Monday, February 28, 2011

Experience the Power and Purpose of WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH with PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, 2011
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


During Women's History Month, we reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments of women and honor their role in shaping the course of our Nation's history.  Today, women have reached heights their mothers and grandmothers might only have imagined.  Women now comprise nearly half of our workforce and the majority of students in our colleges and universities.  They scale the skies as astronauts, expand our economy as entrepreneurs and business leaders, and serve our country at the highest levels of government and our Armed Forces.  In honor of the pioneering women who came before us, and in recognition of those who will come after us, this month, we recommit to erasing the remaining inequities facing women in our day.

This year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future.  International Women's Day is a chance to pay tribute to ordinary women throughout the world and is rooted in women's centuries-old struggle to participate in society on an equal footing with men.  This day reminds us that, while enormous progress has been made, there is still work to be done before women achieve true parity.

My Administration has elevated the rights of women and girls abroad as a critical aspect of our foreign and national security policy.  Empowering women across the globe is not simply the right thing to do, it is also smart foreign policy.  This knowledge is reflected in the National Security Strategy of the United States, which recognizes that countries are more peaceful and prosperous when their female citizens enjoy equal rights, equal voices, and equal opportunities.  Today, we are integrating a focus on women and girls in all our diplomatic efforts, and incorporating gender considerations in every aspect of our development assistance.  We are working to build the participation of women into all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution, and we are continuing to lead in combating the scourge of conflict related sexual violence, both bilaterally and at the United Nations.

In America, we must lead by example in protecting women's rights and supporting their empowerment.  Despite our progress, too many women continue to be paid less than male workers, and women are significantly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.  By tapping into the potential and talents of all our citizens, we can utilize an enormous source of economic growth and prosperity.  The White House Council on Women and Girls has continued to remove obstacles to achievement by addressing the rate of violence against women, supporting female entrepreneurs, and prioritizing the economic security of women.  American families depend largely on the financial stability of women, and my Administration continues to prioritize policies that promote workplace flexibility, access to affordable, quality health care and child care, support for family caregivers, and the enforcement of equal pay laws.  I have also called on every agency in the Federal Government to be part of the solution to ending violence against women, and they have responded with unprecedented cooperation to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence and enable survivors to break the cycle of abuse.

As we reflect on the triumphs of the past, we must also look to the limitless potential that lies ahead.  To win the future, we must equip the young women of today with the knowledge, skills, and equal access to reach for the promise of tomorrow.  My Administration is making unprecedented investments in education and is working to expand opportunities for women and girls in the STEM fields critical for growth in the 21st century economy.

As we prepare to write the next chapter of women's history, let us resolve to build on the progress won by the trailblazers of the past.  We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements, and no remaining ceilings to shatter.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2011 as Women's History Month.  I call upon all Americans to observe this month and to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2011 with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, and contributions of American women.  I also invite all Americans to visit http://www.womenshistorymonth.com/


From http://www.favstocks.com/presidential-proclamation-womens-history-month-2011/2835094/

Seeing in the Darkness

Even if you can’t see a result yet, it does not mean that nothing is happening!

Like the roots of a tree, your Divine Plan can grow in the darkness as well as in the light. And it is extremely important to have a deep strong root system, so that when your tree blossoms it bears lots of fruit!




We are a society of instant gratification. But what is most important is that YOU have the POWER to make it happen!

The more light, (which is concentrating positive energy and focus on the outcomes that you truly want), that you can turn on in your life, the quicker the darkness moves away and the sooner you can manifest things into the physical. Never fight the darkness, growth is taking place…let it be.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

You Don't Have Enough Muscles

When your load is too heavy to bear and you feel as if you cannot take one more step, fall to your knees and turn that burden over to the Father. You were never meant to carry it alone and prayer is God’s heavenly telephone. Pick it up and make a call. He’ll be so glad you did.

Beginning and ending your days with prayer affords you a heavenly protection against life that you cannot gain any other way. You will be strengthened, encouraged, uplifted, even inspired.




Join us for the Monday Morning, 15-Minute, PRAYER BLAST at 7:00 AM (EST)...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Change Can Be Powerful

Sometimes we get stuck because we become so comfortable where we are that we are fearful of taking any risks that might bring about change.  It is important to realize the consequences of being “stuck”. After all, being “stuck”, quite simply means going “nowhere”.  In ministry and in business, it is critical to not only be flexible, but willing to take some risks and embrace change.

Excerpt from http://womenssuccesscoaching.com/category/life-balance/fear-and-anxiety/



Friday, February 25, 2011

Portable Power


Portable power is unique to each person. It is the sum total of your skills and experience, your professional and personal networks, and your financial independence. You own this power and take it with you wherever you go.




If  “portable power” is the sum total of all of this: your skills and experience, professional and personal networks, and financial independence, how powerful are you? Where do you need to devote more time and effort?

AND, will the knowledge of your “portable power” affect your decisions about whether or not to leave your job, start your own business, or leave a bad relationship?

Knowing how much power you have builds the self confidence to choose and make sound decisions. You take this power with you wherever you go. It’s who you are.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Power of Celebrating YOU!

Do you ever have days where you question who you are, what you are here to do and whether what you are doing is in alignment with your deepest hearts desires?

You are...fabulous! You rock!

Take a walk on the wild side today!





Go ahead....be bold about it. Take a long luxurious bath. Go shopping. Put on your favorite music and dance as if no one is watching. Watch your favorite movie, go out for dinner or better yet......order out for dinner. Call your best friend. Do whatever blows your skirt up!

Experience the freedom of doing what YOU want to do.

 Excerpts from http://www.therebelbelle.com/blog/2010/07/do-a-lil-something-for-you.html

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Passion, Purpose & Play... It's That Simple!

Passion, Purpose & Play! That's it! It's that simple.


Passion: Find it! Do what it is that you love to do; do what makes your heart sing and expand. When you lose all sense of time and could swear you've been touched by the face of God, that's passion!


Purpose: Live it! Discover the thing you are called to do. Once you know your passion, that special thing that rocks your world; find a form of service, a job or hobby, and go with it. Serve with the thing that you love to do. That's purpose!

Play: Yes! Did I say play? Absolutely, play! Once you've tapped into what makes your heart sing, and you're doing what you love to do, let it flow, let it flow, let it flow. Lighten up. Have fun with life, and play (play BIG!)

Assignment: Ponder over the next few days what YOU love to do. Don't minimize or censor anything. What comes natural to you? What are you good at doing? What do you have absolutely NO FEAR around doing?

Excerpt from http://www.therebelbelle.com/blog/2010/09/hi-folks-its-me-again.html

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Your Purpose is Bigger Than Your Challenge



Remind yourself that regardless of the adversity you face, your purpose must be greater than your challenges. Instead of focusing on your problems, focus on your purpose. Instead of seeing yourself as a victim, see yourself as a hero. Heroes and victims both get knocked down but heroes get back up, and armed with optimism and a greater purpose they create a positive future.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Discover, Develop and Do It Big!

Join The SISTAHS Ministry International's Power and Purpose MONDAY MORNING, 15-Minute Prayer Blast at 7:00 AM (EST) to empower, inform and inspire you to your destiny of Power & Purpose (with prayer led by Evangelist Samantha Ajagu):

Dial-In Number:(218) 862-1115 | Conference ID: 45895#

Get jumpstarted for the week... DISCOVER, DEVELOP AND DO IT BIG!




Visit the online Prayer Blast archive:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/TheSISTAHSMinistry

Celebrating Your Purpose

When you rise up in the morning, when you enter your time of prayer during the day, when you pray before sleeping, take time to praise Him. Take time to thank Him for life and the beauty of it all. Lift your hands toward heaven and allow yourself to sense His presence and nearness to you as you pour out your heart to Him. And in the moment of this closeness give Him praise, honor and glory for that great grace by which He has saved us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

His word says if we draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us (James 4:8). You have but to reach out and touch Him and believe He’s heard your every prayer, and has received your praises as a sweet smelling sacrifice. And how can we not but praise the Lord who is so gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy (Psalms 145:8)?

For to strive to know God as we are known changes everything. You will soon realize as you delve into the really deep things of God that you can not put Him in a box. His plans for our lives are far above all we could think or ask, and all He requires of us is to believe on the name of Jesus, God’s son, and trust Him, commit our way, commit our dreams and desires to Him, and trust Him.

Excerpt from http://inspirationsbyday.com/blog/?p=529

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Powerful Productivity


Do you find yourself struggling to do all the tasks that you need to do every day? Do you want to learn simple, effective methods to increase your productivity in ways you never thought possible? It’s time that you learn how to properly double or triple your productivity! Here are some tips that can get you started on the right track:



Work at your energy peaks
We all have our own time of the day where we feel at our very best. Some people are more energized in the morning, while others in the evening. Figure out what part of the day you are at your very best mentally and physically, and this is the time that you should be doing your most important and demanding task.

Prioritize your to-do list
Separate your to-do list into different parts, depending on their level of importance. For example, break down your list in parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. In part 1, list all your most important tasks. Then in 2, list the second most important tasks, and so on. This will not only help you organize your to-do list into a more practical manner, it will also make you focus only on the most important tasks at hand. Imagine how productive you get if you always work on the most crucial task at any given moment!


Do worst thing first
Stop procrastinating the task that you don’t want to do. Get it done, and get it out of the way as soon as possible. You will feel better, trust me! If you linger around, doing other things, you will never get that harder task done. Usually, the harder tasks are the more important tasks, so if you can master this rule, you will witness your productivity skyrocket. Take the habit of doing the things you feel less like doing first.

Organize your work area
Many people tend to work in a cluttered environment, with all kinds of papers and documents lying all over their desk. They claim that they can “find themselves” throughout all that mess. This is a common occurrence. Truth is, a clean desk equals clean work. Develop the habit of always filing away what you don’t need right away, and throw away things that you do not use. Keep your desk and work area clean, and in order. Your productivity can only be maximized within such an environment.

Balance out your life
Keep in mind that while we live in a success and achievement driven society, most of our happiness comes from our relationships with one another. So make it your duty to spend time with your loved ones and cultivate your friendships. Happier people work better and more efficiently. This leads to more success and more free time for your relationships, so you can see how this comes full circle. Boosting your productivity will end up making you a happier, more successful person as a whole!


Excerpt from http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/2010/10/7-efficient-ways-to-double-your-productivity/

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Power and Purpose Winner




The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better. ~Barbara Pletcher

Successful people are successful because they form the habits of doing those things that failures don't like to do. ~Albert Gray

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Decisions and Opportunities

Belief, hope,and faith are all you need to receive God's grace. You have been given the opportunity of grace many times. An opportunity for grace doesn't come with any obvious sign. It looks like an ordinary event. But within it is the chance to turn a sin, a choice of selfishness, a lie, or a decision that leads you away from God into a the choice to turn toward God. You have made choices and decisions that leave you regretting them and stressed. Decisions that were out of character and unloving. Your soul was telling you to stop. Very soon after you were offered an opportunity to make it right. Perhaps with consequences, perhaps with embarrassment. But look for these opportunities and accept them as the gift they are.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

SPRING into Purpose

Change is always with us. We change jobs, we take on new home projects, we start healthy habits, we start new businesses, we join new social groups. What changes do you find yourself contemplating as we approach the spring season? No matter what it is, your success is assured if you clarify your goals and set reasonable targets to achieve.

What does the change in seasons mean for you personally or for your business, organization or ministry?

Monday, February 14, 2011

Love, Live and Enjoy Life

Manifesting the true power of God comes at a price—walking in the love of God. Love is the power source for everything we do as Christians. Without love, not even faith will work properly.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar reveals the incredible power of God's love to transform lives. No talent or ability is as vital as learning to love God and others. When one choses to grow in love, he is choosing to make a difference in the world.
When you discover it’s amazing depth in the Scriptures, it begins to effect a phenomenal change in your life. It is the essence of God. God is love. To grasp the depth of it’s meaning is a quest you must embark on. For only through the power of love will your life be fulfilled—your relationships, your purpose, your ultimate destiny cannot be achieved without it.
 
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar reveals the amazing power of God’s love to change lives and to bring destiny into reality. When you choose to grow in love, you are choosing to make a difference in this world for yourself and for others. You can only extend love to others horizontally based on the love you receive from God vertically. All of your talents and abilities are important but none as important as learning to love God and learning to love others. It’s the journey of love that gives us the satisfaction to truly live and enjoy life.




Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Our thinking sets the course for our lives. If we find we are not living the abundant life Jesus died to give us, we must examine our thought life. In order to prosper God's way, our thoughts must agree with His Word. The words we are exposed to on a daily basis have a huge impact on our thinking. And the condition of our minds determines the condition of our lives.

Visit Dr. Creflo Dollar online, http://www.creflodollarministries.org/BibleStudy/Articles.aspx?id=389

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Giving Him the Best That I've Got... Valentine's Day 2011

Is falling in love with Jesus the best thing you ever did?  Is He the best thing yet to ever come into your life?


Join us for the "Giving Him the Best That I've Got" Power and Purpose PRAYER CALL

Monday Morning, 15-Minute Prayer Blast, 7:00 AM (EST)

Dial-In Number:  (218) 862-1115
Conference ID: 45895#

Love Starts at Home

Self-esteem enhances performance in every area of life. It is an abundant supply of positive self-regard and recognition of God's unique gifts to you. It is a favorable opinion of self without feeling the need to prove your worth.

Encouragement given to others is a great catalyst for their achievement, and it is the same for you. When you encourage yourself, you feel more decisive. You are able to tap your potential more quickly.


Here are five important principles to remember about self-esteem:

1. Those with high self-esteem take complete responsibility for what happens in their lives.

2. Self-esteem does not need outward approval. It is sufficient in and of itself.The individual will accept other's approval with gratitude, but intuitively knows when he or she has done well.

3. Self-esteem sees from a perspective of abundance, not scarcity. It carries the confidence to ask for and accept with gratitude a limitless supply of God's love and goodness.

4. Self-esteem is filled with faith and forgiveness. The person believes that they can have the life they desire. They trust their creative ability enough to reach for their dreams. They forgive themselves when missing the mark, and continue toward their objectives with tenacity and resolve.

5. Building high self-esteem after feeling low self-esteem is a process. It is helpful to spend time each day focusing on things done well. Record each of your successes. Congratulate yourself for the smallest victories.

Take a few moments each day to focus on and reinforce your strengths and potential. You'll be pleased with what you discover.



© Copyright by Steve Brunkhorst. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

First Lady Michelle Obama's Dating Advice

Being in a relationship can be challenging. Compromising, dealing with issues, keeping love alive...

The most important thing is to have a good attitude. With an open heart and a positive outlook on life you will be able to handle anything and be happy in love forever. If you are ready to listen, see the good parts instead of the problems and change your own ways, you will be a winner.

Michelle Obama's Dating Advice



First Lady Michelle Obama talks with Katie Couric about what women should look for in a date, when to dump someone and how she "landed" Barack Obama.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5514016n&tag=api

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5514016n&tag=api#ixzz1Dgdn4ylp

Friday, February 11, 2011

My Unique Purpose




When you find your own unique answer to the question of why you’re here, you will feel it resonate with you deeply. The words will seem to have a special energy to you, and you will feel that energy whenever you read them.

Discovering your purpose is the easy part. The hard part is keeping it with you on a daily basis and working on yourself to the point where you become that purpose.

If you want to discover your true purpose in life, you must first empty your mind of all the false purposes you’ve been taught (including the idea that you may have no purpose at all).

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Dream Development


  • Accomplish significant life goals through strategizing and catalyzing
  • Work out what you want from life and what God wants from your life
  • Become driven towards a unique life purpose with intentional direction
  • Ask God to give you faith-sized dreams that are life changing

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Good Enough to Complete the Task of Purpose

Low self esteem has been shown to effect grades, personal relationships, motivation and a number of other aspects of our lives.
 
One of the best ways to conqueror low self esteem is to look back upon your life’s accomplishments.  Each and every one of us has done things throughout our lives that we can be proud of.  Whether it’s having a child, landing a good job, finishing school or helping someone in need, take time to reflect on the things you have accomplished and find the strength and determination within them.  Take pride in the path that you have taken in life and move forward.


No one should have to go through life feeling as though it is not worth living, or that they are not good enough.  You ARE good enough for your friends, family, community and – most importantly – God.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Bitterness Isn't Sexy ~ Get Your Copy!!

"Only a woman who lives life with purpose and divine revelation can inspire people through her advice,  and that is Shirley. "  —Tyler Perry, Writer/Director/Producer


Listen up, ladies! Shirley Strawberry, co-host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, delivers more of the no-nonsense woman-to-woman straight talk her listeners have come to love. Shirley tells it like it is—from the heart. Whether the topic is cheating boyfriends, crazy mothers-in-law, job troubles, or money problems, Shirley’s girlfriend-next-door honesty has made the Strawberry Letters segment of the show a huge hit. Now, in this uplifting motivational guide, she brings her vivacious, inspirational, and down-to-earth message to women everywhere: Get up, get out, and be the best you can be!


As a single parent and a woman willing to let Mr. Right find her, Shirley’s been there and done that—and she’s got hard-won lessons to share. In this call to action to help women look at their lives with a candid eye, she tackles the issues her fans want to hear about:


• Love and Relationships: the highs and lows of dating, marriage, and breakups
• Family: the challenges of being a great mom
• Sisterhood: ways to get (and give) the support you need to stay sane
• Self: tips for overcoming low self-esteem and depression, and finding balance, faith, and acceptance




Full of motivating “Strawberry Tips,” personal stories that provide welcome advice on the run, and helpful suggestions for drama-stuck girlfriends, this book offers a simple message of strength: a challenge to love yourself and your life!

Purpose Drowned in Debt

Today, spending and borrowing are promoted, and saving is discouraged. God's principles promote saving for future needs, not borrowing or using credit.  Avoid hasty decisions, and ignore the "buy now, before it's too late" pitches. "The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor" (Proverbs 21:5). One of the best disciplines parents can teach their children is to work and save to reach a goal.


While these are simple steps, often excessive indebtedness makes life difficult. That's why it's so important to develop and live by a budget -- a financial plan. "Poverty and disgrace [come to] those who ignore instruction, but the one who accepts rebuke will be honored" (Proverbs 13:18).


Families that live by sound financial principles will demonstrate financial freedom for their children and help them grow up with the knowledge of how they should live by God's principles.


With consistent teaching and discipline it could take less than a generation to break the financial bondage under which so many Christians live. And, it would free them to fund the work of the Lord. After all, that's what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."


Remember, those mounting monthly payments aren't as "easy" to make as they are alleged to be, and being debt free is God's plan for His people. No one who is financially bound can be spiritually free.


Excerpt from Crown Financial Ministries, http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=109


Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday Morning Prayer Blast in 15 Minutes!!

Join us at 7:00 AM (EST) for our weekly 15-Minute, PRAYER BLAST to empower, inform and inspire you to your call for Power & Purpose:


Dial-In Number:(218) 862-1115
Conference ID: 45895#

Petitioning for Purpose

Nothing is too small to ask from the God who created tiny atoms, or too big to ask from the God who created the universe. We must not postpone prayer till we feel more worthy to do so because we will never be worthy enough to ask from God. We ask, not because we are worthy but because Jesus has invited us to ask and ask and ask.

Asking is the simplest thing to do. It is about the first thing we learn to do. Nobody can say "I'm so weak that I don't know how to ask." The weaker we are, the better we are at asking. It is only when we become too clever or too proud that we do not know how to ask. We need not fear our lack of eloquence because we are not approaching an English teacher. Neither need we fear that we are not intelligent enough to remember all that we are to ask because we are not approaching a scholar. Help is given to the needy, not to those who are too able.

Let us use our privileged position to ask freely and boldly.





Sunday, February 6, 2011

Are you a Super Bowl Woman?

The thing that separates a Super Bowl Woman from a woman without purpose is desire, discipline, determination, denial, and distinction, applied day in and day out.


The Super Bowl Woman will be the woman that exhibits 5 specific traits:

- The woman that has the greatest desire,

- The woman that is the most disciplined,

- The woman that has the most determination,

- The woman that is willing to practice self-denial,

- The woman that possesses the greatest distinction and character.

- That woman, whoever it may be, will win the Super Bowl!


It’s great to celebrate the accomplishments of the past. But with God, our best days are always ahead. So the question for contemporary Christians is this: Are you a Super Bowl Christian?

Fear is Not An Option




When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.  ~Audre Lorde

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Talk the Talk

Do your words reflect your desire?

What do you talk about?  All of that gossip, negativity, bringing other people down for no reason whatsoever, or reliving how someone hurt you - all of it lowers your vibration and keeps you from getting what you want.  You say you want one thing, but then you talk about all of your problems, everything that’s going wrong in your life, and all in the excuse of needing to talk about it.  You would be better off spending that time alone, visualizing your ideal day, interacting with no one, then participating in the latest water cooler scandal.  When you sit down for lunch with your co-workers, do you share all the good things that are happening in each others’ lives, or do you talk about the people who aren’t there at the moment, or the boss, or the company, or about how hard it is to make a living working there, etc? 

Your mother was right:  If you don’t have something good to say, say nothing at all.

Loving What You Do



Finding and creating your life's work, even if it is entirely different from what you have done most of your life, will bring you more happiness and health than any other action you can take. If your primary responsibility in life is being true to yourself, that can only be accomplished by carrying out what you are called to do - your unique and special vocation...Your life's work involves doing what you love and loving what you do.  ~Dennis Kimbro

Friday, February 4, 2011

Actions and Aspirations

Do your actions reflect your aspirations?

Are you “acting as if,” in faith?  Or are you letting other things get in the way?  Are you doing everything you can to be the person you say you want to be right here, right now, in this very moment?  Remember, determine what you want to be and then be that; do what you feel inspired to do; and you will have everything you want to have.  If you truly believe that your desire is possible, if you believe God and believe in His Word, AND if you believe that all things are possible, your actions will reflect that belief.  You will no longer speak unkind things and you will guide your thoughts and develop the ability to focus on your true desires.  Once you accomplish this, the world is your oyster.  Wouldn’t that be worth it?

The Covenant of Purpose




Everyone has a covenant and a purpose which is special, and if you do not fulfill it, -- there is no one else who will. ~Glenda Green

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A Calendar Filled With Purpose

I believed this article to be quite refreshing and wanted to share it with my SISTAHS.  As busy as some of us have become, sometime we need to stop and learn how to create "white space".  When you become too busy sometime it creates resent and you loss the joy of fulfilling your purpose, and you've lost your powerful creativeness needed to keep moving.

Learn to create white space so that you don't have a zoo of text on the calendar page.

The world won't stop turning. 


Here are three easy steps to creating white space in your life:

1. Take yourself seriously.

2. Pack your courage.

3. Start small.


4. Take Yourself Seriously. If white space is calling you, take that call seriously. Something important wants to be born, to heal, or to rest, and needs white space to do that. White space will, without a doubt, give you a precious gift. Don’t miss it.

5. Pack your courage. In our culture, busyness is celebrated. We draw a subtle sense of security and worth from it. Many workplaces celebrate martyrs who sacrifice themselves to busyness, instead of recognizing those that produce great results without overwhelm and long work days. Recognize that these cultural forces are alive in your life. Creating white space requires leaving the herd. You’ll need courage to do it.

There is another reason that you’ll need courage. Especially at first, white space feels uncomfortable. White space isn’t really white, because all the colors that are in you quickly fill the space. White space is the container for you to discover, spend time with, and paint with those colors. Feeling resistant and scared to being with what might come up is normal. This is a habit that takes some practice to get used to. Be in it for the long run with yourself, and sit through the discomfort that will show up at first.

6. Small is big. Small changes — what we do with 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 seconds — have a huge impact. If scheduling an hour of white space strikes you as a hilarious joke or physical impossibility, begin with:

  • Five minutes for pure white space time every morning or every evening. Check in with what is happening with yourself at that moment.
  • Between appointments, instead of a quick email check, dedicate 2-5 minutes for white space. Connect with your body, your breath, or a part of nature. That desk plant counts! If you have an iphone, try Dream, a free application that provides sounds of rain, ocean, and rushing wind. This will help you click into a white space frame of mind.
  • Find low-quality time–transit time, time spent drying your hair or folding the laundry, and bring a white space intention to it. Slow down and reconnect to yourself.

Excerpt from Tara Sophia Mohr, http://wiselivingblog.com/2009/09/white-space/

The Creativity of Purpose




Creativity is an attitude that transcends paradigms and beliefs.It's a soul level yearning to fulfill a purpose, uniquely contribute and leave a mark.  ~Janice Francisco

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Only You Can Do It



Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it. ~Charles Allen

What would you dream of doing if you knew you could not fail? Imagine being honored for your accomplishments and awarded a huge prize in front of an audience of thousands of enthusiastic fans.

 

Dream Stealers

One lie that we have been told loud and long is that debt and credit are not only an acceptable way of life, but a better way to live.

Myth: Debt, credit cards and car payments are tools that allow you to live the good life.
Truth: Debt, credit cards and car payments are dream stealers.

Being owned by your stuff manifests four syndromes.  Syndrome: a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality.

  • Insufficiency:  If you have ever thought to yourself, “I’ll be happy when I get____________________.” you have experienced insufficiency.  There is nothing that can make us happy except for our own decision to be happy - happiness is based mainly on the happenings of life.
  
  • Busyness: If you have ever answered, “Busy!” to the question “How are you?” or if you have forgone connecting with someone important to you so that you could get something done, then you have experienced busyness.
 
  • Social Isolation: Social isolation follows busyness because busyness is, in part, the cause of social isolation.  It used to be that neighbors dropped in on one another, but now busyness is seen as a virtue.  Now people assume that everyone is busy and dropping by is seen as rude and as an intrusion.
 
  • Financial Insecurity: Financial security is achieved by putting in place some key tools: a realistic budget, an emergency fund equal to three to six months of expenses, proper levels of insurance and a method for saving for future purchases and expenses.  Financial security is not the same thing as financial independence.  Financial independence is the ability to pay for your basic needs and comforts from a source other than paid employment.  Financial security is the path you must journey on to reach true financial independence. 

The path to true financial independence starts with a dream; a personal dream of the things you want to do and how you want to be.  If you have a partner you must find a shared dream.

The next step is to create the vision.  In addition to breaking the dream down into manageable steps, the vision must incorporate the steps which lead to financial security because every dream has a financial component.  Without financial security you cannot reach your dreams or true financial independence.

The final step is to practice the discipline required to create the vision daily so that you can live the dream.  Without daily discipline we trade our dreams for instant gratification and shortchange ourselves.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Be Daring

Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary. ~Sir Cecil Beaton

"Don't Wait for the Weight" by Monica Marie Jones



The latest in the "Souls of My Sisters" series geared to African-American women features new celebrity contributors and essays on faith, family, career, self-esteem, friendship, and love, which includes "Don't Wait for the Weight" by Monica Marie Jones.

Being a young woman today means belonging to an ever expanding global community, filled with new opportunities--and complicated challenges. With change comes choices, and making the right ones isn't always easy. The journey can seem overwhelming--but you're not alone. Whether you're dealing with issues of self-esteem, dating, domestic violence, cyber stalking, or racial profiling, within these pages a diverse gathering of women, including entrepreneurs, activists, and entertainers, have words of wisdom, inspiration, and practical information for you. So if you're headed to college, in the midst of your quarter-life crisis, or getting your career or family started, look to your sisters and their heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, but always encouraging real-life stories.