The Start of a New Chapter

You can’t start the next chapter of your life until you close the last one. This might sound obvious, but sometimes we need a demonstration to understand the simplest lessons.

Recently, I sold a home and attended the closing. If you have never closed on a home, imagine combining the anticipation of a trip to the dentist’s office with the pizzazz of a jail cell. There are better ways to spend your afternoon.

As I sat across from the buyers, listening to a lawyer read the finer points of the contract, I began to reminisce. A wave of memories washed over me as I thought about why I bought the home in the first place.

At one point in my life, that house was absolutely perfect. Living there, I was minutes from the office and just one street away from my son, Chris, and his new family. My daughter Lauren was about to have a child, and the house was plenty big for all of us. When I bought the home, I thought I would live there forever.

That was the beginning of a chapter in my life marked by growth. Pure Romance grew, and I spent less time at the office and more time on the road spreading empowerment. Chris’ family outgrew the home just one street away from mine. Lauren welcomed a new child into the world, and suddenly the walls in the house felt a little closer, the rooms a tad smaller. It wasn’t long before her family moved to a home of their own.

My children had done what every mother hopes for—they sprouted strong wings so they could fly on their own. The home that had been filled with so much laughter, so much warmth was eerily silent and cold. I knew it was time to go. I was ready for the next chapter of my life to begin.

Looking back that house was perfect, if only for a few years. I was always within arm’s reach of my two dearest loves, my family and Pure Romance. The house had served its purpose. As this came to me at the closing, I took a long look across the table at the couple buying the house. Excitement shined on their eager faces. I hope the house serves its purpose for them, too.

This situation plays itself out in all aspects of our lives. The homes, the jobs, the people in our lives might be perfect for us today, but that doesn’t mean they will be perfect for us forever. And that’s OK. Our attitudes evolve, our priorities change. Unexpected doors open and new chapters begin in our lives.  This is what makes life fresh and exciting.

Today, I am opening a new chapter in my blog. It’s a little scary, knowing that whatever I have to say is going out to the entire world. But it is also tremendously exciting to have another way to connect with women.

The next time any chapter in your life closes, appreciate the good times and learn as much as you can from the experience. You’ll enter the next chapter a stronger person.

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37 Comments

  1. Constance Fields

    Patty,

    Congratulations on this next chapter. God opens and closes doors for a reason. Thank you for being that beacon to guide so many women to a sense of empowerment. You have truly changed my life.

    <3 Constance

  2. Shannon

    Congrats Patty! Thank you for the inspiring message about a new chapter. I think we all can relate and apply your words to our own lives. Thank you for being such a beacon in the lives of so many women. You’ve touched us more than you could ever know. 🙂

  3. Patrice Walborn

    Patty,
    I can really relate to this post! I love the direction you are taking your blog! Life is all about our journey and the people we meet along our way. As we navigate through our roads on our journey, trying to learn from every experience. Thank you for the opportunities I have had with Pure Romance over the last 10 years!!!! Looking forward to many more!

  4. Jasmine Pasley

    The next chapter of my life started this year and I am so happy!

  5. Rebecca Paul

    What a great analogy and inspiration to all of us consultants who are transitioning into new chapters of our lives because of gift of Pure Romance! Thank you!!

  6. Esther Williams

    Thanks Patty, those words inspired me and a must need to hear:)

  7. Hannah Stears

    Dear Patty,
    I am extremely excited about your next chapter in life. Lately I have been thinking the same thing on where to go for my step (chapter) in life. Although I am only 22 years old I have an idea but I am still so lost. I want to thank you for being brave enough to share everything with us. You are defiantly a wonderful role model and I can’t wait to learn more from you.
    Thank you again,

    Hannah Stears

  8. AimeeK

    Patty, you truly are an inspiration around the world. I totally relate to the situation but at the same time I can take away things I never thought about.

  9. Lisa Patesel

    I really enjoyed your blog. the artical on guilt hits home to me. thank you so much!

  10. Jody Samuelson

    Patty,
    Congratulations on your new blog and your new chapter, I too need to realign things in my life.
    I love the sentence you closed with!
    The next time any chapter in your life closes, appreciate the good times and learn as much as you can from the experience. You’ll enter the next chapter a stronger person.

    Amen to that.

  11. Kalen

    “The homes, the jobs, the people in our lives might be perfect for us today, but that doesn’t mean they will be perfect for us forever. And that’s OK.”

    Well-said and couldn’t agree more. 🙂 Excited to see this new chapter in your blogging experience and how it further connects you to your audience.

  12. Kaitlyn Mansfield

    Patty,

    Thank you so much for your inspiring words. I am at the point in my life where I am accepting change and moving forward. Pure Romance has helped me with where to go. Thank you for sharing.

    Kaitlyn Mansfield

  13. Omiya

    I’m glad that I took the time to read your blog. Today is my first visit. From this moment on, I will tune in to see what you have shared and how it will help us with our personal and professional lives. THANK YOU for the opportunity to be a part of THE CLASSIEST & SASSIEST direct-selling company their is!

  14. Stacy Brown

    This is such a though provoking blog. Thank you so much for sharing. Often times, we want to cling tight to those things that are best let go. A wise man taught me if you want to receive the diamonds life has got for you, you’ve got to first open your hand and let go of the pennies! Thank you again for living life by example!

  15. Michelle Woods

    I hope that this new chapter for you continues you on the path to happy endings in the novel that is your life. Congratulations on the new blog. I look forward to reading it.

    Chelle

  16. Leigh Ann Fulton

    Great entry Patty.

    I am also very excited to be starting a new chapter in my life. I am a single mother with 3 wonderful children. I have been working hard to make sure they have what they need to spread their own wings eventually.

    I met a wonderful man last year about this time and he proposed to me last Friday! He is my soulmate. My children love him, and he loves them so much as well. I am so excited for our lives together to begin.

    I had one other dream in my new chapter and that is to work with you and your company. I know in my heart that I would be a perfect team player for Pure Romance. My resume has been submitted and I want to prove to you and the rest of the team what I can do and what I have to offer.

    Wishing you well in your next Chapter,

    Leigh Ann Fulton

  17. pattybrisben

    Thank you so much for your kind words, your support, and for following my blog. I am looking forward to sharing many more chapters with all of you!

  18. Brittany

    Patty,
    This is the first time I have read your blog and it was wonderful! Reflection is so wonderful for the mind, it is the only way we can truly look back and appreciate everything that we have been through. Good or bad every chapter makes us who we are. This should never be forgotten

  19. Gina Golden

    Patty, thank u so much for all u have done and continue to do. You are an incredible inspiration to me!!!

  20. BJ

    Dear Patty,
    This was so beautiful, I so enjoyed reading your blog!
    You have been such an inspiration to so many women and reading this, I have to smile. You will never know how much you have inspired myself and continue to do so everyday. My family has also enjoyed a wonderful life because of your vision!
    Thank you for sharing your heart with us and changing the lives of women and their families.
    I hope to connect with you soon to reminisce all the fun times we have shared over the years.
    Hugs, BJ

  21. Jessie

    Patty,
    I enjoyed reading your blog. This was the first one I’ve ever read. I have recently had an unexpected door open, well a few, so reading this has helped me to attempt to see them in a little different light. Thank you.

  22. Bambi

    Thank you for everything you did everything you do and everything you will cause in our future. Since I have left national training I have empowered women and men with the one major thing that will never leave me….. Learn to let things go…….. You cant control the uncontrollable so don’t try! Just let it go and your life will be stress free.I can’t tell you how many peoples lives I have been able to help change with just those words.I always credit you with them. I may not be as successful as many consultants but the phrase I live by is from you a very knowledge and wise woman. One day you will meet me personally on that stage.

    Sincerely,
    Bambi

  23. Kirsten Decker

    Patty, I’m very excited for your new journey and to read your inspirational stories. I’ve been in need of some inspiration and I am excited to be inspired!!! I absolutely love Pure Romance and what it offers. Thank You!!!! 🙂

  24. Heather Dolen

    Patty,

    Just want you to know how much I love, adore, and appreciate everything you have done for me to facilitate new chapters in my own life. You really are such an inspiration and really enjoyed the blog! Thank your for your continued path and mission as we all know and believe where this can take us. Thank you for Pure Romance! Love always, Heather Dolen

  25. Kara

    “The homes, the jobs, the people in our lives might be perfect for us today, but that doesn’t mean they will be perfect for us forever. And that’s OK.”

    So well said!

  26. Lisa

    This is the first time I have read your blog and I would like to thank you Patty … Pure Romance has definitely changed my life. Can’t wait to meet you at the National Convention in Perth, Australia on November 10

  27. Connie Nugent

    Hi patty
    As I mentioned before good stuff …I enjoyed the start of a new chapter and especially liked how you referenced this to the closing of your home. What great words to hear I look forward to continue to read your blog and wish you great success. Btw can’t believe there is another Constance in this group…hi! Lol..take care, Connie

    1. Constance Fields

      Hi Constance! LOL! Nice to meet another as well 😉

  28. Christina B.

    I, too, find myself at a significant crossroads, and a bit lost. I spent the first twenty years of my life being protected, the next twenty being The Protector, now what? At 42, I am looking forward to discovering the person I now am. Wish I knew exactly who she is, but I’m gonna have a blast figuring it out! 🙂

  29. Rozetta Davis

    Patty such an inspirational story as I begin to see doors opening and closing in my own life…my mom always says that God can open doors no man can close and close doors no man can open. God has been opening some exciting doors for me and closing some so that i to can start the next chapter of my life…I’m hopeful for a bigger year next year with Pure Romance and a great start to happiness and joy no man can take away…thank you for believing in women like me…

  30. Ayla Faye Benjamin

    So true Patty! 🙂 Congratulations on your re-launch, I’m excited to read what’s coming!

  31. Cristal Marriner

    Patty! I am so excited about keeping up with your Blog. As to Many Others, You have been a Wonderful Inspiration to Me and I am Thankful Each Day for the Opportunity to Be A Part of The Pure Romance Mission and Sisterhood! Thank You for Giving Us Women Something So Meaningful and Life Changing to Share With Others! And Thank You for Sharing Yourself With Us!
    Cristal Marriner

  32. Michelle Coleman

    Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with us. And your next chapter looks amazing and limitless!!!!!!!

  33. Yara Horta

    I missed your blog and updates. If then was great, now appears that will be fantastic! So far, it’s beautiful and I feel the conversation more direct and personal.
    Thanks for everything you do and for being a role model, an inspiration!

  34. Shafonz

    I can understand what you are feeling, I am closing a few chapters and opening some new ones. It’s exciting and a little scary, but it’s amazing to see how God is working in my life. Thank you!

  35. Lisa Kelsay

    Patty,
    I want to thank you for sharing so much of your life with us all. You are truly an inspiration. I enjoy reading your blogs. Congrats on your new chapter in life! Thank you for sharing! Love you Patty!

  36. Sue Williams

    Patty,
    Thank you so much for your blog! You are my personal inspiration and I love being part of Pure Romance! I know I have so much to learn from you, and I am eager to see your upcoming blogs. Pure Romance is my “new chapter” in my life, and it is going to be part of my “best seller”!

    Sue Williams

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