A number of months ago I was fortunate enough to be the keynote speaker for an association of women designers (WithIt – Women in the Home Industries Today). My program was titled,Right Brain, Right Time, a program focused on showing the right brain/whole brain performance advantage women possess in today’s workplace.

I met many remarkable women at this conference but one in particular, Barbara Miller, has an amazing message you need to hear. Barbara says it best so here is her explanation:
“There is nothing I love more than my family; they are at the center of who I am and everything I do. The last couple of years have been a journey, melding my passion for my children and our life with my design work. This exploration led to the formulation of YES! Spaces – a design philosophy that helps families create homes that honor every family members’ interests and integrate them into still beautiful and comfortable rooms. Each child and every family is unique – they are a gift and deserve to be given a voice and a place in their own home.”

Okay, wow. Read the last line of her quote again.

Here’s the point. Not only does Barbara know herself well enough to play to her talents, passions and strengths, but she has so clearly shared an important message for us all. We all should have a voice and a place – not only in our house but in our world. We all get to be here – to be ourselves – to live our lives – to have a place – and to be heard. Again, wow.

So, what is your true voice (what are you great at)? What is your place (what are your passions and ways to make a difference)? What greatness do you have that the world needs? And what tolerance, patience and acceptance do have of others – who, like you, deserve a voice and a place?

Make 2010 your year of making a difference – for yourself and for others.

(Barbara always has great things to say so sign up for her blog, “Designing My Life.” And Yes! Spaces will be a book due out in October 2010.)