It seems like forever ago, but really, it's only been 3 weeks since Ariane Benefit, ADD / ADHD Organizing Coach who authors Neat & Simple Living, an Organizing & Decluttering Blog, and I had lunch together at a yummy BBQ place in Manhattan near my dad's apartment. It was so cool to meet her in person after feeling like we had known one another forever! We chatted like magpies and exchanged ideas and stories and inspired each other to keep on doing what we do. It's easier, isn't it, knowing that there are people in your corner? I've been feeling so isolated lately, it's good to remember there are people tracking me so beautifully. I have blogging buddies (like Ariane) that I can pick up the phone and call whether it's fair weather or foul. That feels good.
She blogged about it, too!
I remember when I first started my blog, someone said that they had met people from all over the world that they never would have met if it weren't for blogging. I thought back then how cool that was, and I wondered if it would happen to me, too. I am so grateful to report that it has. I have not only met other bloggers, but I have met new clients, both on the phone and by organizing their homes. Wow. When I think about it, it seems so natural, such a part of my life. How could I have lived so long without the blogosphere?
Some of you might remember that back in January, I was fortunate enough to spend some time doing private coaching in Chicago with the now world-famous Wendy Piersall of emomsathome.com (who just announced her collaboration with Entrepreneur.com today!). We had a dinner meet up near Wrigley Field with the always fabulous Liz Strauss of Successful Blog.com and boy was that fun!
So...lesson learned: let's all spend more time socializing, more time relaxing and enjoying one another's company, more time being there for each other, more time connecting from the heart. After all, isn't that what truly makes us rich?
I have a dear friend Ellen who had a great idea a few years ago. Discouraged by the lame responses she was getting on one of the major dating sites, this brilliant and resourceful lady took it upon herself to use the site's internal search engine to look for some of the women her age who lived in her neighborhood and emailed them all, inviting them to a "women's meet up" at a local watering hole. About 50 women showed up and boy, did they have fun! They compared stories and men and dates and their deepest wishes and complaints, laughed, drank and were quite merry. What came out of that evening was a woman's group about 12 strong that has been meeting monthly for the last year and a half, and a blog, Wonderful Online Women (or W.O.W. as Ellen likes to call it). I was lucky enough to be invited to join the group after I spoke there last year and I have been a devoted member ever since.
If you are (or know of) a single woman in her 40's or 50's that lives in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, and want to make some new friends and possibly even meet the man of your dreams, come on down and have a drink with us in a few weeks. Ellen has been having fun now creating casual events for men and women to meet in person, rather than online. I'll be at the next one for sure!
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((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Jessica -:¦:-
