challenges

It’s time for the true story

I haven’t completely settled in to my new office yet. It’s been sort of a work in progress since we moved in because I waited a long time to buy bookshelves. We lived in our old house for 14 years and most of that time, I didn’t even own a bookshelf. A few years ago, when the books were piling up in my closet, I finally bought a little red bookshelf at Ikea, filled it with my favorites, and left the rest in the pile in the closet. When we moved in to this house and I realized that I had four huge boxes of books, I decided to honor my new-found love for reading by buying a set of bookshelves that I love. I finally found them, and purchased them on a giant sale over the holidays.

They arrive today! (I can’t wait!)

I’ve shared before that my love for reading …

When Vanessa shared her first look, “sneak peek” images from last week’s girls night out, this one made my heart smile so big. That joyful soul looking up at you is Lauren, the coordinator of all the things. I’m telling you, she keeps HeartStories running smoothly like an Olympic figure skater gliding in for the gold. It’s fast and furious, hard work. Obviously, it’s a lot just working directly with me, but she’s also coordinating all of our staff, sponsors, vendors, members and attendees. She shores up the platform that makes ALL the magic happen for our community, month after month.

And she could do it in her sleep, with one arm tied behind her back.

There’s so much happening behind the scenes to create our monthly GNO and Lauren makes it all seem so effortless. You’d think this is her full time job, plus some. But in reality, it’s her side …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Priorities Leave a comment chat

My sister Michelle sent us this picture in a group text last night. Like an old song playing on the radio, it instantly brought back a flood of memories. My mom, sisters and I, were hosting a baby shower for Kim, who was expecting her first daughter, Sophia. (Who turned 16 yesterday!) We were all SO young. Mom was still living in Louisiana. Heather had just graduated from college. Michelle already had her own family of three kids and had moved to Florida. It was just a few months before I met Scott. That dining room we were standing in, was my very first house, furnished with garage sale purchases, hand-me-downs and a lovely set of bunny ears on my TV set, just in case someone wanted to come over to watch TV.

Looking at this picture feels like an entire lifetime ago.

I was working hard at all the things, and I was …

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This is my friend Steph. And these are the kinds of things she carries in her purse. Just in case you can’t tell, that’s a giant (GIANT) bullet. We were just some girls, traveling to Mexico, just for fun until we were detained due to the size of the bullets in Steph’s purse.

Those of the kinds of things you don’t quickly forget.

That’s what friendship does. It fills your mind with memories, of moments. Memories, that when linked together, tell the story of your life. This bullet-carrying Mama has been responsible for filling my life with so many memories I could never recount them all.

We’ve done some crazy stuff.

She rented a giant houseboat with me when we were single, so we could take our friends out on the lake one Sunday after church. Just for fun. She was with me the first night Scott and I laid eyes on each other. She crawled …

by Crystal Gornto Inspirational Women Love in Friendship Loving Others Leave a comment chat

If you’re not the type to jump in head first into a new venture, and some of the stories we tell have scared you into pushing your dreams down further, this one is for you. Especially if you, or a loved one has ever battled mental illness, this one is for you.

Elizabeth’s story will touch your heart and put you on the hook to make change that matters.

Yep. Even you.

Please welcome Elizabeth to HeartStories with me! Let’s start by getting to know her a little bit.

Hi Elizabeth, It’s hard for many heart-centered female entrepreneurs to step up to be the face of our companies. What’s that journey been like for you?

This journey has been truly life changing for me. I have learned a lot in the short period of time since I started and I continue to learn to this day. Link of Hearts was born and inspired by my own story. I suffered from …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action Leave a comment chat

These past few years have been some of the hardest I have had to endure.

In 2012 I was diagnosed with a debilitating and incurable disease called Ulcerative Colitis, after months of intense suffering. My life following the diagnosis consisted of doctor’s visits, hospital stays and my life’s only goal became survival.

This is a complete 180 from the person I previously was.. An ambitious go-getter living in Southern California working in the cut throat world of the music industry.

I had dreams. Big ones.

I had a vision for my life and for the world, and I would stop at nothing to make it happen. I worked long nights, early mornings, ate junk food on the go, and lived in a constant state of stress. I had lost sight of what was important and began ignoring the cry in my heart to slow down and get my priorities aligned. Well, my body …

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It’s time for the true story

Seek joy and you will find it

Don’t expect the road to be easy

She never gives up

Meet Elizabeth, Founder of Link of Hearts

Hi Elizabeth, It’s hard for many heart-centered female entrepreneurs to step up to be the face of our companies. What’s that journey been like for you?

Tears of Thankfulness