Sometimes you meet a person that has a profound influence on your life.  I met Christie Perkins two years ago in the spring of 2016.   After a busy day, I came to the women’s seminar last minute.  It opened with an ice breaker game.  We moved to the corners of the room, sorting ourselves by the life goals we wanted to achieve.  Christie was the guest speaker for the evening but had joined us in the exercise.  We both ended up in the corner under “Someday I want to write a book”.  We looked at each other and smiled.  She was cool and confident and I felt like an imposter.

It had been a week of internal turmoil.  I had this little online business here at Doll It Up for 4 years but I was at the crossroads needing to invest in some training to take it to the next level.  It seemed like such a stretch, no a leap, to take this step.  I was flopping back and forth because of the money and time involved between, “Yes, let’s do this!” and “No way, what am I thinking?”  The future had been on my mind a lot lately.  I’d let myself dream big and it scared me to death.  One of those big dreams on my recent list was to write a book and so, on this evening, I walked right through my imposter shame and joined Christie.

After the warm up game we sat for the presentation.  Christie called for us to start TODAY, on the life plans and dreams we have, big or small.  She was beautiful, she was young and her heart was so urgent.  She implored, what dreams we leave for tomorrow, does not guarantee us years, to get them done.  She herself had felt pulled to certain life goals but realized she had been in a pattern of putting them off.  Now, standing before us, she had recent news that her cancer was no longer in remission but that she was facing stage 4 cancer.  She “pushed play” on life goals a few years ago, with her first round of cancer.  One example, to realize her life long dream of writing, she started a blog.   Now she lived with a determination to lean into the things she felt called to do.  This was her message even as her life was unfolding in unpredictable ways.

I was astounded.  I had come with a cluttered, fitful mind and suddenly things felt so clear.  This was the time to invest in my business and in myself.  Today was the day to step forward and choose the path of growth.  I went home, purchased the training and jumped right in with determination for the next few months.  The training was part of an important period of growth for my business and more importantly, myself.  A few months later a publisher reached out to me to write a book.  I was astounded at the timing and marveled to reflect on that evening, a few months earlier, when I had felt so reckless, proclaiming to the world I had dreams.

Fast forward two years later.  It is now 2018, I wrote my book and it is just weeks from being released.  Christie passed away a little over a month ago from cancer.  I feel so grateful that I could hear Christie speak at a time when I was facing life decisions.  I know my struggles were not earth shattering but Christie’s message reached me at a time when I was confused and unsure.  She is part of my story and the journey to writing this book.  I knew I wanted to acknowledge the part she played and I paid tribute to her in my book.  She was an amazing person and I know she will be missed so dearly.

You can read Christie’s charming, witty, sweet perspective of life on her blog at howperkyworks.com .

Thank you for letting me share something personal and close to my heart.  Life is a journey and I am grateful for moments of clarity and growth.  I am grateful to each of you and your big hearts, I know you have stories where you’ve struggled and grown through those struggles.  As I look to navigate life, I feel nudged to choose growth and lean into it.

Much love,

Anna