Cowgirl Talk-Blog

Independence.  A word taught from infancy as we watch our newborns learn to eat, crawl, walk, mature, then enter school and move forward into their individual journeys of life.  We learn to stand alone, make decisions, express our uniqueness to the world.

Dependence.  An overused word.  An underused word.  A love-hate word as we learn to trust, rely, rest, and accept contingencies.  Is it wrong to be dependent?  At best, it's difficult to define as the two words intertwine in all of our relationships, in our work, and in our journey to the end.  Both words certainly have their place in life's pathway to knowledge of self-worth and success.

One word cannot be used without the other as we strive for success in relationships and work.

I can't imagine my journey without both independence of soul, heart, and mind.  Yet, I can't imagine my life without dependence upon the ones I love, learn from, work with, and admire near and far.

As I begin my new year, I will look closely at how I depend on others to remain independent.  Below is my poem, written to those who hold me up when I'm weak; who spread their wings of love and friendship to enable my independence.  Blessings to all.  Lane

Independence

She flies gracefully through the air, Wings outstretched and turned at an angle of breathless beauty.

Without warning, she feels her wings clipped.

A painful moment of despair, she abruptly falls, losing height as she watches the flock continue on without her.

At first, panic sweeps through her fagile body, making her shake with convulsion.  Then, a sudden calm enters as she senses that she is floating in mid-air.

And, one by one, each member of her flock takes turns holding her in flight, until they reach their destination.

Lovingly, they rest her broken body in a safe place.  Slowly she mends.

(And although her wings are not as beautiful as before), Her life is content.

For love flies on the wings of friends.

Lane, 1997

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I don't know about you, but remembering kind words or rewarding phrases and uplifting comments is difficult when I'm beating myself up over mistakes, challenges, or difficult days of compromises.

So, I think the following idea from "Putting the One Minute Manager to Work by Kenneth Blachard, Ph.D. and Robert Lorber, Phd.D, truly helps keeps me on track and my self-esteem in check.

Simply put, it's a praising/reprimand log to help me remember all the good things that happen within a workday or personal incident, and it helps me to learn from the reprimands.  A simple P and R on the left and right side of paper, written at the top is all that's necessary.  I'm going to begin my P & R track sheet so that I create my own feedback system. 

As a manager with many people working with you, one could simply list the names of employees who receive praises...who else needs to know that someone has been reprimanded?  Keeping the praise sheet in public view will motivate and inspire others to work at their best levels.  I saw a similar feedback system within the Mary Kay manufacturing site.  Consequently, their turnover rate is very low, and morale seemed remarkable.

My suggestion is to keep feeding yourself the breakfast of champions...feedback, praise, lessons learned...and just keep getting back in the saddle after you fall.  That's called courage. Giddyup!

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For sure, laughter is the best medicine.  When was the last time you had a 'belly' laugh...laughing 'til you cried?  When was the last time you laughed so loud that you snorted, and then couldn't stop laughing because you were snorting?

Never happened?  Well then, I'm sorry, 'cuz uninhibited laughing truly does cure what ails one.  Life is tedious, at best; and without laughter, the darkside prevails.  Who wants that?  Not me!

So, I challenge you to let your hair down...breathe...laugh by yourself, at yourself, with others, about others...just laugh.  It's like sunshine in your house on a crisp, Autumn day.  It's like angels surrounding you and holding you tenderly.

My daughters make me laugh.  Yesterday was Melody's birthday.  I called and she was sick, but she made me laugh anyway.  My cup runneth over.

Blessings,

Lane

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Hey gals!  Have you ever wanted to just curl up and obliterate the rest of the world?

There was a time (not too long ago) that I felt exactly like that.  Thank goodness I had good sense to get out of my own way and let the Universe guide me into this wonderful community of women with spunk, sass, and soul!

Texana Lane began as a retail store (retail is in my DNA), but it's evolved into something much, much more.  I have met women who inspire, motivate, and kick up some dust when they're around. 

Some are quiet.  Some are nervy.  Some follow and some lead.  But ALL of these women demonstrate more courage and tenacity than a corral full of wild horses.  They give me personal strength to endure and to realize that we certainly don't have time to put our wishbones where our backbones outta be.

Simply put, I admire each and every one of them, and I hope our friendships continue 'til they put me to rest. (Whatever THAT means...lol).  Come laugh with us.  Come cry with us.  Come shop with us!  WE NEED YOUR COWGIRL SPIRIT.

1st Monday each month, WOMEN-HELPING-WOMEN WORKSHOP.  Saltgrass Steakhouse (183 & Braker), 11:30 1:pm.

$10 nonmembers. Lunch is optional.

Giddyup and blessings to all of you.

Lane 

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It's just plain good business to return some of our profits to the community where we earn them.  Have a favorite non-profit organization?  Enjoy helping others or rewarding those who also contribute to their families and communities?

Community relations will always outweigh the obvious ways to advertise.  Certainly, watching someone serve others is much more admirable than reading a newspaper or online advertisment.

Actions speak louder than words, and surprising rewards come from doing good for the betterment of others.

Giddyup y'all and do some good...karma is real and the good book says so.

Blessings, Lane

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Being detached is simple, and it's not necessarily bad, (though alot of people connotate detachment as bad).  Being detached doesn't mean we don't care.

If we allow ourselves the freedom to allow others to be as they are, a certain calmness resides within the soul.  Not to say we have to like IT, or THEM, but we simply allow people to be who they are...good, bad, or indifferently. 'Cuz, with certainty, life itself will take care of others' weaknesses and faults, just as it does our own personal lives. 

If we force solutions on problems or people, we often create new problems.  Try it. See if detachment (acceptance, patience, tolerance) doesn't relieve the burden of solving others' imperfections and see if it suddenly frees your soul.  Breathe. 

We all have weak links and things to fix.  Be nice. Be kind. Detach.

Giddyup!

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Aah, yes!  Money is definitely power, but is power money?  Well, perhaps in most cases, but not always.  I think personal power, or personal laws of success come from one's internal reference point...ego, self-image, soul...unfearful and immune to criticism, unfearful of any challenge, and unwilling to feel beneath no one.

Having said that, WHEW!  Who can feel that way ALL the time?  I know that I have to work on these feelings continually.  How 'bout you? 

Feeling humble, being respectful of all people, being gracious requires recognizing that I must be willing to accept myself...my weakness, my strengths, my willingness to grow...and then allow my self-power to be my true power.  Having true power requires fearlessness of failure, success, criticism, and all that 'stuff' that happens in life that brings us down to feel 'less than'.

So, although my money is better than credit; I, also, realize that I may not always have money, nor credit.  lol.  And, "I can't always practise what I preach" (as Mama says).  However, I'll always have my self-power: #1Pure potential to field all possibilities in my life.

If you haven't read Deepak Chopra's book, "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success", it's worth the short time it'll take to read it. 

Have a blessed day for you are worth every blessing!

Giddyup!

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OK.  I'm not gonna bore you with the new year resolution trivia.  BUT, I am gonna tell ya that we sometimes have to get off our whiny butts and face the music.  Frankly speaking, my heart has grown whinier and my behind has gotten bigger within the last few months; so, it's time to make some changes!

My mind is working overtime as I configure and postulate my mission for Texana Lane.  However, my body is working less as I sit at the computer to create a successful new year.  Resolution?

FEBRUARY WILL GIDDYUP!  I'll stop whining, get to walking, start smelling the roses again, and keep surrounding myself with some smart-talkin', sassy women friends.

I need your help to do this.  Who really wants to belong, participate, coordinate?  Can Texana Lane really be of help to other women when there are so many groups available?  What does Texana Lane have to offer?  Please send your thoughts my way, as well as suggestions for keynote speakers, topics, etc.

This month, I'm creating a new website that will enable everyone to shop conveniently, with more items and be more user-friendly.  I'm so excited!  My blog will even be seen through my Facebook.  Imagine that!

FEBRUARY WILL ROCK!  Be looking for my Cowgirl Up! Newsletter very soon.  I apologize for not staying in touch during November/December.  Just know that Texana Lane continues to love each of you.  I think about everyone and how your lives have been so instrumental to me over the last year.  THANK YOU

Happy New Year and Giddyup!

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Not to say that money doesn't have power, but living fully doesn't mean going everywhere, doing everything or being all things to all people.  Perhaps both doing too much and having too much get in the way of simply living, or perhaps keep us from doing things we DO want to in our lives, and to simply be who we are.

Happiness and peace of mind may ultimately mean that we do fewer things and have less stuff, not from self-denial, but from the inner peace that comes when we take the time to figure things out as to what's important to us, and then letting go of the rest.

...easy to say, harder to do, I think. 

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Generally, I think comparisons are not healthy, cuz someone's always gonna be prettier, slimmer, smarter...whatever. 

Someone's also gonna be uglier, fatter, dumber...whatever.

Save yourself.  Mamma always said, "There's always someone better than you and worse than you.  Just do your best."  right on.

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Like it or not, we all have some 'stuff' that happens to us.  It's the journey; it's the lesson; it's life!

Many a time we may try to run from sadness.  Many a time, we may just get mad and hate everything around us.  Many a time, we keep swimming in our self-pity, thinking that if we stay under water long enough, our sorrows will just vanish.  Unfortunately, our sorrows do know how to swim; and they'll be treading water right beside us or they'll be greeting us as we come up for air.

Either way, drowning our sorrows is not the answer.  Perhaps we shut down for awhile, but sooner or later, we have to meet them face to face and get a plan of action...forgiveness, additional work, fortitude, resilience, and tenacity with the help of our Universe and friends. 

So, friends, you might take a dive to rid yourself of the problem, but be certain that you might as well roll with the flow, just as your problems do.  Instead, take action.  Talk to a friend.  Get help.  Just don't ignore them or they'll drown you for sure.

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Real plans are very important.  If we want to be profitable, we must have strong, evolving plans for profits.   If we want to be educated, we must decide the who, what, where, and why...and so it goes with all aspects of life.

My question is this. Are we prepared for real life when plans don't work out?  Are we prepared for the smack in the face when illness occurs, death takes away, financial fiascos blindside us, or we simple make wrong decisions? 

I'm all about plans...business plans, budgets, goals, profits.  I'm, also, all about accepting life as it comes.  My 'plans' are not 'me'.  Yes, I will work to make them happen.  I will put my ducks all in a row and make projections.  I will work til I can't stand up and then some.  Yet, I will also have to accept the fact that sometimes I don't always get what I want.  It's just that simple, and it's just that  hard.

I am a product of what I choose to be, but I'm also a product of how I act when my choices are not met nor given to me, no matter how well-implemented such plans were made. 

So, today I seek to always have a backup plan.  What's that?  My backup plan is to have:  Faith. Friends. Acceptance. Common sense. Self-worth. Patience. Gratitude.   These are the common denominators that ride side-by-side and next to all '...best made plans of mice and men'. 

Tomorrow, I'm working on a real plan for profits, for success of my business, for women helping women opportunities, for financial security.  I'm also revisiting some 'down time' to listen to the still small voice that always tells the truth.  From there, I can think about where I stand on my financial and operating plan every day of the week. 

From there, I can be prepared for when my 'plan' isn't working. It's all about keeping one's integrity, courage, and common sense when plans don't work out.   More importantly, from there, I will maintain my aunthenticity, not loose my identity, and create another plan...the reinvention of self never ends, nor should it.  Planning is real, but a plan is still, just a plan. 

Life is real; so, let your dreams and definite plans create your journey to your success.  Just be prepared with a backup plan loaded with self-worth when real life creates a detour.

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What ring of challenges did you step into today?  Challenging people, tasks, fear, insecurity, jealousy, envy, self-doubt?  Tom Feltenstein states, "Life comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable."  It's true.

We get up and step into an arena of left hooks that knock us down before we even realize we've been hit.  It could be a financial crisis, a death in the family, a divorce, or an illness, or an injury.  It's very personal, and it can be small or big.

These stresses can distract us, but they can also wake us up from our comfortable zones.  They can catapult us into generating the energy needed to focus, to make life changes, or to expand our horizons.

We either get back up or we stay down, and I'm certainly not one to judge (no matter where you are in your life at this time).  I've been down...and stayed down until I was ready to get up.  The point being though, is that I had hands reaching for me, helping me up, calling me back to what my higher self wanted me to be.  It just took me a while to want to reach and hold on.

So, what's the message?  You sometimes just have to reach out, for there are others who want to help you up, help you out, and help you go to where you want to go.  Allow your heart to accept these helping hands. Their strength will help you get back up on the horse and ride til you fall off again or til you finally reach the end of the trail.  giddyup!

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Tha Launch Party was awesome, thanks to sooooo many people.  Despite the extreme heat, the spirit of the party remained energetic and fun.  Why?  Because the guests and those responsible for making it happen are good people. 

The one thing I hoped wouldn't happen, didn't.  There was no contention among the team players who worked so hard.  Because of that, guests enjoyed themselves.  The music was awesome, the food delicious, the vendors were more than gracious (considering the heat), and the guests were considerate, too.  Thank you!  Now, we'll survey, assess and grow from our mistakes. 

Creating a business with limited funds creates a multitude of opportunities, and so much more work on the part of the team's desire to everything professionally, and with cowgirl spirit.  With future events, we hope to have funds and people to meet the needs of the event. 

The website is still in much need of work, which will happen between the team so that our shoppers can shop more conveniently.  It's really gonna happen, I promise!

So, with all that said, I am extremely proud of Texana Lane, her new products for wholesale and retail, the new upcoming RED BOOT HAPPY HOURS, RED BOOT PARTIES, AND WOMEN-HELPING-WOMEN WORKSHOPS.

Blessings to all!

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I'm feeling like a kid at Christmas!  It's almost time for the party...so excited....so many details to complete...so many wonderful volunteers, friends, and family to motivate me.  Thank You!

No matter what, it'll be a great party...Yeehaw!

Next week, our RED BOOT HAPPY HOUR will be at Salt Grass, on 183 (North).  Bring your spunk, sass, and soul over for a great kickoff!

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