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The most fascinating you

If you’ve ever read any of my writing or heard me speak about taking the Fascination Advantage personality quiz by Sally Hogshead, you know that learning about her work set me free from any shame about showing up, as the “real” Crystal in my work with HeartStories.  It allowed me to stop trying to pretend to be “buttoned up, business Crystal” but instead to boldly let all my quirks show, and eventually shine.  (as hilariously pictured above)  The premise for Sally’s work is that:

“Different is better than better.”

This was transformative for me.  Growing up, I always knew I was “different”.  I knew I was a non-conformer.  I was wearing a sombrero, making ridiculous announcements about taking a world-wide siesta, with my best friend and a bull horn when other girls were perfecting their curls, wearing the latest trends and trying to fit in.  But it goes beyond the current trend …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Loving Yourself Our Story Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Your best teacher

I’ve heard it said that your best teacher is your last mistake.  

In that scenario, it would be hard to discern among all my best teachers.  I’m constantly making pretty hefty mistakes. From things as small as misspelled words on the blog, to investing large amounts of money into resources that didn’t work out the way I expected them to, my list of recent mistakes is plentiful.

Yesterday I had the chance to connect with a new friend, just because. 

I’m typically very guarded with my time during the week as both a full-time founder and full-time mama, so meeting up with new folks during the week isn’t typically on my agenda.  That said, when another trusted founder friend makes the intro encouraging me to meet, I do my best to trust that.

I spent an hour with Mary yesterday, and it was lovely. 

As we each shared our start-up stories, one of the …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration Love In Action Loving Yourself Our Story Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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A peaceful place 

Last week, after an unusually difficult day, I hit the road to head over to Coppell for the 30th annual Coppell High School Lariette Spaghetti Dinner.  I didn’t go because I was craving spaghetti, although it would have been fabulous had I not accidentally doused it in Italian salad dressing because my head was too full to think.  I went to Coppell that night because I love my niece Sophia more than I can explain and I love her Mama more than is rational, because she’s my sister.  (Which I think makes it rational, but either way, I digress.)

The point is, I was emotionally exhausted and barely holding it together on the surface.

I got tied up in another conversation in the car on my way in, which made me late after I’d worked so hard to be on time.   I took a long, deep breath, wiped my eyes one last time …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Words Loving Yourself Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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It’s worth celebrating

I ran into Market Street to simply grab a few items for charcuterie spread I was throwing together.  It was supposed to be an in-and-out, quick run.  But the golden amber vases, burnt orange florals, and them smell of simmering apples drew me over to the floral department like a moth to straight to a flame.  I took a quick gander, promising myself to simply “get a few ideas” to come back for later.

You can guess how that turned out.  

A gold and glass amber vase full of fall floral later, I was about the head over to the imported cheese section when this display caught my eye.  Since the moment we decided to host our next Girls Night Out in celebration of Día de Los Muertos (The Day of The Dead) I see sugar skull art everywhere I go.  I don’t know if I merely never noticed it before, or if it’s suddenly …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Keep believing

I can’t even begin to describe how much I’ve learned since starting HeartStories in 2012 (officially 2013).  I was in it for what I could do to help others, but sitting here, looking back, it’s been almost seven years of the most intense season of growth of my life.  And I don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.  I live in a constant state of walking in the unknown.

Nothing is sure to work. 

Every risky choice I make is made from layers of experience, seeking wise counsel, praying earnestly, and then simply deciding it’s worth it to jump.  Merely choosing to do the next right thing. Sometimes that process turns out beautifully, even better than I could have hoped.  But it also often leads to painful lessons, challenges, and struggles I didn’t see coming.   IT’s the essence of the John Ortberg quote that you’ve surely heard me say a million times.  I still …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Our Story Purpose Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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A trip to the fair

As the weather in Texas cools off from the 100s, all the way down to the 90s, it brings along dreams of pumpkins, warm fires, and all the fun that is The State Fair of Texas.  From the corny dogs and fried . . . everything, to the always interesting exhibits, the rides, Big Texas and games at the midway, to the iconic ferris wheel.  This image is the boys and me at the State Fair five years ago.  As with many of the memories held so dearly in the camera roll on my phone, it feels like yesterday, and a lifetime ago, all at once.

I’m so thankful we took that trip to the fair.

There’s no shortage of images on my phone, I can promise you that.  But I wish I had just a few more of our trips to the fair.  I wish we had a picture of the …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Words Love in Family Love in Friendship Loving Others Motherhood Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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