Meet Sandra J Filer | MBA, US Heal Your Life® Teacher & Coach Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra J Filer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra J, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
During the pandemic, I worked harder than I did prior to it. While everyone else seemed to be engaged in creative endeavors, I decided to go back to the basics and offer workshops via Zoom. When I began to notice feelings bubbling up of irritation, those feelings alerted me that a change was in order. I made a decision. (The Universe loves action!) That decision aligned with my core value of quality time with those I love. Therefore, I decided to begin operating my business like the jobs I worked in Corporate America. I established working hours and an official working space. While it is easy to work wherever when self-employed, the energy bleeds on over into treasured time and spaces. Now, Monday through Friday, I am in my office from 9-6. At the end of the day, I shut my laptop and tune in to my cats and husband. Two true gifts that came from the pandemic are a more balanced approach to Life (and business) and making dinner alongside my husband every day. I think balance is critical to our well-being. Too much of anything is not a good or healthy thing! I believe we must live our values for a truly fulfilling and rich Life. And guess what? I now have time for tapping into my creative talents. Imagine that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was an adventure getting here.  One of the things I am most proud of attaining along the way is my master’s degree in business. Why? Because it took me years to finish, and I did it! I began working when I was 12 years old. Growing up in the Midwest, I learned that to earn money we had to work really hard for it. And I did. My family did not have the financial resources to pay for college. Rather, I had to be resourceful. I worked in the banking industry and climbed the proverbial ladder. With that came the benefit of paid education. I went from success to success. First of all, earning a two-year banking degree turned that into a four-year associates of science degree. Then, when I was working as a full-time Manager and Vice President, I took classes in the evenings to complete my master’s degree. It was a lot of work and personal sacrifice. Yet, I was determined to do it. If I did not get the proper grades, I would have had to pay back the funds. That was not an option for me. Ultimately, I left banking when my integrity was compromised. I walked away from a big title and significant income to become a Mary Kay Sales Director. Because her company values align with mine it was a great fit. Yet, I was still not living my true purpose. And ultimately, I stepped down from the Director position. Which was a decision made at the Heal Your Life® Training! With the loving support of those around me, I took the risk of starting my own business, The Happy Goddess®. Which is titled as such because at the time, my strongest desire was to be happy. Now my mission is to support people in healing their hearts and wounds so they can ultimately live their best Life whatever “best” means to them. My work is richly rewarding!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first thing that I would do is to make a big welcome sign to hold up at the airport to greet them at the bottom of the escalator! Then we’d drive straight to Anna Maria Island and grab a cold beverage at the beach cafe and watch the dolphin play in the Gulf of Mexico. From there, we’d drive to Detweiller’s Market to stock up on the freshest produce and yummy ingredients for snacking. Since it would be our first night together, we’d then return to my house and sit on the vintage glider rocker on our front porch and talk for hours. Most likely, once it began to get a little darker, we’d build a bonfire and sit outside under the sparkling lights that surround our backyard. Waking up we’d lace up our sneakers and take a morning walk along the river looking for manatee and mango trees dropping fruit. Oh, and we’d take treats for the community cats along the way, too. Lunch would find us at Sage Biscuit. From there we’d stroll around the Village of the Arts. When it comes time for dinner, we’d head back to the island for a bite at Wicked Taco enjoying a michelada and the glorious sunset. Our next day’s adventure would include floating in the Gulf of Mexico on noodles and taking a long walk along the water’s edge looking for the elusive sand dollar. On our way back we’d do a little thrifting. Then it would be time to make a yummy meal together, perhaps picking up some fresh crab or fish at the Cortez Fish Market which is located in Florida’s only remaining working fishing village.  Weather permitting, we’d be up and out the door to the nature preserve. It is always pleasurable to see what nature reveals. Lunch would be at our favorite Pan Asian place, for noodle bowls. Then we’d spend time crafting together while engaged in a continuous conversation.  Dinner would be a neighborhood event. A good old-fashioned, covered plate.  It’s always fun to gather up our neighbors when visitors come to stay & play. If we are super fortunate our neighbor Preston would play his guitar, too. The rest of our time would be spent doing similar things. All of which would include laughter, play, sunshine and the seashore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shout out goes to Louise Hay’s legendary best-selling book, You Can Heal Your Life. This book appeared when I was shattered by infidelity and the resulting divorce. My heart was smashed into a million pieces. I felt unloved, unworthy, and not good enough. Page after page led me to healing parts of myself that I didn’t even know needed healing. I then found out there was a training to become a teacher of Louise’s methods. My now husband gifted me the experience of the training. This changed my Life! The entire trajectory was altered by attending. I left that training passionate about sharing the book and work with anyone open to listening.  Then in 2016, I was honored to be offered the position of United States Teacher & Coach Trainer. Giving me the honor of teaching, mentoring, and certifying others to be workshop leaders and life coaches. Forever grateful to Louise Hay, Dr. Patricia Crane, and my husband Kim for believing in me.

Website: www.thehappygoddess.com

Instagram: @the_happy_goddess

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrafiler/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makingyourwishescometrue

Youtube: @thehappygoddessdiosafeliz

Image Credits
Kim Coffman