WOMEN AS MENTORS     Mentor: A Wise and Faithful Counselor

  

     Several years ago, I was going through a bit of a midlife crisis. I had dedicated my entire adult life to raising my three daughters, as a single mother. Those were the most rewarding years of my life. I knew exactly what I would be doing each day, and why. For me, nothing could compare.

     When I started waking up depressed in the middle of the night and not understanding why, it took awhile for me to realize that this was the old empty nest syndrome rearing its ugly head. My children had been my focus for 32 years. That was about to change. My youngest daughter would be graduating from high school soon and already had her bags packed. All that free time I had been longing for suddenly didn't look so exciting. I was lonely and scared.

     That's when I read somewhere, find a niche and fill it. I knew I had to find another focus for my life. I meditated and the concept of giving women a forum to share their stories was the result. I began collecting stories of the Everyday Woman and publishing them. 
    Through the years, many women have asked me: "How do you do all the things you do?" I would think: "How do you not?" Then I realized how scary life can be at times for somebody who thinks that reaching for your dream and not quite making it is failing. For me, the only failure is not reaching for that dream.
     It's my belief that every woman is a mentor. Whether you realize it or not, you have made a difference in somebody's life. Some of us consciously dedicate our lives to making a difference; some of us make a difference simply by being our best.
Trust me, you are the best at something, and you have made a difference in someone's life; somewhere, sometime. 
     Come join me in celebrating Women.

Joann Vallo

     We've all read the stories of our famous sisters, and while those are wonderful and inspiring, even more wonderful and inspiring for me, was realizing how much ALL Women, our neighbors, our family and our business associates alike, have to share.
     I've yet to meet a woman who opens her heart, that doesn't sooner or later make my mouth drop open in awe when she shares an experience that shaped and formed who she is today.
     I sincerely hope you enjoy and learn from the stories I've collected in my Book: Women As Mentors; which you can purchase on the book recommendation page.
     Please feel free to share your story with me. While I can't publish them all, I will read them all and learn from them. I will also be sharing stories here.

Joann