Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do!
Friday, April 30, 2010 By: Shannon Wilburn

Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do! by Dianne Davis

Recently I returned from an amazing event in Denver, CO. The picture enclosed is of “Miles, the Broncos mascot” and me one night at Mile High Stadium in Denver. As a meeting and event planner, I took over the stadium and produced a fantastic night for a group of 160 people. We played games on the field, did behind the scenes tours, and ended the evening with an exquisite dinner in the Club House. I barely had time that night to squeeze in this photo with Miles, but I wanted to walk away with at least one thing to prove my having been there.

In addition to being a wife, mom, grandma, and occasional blogger, I spend a good deal of my time running my own business. My career is amazing! I assist companies and organizations in strategic planning, marketing, as well as producing successful meetings and events. When I see it written out, it darn near overwhelms me. How can a little gal from Broken Arrow, OK be responsible to do such important work for such important companies?!

Although I wouldn’t say it is easy by an means, it’s really not bad. In fact, it is awesome! Why is that!? Because I absolutely love what I do. Love it! Somehow, someway, I managed to stumble across the best possible work for me! Not for everyone – but for ME! Some days I just can’t believe they pay me to do this!

Years ago I heard a quote, “choose a job you love and you will never work another day in your life.” Followed by, “figure out what you like to do and then find a way to get paid to do it.” I can honestly say that I am fulfilling both of these quotes in my life. And although my work is not my be-all, end-all, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Being satisfied in my work life carries over into my personal life and in to the lives of those I love.

My encouragement to those reading this blog is to look at these two quotes and ask yourself something, “are you applying them to your life?” I mean really!? Maybe you are already are. If so – congratulations!!! You have figured out something many people never will. If not – it is time for some serious reflection. In fact, it’s time to begin your plans to jump ship for your higher call. No matter what you are doing, life is moving fast and friend, we aren’t getting any younger!! So, if not – GO! Today! Take that one step today that could lead you in the direction that will take you to doing what you love and loving what you do .

Dianne

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Wearer of Many Hats
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 By: Shannon Wilburn

Wearer of Many Hats
by Dianne Davis

Last week was my first time to blog. I mean, I love social media and the connections it brings to my life but to sit and write something to post to the world for random reading – that’s big stuff for me. Thanks to those who posted comments. I enjoyed writing and your feedback was like nectar.

I am a typical women of the 2000’s. When people ask me what I “do” (why IS that always our go-to question!?!) the response that goes through my head is, I am a “Wearer of Many Hats!” I can’t imagine this doesn’t resonate with other JBF’ers – most of whom are women too! To start - I am Richard’s wife; David, Chris and Tiffany’s mom; Kennedi’s grandma, church member, business owner, volunteer, daughter, sister, aunt, neighbor, friend, cook, laundress, concierge - - - goodness, the list could go on and on!! And that’s just off the top of my head! Whew! No wonder some days I meet myself coming and going!!

When I looked back at my list I noticed something is eerily missing. For real! Do you see it!??! Look closer . . . OK, here it is - - where is MY name? Where is just “I am Dianne?” Shouldn’t I have made the “hat” list somewhere?

I realize after compiling my list I struggle with the same thing nearly ALL women do - - where do we fit ourselves in to our busy, overscheduled lives all the while taking care of the ones we love? I would like to say I have this all figured out, but you know what? I don’t. And on nights when I am emailing and folding clothes at one in the morning I just shake my head and think there really isn’t room for Dianne in all this!!

But gals – we have got to do better! Someone once explained that an analogy of how we need to treat ourselves can be found in of all places, airline flights! The flight attendant tells us to “put the oxygen mask over your face first, and then place one on your child.” In other words, unless we ensure we are OK first, we will never be able to take care of others around us.

Admittedly, I have much to learn from this analogy. I can’t remember the last time I took off one of my many hats to simply wear my own, but isn’t it said that awareness is the first step? SO – my challenge to all my fellow hat wearers, let’s make a pact – just once this week, let’s see if we can do it! Let’s each search for our own figurative oxygen mask FIRST. Let’s find that hat with OUR name on it in that overwhelming pile. And for ten minutes, let’s sit in a chair and simply be us for a change.

Dianne

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The Grandmother Club
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 By: Shannon Wilburn

The Grandmother Club

Recently I was visiting with the JBF Owners about our current on-line blog. It was an interesting moment when they turned to me and said – “I know! You can write about being a JBF Grandmother!” I thought to myself, “Me? For real? How can I possibly be considered to be the grandmother type!!?” Well – if the well worn Rocket Dogs® fit, then I guess you have to wear them! So – a JBF Grandmother I am!

Eighteen months ago I was blessed to have a fiery little gift arrive from heaven in the form of a beautiful baby girl named, Kennedi. “Surely I will be the youngest looking grandma to date,” I thought smugly to myself as her delivery date grew closer! “At the very least – I will be the coolest!!” As I looked around the hospital waiting room on the big day, imagine my surpise to see all these other forty-something women who looked pretty much like me!! It was official! I had entered the grandma phase of my life and was in the best of company!!!

So – what is it like, you may be asking!? For those of you who are already grandmother’s, I have put up with you all as you flipped out pictures and effused together over the many tails and travails of your little angels. But you know what - I GET it now!! Really!! I “got” it the moment I walked in the door of the delivery room to see my own 6.2” “baby” holding HIS baby! AND, why didn’t you all tell me there is a grandmother club? It be unofficial but I absolutely know that it exists. And I am so thrilled to be a member of it!

For those of you who have yet to become grandmothers, let me assure you - - it is worth it! Every sleepless night rocking your own babies, prying them off your leg to send them to kindergarten, followed by even more sleepless nights when your teenagers blow their curfew. You will find it impossible that you could ever love someone as much as your own children. But somehow, in God’s perfect plan, you have a small hole in your mother’s heart where a tiny, new baby fits perfectly! And pretty soon you won’t be able to imagine life without him or her!

There is a saying that, “when a child is born, so is a grandmother!” At 48, as I enter the grandmother phase of my life, I could not be more proud to be “born” as “Grandma Dianne!” I look forward to writing about what being a grandma means to those of us who currently are there and the many who will come behind us.

Dianne Davis

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