by Mary Bolin | Mar 20, 2017
When asked about conscious living, my thoughts were all over the place. I have actually delayed writing this because I couldn’t figure out how to put it in words. Here are my thoughts in simplest terms.
I believe conscious living means “being aware of what happens when we live our lives from loving awareness.”
When I was a little girl both my parents had the attitude of, “you get up, and live the day by the attitude YOU choose.” My dad would wake us whistling like a bird; mom would play Carol King records. My parents intentionally chose to openly share their happiness, which of course, has rubbed off on me 🙂 I am so grateful.
Each day, we also decide which of our gifts we will share with the world. I take pride in my ability to turn someone’s day around. The grouchy sales clerk, rude waitress, angry driver or the frustrated client. We don’t know their journey or their worries… maybe they chose to be grumpy when they woke up. I try to make them happy and muster a smile, even if for only a moment. At the very least, I offer kindness. Everyone deserves kindness. Kindness can make such a huge difference! I believe this makes the world a much better place to live. Don’t you?
My life, like everyone else’s, has had its fair amount of challenges. The most challenging has been a child with addiction. Without a doubt, this has been an extreme example of loving awareness, my love for my child. I find myself talking about this experience more often than some may wish, but I believe it’s a large part of my core and who I am, and how I choose to live each day.
My loving awareness.
Believe me, there are days I wake up and would rather stay in bed—but I make a choice—I will not be a victim… I will be an advocate! I firmly believe this is part of my life’s journey.
I know my reaction to things in my life including my sons addiction are all part of who I am and what I’ve experienced, including positive loving caring parents, my marriage, friendships, business relationships, coworkers, and community engagement.
Conscious living is experiencing our joy, love and our purpose in this world and the gifts we have to offer, we live by conscious choice not chance.
Mary K. Bolin is Graduate of Lexington High School and North Central State College. She has worked in the staffing industry for 29 years. Mary has two grown children, Alex and Maggie, and a grandson Nash. I love the community and have been involved in many non-profit boards and fundraising events. Currently, Mary is the board President of United Way of Richland County. and the Director of the staffing division at Temp2Higher, of N.E.C.I.C. Mary enjoys reading, golf, the beach and anytime she can be with her family. Her favorite challenge is finding solutions for our community.
by Mary Bolin | Nov 17, 2015
I love animals, and as a little girl I dreamed of a career doing what I love, caring for animals as a veterinarian. Today though, I’m not a veterinarian.
Fast forward 30+ years and I find myself the owner of a small business in my hometown and I love my life.
The unexpected
I’ve learned that life isn’t what we plan, it becomes a journey with changes at every turn. I’d planned one career, but it didn’t turn out as I expected. I fell in love, and of course that seldom goes as planned. And then there were surprises, sometimes wonderful ones in the form of unexpected opportunities. My journey has had many UPS and DOWNS and many surprises. Thankfully, what my parents instilled in me was to be true to myself, stay positive and keep an open mind.
As I attended the 1st Women’s Showcase at the Renaissance Theatre last month, I took a moment to reflect on where I have come from, where I am and how I got here.
Community matters
The women in my small town love to help each other, nurture, and support each other. As a small business owner, you are challenged to be competitive and successful. When you have a strong network, that in my case includes family and friends, as well as many women, anything is possible. I appreciate the fact that I can ask another professional woman for help with an issue in my business or personal life and she will help me or help guide me to the right person to help me. I love the way women nurture and care for each other, and yes it happens in business.
Owning a business can be scary, and it’s nice to know you are not alone. I can also count on my network to remind me to stay mentally and physically healthy. From my observation, women tend to care for others before themselves, often leaving us stressed, depressed, and or anxious.
Loving life
The Women’s Showcase offered business solutions and opportunities, health and beauty solutions networking, time for us. It was a reason to come together and celebrate our success and share what we do and love! It also helped me realize that I didn’t have to become a veterinarian to find a career that I truly loved.
As I mentioned, I have had many challenges in owning a business and have had a few partners. I hope you can join me November 25, 2015, 8-9a at My Town Partners office at 31 E 4th Street to discuss “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” of Partnerships. As we meet the day before Thanksgiving, I appreciate the fact that we can again be reminded of the network in our community and give thanks!
Mary K. Bolin is Graduate of Lexington High School and North Central State College. She has worked in the staffing industry for 29 years. Mary has two grown children, Alex and Maggie, and a grandson Nash. I love the community and have been involved in many non-profit boards and fundraising events. Currently, Mary is the board President of United Way of Richland County. and the Director of the staffing division at Temp2Higher, of N.E.C.I.C. Mary enjoys reading, golf, the beach and anytime she can be with her family. Her favorite challenge is finding solutions for our community.
