Author: admin

Have you ever said or did something and immediately you knew it wasn’t the right thing to say or do?  I’m guilty as charged!  A few days ago I asked someone to provide a service for me and give me their business hours.  When I received their response it was not a time that was convenient for me to get what I wanted from them.  So I responded by basically saying that, and letting them know what day/times would work better for me.

Let’s get something straight right here and right now!  When a person or business offer a service or product that you are interested in purchasing, trust and believe they have set their business hours and use of their time based on experience and what works best for THEIR business.  It is NOT their responsibility to adjust their schedules to meet every individual customer’s needs.  The question that we need to ask ourselves is, “How bad do you want it?”  The bottom line is if you want it bad enough not only will you meet their established hours of operation, but you will also pay their price.  When I caught myself trying to push my comfort and availability onto a recent business owner, I immediately fessed up and sent them a message of apology and agreed to meet them according to their schedule.  Remember, it’s not all about YOU!  It’s a business not a pop-up shop.

You don’t have to clean your plate!  Some of you probably remember back in the day when our parents used to tell us to ‘eat everything on your plate.’  Most of the time that request came from a position of lack, because they couldn’t afford to throw food away or that particular meal had to last you awhile.

The same scenario can be used for our lives in general.  This world has presented us with so many options.  Things show up daily that we ask for and also that we don’t ask for.  Our plate gets full so quickly.  Please know that you can take things off your plate or you can move things around.  Many of the things that we deal with has nothing to do with where we are headed.  We have taken on the burdens and responsibilities of others far too long.  You know how you go to a buffet or a family gathering and they just pile stuff on your plate without asking if you want it or even if you like it.  They try to make sure that everybody gets a little taste of everything.  Suppose you don’t like it?  What do you do?  Do you eat it anyway?  No!  Well why do we have such a hard time when it comes to removing people, things, or situations that don’t appeal to our appetite?  This is your life and your feast!  You have the right to choose the type of energy that takes up space in your world.  Stop eating everything that is put before you.  Stop allowing others to pile up your plate with what they like.  You don’t have to clean your plate.  Matter of fact, sometimes it’s better to simply throw the whole thing in the trash.  Have you ever done that with a to-go plate that your friend insisted that you take with you?

 

 

It is a shame when you are so fixed on what’s in front of you that you lose sight of what’s possible.  In life there are many crooks and turns, however we are putting a ceiling on our potential by our failure to see around the corner.  God always leads us to where we need to be and not where we want to be. When you began to see your stops along the way as a training ground rather than a punishment, you will start to realize that all things work for your good. There is no need to feel like what happens in life is there to take you out. As a child who was raised with no electricity and no plumbing until I was in grade school, I know how to survive when the lights are out or the pipes are frozen. This is not a crisis to me but an adjustment instead.

So many times we get comfortable with a situation to the point where we fear moving forward. Familiarity is easier than taking a risk. Why consider going around the corner when we know what life is like in this present space? What if I go and fail? What if I don’t like it once I get there? What if they talk about me? That could happen. You may fail, and you may not like it once you get there, and they will talk about you. But I can guarantee you this much, if you stay where you are you will continue to be where you are. You cannot take what you know into the future unless you are willing to go there. No time or effort is wasted as long as you learn something. It may not be clear what the lesson/meaning is at first but in due time, you will be amazed when you see stuff start to fall into place. I cannot count the times when I have said to myself, “Wow, I’m so glad I learned or went through this or that!” So go ahead. Make that move. Don’t just peep around corner, go round it!   You never know what might be on the other side.

Staying Stress Free During Covid!  (1) Focus on your results, not someone else’s.  It is so easy to look around at others and feel like you are falling behind.  That is not the case at all.  We are designed to flourish at our own time based on the experiences, circumstances, and situations that occur in our life.   (2) Be OK with imperfection.  If you are seeking perfection in yourself or others then you are going to miss out on a lot of things.  (3) Focus on your journey – Be present. Try not to get so lost in preparing for tomorrow that you lose sight of today.  Remember the journey is where it happens, not necessarily the destination.  (4) Learn when things are enough. We cannot be all things to everybody.  There are times when we literally have to throw in the towel.  This also goes for acquiring things & stuff.  Know when you have enough, because many times less is more.  (5) Count your blessings. No matter how small or insignificant you might think something is, there is someone else out there who would gladly trade places with you.  (6)  Be in a conscious state of awareness.  When we operate in awareness we are less likely to say or do something that offends others.  It’s easy to act like the world operates around us.

Photo by Kamil Pietrzak on Unsplash

There are levels and degrees to almost everything in life, and it takes effort and concentration to acquire or excel in most areas.  Some of us want to get to the other side of happiness, peace, joy, love or accomplishment, however we fail to realize that it takes preparation to propel!  Think about it.  Before you jump out of a plane there is some preparation that has to be done to make sure that you land safely.  You might watch some videos for training purposes or to get a feel of what to expect.  Also someone needs to strap your parachute and make sure it is properly secured and that you know when & how to prepare for your landing.  A few other examples are rock climbing, scaling a building, or zip lining.  None of these things are done without being prepared to propel!

Photo by Piotr Chrobot on Unsplash

Are you creating lines or just in one?  I saw this statement on an Instagram post by Adam Speaks and I asked his permission to elaborate on it.  With that said, let me ask you again, “Are you creating lines or just in one?”  I don’t really recall all that he said because I knew I would put my own spin on it.  We live in a world of supply and demand and we need to take advantage of both.  However, nobody wants to be on the demand end all the time with stuff going out and nothing coming in.  Although both scenarios are important, as business owners we need to make sure that we are spending more time creating lines rather than being in one.  Make sure that people are lining up to purchase your products or services rather than standing in lines yourself, waiting to purchase somebody else’s products or services.

So how do we make this happen?  There are numerous ways, but the one that caught my eye the other day from Ciara Patterson, was her suggestion that we reach out to previous clients to let them know that we remember them and appreciate their business.  Also, at that same time it is very appropriate to ask them if they would like to purchase your products or use your services again.  Well, I did just that and contacted twenty of my Sponsors who purchased my service over the last six months, and immediately three of those people came back on board.  In addition, since I immediately advertised and thanked them for coming back, I received two additional sponsors because they saw those posts.  This goes to show the power of not only showing up but also acknowledging those who have supported you in the past.  Are you creating lines or just in one?

 

 

 

Are you walking the dog or the dog walking you?  There may be days when you literally feel like the dog is walking you.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a large dog for this to happen.  It all depends on how much tension is in the leash and whether or not you are in control.  Even a small dog can take over and lead you astray if you are not paying attention.  Maybe he/she sees a cat and decides to chase it while you are so busy talking on your cellphone.  All it takes is one little distraction to throw you off course.  We need to keep our eyes on the prize whether it’s large or small.  Remember that big things may come in small packages.  These past months have taken a toll on us in so many ways, however, we have also grown in many ways beyond what we thought was capable.  We doubted our ability to sustain our relationships, our businesses, and our home.  But we did it!  We walked the dog rather than allow the dog to walk us.  Keep up the good work!  “Don’t Panic…Find The Positive!”  It’s always there if you just look hard enough.

Photo Credit: @CDC

Covid-19 Vaccine – For or against? Everyone has the right to make the best decision that they feel comfortable with.  As a sixty-six year old female working in the healthcare environment, I opted to get my Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it became available. My decision was based on a couple of things; first I would rather die trying to live and avoid the virus than die from the virus.  Secondly, if my participation in taking the vaccine will give researchers the necessary information in order to determine whether or not this is a viable answer to stop the virus, and possibly give my children and my grandchildren a better opportunity of never having to worry about it, then I will have served the greater purpose of my life.  I fully understand and respect the controversy and concerns surrounding the vaccine, and  those who prefer to wait and see how others  will react to the shot, rather than participate as part of the research, while millions of us jump on board without FDA approval of the vaccine.

 

 

 

The power of family!  If you were among the 300,000 customers who lost Power during the 2001 holiday season, yet you celebrated Christmas, then your holiday took on new meaning.  I was in the number, but thank God I already had my priorities in place.  As the weatherman called for rain and sleet, my only concern was getting my sister in town before the storm hit.  I had convinced her to come to Richmond Virginia and share Christmas with us, because we were not celebrating the traditional way.  God had blessed us with a new home just before the holiday, therefore money was tight.  In talking with my sister, I learned that she wasn’t doing a lot for Christmas either because she had lost her job.  So I figured why not have birds of a feather flock together.  To make it easier for her to say yes, we arranged to have her picked up.  As the storm hit, my only concern was my sister’s safety.  There were no last minute details to take care of, or last minute shopping to do.  Just cooking and anticipation of the arrival of my sister.  As I watched the news, I realized that there are so many people who are missing the true spirit of the holiday.  Folks were all over the place braving the weather on Christmas Eve to get that last minute shopping in.  Considering the conditions, what could have been more important than being with loved ones?  Any gift that was not already purchased could have waited.

After the holiday came and went, I found myself talking with people about how different this Christmas was for me.  Being forced to stay with relatives and friends during the most important time of the year.  The true meaning of Christmas was thrust upon us as we shared in love what we had, with no Christmas tree and very few presents, and little money.  But we had each other, and everyone brought to the table what was necessary to make the holiday a blessing in spite of our circumstances.  I firmly believe that God is showing us in more ways than we realize that He is going to have the last word, by any means necessary!  Because He is the ultimate Power!

 

 

We are all navigating this “New Normal” and doing the best that we can with what we have.  As we approach the holiday season many of us are asking the question, “Joy now or joy later?”  Do we attend gatherings outside our home or do we count our blessings and be thankful for the people who live in our space?  I’ve never done a lot of celebrating for Thanksgiving, but I do love Christmas and will definitely miss my annual Do-Drop-In at my place.  This is my once a year opportunity to make and share with my family and friend, all the delicious recipes that I love.

Joy now or joy later?  For me the decision was very easy to make although I have friends who have invited me to their family gatherings.  I’ve opted to relinquish my joy now for the joy of seeing my immediate family next year.  These past eight months have impacted me in numerous ways but the most profound has been the value of family.  I fully understand and respect that this is a personal decision for everyone.  I am considered an elderly woman in the age range that makes me part of the “vulnerable population.”  In addition I have an immune system that is easily weaken as a result of breast cancer many years ago.  My joy during this holiday season will have to come from within!