Life Lessons:
Fran Meadows
Are you happy at the moment?
Happy for my life, my family and my son – YES. The in-betweens have been stressing me out and getting me down, but I am going with the flow. I am not running around with a smile on my face 24/7. Seems the small things are getting in the way of some of my happy moments I should be focusing on.
If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?
Education is important but so is street smarts and learning from others or especially learning from your mistakes helps you grow in life. Don’t focus on things that others think you should focus on. Be your own person, even if it means being a nerd or a book worm, you like you first and everyone else will realize what they’re missing. As an adult you will be judged so as a teenager you will be judged even more, take it from where it comes and be a leader not a follower. Don’t make people change who you are and what your opinions or voice is – Be you! Your moment to shine will come in time or when you least expect it.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
I will not go into detail or name names but….. In business be very careful who you trust and associate yourself with. Being helpful and excited about something can get you into trouble. Sometimes you should work harder to do things yourself instead of thinking you will get help and end up busting your a*s falling short of your expectations. Other people’s failures can lead to your lack of confidence. Picking up the pieces and leaving them behind is probably best! I am moving on to bigger and better things.
What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?
I have many small goals which I hope will lead into large and over the top accomplishments.
Take my book, The Truth Behind The Secret “Infertility”, and my name in the fertility community to the next level. Continue with my passion to help others struggling with infertility by providing resources and other virtual support groups. I am excited to team up with other passionate people in the community.
Most important – I have to finally realize that what I do is just as important as what others do. My time is just as valuable and I should be compensated for my services. My kindness of helping and volunteering is still there but I need to step it up! I am putting together a package plan for my social media services in the infertility community as a social media assistant. I will be able to connect others in the community both patients and professionals plus grow their presence with others. Through connections, twitter chats, blog posts, email support, and just getting their name or brand out there will help them grow in the infertility community. Things are in the first stages but I am ready!
I have been told by someone to “Be Bold”! I am taking that as having my confidence and boldness mix for my success. It would be great to continue to advocate for infertility and be the “Face of Infertility” like a Brand Ambassador for an organization. You can dream, right!
What’s your secret to happiness?
When you are respected and confident in what you do it gives me a secret happiness. I love being able to come up with great ideas and believing that someday I can make it happen! So more “me time” to gather my thoughts would help but I don’t expect that anytime soon.
What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?
Lately I have been having a hard time with staying grounded with all the craziness. I sometimes sit if I can for five minutes and put things into perspective, vision things in a different manner. However, my family and focusing on how we became a family definitely helps me stay grounded.
What’s your biggest regret?
I can’t say it’s a regret but I wish when I was younger I took bigger risks. I felt I held myself back at times and then those opportunities were lost. Fear held me back when I was younger. As an adult I am taking bigger risks and believing more in myself.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?
The toddler stage is tough sometimes you are never quite sure if you have taught them any important lesson yet. Although my fiveyear old seems to have a good “old school” quality in him taught from me and my husband. Manners are extremely important. It goes back to excuse me, please, thank you and the big one Can I be excused after eating a meal at the table. Yes, my five year old does all of the above. Every now and then he forgets but we are sure to remind him.
What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?
I would love to change how I am so hung up on time. I am always rushing around and worrying about everyone else failing to stop for a moment and say what about me? I do that when it is too late and I am finally feeling run down. I need to be more carefree and if it doesn’t get done today I can do it tomorrow but things always need to have some order. I need to slow down and learn to say NO more often. It goes without saying I need to slow down and focus on one thing not 100 things expecting to do it all! I am hard on myself, but we are our worst critic.
Aside from motherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?
I am proud of the fact that I broke the silence and opened up about my experiences with infertility. Writing and self publishing my book while advocating and being the voice for others has helped me heal moving forward to bigger and better things. It is also a great accomplishment to feel like you have made a difference in so many people’s lives.
When were you happiest?
On my wedding day marrying my friend and husband was something I will never forget. Even better than that was to relax for a week on our Honeymoon. There are many happy moments but one that tops all that was when my beautiful son was born into this world after so many years of struggling with infertility and experiencing the loss of a child! It takes the prize – he is my world!
What ten words best describe you?
There are many that might have a different opinion of me but I am ME!
Funny, sarcastic, caring, helpful, motivated, organized, stubborn, dedicated, loyal and outspoken!
Fran Meadows is the Author of The Truth Behind The Secret “Infertility” , an Infertility Advocate and a mom to her one son. Meadows is one of many women that struggled with infertility and the devastation of a late pregnancy loss. She works with other women fighting infertility; by providing hope, inspiration, strength, resources and a friend to lean on. She offers support through online groups as well as email hoping that sharing her story will help others. As an Infertility Advocate she continues to raise awareness throughout the community by exploring the ways in which our society remains silent about the secrets of infertility and being a voice for others. For more information you can visit her web site Secret Infertility or follow her on Twitter at @Franmeadows.
