Category: Reflection

Your Best Place To Read is…

The beach. A nook. On the plane or train.

What’s your favorite place to read? That’s the question asked by Barnes and Noble. Many tuned as in Song replying in Harmony. My own favorite place to read is at the beach while listening to the quiet waves rippling ashore. Here I share excerpts of the hundreds who chimed in:

  • Bed
  • Barnes and Noble cafe
  • Bar or Brewery …
  • Anywhere, though I love the idea of sitting in a nook outside my room door
  • In my backyard on a sunny breezy day next to my cat and garden
  • Next to her
  • In a quiet cafe with a latte
  • Anywhere comfy and cozy
  • In the back of the car leaning against the front of the seat in front of you
  • By any body of water or fireplace
  • Library, with a mini table in front of me and hit chocolate
  • On a blanket in the sunshine
  • Bed
  • Anywhere and everywhere
  • My bathtub
  • The park
  • Outside in the evening
  • Bed with the rain outside
  • In a quiet place
  • In a bay window
  • Camping against the lake

Did any resonate? Where’s your favorite place to read? Do share.

Cheers!

Inspiration. Your Source…

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. ~Maya Angelou

There is always someone in the background that hardly anyone else knows about. He/she is your source of inspiration. Your source of strength. Your source to hold on or run to when the going gets tough.

Who is that Radiant person who is always there for you? Why not connect with them today. Say Thanks.

Cheers!

For The Love…

Love’s Faceless beauty evokes smiles that thrill the delights of family, friends, amidst foes.

Love you 💕💕

Love you today 💕

Love you tomorrow 💕

Loved you yesterday 💕

Will love you forever 💕💕

11 Simple Ways To De-Stress…

coffee-cup-books-home.jpg

Life is amazing! But sometimes it gets Messy with on-the-job demands , caring for family, life conquests, desires, dreams, and the pursuit of our goals become overwhelming. When they all come together to intertwine, it can get downright busy. ith little Courage, we feel unable to manage them all.

That’s when wisdom steps in and urges us to step back. To breathe. That’s when we receive that inner call for time-out so you can refresh, revive and rejuvenate. It would be great to get away on a vacation and take a trip to Europe… but hey though that’s ideal, it’s not always possible to do getaway that far on a whim. So here I share a few tips gleaned for a quick reboot.

You may also like 9 Things To Do By Yourself…

  1. Go for a walk
  2. Cut back on the caffeine
  3. Watch a funny movie
  4. Enjoy a new hobby
  5. Write down your woes, then throw them away
  6. Visit a close friend
  7. Put away your phone
  8. Get some Exercise
  9. Plan ahead so you’re not so rushed
  10. Perform a random act of kindness
  11. Read a good book

Hope this list helps. Adopt one, two or a few, and start your journey to de-stress today.

Cheers!

What Makes You Happy?

Happiness… a state of well-being and contentment

What makes you happy? That’s the question that was asked. A state of well-being that most long for. To be at peace, free of lack, free of Lecture

Suspicious? The question was asked by the ‘Sharks’ of budding entrepreneurs to which responses came in various forms. Here I share exerpts as people chimed in.

  • Being able to think outside the box
  • Having my kids together
  • Getting back into fitness
  • Crying out my emotions
  • Little things
  • Living in the quiet country
  • Heated mattress pads
  • No schedule
  • Air bubble bath tub
  • Listening to my children at bedtime
  • Potato chips
  • Shoes that fit
  • Good health
  • A great cup of Coffee
  • Conversations with my wife
  • Disruptive-ness in the marketplace
  • My family
  • The next 5 days off
  • Being alive
  • Creating art
  • To be in Hawaii
  • A great run
  • Being loved

Do any of the above resonate with you? Missing any? Do share.

Cheers!

The Rear View…

pexels-photo-849287.jpeg

You do not move ahead by constantly looking in the rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past, but not live in the past. ~Warren W. Wiersbe

Stop looking in the rear view mirror. That’s what the instructor would Insist when I was learning to drive many years ago. My goal was to look back to ensure I’m prepared for those crazies when they get too close to avoid being rear-ended. Good thinking? Hmm… not sure.

But now as I get older, I apply the same principle to life. If we constantly look back at the past getting angry at those who did us wrong, or constantly remembering past mistakes, we will never be able to focus.

I am a firm believer in looking back periodically whether its monthly, quarterly, or annually to assess changes for goals and to keep track of plans ahead. However, it’s important to Simplify  and focus. Only with focus and direct steps will we be able to achieve our goals, dreams, and aspirations.

Today, take the time to reflect on your life’s goals. Whether you are an entrepreneur, writer, career enthusiast, or other, reflect on how you deviated in the past.  Then learn from it. Put it aside and steer towards the finish line. Be a distance runner. Pace yourself then head towards the finish line. You will make it at the right time with steady speed, resilience, and concentration.

Cheers!

9 Movies That Inspire Self-Discovery…

You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want somethin’, go get it. Period.

“The whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” Pi

Forrest Gump

The Help

127 Hours

Under The Tuscan Sun

Terrible Idea…Don’t you just love them?

Beautiful Mind

Schindler’s List

Eat Pray Love

There are many more movies that inspire us to believe in our dreams. Movies that encourage us not to give up when the going gets rough. Movies that move us beyond the Horizon into self-discovery… a place where the sky is the limit.

Can you add any of your favorites?

Cheers!

9 Things To Do By Yourself…

Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get, you’ve got to make yourself.” – Alice Walker

Reflection, Rest, Relaxation & Renewal

Self-care is important, and so is doing it alone ..yikes! But time alone is important. It Evokes reflection, rest, relaxation and renewal.

Here I share my own favorite list of 9 Things to do by yourself.

Self-Care

  1. Give yourself a mini retreat weekend–eat healthy food, go for a massage, spoil yourself, and really relax!
  2. Meditate. Sit. Be still and devote time to listen to your spiritual thoughts. Breathe.
  3. Have dinner on your own in a nice restaurant… take time to really enjoy the food
  4. Go somewhere in the city where you have never been
  5. Study. Sign up for an online course in any topic you have an interest in and learn something new
  6. Sip a cup of tea and look out the window
  7. Spend a day at a museum or art gallery
  8. Journal. Carve out the time to write up a list of things you would love to do. Declare your dreams and intentions or simply empty out all your thoughts into your notebook.
  9. Travel on your own. Learn something new about yourself.

So those are my top 9. What’s yours?

Cheers!

A Look Back on 2017…

Whew, what a year! I’m a firm believer in looking back to get ahead. In business we look back to assess our performance for the year. Often it’s even mandated. Why not apply the same principles to your own personal life. So, here are a few of my major points in 2017.

Nova Southeastern University Recognition

Amazed but as always, all things work together for good. Met some great people as I did the research to help others learn the traits and strategies of how leaders achieved success, and how the ambitious can also become successful. Looking forward to helping youths, ethnic minorities and those in need in the new year.

Book Signings

img_4048-1

motivationalquotes-SC-3D

Book signings, interviews, and giving back to our community were a big part of my theme in 2017. Giving thanks for partnership with Writers of Color, that paved the way to various  community centers and libraries in South Florida. Other signings were held in New York, and Washington DC. Deeper exploration continues in the new year.

New Book – GreenLight

Stay tuned for my new book titled GreenLight, slated for early release in 2018. It will include inspirational writings, exhortations, prayers, and the confidence needed when individuals are confronted with changes and transitions along life’s journey.

Documentary Video on Success

Documentary video created on the campus of Nova Southeastern University. It depicted the discussion on immigrants sharing their views on Success. Learn more in published book on Success Strategies of Immigrant Leaders in the United States. Kudos to KC Films & Media for creating video.

Live Interviews with Entrepreneurs on Success

Conducted a series of Live interviews with millennials and Entrepreneurs around the globe. They shared their stories on the steps they used to achieve success for the benefit of those who are afraid to make the leap to do what they have always wanted to do.

30 Under 30 Millennials

Always a pleasure to lead the panel of judges at the 30 Under 30 Millennials who are making distinctive leadership ventures across the United States and the Caribbean. Event is held by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Washington DC, hosted the event.

Inaugural Goal-Setting Retreat

Inaugural Retreat held at Captiva Island in South Florida. Participants engaged in creating goals for 2018, as well as strategies to help achieve them progressively in the months to come.

Time with My Girls

As always the year was filled with travels but my greatest personal memory was that shared with my girls when we visited New Orleans. Just leave it to my oldest who is Almost an Extravagant lover of traveling and gaining new experiences. Tons of smiles as we went live at Essencefest with Queen Latifah and the Cozy cast of  ‘Girl’s Trip‘, made the visit all the more fun. How about you? What was your favorite experience in 2017?

Finally, looking back on the past 12 months, the memories made and the goals tackled, I am truly thankful. I now look forward to the future and the expectations ahead. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Here’s to you and your family as we wish you health, peace, and hope that all will be well in 2018, and beyond.

Happy New Year to you!