Cancer. My Sister’s Journey…

My sister’s Journey. We all know someone who has been affected. For me, it has personally been my grandma, my mom but most of all my little sister. Here I share her journey as a fighter. A leader extraordinaire. She never gave up and I hope her journey inspires someone who needs it.

Success Strategies

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She’ll have my head if she knows I’m writing this but some stories must be told.

That was how I started this story four years ago but don’t think it was ever published. It was the spring of 2003, after experiencing discomfort and a series of medical tests, the news was relayed to my sister. Not only did they find a lump in her breast but it was also malignant. Visits to Specialists left her with two options; remove the breast, or embark on a series of chemo treatment. The option of removal was an uncommon feat at the time, so after engaging family, friends and mountains of prayers, she made the decision to save the breast and embrace the chemo treatment.

Past The Worst

Over 10 years later and different rounds of chemo treatment combined with the usual side effects of hair loss, nervous system changes such as numbness…

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For The First Time…

Success Strategies

Mid-life she decided to move to Paris. A dream she always had. With kids grown and little or no responsibilities she decided to take the plunge! She bought a house exclaiming “it’s my first time”.

Adventure

I thought about that. I have had many first times. An explorer and lover of adventure, I have sky-dived for the first time. I have moved to different states and countries for the first time.  Not to mention my first time at writing and publishing my research on Success Strategies. A book that has helped many others for their first time.

I remember the first time I experienced childbirth…exhilarating yet humbling experience. 14 years later I did it again for the first time and the experience was no different. Wonders of the world! A little me was born again for the first time.

Travel

I now look forward to my own…

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Silence…

Be silent, or say something better than silence. Pythagoras

My three-year-old nephew was playing hide and seek with the other boys when one of the boys came over to hide near where I was sitting. He started giggling. I told him not to because it’s a secret. Maybe that was his first time being exposed to the word because he started shouting secret! Secret! It was hilarious!

Think Before You Speak

But what about us? Do we do the same in our daily lives, jobs, business or entrepreneurship endeavors? Do we publicize or quietly share what others tell us in secret? Do we know when to speak and when to be silent? Do we know what to to share and when to share it? Communication is key to relationships and knowing the right time to speak is even more important.

Many are the secrets that have been espoused that have destroyed organizations, relationships and families. Remember speech is silver, silence is golden.

Let’s make it a habit to think before we speak.

Cheers!

Life’s Simple Things…

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The simple things can be really powerful. ~John Taffer

Deprived. Deprived of sleep. Deprived of food, love, or the ability to satisfy life’s basic needs of shelter and more can create longings so deep, words can hardly describe. Suffering a lack of benefit that is considered important… that’s the meaning of deprived. I spent a week traveling by plane, train, bus, taxicabs, and on foot across our nation’s capital – Washington DC. Severe weather conditions created havoc causing flight cancellations, delays, hunger, and deprivation of simple necessities.

Positive Mental Attitude

Enter positive mental attitude. Delays provided the opportunity to read, people watch, and smile at life’s little things. Things that commonly get lost when things are going right.

I walked away being thankful for life’s setbacks…for though I don’t like it and at times get quite annoyed, deprivation can provide opportunities for resilience, creativity, and much more. Oh to bask in life’s simple things.

Cheers!

Feeling Drained? 21 Ways To Recharge…


Feeling drained? Time for a Vacay? Getaway? Sounds good! It’s about time to step back, relax, reboot. Writers, Goal-seekers, new entrepreneurs, career upward mobilizers find it a drag to to take the time to Stop. But it’s in stopping that we are able to generate new ideas, boost our creativity to forge ahead on the horizon with boosted speed after.

Imagine taking a long road trip. It’s imperative to stop. I’m guilty as charged. Enter the plethora of Rest Stops for food, breaks, vehicle refuel, and rest. Laws propel this through enforcement of Drowsy Driving which refers to driving while ability impaired by fatigue. Want proof?  Just ask truck drivers or someone who has suffered the severe consequences of accidents from tiredness. To keep going is a sure recipe for disaster.

Self-Care: 21 Ways to Recharge

Here are a 21 ideas shared by entrepreneurs on ways they recharge when feeling drained.

  1. Meditate
  2. Beach Day
  3. Sleep
  4. 1-2 hour workout
  5. Listen to Christian Music
  6. Disconnect and go to a happy place
  7. Go to the gym
  8. Go for a long walk
  9. Sleep
  10. Enjoy Nature
  11. Church & family
  12. Guilty pleasure – TV watching
  13. Find pictures that motivate to keep going
  14. Think about positive things in life
  15. Get a Massage
  16. Watch good interviews
  17. Worship and inspire
  18. Go to the park with kids and tell them how important they are
  19. Read motivating Book
  20. Cook
  21. Go shopping & Watch Movies that inspire

These comments came from survey of individuals on what they do to recharge. Do any of them resonate? Can you add any that’s missing?

Adopt the attitude to Stop. Reflect. Share. Then progress.

Cheers!

Do Not Let Your Fear Hold You Back From Your Destiny…

You Cannot Let Your Fear Hold You Back From Your Destiny. You are to feel the fear and do it anyway. Do it broke. Do it scared. Do it nervous. Do it trembling. Do it with help. Do it on your knees. Do it with courage because you don’t want to end up wondering what would have happened if you had more courage. ~T.D. Jakes

Tyler Perry’s Dream. An Inspiration To Dream Bigger. 4 Icons Speak…

Dream. Then Dream Bigger.

I think it’s pivotal in everything that we’ve done, everything that we’re doing still, that we continue to try to motivate and inspire people,” Perry told The Associated Press 

October 5th marked an historical achievement. Tyler Perry became the first black American to own a major film studio. An achievement that has left many motivated and inspired. Oft we frown on homelessness but hard times hit the best of us. When it does, here ‘s evidence of one who embraced the challenge to never give up on your dreams, goals and aspirations.

Tyler Perry’s Studio launch Interview

For years Tyler Perry dreamed. Then later dreamed even bigger. Now his dream has come through and in the midst of it all, he inspired many. Here are excerpts from household names who he inspired.

Beyonce

Congratulations Tyler Perry on the opening of his tudios. I could feel our ancestors presence. Surrounded by my heroes, I watched Denzel, Queen Oprah, Spike, Whoopi, Sir Poitier, Will Halle, Dame Cicely and our angels John singleton and Diahann Carroll honored. The Armand de Brignac crashed against each sound stage as fireworks lit up the sky. Generations of blood, sweat and tears; success, excellence, and brilliance. It makes me so proud. So full. I could not stop crying. Thank you my Virgo brother for so much love and passion put into every detail. My prayer today is that you will take it all in. You inspire me to dream even bigger.

Will Smith

We flew down to Atlanta to be with Tyler Perry as he opened the First and largest Black-Owned studio. This moment is monumental in so many ways. A sound stage in my name? Wow! I’m inspired and honored to be part of something of this magnitude.

Oprah

He didn’t wait for other people to validate or to say you should go this way or that way. He said I’m going to create my own way and as we can see, became a force for himself.

Samuel Jackson

This is more about Tyler the entrepreneur. The visionary. A guy who understands that ownership means that you can do what you want.

Work Hard And You Will Achieve Success

These are all well known celebrities but they all started out in their little corner… working, sweating, doing their own thing. Through blood, sweat and tears, they never gave up and one day achieved.

Forget the naysayers. You too can dream big! Work hard enough. One day you will achieve. In the interim be inspired by the success of others who pave the way to achieve things both big and small along the way.

Go ahead…you too can achieve your own dreams.

Cheers!

Success: The Iceberg Illusion…

Who sees your whole iceberg? The failures, fears, hard work, and the will to never give up in pursuit of your #goals. Arianna Huffington shared this graphical reminder of this common analogy of the success people see but not the sacrifices made along the way.

Something to think about as you continue your pursuit to achieve your goals, dreams and aspirations.

Keep going. Never give up.

Cheers!

Try A Thing You Haven’t Done 3 Times…

Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.”
— Virgil Thomson

What Advice Would You Give To Your Younger Self? 17 Professionals Share…

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Life changes. We evolve, make decisions, choose careers, relationships, and enlarge our own space to embrace and create our own circle of influence including nuclear families. Recently I came across the common question about life and pondering the changes you would have made if you had the chance to advise your younger self. In deep thought I decided to ask professionals what their thoughts were. Most reflected. Here are excerpts of those who quickly chimed in:

  1. Stop and smell the roses. Life passes by in a flash. Children grow up. Relationships mature, evolve, change. Enjoy life. Appreciate the little things.
  2. Take more adventures. Let go of traditions.
  3. Enjoy life more along my journey. To be fearless and take more risks.
  4. Slow down, travel, start a business, invest, read more.
  5. Things don’t need to be perfect or need the approval of others. Dream big and go after your dream.
  6. Believe in Yourself
  7. Start walking with the Lord earlier
  8. Take great risks. Step out in faith. It has put me in a shrunken box…away from a life I was used to….but I am satisfied and firmly believe I will get to the dream I desire, despite the tough road I tarry. Perhaps I would not have known God the way I now do.
  9. Always have courage as life is not linear. Even if you don’t think it makes sense stop reflect and listen to the universe. The path is already defined
  10. Be bold
  11. Don’t give up and push for the reality of your dreams
  12. Be bolder in your steps. Everyone is trying to pave a path for themselves in life and are also facing their own doubts and struggles. They may act out in both love and hate so don’t react to either and never be discouraged when you don’t always hear what you want or allow naysayers to erode your confidence.
  13. You’ll get there. Everything doesn’t have to happen right away. Don’t dwell on the worst parts
  14. Pray more and listen to people less.
  15. Experience Peace and happiness always
  16. Be more patient. Do not feel so rushed all of the time. Give things a chance.
  17. Put your energy into things that can truly change or improve. Don’t spin your wheels on dead-end projects.

 

What about you? What advice would you give to your younger self? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!