Inspirational Leaders

These posts describe how we could all be leaders and guide others in a positive way.

The kind of friend who makes others fond of good things

It’s such a beautiful thing, the way that friends influence our lives.  I’ve known I needed to get a library card of my own for quite some time now.  In the summer, one of my boys enjoys listening to audiobooks while he reads along.  In fact, the discovery of audiobooks has changed his entire attitude toward reading.  But the first summer we tried it, we were buying them on Audible and other online platforms.  Then one day, I was looking for a title that was a little harder to find and my search returned a result showing our local library had that audiobook available to check out.  I’m not sure how I’d somehow missed the fact that public libraries offered digital audiobook rentals, but I was thrilled to find out.

Except that I didn’t have a library card.

I “phoned a friend” named Dad, and asked to borrow his library card.  Within …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Play a different game

This is what it looks like when you have a “black ops” renegade on the loose at HeartStories Holiday GNO.  Meet my beautiful friend Ellen (you might know her from the Frisco Public Library).  In a crowd she might, at first, seem a little shy or soft spoken, but set her free with some holiday greenery, ribbon, and red headphones, and a reindeer she will be!  While in the middle of a heated, team competition to make reindeer antlers out of pantyhose and balloons, Ellen decided that one set of supplies per table clearly wasn’t enough.

She looked around, and quickly realized that there were other available options.  

I didn’t see it in time to call it out, live at the event.  But oh, I see it now.  Ellen wins first place for most creative and resourceful antler design!  She’s clearly my kind of ruckus maker.   Recognizing that the limited amount of supplies would …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life 1 comment chat
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Courageous Leadership

On Thursday night, as part of our annual GNO holiday party, I held the mic a lot less than is typical and I loved it.  We got to hear from 12 other women on a huge range of topics to help us all get ready for this holiday season.  We learned about everything from healthy (& shameless) eating, quick skin care, table setting, makeup tips, hair tricks, gift selection, and gift wrapping to connecting conversations to keep it positive during the holidays.  It was a night chock-full a valuable insights to get us through the busiest month of the year.  But there was a moment that was a complete surprise, even to me.

It was this one. 

After I welcomed the ladies and gave away the first few raffles, I invited my beloved friend Libba to come share with the ladies.  As I introduced her, I found myself saying. . . “This is …

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

Kerry’s smile lights up the whole room.  But it’s not an innocent, Texas, sweet, sappy, or fake smile.  It’s pure brilliance, that’s what it is.  It’s the sassy smile of a strong, beautiful, and courageous woman who came to the USA from England when she was only 21, in pursuit of a career as a stylist.  It’s a knowing smile that she’s chosen, over and over, through all the hard work, effort and struggle.  It’s the smile that says without a word, “I got you girl.  We’ve got this.” and you instantly believe her.

Her smile is representative of the beautiful light inside her soul.

Kerry was one of the first participants of our Girls Night Out.  It didn’t take her long to enthusiastically raise her hand for Swish Salon in Frisco (that she built from the ground up) to partner with us a sponsor of our monthly pampering hour. (She’s smart like that!) Kerry, and …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others Priorities Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Don’t settle

We received our images back from the October, Boards & Bordeaux GNO yesterday and they are bringing me so much joy already!  Our beloved Official HeartStories Photographer, Vanessa Corral, lost her precious Abuelita (grandmother) this past week, which obviously shifted her focus temporarily.  The thing about timing though is that it’s always perfect, if you expect it to be.  I’ve been dying to see these pics for almost three weeks, but yesterday was the perfect day for me to receive them.  A lot can change in three weeks, and for me, I finally hit the glide of autumn that I’ve been looking forward to, after a year that far-and-away takes the cake for the most demanding of my life to date.  This year has taught me much, and I know the learning will continue.  One of the biggest lessons has been this:

“If you’re not willing to risk ‘the usual’, you …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Priorities Purpose Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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The pact of sisterhood

Apparently we have a new tradition, within Wendi‘s AC3 tradition.  At the end of the night, we rally the last ones standing, for a lovely group “prom pose” on the stairs.  Scott was our photographer on the ready this time and he did a mighty-fine job, even through all the giggles on the stairs.  He not only squeezed us all in, he worked patiently through the demands of the “approval” process to be sure he captured the moment just right.  I don’t know if it was all by Wendi’s design, the apple cider mimosas, the incredible board from Fig + Goat, the stunning flowers from Blue Posy, the hilarity of the swarming moths from our open-air gathering space, or a combination of it all, but it was a beautiful night we’ll all remember.

They say the third time’s a charm, maybe it was that too. 

What I do know, is that on Thursday night, …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Leaders Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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