Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
21 years ago....
Taking time for our own well-being is something that I feel we must do as business owners and leaders often throughout the year.
{Poolside Muses} 21 years ago...
This summer I am writing you poolside from my backyard each week, with no agenda, no schedule, no strategic plan, just random thoughts that spark my soul to help you create a profitable business. I hope you enjoy my poolside muses.
———
21 years ago.
That’s how long it’s been since I heard her voice.
Since my phone rang and the caller ID said, MOM.
Since I got excellent advice about just about any and everything.
Since I got to tell her that I loved her or hear her voice say I love you too.
I guess what they say is true, absence makes the heart grow fonder because I swear every year she is gone, I miss her even more, and I would never have thought that was possible.
July 4th used to be my favorite holiday.
Maybe because it's the kick-off to my birthday month or the warm sun on my skin or summer break, but as a kid, I loved the fireworks, bbq with family and friends, swimming, homemade ice cream, and banana nilla wafer pudding, sparklers, and laughter all around me.
Some years it's easier to push through and miss her while having fun.
This year felt lonely, and her lack of presence in my life and on the earth hurt more.
I found myself going deep within, daydreaming, thinking, remembering, and just trying to find any memory I could and hold onto it.
I realized that I no longer remember what her voice sounded like anymore, and it felt so weird not being able to pull that memory.
I try to stay busy every 4th of July weekend, and this year my family and I went up to Big Bear.
We rented a cute house, cruised the lake on a pontoon boat, rode a roller coaster, watched fireworks from the balcony, rode bikes, went for walks, and just enjoyed the mountain air.
It was nice to relax and get away for a long weekend.
Taking time for our own well-being is something that I feel we must do as business owners and leaders often throughout the year.
When we take time to reset, relax and recharge, it gives us the space we need to be creative, explore our gifts and lean into and get curious about what we want to share in our conversations.
Twenty-one years ago, in the weeks after losing my mom, I had a huge reality check of just how short life is and learned that it's so important to reach for our dreams, take up more space, use our voice to speak up, do things that light us up and take time to travel and unplug from work and the day to day.
I wish I would have learned that lesson another way, but nonetheless, I hope that you find ways to honor your body, your health, and your overall wellbeing this Summer.
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Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
