THE BUSINESS OF BREAKING DOWN
MIND BODY AND SPIRIT
Breaking Down Mind Body and Spirit
Article by Jenni Cornette
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #28
I am the first to admit I am a stubborn girl. I don't like anyone telling me what I can or cannot do, most of the time if someone tells me I can't do something is when I do it. My mind and body will even speak to me "Jenni, why did you just say you can do that?" . My spirit will speak up and say ...Excuse me but why don't you know by now we can do anything?. This relationship is a double edged sword as it truly has gotten me to places that others could only dream of going in personal life and in my business.
I would like to share some wisdom I just discovered after 40 years of living and 20 years in the mind body beauty business. JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO IT, DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD. I recently was slapped in the face with this lesson while realizing I was working too much and too hard to benefit others. My heart and soul were depleted. I was unable to focus, I stopped doing all my favorite things including working out, taking care of myself physically and mentally, spending quality time with my family. I was stuck in a space of doing everything for everyone in my business that I was actually going against my entire company vision and mission. I wanted to help others that were unwilling to put in the same amount of effort or even half the effort I was (because let's face it ¬ there is only one me) to help them to grow. I was nurturing all my seeds but not taking care of myself and when I finally after years realized this, it was like a slap in the face. I was resentful, hurt, disappointed and confused, I essentially was destroying my soul by handing out too many efforts and not ever getting anything in return. I was reading my children THE GIVING TREE one of my all time favorites and I had the biggest realization that I WAS THE GIVING TREE! Everyone had picked all my leaves, taken my fruit, cut my limbs and I was just a stump that was used to sit upon even when that is all I was after all the giving. Oh My! I am a stump! I have always had a soft and giving heart. I want to save the world, I root for the underdog, I enjoy picking people that are lost or at rock bottom climb to the top. My Daddy always says, "Jenni Lynn, you have got to start caring as much about yourself as you do everyone else".
It took me all these years to understand the wisdom he was giving to me, you have to put yourself first. You have to get back what you put into projects, you have to be balanced in who you work with and spend your time with to stay at your highest functioning creative entrepreneur. If you allow yourself to be surrounded by other business associates that don't have the same goals and passion, you all end up confused and off balance. Business friends, please understand to be mindful of who you allow into your tribe. Do not be in such a hurry to reach your goals that you allow less motivated people to weigh you down trying to sell them on the idea of hustling or motivated intentions. Save yourself the lesson by learning from me, surround yourself with like¬minded, fair tribe members that inspire you as much as you inspire them. Care as much about yourself as you do everyone else, by only allowing those that will have your back 100% of the time in your circle.
Nurture yourself, make time for wellness and health, don't forget to eat foods that help support your lifestyle of hard work, exercise and spend time with your family and friends. Do not allow unbalanced work relations to steal your spirit and time. Have a massage and facial once a month, meditate, drink tea, take a bath. You deserve it! You will feel like the person you were meant to be, you will not be stuck in unhealthy think cycles, your work will feel rewarding and you will have the time to live in balance with work and life. Passion is NOT something you can teach someone. Learn to say this just doesn't feel balanced and love yourself by walking away from all those that don't lift you up and bring you joy. We are in the business of mind body beauty, don't forget your passion.
