I haven't written a new blog post for a few weeks now. June was really the worst time of my life and as I'm not one for being negative when I'm online I thought it best to just baton down the hatches and not write for a while ...
olympian ben, myself and nigel botterill
Now I feel the need to share my world again. I love to be the Sparkly Girl and have missed her over the past few weeks. I'm a happy person at heart and I love to make other people feel happy. But sometimes life changes dramatically - you can't be that person for a little while - and I think a little honesty to the people around you goes along way. So here goes!
Sadly after 18 years, some sadness and pain, but so many good memories and 2 little boys, my marriage has come to an end. Although I've known for a long time that this finality was 'in the post' I had no idea how much it would floor me, until it arrived on Jubilee weekend.
Occasionally, something truly catastrophic happens to us and we're plunged into uncertainty and despair. It can be life changing or sometimes nearly life ending (something my friend Steffi knows all to well). While the world keeps turning it's as if we step off and just observe - helpless for a while - watching a party we're not invited to. During times like this, sadly people we love and treasure step away. Others we hadn't considered - or perhaps didn't yet know - step forward with an abundance of warmth, kindness and support. Friends appear in the strangest places and thank God they do!
Anyway, time to write again., time to smile again and time to just be me again. A new chapter. I'm still the Sparkly Girl. A little battle weary but regaining strength and ready for an even brighter future. It may sound crackers but I love 'Erin Brokovich' I've thought of her and re-watched the movie. It's really inspired me.
My pattern for a new beginning was set on 2nd July when I won the Entrepreneur's Circle National Award for July 2012. I'd worked towards this all year. My award story is another blog in itself but I am so proud I could burst! I collected my award in Birmingham from the wonderful Nigel Botterill himself (who I've mentioned many times). He's says he's a bit marmite, well I love marmite and I love Nigel too!
With a lovely Olympic themed event I also had the pleasure of meeting and having my award presented by Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Hunt- Davis. During the day Ben gave us a beautifully inspirational talk about the determination and mindset required to achieve an Olympic gold for rowing in Sydney 2000. I loved his message 'Will it make the boat go faster?' Simple but all consuming. I have applied similar thoughts to my life and business over and over since that day, so thank you Ben, you've stopped the tears and got the girl rowing again.
I love my award and I love the photo. I wore a slinky number in my beloved purple and the highest heels I could find. Not that they helped with the two tallest boys I've seen! I sat shaking with nerves all morning but then Nigel started to say some amazing things about me and I was electrified. I felt like a smiley business queen walking on air to that stage in front of 650 people, including a few that mean so much to me (they know who they are). My friends from Northampton were wonderful, all of them cheering, hugging and being amazing - I love them all x
i love this song and it always makes me feel that i can achieve anything
So, calmly and gently now I am back; going it alone with two little boys and a business I adore. So much to do it's scary. But actually ... I truly am blessed aren't I? If Erin Brokovich can do it, I'm damn sure I'm gonna give it all I've got on behalf of Team GB. I want my boys to be proud of me, my friends to know they were right to believe in me and for me to just be 'me' again. Like Erin, it's tough, it requires hard hard work and lots of sacrifices.
But when the going gets tough, if all else fails I'll just have to follow her advice ... "They're called boobs Ed" ... simple as that!
I'm a local girl - I love Northampton. I grew up here and I'm now so fortunate to own thebestof Northampton - my work is my passion. I'm lovingly nick-named the 'Queen of Connection'. I'm a marketeer and driving force in networking events and social media.
I spend my days championing great local businesses and shouting out about all the wonderful things in and around Northampton. So isn't it time I heard from you? Contact me today!
"I have attended a few of the Bud Networking events, including the very first one. They are fun, enjoyable events where Vicki puts her hosting skills to work to make sure everyone has a great time. Good food, great speakers, events well worth attending. Vicki has a natural ability to put everyone at their ease."
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