In talking with women, I find over and over how one decision at one point in life led to an unexpected experience, which led to an opportunity, which led to a better opportunity, which led to joy and contribution they had never imagined.
Have you experienced that?
For an example, let’s talk swimsuits (stay with me!) I just read an article about Rose Marie Reid. If you don’t know her, read on, talk about amazing!
About 1936, swimsuits were mostly made of wool, came in one size, and sagged when wet.
Yeah, attractive.
So Ms. Reid came up with elasticized fabrics and pretty designs, and got busy. What impressed me is that she did this with three children. It was said by her daughter that she often traveled with scriptures in one hand and a child in the other. Surprisingly, her business grew, to the tune of 18.1 million in one year in 1960.
But even more amazingly, Reid turned down big money cigarette ads and refused to make bikinis—it went against her principles. And she designed one suit, a white one, that involved church women sewing on sequins and then using the suit profits to donate to the Los Angeles LDS temple fund. Talk about a pioneer rewind—maybe it wasn’t smashing good china to mix with plaster, but close enough!
As you see the domino effect of one decision, it’s incredible that one choice—“I think I have a better idea than this hideous wool swimsuit and I’m going to do something about it”—could take this woman to the places she went and allow her to contribute in the ways she did.
What’s a decision you’ve made in your life that took you to a good place you didn’t anticipate? What motivated you to go from thought to action? Who helped you along the way?
Now for the most important question—what thought compels you now, a thought that says, I need to take a step with this. Whether it’s remodeling your home or teaching a class or starting a worthy fundraiser, try to imagine the possible domino effect down the road of one small decision to act today.
Then begin.
Best,
Connie
