We are quickly sliding into the final days of summer with more structured days on their way--especially in my house with school starting soon. This time of summer holds a special meaning for me for another important reason.

My life dramatically changed eight years ago when I had my youngest son, Ethan (that is him below sitting at my desk). After he was born, we soon discovered he had a condition called Achondroplasia; also known as dwarfism. This is a genetic anomaly that is a dormant, recessive gene, however, under the right conditions--what ever they may be--two normal stature people can have a dwarf child.  As we have learned a majority of dwarf children are born to normal stature parents. 

Once the initial shock wore off that my son was a "little person", I knew the best thing I could give Ethan was a great sense of personal self esteem. I realized that unlike most parents who tell their children to be all they could be, I could not flippantly state this to my son because life had not handed him an even footing as most.

Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with my business. Well, let me tell you, one day I hit a wall. 

I spent the first few years reinforcing to Ethan that in spite of the fact that the world saw him differently he did not need to limit his potential. Unfortuantely, I was not walking my talk as I cringed during these conversations because I was not living out mine. I was having a hard time believing in myself.

I struggled with telling my child to be his greatest self, while having him watch his mother flounder within her own self-esteem, value, and possibilies. What bothered me the most was that I had nothing significantly noticable holding me back.

Then a few years ago, early one August morning at 4:17 a.m., it was as if the Universe woke me up to give me a message: in order to show Ethan he could have a big presence in this world (regardless of his size) I had to claim my own potential and play my big part in life too. That thought awakened me! (In more ways than the obvious.)

How this was to be accomplished I did not understand at the time, but it was at that moment that I choose to not live in mediocrity any more.

I made it my intention to bring more of myself into my work and do what I love. So now, I have consciously married my love for small business marketing, personal development, and supporting the potential of others by using my writing, speaking, and coaching skills to do this.

In the end, this will show my son, Ethan, that he could be his greatest self just like his mommy could. So, I stepped out and have never looked back. I will admit the road signs have not been clearly marked, however, every step has been an incredible passage to this journey as a work-at-home mom.

So, in this week's edition I share with you my Top 10 Reasons to Be Yourself for a Living. I hope you find this inspirational and how being more of yourself in your business will truly make your life more radiant!

Also, note I have some great events coming up where I am speaking. Learn about Twitter and Writing for Profit by clicking here to read more. 

And, finally I am launching my innovative 90-day Marketing Make-Over Group exlcusive for only 6 small business owners starting September 21. Make sure you check this out if you are ready to get serious about your marketing for 2010! (Yup!, that's just four months from now!!)

Enjoy this edition of On the Edge! and welcome to all my new readers!
 
Until next time I wish you radiant success!