by Linda Franklin 

Carol Alt loves her Shining Service Bracelet. She wears it proudly because she supports our women in the military. It’s a beautiful way to show you care, not only on the holidays, but every day of the year.  

Our bracelets are made in America for Americans.  They are beautiful black and clear Czech crystal, designed by one of New York’s best jewelry designers Patty Tobin.  We are committed to giving back to the fabulous women who are the inspiration for Shining Service Worldwide. 

Buy One – Wear One to show your support.  Proceeds from the bracelets help fund our fabulous Makeover Missions and our new Power of Ten Mentoring Program launching in January.

Women in the military serve us – now it’s our turn to serve them. 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

by Linda Franklin – The Real Cougar Woman

The Combat Cougars in Maine are beyond fabulous.  Last Saturday it was so much fun to watch these beautiful women - presently serving, vets and military spouses, get the royal treatment compliments of  Impulse Salon in Auburn, Maine. The owner, Jennifer Foster-Kritzer, a vet herself, pulled out all the stops providing new hair styles, color, cuts, manicures, makeup and Reiki healings.

But wait it gets better. Jackie Ward, from the NBC affiliate in Portland came to film a segment for the evening news.  From the moment Jackie arrived she felt the strong positive energy of the group. She not only knew, but could feel, the importance of The Shining Service message – -Appreciation and Support for our women in the military. 

This particular event was very dear to my heart because I finally got to meet Bethanie Mazzaro and Karen MacIntire the women who found my blog while serving in Afghanistan.  From the moment I received their first emails, last November, I knew I had to do something to thank all the women for their shining service to our country. So  being able to wrap my arms around them was something I had dreamed of for many months.  They are an inspirational, funny, warm and wonderful.  I am so lucky to have them in my life.

For every Shining Service Makeover there are so many people to thank.  Melissa Albert, of Sweet Melissa's Photography & Design Studio for her fabulous photos. Bina Brianca for her versatile, fabulous wraps.  Belengenza for their wonderful hair care products, and Patty Tobin the wonderful designer of our signature Shining Service Bracelet.

Getting back to New York was somewhat of a challenge, but nothing two Real Cougar Women couldn't handle.  It took 12 hours for my wonderful friend and colleague Trish Rubin, and I to get from Portland to NYC. Our flight was cancelled so we took a bus from Portland to Boston – a train from Boston to NYC – and then a subway home because it was pouring and there were no cabs.  I think the only mode of transportation we didn't use this weekend was a boat. 

We are already busy planning our Veterans Day and Holiday Shining Service Makeovers. There is so much to celebrate and honor with our fabulous Combat Cougars all over the world.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,"there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible". Linda's book, Don't Ever Call Me Ma'am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest. 

by Linda Franklin – The Real Cougar Woman 

There comes a time in your life that you must make a choice.  Start accepting who you are or keep beating yourself up for perceived your imperfections.  You realize everyone has got stuff they would like to change but it's okay to like or even love yourself for who you are – warts and all.  You make peace, take a deep breath and stop punishing yourself for being YOU.

This acceptance takes time because we are all a work in progress.  But after many decades of micro managing everything I find the strangest thing is happening. Because I have stopped being so critical of myself and have stopped trying to mastermind everything in my life, change is occuring on it's own. Being in a more relaxed and happy state has allowed that change to take place. I am loving it and I am appreciating how the universe is showing me that when I get out of my own way miracles happen.

I want to clarify this new way of being a little further, because talking about it also helps me gain a greater understanding of what's actually going on.  

When I say live life in a more relaxed state I don't mean sitting around doing northing and waiting for opportunities knock on your front door. Yes, it would be great if we could trash our computers and smart phones, get out our hammocks and just retreat from life's responsibilities.  Unfortunately, not too many of us can do that.   Life happens every day and you have to deal.  But it's how you deal that influences the end result.

These days, I am working hard but not pushing myself to the outer limits of sanity. Instead, I am listening more to my heart than my head and enjoying this new way of creating what I want.  I have a gazillion things on my to-do list, but I'm not pushing against time limits, other people's deadlines or what really doesn't feel good.  I am going at my own pace and oddly enough moving ahead much quicker than I ever have before.

I am in the process of creating something I think will be of value to women connected to the military.  I am not focusing so much on the end result but I sure am enjoying the  journey.  I am meeting the most wonderful people, getting unbelievable support and loving what I am doing.  I want to give back to these wonderful women by teaching how to connect to their power to create what they want.  That's what I am doing right now for myself.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,"there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible". Linda's book, Don't Ever Call Me Ma'am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.