What an exciting week!  Who is ready for BlogHer12?  Well, Rene is (um, sort of, if she can stop working long enough to shower and tell the kids to “Go ask your father! I’m on my way to BlogHer!”) and we wanted to give you guys a chance to meet the BlogHers here.  Share a few Life Lessons with women who are taking time out this week to broaden their horizons and see what’s new in the blogher-sphere.  So take it away, Kimberly Thomas!  And thanks for submitting your Life Lessons.  And remember you can email us to submit yours.


Are you happy at the moment?

Am I happy? Yes. I’m old enough that I have a really good perspective about life. Am I satisfied? No. There’s always more to be done.

If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?

Be patient. Good things come to those who wait. I was a late bloomer but it would have helped to know that I would eventually bloom.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?

Sounds corny but I’ve learned that achieving your dreams and goals really requires hard work and not giving up. There are so many easier paths but when your heart is being led, you have to follow it.

What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?

I’d like to find a way to really help bloggers use their voices for the charitable causes that speak to their heart. And I’d like to ensure I have income to keep me working fulltime in the social media space.

What’s your secret to happiness?

Without a doubt, it’s balance. It’s crucial to stop and remember what’s important in the moment. A blog post can wait when you’ve got a hot game of Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion going on.

What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?

I’ve just started practicing yoga again. I take a class every Sunday morning. No matter how crazy my thoughts are, I always walk out feeling relaxed and energized at the same time.

What’s your biggest regret?

I don’t live with regrets. Every choice leads to another choice. While I may have done some things differently if I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?

Always do the right thing. As a mother, I want nothing more than to know I’ve given my son the right moral foundation for life.

What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?

I really like to eat and the things I like to eat generally aren’t good for my waistline. I need to exercise a little self-control. And probably just exercise.

Aside from motherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?

I grew up a small town, lower middle class girl with parents who had never been to college. I’m proud that I never limited myself. I got a good education, traveled the world, and I’m happily carving out my own path to success.

When were you happiest?

I hate to think my happiest times were in the past but being in my thirties made for a really good decade. My hair and skin looked good, I felt confident in myself, and I became a wife and mother. But there’s always more happiness to come.

What ten words best describe you?

Compassionate, opinionated, talkative, humorous, fun-loving, silly, adventurous, emotional, intuitive, dreamer.

Fadra Nally is former corporate worker who is trying to find a new economy in times of unemployment. She writes on her personal blog, all.things.fadra, about whatever pops into her head and hope it makes you feel or laugh or cry. But more importantly, she hope it makes you read more. When she’s not writing, she’s helping run, Charitable Influence, a network of bloggers that want to use their voices for good. Follow her on Twitter @allthingsfadra