... even your Dreams.

I have my own quotes of "evolving" and have published many posts about being open to change, however, being forced in more moments of PAUSE, I have realized how much has stayed the same- even through all the decades of "change".

When you look back at photos, memories, relationships, habits, and ask yourself "What was I doing? What made me happy? Who was I with or surrounded by? What job did I have? What did I own?... you can start to pinpoint a connection to the person you are TODAY, and who you want to be TOMORROW, with "WHO WAS I?" - back then.

Here's where it gets interesting and why I am bringing this up.

In the moments of this Global PAUSE and movements for CHANGE, we all seem to be at the same place right now of re-evaluating what's important to us. We're all asking ourselves the same questions: What will make me and my family happy during these trying times? How can I come out of all of this being the best version of ME? How can I make the most for myself, my family, those I care about, and my community? How can I rise above it all, and become successful or maintain my success? How can I make a difference? ...What should I be doing???

My answer is this: don't overwhelm yourself and think you have to have all the answers, or the perfect master plan. Start with step ONE. Simply ask: "WHO AM I?"

When you can start to answer THAT question, many other answers will fall into place.

Right before the Pandemic hit your Country, and quarantine was mandated...

Many couples may have been on the brink of splitting up. Some have rekindled their relationships (at least for now) and some are more convinced, now more than ever, it's time to make the move and officially split.

Many individuals were on the verge of leaving their jobs, or trying to make a change seeking a better commute, more money, more feeling of self accomplishment.

So many people were not happy with themselves, their appearance, their weight, and was creating their plan of attack, or just starting to get into the swing of things.

Some may have been in their glory days of money, success, career, love...life in general, yet have been forced to start all over from ground zero, or close to it.

You may personally be on the fence, left wondering NOW WHAT?, or being forced to re-think your HOW TO plans for any of the above.

Here's some clarity.

When you ask yourself WHO DO I WANT TO BE?, don't only look at WHO I AM NOW, look at WHO WAS I - back then? and know that fundamentally you are the same person.

Therefore, "Who do I want to be" is not really the question you should be asking yourself, or focusing on, especially when times in today's dynamics are too confusing and unreliable. You might feel too overwhelmed or spinning your wheels. Instead, you should be asking "WHO WAS I - back then?", (10, 20, 30 or even 40 years ago), with the following questions:

1. Do I miss who I was back then? Would I like to be that person again? Did someone fall in love with me the way I was THEN? When was I on fire? When did I feel like I can tackle the world?

2. Have I fallen out of love with myself and/or have the people around me, fallen out of love with ME?

3. Has life put restrictions on how much I can truly be myself? Does my partner or situation help me to get ME back? Does he/she, my lover, friend, organization or boss help support the time and resources for me to simply JUST BE ME?

4. Do I have the right people or situations in my life? Not only because they compliment me, provide (something) for me, or make life easy for me... How about establishing those relationships that embrace the GENUINE ME. Encourages ME to be ME, makes ME, the inner me- a priority.

In a world of so many open questions and uncertainties right now, there is ONE thing that you certainly CAN control, and that is YOU: WHO YOU ARE.

I always tell my children: "Control what you can control". That statement certainly applies to many situations, however, the most important is what becomes of YOU.

I suggest you take a little more time to get comfortable in your own skin. Start setting more realistic expectations of yourself and of those around you. That, by NO MEANS translates to SETTLE for ANYTHING! It means it's easier to get closer to the best version of YOU, when you look back and ask yourself WHO you really are?

It means that to get closer to your goals and dreams for your FUTURE is to get further away from TODAY. It means to know WHO I AM, is to rekindle WHO I WAS.

Granted, sometimes we discover the past version of you- needs to very much stay in the past. Maybe you were reckless, irresponsible or hurtful (to yourself and/or to others). Maybe you didn't know how to manage money. Maybe you simply made poor, immature choices. And THAT is not what ANY ONE hopes to bring back. Our goal is to tap into your heart, your spirit. To recognize your uniqueness, and the fundamentals of YOU- that no matter what attempt, can never shatter your soul, only challenge you or fight you. Our mission: don't fight anymore. Don't battle with yourself or others. Don't let circumstances define you. Don't act desperate or helpless. Don't let people - or ties of any kind- dim your light.

You may be closer than you think to finding your PURPOSE. It starts with being the BEST VERSION OF YOU. If you live that commitment every day, everything else will fall into place.

* My message is not a ME, ME, ME, selfish objective. They always say you are better to everyone else around you, when you take care of yourself first.

Spend a little time to stroll down memory lane. Reflect on your days past -the person you think you once was, and remember the best part of you is still in your blood. You had what it took back then, and you have what it takes now- to get ahead, to be happy, to be the GENUINE YOU. Get to know "WHO I AM", and live it, rock it, and love it!

Somebody Once Said...

" To reach greatness, it's not only the effort to improve, but the openness to evolve".

The current global pandemic and winds of change in the United States are definitely challenging Business Owners and Professionals to think creatively, with a new road map to success. As the world turns, how we go about doing things - many things, must also evolve.

Somebody also once said...

" To acquire greatness, you must first do great things and then teach about it, not preach about it and expect great things to come from it."

Ok, so that SOMEBODY is me!

I'm sure like most of you, I have also been taught to always "lead by example".

One must be an expert on the very same area they consult in. For me, that is helping to map out a clear path to your "Best Self", personally and professionally.

I may have seemed a little quiet the past few months, but I did not "disappear". I was taking advantage of these trying times to piece my own life together, positioning myself and my two teenagers for our own "BEST SELVES".

With quarantine time and challenges in every aspect of routines and relationships, I have forced self-discipline, and at times, warded off outside noise, to stay focused on the END GAME, while I re-strategized my PLAY BOOK.

I had to inform all the players of their key roles, while explaining just enough for their buy in. I had to meditate daily, to whisper the winning spirit into my own thoughts and belief, then cheer on my team along the way. I had to recreate my culture, with focus on the fundamentals, firmness on the foundation, and flexibility on the foresight. I had to ask myself and others very tough questions, while staying vulnerable to the answers. I had to "slow down, to hurry up" as I was once taught in my younger, eager years, to do. I had to divide and conquer as I usually do, but this time with less resources, instead with my approach to a long list of TO DO's. I had to break it all down, to rebuild it all up. And piece by piece, one strategic step at a time, I am proud to say that I have arrived.

My Personal Evolution...

We are actually thankful for the PAUSE this Pandemic created. We never fully stopped during that time. Instead, we rebuilt our vehicles, brought them up to speed, enhanced their performance and redirected our road map.

My children and I have very clear 3-5 year goals, are buckled up, and are ready to continue our journey. During this time of reflection and direction, we even RELOCATED, recognizing there was a more direct and pleasurable route to get to where we want to go.

Our "tough questions and vulnerable answers" helped us pinpoint what matters to us the most. With that, we created Vision Boards and for the first time, my children were truly dissecting life, their wants, their dreams, their goals, and understanding exactly what it takes to get there. The conversations and process I experienced with them, inspired me to create our BEST SELF ACTIVITY PACKET, so others can reach the same clarity. https://www.bumble-fly.com/downloads

(Because of it's importance right now, we are offering the download for just $1.99!)

Since a child, and still true today, I was always told "You're too much Chrissy!". Others projected and I perceived this was a bad thing. I have struggled a little with this challenge, always reminding myself to tone things down, or stay reserved. In all honesty, when I do, I die inside. My fire becomes dim, and I feel I'm being smothered.

Frustrated and seeking direction, I asked my mother a genuine question recently: "Mom, when am I ever going to NOT be 'Too Much'"? Her direct, sincere, and immediate reply was: "When you realize you're not too much for the WORLD!".

My "slow down to hurry up" was because I was previously so eager to launch my #RESET Apparel Collection, with true excitement in hopes to connect and make a difference in someone's life, that I took the quickest route to just get it out there. Because of the rush, we were only shipping within the U.S. To become zeroed in on WHO MY AUDIENCE IS, and capitalize on their attention during challenging times, I was forced to spend more time engaging with my following. I realized most of my consistent connection is abroad. I have specific countries that fit my dynamics and they have been loyal for several years! I did my homework, shifted my priorities and I now ship WORLDWIDE.

These are a few examples of how we fine tuned our own ROAD MAP and evolved. Now we have created the time and clarity we were lacking to finish work and home-related projects, focus on our personal growth and well being, rekindle and stay true to our genuine selves, and arrive at our full happiness.

I hope each one of you are finding small ways to hit the RESET button and are accomplishing the same.

Come check me out at https://www.bumble-fly.com/ to connect and perhaps find something that inspires you.

LIKE us on Facebook to keep engaged, as we enjoy exploring together. https://www.facebook.com/BumbleFlyRESET/

And as we reach around the world with a daily reminder:

ONE LOVE,

Christine