Live like you are dying…
Hi Peeps,
The death of Steve Jobs greatly impacted me. Not only did the man make me “financially secure” but the way he lived his life has always been an inspiration to me. I have a propensity to greatly admire those that live on the outskirts of “normal.” I spent plenty of time with brilliant outcasts in school to know that Valedictorians are over rated.
I do not put myself in the same sphere as Jobs, but have an affinity to the way he made “no excuses” or apologized, rarely, for who he was. In many respects, I lived a similar path of “self-discovery” sans the drugs and rock and roll, shutting down the “noise” and doing it my way. I did not care what others thought, less about what they thought about me. I was never bothered by “personal” opinion that had no bearing on what I wanted to do with my life. As I stated many times over, I am not here for a popularity contest and; what seems to be of great importance to other people doesn’t even register on my radar. However, loyalty can never be compromised.
Whilst I did graduate from college, I never stopped learning or growing as a person. Jobs said after dropping out of college, he dropped in on some courses that he found “fascinating” such as calligraphy. Later with the creation of the Macintosh, he incorporated the beautiful typeface fonts he learned in calligraphy class. I took up language courses including sign language which gave me a unique ability to “read” people, all the whilst pretending I did not know what I knew. There is something to be said about being a fly on a wall and acting ignorant, while having a brilliant “other” career.
I recently read Jobs’ “authorized” biography and give lots of credit to the man who admitted to the world that he was no saint and; wanted the book to be a raw reflection of the man himself. I don’t think he was a perfectionist either, he just knew what he liked and did not let anyone or anything stand in his way.
Later in life, he stated he did look at the man in the mirror and started to live every day as if it was his last. During his most difficult times of his pancreatic cancer, he put out sheer brilliance including the iPhone and iPad. I don’t own a stitch of his new creations because, frankly, I don’t buy what I don’t need. Thankfully you all are helping to drive up the stock prices. Thank you!!!!
Live, Love Life! 
I Am…What’s Wrong with the World?
Hi Peeps,
Tom Shadyack, the director of the provocative documentary, “I Am,” explores what happened to “civilization” as we know it. My team and I had an opportunity to screen this film back in March. The film resonated with all of us as we continue our journey for more “altruistic” ventures. He was on Oprah yesterday with an epiphany that changed his life forever, as it did mine in 2003.
Tom Shadyack is no stranger to filmmaking or Hollywood. He has turned out comedic hits as “Bruce Almighty” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” starring Jim Carrey and “The Nutty Professor” starring Eddie Murphy. He averaged about $8M per film with points for box office receipts. At one time he owned three (3) sizable “mansions,” flew on private jets and lived by any standard, an “extraordinary life.” He gave it all up for a more “happier life” a “double wide” and a bike and; as he stated, “the less weight I had the happier I became.”
His “ground-breaking” new film explores his own journey to discover where did civilization get it wrong? Whilst the film does not condemn life as we know it, it questions where society sets “priorities,” and the notion that “more” will make us any happier, or that we are hard wired for competition. On the contrary, we are “hard wired” for “collabouration.”
In 2003, I made the decision to downsize out of economic necessity. I received my notice for deployment and knew financially I was unable to sustain all that I had on a military salary. I also made a conscious and ethical decision not to take my usual Board of Directors stipend whilst on deployment. In the years since, just like Tom Shadyack, I became happier with less weight and; realized that I did not miss the “management of “stuff” nor the “stuffy” and “pretentious” world I once was a part of.
To be clear, being part of “high society” is not stuffy at all, but the trappings of which others see as being important was. I also realised in my personal journey, that the people I associated with were MORE important than those things that defined my status in life. Whilst I was a product of good stock and education; associated, some would say, with a “privileged” life, I never let that which was afforded to me “go to my head.” I was able to put things into perspective, select the friends who made me whole, be part of a team that made me thrive and seek out projects that gave me the opportunities to achieve.
A reporter who interviewed me during my pre-deployment once asked if it was “easy” to give up most everything I owned. My ownership extended to properties, cars, lucrative stipend and luxury items including memberships at exclusive clubs and a private jet. Absolutely! When you are on the front line, your priorities are totally shifted to “What is really important in life.”
Today, I still don’t miss “all that,” and I did not have to compromise my love of travel, entertainment and joys of life. Matter in fact giving up the other “weight” afforded me greater freedom to play. Tom Shadyack stated that when he told people he worked 18 hours, he received “positive” feedbacks, until he stated he played about 4 hours a day…to blank stares! No wonder people are stressed out and unhappy! I love the blank stares…so bring it on!
Live, Love Life!
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Gabrielle Bourne is the Co-Founder of Bourne Legacy Enterprises and Founder and Executive Producer of Gabrielle Bourne Productions. A Blogger since 1996, Gabrielle re-purposes current media stories and events and makes them relevant to her strategic health and wellness and altruistic mission.
“Stand in YOUR Truth”
Hi Peeps,
I have been an admirer of Suze Orman since the 90’s. In 2005, we produced the Program “Young Fabulous and Broke” using Suze’s book of the same name and in 2007, “Women and Money” where we also promoted the “Save Yourself Plan” through TD Ameritrade. In 2012, we will be back with another popular Suze book, “The Money Class” where she engages readers to “Stand in your truth.”
What I admire about Suze Orman is her “no nonsense” approach to personal finance. She definitely puts things into perspective and; some would say “too direct,” but does one have to be “meek” when it comes to a “reality check?” I believe that “Political Correctness” has all but destroyed our civilization as we know it to the point that there are very few people standing in their own truth and others “afraid” to say it like they mean it.
I for one do not want to scout around an issue looking to “feel” my way around for a “proper response.” If someone asks for my honest opinion, I will tell it, without being abashed. If I see something wrong, I will address it head on…”appropriately.” Calling it like you see it is not about “name calling,” attacking the person or being down right vicious, it is about providing a response that directly addresses the matter, without being malicious.
Suze Orman uses the phrase “stand in your truth,” that in order to make significant positive changes in one’s own life, you have to be authentic. Whilst Suze applies this meaning to personal finance, I apply it to business.
In today’s business environment, people can “hide” behind walls like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn spewing “quotes” and guiding people’s lives, but then I always wondered; who are these people? What is their background? How did they get started? Why should I believe anything they have to say?
Unfortunately, the contents of most websites do little to dispel the “myth” about the person who is the principal. Other than some “questionable” testimonials from “friends,” there is nothing unique to distinguish the “claims” this person makes about his/her “business.” Some are not even legitimate businesses. For instance, if you check Sunbiz.org, you can see ALL RELEVANT and “legitimate” businesses in the State of Florida.
After a recent incident, I decided to conduct my own research and sure enough the very people who “claimed” to be so “up on their game” in the business world were a “sham.” I was shocked how many of them were “Administratively dissolved” by the State of Florida for FAILING to file their ANNUAL REPORT, so in essence calling themselves an Inc., LP or LLC without “proper authority.” A few got “reinstated” after paying the hefty penalty fee and others just started a new business, without even bothering about their old business. Still others changed their business name like a baby changing a diaper and unfortunately, for some, nothing matched up with what they are currently doing. BLOWS YOUR MIND! Would you do business with such “questionable” entities? NOT ME!
I prefer “consistency.” I like to see “history.” If a person has too many “outstanding” businesses they are involved in over a short period of time, I question their motive. I prefer to work with businesses who “get” the importance of “deadlines” and abiding by legal guidelines for their business. This to me shows “responsible and accountable business practices.”
If you “stand in your truth,” you will hold others to a higher degree…and by all means, you should!
Live, Love, Life!
Your “bottom line” at gabriellebourne
ADDENDUM (04-11-11) Since posting this blog, I received some email comments from those who had their businesses “Administratively dissolved” by the State. Some of them got reinstated after paying the fee, “claiming” they did not know when their Annual Report was due. Others stated they just wanted to do something else and let the State take care of dissolving their business. To ALL, I say, “That is just plain laziness,” with all due respect. In the State of Florida, they send you a reminder of the Annual Report and reminders for failure to pay such a report. In the matter related to dissolution. What you could not pay the the $35.00 to “Voluntarily dissolve” your own business? THAT IS NO EXCUSE! To “Stand in YOUR Truth” is to take ownership of your responsibilities. Be accountable! If you fail in taking care of your own business, how can you “honestly” take care of anyone else?
Suze Orman vs. Kim Kiyosaki
Hi Peeps,
I recently heard an interview of Kim Kiyosaki and realised the woman was “out of touch” especially in this economy. She told the interviewer point blank that “no one” should live below their means or within their means. HUH? Really? Even the interviewer asked her “Why?” To which Ms. Kiyosaki responded, “Do you want to get rid of your credit cards and eat cheap meals? I don’t.” She then continued by stating that she was used to a certain lifestyle and she was not going to give it up. I found her response to be quite “elitist.”
I thought Ms. Kiyosaki’s statement to be “negligent,” as the majority of women who “flock” to these conferences where Ms. Kiyosaki appears do not have the financial resources. They are the “working class.” Some are single mothers who don’t have the luxury of an extra income. Even if they have a spouse, some women feel they need to work to support the family. Rarely will you find women from Bel Air, California or Palm Beach Island flocking to these kinds of events. Can you imagine the Housewives of Beverly Hills, Orange County, DC and Atlanta attending? So the message has to be tailored to the masses who do attend, not those who don’t.
I attended one of these Rich events for FREE, but I rather have paid for “real value.” This event was more like a “Get rich quick” scheme where unsuspecting people were “sold” on a “system” that costs more than some of their pay checks. Of course, the price was slashed to $495! People in the back of the audience sitting at this long table were “ready and eager” to take credit cards, and even suggested a “payment plan.” A guy in the front of the room was “working the crowd,” shouting and I guess “touched by the holy spirit. It sounded like a Baptist revival.
Now, Ms. Kiyosaki does bring up good points on her website that money can “set you free.” I totally concur with that. For me, it gives me the power to say, I am going to take off the year just to do nothing. I have done so for 2 years, after I sold my investment company. I continue to “live my passions” and dreams, have the freedom to travel, even at a minutes notice, eat wherever I want regardless of price, shop designer and live my life the way I want. TRUE, BUT I do so without DEBT.
I gave up my credit cards 8 years ago and NEVER looked back. My properties, cars and “luxury” items are paid for outright and I owe nothing. Of course I have bills, but that is a given; but I have no outstanding loans or credit, which also gives me MORE time to enjoy life, sleep more and do more.
Suze Orman got it right, and in my view, she is the “real deal.” She is a highly successful professional who can spin Ms. Kiyosaki in a wind tunnel of financial expertise. “True wealth” is knowing that you have the cash to pay for it outright, not that you can put it on credit. Once you put it on credit, you already carry a liability which eats away at your networth. Then you are trying to figure out how to make more money to counter balance that liability. When in the first place, if you did live either below your means, meaning spending less than you bring in (AND NOT as defined by Kim Kiyosaki), or within your means, you would not have to work so hard to generate income to make up the difference.
The Kennedy’s are seen as a Wealthy American family in every sense of the word, yet Rose Kennedy, the mother of all the Kennedy’s had no problem shopping at Woolworths. Warren Buffet is the second richest man in the world, yet has no problem eating a steak at a dive. You can’t even find the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway. They don’t have a marquee. I attend their Shareholders meetings and during my first year, trying to find their headquarters in Omaha became a game of “Where’s Waldo?”
SMART Women know how to build wealth…SMARTLY. Don’t follow the groupies, the heards or the raving fan base. Be your own mistress and take charge of your life and financial future by being SMART and living SMART.
Live, Love Life!
DEF Blogs…RAW, REAL and UNCENSORED…
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Here is a recent Tweet from Kim Kiyosaki. NO Ms. Kiyosaki, “Living below your means DOES NOT mean being “less” than who you are.
@kimkiyosaki Kim Kiyosaki
Often I hear “live below your means.” This means be less than who you are. We should be expanding to be MORE than who we are.
Red Flag: Consumer debt rising!
Hi Peeps,
On the Today Show, Jean Chatszky and Consumer Reports’ Mandy Walker raised the alarm of consumer debt being on the rise. For the last 2 years, it appeared that personal debt was abating, but once again, consumers are “back to their old habits.” This report does NOT surprise me in the least. I have lived through countless ups and downs in the economy to know better that consumers won’t change until they make the change for themselves. The Economy is ONE GIANT psychological roller coaster and trend setter, NOT a means to an end.
I am known as the “Queen of Free,” which rather hit a nerve with a potential Strategic Alliance recently who called me out and stated does that mean you don’t charge for anything? I answered, “absolutely NOT!” It means that I know the value of the dollar. I don’t believe in credit or the “credit” industry. It is because of my attitude that I am able to thrive in this economy whilst others are barely surviving.
Recently, I saw an HGTV episode of “Selling New York,” where a well know New York City “Soap Star” was selling his New York City apartment and needed to do it FAST. His property in Florida was barely floating. I wondered, with all the millions he MUST have made through several years and decades of acting…where did ALL the money go? Not very many people realise that there are PLENTY of wealthy people that are credited up the hilt. Remember Sami Davis Jr.? Red Foxx? Tony Braxton? They ALL faced financial hardship. Tony Braxton was bankrupt and had to buy back her own Grammy awards!
Here’s the rub, savings IS easy when you VALUE and PRIORITIZE your expenses. Yesterday, I had a choice, either to buy a beautiful set of painted tea cups and saucers from Ebay at a huge bargain price of $15.00 or buy power steering fluid for my car at $20. I bought the power steering fluid. The way I viewed this choice was that my car gives me value by taking me places, so I will always choose the car over anything that is decorative, including clothes.
Yesterday for Valentine’s Day, my hunny and I sent love notes at $0 dollars, a wonderful dinner for two for $22.00 and a show for $0 dollars. We stayed in and spent quality time together. Who says Valentines Day has to break the bank!
Live, Love Life!
Another SCAM event?
Hi Peeps,
Recently, I had a conversation with a colleague who was attending an event of a well known Motivational Speaker. In my view, he is known for making “lots” of money on the backs of hard working people. Whilst his message is interesting…nothing new or “earth shattering”…he is able to “hook” unsuspecting people to come to his events that cost hundreds of dollars. He not only expects them to pay, but does plenty of “upselling” before his event to ensure that he makes even MORE money off these “suckers.”
Personally, I am ALL for events that are “altruistic” in nature that supports the success and achievements of others. There are excellent examples of great events that do just that! Then, there are those organizers who approach their events with one “conflict of interest after another,” organizing an event” that showcases themselves and their “friends.” They even promote themselves with tag lines such as “#1 Internet Marketer,” The “Greatest” Marketing mind, the “Worlds Top” Marketing Experts. Who determines these titles anyways? If you see one…RUN AWAY!
Anytime an event promotes “You can make money in your sleep” and talks about the Internet, I TRASH IT! Come on…have you REALLY met anyone that actually made money in their sleep this way? I have interviewed not less than 80 in one such community and none of them did. We even conducted a focus group of 566 in 2009, and none of them did either. So, could these organizers who run their own show be blowing a giant smoke screen? Perhaps.
Be aware and just make it happen for yourself!
Live, Love, Life!
Shattering Misconceptions, Part II: Seems too Organized?
Hi Peeps,
I recently conducted an Exit Interview with a woman who was accepted into our latest Program, “What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know.” Please note for the value of this blog that she just experienced the first week of the twelve week Program. The first week is dedicated to introductions where within each Group dynamic, participants introduce themselves to each other. The “meat” of the Program is from week II to week XI.
This woman relayed to me that this Program, from her experience, seemed “too organized,” that down the road that we would want “something from her, like money.” I told her that her “line of thinking” is further from the truth, in fact, we want nothing. This is an altruistic Program that is Sponsor underwritten. The “organizational” process is credited to the people that make it happen, from my staff to the Moderator/Mentors who dedicate their weeks to this Program, to the Keynotes who present each week, to the Advisory and Training Advisory members. My job is to pull it all together. Quality people bring quality to the table!
I do find what this woman says to be true of OTHER Programs, where one Organizer is running the show with no one behind her/him and they are collecting an enormous fee for information that is most likely useless because ALL of it is coming from the organizer with no checks and balance system. One cannot be an “expert” in everything and if they claim they are? RUN AWAY!
Because of the “chaotic” experience by many good people, when they come across a Program or an event that seems to “have it together,” they begin to fear it. This is natural, of course. I personally don’t find most of the Program offerings I come across to be worth my time. I find them to be disingenuous and built as a “cash flow” vehicle for the Organizer, and NOT a viable resource for the attendees. These Programs do spoil the good image for those Programs that strive to do good; but those attending need to be the final judge and assess the difference.
I don’t like wasting time and I don’t want anyone to waste their time. So, when I was approached by this woman to leave, I just let her. I have always believed that IF someone wants to leave, you should NEVER stand in their way. Now, during my conversation with this woman, she “changed her mind.” She said she “wanted to now continue with the Program and would be there for the next session.” I HAD MY DOUBTS.
After 12 years profiling people as a profession, I felt that this woman was not sincere in wanting “back into the Program.” After I said my goodbyes to her, I told my Producer to send her an Exit Survey. Was I right about her “personality profile?” You bet! As it happened the VERY next day, I receive an email from her changing her mind…yet AGAIN!
“What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know” is a Program that is NOT for the “faint of heart.” This Program is designed for women who “want to make things happen” in a BIG way. So, the next time, you see a Gabrielle Bourne Productions, make sure you want it, or don’t sign up. We say this honestly and without malice.
MORE information: SMARTWomen Program
Live, Love Life!
Shattering Misconceptions, Part I: What Women Should Know…They GOT the Power!
Hi Peeps,
January was an exciting beginning to what will undoubtedly be a prosperous year! This year in the Chinese calendar is the Year of Rabbit which brings with it prosperity. The Rabbit is a lucky animal symbol. In numerology the number 1 notates “Beginning, New, Focused concentration, Goal-striving, Action, Independence, Originality, Courage, Invention, Leader, Self-reliant, Ambition, Pioneer, Will, Conscious Mind, Positive.” Whatever your belief, this year does bring with it HOPE.
In January, we also launched “What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know,” a Program specifically designed for women. What we know is that women are pioneers, everything from the suffrage movement to “breaking the Glass Ceiling,” i.e. Ebay, Hewlett Packard and Facebook and; starting businesses. More than half of small business start ups are initiated by women.
Single women also are in the MAJORITY, imagine that! In a recent Match.com research study, 52% of men are now” dreaming” of the “traditional” household and seemingly want to get married. Less than half the women researched say they do. Women are also leading in the hire rates of industries including education, health care and government.
Now with all this POWER women have, what is holding them back from achieving to the calibre they all know they can? Women are less prepared for the job market, with less than 7% negotiating for their first job out of college. They are less financially prepared, albeit the majority run their own household finances and, they are paid less than their male counterparts in almost every other “male” dominated industry such as law enforcement, legal and finance.
Whilst the “What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know” Program is aware of these issues, we are MORE focused on creating opportunities and helping women compete in their specific marketplace by elevating their knowledge and skills set. We believe we can be the great equalizer in making this happen and; true to form we are already shattering “misconceptions” of what this Program is all about.
MORE Information: SMARTWomen Program
Live, Love Life!
What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know-”Downsized” & “Fairy Job-mothered”
Hi Peeps,
We recently conducted a focus group in four (4) of our markets to assess spending habits and lifestyle changes of participants directly impacted by the economy. This was an independent study of an outside market research company to obtain a “snap shot” of how people were doing in their “new” economic reality and what were their “coping” mechanisms, if any. Spending habits is one of the indicators of how an individual copes with economic “hardship” or “prosperity.”
Not surprisingly, the data revealed that most of the people were “optimistically” cautious, BUT also more individuals were gravitating towards “uncharted territory” in an effort to “survive.” For instance, more were willing to share their “challenges” and participate in forums and open discussions with total strangers, with similar background and experience to themselves, in order to feel “connected” and to seek information for their own circumstance. Additionally, some started watching “reality-based” TV shows like “Downsized” and “Fairy Job Mother” to help them understand that they were not alone.
The “coping” mechanisms, i.e. to be with others who “feel” their “pain,” and seeking outlets that could help them improve their circumstance seems to be what is “trending” in this NEW economy. This brings us to events on television, which sometimes reflects life, and the shows that have found “instant” success due to the “demand” for that kind of information, knowledge and pacification.
In the show “Downsized,” a blended family goes through the realization that their once “cushy” lifestyle on a million dollar plus income and living way “above” their means, gave way to their current daily struggles of putting food on the table and finding ways to cut expenses. In “Fairy Job Mother,” individuals are making the most of valuable job-hunting techniques proposed by their career consultant to land their next job. Both shows are definitive of the “current” economic situations faced by many households and individuals.
On the flip side, some of the focus group participants were making the most of their new reality. These individuals are not millionaires… far from it…but were able to sustain themselves by living frugally, on a budget or being realistic about their financial expectations. Whilst some did lose their jobs, they did not lose their sanity, their “shirts” or their “home” in the process because they had the foresight to “store” enough “nuts” during the “harvest” to ride out this economic “winter.”
What Focus Groups bring to light is (1) insight and; (2) opportunities. What we learned was that there was a great divide between how men and women took advantage or not of their current situation. Whilst we like to believe that women are great “networkers,” women are not doing nearly enough for each other as their male counterparts. Women are supportive to be sure, but men’s outright “assertiveness” is the game changer in why the “Good Old Boy” Network is so much more efficient and SMARTER than the “Sisterhood.”
Let’s put the “Good Old Boys” to the test. Take for example former “disgraced” New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who now has his own television show or; even former “disgraced” Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich who has been receiving steady work including his own radio show, reality show and TV commercials, whilst awaiting trial for fraud and bribery. I am not saying that EVERYONE falls into this “Teflon” category, BUT most men seem to bounce back from scandal or other life’s challenges with little to no damage, whereas for a woman, there is a “double” standard, especially initiated by OTHER women, NOT men. Women ARE their own worse “frenemies.”
Men too are more assertive in business and in job hunting than their female counterparts. A man is willing to let go of his “ego” to stand on a street corner with a sign that says, “I need work,” whilst dressed in his business suit and tie; whereas a woman sometimes restricts her own opportunities to “save face,” and continues to “pretend” that everything is all right, when in fact it is not. The same woman might continue to spend money she does not have, shop at the same stores and dine out with her gal pals, all the whilst her debt continues to mount and she does not know how she will pay for rent or mortgage. Not ALL women and not ALL men fall into any of these categories, but the gender “behavioural traits” are spot on. These behaviours were also clearly evident in Focus Group discussions.
The “support” mechanism between the genders also vary on how situations are handled. As one of my Sponsors pointed out, a woman is very likely to be supportive “verbally,” saying things like “it will be all right…it will get getter,” whilst a man whose friend needs a job will pickup the phone and speak to a contact to get his friend a job. Men are more “action” oriented, whilst a woman puts all her “feelings” into words with very little activity physically. Again, I am not trying to square peg anyone into a round hole, but there is a vast difference between the genders on how they cope with their reality.
Take for example the TV show “Downsized.” When the couple went to a financial planner, they were both given the “riot act” to change or else. They were given top-notch feed back and what they could do to drastically improve their financial situation. Whilst the man “got it” and already started making cut backs, the woman felt “guilty” about cutting back on her kids “extra curricular activities” that were supporting their increasing debt! In one episode, she even told the financial planner she “needed” the “expensive” Starbuck’s coffee every day due to her MS condition.
As a direct result of several factors that came out of the focus groups we conducted from August to October, we developed a Program specifically designed for women. “What S.M.A.R.T. Women Know” hopefully will be plenty! That a woman does not have to give up her femininity to be assertive and; she can meet the challenges head on without being called a “dragon” lady.
Live, Love Life!
Minimalist: Movement or Fad?
Hi Peeps,
This week, NBC Nightly news with Brian Williams is airing a segment titled, “Back to Basics,” how Americans are moving towards “downsizing.” In it, they profile several individuals including a young man who rents a small furnished apartment, eats out a lot, minimizes paper waste by going digital and travels with one suitcase in flight. A woman profiled is signing people up to STOP shopping for personal items for one year.
I like the idea of it, but hope it is a time and true cultural shift and not some “fad” or trend in the making. I write often about “Don’t follow the Trendies, “because trends are not lifestyle changes with long term benefits, but short term gain that goes out of style like fashion.
I have been a “minimalist” since 2003 when I received a letter from the US Army saying, “Get ready for Deployment.” Yikes! What to do with all this STUFF? I had properties in three time zones, with additional “Stuff” at two storage units. It took a letter from the Army to “get me straight.”
A few years before, I had visited a colleague in Florence, Italy, and I should have learned my lesson then. Less is more. Instead of a closet “crowed” with clothes, most of which stayed in the closet, my colleague selected the best pieces from her favourite designers and mixed and matched her desired outfits, with accessories and shoes. Additionally, her flat was clean and furnished very tastefully, sans the clutter of personal affects.
One thing I do credit myself for doing is packing “light.” I had an incident on Delta Airlines where they not only lost my luggage, but lost my dog! I did not care so much about my luggage as my dog! I waited some 6 hours until they found poor Molly. Can you imagine being stuck on a plane for 19 hours? I was informed that she was on her way to some other State, and here I was in Miami! Needless to say, I never trusted the airlines again.
In 2003, I started to digitize my files and managed to shrink (4) file cabinets. Today, I have one file cabinet. I had a series of “Raid Gabrielle’s Closet” sales and made about $4,000. I sublet two of my properties, eventually selling one that same year. I donated my old BMW (gas guzzler) for the MINI Cooper. I sold most of the furnishings and donated those not sold to Goodwill. Was I relieved? You bet!
There is something to be said about downsizing. It is quite liberating. When I was on deployment, I had absolutely no worries back home. None! Today, I am a Renter, Property Owner and a Landlord. I still travel with my one suitcase that includes all my clothes PLUS my computer. I rent cottages in new Markets where we do business instead of buying. I have income property and a home base when I need it.
Oh, and what about my dog? Molly was adopted in 2003 by a nice family. In 2009, I rescued another dog, Sophie who not only makes the “weight” requirements, but can fit underneath the seat in front of me on the plane. Voila! No more lost doggies for me!
Live, Love Life!
