This week I’m celebrating being a Park Lane Jewelry stylist for one year. This time last year, I had no idea what changes were in store for me. I thought I was getting $500 worth of jewelry for $99, but oh, what a difference a year can make. I’ve learned a lot during these past twelve months, and I don’t mean how to succeed in network marketing. This has been a year of personal growth and reflection.
One of the things that has been hard for me is dealing with those who “ghost me” or just ignore my messages. It’s okay if someone doesn’t want to buy jewelry from me – I’ve learned that “Yes” lives in the land of “No!” I started out taking it personally if I was ignored, and then I realized, perhaps they are trying to not hurt my feelings. Maybe, they don’t feel comfortable saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Maybe, they’re so busy, they haven’t even checked their messages! I’ve toughened up and the more I’m told, “No,” the more it makes me want to keep working until someone says, “Yes!” “No right now” doesn’t necessarily mean “no – forever.” Maybe, it’s not me – it’s them! We all have to deal with disappointments from time to time, but we shouldn’t let someone else’s opinion distract us from our purpose. When the Jewish leaders stirred up the people, and Paul and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch of Pisidea, they “shook the dust off their feet and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:51b-52). They didn’t take it personally. They moved on and kept working.
I’ve learned that success only comes from hard work. I’ve been blessed to promote twice during the past year, but it hasn’t been by accident. It’s taken hours each and every day to accomplish these goals. I “show up” in my Simply Blessed Circle of Friends Facebook group every day. I do a “Live at Five” Monday – Thursday. I believe that if I “do the work”, then, the rewards will come. But – I have to do the work. The same is in our Christian walk. Jesus tells us, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b). The reward will come – if we do the work. We must keep on, keeping on.
It ends up that I’ve figured out that I’m the greatest advertisement I can have. Who knew? Everyone morning, I get up and “play dress-up.” (Yep, I’m living every six year old girl’s dream!) I wear jewelry everywhere I go, and people notice. People comment. I pass out a lot of business cards! You don’t have to talk to me very long to find out that I’m passionate, not only about jewelry, but I’m on a mission to help women succeed and feel as beautiful as they look. Can people tell by looking at you that you’re a Christian? Are you dressed like a Christian? Is your speech “Christ-like?” Are you prepared to share the gospel – the good news with those with whom you come in contact? What is your mission?
My Friends, life is full of ups and downs, successes and failures. I’ve learned a lot of about myself during this past year. At age 60, I finally feel like I know “who I am,” and guess what? I like me! How cool is that? Simply blessed, Courtney