Commitment

What does the word Commitment mean? According to the dictionary it is defined as:
1. the act of committing.
2. the state of being committed.
3. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.
4. a pledge or promise; obligation

Hmm, it's almost like a 4 part process, let's put this in perspective...

First there is the announcement to yourself and family that you are going on a diet (the act of committing). Then comes the deed of dragging yourself to the gym 3x a week and eating salads (the state of being committed). Next the hard part comes with the continuation of going to the gym and eating healthy (the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself). And of course finally pledging to a new lifestyle to keep the weight off (a pledge or promise; obligation).

Commitment seems to be a definition a lot of people struggle with. It is not an easy task, however, the rewards of commitment are gigantic. In our fast pace, high divorce rate, obesity infested society we are constantly losing the focus on our commitment to not only our families, but ourselves.

With commitment comes the need for self esteem, confidence and willpower. Not picking up that donut is willpower. And yes you can do it! So whether it's weight you need to lose, a marriage that needs work or the commitment to better your life - it all starts with a commitment and then a focus on how to accomplish it. Remember the road might be tough but with the commitment to make it happen, it can be done! Stick with it!

Happy with Hollywood (for a moment)

I am so happy with the Hollywood Celebrity focus at the moment I could just grin! I mean what a great time for young girls to be influenced by the up and coming ultra-uber hot stars like Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson. A curving miniority woman defining the odds while putting all the nay sayers in their place. And ah, Rachael Ray - don't you just love her? She's is my current woman of the moment. She is an definite entrepreneur with a saucy personality. She is host of her own daytime talk show, magazine and several shows on Food Network. She has curves and laughter and a knack for making us viewers feel comfortable watching her. I've even found myself picking up her lingo and a desire to cook.

So while I don't say this often "yeah for Hollywood".

Whose job is it?

I gotta ask, whose job is it to hold yourself accountable for your actions? Is it yourself, your husband, your friends or perhaps your children? Maybe it's a mix of all aspects. I'm not sure.

I do know that as a society we like to make excuses for ourselves a lot though. The reason why I can't lose those stubborn pounds or why I can't get a raise - we always seem to be blaming the other person. Tell me, who really takes the self-responsibility to say "It's me". "Because I stopped and picked up drive through on the way home, this is why I can't lose the weight or if I actually managed to show up on time for work perhaps I would get that raise".

We are always so quick to say "it wasn't me". It's so and so's fault, if they just would ____ (fill in the blank). So I ask you - wanna know the real reason behind that question of "Why I can't I just ______ (again, fill in the blank)- just ask yourself and this time be real. After all, it's a whole a lot easier to change your actions than those of someone else.

Cheers to a successful 2007.

Clipping their wings

Dressed in sparkly jeans with rhinestones, a cowboy shirt and sunglasses big enough to make Nicole Richie jealous, my daughter walked out the door this morning on her way to middle school. The days of kissing her goodbye as she boarded the bus dressed in cute outfits and pigtails are gone. Her character themed backpack has been replaced with a messenger bag and Kate Spade purse filled with lunch money and glistening lip gloss. My daughter has truly entered the realm of middle school, she has begun to soar.

I watch her walk on her way only to ponder what has happened in such a few short weeks of entering middle school to cause such a drastic change. Obviously I know her friends have become more of an influence. I'm sure the older girls and the way they dress are impacting her thinking as well. I can only pray that she will remain the confident little girl I've worked so hard to raise.

As mothers, we raise our daughters to become women. Hopefully strong women. But at times I wonder do we slowly clip their wings or ultimately do they clip ours?

"You kids are.......Hello.."

We at Go Girl & Co have asked fellow friends to help us brainstorm for a new candy line, asking them to come up with fun sayinga that independent women say or do. The response has been wonderul, infact joyous even to share an email that was sent "outlining ideas" and sharing an amazing story. It was a must share. Hope you enjoy it...

My Mom was my role model. Growing up in the 60's and 70's, the typical Mom usually played the "June Cleaver" in daily life. We were a very typical suburbia family living typical suburbia lifestyles.
Mom stayed home every day with the kids. She was the "domestic engineer", no doubt! On Sundays she took 6, or 7 of us to church. Her faith was her home base, her survival. She was at the top of her game! She was an incredible example for all of us!
We had two older brothers followed by four sisters. Our "happy surprise" brother came along six years later. With that said, Mom was very busy for a lot of years! A 14 year span for 7 children.
It was typical back then for the Father to pour into the boys in the family, as it was in our home. After our oldest sister wanted to play on the boys baseball team my Mom decided to do something for us young ladies!. The "Pixie League" softball league was birthed! Girls in our town loved it! Mom's loved it! It was a great success! Girls ages 6-14 played on the baseball fields in the afternoons before the boys played in the evenings.
She was one of the most positive examples in my life. Her "light" shined through in all that she did!
In a family our size, one could easily "lose it". But my Mom had patience like no other! Her famous, "count to ten" method to get through things was her way of cooling down. Of course you had to have her "dagger eyes" while counting to imitate her!
One of my favorites was the way she could be hollering at any of us 7, or all of us 7, and the phone would ring. Without missing a beat she would be saying, "You kids are.......Hello.." In this sweet and calm voice. I think they even used that on a Saturday Night Live episode. (hehe)
Empowered, yes! I was by this loving, caring, faithful woman! I only wish I could be half the woman she was!

Have a story to share? Send it to us. (info@gogirlandco.com)

No returns, exchanges or credits: the item is being sold "as is".

Learning how to shop is a necessary skill that women must learn. Whether we shop only for the most shi-shi of items or are a bargain betty - we all learn the skill of buying an item that is being sold "as is". You know the item that is marked down for clearance to be sold without any hopes of a return, credit or exchange. The one that says something is wrong with me, but you have to figure out what it is. Sometimes the flaw on the item is obvious; a broken piece, missing part or chip. Other times the the item looks fabulous and you ponder how the item ever even made it to the "as is" bin - a true bargain betty. Okay, so we are familiar with the process - but have you ever thought of your friends, husband, co-workers also as being things that come into your life "as is"?

As humans we are not perfect, we all carry a flaw. Yet our expectations of others is to be perfect. We dream of our mates sending flowers for no reason at all (yes, men we love this) or calling us at work to remind us of how great and beautiful we are (we really love this) - yet we don't get the flowers or the call and are disappointed. While we see our own flaws and expect others to be patient with our mistakes, we are quick to judge others on their imperfections. Divorce rates are high, affairs are happening right now - all because we are unhappy with our choice of the item we "bought" thinking it was bright, shiny and never opened, only to find that it was infact a piece in the back of the store for sale "as is" and we've just uncovered the flaw. Knowing that we can't return it or exchange it - we simply toss it, nevering spending the time to repair it.

So here's a thought:

Remember that your husband is "as is", he comes with flaws and the next guy would has his too. Be forgiving and look to the positive aspects he does have. That he is "as is".

Remember that the girl or women that you look up to be perfect has her flaws too. That she is "as is".

Remind your daughters that you are not perfect and have flaws on your own. That you are "as is".

Remember that your co-workers are not perfect and they too are "as is".

Even remind yourself that when your husband is rough housing with the dog and causing all kinds of commotion while you are trying to type a blog on an early Saturday morning that both of them are "as is".

Cheers to a happy weekend.

Surviving Middle School

Happy End of August!

Tis the season for back to school. Thousands of tween girls will begin their middle school journey this year and into the realms of life changing events. New friends will emerge, clicks will begin, and yes, torment and teasing for the ones that are different will surface. Like a pack of hungry wolfs, girls will begin to form the pack that will survive the coming middle school years, with an alpha and omega female emerging. As horrible as it sounds, the truth is upon us and the question remains what to do if my daughter falls victim to the pack. Many mothers think that buying their daughters the right clothes will help or giving them the latest gadgets to look cool will work. Truth to the matter is that now is not the right time to begin the necessary actions to help your daughter survive. Many moons and years ago when they first enter elementary school was the time.

All girls will experience the desire to fit in and belong in the middle school years and all mothers will question what to do to help their daughters through this tough time. As a mother of a new middle schooler and someone who has spent countless hours researching the effects of tween girls, I have learned that the time to talk to your children about who they are as individuals is an on going process that begins when they are young. It is important to let your child distinguish her characteristics that make her unique from an early age, as parents we should praise and build her confidence on areas where she excels. Confident girls will have a much better likelihood of surviving the intense drama than girls that struggle with self-esteem. And confidence building techniques take lots of time and dedication. It does not happen overnight or in a few weeks. A steady stream of consistency and time for your daughter to learn how to fail and then succeed will build her confidence. Whether it be through sports or dance from early elementary years or consistent church teachings, find a message that builds confidence and instills the necessary elements for her to succeed in middle school.