Sometimes the truth hurts! Especially when it comes from a kid because they say it like it is. There is no malice or contempt, just the truth. As a young stay at home mom, I got into real estate and found tremendous success with it. But raising four kids and being on call 24/6, I took Sunday’s off, life was crazy hectic. I did take Sundays off but still, it was insane. From the outside things looked pretty good. We were able to build a large custom home on 3 acres in our 20’s, had 5 rental properties and enjoyed Disney cruises with the kids. Companies wanted my testimonials of their products to use for their advertising. I found a picture on the web the other day of one of these scenarios. I was holding up a poster bragging about my success in real estate due to the help of a certain marketing product and my 4 little kids were in the picture with me. The photos was showing that if I could do it with 4 little ones, anyone could if they would just use this marketing product. I was proud of myself until my oldest daughter drew a photo of me that showed quite a different story. In the picture she drew my hair which was crazier than normal, and it had a bird’s nest in it. I was holding a baby who was pulling my hair while I was trying to type on my lap top. I also had a child who had lassoed my ankles together and was holding the rope while another child was yelling “mommy, mommy, mommy!” Yes, that is the pure truth drawn by my 10-year-old who was observing my life! The lovely pic on the web with me all dressed up and the kids smiling holding a banner bragging about the big bucks we were making had a price to pay. That price was portrayed in the drawing.

The drawing gave me pause. I didn’t realize what my life looked like from my kid’s perspective. I knew it was stressful and not a whole lot of fun on me end, but I had built up this huge business and really, my self-esteem and ego was totally wrapped up in it. I couldn’t walk away from this success because my ego could not take it. I mean, what would people say?

Apparently, the photo was not enough to catch my attention but breaking my back in 2013 was. I knew I was not happy doing what I was doing with my life, but I felt stuck. My ego wouldn’t let me get out from under my current success and what about that huge house payment? I thought I had no options. I thought there was no way out! I learned, there is always a way out, I just had to be open to the options. When I let go of the things I thought I could not live without, I found my passion in life, helping others improve their lives with subconscious change. With the support of my sweet hubby and kids, we sold the big house and started over. I no longer have birds in my hair or lassos around my ankles. I wish it didn’t take breaking my back to make these changes in my life but none the less, I am so grateful to be where I am now.

Is there something in your life that it’s time to walk away from?