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Inspiring Stories:
Patti Breen
Advertising pounds on you on all levels. “You’re only as good as your last idea” is an abiding refrain. Over the years, I’d learned to grow thick skin. To live in uncertainty. To take rejection as a daily part of business.
On the plus side, I had learned to use exercise to keep my body strong. To stay alert and focused. To wipe the slate clean and restart every day. To find ways to keep the creative juices flowing, no matter what frenzy you were embroiled in. After 22 years in the business, it wasn’t my body that was breaking down, it was spirit.
The cruelty, backbiting, maneuvering and disregard for talent of the last 6 years had taken its toll. Although it didn’t officially start until the 2008, the meltdown of the automotive advertising business had begun its erosion on me. I left in May 2007, ground down.
I met with my trusted friend Kelly for advice. I was thinking of freelancing. Maybe starting my own business. Kelly, without hesitation offered, “Come to work for me.” Having been in fitness part time for nearly 20 years, I had always said “one day”. Here was my “one day.” I didn’t have an excuse anymore. I finally had time.
I started teaching soon there after. The Inspired Wellness juju started working. Surrounded by an environment of optimism and lightness, things started to resurface. What’s that? A sense of humor. An appreciation for what’s in front of me. Who I was. What I believed. What mattered. I guess it’s called perspective slowly started its return. There are many people responsible for the reawakening.
Barb, the consummate teacher took me under her wing. Her incredible insight and vast experiences, lit my imagination. Jacqulene’s strength was like a magnet. Silent and strong. Kelly’s abiding encouragement and wisdom was buoyancy beyond belief.
Working side by side with this amazing group of women, led me back to place I started to recognize. A joyful place called me.
I have to thank my clients at Inspired Wellness also. Who daily showed me the meaning of perseverance, grace and determination in the face of great challenge.
Today, I’ve returned to advertising. (Yes, there are bills to be paid.) But, not schilling sheet metal. But working on something I believe in. Health and wellness. I return with a renewed sense of creativity and perspective. A looser grip on control. A redefined sense of purpose. An appreciation for incredibly creative people that surround me.
I teach at Inspired Wellness 2 hours a week. Kelly has been kind enough to afford me opportunity for the tiny drop of time I can spend. But I’m grateful for that drop. It keeps me connected to balance and simplicity. It’s my toe in the water to joy. Yes, the ad business is crazy still. Yes, it robs me of sleep and free time. But thanks to my friends at IW, it will never rob me of me.
