“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” ~ Steve Jobs

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. It’s even more meaningful when you can relate to it. Let me share what I mean. Standing where I am today at age 55 and reflecting on the year 2002, I see that my world was vastly different and not in a good way. I was newly separated with 2 young kids, ages 2 and 7. I thought I had it all figured out. I didn’t. I had to start on my own again, financially, as a single mom. It was a time filled with uncertainty and much anxiety. But I didn’t let that define me. I chose to transform that uncertainty into resilience, paving the way for a brighter future.

I often see life-like taxes: You can pay now, or you can pay later. I opted for “pay now,” and did the hard work upfront. Like childbirth, that time was hard and painful, but I didn’t let the pain hold me back. I saw it as an opportunity for personal growth, a chance to become stronger and more resilient. I learned that short-term painful moments pass and won’t stay in the forefront of my mind forever.

In business, we typically look for return on investment (ROI). How do you quantify ROI for your life?  You can’t. Freedom, positive experiences, and joyful memories are priceless. You can understand that if you’ve felt the suffocation, helplessness, and hopelessness that come from being held captive, whether it’s physically, financially, emotionally, or relationally.

Looking backward and connecting the dots allowed me to take inventory of my life. I realized those early decisions had a HUGE ROI. What were the investments? They were investments in self, learning, and financial health. They are the things that lead to a thriving life. Here is a list of potential missed opportunities if I hadn’t done the work:

• Being baptized on June 27, 2004
• Buying and selling two townhouses
• Getting married on September 22, 2018, and purchased a house with my now-husband
• Becoming a grandma to a fun kid in 2023
• Seeing my children flourish as independent adults
• Traveling to Venice, Bali, Sicily, and more, plus many domestic trips
• Paying for a new car in full at the dealership
• Retiring from my first career on November 30, 2023
• Launching Spark to Freedom in 2025 and creating a legacy to leave behind

These are big moments I can’t imagine not being part of my story. This is what connecting the dots does. It helps you see the people, places, things, and experiences you may have missed.

I am passionate about helping you, single moms with children under 18, to attain financial and emotional freedom. I understand the challenges you face, and I’m here to support you. Together, we can connect our dots and create a powerful trajectory for ourselves and our children.

Dare to dream again!