Life Lessons:
Jackie Gailey
Say hello and welcome to Jackie Gailey, another one of our interns here at GEM (you can read about Beth and Alexis too). I know I said it yesterday but I am so damn happy to have these ladies as part of our inaugural crop of interns. They are so good I’m going to have to figure out how to pay them when their internships end because I can’t live without them. Anyway, I met Jackie last year when I spoke at Disney Social Media Moms. I took an instant liking to her so when she said she wanted to come on board to help us, I was thrilled! Read more now about Jackie and remember, if you’d like to take part in our Life Lessons exercise, drop us a line; we’ll get the questions right out to you!
Are you happy at the moment?
Hmm…this is a tough one. On one hand, I’m about as happy as I’ve ever been in my whole life! On the other hand, I wouldn’t say I’m sad, but I’m just floored by how fast the time is flying by and how big my kids are! Savor each moment!
If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?
Get a grip! You don’t always have to be the skinny girl with boney knees to be cute!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
I’ve learned that it’s imperative that we all learn to bloom where planted, even if I didn’t want to at first.
What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?
In 12 months, I am hoping to feel much more settled in this new place we’re calling home. Seattle to Savannah is quite a change!
What’s your secret to happiness?
I am always positive about everything that happens, whether it’s a good or a not-so-good thing. I learned a long time ago that no one else is in charge of my happiness. If you want to be happy, just be!
What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?
I have a little steno-pad right next to my laptop and it’s my one way to keep my ever-growing constant to-do list under control. I check things off as I go and prioritize often. I also keep reminding myself that I am just one person and there are only so many hours in a day!
What’s your biggest regret?
My biggest regret would have to be not going to college right after high school.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?
Be the kind of friend you would want to have as your friend.
What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?
I often tend to spend too much time worrying about things I cannot change. That habit needs to go away. I’m working on it.
Aside from motherhood/fatherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?
I am proud that when I was a leader of people and ran a business, I was a really good leader. I listened to my people always and they knew how important they were to me and my success.
When were you happiest?
The last time I was at a Disney Park!
What ten words best describe you?
Honest. Loyal. Dependable. Compassionate. Caring. Friendly. Thoughtful. Trustworthy. Helpful. Kind.
Jackie is a work-at-home mom of two kids (16 & 11), wife of 20+ years to the greatest husband and dad, and owner of Jackie’s Magical Moments, where she blogs about about experiences she has with her vacation-loving family. In the summer of 2010, Jackie and her family, moved across the country to Savannah, GA so they could live closer to all of the fun that the central Florida area has to offer. They’ve recently relocated again, this time to Florida, so they’re even closer! Jackie travels to the Orlando area at least once every month as work and school schedules allow. She makes it a point to try something new on every trip and it never gets old! Follow her on Twitter at @jjzmgailey
(Editor’s note: This piece originally ran on June 13, 2012)
