12 Ways To Let Go Of The Past

Happy Monday Everyone. It's the last day of Black History Month 2022. Tomorrow is Carnival Tuesday or Mardi Gras. I'm already planning my vacations for Memorial Day (Cleveland), Labor Day (Las Vegas), and TnT Carnival 2023 (Port of Spain). In the meantime, I am hard at work laying the foundation for my business entities. Have you ever started something new? How do you sell yourself? How do you market your SELF? I have that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I mean that nawing churn of being tightly wound. Its all in my back and radiates through my body. Those little aches and pains show up when I've pressured myself. Stressed myself out over things I rarely control. Mainly I worry about outcomes and their effects on me and my "brand". I try to make sure that if I give my word, I complete the task. I know I'm not the only one as our economy moves rapidly and we must keep pace. Every once in a while I step back and analyze the entire life situation. What do you do when you're overwhelmed and your plans go awry? I mean Zoom meetings, teleconferencing, remote working and social distancing can make you feel weighted down and burdened. This pandemic has gone through several waves since 2020, and has eliminated the need for many things. In researching this article, I found 12 ways to let go:

1. Reframe your thoughts to positive ones

2. Be mindful of the present moment

3. Be around people who inspire you

4. Forgive your past self for your future

5. Distance from what relates to your past

6. Be gentle on yourself if you're hurting

7. Talk or write about it to let it out

8. Every day decide to let go & move on

9. Focus on yourself. heal yourself

10. Let the negative emotions flow

11. Take responsibility over your life

12. If needed, get professional help as well

It all boils down to self preservation. You can't hoard every moment in life. Build on your skills and hobbies while moving forward. Some memories should be cherished while others can fade away. I am grateful to God because He always provides for His plan. There have been so many times that God had to step in and take over. Often the result is better than anything I previously planned. Trust God and let Him handle it.  I'm not that special,  just unique and dedicated to Christ. Because of Him, I've been blessed to live my best life. The purple life.  The journey gets rough but we persist and survive.  What's your story? How has He pulled you through? What do you need Him to take over for you? Let's support each other, network and establish our tribe/community. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay  safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Reset Your Week: Self Care Sunday 2022

Happy Sunday? I surely hope you've enjoyed the day today. Sunday is a day of spiritual reflection, rejuvenation and encouragement.  I'm scheduled off on weekends, and its my chance for self care services. As I found myself sheltering in place, I calmed down and collected my thoughts. I managed to get some things done around the house but not looking forward to the week ahead. I really needed to escape, unwind and unpack all the current events today. Watching the news and seeing the general unrest across the world left me drained. I had to recharge my battery and reconnect on my goals, dreams, and desires.  Have you ever run out of gas? What do you do to refuel? Well, I found this interesting list of ways to reset your week on Sundays:

• Catch up on those chores.
• Get yourself organized.
• Don't sleep all-day... but rest.
• Sunday exercise.
• Sort out those work outfits.
• Time for you... do what you like.
• Plan those meals.
• Create time to think and breathe

So simple right? Common sense meets practicality. I have tried many self care techniques, but it has always been the music for me. I'd suggest trying these tips and see how it works for you. Small successes will motivate you to stay the course. I must admit, this is Carnival/Mardi Gras weekend. I love all Caribbean rhythms and in particular Soca music. The bass moves you, the beat grooves you. And you just move. Fast or slow. I watched the Steel Pan Drum Competition for many hours yesterday. I'm indulging in the Dimanche Gras Virtual Celebration of local performances. You'll find birds of a feather flock together, and Aquarius loves to celebrate and respond to the music played. Watching clips of the Carnival held on the Savannah in Trinidad and Tobago truly gives me pause. People were dancing, recording, taking selfies, all kinds of things... safely and on one accord. For the brief moments they had forgotten about race, creed, or color and focused on music. I revel in the fact that once COVID-19 and its variants are under control, we will be free to travel again. To be kind to each other. Love one another. Live our lives to the fullest. Are you happy with the way your life is going? Or are you stressed beyond belief? Do you need to make some changes now for your future? Join me as we move along this journey to see the best things in life. The purple life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blog space. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Steps to Self Care Saturday 2022

Happy Saturday? Well this week has been a roller coaster that rocked the world. Russia's invasion of the Ukraine has disturbed me deeply. Coronavirus has changed our lives forever. Reacting to COVID-19 and its variants have forced us to look at harsh realities on a multilevel front. I know you have your goals and your dreams on the line. But I also know you may be neglecting yourself in the process. How are you caring for yourself? If you have problems answering this question, you have proven my point. I found some tips that can restart and set us on the right track:

1. Don't be a people pleaser

2. Trust your instincts

3. Say "Yes" when you want to

4. Say "No" when you need to

5. Stay away from drama & negativity

6. Be kind to yourself

We as a society have gotten lost in this mix. Taking care of yourself has been put on the backburner for loftier goals. Some people are starting new ventures while others are trying to hold on to what they have. Some are working from home. Others have lost their jobs, businesses, lifestyles, and support systems. The feeling of isolation is heavy and has sparked discussion about mental health services. I am blessed to have my faith and hope in Jesus. My church provides many resources to its members and the surrounding community. I am fortified by the answered prayers of my ancestors, so I try to pour into our future generations. I have found an online prayer group and entrepreneurial associates that focus on uplifting each other in God. I am lucky to be drawn back to my calling and purpose in life. It's important to take a break to focus on rest, renewal and reenergization. We.desperately need it, and our bodies ask for it. It's ok to push the limits every once in a while. However, we must recognize when we have reached the edge of our abilities. Again, you dont need permission to rest. Let's refocus and reroute our collective journey. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Friday Night Wind Down

Happy Friday Everyone. This week has been so heavy.  The work week grind has come to a halt, and it's time to switch h to weekend mode. What do you do to alleviate the pressure? Have you taken a break since this pandemic started?  Have you gone outside of your living space, just to see how the rest of the world is living? The reason why I asked this is because I long to take a journey. I had the opportunity to hear about taking a personal development trip. I long to leave the safety and the comfort of my home to elevate my business. And I can tell you, it was the best presentation that I've ever seen. I needed the inspiration because I want to get away. Spiritually, I desire to get away. Physically, I imagine getting away. Back to the familiar. Back to being home. I would love to go overseas to do something completely different. Taking me out of the normal and changing out of my normal activities. But now is not the time. Wars and rumors of wars will not allow that luxury. So it's time to switch up my nightly rituals. Here are some ways to wind down:

1. Take a really deep breath. Go down your body, focusing on relaxing each muscle.

2. If you have a lot on your mind try journaling to calm your thoughts.

3. Go through your night time routine and do the things that soothe you.

4. Create a comfortable and relaxing environment for yourself.

5. You made it another day. Be proud of yourself.

6. Let go of what's bothering you. Take a deep breath and let go.

Change is good. This list isnt exhaustive but it will inject breathable, doable steps to create a calmer atmosphere. This is one of the best thing we could ever attempt. Why? To get some rest. Beautiful rest. Successful rest. Glorious rest. You can't do too much when your soul is tired. You can try to sleep. You can try to eat. You can try to stay healthy and take care of yourself. When you have literally drained your personal battery down to zero, you need to replenish it. So many of us have burnt the candles on both ends. So many of us have stressed and strived our way through. So many of us have experienced loss during this time (loss of co workers, family, friends). It can really be devastating. The one thing I can tell you....you deserve rest. In the Bible there are 380 references to rest. God rested on the seventh day after He created heaven and earth. If God needed a break, you need a break. So I just implore you, take the time to breathe. Take the time to relax your mind. Take the time to enjoy your family, friends and loved ones, wherever they may be. Decompress. Exhale the bad. Inhale the good. Follow the guidelines. No need to survive this pandemic and then wind up worse than you began.  Don't slack up on your safety precautions. As the world is opening up, it's okay for you to open up as well. Now if you're not ready, take care of you. Whatever you need to do to protect your mental, physical or spiritual do that. You don't need permission from anyone. You don't have to have someone sign off on you resting. We've seen Entertainers recently, taking time away from their appearances and commitments to rest. And it is the best thing they could ever do. And the best thing you could ever do. Take care of your mental. Take care of your physical. Take the time you need for you. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspase. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Grow and Prosper

Happy Friday Eve Everyone! So the news is horrible and the weather is unstable. I have been buried in seminars and workshops this week. My mission? Growth. I want to glean from SMEs to advance my goals and dreams. What they taught was that this is a spiritual journey. You must fix who you are in God and let His spirit guide you. God wants us to know that we can abide in Him, do His will and do the work that God has called us to do. We talked about the fact that we're still here for a reason. God still has us on this earth for a reason. When you think about the Coronavirus and how many Americans have died, we're still here. Some of us are still living. Still breathing. Still able to move. Still able to practice our craft. Still able to help others as they practice their craft. Still able to be and be seen. What are we doing with those efforts? What are we doing with that energy? Are we living up to God's purpose for our life? Are we doing what He set for us to do? One of the things we must remember is to grow and prosper. Even if you move an inch, even if you crawl a little bit, even if you cry a little bit, you keep moving. You don't go backwards, you keep moving forward. You keep everything in place, you don't get stagnant. You don't get stuck. You don't become complacent. There is no middle ground here. Either you are going up, or you are going down. But you are moving. You are learning. You are growing, and you grow from this place. We talked about leveling up and getting to the next level and prospering. However we always want to keep our eyes on the prize. On the mark of the high calling. We want to be mindful that God still loves us. God still cares for us, God still provides for us. He will stop us in the midst of the hustle and bustle just to acknowledge Him. He will set our love for Him. Set the tone for our day to redirect the course. When we lose our way, the GPS signifies that it's recalculating. Because we've lost our way. God will tap us on the shoulder to let us know we're lost.  He wants our attention to redirect our energies to rewrite our course to make the vision plain again for us to see. We want to recognize where we've come from and how far we're going, and how much more work there is to do. Now we don't want it to be overwhelming, but we do want to be in compliance with God's will in our lives. So I really want to implore and impress upon you. What are you doing on your incline? What are you doing on your decline? What are you doing to level the playing field? Are you striving? Are you thriving? Do you have a guide to get to where you need to go? Or do you need someone to help show you the way? Jesus has a calling on our life. And He gave His life so that we might live more abundantly. And the missing link that we often have is our prayer life. Are we connected to the one? Are we still ripened fruit on the vine, or have we fallen off the tree of life? Do we need to reconnect to our spiritual roots, or are we breaking down composing as a seed to spread more fruit.  What are your thoughts? Are you practicing what you preach? What is your message that you're sending to the world today? Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and  supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!

Change your SELF to change the world

Happy Hump Day. What a week its been...  and it's only Wednesday. It is Palindrome week so the dates read the same backwards and forewards. The unseasonable rain is definitely a mood changer, but it's necessary. Ive been doing a number of online workshops leading up to the Accelerate and Inspire Summit 2022. The Motivating The Masses Group led by Lisa Nichols is sponsoring a 4 day seminar on leveling up to your destiny. In this hectic, pandemic environment, it can be difficult to gain your footing and head in the right direction. I was particularly intrigued by the presentation from Giovanni Marsico. He stated that the key to the "success" journey is who you are. Do you believe in your SELF? Do you love your SELF? Are you dedicated to your future? Or do you have a "this is just the way I am" mentality? People generally want to gain money and influence. They want to garner respect and accolades for the work they do. In this social media society, people suffer from "imposter syndrome" or "shiny penny" issues. We see the risk takers rewarded. Have you ever ventured into something different? Giovanni shared that many of his clients were millionaires who were further in their careers than himself. However, his clients have invested in him and his services to advance their status and position. He stood in his authentic self and moved forward with his plan. I try my best to shake things up just to experience something new. I am multitasking while in a Zoom meeting discussing MBE/WBE financing. The impressive part was how bold the presenter was in offering advice with new entrepreneurs navigate their paperwork... that she had not mastered yet. The message is to learn how to change your current SELF to evolve and become your future SELF that will accomplish the goals you're setting for your life. Your life is not set in stone. You can change and elevate your SELF to become who you need to be. What have you done to enhance your current SELF? Your future SELF? Your business? It doesn't have to be earth shaking. Just momentum shifting. Augment your routine to help maintain who you are and highlight your brand. Raising your attitude goes a long way in refreshing and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit. I have set higher expectations since I'm attending the Summit. Let the creativity spawn your sense of purpose.  Stoke the fire that burns within. Go. Do. Be. Live authentically now so you can change your world. Share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

The Future Is Why

Happy Monday Everyone. Happy Obama Day. Happy Presidents Day. 2022 is seeing history repeat itself. Russia is invading the Ukraine. Civil Rights laws from the 60s are getting rolled back and legislated against. Roe vs Wade is in jeopardy of being stricken down. Climate change has reach global implications. The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned policy debates, mask mandates, vaccine and booster shots along with indiscriminate death and destruction. There are international consequences to our actions and reactions in the political, financial, economical, mental, spiritual and societal realms. You have to move with the trends to gain or maintain your status. Why? The future is why. We as a human race are teetering on the edge of living,,, barely holding on. I'm working with clients to improve their work and income levels while keeping current with methodologies and practices. Have you noticed any areas of your personal or professional life that are stagnant? If so, go out and learn something new. Add some knowledge based tools to grow your work. Relax, take a deep breath, and plunge right in. More skills makes you more marketable. So what's hindering you? Fear of rejection? Loss of control? Delegating duties to someone else? Upgrading your phone to an Android or iPhone? Don't be basic and please don't become cliche. Take the bull by the horns and go learn something new. Prove the naysayers wrong,  even if they're all in your head. Accept the past for what it was, but embrace your future and what will be. What is your why? What part of your life are you working on? Please share your comments below.  Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Change someone's entire day

Happy Friday Eve Everyone. It's still Love Week but it seems like the feelings have faded fast. Folks are back on their hustle trying to survive. Between the societal unrest, climate changes, mask mandates, national and international diplomacy, individuals are getting lost. Have you noticed how some folks have fallen off? Ghosted? Gone off the grid? I have my moments, but I post too much to let folks know I'm still here. How do you connect? When someone is on your mind, do you reach out to them? I do just to let them know that somebody's looking for them. Phone calls are absolutely golden and worth 1000 words that you might spend. Just that momentary I was thinking about you and wanted to bring you up can absolutely bring sunshine to a cloudy day. I glean so much from my family and friends. My life is more complete that way. I respect our elders because they've done it already. They've learned the mistakes, and they can pass on those valuable lessons. The gems that we're seeking so hard start as the nuggets that they have to pass on. Just a little pressure, and we'll get those same gems like they got. Are we listening to each other? Are we gathering that knowledge from each other? Are we gleaning from those who have the most to give to us, and have the most heart to want to give it to us? I'm very happy in the position that I've been in. I find the littlest things bring the most impact. I welcome the opportunity to shed light into so many homes. Take a moment and reflect on these things. Make the effort. They might not tell you they want to talk to you, but they want to talk to you. Just like I harass everyone in my life, harass the people in your life. We've all been through this pandemic, and we all need to know who really cares. When you talk about preserving your sanity, what better way to do that than to preserve your humanity. To talk with your friends, to share with your parents, grandparents, great grands. Let's capture all of that goodness so that our society is not lost. What do you think? Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Love Day Check-In💛🧡❤💚💙💜🖤

Happy Hump Day Everyone! We are two days removed from Love Day Weekend and I am drained.  Being chronically single, I always make sure to show myself love and appreciation. I listened to my favorite songs, from my favorite DJ, then fell asleep during the soothing, relaxing Verzuz set. Valentine's Day can be challenging for singles, married and"its complicated" folks. Pastor Ericka and my Faithful Mornings family are tackling the subject of "Entanglements" and it has been hot🔥🔥🔥 I'm living life according to God's plan as He knows what's best for me. In the meantime, I keep my heart open to the possibilities. What about you? Are you ok? How did you survive? Check in using the heart scale in the attached photo. Concerned adults truly care for each other's feelings. We need to engage in deeper and difficult conversations. During the pandemic, many cities have sponsored and updated wellbeing checks to ensure residents are cared for. Social media has taken the stigma from asking for virtual hugs, kind words, or motivational quotes. On my birthday, I asked for some "purple love" sent to me. The response was overwhelming and overflowing. Special shout out to all Prince fans. The Purple Family sent every Prince photo, purple hearts and music clips which brightened my day. The positive vibrations lifted my mood and energized my spirit. Friends and family checked to lend an ear and soothe my soul. So I ask you now...are you ok? How are you doing? Does your circle lift you up? How are your emotional tanks full or empty? Know that I care and am concerned about you. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

I Love You This Much❤❤❤

Happy Valentine's Day 2022❤❤❤ We just survived SB Sunday and a wacky weather weekend. The country is caught up with Insurrection trials, mask mandate protests, stock market volatility and international political upheaval. Not very romantic or loving, is it? During the pandemic, many articles have been written about self love, black love and love for thy neighbor. While you want to ensure good citizen practices, how do you love on you? How do you show you appreciation? Do you struggle with the concept of loving yourself? Societal norms frown upon self love as narcissistic and egotistical. For some reason, we value putting ourselves last to uplift others or boost our children's egos. Black women often get the label of single parent, bad attitude and anger issues. But then, we're expected to lend our diverse genius to right the world's wrongs. Often, people give and give and give without replenishing the energies released. It's important to genuinely love yourself. Singles need to learn this concept before bringing others into a committed relationship. Married couples have to build the partnership on the foundation of their individuality. The biblical ideal is for a man to cleave unto his wife... and the two become one. Can everyone maintain this standard? Or is that too much pressure? We can only improve our situation after living life. We bump. We bruise. We learn. We grow. If I'm better today than I was yesterday, then I've done something. So what is your love language? How full is your self love tank? Can we accept and talk about this part of the journey? Let's chat. If no one else told you today, I do love you very much. Please share your comments below.  Thanks for reading this article and supporting this blogspace.  Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Nya Akoma: Black Love Day 2022

Happy Sunday Everyone. Its Janet Jackson and Colin Kaepernick Appreciation Day. Others watched the Big Football Game with the rap infused Halftime Show. I maintained my peaceful protest and rebuke of this racially deficient, billionaire run entity. I spent my day absorbed in self care. I love myself. I love learning. I love researching. I love social media as a way to share knowledge. Today was real special as I learned more about a little known holiday. Not Sidepiece Sunday. Not Entanglement Day. Not Galentine's Day. Not Valentine's Eve. February 13th is Black Love Day. This holiday was created in 1993 by Ayo Handy-Kendi, the founder of the nonprofit African-American Holiday Association (AAHA) {did you know there was such an organization? Me neither}. Actually, Black Love Day is the fourth nationally commemorated African-American holiday. The theme this year was “Finding Spiritual Joy Through Black Love”, with a focus on inspiring hope in a time of trauma, fear, and COVID burn-out. In addition to choosing joy over fear and viewing love as self-help within the Black community. It is a day of atonement, reconciliation and celebration. There are five principles to practice all day and are as follows:

1. Love for the Creator

2. Love for Self

3. Love for Family

4. Love for the Community

5. Love for the Black Race

With everything that has happened this year,  it was refreshing to revisit a day dedicated to light, love, and positivity. No matter your race, creed or color, everyone can spread and share the love. It is the perfect weekend to spend today doing something to improve your life and those around you. Hopefully, we can build upon it throughout the rest of the year. As you proceed along life's journey, take the time to enjoy the view. Notice your surroundings and be present in the moment. If you want to get things done, do it alone. But if you want to enjoy the journey, gather your loved ones and go. If no one else tells you this today, know that I love you. How have you celebrated this love weekend? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for reading this  article  and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

What Is Your Self-Love Language?

Happy Saturday! Well its Black Love/ Valentine's Day weekend and I am tired. I stopped watching football when they blackballed Kaepernick, so the Super Bowl means nothing to me. I'm from Cleveland so I would NEVER root for either team that made it. 2022 has been a weather disaster that rocked the world. The pandemic has changed our lives forever. Reacting to COVID-19 and all its variants have forced us to look at harsh realities on a multilevel front. Fighting factions on both sides have taken health misinformation, mask mandates, abortions and legalizing marijuana to a feverish pitch. Lost in this mix is taking care of yourself. Self care is a form of self love which people lost focus of. Let's take a moment to review the five love languages relate to self care:

Acts of Service

-cleaning

-cooking

-scheduling

-therapy

Receiving Gifts

-go on trips

-online shopping 

-makeup, clothes

-order takeout

Quality Time

-spending time by yourself

-sleeping in

-reading

-meditation

Physical Touch

-relaxing baths

-skincare routine

-massage

-soft blankets

Words of Affirmation

-journaling

-accomplishments and goals

-positive self talk

-gratitude jar 

-compliments

We are on such a grind during the week, so its important to recharge and refuel. Some people are starting new ventures while others are trying to hold on to what they have. Some are working and schooling from home. Others have lost their jobs, businesses, lifestyles, and support systems. The feeling of isolation is heavy and has sparked discussion about mental health services. I am blessed to have my faith and hope in Jesus fortified by the answered prayers and continued blessings received. I have found a community that focused on uplifting each other in God. I am lucky to be drawn back to my calling and purpose in life. I took a break from blogging for a few days to restore balance and ignite creativity. But now, I am focused on you. I know you have your goals and your dreams on the line. But I also know you may be neglecting yourself in the process. How are you caring for yourself? How do you love on you? On those around you? Which love language(s) best describes you? If you have problems answering these questions, you have proven my point. I found this image that starts us off on the right track. Let's redirect our energy, restart our journey and refresh ourselves. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this  article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Mask Mandate Debate 2022

Happy Tuesday? Are you watching the news ar all lately? People are actually arguing about mask mandates. Folks are protesting school board meetings, city council votes and state judicial rulings. Even our Canadian neighbors are facing trucker strikes... even though 90% are vaccinated. The science still backs wearing masks and being vaccinated as curbing the pandemic spread. Remarkably, the 2020 Presidential Election drama continues eighteen months later with no end in sight. What saddens me the most is that innocent Americans are dying due to the false information spread on the internet. The spiteful rancor towards the pandemic is one of finger pointing, false narratives and bruised egos feigned as a fight for freedom. Unfortunately many folks have succumbed to the ignorance and speak venormously. Think about the last "debate" you had with someone. Can you separate the person from their beliefs? Or have you cut them out of your life? I actually believe that cooler heads will prevail. Our children are depending on us to guide them safely to adulthood. They are not experiments nor are they political pawns. I am floored as people are willing to risk childrens' lives to prove a point.. Trolls enter into social media and wreak havoc on many platforms. Why? Absolute insanity!!! I can't imagine what our Heavenly Father is thinking? How would He rate us? How would you grade yourself? I have worked in environments with abject racists and socioeconomic snobs. Wherever I am, God's grace and mercy covers me every step of the way. Because of His love and guidance, I continue to maintain my peace in the midst of this political storm. So how have you fared in the face of all this? Where do you stand?  Please share your comments below. Thanks for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and  healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Continue to make progress

Happy Monday Everyone. It's a week before Valentine's Day, so it's time to check in. What are you working on in 2022? How is it going for you? Who is holding you accountable? Are you ready for the change you're working towards? No one could've predicted the devastation that the coronavirus continues to be. People have developed into warring factions of foolishness and falsehoods rather than fighting this disease. Politics have even seeped into the Winter Olympics. During this snowstorm, I told myself that I'll work on my platform. Speaking on it and obsessing about it. Working with advisors and drafting designs. Technically, my progress has been difficult. No one is holding me accountable because I'm still in the initial stages. I finally came to the realization that people project their fears on you. They can only understand from their narrow mindset and abilities. No one needs to know what you're doing unless they can help get you to the next level. It's a better testament when you've reached your goals rather than the struggle to get through it.  Everyone wants to win at something and tell that story. Stay true to your plan, goals, and dreams. Social media is full of entrepreneurs who are self promoting and selling their expertise. The American dream on display online. And we trust social media right? Right. Let your success tell your story. Allow your tests to be your testimony. I know it will be worth it in the end because of all the stories proceeding mine. I'm certainly willing to share my journey and I'm inviting you to come along.  Will you join me? Is your future success worth it? Please share your comments below. Thanks for reading this  article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Music is medicine for the heart and soul

Happy Sunday Everyone. Hows your weekend going? Due to the blizzard, I spent the entire time focused on self Care. 2022 has come in like a lion. Picking up where 2021 dropped off, January brought highs and lows of historically epic proportions especially for my birthday. February has blanketed half of the US under snow, with 6 more weeks of winter weather to come. Many have given up their job search, even with the context of an unsteady economy. I've joined several Aquarius groups, and many folks are saying that they don't feel like celebrating their birthdays (clutch the pearls... what a sneaky thing to do) So many folks are in the depths of despair and they're grasping for straws of hope. I will drop gems of positivity and light to all, but I need to recharge sometimes. What's my secret? Where do I get my power from? JESUS!!! Jesus through scriptures. Jesus through morning prayers. Jesus through church community. Jesus through music. Music came down from heaven above to help praise and uplift God. Over time, music has evolved into what it is today. Music still has the capability to influence mood and relax the mind. Throughout my research, I've found many entertainers are Aquarius creatives who excel in their crafts. Today is Bob Marley's birthday so the relaxation has begun. From Thursday through today, I immersed myself in reggae, soca, r&b, disco and house music. Music is the medicine for me that I take liberally. Even the Aquarius symbol♒♒♒ looks like the transfer of energy. Let's lift each other up as we proceed through life. We are stronger together and we can do this. How does music affect you? Do you have a theme song? What songs bring back strong memories? Do you have a tune or lyric that motivates you?? Please share your comments below.  Thanks for reading this  article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless 🎶🎶🎶

Its National Weatherperson's Day

Happy Saturday Everyone! Hopefully, you've had a chance to clear some of the snow that has blanketed half of the country this week. Surprisingly, today is National Weatherperson's Day. We all got a chance to see how the forecasts from these men and women helped us to prepare for our constantly changing climates. I'm a nerd girl and I'm drawn to the science behind it all. Also known as National Weatherman's Day, this holifay is observed on February 5 primarily in the United States. It recognizes individuals in the fields of meteorology, weather forecasting and broadcast meteorology, as well as volunteer storm spotters and observers. Not only do these individuals provide important weather details, they also report on positive stories in an around their communities. They teach us to look on the bright side and try to find the silver lining. I mean I don't know how much more positivity you can throw out there during a blizzard. Being born in January, I'm a snow baby. I'm a winter baby who's used to this. I was built for this since I'm a Midwestern girl. Cleveland's weatherman was Dick Goddard. I cant remember a time that he wasn't on Fox 8 reporting on weather, woolly bears and festivals. Al Roker was another popular weatherman who injected humor, personality and knowledge into his segments. Now the world sees his every weekday morning on NBC. In Chicago, I was drawn to Tom Skilling. The accuracy. The science. The humility. All wrapped into a leading influencer in the industry. I live a Midwestern life with Christian work ethics and a strong will to survive. Even Florida got cold. And even though California is warm, something about the earth shaking is just unsettling for me. 

A lot of times what people are advised to do is to hunker down in place. But weatherpeople also advise us to check on our loved ones, family, friends, and close associates just to make sure that they're okay. Not too much you can really do about the climate changes but at least reach out let them know somebody's thinking about them. Somebody cares and someone is concerned about their well being. Different cities have different resources that you can tap into. Certainly check your locale to see what services are available to you under these extreme conditions. If you need to be warm, find a warming center. If you need to have food, find a food pantry. If you need to talk to someone call the crisis hotline or text hello to 741741. We want your mental health, your physical health and your well being to be aligned especially when surviving a snowstorm like this. Knowing that Saturday is usually a mood booster, let's take care to seize the day. Besides, spring is just a few weeks away. But I certainly want to hear your opinions. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blog space. Stay safe warm, mask and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Go Red For Women 2022

Happy Friday Everyone! Are you seeing red today? Every single newscast I've seen today highlighted the fact that today is "Go Red For Women" Day. This mission started back in 2003 to further awareness of heart health and women. Statistically heart disease is the #1 killer of women of every age. It is imperative that we know the signs for heart attack and stroke before it's too late. Heart attack and stroke are life-or-death emergencies — and every second counts. If you think you or someone you’re with has any symptoms of heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediate. Heart attack and stroke are life-or-death emergencies — every second counts. If you think you or someone you’re with has any symptoms of heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. In 2020, I experienced the most common yet most shocking health scare in my life. Why am I blogging about this? Because I felt nothing. I  blamed my tiredness on lack of sleep and pour my energy from cups of tea. If I hadn't gone to the ER, I shutter to think what may have happened. I thought I knew my body. WRONG!!! I'm on the right path as I intend to keep strong and get healthy. I use my story as a warning to you. Do you feel out of sorts? Are you stressed out? Overeating? Numb? Avoiding ugly situations? Biting your tongue? Holding it all in? Putting on a brave face while quietly dealing with your issues? As I researched my condition,  I came across numerous sites offering health information. Do you know someone with a "broken heart"? Do you want to help stop the spread of this fateful disease? Educate yourself and lend your support. I suggest starting with the American Heat Association sponsored website at www.goredforwomen.org. From there, you can go to WebMD and other online resources to find the right path for you. I ask you to check in on your loved ones and ensure you all enjoy heart health. Join me on my journey back from the brink....moving toward living the best life. The purple life. Please  share your comments below. Thank you for reading this  article and supporting this blogspace.  Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

You must do the WORK

Happy Friday Eve Everyone. Today was the inaugural session of Inner Work Day. Sponsored by Better Up, the agenda aimed to explore and highlight self care strategies. Whether it's mental wellness, therapy, meditation, setting boundaries or exercising, you really just take the time to take care of yourself. One mantra was all you need is just a little bit of time. Set some time aside for nice breaks throughout the day. It's good to refocus your energies and be more present in the moment. This seminar provided the science to back up all the theories discussed. Fun Fact: people have 6000 thoughts every day. Every single day. Mentally, we need to disconnect and release those stored up thoughts. This opens the mind, body and soul to peak performance. One workshop talked about prayer. How prayer is a form of meditation. Prayer does work. Prayer helps to set your soul at ease. Prayer helps you to get into realignment on what it is you're supposed to be doing. Often, they try to pit science versus religion. Better Up blended the two into a wonderful tapestry. Inner Work Day contained a lot of experts who spoke about mindfulness. Experts revealed methods and strategies and how to  incorporate these practices into their daily routine. For example, while you're brushing your teeth think about five things you're grateful for. Whatever you do,   make sure that it's ingrained into your daily schedule like a habit. The session with Prince Harry and Serena Williams talked about how losing was really an opportunity of learning. They reminded us that learning is a lifelong process. Your greatest losses can turn into your best wins because of the lessons that you learn. Dnice talked about his career journey. He reflected that in his journey of mindfulness, he is learning to balance it all. Dnice revealed that not only can you do what you love, but you can inspire people in the process. It was fascinating to gain insights from these influencers in this now public virtual event. Their success is built on the small habits that they develop outside of public view. However, they echoed the same thing. You must do the work. You must do the work on yourself in order to be more productive in your job. To be more productive as a citizen. To be more productive as a human being. When you invest time in yourself, not only are you increasing your capacity, but you're also increasing your ability. Better Up works with organizations to optimize performance and enhance results. People want to be in the winner's circle, whether at work or personally. If you're going to learn about winning, take the time, settle down, see where you're going and plan accordingly. Map out where you're headed and where you'll take breaks along the way. Make those plans and then stick to them. I'm very impressed by today's virtual workshop, and I'm looking forward to their future events. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy.  Take Care and God Bless!!!

Snowmageddon: Groundhog Day 2022

Happy Wednesday Everyone. Today is typically known as hump day. but the extraordinary, unbelievable weather was too much to overcome. We are in the midst of Snowmageddon. 36 states in this country are under snow and ice warnings. Weather alerts are scheduled to last through the weekend. Its February and to be expected during winter, but this climate event has really taken a toll on a lot of people. No one expected the one two punch that is coming. The weather forecasters are literally monitoring the radars around the clock. All the snowblowers and shovelers are doing overtime. Here in Chicago, we got over 10 inches of snow in one day. But I also want to talk to you about your outlook. Your vision. Your motivation. The groundhog did not see the shadow so we're going to have six more weeks of winter. Well, it seems like all the snow is trying to fall out of the sky today to just make up for this short winter. It's all about your perspective. What is the folklore of the groundhog really saying? Do they really mean anything or is there a hidden message there? Can your outlook be changed simply by whether or not you see darkness or light? Are you looking at the glass half full or half empty? Or just realizing the fact that everything is refillable and renewable. Quick story: in 2011 I was celebrating my birthday when Monster Snow happened. I was actually stranded in Hawaii for two days because of the closures of the flights in and out of O'Hare. Now, people I was traveling with were in different parts of the country. Since they did not get hit as hard so they all had their flights. I was left two days alone in Hawaii, celebrating my birthday. Now I won't go into all of the capers that I got into but I will say it's your perspective that matters. Most people would love to be stranded in Hawaii and I certainly made the most of it. But coming back home was still a top priority for me. Take a look at everything that's happening around you. We're in a pandemic. People don't want to wear masks. People are fighting over votes. People are fighting over black history month and whether or not critical race theory should be taught. People are just fighting over everything. Its exhausting but can be doable.Do you. Xo what makes you happy. Do what makes you proud. Do something. Don't sit there and be mindless, motionless sponge. Or worse, a followers. Be a leader. Be an influencer. Lead the thought process. Think about things. Evaluate things. Pray over things. Follow Gods plan for your life as He wont let you go astray. You'll find that your journey will be better... even through the storms of life. So how are you surviving this climate event? Do you need help? Do you have a support circle and emergency plans? Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!

Stop Hiding Behind Your Smile

Happy Tuesday Everyone. Hoping your day went well. There's a song lyric that says Monday is one thing but Tuesday is just as bad. Well I'm still celebrating my birthday so I pushed to make the most of it. Chicago is cloudy, windy, rainy and waiting for a blizzard to come through. Something is going on the atmosphere, and its affecting moods, minds, physical and mental health. As such, it really made me ponder something. People are very proud. People are very secretive. Sheltering in place has made us a nation of survivors. We're in survival mode, and we need to take care of me and mine. I need to get what I need, no matter what the cost. But there's another phenomenon that's going on. People are not reaching out to all the services available to them. Suicide seems to be the final result for exasperated individuals. The news has been flooded with recent hollywood suicides. Social media is now promoting wellness and wellbeing checks. For some reason, asking for help is taboo. Help has turned into the new four letter word. People don't like asking for help. People don't like to acknowledge that they need help. Even when help is offered, it is often refused for a number of reasons. And you just wonder why? Where is the harm? Where is the humanity? Where is the love for one another? In this political environment, we're so ready to just snap and tear each other's throats out without giving credence to points that the other side might be making. I'm just hoping and praying that we get over that. When we as humans had to survive, we had to depend upon one another. There was this thing called teamwork, and it seems that that has gone out the window. Yes we have zoom meetings. Yes we can text. Yes we have social media. Yes we can stay in touch, but are we really connected? I'm finding that (much like the news) the world is getting faker and faker. Bonds are getting weaker and weaker. The assistance just isn't being offered and passed along to those who truly need it. People are holding on by a string, and they are choosing to let go. Many organizations have listed resources online for symptom recognition. Here's a partial list that I've compiled: 

Crisis Resources

• If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
• If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
• Text LF999, Hello or NAMI to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line for free crisis counseling.

Therapists can assist with exploring the root causes for individuals who are not coping well with life or have expressed the desire to harm themselves. The key ingredient is you. Are you checking on family and friends? Is there someone who has been on your mind? Have you noticed subtle/drastic changes in those around you? Does your job have programs in place? Your school? Your church? If not, can you help start a group? You can't save the world, but you can give someone the hope and strength to keep going. Let people know they can move forward. They can get through the situations that they think impossible. As we prepare for our hazardous winter weather, let's also be mindful of others.  Incorporate mental health awareness into your busy schedules. It is shocking how thin the line is between life and death. Help someone choose life. Even while we are in quarantine, let's strive to improve the quality of our lives and the lives around us. Be a safe place. Don't force people to hide behind a smile. Dont mask feelings while making up. Ask loved ones if they'reok...  and wait for their response. No one wants to see another wave of losses when we know how much better things are on the other side of problems. That's how we find solutions and innovations. We should help improve those lives around us whenever possible.  Let's continue to press towards the mark of the high calling and live our best life. The purple life. Please share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, warm, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!