“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.” ~ Bo Bennett

I was instantly drawn into my featured interviewee today.  Just her name alone was like a beacon for my heart.  As I learned more and more about the wonderful blogger community on Facebook, she was one of my first and favorites. The lovely and talented Deborah Bryan from “The Monster in your Closet” who was my very first interview for the “Mynewfavoriteweek’ly Inspiration” series, led me to her page and there I found inspiration upon inspiration. Through her words, through her sharing and through her blog, her wisdom both lifted and intrigued me.

I remember the day it all started for me. Several months ago as I was playing with all my Facebook bloggy friends, I saw the feed of one of her blog posts so I decided to go over and check it out. I was still fairly new to blogging and commenting and interacting in this bloggy-sphere so I read her post called “Advice from the Rear-view Mirror ”  and I had no words.  I was so touched, I decided to share the post on my own page.  I was hooked.

Lisha, who is the wonderful woman behind “The Lucky Mom”  is so not only the lucky one.  Her children are lucky, her husband is lucky and we are all so very lucky that she decided to take the step to share her philosophy, wisdom and words with us.  For me, she has become a steadfast friend and supporter but where I also so admire her is when I see her elsewhere.  Commenting on other’s blogs and continuing to be a pillar of strength when I know that she is dealing with so much in her life.  That’s when I feel her courage and compassion. The true meaning of her blog, of her community of her person.

Today, it is my great pleasure and honor to introduce you to my friend Lisha, “The Lucky Mom.”

2. Shannon:  Where would we find you now on your blogging journey from where you started?

 

Lisha:  I’m certainly in a different place than I thought I’d be. With something completely different in mind when I began, I had no idea The Lucky Mom would become such an important part of my life.

The shift happened when my followers grew, and started leaving me feedback.  Their comments fueled me to write more and share more. The more I opened up, the more they responded. What started as an exercise to develop skills took on a life of its own.  I can’t imagine stopping now.

3.  Shannon:  You are so full of perspective which I love so much in your blogging. You are so busy caring for your in-laws, managing your rental properties and being mother to your 3 children (the oldest being in college), not mention a wife to your hubby, how do you find any time for yourself?

 

Lisha:  I don’t. It’s one of the things I really need to make a priority. It’s one of the top rules of living a balanced life, and I don’t do it very well at all.

4.  Shannon:  You are a military wife and are very supportive of that community, with so many families that are a part of that community, do you have any special thoughts about what the rest of us might do to support this community if we are not a part of it?

Lisha:  There are many layers of support for military communities – from the world-wide USO to state Family Support Organizations. All of them help.

But the most meaningful support you can give to our military is direct, personal support. When my husband was deployed, a group of girl scouts ‘adopted’ him, sending him letters and packages throughout his tour. School children wrote him, and friends and family members sent him packages with touches of home. Every time he received a personal touch, he was grateful.

For me, it came from people sending meals, keeping me busy, offering rides for the kids (because I often had to be in two places at the same time) and helping with household duties. The one thing that stands out in my memory was the day a neighbor came over with her daughter to clean my yard, weed gardens and plant flowers. Every time I looked out of my window at their work, I was uplifted.

5.  Shannon:  Who or what do you find inspiring? 

Lisha:  I find small acts of kindness inspiring. Many people don’t realize the significance of a simple, kind gesture or act of generosity.

My mother was my greatest source of inspiration. She instilled in me a sense of “greater good.” She taught me to find inspiration everywhere, and to learn from each experience. She showed me that lessons were to be found in good and bad experiences, and that neither were to be squandered.

Other than my mother, the person who has inspired me most is my friend Rhonda. We worked together in the 1980s, when I was a young Army wife living far from home. Her faith and kindness inspired me in ways she didn’t even realize. It was a great joy to reconnect with her (via Facebook!) and now stay in touch.

6.  Shannon:  If you had one whole day to yourself, where your minis were perfectly well taken care of, what would you do? 

Lisha:  I would squeeze a lot in.

First, I would go to Target. I don’t know what it is about Target, but there’s just something about it that puts me in a good mood. (Perhaps it’s all the red.) I’d probably buy a pair of sunglasses and some lip gloss.

Then I’d head to the French Quarter, and find a spot to perch myself. I love history, and New Orleans offers me a great place to immerse myself. Every street is teeming with rich, living culture. I’d chat with strangers, listen to music, have a glass of wine, and soak it all in.

Then I’d head home. Because at the end of each day, there’s no place else I’d rather be.

7.  Shannon:  What is one thing about you people might be surprised to know/learn about you (Funny or serious)? 

Lisha:  I have impressive DIY/home-improvement skills. Between owning rental property and handling some of our post-Katrina renovations ourselves, I can fix just about anything. I’ve been known to rip out a bathroom and renovate it in a weekend (when my husband was out of town). I know how to do drywall, lay flooring, hang crown molding, and lots more. I’m also really creative, so I can make just about anything. Just show me a picture!

8.  Shannon: Did you make any New Year Resolutions and have you followed through so far? 

Lisha:  I didn’t make any. That way there’s less chance of not following through.

9.  Shannon:  What are 3 things you hope people will take away from visiting your blog or reading your stories? 

Lisha:  That one’s actions leave a trail. Words, deeds, even thoughts, all have an impact on others.

That great joy comes from serving others. Whether family, faith or community.

That we should love ourselves and others just the way we are. Each of us is exactly what God intended us to be. Therefore, each of us is perfect.

10.  Shannon:  What pearl(s) of wisdom can you leave us with that you suggest to make each say ‘anewfavoriteday?’  

Lisha:  It’s more like a ‘string’ of pearls, but the wisdom I lean on most is this prayer. It hangs in the hall of my home, and I see it every day.

Prayer of St. Francis.

Lord make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, Joy.

O Master grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Lisha as much as I enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm with you!  I hope that you will take away what I have from reading about her and hope that you will visit her both on her blog, “The Lucky Mom” as well as her Facebook Page:  “The Lucky Mom.”

I know today, I feel like “The Lucky Mom” for having the opportunity to share Lisha with you, and of course because being her with all of you and being a very lucky mama indeed, makes today “mynewfavoriteday.” I hope you can find something here that makes it yours as well.