A CorporateChics BlogSpot

I've come to the conclusion that...

2012-02-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent abstract, positive thinking. -Albert Einstein

SGT Highlight:: More African American Women FIRSTS

2012-02-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

In the tradition of celebrating African American History this month, Corporate Chics has decided to highlight even more remarkable women. We love the idea of being the FIRST to accomplish certain goals and will highlight some of the women in our generation (past and present) that hold this prestigious title.

No one ever remembers second place or average...

Photo Courtesy of http://www.scientificamerican.com/

Math and Science has never been my thing but for the African American Females listed below, they love it and they excel in it. I am honored to highlight these wonderful women. As I stated last week in the Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight, education is the single most attractive thing about a female. Looks fade but manners and education will open doors no one can close. Persistence and faith unlock grace and perseverance. That is what separates average from best. Know that if they can do it, you can as well. You must take responsibility for the space you hold on this earth. We want to introduce you to some amazing women, just in case you don't or didn't know that we ARE the bomb.com.net.info.org!

MEDICINE and SCIENCE
-The first Black woman to receive a medical degree was Rebecca Lee Crumpher (b. 1833), who received a "doctress of medicine" degree from the New England Female Medical College in Boston on March 1, 1864.

-The first Black woman to become a fellow of the American College of Surgeons was Dr. Dorothy Brown of Nashville, Tenn., in 1957.

-The country's first Black woman neurosurgeon was Dr. Alexa Canady, who completed her medical degree with a specialty in pediatric neurosurgery in 1975.

-The country's first Black Surgeon General was Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who was confirmed by the Senate in 1993.

-The first Black woman to receive a dental degree in the United States was Ida Gray Nelson Rollins, who graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1887.

-The first Black woman to practice dentistry professionally was probably Emeline Roberts Jones of Connecticut, who assisted her dentist husband and developed a large practice after his death in 1864.

-The first Black female nursing school graduate was Mary Elizabeth Mahoney, who graduated from the New England hospital for Women and Children in Boston in 1879.

-The first woman, the first Black, and the youngest person to become president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America was Faye Wattleton in 1978.

-The first Black woman to serve as president of the American Medical Association was Roselyn Payne Epps in 1990.

-The first woman to lead the National Medical Association was Edith Irby Jones, who was elected in 1985.

-The first patent awarded to a Black woman was awarded to Sarah Goode in 1885 for a "folding cabinet bed" which was similar to a convertible couch.

-The first Black woman astronaut was Dr. Mae C. Jemison, who traveled into outer space aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavor in 1992.

-The first woman to serve as chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist, who was confirmed in April 1995.

COPYRIGHT 1997 Johnson Publishing Co.

SGT Highlight: More Black Women Firsts

2012-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

Photo Courtesy of feministlawprofessors.com

Education is the single most attractive thing about a female. Looks fade but manners and education will open doors no one can close. Smart Women finish Rich as David Bach would say and the women highlighted this Tuesday were successful in areas of politics, education, and law. Know that if they can do it, you can as well. You must take responsibility for the space you hold on this earth. We want to introduce you to some amazing women, just in case you don't or didn't know that we ARE the bomb.com.net.info.org!

EDUCATION

The first Black woman to graduate from an Americancollege was Mary Jane Patterson, who received a bachelor of arts degree fromOhio's Oberlin College in 1862.

The first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. was Sadie M.Alexander, who received a degree in economics from University of Pennsylvaniain 1921.

The first Black woman to establish a four-year accreditedcollege was Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded Bethune-Cookman College in 1904.

The first Black woman president of the National EducationAssociation was Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, who was elected in 1968.

The first Black president of a "Seven-SisterSchool" was Ruth J. Simmons, who was installed as president of Smith Collegein 1995.

POLITICS andLAW

The first Black woman to receive a major appointment fromthe federal government was Mary McLeod Bethune, who was named director of Negroaffairs of the National Youth Administration by President Franklin D. Roosevelton June 24, 1936.

The first Black woman to serve in a state legislature wasCrystal Bird Fauset, who was elected to the Pennsylvania House ofRepresentatives on Nov. 8, 1938.

The first Black to hold two cabinet positions wasPatricia Roberts Harris, who held the offices of secretary of the Department ofHousing and Urban Development and secretary of Health, Education and Welfare inthe Carter administration.

The first Black woman to head a U.S. embassy was PatriciaRoberts Harris, who was appointed ambassador to Luxembourg President Lyndon B.Johnson in 1965.

The first Black woman to serve in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives was Shirley Chisholm, who was elected by her Brooklyn, N.Y.,constituency under the campaign slogan "Unbought and Unbossed" in1968.

The first Black woman nominated for president of the U.S.was Shirley Chisholm, who received nearly 152 votes on the first ballot at the1972 Democratic convention.

The first woman and the first Black to deliver thekeynote address at a Democratic National Convention was former CongresswomanBarbara Jordan in 1976.

The first Black woman mayor of a large U.S. city wasCarrie Saxon Perry, who in 1987 was elected mayor of Hartford, the capital ofConnecticut.

The first woman mayor of Washington, D.C., and the firstBlack woman mayor of a major city was Sharon Pratt Kelly, who was elected in1990.

The first Black woman elected to the Senate was CarolMosley Braun of Chicago, who was elected on Nov. 3, 1992.

The first Black woman lawyer in the United States was CharlotteE. Ray (1850-1911), who was admitted to the bar of the District Columbia inApril 1872. She graduated from Howard University Law School that same year.

The first Black woman sheriff in the United States wasJacquelyn Barrett, who was elected sheriff of Fulton County, Ga., in November1992.

The first country's first Black woman judge was JaneMatilda Bolin, who was appointed justice of the Domestic Relations Court of NewYork on July 22, 1939.

The first Black woman to hold a federal judicial positionwas Constance Baker Motley, who was named a U.S. District Court judge on August30, 1966.

The first woman named to the U.S. Court of Appeals wasAmalya Lyle Kearse, who was named to the Second Circuit in 1979.

The first Black woman to serve on a state supreme courtwas Juanita Kidd Stout, who was named an associate justice of the Supreme Courtof Pennsylvania in 1988.

SGT Highlight: Black Women FIRSTS

2012-02-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

In the tradition of celebrating African American History this month, Corporate Chics has decided to highlight even more remarkable women. We love the idea of being the FIRST to accomplish certain goals and will highlight some of the women in our generation (past and present) that holds the title.

No one ever remembers second place or average...

The Corporate Chics culture and the heartbeat of the organization derives from passion, purpose and support. At the core of the company's existence is Business, Writing and Entertainment. With this embedded in the DNA we are always intrigued by other women making it happen and paving the way for even more of us to follow our dreams. This Tuesday we are highlighting women in these industries. Know that if they can do it, you can as well. You must take responsibility for the space you hold on this earth. We want to introduce you to some amazing women, just in case you don't or didn't know that we ARE the bomb.com.net.info.org!

BUSINESS
-The first self-made Black woman millionaire was Madame C.J. Walker, who made her fortune from a line of the 20th century.

-The first woman bank president was Maggie Lena Walker, who headed the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Va., in 1903.

-The first Black woman to head a major corporate division was Ann Fudge, who was named president of Maxwell House Coffee Co. in 1995.

Entertainment::Film/Television/Theater
-The first African-American to win an Academy Award was Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress in 1939 for her role in Gone With the Wind.

-The first Black woman awarded a Tony Award was Juanita Hall, who won in 1949 for her performance as "Bloody Mary" in South Pacific.

-The first Black woman nominated for an Oscar as best actress was Dorothy Dandridge, who was nominated in 1954 for her role in Carmen Jones.

Writing::The Arts
-The first Black woman to become a licensed architect was Norma Sklarek in 1954.

-The first Black to write a book that was published in America was Phillis Peters Wheatley, a former slave. Her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published in 1773.

-The first African-American awarded a Pulitzer Prize was Gwendolyn Brooks, who was cited in 1950 for her collection of poems, Annie Allen.

-The first Black woman playwright to have her work performed on Broadway was Lorraine Vivian Hansberry. Her play, A Raisin In The Sun, opened at the Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959, with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles.

-The first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction was Alice Walker, who was cited in 1983 for her book The Color Purple.

-The first African-American appointed United States poet laureate was Rita Dove, who was named in 1993.

-The first Black American to win the Nobel Prize for literature was Toni Morrison in 1993.

-The first Black woman to edit a daily newspaper in a major U.S. city was Pearl Stewart, who in 1992 was named editor of the Oakland Tribune, Oakland, Calif.

Business::Film/Television/Theater:: The Arts
Oprah Winfrey (born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954) is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. -The first Black woman to host a national television talk show was Oprah Winfrey, who in 1993 became the first woman to top Forbes' list of the 40 highest-paid entertainers -- $98 million in 1992-93. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011.She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and was for a time the world's only black billionaire. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world.

"Black women firsts: hidden gems of black history". Ebony. FindArticles.com. 07 Feb, 2012.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey

Wisdom Nugget

2012-02-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

One of the best secrets in life is when children of God make up their minds, when they bring their minds into harmony with the desire, when they pray for and follow intuitive guidance; then no one and nothing can stop them. -I. Vanzant

Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight: Melissa Turner

2012-01-31T08:20:00.000-08:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. For the 2012 year, we have decided to change the format to really give you an idea of who our features and highlights are. In conjunction with our documentary series entitled, "Inspirational, Courageous, and Unstoppable," we will continue to promote, introduce, highlight and feature extraordinary women.

This week we are celebrating Melissa Turner as our Sista Girl Tuesday highlight. I am personally excited to feature this remarkable woman because she is justly ambiguous! I first learned about Ms. Turner through the popular social media site, Twitter. She has an extraordinary business in a great revenue-generated industry. Her courageous story of stepping out on faith to live her dream is not only inspirational, it is soul-stirring. Our common ground is that we both hold the title of entrepreneur and author. If you are interested in being apart of her world, all of her contact information is below. She is truly a motivation. I am happy to introduce Ms. Turner to you (just in case you don't know her).

Melissa Turner
Founder/CEO/Author, CPMB

A.      Chooseone word that describes you. – Driven

B.      Who & what Inspires you? – My motherinspires me as she has been a strong role model to hard work, persistence andnever being afraid to go after what she wanted. I am inspired by theopportunities that exist. Anyone can create their own success whether it isspiritually, physically or monetarily. It’s all possible.

C.      Tellus about your most courageous moment. – My mostcourageous moment was walking away from a well paid corporate position to focusfull time on my company with no guarantee that it would be successful.

D.      Tellus about an unstoppable moment you have experienced. –I reached outto a former employer for their advice on starting my own company. Theconversation was not at all what I expected as I was strongly discouraged fromdoing so. During the entire conversation, I was given numerous reasons why Ishould not start my own company or leave the “comfort” of my corporateposition. I was given even more reasons why it is very difficult for women toenter certain circles and how hard I would have to prove myself to garner anyattention. This entire conversation motivated me to move forward and instead ofgrasping the fear of all that would certainly be difficult I focused on what Iknew I could accomplish. After launching my company I received a phone callfrom this former employer to congratulate me. I asked why they provided suchnegative information and no words of encouragement; and the response was theywanted to be sure I was serious and ready to face the reality of businessownership. They knew I would move forward anyway but they wanted me to look atthe not so pretty side of things first. I truly appreciate it and althoughdiscouraged at first, it became an unstoppable moment for me.

E.       Inthree to five sentences, tell us how your experiences have encouraged andempowered others. – My experience has encouragedothers as I stand as an example of what can be done if you put your mind anddedication to it. Life is about living and taking risks. If you never tryanything you will never accomplish anything. I empower others by not beingdenied the platform I need to spread my message. I thrive on being told no toshow why the answer should have been yes. I share with everyone I speak with aquote I read on a daily basis: “When I dare tobe powerful -- to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomesless and less important whether I am afraid."--Audre Lorde

Mainstream Services Inc.
Phone: (800) 580-9721 ext. 101
Fax: (708) 240-8369
Web: www.msmbinc.com
Join us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/MSMBINC
Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/msceofx

The Genesis of Sista Girl Tuesday

Disclosure: The women who are highlighted as a feature do not necessarily agree with the views of Corporate Chics, LLC. They are being recognized for their commitment to our communities and how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women.

#AlwaysGrateful

2012-01-31T05:33:00.000-08:00

Gratitude is a lesson that needs to be reinforced often. It is too easy to overlook the gifts you have when yoou focus on those that you hope to obtain, and you diminish the value of where you currently are on your path if you do not pause often to appreciate it. -Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D

Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight: Dar'Shun N. Kendrick

2012-01-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

Dar'shun N. Kendrick, Esq., M.B.A.
Managing Member

This week we are highlighting Dar'Shun N. Kendrick as our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because she is intelligent, driven, and openly willing to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. I first learned about Ms. Kendrick, through Ms. Chaney, a previous SGTH (Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight). She has phenomenal initiatives that assist in advertising, networking, and educating small business owners. Our mission is definitely parallel and if you are interested in being apart of her world, all of her contact information is below. She is truly an inspiration. I am happy to introduce Ms. Kendrick to you (just in case you don't know her).

A. Choose one word the describes you. Faithful

B. Who and what Inspires you? Business owners inspire me.

C. Tell us about your most courageous moment. When I decided if I wanted to run for office.

D. Tell us about an unstoppable moment you have experienced. When I decided to plan a small business forum for about 300 business owners.

E. In three to five sentences, tell us how your experiences have encouraged and empowered others. Particularly women and minorities, it has encouraged them to seek their dreams. It has taught them to be faithful to their dreams and to be vigilant of opportunities present to them. Additionally, I think it has showed women that they can do what others say they can't.

Kendrick Law Practice, LLC

P O Box 630, Lithonia, GA 30058 * (678) 739-8109 [office]

Visit http://www.kendricklaw.net to sign up for our monthly enewsletter and to get started on vital business legal services.

**Be sure to follow on social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Google Plus http://gplus.to/KendrickLawPractice

http://www.kendricklaw.wordpress.com

"Dar'shun Kendrick" on LinkedIn for daily Business Legal Tips, blogs, helpful articles and specials and promotions.**

New KLP Initiatives!
1. Allow KLP to advertise your business for YOU through our "Give and Take" Partnership Network of 100 exclusive business owners that promote and share with each other valuable business resources. More information and sign up at http://www.kendricklaw.net/partnerships.
2. Sign up for KLP's "Walk In Wednesdays" to receive comprehensive business and legal advice and counseling for a FRACTION of the regular legal price. Sign up now at http://www.kendricklaw.net/consultations .

3. Legal Tweet Meet- Join me and other business owners on Twitter Thursdays from 8-9 PM. We discuss various business and legal topics and you can ask me YOUR business legal questions. View past Q & A at #legaltweetmeet.

4. LinkedIn LinkedUp ThinkTank- Join me and other LinkedIn contacts as we share experiences, solve business problems, and provide support to one another. Go to www.kendricklaw.net/events to find out the next TUESDAY we will meet.

The Genesis of Sista Girl Tuesday

Disclosure The women who are highlighted as a feature do not necessarily agree with the views of Corporate Chics. They are being recognized for their commitment to our communities and how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women.

SSE, Inc. 2012 Post Collegiate Open Enrollment

2012-01-23T13:29:00.000-08:00

https://SistersStrivingforexcellence.org

Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight:: Vernetta R. Freeney

2012-01-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

This week we are highlighting Vernetta R. Freeney as our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because her tenacity is contagious. We met via LinkedIn about three months ago and we both continue to encourage each other through our brands. She has a phenomenal website that also highlights women entrepreneurs. Through a collection of your accomplishments, she highlights you via a complied video and share your talents with the world. Our mission is definitely parallel and if you are interested in being apart of her world, all of her contact information is below. She is truly an inspiration. I am happy to introduce Ms. Freeney to you (just in case you don't know her).

A. Choose one word the describes you. Loyal

B. Who & what Inspires you?

I am inspired by anyone who doesn't allow obstacles prevent them

from living their purpose. I am inspired by the Faith I have in

God. He has created me to fulfill a specific purpose and my

life will not be complete unless I do so. That inspires me to

keep moving forward despite any negativity, drama or mistakes

that may come my way.

C. Tell us about your most courageous moment.

My most courageous moment came when I knew that if I did not

begin to heal from my past I would destroy my future. It is

courageous to me because I realized how important it is for

me to be mentally healthy so I may live a productive life

and enjoy the people who are truly in my life for good

reason(s). I have refused to allow depression to take

one more day away from me.

D. Tell us about an unstoppable moment you have experienced.

An unstoppable moment I am experiencing is taking place right

now. Creating my blog "Women Are Gamechangers" has been the

most challenging task but most rewarding. I am investing time,

energy, and resources as if it's a full time job. The experiences

I've had due to my blog are things I would not have encountered

otherwise. I just hope this stays an unstoppable moment for

years to come.

E. In three to five sentences, tell us how your experiences have encouraged and empowered others.

My experiences has encouraged and empowered not just family

and friends but strangers as well. People see the determination

I have. They see that I will continue to move forward until I

have completed what I placed in the earth to complete. I stopped

giving advice and I am allowing others to see the testimony

of my life. My actions, decisions, choices and steps in life

allow others to see that even though I may have a setback or

two (which I do all the time) I refuse to let it steal my joy

or stop me from moving forward in my life. I am in command of

my own joy and I refuse to allow anyone to dictate how I should

feel or what I should do with my life. My tenacity has empowered

and encouraged so many to take control of their own lives as well.

Vernetta R. Freeney 
Editor of Women Are Gamechangers 
http://www.womenaregamechangers.com

Twitter: @womengamechange  
Facebook: WomenAreGameChangers  
Email: womenaregamechangers [at] gmail [dot] com 
YouTube
LinkedIn

Part II: Seasons Change

2012-01-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

The process of life involve season changes. As stated in the post on last week, seasons change so that there is growth. If you can perceive this concept and apply it to your life, your journey will be so much more bearable.

This week I asked my good friend Quintin Germaine to help me explain what each season represents. Collectively, we have compiled our experiences to bring you to a place of understanding what season you maybe encountering.

Winter
Winter is always ice cold. There are no leaves on the tree. The grass is brown and everything that once was, is gone. No matter how much you try to keep warm, it's cold the entire three months. This is when animals hibernate. Because even they have enough sense to know that it is too cold to do anything. Winter is the season for processing and planning. In your winter season everything appears dormant and it seems like no matter how hard you try nothing is getting accomplished. (Grass never strains to grow...and it can not grow in the winter.) Winter is not for accomplishing but for planning and processing new visions, hopes, connections, etc. Your winter season is where you establish and gather the fuel (knowledge) that will generate your momentum and success.

Spring
We all know that when you cut all of your hair and it begins to grow back, there is an awkward stage that it goes through. But it does grow and it continues to grow and when it fully grows back, it's beautiful. It's sort of the same process when there is a transition from winter to spring. Spring is the beginning of nature's beauty. Spring is the season of provisions. In the Spring, many new opportunities will emerge. The seeds of fall and the planning of winter will begin to bud & blossom. The Spring will bring many gloomy days because it is a rainy season. Everything will look bright and vibrant during the Spring but at the end of the season everything will seem to wither, like everything is going wrong, but everything is actually going (growing) perfectly right. That rough patch that you will (and must) experience during this season is actually a sure indication that you are transitioning into your fruitful season. It's always cool, windy, and rainy at the beginning of the Spring, but by the end of this season, it's absolutely beautiful. The trees has all of their leaves, the grass begins to grow (constantly), and it is definitely warm.

Summer
As soon as it's hot outside, everybody is happy and ready to take the layers of clothes off that they were wearing the entire winter and some of the spring. The belly rings are seen and the tramp stamps (lower back tatoos) are uncovered. Summer is your harvest season. It's the season that all the seeds that has been planted begin to harvest/manifest. The fruit of your labor begin to appear. Summer is a season of intensity. You ever wonder why so many people are shot or why so many fights happen during the summertime??? Everything begins to heat up and the pressure increases because everything begins to move and grow at a rapid pace. The Summer is a true season of testing. You have to decide do you pick all of your fruit because they're ripe and there is an abundance of them? Do you sell them? Or do you store for the Fall and Winter because eventually the Fall and Winter is right around the corner. The heat of the summer will either destroy the fruits of your labor or conjure a harvest beyond your imagination.

Fall
The Fall season is just as beautiful as the Spring and Summer. But do not let the auburn and burnt orange colors fool you. Fall is the season that demonstrates that no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to go right. Things just continue to fall...apart. Instead of gaining, you begin to lose. You shed heavily. As the Fall season progress, the leaves on all of the trees all fall to the ground. Fall is a season when old blessings fall from your branches and new seeds are planted into the soils of your soul. New hope, new convictions, new friends, new everything....Fall is the season for renewal.

And the cycle continues. Winter - Spring - Summer - Fall {It Repeats...Forever}

Seasons occur in the same cycle. Spring doesn't jump to Fall and Fall doesn't jump to Summer. Your life is a process and it follows the same cycle as the seasons.

Seasons Change.

What season are you experiencing?

Part I: Seasons Change

Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight:: Dekiela Chaney

2012-01-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

This week we are highlighting Dekiela Chaney as our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because I love what she is doing! As a Sister Striving for Excellence, I am in agreement with her movement: Excellent with Serving. Excellence isn't about being perfect, it is about doing things right the first time. She also has an awesome radio show where you could be a guest! All of her contact information is below. She is truly an inspiration. I am happy to introduce Ms. Chaney to you (just in case you don't know her).

A. Choose one word the describes you. Visionary

B. Who & what Inspires you? -Dr. Cindy Trimm, because sheis interminable! The thought of building a Foundation and Legacy for my unbornchildren!

C. Tell us about your most courageous moment. When I realizedthat I could let go of emotional attachments!

D. Tell us about an unstoppable moment you have experienced. Ithought about quitting a project, but people in my life like my Parents, HolderMathis Jr, and Chiquita Burroughs. They all reminded me why I started theproject. In life you must have a Definite Purpose, and that purpose should giveyou the fuel to Ignite your fire! I had to remind myself not to allowcircumstances called “blind spots” to move me away from my expected end!

E. In three to five sentences, tell us how your experienceshave encouraged and empowered others. My life is a movie that is waiting tocome out! smile. I’ll narrow it down to my radio show “Excellent with ServingRadio”. The show features insight, education, and empowerment designed toassist today’s start up businesses. I desire to help others by providingresources that will allow them to connect the missing dots! Every week Iaccentuate a business that my listening audience can add to their businessportfolio. I serve as the midwife, so aspiring entrepreneurs to give birth totheir dreams!

ExcellentwithServing, LLC

P.O. Box 473

Conyers, GA 30012

Web: www.excellentwithserving.com

Email: excellentwithserving@gmail.com

Twitter - @ewserving

Part 1: Seasons Change

2012-01-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Life is a journey.

It has many stops, twists, turns, but it never goes backward. Our lives are always in forward motion.
Just recently the entire world celebrated the genesis of 2012. This year is going to be awesome and I say that with confidence. With all of the positive energy that everyone is placing into the frequency of the universe, we all must expect great things for our lives.

So yes, the season has changed. We are going from a recession to an abundant, prosperous, thriving economy. And even if this is not your affirmation, it is definitely mine.

How do you know when your season has change?

Seasons change when circumstances in your life change.

Have you been living in the same place for five years but now have completely relocated?
Had you worked the same job or worked in the same career for years but recently changed roles either being promoted or demoted?
Were you married and now divorced or divorced and now married?
Are you single and now in a relationship or in a relationship and now single?
Has there been a decrease or increase in your finances?

Well your season has changed.

Part 2: Seasons Change - How to know what season you are entering?
January 16, 2012

Sista Girl Tuesday:: Monique Halley

2012-01-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. For the 2012 year, we have decided to change the format to really give you an idea of who our features and highlights are. In conjunction with our documentary series entitled, "Inspirational, Courageous, and Unstoppable," we will continue to promote, introduce, highlight and feature extraordinary women.

This week our first 2012 Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Monique Halley. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because I love what she is doing! Monique's flavor is stamped all over her brand, Simply Bliss Life. As a woman dedicated to serving and coaching others into their purpose, I am honored to highlight someone who shares a parallel vision. She is truly an inspiration and definitely a Corporate Chic! I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her).

A. Choose one word the describes you.

Learner. (I have a thirst for knowledge,especially on the topic of personal development)

B. Who & what Inspires you?

I'm inspired by others who live an authentic, passionate and fun life.

C. Tell us about your most courageous moment.

My most courageous moment was the day I nervously walked into my supervisors office and handed her my resignation letter. I have been working at that job for 13 years and knew I wanted more for myself. I got tired of just dreaming about starting my business and came up with a plan, stepped out on faith and the rest is still in progress. I have no regrets.

D. Tell us about an unstoppable moment you have experienced.

An unstoppable moment for me was when I taught myself how to make journals. I wasted a lot of paper, watched a lot of youtube videos and made a lot of trips to the arts and craft store but it was all worth it.

E. In three to five sentences, tell us how your experiences have encouraged and empowered others.

My experiences has encouraged and empowered others to value themselves enough to re-examine their lives and figure out who they are, what they want out of life and to start taking steps to towards creating their desired life.

Email: simplyblisslife@gmail.com
Skype: Simplyblisslife
Phone: 678-632-4154
Twitter: @simplyblisslife
Facebook: facebook.com/simplyblisslife
Website: /http://www.simplyblisslife.com/

Intentional Growth & Understanding its Components

2011-12-11T09:41:00.001-08:00

Inspiration from Dr. A.R.Bernard

I would have never been able to belt out this post had I not went through a series of changes last week. I felt it within on Monday and prepared my self as much as I could through prayer. See, the thing about change is that it is inevitable. It's going to happen whether you like it or not. The message I received today was about relationships. But before I move to fast, on Friday evening I spoke to a very special friend about a situation that I went through with an acquaintance. I thought she was a friend, but once I received the true definition of what a friend is, then I realized the cause for the miscommunication in our situation. Egos were being thrown around and noone wanted to back down after we had a disagreement. It's funny how you are taught something and if it is not practiced or rehearsed, you soon forget it. I just wrote about Ego via Oprah's Lifeclass and totally forgot to apply it to that situation. But life goes on...and seasons change.

The thing about Growth is that it is a process and it demands change. Physical change is something that happens no matter what. Spiritual Growth is intentional. It requires time, commitment, and discipline.

Spiritual Growth has three elements/components:
-Relationships (Your interaction and behavior with others)
-Truth (Honesty)
-Time (Patience/Humilty)

Relationships are the most critical...to life. The reason this is the most siginificant is because of our free will to make choices. We can do anything we want in life. We have that freedom, although, it is not wise. Our choices range in a vast amount of things. But who we choose to enter into a relationship with, whether it is an intimate relationship, a friendship, or a partnership, it is still based on choice.

Four of the ten commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships. How you treat other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. Real maturity (and growth) is demonstrated in relationships. Many people grow up in families with unhealthy relationships, so they lack the relational skills needed for healthy authentic relationships (whether it's business or personal). This is why truth and honesty are so important. You can trust a person that communicates to you their concerns. We as a people being connected through One source must care enough to lovingly speak the truth, even when you would prefer to fluff, sugar coat, or even ignore an issue. Most don't have people in their life who love them enough to tell them the truth (even when it's painful), so they continue in self-destructive ways.

An honest answer is a sign of true friendships. -Ephesians 4:15

Many relationships are destroyed by a Lack of Honesty
Real relationships (i.e. marriage, partnership, friendship) are developed through being authentic or frank. There is a big difference in being real and being authentic. Being real is not a license to say anything you want wherever and whenever you want. There is always a right time and right way to do everything. Thoughtless, careless words and actions leave lasting wounds.

Even a fool is considered wise when he doesn't speak his whole mind. (Proverb)

Life is a Process
Life is a process and the process is designed to protect us.

The Relationship Process
1. Introduction::When you first meet someone, you are introduced...and that is as far as a relationship should go. (Hey, how are you? I am___________. Nice to meet you.) #That's it

2. Acquaintance::After the introduction is made, you may make a connection and would like to know more about the person. This is where you learn their competence, morals, ethics, and their character. This is the period where you determine if your chemistry is balanced. Most relationships should end here because many people should only be an acquaintace.

3. Friendship::Once graduated from introduction and acquaintance, you then enter into a friendship. Through this process you gain a mutual respect for the other person. A friend knows you very well and still likes you. Everyone is not mature enough to handle who you really are. That is why it is vital to understand who and what a friend really is and what it is not. Genuine relationships are based on trust and humility.

4. Intimacy: This is when you expose yourself by sharing things that you would never share with anyone. This is completely being insync with someone::emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If you are married or would like to become married, there are three steps prior to this step you must take to get to this point.

Life is a Process
Life is a process and the process is designed to protect us. Many people skip the most important element in the process and that's the acquaintance process.

If you are reading this post, in this very moment, you must take accountability. You are being lead in the direction of intentional growth. If you find changes all around you and in every area of your life, your season is changing. You will be entering into a new season and a new place in life. Your perspective on everythng that has occured thus far will determine the outcome. Where you are currently in the growth process resembles the choices you have made thus far. If there is dramatic changes happening currently in your life, this is as a result of the time you took to discpline yourself. It is a manifestation of your commitment to intentionally wanting to grow spiritually. If you are in the same place, the same circumstances, and the same situation, it is a result of your inability to commit to discipline. And believe it or not, relationships is the element that is used for you to excercise discipline. When you are conscious and aware of your reaction to life and people, you are commiting yourself to intentional growth.

So remember that when your heart is right, what is coming IN your life is greater than what is leaving (or has left). Welcome to the exchange process....Seasons Change. (Dr. Dale C. Bronner)

Anything I feed you, I had to eat myself. -Joyce Meyer

Some of the content in this post are taken from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life

Desire everything. Need nothing.

2011-11-30T09:58:00.001-08:00

A Secret Scrolls message from Rhonda Byrne
Creator of The Secret and The Power

From The Secret Daily TeachingsTo desire something is in proper accordance with the law. You attract what you desire. To need something is misuse of the law. You cannot attract what you need if you feel you need it urgently or desperately, because that emotion contains fear. That kind of "needing" keeps things away.

Desire everything. Need nothing.

May the joy be with you,

Rhonda Byrne
The Secret... bringing joy to billions

Employed by God, Inc.

2011-11-28T10:30:00.001-08:00

When you are employed by God, Inc., you never worry about unemployment.

When you work to obtain greater awareness, knowledge and understanding of yourself, you are working for God.

God's goal is for you to be the best you can be with what you have been given and to share what you do with the world.

When you do the thing that makes you happy to the best of your ability you are working for God, Inc.

The only reason we have come to life in a physical body is to work for and serve the true self within.

That is the part of us that is all-wise, all-knowing, all-loving and infinitely creative.

When we do what we love, we are HAPPY.

When we do what we are good at, we are at PEACE.

When we use what God has given us to create our own work, our rewards do not come from man.

Every living person has a desire to do or be something.

When you follow that desire, using your gifts, talents and abilities, you can never be out of work.

Iyanla Vanzant
Acts of Faith (November 26)

The Art of Releasing 2

2011-11-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Oprah''s LifeClass 12: Holding on to the Past

I was trying to make sure I posted these blogs in order, but for some reason this one posted on it's on. So I Flow with life...

Let it go and move on is the ultimate message of this class. It's the simplest statement but the hardest thing to do sometimes especially when another human life is involved in the equation. These classes keep reminding me of when I was younger and everything that my mother tried to instill in me. It really allows me to reflect on the foundation that my life was built upon. I had to re-learn me and what I was taught. This lesson just further lets me know that we must understand that our future is so bright that we really can't look back. If you are dealing with past issues, find a way to release it from your mind, your thoughts, and your heart. Writing is therapy for me, so I write out what I feel, read it and then move on. Don't internalize hurt or pain, because it comes out in one way or another.You control your life with your thoughts. A lot of people self-loathe but that is such a waste of time.

The only person you have control over is yourself. You can change how you see a situation, or remove yourself from it.

Stop resenting others or what happened to you. Resentment is reliving the pain and hurt over and over again. The only antedote to resentment is forgiveness. You never have to forget, but you must forgive to move forward.

All of life is about waking you up and whatever it takes to wake you up to no longer hold on to grudges, no longer be resentful, to move out of the past, to step out of the history, you must take the necessary steps. Moving forward takes a process. It takes courage to confront the things in your heart that continue to make you feel a certain way and not happy. Or content. Step out of whatever happened to you and start to live right now. Be aware of what IS happening to you and what you CAN do something about. Whatever that takes, then that's what is necessary to move you forward.

Deciding if you can or can't get over someone betraying you.
That is probably the number one reason so many people walk around with issues. A decision must be made in this case. The thing about someone betraying you, is that you have to make a decision if you are going to forgive them or not. If you make the decision that you are going to get over it, then really get over it. If you make the decision that you are not going to get over it because the betrayal was too deep and that it severed your trust forever and you can no longer trust hat person again, then you need to sever it and move on. Many people live in between the two. Anytime you hold on to the past for anything or any area of your life, it will show up in your habits, your behavoir, in your health, it shows up in the way you feel about your self, it shoes up in the way you treat other people...it shows up. It has to come out in some form. It's energy and it has to come out.

This is just not about letting go of the past. It's about the ultimate lesson for all of us as human beings...It's constantly reminding yourself that: I am not my body. I am not what everything looks like. I am not my circumstances.It is understanding that: I am really a higher level of being and consciousness that IS a soul/spirit. Your personality is not your soul/spirit. Your personality is here to serve your soul. Our lives are much bigger than what it looks like.

Perspective of understanding how to let go of someone dying....
Life is much bigger than just a body. When you are grieving over the loss of a loved one...sense the presence of their soul which is always with you, instead of the personality that is gone.

You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people. But until you heal the wounds of your past, you will continue to bleed. You can bandage the bleeding with food, with alcohol, with drugs, with work, with cigarettes, with sex, but eventually, it will ooze through and stain your life. You must find the strength to open the wounds, stick your hands inside, pull out the core of the pain that is holding you in your past, the memories, and make peace with them. -Iyanla Vanzant

Class 12 adjourned...

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free
Class 5: Joy Rising
Class 6: Everybody has a Calling
Class 7: Aging Well
Class 8: When you Know Better
Class 9: You're Responsible for your Life
Class 10: Joy Rising
Class 11: Your Life Speaks to you in a Whisper
Class 12: Holding on to the Past

Bad Girl vs. Good Girl

2011-11-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Oprah's LifeClass 8: When you Know Better...Do Better

I was raised in a structured - disciplined home. My parents are still together and I am so grateful to have been born to them. As Iyanla Vanzant suggests, our soul chooses who we are born to and if you really sit back and think about it that statement is so profound.

I tell everyone that my parents were way more strict on me than my sisters...I guess the oldest gets the most discipline. Especially for first time parents (IDK), but I was raised to be a good girl. (i.e. no cursing, no dis-respectfulness ever, no doing people wrong just cause, no staring at people, no back talking, etc.) My sisters and I always blame my mother for raising us to be too good. Meaning, we could have been saved a whole lot of heartache, if my father was our teacher.

Fast forward to my college years...I started dating this guy the end of my freshman year and fell head over heels in love with him. Well we went through a situation of betrayal that I couldn't get over and I was tired of being a good girl. I was tired of being the nice girl. I was tired of being what my mother raised me to be. Good girls always are taken advantage of right? No.

I started smoking weed very heavily and fell into a lifestyle that was so NOT me. I was wearing a veil over my eyes and my heart; shielding me, from any and everything. I stunted my growth and some of the things I was saying, wearing, places I was going, the person I was trying so hard to be, was not me.

So this in class Ms.Winfrey clearly states over and over and over:

When you know better, you do better. You should not judge the person you were. You should only judge the person that you are and the woman/man that you are going to become. You don't have to hold yourself hostage to who you've been or what you've done. It's never to late to change. The moment you realize that you are not what you want to be or where you want to be, you can turn it around. Doing what you shouldn't be doing is one of the greatest teachers..

Never present dark energy into the world. The thing that you do is not you and everybody acts out of their own pain. And that is exactly what I was doing. Acting out.

Once I re-learned who I was and what I wanted, I threw the bad girl image away. I fell in love with me and the things that brought me joy. I knew I changed after I purchased some items from a store and for some reason, what I owed the store wasn't paid in full. Once I looked at the receipt and realized that I owed this small business about $16 additional dollars, the very next day, I went and paid what I owed. See the thing about Integrity is this: you are always being watched. Every situation where you know to do the right thing but refuse to do it, is being graded. One day you will be held accountable for knowing better but not doing better...

Class 8 adjourned.....

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free
Class 5: Joy Rising
Class 6: Everybody has a Calling
Class 7: Aging Well
Class 8: When you Know Better

Are you Sleep Walking through Life?

2011-11-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

Oprah's LifeClass 11: Your Life Speaks to you in a Whisper

Listen to your life as it whispers to you first, so that it does not have to knock you upside the head with a brick or come crashing down on you as a brick wall. This is one of the greatest principles to understand in life.

Life whispers to you all the time.

All around your life is speaking to you. From the time you wake up in the morning; in every single experience that is coming to you (in your personal space or your physical space), each experience is speaking to you. The experiences are telling you something about your life and about your circumstances. It whispers and if you don't get the whisper the whisper gets louder, or it'll thump you upside of your head.

The whisper is the message.

The thumb upside the head usually is a message or a problem that you didn't pay attention to.

The problem then turns into a brick upside your head.

The brick upside your head turns into a crisis because you didn't pay attention to the brick upside your head.

The crisis then turns into a disaster and the whole house/brick wall comes falling down. Literally.

A whisper is a feeling that something is not right. That's how slight it is.

It allows you to become alert. It makes you raise your eyebrow. It makes you re-ask the question with different verbiage and adjectives, so that you fully understand.

Everybody has it...especially women. We pay attention. Our intuition guides us into motherhood and everything that is just not right.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR LIFE
The voices of the world (that is everything you're doing, all of your stuff-all the things that must be done on your to do list) will drown out the whispers and the voice of intuition (or the voice of God), if you let it. When that happens, that happens to show you that you are off course. You never want to be off your life's course. When you are off course, it's because you are not paying attention. Paying attention to everything that happens in your life or around you is your real job. Pay attention to your life and the messages that's telling you. Use the ques to make your life better. Because it's easy to become poisoned.

Poison comes in many forms....and the things that are screaming to you, is loud and clear. The media has the ability to influence a mass amount of people. But most of the shows or information that is being reported is senseless, bias, opinionated, and untrue. POISON. I am truly convinced that this is our society's cancer. Poison and toxins that drown out that voice, is reasoning. It confuses you. As soon as you begin to feel confused, that is a sign that it is not the real you....it's not the something that effortlessly guides you. That something told me to or not to is your compass. It is your invisible satellite; your GPS. It's a soft gentle voice. It's never overbearing. In the spiritual world that it is called the Holy Spirit.

If you are questioning anything in your life, there are signs that are pointing to what you are questioning. PAY ATTENTION! Wake up, if you are numb or just walking through life like a zombie. Be cognizant of the toxicity in your life. Look at everything with a magnifying glass to see if it is worth your life. Life speaks to us...Are you listening or do you keep pushing the snooze button?

Class 11 adjourned...

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free
Class 5: Joy Rising
Class 6: Everybody has a Calling
Class 7: Aging Well
Class 8: When you Know Better
Class 9: You're Responsible for your Life
Class 10: Joy Rising
Class 11: Your Life Speaks to you in a Whisper

I'm in here, come get me..come find me...

2011-11-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Oprah's LifeClass 9: You are Responsible for your own Life

If you are sitting around waiting for someone to help fix you, to save, to even help, you are wasting your time. Only you have the the responsibility and the power to move your life forward. And the sooner you get that, the sooner you get your life in gear. What matters is now.

Only you have the power to make your life what it's meant to be. All of life is about energy. It's about the energy that you're putting out. You're drawing energy to yourself everyday based on the way you think about your life and the actions that you take in your life. Everybody is an energy field and because of your thinking, your attitude, your actions, who you choose to be in the world forms your own field.
And you're drawing into your field people who are like you;

to remind you of who you are;

to show you who are;

to reflect back to you, who you are...

Believe it or not that is what is happening all of the time. And it does not require your belief because It just is.

Take responsibility for the energy that you bring....

Know that you will be held accountable for the space you hold here.
Know that you were born in the place you were meant to bring purpose.
Understand that anyone that you have crossed paths with, it was for a purpose.
Your entire existence was created with and for a purpose.
If you are not walking in or toward that purpose, your spirit is screaming, "I'm in here, come get me.....come find me".... -Dr. Jill B. Taylor

Class 9 adjourned...

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free
Class 5: Joy Rising
Class 6: Everybody has a Calling
Class 7: Aging Well
Class 8: When you Know Better
Class 9: You're Responsible for your Life

Do PRETTY GIRLs Rock?

2011-10-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Oprah's LifeClass 6: Aging Well

Value Card: The things that are listed in your mind that validate who you are and how you perceive yourself.

Beauty is examined in this course....and I definitely have to chime in.

Don't you hate the females that have to remind you of how pretty they are? #HATEIT

And please do NOT let a guy be interested in them! They always tell the whole story of how the guy tried to get with them and how many times this particular guy told her how beautiful she was....blah, blah, blah. #HATEIT

I have never been the type to be hung up on looks. Growing up, I wore glasses, braces, and I have huge frog eyes. (LOL:) I was called frog eyes and my very own cousin told me that the only thing I had going for myself was my long hair. I wasn't noticed by guys until I was in junior high. So I never defined my worth or my value by looks, because I didn't think I was pretty. But I was Smart and that was my ticket.

Although, I didn't personally discover it, I realized I was pretty because the popular/cute guys started to pay me attention. Even with the braces...As the years passed, education ~~was~~ is still more important to me than anything. My parents were focused on the grades and it was the only thing they asked of me. It was a simple demand because I love to learn. Even after becoming popular, I never allowed my looks to define me. I always wanted to be known as the smart girl...and I ~~was~~ became one of the pretty girls who ~~was~~ is smart. I never judge people based on their looks. (Never have/Never will). I see others' attributes and/or how they treat me/others. I believe it's important to understand that we don't choose gender, race, and especially how we look. That idea alone has been my philosophy anytime I have this discussion. There are many articles about pretty vs. ugly and thinner vs. fat and the huge difference in treatment.

Are parents who constantly tell their children they are pretty/beautiful/handsome damaging their children?

Are they telling their children this because the child really isn't that nice looking---so they build the child's confidence and self-esteem with this affirmation?

If the child or you are totally consumed with looks, aren't you conforming to society's standards?

Do you understand that as you age, your looks diminish?
(So, then what?)

If beauty is your calling card, at some point that is gong to fade.
If you haven't done the inner work and haven't made the connection to begin to understand that your inner life is your real life, then you have a lot of work to do. That is really who you are. Everything external decipates and goes away. But if you have cultivated the internal connection that your inner life, your inner wisdom, and your inner spirit is a connection to what really matters in life, the aging process will not be difficult because you will know who you really are and you will except it and stop resisting and pushing against what it is. You will be beautiful inside out and that combination changes worlds.

The understanding of who you really are is necessary as you get older because as you begin to lose the external attraction, it is your real responsibility to cultivate your inner attraction.

Embrace you and every little fault. We are living in a society where people are insane with how they look. How shallow...Again, beauty fades away and then the next-most talked about beautiful little momma is going to take your place. It's just the cycle of life. It's nature...

I was a skinny minny forever. I had two kids and became THICK. OMG...SMH...I was attached to feeling like I had to lose the weight verses living healthier...I completed two forty day fasts where I only ate vegetables and fruits and after losing about twenty-six pounds the first time and about twenty the second time, I gained the weight in other areas. Why did I feel like I couldn't embrace my new curves?

Because I was conforming.

About two weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a friend and she is like a size two or four, not because of exercise and eating right (THAT is NOT the CASE), but she just has one of those bodies that snaps back into place. I don't. I was wearing a cute Bebe skirt and we were having a conversation about weight and I was arguing her down that the skirt I was wearing was a size six. Well, long story short, we were face to face and I had to prove to her that I was in a size six. I twisted that skirt around and it said Size 8. In that moment, I let go of trying to trick myself into thinking I was still "small." Because I wasn't. Once you pass a size 5/6 you are thick. Now I embrace my curves and I eat healthy and exercise because I want to. I am totally focused on maintaining my current size and being healthy.

Remember the trade-off for physical deterioration--->your mind, soul, and spirit gets better and healthier. That is a perfect trade-off, especially since you really live forever.

Developing a sense of your inner value helps you be less attached to external qualities.

The inner cultivation of self is the most important gift you can give to you.

Do pretty girls rock? Yes...but everything external changes.

My value card looks like this:

ü ❥ In Love with God (I love Him more than anything)

ü ❥ In Love with Me (I love myself just as much as I love God)

ü ❥ Love to help others (I love helping and supporting others)

❥ I am beautiful inside out. (Self Explanatory)

❥Wisdom is my guide

❥Education is siginificant

❥ I am a mother, wife, and kind-hearted person

❥ Thirty looks good on me.

❥ Period. Now create your value card, if you don't have one or if you need to throw the old one away.

Class 6 adjourned.....

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

The Lesson of Acceptance
Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free
Class 5: Everybody has a Calling

Feed the heart on things that it loves...That's Purpose

2011-10-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Class 5: Everybody has a calling

Everybody has a calling and your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible (1) what that is, (2) who you were meant to be and (3) begin to honor that in the best way possible for yourself.
In this moment, you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Who you were born to, where you were born in the universe and the people that is apart of your life is a direct reflection of your calling in some way or another.

Are you living the life that you were meant to have? Do you know why you were placed here? If not, you must begin to hone-in on the whisper. Life is speaking and teaching you ALL the time. Begin to honor and follow that whisper.

Many times knowing what you don't want to do is a path that is leading you to what you should be doing. Doing what you don't want to do is a message. Everything around you in your life is messaging to you, about you, all of the time. Knowing what you don't want to do often opens up the path to what you do want to do. Find little pieces of your life where you can find stimulation and joy because that is what fuels and feeds you to be able to expand the greater part of your life. You will feel the calling of your heart and the opening of your life's purpose through things that you don't want to do.

In this episode of LifeClass, Oprah talks about being in a job that she really didn't want to do and then she goes on to say that she was demoted and it was the best thing that could have happened to her. If you frequently read my blog, you know that my journey to FREEDOM and JOY has come with many adversities.

The worst dilemmas are often the best opportunities in disguise. -Taro Gold

What a confirmation....

When I was released from my role, I was devastated! I didn't know what to do. I cried and cried and cried because I was six week pregnant with my second child and as I stated earlier, if you follow my blog then you know the story.

Your purpose is normally discovered as a hobby or something that you love to do. It's a feeling of knowing that you should be doing "it." (You know what that it is). For me, writing was the best way for me to express myself and it took me taking a lot of u-turns or wrong turns for me to realize it. I didn't get it because I thought it was something huge. It all came together for me while I was speaking to a group teenage girls and women in Rome, GA. The opportunity was presented to me without any effort of my own. While speaking about purpose, I realized then, that I was directly aligned with mine. In that moment, I was utilzing my experiences to encourage and empower others. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I told a young woman that about seven days ago, while dropping my son off to school. I was super late. But I was late for a reason. How do you make a friend in the late line at your child's school? The young woman and I exchanged numbers and she told me when she called me, that I was on her mind since that day. That is what purpose involves. It's not being famous, infamous, or rich. It's about making powerful influences in people's lives right around you. My twitter account was created specifically for that. No one wants to hear about my senseless everyday moves. People need to experience love, faith and hope. And I provide that through the things that inspire me. Someone could be having a terrible day and if they are following my tweets, they could pick up their phone or log-into twitter and see an inspiration/motivational quote that could change the entire course of their day or life!

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that they have to get paid a lot of money (or even any money at all). You are here to honor your calling whether you are paid for it or not. If you can get paid for it that makes it exponentially better. But if you are not paid for it, that is also just fine because honoring the calling feeds everything else you do in your life.

It makes everything else better.

If you are able to honor that feeling, that is when you most come alive. Honoring and following your calling feeds and fuels your passion.

Class 5 adjourned.....

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe
Class 4: The Truth will Set You Free

SGT Highlight: Cheryl Simmons

2011-10-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Cheryl Simmons. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because we are from the same place! She is truly an inspiration. We reconnected while on my first book tour to NYC last year. She has a daily blog with the hottest trends, styles and news for all women who love everything about the fashion world. She is a stylist for magazines, celebrities, and anyone who needs help putting it all together. She is a my friend and I am SO proud of her. Cheryl is courageous, unstoppable, and very inspirational. I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her).

Cheryl Simmons is the founder and editor of The Fashionista Stories. Prior to the launchof The Fashionista Stories, Cheryl worked in the fashion industry in retail andfor designer Michael Kors as a Brand Manager. In between it all, Cherylassisted several top wardrobe stylists on fashion editorials for Spanish Vogue,Italian Flair, Cosmopolitan and Essence magazine along with assisting on Grammy nominee JazminSullivan’s sophomore album cover.

Interning for companies like Charlotte Ronson, M.A.D. Clothing,Jill Stuart, Blue Stripe PR, Celebrity Stylist Laura Ferrera and ELLEAccessories magazines, gave her the experience needed to develop her career infashion. Cheryl also has published fashion editorials that are featured inFuture Claw, Disfunkshion, Chaos and Snytch magazines along with styling thecatalog for Me Moi Hosiery.

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Check out her Blog!

SGT Highlight: Yvette Hayward

2011-10-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Yvette Hayward. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because she always has one hand on the robe of success and another reaching down to help others. She is the go-to public relations person for authors. I can't begin to explain the power of the internet. I don't know how I stumbled on her website, but I did and had to celebrate her this Tuesday and throughout the week. She is also the creator of the The African American Literary Award show. She is courageous, unstoppable, and very inspirational. I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her) Yvette Hayward.

http://www.literaryawardshow.com/about.html

Yvette Hayward is the president of Y. Hayward Inc, a public relations company that has been a powerful resource in the literary field for over seven (7) years. She has represented well-known authors such as, Essence Best-selling authors, Lolita Files, Victoria Christopher Murray, five-time NAACP award recipient, David E. Talbert, New York Times Best-selling author, Wendy Williams, and LaJoyce Brookshire, author of Soul Food. The company’s primary mission is to bring recognition to African American authors throughout the country.

In addition to Y. Hayward Inc, Yvette Hayward is the co-chair of Flowers & Hayward Publicity & Entertainment, Inc. F& H Publicity has worked with the preeminent publisher, Simon & Schuster, as well as Culture Plus Books Distributors, the leading distributors of African- American books in the country. With an established client base of best-sell authors, the company is able to carry out its mission through developing client specific tailored programs such as book signings, radio, television, print and promotional tours.

The African American Literary Award show is the brainchild of Ms. Hayward. She came up with the idea in 1996 and was finally able to bring it to fruition in September 2004.

S.E.C.R.E.T.S.

2011-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Oprah's LifeClass 4: The Truth Will Set You Free

What is it that you are trying to hide?

S.E.C.R.E.T.S. explored...
For a long time, I walked around with a secret. It was something that I made into a huge deal because I was scared of finding out the truth. The one and only secret that I had in my entire life was that I was terrified to get an HIV test. Not because I was a slut or anything like that because we all know that people get infected from having unprotected sex their first time. But, I was afraid because I dated this drug dealer and someone told my father that a lady that died from AIDS listed him as one of the people that she gave oral sex. Most people would have ran, not walked to the clinic to get tested. But I talked to him and he denied it and I believed him; yet still felt like I needed my own evidence. Now the thing about secrets is that they eventually turn into fear and that fear causes you to react in a way that you normally wouldn't. I was paranoid and I would lie to my girlfriends if they would ask me to go with them to get tested (I already been tested...I'm good!). I told bold face lies to them because I never wanted to open that door. Deep down I knew I was clean but the secret was being afraid to get tested. Eventually, I got tired of being scared. I got tired of wanting to know. I got tired SO I got tested. When I went to the doctor asking for the test, they got scared telling me to use condoms if I was going to have sex and be especially safe and blah, blah, blah. The lady who drew my blood was telling me that some couples come in annually to get tested and that some people just refuse to get tested. She said people are so scared of this disease because they are not educated about it. I didn't fall under that category any longer because I was getting tested. After the test, I just cried and cried and cried... because I finally evicted that thought of being scared to get tested from my brain. I had no more secrets and I never will as long as I live. I received the results while at work on my voice mail a couple of weeks later, with the nurse stating that I was negative and my next annual would be in twelve months.

Shame
When we hold secrets, it creates shame and shame is a great barrier to success. When you carry shame you don't allow yourself to fulfill your greatest potential. You do not honor the truth of yourself. Being ashamed is like a veil covering your life. Let go of the secret...release the shame.

Effort
Do you know how much effort it takes to be something that you are not or hold on to something that you should let go? It is stressful and it keeps you tied down to lies that you have told yourself. Do not try to justify holding onto what you think you want to be. Do not hold on to secrets because they create a fear of being exposed.

Cover
Clothes are purchased to cover our naked bodies. But if you were to go back and read about Adam and Eve and when they were first created, you will recognize that, they both were roaming around the garden of Eden in their "birthday suit." The story goes on to read that as soon as they took a bite of the un-forbidden fruit, they realized they were naked. Instantly they wanted to cover their naked bodies. It's the same idea with a secret. You are covering the natural state of who you are, what you like, or what you don't like. Unveil the truth. Uncover what you are trying to hide.

Representative
In college, I used to tell my girlfriends all the time, that whenever we met a guy for the first time, that we were meeting his representative. On the first date, he would send his rep to pretend like he is this great, awesome guy. What's so funny about that is most times we fall in love with that rep. That quick, we fall in love with the representative and hold onto hope. Some of us stay in horrible relationships because we are in love with the possibility of who he/she could become and not really who they are. Are you always authentic in every situation or encounter? Or are you sure to bring your representative-->The person that speaks for you and sells him/herself to others.

Exterminate
You are destroying little pieces of you each day you hold onto something that MUST be freed. If you've ever seen the movie DEVIL you see that the story line is based on one character holding onto a secret for many years. In the moment that he realizes that he MUST tell the secret, his life is spared. Do you want to continue to erase or abolish the real you by holding onto something that's really not that big a deal? And even if it is, so what, because at the end of the day, we all have fall short in some way or another.

Transformation
That is exactly what happens every time you are walking out of the door pretending to be ok with your life and you have insecurities. For the people that celebrate or participate in Halloween, it's an opportunity to be whoever or whatever for the day. Hiding a secret or not expressing the real TRUE you is like wearing a Halloween costume all day-everyday. Throw away the imaginary costume and begin to exercise the real you. It may take some time, but once you release whatever you are hiding, that is half the battle.

Stop playing the role and living a life that everybody else thinks it should be.

If you in anyway are pretending to be something that you are not, you will never become all that you were meant to be. Exercise the fullness of yourself.

If you are pretending something that is not true for your life you will NOT be able to move forward because that untruth and that uncertainty blocks you from all that you were meant to be.

Step out of whatever the lie of your life is or represents.

Let yourself blossom into the fullness of YOUR truth.

Although in this lifeclass the show was centered around gays and lesbians coming OUT of the closet; there are many more secrets that we as a culture hide because of what society influences.

Stop hiding from the TRUTH.

OWN who you are. You will not have the life you deserve if you are pretending to be something or someone who you are not.

Class 4 adjourned.....

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting go of Anger
Class 3: You become What You Believe

What do you believe?

2011-10-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Oprah's Life Class 3: You become What You Believe

This class examines: Understanding the Power that is within every person and knowing how to gain constant access to that power. It also explores how to consistently apply this new way of thinking into your thought process.

What do you believe? What are your beliefs?
What do you believe about yourself?
Do you believe what people say about you?
Are you influenced by the media? Your partner/spouse? Your friends?

A lot of people have ideas about themselves that have been formed by the outside.

I truly believe that I am going to be someone GREAT. I expect GREAT things to happen to me. Although throughout the years, I have been misguided and influenced by outside variables; I still believe that I am called to this earth for a specific reason and only I can fulfill that purpose. We all have gotten off track at one point or another in our life and I truly believe that misguidance is built into our journey. It is the only way we can realize that being guided by something or having some type of discipline built into our lifestyle is how we should live.

You are where you are in your life because your actions and energy bought you there. -Oprah

We must introduce our mind to higher thinking. The mind must be renewed daily. You must tell your mind what to think and how to believe. If you allow thoughts of whatever to flow through your mind, you have lost control. Your destiny is at stake. You have control over the flow of your life and the only way to stay in control is if you are totally conscious of what you are thinking at all times. This isn't anything like humanism where you forget there is a master Creator who ultimately has the last say so over your life. (Philosophy of humanism -a variety of ethical theory and practice that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world and often rejects the importance of belief in God.)
It is understanding that you don't get what you want. You don't become what you want. You become what you believe. You should never want to become what you want; because the want comes from lack instead of purpose and passion.

You will manifest the life that you believe. Whatever you deeply believe, you will create. The sum of all of your creation is your life. Find a way for the truth of yourself to express itself. We're all looking for the highest, fullest expression of ourselves as human beings. Unless you are finding a way for what you believe to be true about yourself to express and manifest itself in the world--- you are not living your fullest life. You cannot allow the voices of the world to drown out the voice inside. Intuition and instinct speaks to us all time. You must believe that there is something bigger and greater within and be guided by that. Pay attention to the life that you are living and leading right now. Believe that there is a reason why you are here. Know that every thing is a teacher to help for your next opportunity and situation. If you are believing something specific for your life understand that if nothing happens at first, its because every thing has a process. The energy that you place into the process makes it happen. (Low energy=low results.) Planting a seed, watering it, nurturing it, and bringing it to FULL manifestation involves and extensive process.

Just for five minutes, concentrate on the thoughts flowing through your mind. One superior thought that you must believe about you is that you are continuously evolving. We must evolve into humanity and in our conscious. Believe that you are worthy of the best that our creation has to offer. You are worthy of happiness, love, and peace.

Application is important. If you apply these simple practical steps to your life, you will experience unimaginable bliss.When I first learned about the law of attraction, I didn't realize how damaged my thought process was. When I first read The Secret, I felt empowered and unstoppable. But it didn't last. I reverted to my old ways, my old habits, and my old way of thinking. Because I had the audio book, I started listening to it twice a month. I had to get the concept embedded. For twenty-seven years, I was used to being led by emotions. I was good at letting my thoughts control my life. Information not rehearsed is soon forgotten. I was sure to begin to listen to it and apply what I was learning. There are many books on the mind that can help you with this process. (Power Thoughts by Joyce Meyer and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne are two great picks).

Class 3 adjourned...

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The False Power of Ego
Class 2: Letting Go of Anger

The REBOUND Situation

2011-10-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Oprah's LifeClass 2: Letting Go of Anger & Letting go of the Past...

When you think you are deserving because of past situations you are living from your ego self.
Holding on to anger can set you back from living the life you were meant to live.
You always get a feeling or a whisper...
Do not hold on to pinned up anger. It could take on other forms.
Learn to release anger that is causing you harm.
Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different. It is accepting that it has happened and there is nothing that can change it but moving on.
Let go so that the past does not Hold you prisoner...
Live in the present...Live in the right now and what is happening right now.
Releasing anger allows beauty to come back into your life.
Forgive, for you, so that you and the power within can move forward.

My sister and I were having a discussion about being the "rebound chick" at one point in our life. We both summed it up to almost everyone has experienced being a rebound. A guy that she recently dated became her rebound and when she realized what she was doing, she ended the relationship. I felt so sorry for the guy, because he was really into her. Being a rebound is hard on a person, especially if they don't see it coming. But he wasn't mad at her. He didn't hold any anger towards her and hopefully he won't take it out on the next person he decides to date.

I dated this one guy and he was everything that I thought I wanted. I had no idea that right before we started to kick it, he was dating this much younger female and I guess they fell in love. So they break up and I come along. We first met at a college basketball game and he was interested...and so was I. We started hanging out and I was super sure we were going to be together forever. Boy was I dead wrong! For about three months I was all wrapped up into him. (Three months is a long time when you think you are in love.) I fell really fast and really hard and then things started to get strange---all of sudden. Everything that he did to get me in the beginning stopped abruptly. I never asked him about his past relationships and had no idea that he dated someone right before we started dating.

Everything that I learned about his former girlfriend, all came in hindsight. He didn't want to tell me that he was in love with her. That situation was devastating at the time, mostly because I was selfish and immature. I was upset because he decided to be with her and not me. I held onto the hurt more than the anger. The anger came out in a prideful way. It made my heart really hard. Going through that relationship taught me what I didn't want. And although a lot of things were revealed afterwards, I still wanted to know why did he choose her?

It took me about six months to totally get over the situation and once I forgave myself for not loving me enough to just let it all go, I was able to forgive him and realize that he had a special place in his heart for her. I came to terms with the situation by understanding that he loved her and not me. And if he loved her and she loved him, who was I to get in the way of that.

Even though Monica dropped The Makings of Me many years after that particular experience, one of my favorite songs to this day summed up everything I was feeling at the time....

Class 2 Adjourned...

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

Class 1: The FALSE Power of Ego

ego vs.TRUTH

2011-10-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

On June 17, I penned one of my most popular post.
The title: 15 Lessons we can Learn from a Woman of Purpose
The inspiration: Oprah Winfrey's MasterClass

You would think for the longest that I had writer's block, but that has definitely not been the case. I am bombarded with projects and strategizing. #ThatsAll

But when I take the time to gain wisdom, my mind, heart, and spirit start to become flooded with words and I must release them, or I know I will drown. This entire week, I have been enrolled into:

I am not a Oprah groupie or anything like that. To be totally transparent, I like the classes waaaaay better than talk show. So there you have it.

I bring these lessons to you just in case, you are unaware of the free knowledge and wisdom that's readily available to you. One of my favorite sayings is, "We should utilize our experiences, to encourage, and empower others." It'll be my credo 'til the day I die. Maya Angelou believes that we all are teachers and there are lessons in every experience we encounter. So today I bring to you a summary of what I learned and I place a twist by adding my lessons. So I am exposing me to you; to help you.

Oprah's LifeClass I: The FALSE Power of Ego
Ego-false sense of self. It is the exact opposite of our TRUE self or our True Nature.

While taking notes and listening to what was being stated, I realized that my ego is my flesh. It's the thing that is attached to this earth. It tries to boss me around daily. No matter how much feed it, it always wants more and it's own way ALL the time.

The ego feeds itself on wanting..............O. Winfrey

I remember having a conversation with one of my friends' and I was explaining that I remember the first time I went to a high school football game. Although, it is a common event for teenagers, I wasn't allowed to go until I was like in the eight or ninth grade. It was my only opportunity to get out of the house and be free. #Translate: Be away from my parents. They were strict and I love them to this day for staying on me. But the first time, I went, I was so happy and that happiness only lasted for about thirty minutes. And then I was like, this is what it's like to be at a high school football game? (This is it.....I was excited for nothing.) Now what?

In that instant, I then started wanting more....But what was I seeking? What was unfulfilled? That's the question you should ask yourself. Fast forward---> When I entered into the Corporate World, I was making really decent money and could purchase WHATEVER I wanted. And I did. But the satisfaction or fulfillment that I thought I would receive after purchasing a coach bag, or a bebe shirt, or some true religion jeans, I only felt for a small period of time. (I use lowercase letters not to disrespect the designers but to bring emphasis to things and how insignificant they are). When I purchased my condo, that new home smell faded. Just like a new car smell fades. And although I was not mature enough to see that I was disconnected from me, I was. Transitioning into my thirties, is allowing me to trim the fat off of my body, my mind, my soul, and my spirit. The connection that I was missing, was the connection to TRUTH & my True Self.

Operating out of ego means you are operating out of fear. It also means that you always scared and not aligned with your life. Disconnect from the ego-self. You must connect with you and align yourself to the power within. Operating out of fear means you will be running from your life instead of being aligned with your life. In order to become align with the real you, you must remain Conscious & Connected to that peace within and the piece of yourself that knows you are not the thoughts in your head. Know that you are not identifying with the thoughts in your head or the things that are around you. Become aware and live in the space of awareness.

Make the connection to your TRUE-SELF so that you don't have to operate from ego. The ego is a disassociation from your true sense of self-worth. The ability to feel the truth of yourself is how you disconnect from the ego. The ego can not stand for the real you to recognize it. It is then that you are acknowledging and disconnecting from it. The real work of our lives is to discover and uncover the truth of ourselves; who we really are, apart from our ego.

YOU ALONE ARE ENOUGH. You don't need anything to validate you or your worth. This earth was created for you. You hold a special purpose and place in the earth to do something great. And that alone is why you are enough. NO-THING can define who you are.

The easiest way to recognize ego:
Oh no this bi@$h did not...
How dare he/she???
I know one thing, he/she better not try me...

Ego shows up every time you purchase something you don't need or can't really afford. It shows up in all the stuff and things that we really don't need. It's deceptive, deceitful and if you don't disconnect from it, you will become a slave to it for the rest of your human life.

It's the battle between the flesh (ego) and your spirit (True nature). Choose who you will side with every time and in every situation.

Class 1 adjourned.....

Statements in bold are quotes from Oprah

SGT Highlight: Marissa Mayer

2011-10-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Marissa Mayer. I am commissioned to introduce great women to my audience. This woman is not only the epitome of a great woman, but she will leave a legacy for many other women. I receive all sorts of emails because I have subscribed to many blog and websites. Information is forever changing so I am dedicated to learning. Marissa, came to my inbox via Little Pink Book and when I read about her accomplishments, I had to celebrate her. Ms. Mayer is courageous, unstoppable, and very inspirational. I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her) Marissa Mayer.

The search engine Google is so universal, it’s a defined verb in both the Oxford English and Merriam Webster Collegiate dictionaries. That’s due largely to Marissa Mayer. The 36-year-old Wisconsin native is a head decision-maker for the more than $150 billion company and the brains behind such projects as Google Instant and iGoogle. Mayer is often the one fielding tough questions from the public and the media – not easy when you’re representing a company with nearly 25,000 employees in more than 100 countries. And while her job requires her to always look to the future, she credits an old-fashioned strong work ethic as her key to success Little Pink Book has a complete Q and A interview that is very interesting. Click here to read more

Info courtesy of Little Pink Book.

SGT Highlight: Tamika Newhouse

2011-10-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Tamika Newhouse. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman because she has overcome many obstacles to live out her dreams. She is an author, publicist and speaker (just to name a few). She is the true eptiome of what Corporate Chics represent. Tamika has utilized her experiences, to encourage and empower others. We first connected on twitter and because she welcomed me so graciously into her world, I had to extend the invitation. She is courageous, unstoppable, and very inspirational. I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her) Tamika Newhouse.

http://tamikanewhouse.com

Tamika Newhouse is a self-published bestselling author. Founder of Delphine Publications, at the age of 21, Tamika appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African American Literary Awards. In 2010, she landed a major publishing deal without an agent and still continues to write independent projects.

Along with Delphine Publications, Tamika is the founder and President of African Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) - an online book club and radio show catering to avid readers across the nation. With future projects in the works from short films, stage plays and much more, Tamika is a young woman on a mission.

Tamika presently tours the country speaking about overcoming her teen pregnancy to fulfill her dream, as well as teaching aspiring writers the publishing ropes. She had hosted her own internet radio show (AAMBC) for over three years and continues to expand her brand. She is currently living in San Antonio with her son, and daughter. She is currently working on her fifth novel He's My Favorite Mistake.

Delphine Publications          www.delphinepublications.com
AAMBC Organization          www.aambookclub.com
AAMBC Radio                   www.blogtalkradio.com/aambc
Baltimore Urban Book Festival www.baltimoreurbanbookfestival.com

Email: tamikanewhouse@yahoo.com
Fan Club: tamikafanclub@gmail.com
Phone: (641) 715.3900 EXT: 96359
Follow her tweets @TamikaNewhouse
Like her Facebook

SGT Highlight: Lisa Nicole Bell

2011-09-27T15:42:00.000-07:00


http://lisanicolebell.com

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Lisa Nicole Bell. I am personally excited to highlight this remarkable woman: she inspires young women and empowers entrepreneurs. Not only do we share the same titles with one of them being entrepreneur, but writing and being an author is an additional quality that we have in common. We connected several months ago and since then, have been in communication with each other about possible business ventures. She is courageous, unstoppable, and very inspirational. I am happy to introduce to you (just in case you don't know her) Lisa N. Bell.

Lisa Nicole Bell is the personification of what happens when art and commerce collide. Lisa is a unique hybrid of on air personality and behind-the-scenes powerhouse. As an award winning filmmaker, media personality, social change agent, international speaker, and media entrepreneur, Lisa is the conductor of her own orchestra of media and entertainment. Blending her creative instincts and business acumen, Lisa creates media properties and brands that give birth to new conversations and inspire meaningful change. Her way of integrating lofty ideals with practical applications and sustainable business models have made her a respected authority on personal development, social change, and business.

Lisa started her first company at just nineteen years old and went on to start others. Today, Lisa is the CEO of Inspired Life Media Group where she and her team create media with message™. Using film, television, stage, and new media, Inspired Life Media Group illuminates social issues and personal development themes with thoughtful and unique angles. Lisa is the founder of Inspired Girls International, an Inspired Life Media Group subsidiary, that creates actionable content and programming for emerging feminine leaders ages 14-21.

As an entertainment professional and entrepreneur, Lisa’s projects and companies have earned various awards and nominations including the NAACP Image Award, the Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 70 Legendary Women in Social Media, and the Cable Positive Award. Click here to read more about Lisa.

Like her on Facebook
Follow her Tweets @LisaNicoleBell
Connect with on LinkedIN

SGT Highlight: Carol J. Roth

2011-09-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Carol J. Roth. Being selected as a contributor to her popular blog, which was recently named as one of the Top Ten small business' blogs online, I was forced to find who she was and what she represented. Identified as an entrepreneur, she is definitely someone that has great advice for women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Recognized as a frequent guest contributor on the topics of business and entrepreneurship, appearing on Fox News, MSNBC, Fox Business, and WGN TV Chicago, she is an entrepreneur that we all can identify with. Recognized as a New York Times Bestseller, this woman is a "Shero" and should be celebrated!

Carol Roth is a business strategist, deal maker and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Entrepreneur Equation. Carol has worked with hundreds of companies, ranging from a single entrepreneur with an idea to Fortune 500 businesses, on all aspects of business and financial strategy. Collectively, she has helped her clients raise more than $1 billion in capital, complete $750+ million in mergers and acquisitions, secure high-profile licensing and partnership deals, brand loyalty programs and more.

Ms. Roth puts her vast experience with the “good, bad and ugly of business” to work on a daily basis. She has over 16 years of business advisory experience, which began at investment banking firm Montgomery Securities in San Francisco (currently Banc of America Securities), where she rapidly rose internally to become one of the youngest officers of the company by age 25. She is known for her significant knowledge base, can-do attitude, extreme efficiency, client dedication, frank opinions and “colorful” vocabulary. Her experience has encompassed a wide variety of products and services, including initial public offerings (IPOs), secondary offerings, private equity placements, private debt placements, buy-side M&A, sell-side M&A, LBOs/MBOs, recapitalizations, valuations, fairness opinions, licensing, marketing services, franchise work, start-up advisory and general strategic advisory work. She will also go out on a limb for her clients, who have asked her to do some very strange things, including filling-in as an auctioneer for a charity event auction.

Ms. Roth currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband, who is also an investment banker (and her former business partner). They have no children, pets or plants and are avid sports fans (particularly of NFL football). Ms. Roth is also a recovering toy collector, recently trading in a portion of her collection for a more sophisticated toy (a Simpsons pinball machine). She is currently the first and only business strategist with her own fashion doll made in her likeness. More about, Mrs. Roth.

Info and pictures courtesy of CarolJRoth.com.

She tweets @caroljsroth

SGT Highlight: Shonda Rhimes

2011-09-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Shonda Rhimes. The reason I decided to highlight this particular woman --- that is moving and shaking in Tinsel town, is because I aspire to be just like her. The drive that she has along with her tenacity proves that you can do whatever you set your mind to, especially if it's in your purpose or a part of your destiny. If you don't know who this is, now you can learn about this extraordinary writer, producer, and African American director.

If you don’t know the name of Shonda Rhimes, you should. She single handedly is bringing quality scripted tv back. Now comes hopes that a period piece not about struggling Blacks Gilded Lillys will aire on ABC. Gilded Lillys marks Rhimes’ fourth project with ABC: rookie legal drama Scandal is set for midseason; medical dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice return next month for their eighth and fifth seasons, respectively.

Here first project The one-hour project, which hails from ABC Studios, centers on a young, idealistic and recently fired defense lawyer struggles to start his own firm with an eclectic group of lawyer misfits, while starting to realize that he may have been fired from his old job because he got too close to a deadly cover-up.

She is an American screenwriter, director and producer. Rhimes is best known as the creator, head writer, and executive producer of acclaimed television series Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice. In May 2007, Rhimes was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Time 100 people who help shape the world.^[1] Rhimes was an executive producer for the medical drama series, Off the Map and is currently developing a new series, Scandal for the ABC network which is expected to launch at midseason

Rhimes created a pilot for ABC in 2010 called Inside the Box, a female-centric ensemble drama set in a Washington, D.C. network news bureau. It centered on Catherine, an ambitious female news producer, and her colleagues pursuing “the story” at all costs while juggling their personal animosities and crises of conscience. It was not picked up by the network.

In 2011, Rhimes served as executive producer for the medical drama, Off the Map, which was created by Grey’s Anatomy writer, Jenna Bans. It focused on a group of doctors who practice medicine at a remote clinic in the Amazon.The series was officially cancelled by the ABC network on May 13, 2011. Rhimes had hope the show would be as popular as its sister shows Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice but the ratings were not up to expectations. In May 2011, ABC ordered Rhimes’ pilot script Scandal to series. Kerry Washington stars as Olivia Pope, a political crisis management expert who is partially based on former Bush administration press aide Judy Smith. The series will serve as a midseason replacement.

Shonda Rhimes brings promise of talent to television that we have been missing for quite awhile.

Info courtesy of ELEV8

Interested in being highlighted? Shoot over your story to TawanaNecole@CorporateChics.net

SGT Highlight: Power Chicks - Lynn Baldwin Rhoades

2011-09-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Lynn Baldwin Rhoades of Power Chicks Intl. & Marketing Shebang . We connected through twitter's weekly #FF (Follow Fridays for those of you who don't know what that means-shame on you if you don't) a couple months back and when I say that our efforts are parallel, it's an understatement! She is all about assisting, supporting, and empowering women and I absolutely love meeting other women who share the same purpose.

Power Chicks is an online community empowering women through coaching, online resources and events that provide valuable connections and learning.

Community builder, champion of women and lover of dreaming – and achieving – crazy-big stuff.

"A couple years ago, I wouldn’t have described myself in those words. At the time, I worked for a great company, but I was bored. Restless. Cooped up. So, I did what made sense in a crazy sort of way: In a crappy economy with zero backup plan, I gave my notice to leave.

I decided to create my own company. I’d been in marketing for more than 20 years and figured I could build a business based on my well-honed skills. So, on a shoestring, I launched my biz. I worked insanely hard. Got insanely burned out. That first year? I earned 10% of my previous job’s income.

I was floundering. Failing! What could I do?

I’d been networking online and one website offered the ability to create groups. Aha! I thought. I’ll start a group, call it Power Chicks and invite folks to come together. My big vision:

A few women would gather so we could lend each other support, pool our smarts, and rock our professional lives. Sweet, right?

When 10 women joined the online group, I was thrilled. When 50 joined, I was nervous. When 200 joined, I knew I was in over my head. And when 500 women resonated with my wee-small idea for a group called Power Chicks, I had a fit on the phone with my friend."
To read the entire article, click here.

Like Power Chicks on Facebook

Follow Power Chicks Intl. on Twitter

Connect with Lynn Baldwin-Rhoades on Linked-In

Not a Hustler...Just a Serial Entrepreneur

2011-09-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wow.....It's been several weeks since I had a chance to write my thoughts out on the computer. I have been faithfully keeping up with supporting women based organizations and businesses but I haven't written a blog in a minute. I guess I had writer's block with everything I have going on. While walking the other day I was inspired by the thought of who I am and the direction I am going.

I know you know someone who is a jack of all trades and a master of none. And although I like the statement, I don't 100% agree with what it's saying. Because if you look into my life, you will see that I am everywhere trying to be and do everything that is placed into my heart. Don't get me wrong, I hate to see people go from one thing to the next without taking the time to watch it develop and mature. But there is a huge difference in running around like a chicken with your head cut off and actually strategically taking careful steps to walk into your purpose. I use myself as an example in every situation, because experience is the best teacher. I am not a Coach or therapist or an expert. I will not charge you for the information that I am about to tell you, because experiences teaches us all. I just hope that because you clicked on this article, you get what you need to move forward to fulfilling your passion.

About two months ago, I found myself getting in my own way. You know, doing so much that you are not allowing the Universe to step in just a little to give you assistance. Hustling and getting no where fast. You klnow the person that always has to work, but never has enough money to pay their bills. Running around in a circle. Wandering around in the wilderness. Hustling. I realized that I had to take a step back from everything Corporate Chics. I had to take my energy and place it into something else, that I absolutely love. I had to take it and place it into someone other than my vision or dream. And doing so has resulted in me getting even closer to everything that I am passionate about.

Anytime you receive an idea about something that is directly aligned to your gift, talents, and purpose, that is definitely an indication that you should move forward in making it happen. But and yes this is a BIG But...you must know that it will not happen just through you. We all need help in anything that we do. That is so important to understand. Also, you can't abandon an idea or a project just because it's not moving as fast as you think it should. I know several entrepreneurs, that bounce from one thing to the next because the first idea didn't mature as fast as they thought it should. Or they re-brand, with the hopes that it reaches the mass faster. Wrong solution.

Being a serial entrepreneur involves patience, strategic development, and a lot of brilliant ideas that work. Ten years ago, I had no idea that Sisters Striving for Excellence, Inc. would be a vital part of my life today. Three years ago, I had no idea I would be an author and consultant. Although at eighteen, I had already claimed it. I had no idea that a simple idea called BlogLive could potentially be a show like the The View or The Talk. I had not idea, that I would assist several new beginning authors with their book. I had no idea that I would take the concept of Corporate Chics and turn into a television show. That was NOT in the plan. I had no idea that I would assist many new entrepreneurs with start-ups while managing a shoe boutique. #ISOLOVESHOES

But I am doing it all. And I am NOT a Hustler running around like I lost my glasses and it's sitting on my head. I am peacefully strategizing my next move. I am a Serial Entrepreneur.

SGT Highlight: Tia Jackson Harley

2011-08-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

Social Entrepreneur & Brand Strategist

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Tia Jackson Harley. Tia and I met through her website: One Million Entrepreneurs. This space online is a growing network of business owners united by passion, innovation and drive. The site features inspiring profiles and daily discussions to help entrepreneurs navigate their way forward. She also is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of Brand Makers and Brand Maker News. I am excited about this feature and would like to introduce you to woman who is moving and shaking in the business world!

http://onemillionentrepreneurs.com/

On A Mission to Educate & Empower Small Business Owners.

http://www.thebrandmakers.com/

As a dynamic brand-marketing strategist with an extensive background in multicultural marketing, public relations, and brand management, Tia Jackson joined forces with industry peers to create The BrandMakers™, a communication design firm with urban swagger.

Throughout her distinguished career as a Brand Marketing Consultant, her passion and commitment for building and empowering brands has led her to develop and implement Marketing Communication campaigns for The National Urban League, UniWorld Group, Ford Motor Company, The United States Marine Corps, The Home Depot, Bishop T.D. Jakes, The National Medical Association, NBC News and Royal Caribbean International, among others.

Formerly a Brand Marketing Director for Urban Brands, Inc, she managed a multi-million dollar budget to direct the marketing initiatives for Ashley Stewart, a fashion retail chain consisting of more than 200 stores nationwide. In this role she culminated cause marketing campaigns, managed the development of marketing materials, implemented in-store and community based events, and developed celebrity partnerships and cross-promotional opportunities to further connect the brand to its target audience- African American women.

Over the years, Tia has developed and executed promotional campaigns for wine and spirits brands including Smirnoff, Bailey’s, and Hpnotiq. She managed and trained Brand Ambassadors to increase brand awareness and visibility within key urban markets.

Tia has an extensive background in marketing to urban and multicultural audiences. As an urban tastemaker, she is tapped into the world of trendsetters, and incorporates her first-hand experiences and insights into developing culturally relevant and credible pr and marketing campaigns to penetrate the lifestyles of the target audience.

Tia also lends her time and creative input to the National Urban League, Dress for Success/Young Executives for Success, PRSA-NY Multicultural Committee, and NABJ.

Follow:

@TiaJackson

@OneMillionEnt

@BrandMakerNews

Disclosure

The women who are highlighted as a feature do not necessarily agree with the views of Corporate Chics. They are being recognized for their commitment to our communities and how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women.

SGT Highlight: Red (Tina Pennington) & Black (Mandy Williams)

2011-08-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Red + Black. Two sisters that are so different but so alike. I met Mandy via LinkedIn. I keep telling everyone, never underestimate the power of social media! I am super excited about sharing them with you. You will love their contributions as columnist and the information that they share as authors (although they don't themselves authors). I am always attracted to beneficial-simple information. Giddy with excitement and so grateful to feature them this week below is how we connected...and yes connecting with people you DON'T know is that easy.

On 07/07/11 7:38 AM, Mandy S. Williams, aka Black wrote:
--------------------
I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Mandy S. Williams, aka Black

On 07/07/11 10:58 AM, Tawana Necole wrote:
--------------------
Hi Black,

I already love you because we have something in common...some of my friends call me Black....not for the same reason but it's something we have in common!
Thank you so much for connecting with me. I had an opportunity to view the website and I absolutely love the idea and concept. I also love the idea of two sisters coming together in business and to share information and knowledge.
Is there anything we can do to help each other?

On 07/07/11, Mandy S. Williams, aka Black wrote:

----------------------

Hello Tawana,

Your "Black" comment made me laugh. Love it!
Thank you so very much for you wonderful feedback. I went to your websites, and was very impressed. I especially love your personal site.
As far as helping each other, that would be great...

Want to know more?

www.redandblackbooks.com

Traditional Press

Social Media Coverage

News Paper Column

Key topics

How to Succeed at Business: Vision, Courage, and Flexibility

(Forbes)

Women & Financial Literacy

(Forbes)

Inspiration for Girls

(Girls Can't What?)

SGT Highlight: Dawn Fitch (Pooka Pure and Simple)

2011-08-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Dawn Fitch, Founder and Creator of Pooka Pure and Simple. I am excited about today's feature because of her remarkable story. The fact that she was able to turn a negative situation into a positive amazing story, is astonishing and she should be celebrated. Her determination is motivating and uplifting. I am honored to highlight and feature her this week!

Pooka is an all natural, handmade beauty care line. It was conceived after Dawn Fitch, Pooka's creator, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and decided to take a natural approach to hair and skincare by making her own products. Today, Pooka products are sold in 28 Whole Food Markets, online and in various retail locations. It has been featured on The Today Show, CBS Evening News and in Black Enterprise Magazine. Made from oils from different nuts and vegetables, shea and cocoa butters, fruit powders, seeds, and more, Pooka products also contain no preservatives or dyes and no dangerous sulfates, parabens or phalates. The Pooka Pure and Simple line includes hair butter, body oils, body butters, body polish, foot care and more.

Like Pooka on Facebook

Follow Pooka on Twitter

See what she's talking about via her

Blog

For more information visit her website

www.pookapureandsimple.com

SGT Highlight: Go Diva

2011-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Go Diva. I am excited about this highlight because I love pole dancing classes. Introduced to a popular studio here in the Atlanta area by one of my friends, I went through a boot camp and lost about ten pounds. So I can co-sign on the dotted line by saying these classes actually work! ~TNGW

GoDiva Studio is an exotic dance studio that specializes in pole, belly and erotic fitness dance classes. Their mission is to empower women to own their sensuality using an alternative approach to fitness. GoDiva Studio is a place where women can feel comfortable pursuing their fitness goals. They welcome women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. "We all want our clothes to fit better. We all want to feel more confident. We all want to look and feel sexy!"
Services include daily classes, specialized programs, private parties and regulary scheduled workshops. It doesn't matter if you are a gym fanatic or haven't exercised in years. GoDiva has a class for you!

Founded in 2010 by three friends, Ty Smith, Nikki Philip and Sonya Miller, GoDiva Studio strives to assist women in discovering their sensuality while simultaneously confronting the negative stereotypes associated with exotic dancing, and using it for a positive purpose.

Connect with these women on the move!

Website

www.godivastudio.com

Twitter

@GoDivaStudio

Facebook

www.facebook.com/GoDivaStudio

SGT Highlight: Sisters Striving for Excellence, Inc.

2011-07-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

Sisters Striving for Excellence, Inc. is a not- for-profit organization exclusively created for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Promoting public awareness, providing information and educating underprivileged inner city kids/teens/college students in our communities is our main objective. Supporting the value of sisterhood and professionalism while representing a character of integrity is our central goal. The organization was established in 2001. As one of the co-founders of the group, I am grateful that I am apart of making history. This year we celebrate a decade of excellence, professionalism, and education.

This past weekend, we started our pre-celebrating activities. I had a really great time meeting and bonding with some of the newer sisters. I have always loved everything about SSE, but I fell back in love. The harmony and unity that I saw this weekend is the reason, we created the group. If it wasn't for the young ladies that continue to see the vision (as we saw it ten years ago) we wouldn't be where we are. If it wasn't for the young ladies that are professional and have a heart for community service, the organization wouldn't mature.

Even though I am one of the catalyst, each and every young woman that has went through an SSE Intake process, is apart of the legacy. And I want to thank each of you for becoming apart of something bigger than me, bigger than you and bigger than life. Hugs and High-Fives!

Connect:

www.SistersStrivingforExcellence.org

@SSE_Inc

Like US! (Facebook)

http://sistersstrivingforexcellenceinc.blogspot.com/

How to Create a Strong Profile on LinkedIn

2011-07-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Guest Blog Post

by Amy Lorenti of Klear Idea (http://www.klearidea.com)

A LinkedIn profile is a must to build your reputation as a professional and an expert. If you do not already have an account with LinkedIn, go to http://www.LinkedIn.com and sign up. It's easy and free. Pull out your resume and letters of recommendation for reference, and look through your photos for a sharp and professional looking head shot. Before you start connecting with other LinkedIn users, here is what you need to do to make your profile stand out.

The headline should state your name and what you do so it is instantly understood. For instance, “Jane Williams – Editor & Proofreader - SmartWritersEdge.com"
Make sure your photo is high quality, and you are dressed appropriately. Do not use party shots from Facebook!
Include all degrees, certificates, and other educational achievements including majors and minors.
List any activities you have participated in, especially if you won awards, trophies or other recognition. If you did well in school this is the place to show off a high grade point average, and any degrees you received with honors.
Your professional summary should be professional and to the point with nothing misspelled, proper grammar and using a confident and upbeat tone.
Include jobs you have held, relevant internships, volunteer work, and any extra-curricular activities you participated in. Use bullet points or short sentences.
Potential clients, employers and recruiters use LinkedIn’s search engine to find the right candidates so you need to use the same keywords they use when filling out the specialties section. Be sure it is filled with words like “English major,” “mechanical engineer,” or “Cisco certification.” Use the Google Keyword tool to test keywords and phrases to see how many people actually use them.
Update your status regularly. Share something with your contacts such as professional events you have attended or plan to attend, projects completed, etc.
Join groups you can relate to and display their badges on your profile page.
Ask the same people that have written recommendations for you to place one on LinkedIn. Also search to see who else you have worked with (whether as a volunteer, employee, student, etc.) to write one as well.
To be found on LinkedIn, make sure your profile is set to “public."
Add the unique URL that LinkedIn creates for your profile it to your business card, email signature and correspondence.
Add links to your profile page for work you have done that relates to your specialties and skills.

On a regular basis, check your profile and add new skills or experience. LinkedIn is a valuable tool that can help you steadily grow your business. Creating a strong profile is a great way to start.

Amy Lorenti is an entrepreneur and marketing communications expert. Over the last twenty-five years, she has worked with some of the most successful companies in the world to help them effectively reach their customers. Now owner of klear idea, a marketing communications agency that combines crisp copy and clean design while maximizing social media to reach buyers directly, Amy brings a unique blend of hands-on experience to each project she develops for her clients.

SSE, Inc. Celebrating Ten Years of Excellence

2011-07-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

It's funny how life works. Your destiny and purpose will make a way for you, even in your ignorance. That's the biggest lesson I learned through this experience. I am so grateful that my Creator decided to utilize me as a vessel to help bring harmony and unity amongst women through education.
Click here to read the post and our pre-celebration plans!

SGT Highlight: Amy Lorenti

2011-07-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is Amy Lorenti. We connected via LinkdIn several weeks ago and I am absolutely grateful that we crossed paths. We share many of the same interests and would have never connected if it had not been for Social Media. She is a woman with a proven history and record of success. Get to know her!

Marketing Communications Expert

Amy has owned and operated two marketing communications companies, was chief public relations officer for an award-winning advertising agency, and has held senior marketing positions for both a publicly-held international company focusing on the consumer fashion market and a private company serving the IT sector with global outsourcing solutions.

Amy’s expertise includes advertising and promotion, branding, stakeholder relations, digital marketing and small business marketing strategy. Her more than 25 years of experience involved developing and creating effective business marketing communications for companies and organizations of all sizes and in multiple industries. This eclectic background gives her a unique insight for quickly understanding processes, products and markets, identifying objectives, formulating solutions and effectively and efficiently delivering the message – on point, on time and within budget.

If you’re ready to attract more customers and take your business to the next level, make Amy and klear idea an active member of your marketing team.

Give Amy a call at 919.260.0075 or email ideas@amylorenti.com.

website- http://www.klearidea.com

email - amy@klearidea.com
twitter - @amylorenti
linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenti

facebook - "Like Her" Facebook Page

klearidea creates and implements marketing programs designed to build brand equity, improve image, target buyers, increase traffic, attract customers and highlight benefits so you sell more of your products and services.

SGT: Chelsa Brown

2011-07-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Weekly, I highlight women through my blog because of their commitment to their communities or how they empower, motivate, and uplift other women. This week our Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight is the classy Ms. Chelsa. We connected via Twitter several weeks ago. Social media affords us the opportunity to build a great business relationship. I went to her site and didn't want to leave because the knowledge is beneficial and the music is engaging. She has the perfect selection. If you love wine (like I do) there is a wealth of information. The diversity of her interest is intriguing. I am honored to highlight Chelsa Brown.

Chelsa Brown is a graduate of Troy University Montgomery. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Sciences. She enjoys traveling and meeting new people. Her appreciation for culture and wine prompted her to develop the blog Heard It Through the Grapevine to inform and engage the River Region in all things related to wine. When she's not informing others on the joys in wine, Chelsa mentors teen girls ages 13-18 with the organization Eve's Circle dedicated to the education, empowerment and betterment of young girls living in the Alabama River Region.

Email: heardgrapvine@gmail.com

Facebook: Heard It Through the Grapevine

Website: www.heardgrapevine.blogspot.com

Twitter: MsCB83

SGT Highlight: YOU (Love & Decision Making)

2011-07-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

This week I wanted to dedicate this Sista Girl Tuesday to whoever may need this information. It's a discussion that we have with our girlfriends ALL the time. Love and Relationships. I hope this brings clarity and settlement to you.....

As women, love comes easy and we usually love really hard when we are in relationships. Generally once our mind is made up about something we are satisfied with our decision. But when a man enters the equation, we some how lose who we are and we never stick to our decision. We all at one point in our lives, have decided to leave a man once we were fed up with him not treating us right, and then two weeks later we are right back in his arms. So let’s understand love & decision making.

What is Love?
God is the essence of love. Love is an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. Love sacrifices & lives for others. It is a decision about how we act, even when no one is watching.

Decision Defined
A decision is a determination after consideration. It is coming to a conclusion and cutting off other options. All decisions have consequences: present or eternal. Consequences are built into your decisions & your actions. You will never change what you are not willing to confront. Excluding communication, these two components {love and decisions} are vital in relationships.

Putting it All Together
When a woman is in a loving relationship, there is no doubt about the feelings of her significant other. Everything is reciprocal. A relationship is balanced when two people love each other unconditionally. When you question if someone really loves you, that’s when you have made a mistake in the decision of loving someone. I know it’s hard to let go of someone that you care about, however, when you love yourself more than anyone besides God, you are able to make sound quality decisions. So if you haven’t been making good decisions about relationships, this is where your answers lie.

Questions to Ponder
If you place yourself second, why would a man place you first? If you disregard your qualifications or settle for someone, why should the person that you settle for treat you with the love you deserve? If you don’t love yourself enough to consider the importance of self-love and self-perseverance, why should you receive it in return from someone? Have you ever stopped to think that sometimes we are the reason for the misfortunes that we experience?

Moving toward the Future
So now that you have been enlightened and totally understand what it means to love, it’s time to get out of the toxic relationships that you have been apart of for convenience. Sometimes to be better we must Get out and Walk Away!

I have learned that I cannot Change people when I want them to change. They will only change when they are ready and receptive. You may have to change your environment & partner to endure.

The Answers
As people, we are given everything we need to for this journey in life. Most times we choose to ignore our intuition. But you can not afford to if you want to experience a purposeful, prosperous life.

Five Simple Steps to Assist with Love & Decision Making
1. Love God with all your heart and all your soul.
2. Walk in Love. Meaning always set out to do something good for someone. Be a peacemaker.
3. Be in love with yourself.
4. Never settle for someone who is not on the same level as you spiritually, mentally, or emotionally.
5. Don’t ignore the signs that tell you BEWARE.

Anything you give up to better your relationship with God reaps GREAT harvests & benefits.

Plant. Nurture. Grow. Support. Repeat.

2011-06-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

Plant. Nurture. Grow. Support. Repeat.

Plant

The time you take to educate yourself is called planting. All the work you are doing toward your goals, dreams, vision, purpose, or life is called planting. Continue to sow seeds.

Once you have sowed the seed, you must water it. Take the time to meditate and visualize yourself in the place you know you are supposed to be (and will be in due time). Never abandon your seed. Groom it. Capitalize on your strengths.

Growth takes place in silence. It doesn’t happen overnight. But it happens. Be conscious of your growth.

Support

Reach out to colleagues. Feature your fellow entrepreneurs. Contribute to other websites. It’s better to give then to receive.

Repeat

Educate someone else. Teach them what you know, so that it becomes a cycle. Keep in mind that the youth will take our place someday.

SGT Highlight: E. Free & Skin Deep Ministries

2011-06-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

Skin Deep Ministries

E. Free and I met online via Twitter and we have developed a great connection. She is so inspiring and motivating. Her movement is a demonstration of how God places people in our paths for reasons. I am happy to know this wonderful woman! This is our "Sista Girl Tuesday" highlight...

Connect with this woman on the move! What can you do to assist the future?

Mission: SkinDeep Ministries is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower girls and women from the inside out in every aspect of their lives through mentoring, interactive workshops, live events, and community development opportunities.

Vision: To move beyond the skin-deep criteria of others and help change the world one self-loving inner girl at a time.

History: SkinDeep Ministries was born in 2007 out of a local need from a middle school that formed a girl group to address critical issues such as bullying, negative self-body image, depression, youth violence, and boy/girl relationships. That first visit affected the girls more than the administration or I could ever have imagined. Knowing that beautiful girls grow to be beautiful women, SkinDeep is committed to empowering both.

E.Free, Founder

Connect with her on Facebook

Connect with her on Twitter (@urbeautyshines)

SGT Highlight: Eileen Schlesier

2011-06-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

In 2009, Eileen Schlesier decided to cross an item off her life-list and become her own boss. Eileen is truly inspired by the strong females who have influenced her life, which is why she has decided to work with women-owned small businesses. A professional who values a work-life balance, she is passionate about coaching other female small business owners to self-employment success.

Over the past thirteen years, Eileen has honed her marketing and management skills at a number of prestigious companies such as the NPD Group, Brunner Advertising, and at GlaxoSmithKline. Along the way she adopted a nickname to help clients pronounce her last name- which stuck. (Schlesier, pronounce like SleeveShirt).

With strong analytical skills, a background focused on client-service and a keen eye for creative development, Eileen brings a strong professional perspective and a can-do attitude to every project she encounters.

Eileen and I connected via LinkedIn and I find it that the older I get in age, the smaller the world becomes. We both are contributors to a weekly site and was basically introduced there. Well, that's how we found out about each other. Anywhoo, I love her concept and felt inspired while on her site. My thought process was like, if she inspired me, she definitely can inspire others...she is going to be the Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight this week. And there it is!

Connect with Eileen Schlesier

Website/Services: Sleeve Shirt Consulting

Like Her on:

Facebook

Follow Her on:

Twitter:

Connect with Her on:

15 Lessons we can Learn from a Woman of Purpose

2011-06-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with a sense of peace and a sense of urgency to get this information to anyone who would take the time to read it. As I explained yesterday in my last post, I was stopped in my track and forced to watch some videos from Oprah's Master Class. I was encouraged and empowered by her experiences and knew I had to use social media to get this enlightening message out. Well, yesterday evening the entire two hour show came on and I contacted everyone that is in my immediate circle and told them to watch it. It's called Master Class so I had my notebook and an open heart to receive what I knew God was telling me. I am not impressed with the fact that Oprah Winfrey is a Billionaire. I am impressed with her honesty and her hindsight advice in explaining the manifestations of her fruit.

At our best we are all teachers. -Maya Angelou

1. Know yourself.
Understand that you are a spiritual being having human experiences. This actualization early in life will save you many heartaches. It gives you a peace in every encounter and situation that will come your way.

2. You are here for a reason. You are not an accident. You are the co-creator of your life.
You must take responsibility for the space you hold here. You were created with and on PURPOSE. Everything and Everyone that has occupied your time and space comes with lessons. Because we are guided by God who is our Creator, the process is simple. Celebrate your existence. Live in the present. Walk in your destiny. It is vital because you are the answer to many problems.

3. You are worthy.
You wouldn't have been created if you didn't matter to the Universe. The fact that you are here is a clear indication that you are commissioned for greatness.

4. You are the master of your fate.
If you don't realize that you are in control of your thoughts and your life, you will just be wandering around wasting time. Take control of your life. You are the master of your soul. You have choices. Make the right decisions to catapult you into what you were placed here to be and do.

5. When you do well, people will notice.
I tell all of my sisters and mentees, that as long as you give 100%, you are striving for excellence. Anything less, than your best, will give you average results.

6. Prepare for opportunity.
There is no such thing as luck. Everything that has happened is preparing you for what's to come. (O. Winfrey)

7. Don't pretend to be what you are not.
As Oscar Wilde says, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." Your DNA and fingerprints prove that you are you and there is no one like you.

8. We are more than we appear to be.
For a very long time money, diamonds, fame, and power were my influence. But three years ago, my influence transitioned to joy, peace, love, and purpose. And the fruit of the spirit are now my guiding light. This is what this statement means to me.

9. Grow to greatness.
Life is about growth and change. Lesson eight reveals that more than anything.

10. SURRENDER.
Once you have prayed, bargained, hoped, pleaded, and believed, the only thing that you can do is surrender. God can dream a bigger dream than I can ever dream...(O. Winfrey)

11. Your intention rules your life and determines the outcome.
In my affirmations, I pray that my thoughts, motives, heart, and intentions are cleansed. Anything in me that doesn't resemble love and light, I want cleansed and filled with more of you (God). #TryThis

12. You become what you believe...
The seeds that you plant with your thoughts and deeds all manifest through you.

13. You are not alone.
I remember Dale C. Bronner delivering a message one Sunday that gave the perfect example of this statement. He began talking about the two mirrors that we use on our cars to switch lanes while driving. And then he bought to our attention the wording on the mirror that we all take for granted: OBJECTS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR. And with that example, he began to explain how God is with us at all times. Even when it seems like he is not, he is. If you believe that statement without doubt, you will realize that in this dimension we are interconnected. We need love and each other to survive.

14. Stay true to your calling.
As an entrepreneur, you must remain competitive but when you begin to do things out of your element you are sure to fail. Two years ago, I was trying to plan an event and it was not coming together. It was difficult for all the components to fall in place. I took a step back and made the decision to not do the event. My instincts guide me and I know that my element is writing, informing, assisting, and leading. So I stay in my lane and you should as well.

15. Go with The Flow...
Anything you attack will fight back. (I. Vanzant)

(Purple is the color of love and peace. The two very things that I am obsessed with.)

In The Flow.....

2011-06-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

Grass doesn't strain to grow...Rhonda Byrne

That's one of the lines I remember from the book "The Secret"

When I got my hands on that book almost two years ago, I was obsessed with the knowledge in it. Fast forward to today: I was being very productive and for a quick second I jumped on Facebook. It is here where I am tripped up and all confirmations are bought from God through Oprah--->to me. Why didn't I see this show when it first came on? I saw the Maya Angelou Master Class and watch it everytime, I need to self-evaluate...but WHY didn't I see the Oprah one???

Because I needed to see it, when I would most need it. I have some major decisions coming up...and this fell in my lane...in my heart...

Writing for a PURPOSE

2011-06-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

-Be someone people can relate to...Gabby Sidibe

It was twelve years ago when I first learned about Iyanla Vanzant. I was a young, rebellious, thought-I-knew-it-all eighteen year old, living in a new place waiting to begin college. That summer, Yesterday I Cried somehow ended up in the palm of my hands. I read it from cover to cover in two days. That is one of the many books that has changed my life. I have been a fan of Iyanla since then. It's amazing that at that point in my life, God orchestrated in such a way for me to get a message to straighten up!

While she was writing that book, she had someone like me in mind. Iyanla knew that her story was going to change lives. She wrote it with the intention of helping or encouraging someone who was lost and could not find their way. She wrote that book for me. Yesterday I Cried are written on and for a PURPOSE.

www.WritingforaPurpose.com

Do you have a message for someone that could possibly change their life?
Do you have something to say that could ultimately change the people in your world?
Have you always wanted to write a book?

Well here's your opportunity.

Writing for a Purpose is a contest that was established to assist young writers who have a message, but need a platform. The #WFAP creators believe that everyone has a story to tell and most times it's hard to get someone to listen. This contest is designed for undergraduate college students and will provide them with a VOICE. Their story must have a significant and genuine message to the world.

I attended this event where Jane Fonda and Gabourey Sidibe spoke openly and candidly about being authentic; having a voice, and being heard. There were many hilarious moments as well as serious moments. While I was sitting in the audience trying to pay attention, my mind started working. Questions of how can I help the youth to be heard was flooding my mind. Outside of being a mentor, how can I HELP? Within two months Writing for a Purpose was birthed. wwwWritingforaPurpose.com

-There is a certain type of listening that heals. -Jane Fonda

SGT Highlight: Maya Moore

2011-06-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Maya April Moore (born June 11, 1989) is an American basketball forward for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, and the winner of the 2006 and 2007 Naismith Prep Player of the Year. She was selected as the John Wooden Award winner in 2009 after leading Connecticut to the undefeated national championship. The following season, Moore led Connecticut to capture its second national championship and continued its overall undefeated game-winning streak at 78; in the 2010–11 season, she led the Huskies to extend that streak to an NCAA both-gender record (all divisions) of 90. On May 18, Maya made history by becoming the first female basketball player to sign with Jordan Brand.

GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-06-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

The beginning of the week always starts off with hundreds of emails in your inbox, the chatty friend that wants to tell you all about their weekend, and you wishing it was Friday again...but I have a giveaway that is sure to get you excited! I have a friend that is hosting her annual With Mom In Mind event this Saturday at the beautiful Château Élan.

Forty minutes north of Atlanta, Château Élan is a 3,500 acre award-winning winery and resort with an inn, conference center, four golf courses, eight restaurants, European-style health spa, residential community, wine market, equestrian show center and tennis center.

In order to win this Complimentary ticket, give me your best definition of an Execumama and tell me how and what you are doing to be a LightCaster. It's that simple! Make your comments below by Thursday (June 9, 2011) and the person that best fits Akilah Richard's movement will win the ticket!
*Winner will be announced Friday at 3:00pm EST

For more information about the event, visit www.execumama.com/wmim. If you are interested in attending, you may register at http://wmim2011.eventbrite.com.

Good Luck!!!

SGT Highlight: Victoria Y. Francis

2011-05-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of healthy skin and have always educated myself about which products are best. Through divine appointment, I ran into the owner of Napp Organics via Twitter. We connected and when I visited her website (beause checking out a website is a must before I friend, follow or become a fan of anyone!) and fell in love with her products. It is my pleasure to introduce to you one of Twitter buddies and this Sista Girl Tuesday Highlight: Victoria Y. Francis. Connect with this woman on the move!

Victoria Francis is the founder and president of NappOrganics, Inc. In this role, Victoria manages a team providing the optimal in natural hair and skin products. A big believer in sustainable and natural remedies. Victoria and her team have worked very diligently to create NouriShea™, a natural and green beauty brand based on formulations with 100% USDA Certified Organic Shea Butter and natural essential oils.

In early 2007, Victoria began experimenting with Raw West African Shea Butter to help overcome her children’s skin issues after unsuccessfully searching for mainstream natural and non-irritating remedies. After months of painstaking research and persistent trial and error, the first generation of what has now become NouriShea™ was perfected. The product worked so well on her children that she decided to add essential oils and other natural moisturizers, developing a line of skin and hair products that she gave as gifts to family and friends. Her handmade creations became an instant success and Victoria began expanding her horizons. The NouriShea™ products available today are produced to Victoria’s exacting high standards and principles to deliver the best possible formulas to nourish, rejuvenate, and enhance natural beauty.

Victoria is very passionate about her cause and believes that as humans, we should support and nurture our planet, our resources and our selves. Therefore supporting green and sustainable practices is not an option, it is a requirement. Her goal is to help enlighten people about natural alternatives.

Victoria studied Biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston MA and has taken numerous classes on health, natural alternatives, and organic ingredients.

To contact Victoria, please email Victoria@NouriShea.com or go to http://www.nourishea.com/. She can also be reached by phone at 1-800-991-3409 ext 303

Twitter: @nourishea

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nourishea

THE CORPORATE CHICS MINDSET

2011-05-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

Courageous
Optimistic
Relatable
Purposed
Open-minded
Risk Taker
Artistic
Teachable
Empowering

Charismatic
Hopeful
Inspirational
Cautious
She is U

Experiences + Encouragement + Empowerment =

A Corporate Chics Mindset

Plant. Nurture. Grow. Support. Repeat.