This past year, more than ever, we’ve felt overwhelmingly inspired by women’s strength, bravery, creativity, perseverance and overall brilliance. So, just in time for the launch of a new year, we’ve compiled a list of all of the best pieces of advice our 2017 FACES treasure. We hope you can take these words of wisdom and carry them through another beautiful year. Here’s to an incredible 2018!
What’s Your Best Piece of Advice?
Christine Rinkert: “My mom always taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt. I put that advice into action daily — you never know what kind of a day someone has had or what’s behind a decision they made. I truly believe my mom had it right.” Image: Piper Warlick Photography
Karisa Pennell: “Accept love and opportunity! I have a mantra that goes something like, ‘I will walk through open doors.’ This has led me to be adventurous and fearless when I may have started to doubt a next step. I think many of us in a creative field have trouble finding and believing in our true worth because it’s hard to put a price tag on something as emotional as creations. But beyond a financial standpoint, if you don’t believe in your work, no one else will either. So graciously accept it and own it!” Image: Piper Warlick Photography
Megan Melgaard: “You really never know until you try, and if you can use your internal compass to help guide you, I think a lot of us have the answers inside, but we have the tendency to bury them. So I would encourage people to uncover their internal compass and listen to their intuition, and rely on divine intervention, because it will point you the right way. I have the tendency to get in my own way at times, so I’d also say, take a step back and use the support system, or build a support system, that you can use as a sounding board. Say, ‘This is really where I think I should go, what do you think? What are the pros and cons?’ And at the end of the day, exercise caution. If you’re looking at a trail that has three different paths that you could take, it’s okay to go down one of them. But listen to yourself and know the way back, in case you decide, ‘OK, I don’t really feel good about this path that I have taken; I can go back and take another route.’ More or less, just be aware and leave a trail of breadcrumbs.” Image: Catrina Maxwell of CatMax Photography
Maria Montaño: “A friend once shared with me a Maya Angelou quote that I think is priceless: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”  Image: Piper Warlick Photography
Cary Bernstein: “When the judge rules in your favor, get out of the court room as fast as you can.” Image: Piper Warlick Photography
Janet Ivey: “I was a sophomore at Belmont. I was feeling a little down — I wasn’t sure where life was taking me. Sarah Cannon came every year [to speak at Belmont], and it was the most packed chapel that we ever had. I remember she said three things: ‘Love God, never take yourself too seriously and always be kind.'” Image: Grannis Photography
May this advice inspire and guide you as you embark on 2018!
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