About three weeks ago, I purchased this awesome shirt from a young lady named Angie Steele. I saw a young lady wearing it on Facebook. I have a lot of respect for this young lady and wanted to know more about where she purchased the shirt. Long story short, I was able to connect with Angie, and I must say, I am pleased with my purchase and the kind spirit that came with it. I think it’s simple, yet powerful. Go Be Great. I’ve had the shirt for some time now, but I’m just now wearing it. Why? I kept waiting for the perfect time and conditions. Great weather. Perfect hair day. Life to slow down. It just never seemed to be the right time. Then, it hit me. Just put the shirt on, snap a photo and do as the shirt says-Go. Be. Great!
What’s my point? At some point and time in our lives we have to quit waiting on the right conditions, the perfect hair day or the day our lives slow down. Let’s be honest. That may never happen. At least, not all at once. This shirt has different meanings for different people. For me, it’s about being great in the place and space I’m in. I can have a bad hair day and still be great. Let me say though, my hair in this picture is to my liking, as it was a change from my regular natural coils (a blog for another time). I am constantly on the move. Slowing down for me comes in the form of going to bed and sleeping. Just go be great. Do what’s best for you and do it in a special, meaningful way. Being great isn’t about being boastful. It’s about being reaching goals, dreams and aspirations. It’s about making the most of what you have where you are and creating something bigger, bolder and brighter than you could have imagined.
With that, I encourage you to go be great. Be you. Be true.
I’m excited to have been asked to participate in the Devotional Series created by Megan Mottley. Megan is the visionary and CEO of The Glamour Girl Movement. The GGM is teaching women the benefits of getting the Ultimate Makeover. The mission is to disciple women and teach women how to disciple others.
Because of my experience and transparency regarding issues surrounding domestic violence, I was asked if I’d be interested in sharing my insights by way of monthly devotionals. There are eleven other amazing women who are contributing writers. Each of them speak in their respective areas of expertise. I am honored to have been asked. It was my pleasure to say yes! My specific devotional is featured today. Please be sure to take a read. I hope you’ll find it helpful. You can always review all of the devotionals by viewing the blog tab on the site. http://theglamourgirlmovement.com/devotions/moving-on-after-the-storm
I recently had the privilege of speaking at Hard Rock Cafe in Memphis, TN. It was the location for my dear friend, Gwendolyn Turner’s 1st official fundraiser for her transitional housing facility. The Corinthian Safe House will be a safe haven for women and families fleeing domestic violence. It’s has a tentative date of operation of December, 2016. Gwen asked if I would share a few words about my personal journey and the need for housing for survivors in our community.
It was a great opportunity for me to share about my struggles with solidifying housing for myself and my children when I left my abuser. It’s not easy finding housing, especially when your credit is not that great, resources are limited, transportation is a challenge and you are dealing with the emotional and/or physical trauma of abuse. I was able to share how everything I just mentioned were barriers for me. I was able to share how those same issues are a constant problem for many of the survivors I’ve spoken to. And, having worked specifically as a Victim Advocate for Shelby Co., I spend a lot of time talking with victims and survivors first hand. Housing was often listed as a top priority. I conducted a survey recently among advocates and survivors of abuse. Housing was the one barrier that was listed as a priority at a rate of 100%.
I am hopeful that Gwen’s date of operation becomes a reality. It looks very promising. It is certainly needed. I will be there for the ribbon cutting. If you’re in the Memphis, TN area, I encourage you to join us. Be on the look out for additional information.
I had the pleasure of participating in a three day tele-summit entitled Unleash You in 2016: Living on Purpose, Maximizing Your Life. This was my second time participating in a tele-summit, and I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed both experiences. I was given the opportunity to go into a deep discussion about what the title means to me and how it correlates with the work that I do. It was also an opportunity to hear from other speakers, all women, who shared their own perspectives. It was hosted by Patricia Wright who is a coaching specialist/strategist. It was a great opportunity for me personally and professionally. I learned a great deal from the other speakers, and I received positive feedback regarding my own presentation.
In short, I shared that when I hear the word leash, I think of something that is being confined or constricted. I think of dog and cat owners who have their pets on leashes for the purposes of walking them without allowing them to run freely until they are in an environment that is safe for them to do so. The leash also helps the pet owner to walk them at their own pace rather than the pace that the pet may wish to do so. To be unleashed, for me, is to be free to do what I want, when I want and how I want. Living on purpose and maximizing my life has given me the chance to learn more about who I am, what I want/need and establish what my life’s purpose is to be. As a survivor of abuse, I get to live that life to its fullest potential and not feel confined to the ideas, goals and lifestyle of other people and their expectations for me. I’ve even unleashed the fear and doubt that I once had about my own life and expectations that I had for myself due to an inaccurate, well established self fulfilling prophecy.
I challenge each of you to find your purpose, live your lives to its fullest potential and unleash whoever or whatever may be stopping you from being your very best you. It’s not too late to start unleashing, forgiving and loving yourself and those around you. Give yourself permission to be free. Understand that we all make mistakes, but that you shouldn’t allow yourself or other to suffocate you with reminders of those mistakes. Have an outstanding 2016, knowing that each day will bring you new challenges, adventures, valley moments and peaks. They all serve a purpose. Live your life on purpose and maximize your life, today and everyday going forward.
Every year around this time, I see so many people making plans for what they wish to accomplish for the new year. Some people want to lose a certain amount of weight. Some want to start an exercise program. Some want to write a book, begin speaking, start a radio show or new business.
Why wait until the new year start doing what you want and need to do now? I’ll be completely transparent in saying that I love to eat, and I’m especially partial to sweets. The holidays provide an opportunity for some of the best cakes, pies and cobblers imaginable. Macaroni and cheese, smoked turkey, dressing…I could go on and on. I know I need to exercise. I know I need to eat in moderation. Yet, I tell myself that it’s ok to indulge. And, there’s no need to exercise because it’s counterproductive if I’m going to just overeat anyway. I’ll just start next week. Until last week, next week had been going on for nearly 4 months.
So, what’s the REAL reason that you haven’t started exercising or written that book yet? Are you afraid? Don’t have enough discipline? Don’t know how to get started? You don’t need to make a resolution. You need to start now with the mental preparation. You need to start now with establishing discipline. You need to make your goals short, simple and realistic. Put pride aside, ask questions, study those who are already doing what you aspire to do and be willing to practice discipline and consistency. If you can’t do these things now, don’t expect much success in them happening just because the year changes.
The benefit of starting now is that it already gets you on track for the new year, so that you’re already ahead of the game. You may even find that what you were putting off for later may not even be necessary. If there are legitimate barriers that keep you from doing certain things at this time, then by all means, wait until it is feasible. But, for those situations that are within your control, take action and start now.
