So today is my birthday….yes, happy 35th birthday to me! As I sit here reflecting on my past and all which I have and have not accomplished, I can’t help but to wonder, “Am I happy with my life so far?” I’ve done the military life, blue collar life, corporate life, and now I feel like I am at a point in my life where I wonder if I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I think I have been soul searching for what I want to be when I grow up! I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to inspire and help build up people, like myself, who are or have been in the same situations I have been in.

For the past 4 years because of decisions my family and the Navy has made, I have been put in a position where I am able to mentor, lead, help, and inspire women and military spouses and I LOVE it! I feel like this is what I have been trained to do. All of the experiences I have had throughout my professional career and personal life have led me to this point to inspire women who have lost their way. I’m going to be completely honest with you, my life has not been unicorns and rainbows and I do NOT claim to be perfect. In fact, I was speaking at a meeting not too long ago and some of my first words were “I am a hot mess!” It was a fantastic meeting and I felt really inspired afterward, but one of the women came up to me afterward and said, “Carolyn, you are amazing! You are NOT a hot mess!” I tried to stop her and explain, but I was cut off with, “because if YOU are a hot mess, it implies that there are others (out in the world) who are NOT!” All I could say was, “you are absolutely correct!” Since then, I refuse to say that I am.

So, I am here to tell your mess isn’t any more than anyone else’s. Whether you never know what tomorrow is going to bring or your plate is too full of plans to add on another task or request. You that you are NOT a hot mess!!

-Carolyn