Just Do It! Get away!

I love time with my “Sista”.

Born and raised in rural Mississippi, our mother had 4 sisters, and we grew-up hearing our aunts and our mother call each other “Sista”. It stuck for us too.

With me living in Raleigh and my Sista living near Memphis, we get to see each other about 3 times a year. Well, earlier this year, we got a wild hare, and we planned a Caribbean get-away. We just booked it. We just did it. We met in Charlotte, and off we went to the Caribbean for a long weekend in the sun, at the beach, just the Sistas!

Yes, the depressed economy has impacted both of us. Yes, my business ventures are down. Yes, over the last two years, we’ve both experienced cutbacks. Yes, money is tight. YET, time is our most precious commodity that we choose to stop for a moment to truly enjoy. Our health, our family’s health, our ability to think and to work, are our greatest assets, and what we experienced during our beach getaway simply reinforced what really, really matters the most in life:

• Details are important. Life is full of so many details, and keeping the various pieces of the puzzle of one’s life together and fitting together successfully takes time, focus, energy, attention, and thoughtful planning. When life can be so overwhelming, it helps to remember a simple phrase that I call “manageable chunks”. Whatever the day may bring, it helps to dissect the issues of the day into manageable chunks. This helps me get through the bumps in the road in order to push ahead in a positive direction. Learning to master the details can help you relax to really enjoy the important things in life.

• When the details of life get too overwhelming, it’s OK to hideaway for a moment in time with family and friends. It is OK. Now, you cannot do that forever, but being responsible also allows you to occasionally break-away to listen to the ocean, bask in the sun, eat great seafood, drink lots of island rum punch, get sand everywhere, take long walks on the beach, and nap when you want to nap.

• Spend time with the folks that you love and that love you. Those moments shared and that attention given are priceless. Don’t allow work to fill all of those moments. The most precious thing that you can give to someone is your time and your attention.

Sista Sangria!

• Get in the kitchen and cook something together! My Sista and I love to be in the kitchen. Even at the island villa in the Caribbean, we managed to whip-up some Sista’s Sangria that was delicious.

• In life, sadness and trouble will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it. Keep “drama” as far away from your life and the lives of your loved ones as possible. “Drama” is a monster that demands time and attention in a negative and unhealthy way. It wastes time. It drains energy. Don’t let it into your life.

We all have certain individuals with whom we love to spend time. Do it! Don’t put it off. I love to spend time with my Sista, and even though we live over 750 miles apart, we make time to see each other.

Who knows where we’ll go next…

My brother, sister, and I founded Legacy of Joy in December of 2007. Legacy of Joy is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization promoting philanthropic activities. This family foundation was established in memory, in celebration, and in honor of our mother, Rebecca Joy Tabor Dorroh who died in August of 2007.

For anyone who knew our mother, she was thoughtful and masterful at details that matter the most…details of the heart…sharing time, giving attention, taking a moment to make others feel special. By education, she had a master’s degree. By profession, she was an educator and mentor. She touched so many lives during her 69 years here on planet earth.

Prior to getting sick, one of mother’s daily joys was coffee. For as long as I can remember, mother loved a cup of coffee…usually in the morning…sometimes in the evening too. As a child, the aroma of coffee brewing was one of the first signs of the beginning of a new day. As an adult, I share that same love of coffee.

As a fundraising activity for our family foundation, we are offering organic, fair trade, and shade grown coffee beans through Legacy of Joy. Around the Holidays in 2009, we introduced our first Holiday Blend, and around Valentine’s Day of this year, we introduced our Brave Heart Blend which offers a medium-heavy body with loads of earthy spice. This blend has distinct sweet berry acidity with a chocolate liquor finish. It’s nice. Mother would have loved it! You’ll love it too.

This Legacy of Joy Blend captures the love of Valentine’s Day that warms us through the winter into a promising Spring and Summer.

For more information, please visit http://www.legacyofjoy.org/.

Come celebrate the love of coffee with us!