Stopping for Joy, Again

This afternoon I will turn off my computer, change the message on my voicemail and announce to the world that I am not available.

The topic could be the role of family in your business, or balancing your workload and household, or even time management because it covers those bases. But, please read on to see what it's really about.

My daughter Lindsey was actively involved in my egg decorating business while she was growing up and living at home. She worked show after show with me setting up the booth, helping customers, writing up and packaging sales and keeping me organized and on track.

As my career transformed, Lindsey attended several of my talks, most recently in New Orleans this March at INTERIORS 08, the American Society of Interior Designers national conference where she was also a speaker. At dinner, after we'd each given our seminars, we critiqued (positively) each other's talks and discussed future business opportunities. She has become a successful author, speaker, entrepreneur with her own website and blog. Lindsey is now helping me navigate Facebook and introducing me to Twitter, Technorati (wha?) and RSS feeds.

So, it is with the greatest joy that I tell you that on April 5 Lindsey will marry Evan Gotlib in a ceremony in St. Martin with our immediate families in attendance. Evan is a wonderful man and a supportive and loving partner to Lindsey.

Because I own my own business and create my own opportunities, I was able to spend one day last week addressing wedding announcements with Lindsey knowing that my flexible schedule can accommodate my life and vice versa. I have worked many a weekend or risen at 5AM to free up an afternoon or a week for what's most important.

For the next four days the most important thing in my life will not involve my business at all. I will be celebrating Lindsey and Evan.

Today's message: block out time for your joyous occasions. And, please raise a glass to Lindsey and Evan this Saturday night. Take time for celebration when it comes your way and invent your own joy in between.

If this article has a slightly familiar ring to it, you're right. My son Rob and daughter-in-law Anne celebrated their one-year anniversary on March 31. Blessings abound!