Lisa V.: Hindsight Is 20/20

Hello, I hope you are well and staying warm as we brace ourselves for a huge storm in Los Angeles!

Loved seeing Gigi and Bella, whom I have adored for many years now and been fortunate enough to witness their progress with countless lunches and dinners spent with their Daddy Mohamed, gorgeous girls. 

I enjoyed seeing PUMP on screen, as it reminds me of exactly what we had to achieve to open it. And seeing it set up for a small dinner in celebration of Lisa's birthday brings joy to my heart. Her excitement  and exuberance, as always, was infectious.

We absolutely had an enjoyable evening, not peppered with negativity and provocative comments, but a dinner that was relaxed and funny, which has been a rare phenomenon in this arena, and I know Lisa loved it. As she opened her gifts, her man came to join her, and she was supported by true friends. That's what life should be: Women who are comfortable in their own skin, so that they don't feel compelled to compete. It was rather last minute, and I was happy to arrange it for her.

Well as you saw, I was happily spending a rare moment of peace at home when I received the phone call from Brandi. I was oblivious to the fact that she was hiking with Kyle until she had to borrow her phone. I then realized how I was probably the topic of conversation as in the previous time they were hiking.

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Brandi had sent me an invitation, or rather her assistant had, and I had yet to respond. She was having a house warming, and she wanted her friends to come and toast her success of moving upwards, which I understood, as before I met her, before she was part of this whole scenario, she had explained to me life was difficult.

She had been challenged financially and was only too aware the benefits of being included in this group of women could entail.

I am always happy for someone's success, but at this point there had been little contact and honestly, I preferred it to stay that way, acknowledge her out of politeness but reticent to have any involvement with the woman again. Life was simpler that way.

Just because time passes, feelings might change, but principles don't. I was absolutely steadfast in my resolve to never acquiesce, to stand resolute by the fact that she had created a whole scenario which ultimately backfired and now perhaps to reignite the friendship would benefit her. Well that ship had sailed. Just unfortunately, she wasn't on it.

It is not about forgiveness, it is about awareness, and you will see how this relationship in the coming months unfolds: the sharp turns that were unforeseen, times of laughter that precede sudden moments of realization that maybe you were right all along.

I think the most important factor when you have been deeply hurt is to understand that whoever was responsible had their reasons, and sometimes they are too complicated to comprehend, but to rid yourself of the anger, as that is what is detrimental to yourself moving forward. But as I noted in my interview, hindsight is 20/20, but foresight would have been better. An apology would have gone a long way.

You will enjoy getting acquainted with Eileen, a lovely woman that I am happy to call a friend, someone who is understated about her success and supportive of others. But adding a new cog to this wheel often changes the complexion of these existing friendships, so as always stay with us!

Anyway I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, which is a time to count our blessings. Until next week as always ...Love, Lisa.