During Coffee Hour today, I had a little light-bulb moment. One of the most underrated assets in any woman’s journey is community. Not the loud, bra-burning kind—but the steady, honest kind. The kind where you’re seen, heard, and not required to have it all figured out. I’ll admit, I resisted community for most of my life—especially community made up of women. And then, of course, there was Vickie… the epitome of a true community builder. So I wanted to share a few things that are near and dear to my heart about this community. You’ve probably figured much of this out long ago, so consider this my two cents from a late bloomer. Community reminds us that independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone or in isolation. Yes, there’s the obvious—support, shared wisdom, encouragement. But the unexpected goodies? Perspective you didn’t know you needed. Courage you didn’t realize you were borrowing. Opportunities that appear simply because someone says, “You should talk to her.” Growth accelerates when we stop reinventing the wheel in isolation. And maybe the greatest reward of all: belonging. A place where your questions are welcome, your wins are celebrated, and your becoming is witnessed. Strong women don’t just build themselves—they build circles. What has this beautiful community given you that you didn’t even know you needed?

It is the Holiday and I don't know who is traveling or staying in town. I am taking Thanksgiving day off and working all others... What do you want to accomplish this week. Below in the comments is my list.

My true story of walking away, waking up, and writing forward. There was a moment in my life that split time and completely transformed my life… It didn’t look dramatic on the outside. I wasn’t screaming or crying or tossing things into boxes. No one saw it coming. Not even me. But one morning, sitting under the hum of fluorescent lights in my high-paying accounting job, I heard it…that quiet, unshakable inner voice. It didn’t beg. It didn’t shout. It simply whispered...“It’s time to go.” At first, I didn’t listen, I blew it off. And then I heard it again.... “It’s time to go.”... “Vickie! It’s time to go” I could feel the pound of my heart and the arguing my mind was doing... knowing that I had to be all in. The decision I was making wasn’t reversable.... Would I trust myself or not? That inner voice wasn’t giving me instructions as to “why” it was time to go… but then, I heard it again... “Vickie, it’s time to go.” And so, I did… I stood up, walked out of that gray Dilbert cubicle... my mind racing and hands shaking knowing that I could never look back... but NOT knowing where I was moving forward to. I drove home in silence. No plan. No applause. Just the sharp awareness that I had only $5,000 in the bank…and no idea what came next. That number haunted me. It stared at me like a ticking clock. Eight weeks of survival, maybe less, if I wasn’t careful. But I also knew something deeper… something was speaking to me, guiding me and talking to me at every moment. I knew that this was the moment... My moment. At the time I left my job… I didn’t know what this inner voice wanted me to do. I had no clue or idea that it was going to ask me to write a book. When I first heard it tell me that this what “We” were going to do, I thought it was the craziest idea because... I didn’t know how to write a book. I didn’t know how to use Microsoft Word. I used accounting software, QuickBooks. I could barely spell. I didn't know where to start I didn't get good grades in school

For most of my life, I worried way too much about what other people thought of me. I tried to be the “right” version of myself in every situation — kind, capable, easy to understand, everyone's 'go to' gal. But fairly recently, I realized I didn’t need anyone else’s permission to live how I want to live. These days, I’m choosing self-care over approval. I’m learning to ask, “What do I need?” before wondering “What will they think?” It’s such a relief to give myself the permission I was waiting for all along. (that I really didn't need) This made me laugh and here's why...in reflecting on this I went down the path of the 12 step programs, and I wondered what a 12 step program would look like for people pleasers. This is all tongue in cheek and hopefully not disrespectful.( @Laura Deter) Step 1: Admit I am powerless over everyone’s opinions—and that my peace has become unmanageable. Step 2: Believe that maybe not everyone has to like me (and I’ll survive). Step 3: Make a decision to turn my energy over to things that actually matter. Step 4: Make a fearless inventory of all the times I said “yes” when I meant “absolutely not.” Step 5: Admit to myself (and maybe a friend) that I can’t be everyone’s emotional customer service rep. Step 6: Become entirely ready to stop apologizing for existing. Step 7: Humbly ask the universe to delete “Does this make you mad at me?” from my vocabulary. Step 8: Make a list of people I've tried to please—and forgive them and myself. Step 9: Practice saying “no” without a 10-minute explanation (and maybe even with a smile). Step 10: Continue to check in with mysef, and when I've overcommitted, promptly back out with grace. Step 11: Seek through journaling, tea, meditation, and quiet moments to know what I actually want. Step 12: Having experienced newfound peace, share this freedom with other recovering people-pleasers — but only if they asked first. Which step are you on today?😁❤️

I LOVE THE GAME!...ANYTHING I DO IN LOVE IS SUCCESSFUL. Yet, sometimes... I need an emotional pick me up... I know that you gotta want your new life more than you want your old life and when I want to fall in to old patterns... I play this song. When I need inspiration and a new state... I put this song on to remind me that I am invicible, unstoppable, unbreakable, unshakeable... I was born to win Share your fight song below and everyone can listen