Life Lessons from Fawn Weaver

I am constantly in awe of female success and enjoy hearing about women who have accomplished so much despite all the challenges. Here are two life lessons from Fawn Weaver, that I've recorded in my journal and which I read virtually daily. They serve as my guiding principles. For those of you who might be asking who Fawn Weaver is. She is a 25-year veteran of business, and in 2016 she founded Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey in Lynchburg, Tennessee,

Some have time to complain in this lifetime. I do not.

Some have time to be angry in this lifetime. I do not.

Some have time to be timid and not say what they really mean. I do not.

Some spend so much time trying to be the person other’s think they should be that they lose their life’s purpose in the process. I will not.

I walk through every space with the confidence of a king. Why?

Because I don’t have time to tip toe through this lifetime requesting permission.

I care about hearing one thing when this life is over:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

I am solely a vessel, a steward of what does not belong to me, and my life’s task is to grow it to its fullest potential and to set the next generation up to succeed in a way that has never been seen before…by a woman…who looks like me.

I say no with abandon. I'm not concerned about how others "feel" when I say no. The no is never a disrespect to another person so I will not own how it makes another person feel. My saying no is simply a greater respect for my HBU (highest and best use of time). I cannot live a purpose-driven life while constantly saying yes to things not within my mission. Doesn’t mean what a person is requesting of me is not good. It just means it’s not HBU for me.

I know very little about mental health, so I won't speak on that. I let the experts have that conversation. What I do know is how to say no... without apology. And that, is a vital part of what has continued to keep me mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually strong.

Every time I read those words, they give me the motivation I need to keep going. They also serve as a reminder of how valuable time is and encourage me to be more deliberate with how I use it. These statements serve as a reminder that it is acceptable for me to prioritize my needs over those of others without feeling bad about it or having to constantly justify my limitations. Since I'm still a work in progress, I go back to my journal from time to time, so I can read them often until they become a part of who I am.

The Queen Of Africa