So in the last few weeks, since we’re back in North America, I’ve been completely hockey obsessed. I never thought I would get addicted to the NHL Playoffs, but here I am, with Leafs on the brain. It was to be short-lived though, as they didn't win the game last night. Now I’ll have to find another team to support for the rest of the Playoffs! Suggestions? ;-)
I never grew up with (ice) hockey. I grew up in The Netherlands, where we have soccer, and field hockey (click here for a funny video about the differences between Holland vs. The Netherlands). So the rules came easily to me (yes, I make off-side calls!), as they are very similar in many ways. I also grew up on skates; in the Northern province of Friesland, which has a lot of waterways and lakes. When we were lucky, the temperatures dropped below zero long enough for them to freeze over, and we’d skate on natural ice.
If we were REALLY lucky, the ice would stay long enough to have a 200km (!!) ice skating race known as the Eleven City Tour ('Elfstedentocht' in Dutch). Last time we had one was 1997. As a girl, we simply didn’t play ice hockey, but we speed skated, and those choreographically inclined would figure-skate. Suffice to say I speed skated!
Sometimes this cold-weather sport makes me miss winters, but more specifically ice. But then I remember the other 3+ months of the year that the weather is cold, miserable, drizzly (especially in The Netherlands; in Canada it’s sleet and sludge). Then I doubly appreciate that my business doesn’t tie me to one place, but allows me to bring my business with me to warmer climates.
A dear friend of mine on Fripp Island (home town of this year’s American Idol contestant Candice Glover: watch the video of her visit to her old workplace on Fripp Island here) very recently made a similar decision. Due to a back injury, she was sofa-ridden for about a month post-surgery, and even the slightest move was extremely painful. So she spent a lot of time just laying down, with her eyes closed, in her quiet surroundings, just reflecting on her job and life.
At the end of it, it crystallized into this deep conviction that she needed to do something completely different with her life and get back to her roots in writing and travelling. So she resigned her job as a wedding and sales consultant and will be embarking on a social-media inspired experiment that encompasses her two passions. Her site will be launching very soon and when it does, I’ll share it with you all.
For me, it was quite different. I was not exactly unhappy in my previous positions or enterprises, but they did lack a level of fulfillment that I now get with Senzu. Now I truly am grateful and inspired when I see customers appreciate and enjoy my designs and creations (like at the recent Ultimate Women’s Show in Hamilton, Ontario.)
When I talk to some of our Stylists and hostesses and hear the joy in their voices when they tell me of the fun they had last night at a Soirée they held or how they’re growing their own Stylist business, it makes me feel proud and excited.
Have you made a major change in your life recently, or stepped out on that ledge and jumped off into the world of self-employment? You have a dream business you'd like to get started with but are afraid to say so, out loud, to other people (it may just happen...)? Well, here's your chance! I’d love to hear about it all, feel free to share with us below, comments are open.
