For those that may not know this, in addition to producing Your Blooming, I also am a business owner (I own and operate my own Virtual Assistant business) and produce another podcast called A Virtual Perception. I am making connections in so many different ways and meeting so many awesome, inspiring individuals. Today’s podcast I speak with a fellow Virtual Assistant, Lisa Forbes, whom I met through the Virtual Assistant Forums. I found out that she has a blog focused on International Adoption and talks about her journey to adopting her son. In 2004 she and her husband adopted their son from Russia and is now going through the process again, this time they are on the journey to adopt their daughter from China.
Lisa speaks about her adoption experiences and shares some solid advice for families going through the adoption process or thinking about it.
Lisa is full of positivity, hope and perseverance. Whether or not you are in the process of adopting a child –Lisa’s spirit is infectious and is sure to leave an impression on you.
Today’s Feel Good Friday entry simply is a quote that I received in my email this morning.
You know, no one’s sad when company’s coming. I have memories of company coming to my parents’ home and all of us getting well-dressed and anticipating good food. That’s the atmosphere I try to create, to always feel festive about our daily life.” –Vimala Rajendran
I actually look forward to the weekends (especially in the summer) because I know family and friends will be coming over to our house for food, fun and family time! What a great way to think and feel about every single day of your life! Amazing.
Spring is finally here and I couldn’t be any happier. Spring time is a time for re-growth and blooming. It is my favorite time of year! I have been away from the blog for a few days, because I have been enjoying the wonderful weather, been busy with my business and have been having awesome conversations with inspiring individuals!
Speaking of which, just yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tabitha, the founder behind http://www.afiveoh4uplifting.org/, a mission that sends care packages to children in hospitals and women and children in homeless shelters. What she is doing and continues to do is absolutely amazing. The podcast featuring Tabitha will be airing very soon! By the way, Tabitha found out about my podcast through Serendipity Factory, one of my most favorite websites — devoted to all things happy and inspiring. Thank you Serendipity Factory for helping us form this connection! You rock!
I also had the chance to speak with a business associate of mine. She has a blog called International Adoption Guide where she talks about her journey to adopt her son. Her story was so moving to me, it almost brought me to tears! The podcast featuring Lisa will be airing soon also.
I was thinking to myself just the other day, that I am so awesomely lucky to be meeting and connecting with these individuals and sharing their stories. Your Blooming has just begun and I know I am doing what I was meant to do. Thank you for participating and listening.
So, I spent the morning updating the Your Blooming website with blogs and a new podcast (a conversation with my mother). Less than 30 minutes ago — I received these from my mother:
How awesome is she? These flowers are in celebration of my 10th Year Kidney Day Anniversary. Thank you Mom, they are beautiful!
I am full of energy, gratitude and optimism today. While my brother is my real-life hero, my mother is my inspiration and provides the strength I need to forge ahead.
She has always been by my side. That is why it was surprising to hear that prior to my being born, she never thought in a million years, that should could care for a sick child. However, she did it and was great at it too. She is the definition of strength and inspiration in my book. That is why I had asked her to be a guest on my podcast, specifically to talk about her experiences as a mother to a child who was in and out of the hospital for the first six years of their life (me).
As you will hear in our conversation, this woman, is amazing. There is one sentence my mother kept repeating during our conversation “You just do what you have to do. You don’t think about it, you just do.” Mom, I have to tell you, not everyone thinks that way and that is why you, you are an inspiration.
In 2001 I had the chance to honor my brother at a Living Donor Appreciation Dinner which was given by the hospital we had our transplant surgery. Not many people get a chance to do this sort of thing, so I was honored, excited AND nervous to get up in front of a room of people and talk. At the time, my speech giving skills weren’t anything to write home about, but the words I said are true and I spoke from my heart.
Here is another video I created a while ago, as part of a college project, honoring my brother:
Did you know that April is National Donate Life Month? You can be somebody’s hero too. Visit: http://www.donatelife.net/to learn more.
Kidney Day is a very special day for me, as well as, for my family. It is the day my brother donated his kidney to me. Today marks the 10th anniversary of Kidney Day!
I cannot believe that 10 years have gone by already. Because of my brother’s most special, self-less and awesome gift (his kidney, one of HIS organs, how cool is that?) the past 10 years I have been able to live my life to the fullest. In just those ten short years, I have gotten married, bought a house, continued my educational journey, started my business (a lifelong dream of mine) and am now on my way to inspiring others to do the same. I believe the next 10 years are going to be just as awesome — so what is in store? Well, here is a preview of some of the things I hope will come: To be able to do this podcast thing full-time and bring amazing stories to my listeners, go on The Amazing Race (some may think I am crazy for wanting this, but to see the world, in a race, with my husband by my side, how cool would THAT be?), to have a family of our own, and my goodness, to see my nephew turn 20 years old (just thinking about that makes my heart race, children grow up way too fast). I am able to do all of the things I have done and can dream about the future all because my brother donated his kidney to me. Without it, there is a very good possibility I wouldn’t be here writing this blog post at this very moment. Today is an awesome day!
Did you know that April is Natonional Donate Life Month? You can be somebody’s hero too. Visit: http://www.donatelife.net/to learn more.
