DEATH …. PULLING THE LIFE OUT…..
by Guest Blogger Flo Bradley
My Mission Statement
I want to be a lover of life. To embrace the beauty of my life’s journey, taking risks if it means achieving my goals. Even if the path isn’t straight or lit and I stumble over rocks and bumps which send me crashing to the ground, I promise to never stay down. While there is still sweet breath, marinating my lungs, I’ll rise, retrace my steps, learn the root of my fall, change it, avoid it, conquer it and move on. My heart, I’ll fill it with love- of family, relationships and faith in the Lord. This will help me in my journey. Material wealth is not important to me. I just want the fruits of my labor to yield happiness, not only for me but for everyone that I encounter. I want to be a mentor to the generations after me. Overall, whatever I do . . . I want to leave a legacy of living on purpose with purpose.
This is my LIFE MISSION STATEMENT. It was death that ultimately forced me to start living it. On a stiflingly hot summer evening in August 2005, my cousin, Keisha, drew her last breath. Ironically, she had been celebrating her 28th birthday with friends when her heart stopped beating. We had played together as young children, but time and circumstance had erased all traces of her old self. The once vibrant, loving girl had been transformed by drugs and they had poisoned her heart and broke mine. For the first time I started to realize that life is an hour glass, whose sand will run out. Ironically, her death didn’t thwart me in the grasp of melancholy. Instead, it propelled me into action and I started to really live truthfully and into my mission.
Seven years have passed and the words have manifested themselves in many ways from: me coaching seven-year-old children on the soccer field, to being the director of a non profit, to creating my Life Vision Workshop where I assist others to use Law of Attraction techniques and principles to design their own perfect existence driven by passion. Any pursuit must align with this mission statement whose birth was planted by knowledge that we only have a moment. Live now because your body is a fragile gift. Play with what is inside.
BIO
Flo Bradley is a successful entrepreneur and empowerment coach. A native of Massachusetts, she began her career in the financial services arena after graduating with honors from Boston University where she met her husband, Robert Bradly. In Boston, she juggled a traditional 9 to 5 while dancing professionally with various performances companies. This is where she gained a taste of what lay beyond the confines of a cubical as well as where she developed a passion for what nutrition could do for ones body and soul. When her college sweet-heart decided to serve his country as a Marine Corp Fighter Pilot, she left her job to follow her heart and started a life with him.
She has lived by this mission statement ever since and has explored so many passions from developing a operations for a non profit to acting in commercials and on stage.
Today, she sits on the board of the local charity, The Community of Hope, mentoring and scholarship foundation and in January launched her Life Vision Workshop that helps participants explore their gifts and awaken their possibilities.
As a mobile fitness and nutrition coach, she assists clients to make better choices for their health as she knows that the body is the only place where we have to live, and keeping it in optimal health is paramount.
Her work in corporate America as a banking executive for Wachovia has helped her both personally and in the public sector. These skill-sets have enabled her to utilizes her services in two non profits, The Navy Marine Corp Relief Society and Operation Homefront which both have a mission of assisting military personnel and their families who are experiencing financial hardships by providing financial counseling, interest free loans and grants, continuing education and morale support.
Still her best and favorite achievements are her two beautiful children, Avrey-6 and Bryce 2 and the life that she shares with her adoring husband.
Dear Flo -
AN IMPRESSIVE BIO INDEED.
An important and traumatic event usually has the result of waking us up. Life is precious.
Even when we lose sight of the purpose in it.
We have to use up every minute of it. Even when we are so down that we don’t see any way out of a problem.
If we just stop and do nothing for a while the answer will come.
Everything passes. Waiting helps.
Corinne Edwards recently posted..YOUR BIG IDEA – when to bail out – from Sales, Lies and Naked Truths
Hi Flo,
That is a great mission statement which will most certainly help you to overcome any adversity that life has for you. And this is good because adversity is meant to shape you to have the capacity to manage greater things in life.
I am sorry to read about the loss of your cousin. But clearly her spirit lives on in this world through your choices and actions. By living truthfully and helping others, your presence will change and shape lives in positive ways. The impact you have in this world is clear from your remarkable bio.
Thank you for writing this lovely article Flo and thank you Nancy for sharing it!
Irving the Vizier
The Vizier/Han of Harmony recently posted..How to Maintain Clarity in Adversity
I’m sorry about your cousin. What a sad story. My mother was killed suddenly on the road a few years ago. I’ve mourned, but still haven’t dealt with it – I don’t think.
Death brings more vibrancy to the life we live. Death also makes us so aware of the fact that people are never only about their physical being. Memories never die – so people can live forever in our hearts.
it’s encouraging that you’re using this memory to do so much good for others. Keep up the good work.
Anne recently posted..Confident Honk
Mission statements are very necessary to find our own place in our world view. I have been working on my own recently. Well, actually just revisiting it. I try to keep a running story of my world view and my personal vision story and just wrote an e-book for my blog subscribers on Creating Vision Stories. What you are coaching people on is necessary. Or else we sleep through life.
Nicole Rushin recently posted..Conversations in the Dreamscape
You had me at Law of Attraction.
Great story to share with us all in the background that led you to where you are now.
It seems to be the path of true human growth which typically takes place due to a pivotal moment. Sad in one way that yours was the passing of your cousin. Yet it’s equally magical that her passing contributed to you, in ways she would never know – her gift to you.
Thanks so much for sharing with us all.
Martin Cooney recently posted..I Love Her But I Don’t Want To Be With Her
That is a very sad story indeed Flo. A person so young to die from heart problems, always makes us think how short life is.
I like your mission statement a lot, makes you live life to the fullest.
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..US Marine Replaces TRX Destroyed By a Roadside Bomb – The Benefits of Using the TRX Suspension Training!
Flo, you have a very powerful mission statement! My favorite part of this is how the dealth of your cousin propelled you into action!
Thanks for sharing!
Jean
30 Days of Gratitude Coach
https://www.socgratitude.com/32934
I so admire your ability to move tragedy to triumph. I just know you are a wonderful and giving mother and wife. Hope your journey continues to be strong.
Love the mission statement…
your story…
and your bio!
But I especially loved this: “Live now because your body is a fragile gift. Play with what is inside.”
Shelly Allen recently posted..Networking Superstars
Wow! I really enjoyed reading your story, bio and letting myself getting inspired by your beautiful writing style… Thank you!
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Tame Your Dragons For a More Fulfilled Life
Aloha Flo, you are a poet at heart, which flows living water of love in every way. Life shares no boundaries for us in this world, but what we see and take in what it gives. The gift of Life! You have found your path or it has found you, and I see you have no boundaries with it, but a reflection to mend a broken heart to uplift what lies within you.
I’m glad I came by and thanks for sharing! Mahalo, Lani
Lani Kee recently posted..Revise Your Youtube New Layout From The Default Settings
@Nathalie Villeneuve
@Shelly Allen
@Kim D.
@Jean
@Mariella Lombardi
I hope that I am responding to the comments correctly,
Thank you for receiving this piece. Your responses has warmed my heart and soul.
Blessings,
Flo
617-291-5325
PS: Feel free connect with me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/flo.bradley.9). I am creating am starting an accountability group on Monday based on Living The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. This book really moved me and I wrote about it recently in my personal blog. http://2mpower.blogspot.com/
@Martin Cooney
@Nicole Rushin
@Anne
@The Vizier/Han of Harmony
@Corinne Edwards
Love your mission statement Flo! I have done Life Vision – it’s ana amazing tool. And my Dad’s death at an early age changed me forever also.
Louise Edington
The Networking Naturopath
Louise Edington recently posted..The Ultimate Challenge For a Shy Entrepreneur
@Louise Edington
Thanks Lousie,
I just read your last blog piece about being a shy entrepreneur. I am going to pass it on to a friend of mine who is going through this.
Thanks for your contribution:)
Flo Bradley recently posted..Now What Did I Read?
Hi Flo,
I’m sorry about your cousin. It’s very sad that she lost her life at such a young age.
It’s wonderful that you were able to gain valuable insight on the preciousness of life from such a tragedy and are now inspiring others to live their life to the fullest. Keep up the great work!
Tonya Sheridan recently posted..7 Ways You May Be Blocking Your Intuition
Hi Nancy,
WOW! Im not sure which is better than the other! The article is really fantastic, although very touching on one side and inspiring on the other side. Flo’s Bio is very impressive and her determination which has made her what she is – just love that!
Elizabeth recently posted..Article Marketing : How To Write An Innovative Blog Article
Inspiring story of taking life’s challenges and making something great and life honoring out of them. I love this type of article!
Debbie Kesley recently posted..Stuck Sucking Air
Thanks for sharing your story Flo. It is a heartbreaking thing to watch a loved one pass on. Happy to hear that it fueled your fire to live life with passion. Keep Shining!
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