JeanAnn’s Journey–New Year New You!

JeanAnn’s Journey–New Year New You!

by | Dec 31, 2019 | Asheville, Lifestyle, Reinvent

By Jean Ann Taylor

This catchy little phrase gets a lot of publicity in January. Many of us take a look at our lives each new year and reassess where we are and where we want to be. Some of us then make the decision to create a “new you,” or to “reinvent” ourselves. The primary purpose of reinvention is to give ourselves the gift of living authentically.

I’ve “reinvented” myself several times over. I reinvented myself when I became a mom, when I worked in a professional career environment, and when I got out. I reinvented myself after surviving cancer and as an empty-nester. I reinvented myself from a “reserved-introvert” to a “social-introvert” so I could compete in dance competitions and speak to large groups of people. Reinvention isn’t something I do each New Year; it’s something I do regularly to keep up with the person I become as I go through my life. I’ve found that reinventing myself is essential for my happiness and personal fulfillment.

I think it’s unrealistic to expect that the dreams and goals you have at 20-something will always be the same at 60-something. Those first objectives served a purpose and may have given you joy—and money—but that doesn’t mean the career you choose at 25 can’t change when you are 45. Life is ever-changing, and reinvention helps us honor our personal values as we go through our journey.

The motivation to reinvent ourselves often comes from feeling dissatisfied or unhappy with our current situation. I’ve learned that this initially feels awful, but if you take a good look, you’ll realize that the uncomfortable emotions are actually sending the message that it’s time to make a change. This yearning or dissatisfaction keeps us from staying in paralyzing circumstances. Without the anxious or restless feelings, we may never reach the point where we say, “This is enough.” Only when we acknowledge our truth can we begin the search for new experiences or changes that will lead to living a fulfilled and authentic life.

There are also times when serendipitous occurrences lead to the desire for reinvention. You may decide to learn a new skill for a specific project and then realize that you have discovered a new passion. This can lead to the desire to make changes in your life so you can explore these possibilities further.

Happy, fulfilled lives don’t just happen; they require work, focus, and a desire to live authentically. When you are feeling stuck, the first thing to ask yourself is, ‘What do I want?” Sounds simple, right? It’s not. I love the line in Alice in Wonderland when Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which path she should take. His simple answer says everything, “That depends on where you want to go.” Ask yourself: How do I want to live my life? What gives me joy? What do I have to do to make my dream a reality? To answer these questions, you must know who you are at every stage of your life. It’s good to know that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. I know an 80-year-old lady who recently began taking dance lessons, and she just entered her first dance competition! Changing who you are and being willing to take risks requires courage, drive, energy, focus, and planning; but the results are fulfillment, contentment, happiness, and inner peace.

“New Year, New You” can be more than just a January expression when you adopt it as the motivation you need to take a conscious look at your life. You can then create changes that will make you healthier, happier, and more fulfilled. Reinvention can give your life meaning because living authentically is really the only way to live your life with purpose, and to have your wishes and dreams realized.

Happy New Year!

The Pretty Poinsettia

The Pretty Poinsettia

by | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Holidays, Lifestyle

Is there any other flower that says “Christmas” more than a poinsettia? I grew up in Florida and remember our poinsettia plant; it was at least five feet tall! My siblings and I picked the blooms with little care of the “milk” that leaked from the stems and ran down our arms. I was later told that the leaves and liquid are poisonous, but according to the National Poison Center in Atlanta, Georgia, that folklore is fortunately false. While the sticky liquid may cause skin irritation, and eating an abundance of the leaves can cause stomach irritation, the plant is not poisonous for humans or animals.

Here are a few true facts about the pretty red-leafed plant ~

Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an amateur botanist and first United States ambassador to Mexico, discovered the dazzling red colored shrub and sent cuttings to his home in Greenville, South Carolina. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day in honor of Dr. Poinsett. He died on December 12, 1851.

The red we see is actually not the flower, but the leaves. The flower is the yellow cluster of buds in the center. When purchasing a poinsettia plant, look for clusters of buds that have not yet opened.

Red is the most popular color, but you can also find pink, white, apricot, salmon, yellow, variegated, speckled, or marbled varieties.

Red is also considered to be a symbol of purity. In Mexico, the red poinsettia is called the “Flower of the Holy Night.”

California is the top producer of the poinsettia plant, but North Carolina comes in at a close second.

In tropical climates, the poinsettia can grow to over 12 feet high, and leaves can measure six to eight inches across.

The red leaves can be used as a natural dye for fabric.

Poinsettias can be a bit persnickety requiring proper light, water, and temperatures. Avoid hot or cold drafts; keep the soil moist, but not soggy; keep the temperature around 60 to 70 degrees; and place your plant where it will get sufficient natural light.

Over 80% of poinsettias are purchased by women. Sounds like a good idea. I think I’ll go purchase a pretty pink poinsettia. 🙂

Celebrating Tradition

Celebrating Tradition

by | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Family, Lifestyle

Traditions are actions we repeat yearly, monthly, or daily. They help to keep us grounded and connected to the past; they can be elaborate celebrations or simple endeavors. These customs enrich our lives and create lasting memories. They take an ordinary activity and turn it into something meaningful and special. Family traditions are especially important for children because they help to shape the child’s identity and belief system. When a tradition is connected to a family’s culture or history, the child grows up with a stronger image of who he or she is which leads to having higher confidence levels and feeling more secure.

Doing the same thing every night or every second Saturday of the month or every winter may at first glance seem monotonous or boring. However, if the action is intentional, meaningful, and dependable, the event can be comforting and reassuring. There are so many things in life you can’t count on; but something as simple as pizza every Friday night, or as special as a night out on your birthday or anniversary will give you something to look forward to.

Traditions are also important because they impart and perpetuate family values. When children are read a bedtime story each night, they learn that reading is delightful entertainment and education is important. When younger generations learn how to cook meals from their grandmother, they learn more than how not to burn the biscuits. They learn family customs and heritage, as well as how to connect the past to the present. Even chores can become a tradition. When families have “work day” on Saturday mornings, children learn to pick up after themselves and to be accountable. I remember sweeping the front porch with my grandmother every weekend. Now, when I sweep my porch, I remember our sweet time together. These seemingly small traditions strengthen family ties. Accidental events can also lead to beloved rituals. A young child may innocently change the words to a well-known song; adults may sing along until the “new words” become accepted as customary. Hardships can also lead to cherished memories and traditions. As a young wife and mother, there was not much money to spare in our household—especially during the Christmas holiday. There was however, a mountain full of pine trees on our property. Each Thanksgiving Day we trekked out to find a Christmas tree to cut down, bring inside, and decorate. What began as a way to save money became a fun outing each year. Our “Charlie Brown” trees were not impressive to others, but to our family, they were magnificent.

Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice are traditionally the perfect time to start and continue traditions. These cold-weather celebrations usually include some sort of fire (bonfires and candles), food (sugar cookies and turkey), songs (Jingle Bells and Greensleeves), and decorations (paper snowflakes and live poinsettias). Clothing is also used as a sign of celebration. My young children came up with their own scheme; each Christmas Eve they wore red and green pajamas. If one wore a red top and green bottoms, the other wore a green top with red bottoms. The sweet part of this tradition is that they came up with the idea on their own and kept it alive for many years.

Another meaningful tradition is to have a “releasing ceremony.” This is an intentional effort to release goals and dreams for the upcoming year, or to release regrets of the past year. It’s often accomplished by writing your intentions or regrets on a slip of paper or block of wood, and then burning it. The visual of watching the paper or wood burn as the smoke rises is a powerful image. It symbolically
releases the dream—or the burden—allowing you to begin the new year with clarity and resolve.

Traditions that have a purpose and are personal to your family make wonderful memories—whether they are simple or extravagant. This busy time of gathering and feasting is balanced with simple traditions of quietly watching sunsets and sipping hot chocolate. Whatever your traditions are and whatever new traditions you begin, I hope your holiday is merry!

Light Up the Night

Light Up the Night

by | Dec 2, 2019 | Asheville, Fashion, Style

By JeanAnn Taylor

Tis the season to sparkle and what better way to shine than to wear a dress adorned with sequins or sparkly threads sewn right into the fabric? A glittery top or dress will bring all the eyes to you, so when you wear this look, it’s best to
get it right.

Uncomplicated silhouettes are most suitable for highly adorned gowns as the garment can stand on its own. The sparkle of the fabric is all that is needed to make a statement. Plunging, low-cut necklines or sky-high hemlines can distract from the flair and elegance of the dress. Streamlined strapless sheaths or long column dresses can look modern and stylish. Sequined fabric is often a bit stiff due to the glued-on crystals, or heavy from the sparkly threads. Only if the fabric is soft and flexible can it be gathered into the waist to create a twirl effect.

The way a dress fits your body is always an important feature to consider, but when it comes to shiny, flashy fabric, it’s even more essential. Sparkly fabrics declare, “Look at me,” so make sure all eyes are going where you want them to look.

You don’t have to wear sequins from head to toe to make a twinkling point. You can choose a top with sequined highlights and wear it with a solid color skirt, or accessorize with a pair of sequined heels. Another option is to wear a sparkly bodice with a satin or chiffon skirt. This gives you a glittering essence and leaves the skirt free to twirl around the dance floor. Touches of bling here and there look elegant and they may lend themselves to more opportunities of wear than a full-sparkled dress.

With all the bling coming from your dress, jewelry may be optional. Just take care that whatever jewelry you do choose won’t snag on your sparkly garment. Other accessories can be tastefully small, allowing your dress to be the main attraction.

Be sure to brighten your eyes and wear lipgloss whenever you wear flashy garments. You don’t want to compete with your dress, but you also don’t want to fade behind it.

Enjoy the sparkle and bright lights of the holidays in a dress that sparkles like a star!

Style expert JeanAnn Taylor can be reached
at [email protected]

Remember

Remember

by | Oct 31, 2019 | Military Mom, Patriotism, Veterans

By JeanAnn Taylor

Ten years ago I had the amazing and very powerful experience of chaperoning World War Two Veterans to see their Memorial in Washington, D.C. We flew on an Honor Air Flight, led by Jeff Miller of Hendersonville, N.C. On the morning of the flight, I drove to the airport before dawn to check in and get my assignment for the day—which was to escort three Veterans: Max, David, and George. When the day began, I had no idea how it would impact my patriotic perspective for the rest of my life.

There were over one hundred Veterans scheduled to see the Memorial of the War they fought in so many years ago. The first thing I noticed about them was their humility and sense of gratitude to be there. I also witnessed how all of the Veterans, who had never met before, had an immediate connection and bond with each other.

The prediction of rain was replaced with sunshine as we flew into Reagan International Airport. To our surprise, we were met with water cannons, and then as we walked through the airport, we were greeted by a crowd of people cheering and waving our American Flag. The National Symphony Orchestra played as our military stood at attention to honor those who have served before them. We then boarded a bus to the Memorial. I still remember how the festive atmosphere began to shift as we got closer to the sight. The Veterans became quiet and thoughtful as memories of the War seeped in and they began to reflect on the atrocities they endured.

As we walked up to the WWII Memorial, Elizabeth and Senator Robert Dole—who led the charge to create and finance the Memorial—were there to greet us. His painful and permanent war wounds remind him of the War every day of his life, yet he stood in the sun to welcome us. He understood how important and powerful it would be for the Veterans to see their Memorial.

The WWII Memorial is a breath-taking structure with fountains at the Rainbow Pool, encircled by 56 pillars representing the United States and the territories that fought together. There are two pavilions symbolizing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Freedom Wall is sculpted with 4,048 gold stars representing the more than 400,000 Americans who died for our country.

Throughout the day I listened as my Veterans and others told stories about their time serving. Tears came to their eyes as they remembered, “stories too painful to talk about,” and some too gruesome to print. George was 18 when he joined the Army. He fought in France where some days were so cold his coffee would freeze before it was finished. He was captured and nearly died of hunger in a concentration camp. He looked at me and said, “What I saw, you don’t want to know.” Max joined the Navy and was on the second wave into Normandy. “I try not to remember most of it,” he said. His twin brother, also in the Navy, was killed the day before he was supposed to come home. He was 20 years old. David joined the Navy at 17 and recalls storms so violent, they were unable to eat and had to tie themselves into their bunks. Despite the sacrifices they endured, and the horrific memories that last a lifetime, they never lost their patriotism or dignity.

Other than that hot day in San Antonio, Texas, where I watched my son graduate from Air Force Basic Training, I’ve never felt more pride and sincere gratitude to live in America. We have it so easy here. Everyone who wants a job, has a job. We are free to openly express ourselves. We have opportunities and gifts those in other countries can only dream about. The only reason we have these liberties is because our Veterans were willing to make enormous and serious sacrifices. When asked why they willingly joined the military at such a young age, my three Veterans all said, “It was the right thing to do.” When I see or hear people disrespecting our flag and country, I think it’s because they just don’t know or understand that freedom doesn’t just happen. Freedom isn’t free. We are truly, “The home of the free because of the brave.”

A few weeks after our flight, I received letters from my Veterans thanking me for what I did for them that day. What I did for them? They fought for me. They, and their families, sacrificed for me. They saw their friends die for me. For us.

On November 11, we have the opportunity to pause and honor all the men and women who love our country enough to risk their lives to protect us. My son is serving in Afghanistan. I pray every day that he comes home whole and healthy. As a Military Mom and loyal American, I hope you will join me in remembering and respecting our Veterans. When you see a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, tell them “Thank you,” for their service, for their sacrifice, and for their love
of America.

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