Mary Foley - Increasing Women's Sanity, Confidence & Fun

I Just Love This!

There were a ton of college graduations this past weekend that you may have missed this gem by Tom Brokaw who gave the commencement speech at the College of William and Mary in my hometown of Williamsburg, VA.  I wasn’t there, either, but when I read this one statement he made, I just had to share it with you:

Speaking to young twenty-somethings who are the most technologically connected generation to date, Tom Brokaw said:

“It will do us little to wire the world if we    short-circuit the soul.”

I

          just

                        LOVE

                                         that!

Having joined AOL in 1988 at 23 years old right out of college, I dove into the online world without even knowing it.  I embraced what was then revolutionary - e-mail, instant messages and downloading. 

Twenty-one years later and I still embrace technology.  We all do.

You and are connecting this very second because of our wired world and for that I’m grateful.  But, there’s a reason I schlep myself on a plane or drive hours to city to share with groups of women live.  Because face-to-face, in person, does something more for the spirit and more for soul than technology ever can.

In person, you can look someone in the eyes and smile.  They can feel acknowledged.

In person, you can give someone a compliment or say thank you.  They can feel appreciated.

In person, you can listen to their story or concern.  They can feel valued.

Technology can facilitate such interactions, but to date, in my opinion, it doesn’t completely replace being there.

So, today, as you interact with co-workers, meet with a client, drive the kids around, or walk up to the cashier, take the opportunity to encourage their spirit, and yours.  With a smile, compliment, thank you, or your listening ear. Doing these actions is a BoMo - bodacious moment. 

It’s been my honor and privilege to be asked to speak to several groups lately, including the Richmond Junior League Book Club and at the Junior League Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference hosted by the Junior League of Northern Virginia (I even created a special nail color for them called “Junior League Red-E to Go”). 

Thanks to Tinky Scott of the Richmond Junior League Book Club.  Here's a fun photo of the entire group:

And thanks to Tamara Ashford, President of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, and her right-hand gal on conference day, Erica McCants, for all your help.  Had a great time! 

Tomorrow I leave for Columbia, MO (another college town, think Mizzou) to speak to the Women’s Network of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.  The gals there don’t know it yet, but they are getting a nail color I created for them called “We Mean Business.”  I’ll post a few photos from that adventure when I return.  ;D

Cheers,

P.S. - I highly recommend you take a quick read of Tom Brokaw’s entire commencement speech.   It’s quite poignant, moving, and funny. 

4 Ways to Be Bodacious & Live Like Your Nail Color This Holiday

It's not everyday that I'm asked to inspire women to live like their nail color at a tea, but that's exactly what the gals at the Junior League of Northern Virginia wanted and I was happy to ablige!  They even nicknamed it the Bodacious Tea.  Ha, this crew knows how to have a good time and get into the  holiday mood.

 

"Get In The Mood" - That's #1 of my 4 ways to be bodacious and live like your nail color this holiday. 

You might be like my friend Carol who absolutely LOVES this time of year.  Or, you might be feeling stressed thinking about everything you have to get done.  No matter your situation, tis the season to be bodacious! 

Here are some tips to get in the holiday mood.  Bet you'll laugh at some of my ideas about unleashing your inner dog and being strategic about mistletoe.  Plus, you'll see my other 3 ways to enjoy the holidays.

Being Thankful When Chip Happens

What do you do when “Chip Happens” in your life?  It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot more about lately given that it’s the name of my November polish for the Live Like Your Nail Color Club.  My mind keeps coming back to three simple, but powerful things:  laughter, gratitude and growth.  Laughter always helps to lighten us up, gratitude soothes the soul, and growth is a long-lasting benefit to change.

This past week speaking in Lakeland, FL and back home in Richmond, VA was filled with laughter, and lots of gratitude on my end!  A BIG THANKS to Lucinda Espada in Lakeland who recommended me as a speaker for the Women in Philanthropy luncheon. 

And a BIG THANKS to Betsye Russell in Richmond, VA who suggested me as a speaker for the National Association of Women in Construction.  With your personal enthusiasm and recommendation of me as a speaker, we are inspiring and encouraging women.  Thanks again!

I wish I had a photo of Shannon, the customer service manager for Airtran Airlines at the Atlanta airport.  I’m incredibly thankful to her as well!  Traveling involves a lot of details to get from point A to point B, especially when you fly.  Sometimes you forget things, like when I accidentally left my zipper pouch on the plane back from Florida that contained all the cash and checks I’d just received for books! 

An Airtran flight attendant thankfully turned it in and Shannon, the customer service manager on duty, thankfully saw my business card inside and tried to track me down in the Atlanta airport.  My name was being called on the loud speaker throughout the airport!  I finally heard it, but I didn’t know why.

You can imagine how I felt when I realized the pouch was missing (oh no!!!!) and then that it was being returned to me.  Talk about chip happening!  I felt like I got a free manicure and didn’t even know I had the appointment!  You can hear more about my episode because I shared it on my “Girlfriend We Gotta Talk!” radio show last Sunday.  It’s a fun listen!  See, I told you I'd bring back stories.  ;)

I’m also owe a BIG THANKS to Erin O’Malley who has invited me to speak at the Holiday Tea hosted by the Junior League of Northern Virginia this Saturday in Reston, VA, 2 – 4 pm.  Everyone gets a copy of my book and a special holiday nail polish created just for the event called “All That Glitters.”  It’s a fun silver sparkle polish that I’ll be wearing on top of my red “Chip Happens.”  The tea is just one part of their whole Enchanted Forest weekend of events. 

Wanna join me?  It’s open to the public and I just learned there are some tickets still available.  Here’s more info and how to grab a ticket:  Junior League of Northern Virginia, Holiday Tea Details and Ticket Form.