by Taylor Gardner | Jan 18, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Like many others, sometimes I need a little motivation to keep from giving up on my dreams. Because the truth of the matter is, my dreams scare me. I have this huge vision of how I am going to help young girls and women see the beauty and the value of their existence, which is pretty empowering. However, I am not always so empowered my self. So instead of staying in the place of no motivation and drive, I turn to books to gain a little hope. Hearing others’ stories and visions give me the courage to continue. Because if someone can make their dreams happen, so can I.
Now while I am sure many authors write these books just to be heard or to release their inner most thoughts, I don’t think they understand the power it has on an individual. It is truly something to see a woman do her thing, especially in a world her that tells her she doesn’t matter. With that being said, I have gotten through my deepest mind blocks and lost of hope through reading and I hope it will help you as well.
So, here is my list of awesome GIRL POWER books that will have you seeing all the potential that you have waiting inside of you and will hopefully give you the power to chase those awesome dreams that keep you up at night!
- I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones
- #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Be You and Live Civil by Karen Civil
- If You Have To Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mom Never Told You by Kelly Cutrone
- Do Cool Sh*t: Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, and Live Happily Ever After by Miki Agrawal
by Taylor Gardner | Jan 18, 2016 | Learn + Grow
Last year was a trying year for me and I haven’t always had the brightest attitude or outlook on life. So, to get myself out of the funk I decided to go to Barnes and Noble and get some books. The first book I came across was, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. I read the description of the book and instantly went to checkout. A woman, by the name of Regina Brett wrote the book because she felt as though it took her 40 years to “find and hold on to happiness.†She says it is because she felt that God blinked when she was born, and that is why she never felt special or happy until later in her life. Which is an idea that many people can relate to. We’ve all experienced that feeling of being ordinary and doubtful at one point or another. And in my opinion, this book is not only an expression of those feelings, but also a remedy for them.
The book is separated into lessons. Each lesson is an idea that as women we all deal with. From how to deal with doubt to how to start saving for your retirement fund, this book has it all. Anything that you have felt, I guarantee that there is a lesson/chapter in the book that will speak to your feeling.
I have personally recommended this book to every one of my friends and have also read it about 3 times. Also, sometimes I just read one or two lessons, just to pick up my mood. Whether you are happy or going through something, this book will add to your life. So, check it out when you get it chance!
Taylor G.
by Altimese Nichole | Jan 17, 2016 | Learn + Grow
I have been blessed beyond measure. As I prepare for the next year- I am reflecting on all that has been achieved this year and the many years before. Within this year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing people, being promoted twice, getting married to my best friend, and I am finally finding true peace on my journey. Walking in purpose for me was more than a desire or wish, it was a necessity at a very early age. I can’t recall that moment that something clicked in me that purpose matters— but when it did, I followed with all that I had. It is a beautiful thing to not only discover purpose in life, but to live in your purpose.
If you’re looking for your purpose, here are some things that helped me along the way, that I would like to share with you:
- Find out who YOU are Where your Source Resides
Among finding your purpose, we must first recognize the core of you.Who are you? Truly. What’s your truth; when you’re most authentic, most comfortable, most aware and filled with freedom? When this place is discovered, purpose can be found. As you find out who you truly are, it’s inevitable to overlook your Source of being. I realized that when I placed my source on tangible things or earthly things– my happiness and joy became dependant upon that tangible source, which made me extremely unstable and unable to plant myself in true security of knowing, “I am safe, here in my truth.” For me, it’s God. It was hard for me to find my purpose and passion and not seek Him first.
- Ask yourself, “If I could do anything in this world with no limitations, what would it be.”
This for me was discovered, when I was a child– and my mother noticed it. I loved talking and I craved relationships. I make friends very easily, I still do (now with a wisdom-guided compass). I LOVE relationships. Not just the good things but the moments of growth that many people consider to be the downsides of relationships. It is in those moments, that we grow into our authentic voice and relationships become deeper than the superficial connections. I can also talk a lot (my love for both birthed my desire for writing, so I’ve always kept a journal to release the things that I felt wasn’t ready to be spoken in the world). Fast forward years later into adulthood and I’ve studied Communications and Management, worked at my childhood dream job, stumbled into Public Relations, used social media as my core skillset– made a decision to switch to marketing, and now building on that foundation through building an organization’s greatest asset; their people. All of this involves those two things of communication and relationships.
Find your passion. Truly ask yourself this question and embrace your soul’s response. We think that we fear failure but often times we fear the success that follows if we pursue our dreams. Dare to dream and have the courage to move toward that dream.
- Become a student to life and to all you encounter
It would be total deception to believe that my purpose was discovered and fulfilled on my own. It’s not true. The first person who helped me was my mother and there are MANY others along the way. After graduating from undergrad, I had all the passion but I was very naive to the importance of being teachable. I thought that my passion was enough– and it was not. Passion is not enough. It is an important key but there are other keys to walking into purpose. The door of my unthinkable didn’t truly open until I opened myself up to truly becoming a student to life. I was already great at being an academic student but there were people in my path that succeeded at the things I wanted. It wasn’t until I allowed my soul to learn from those people (through humility and a welcoming spirit).
Passion can most definitely get you there. However, developed character and integrity will help keep you there. These two things happen through adverse times or the wisdom of others. The path we take can sometimes be up to us.
It blows me away that all things I’ve dreamed about as a child and as a teen have been manifesting before my very eyes– and to think that it’s not close to being over is astonishing. There’s no luck here– only abundant grace–from God, and intention– from myself. You can do the same and I hope that this article helps spark the internal conversation that’s needed to shift your life to you mind-blowing life journey.
XOXO
by Kiersten Homalon | Jan 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
I love how it feels when the Holidays roll around. There is always that magic in the air. Even though Christmas can stir up some feelings of missing family and friends the magic and spirit seems to cover all of that with a blanket of thankfulness. I love that. People are kinder, and everyone is more generous.
Then the year comes to a close, and often people choose one of two avenues.
- Same old Same old path
For some nothing changes. They continue their habits and choices and routine without missing a beat! And that is ok for some!
- Pep in the Step
Many See the new year as something to Attack! They go full force into a completely different life style and uproot all they know to be better, stronger, healthier and more successful in the new year!
Both of these CAN be good. But in many cases people in the first group never feel that pump in their heart for the year that could be the first of many years that creates life long POSITIVE change!
And the Second group are the Cliche Burnouts. The people who crowd the gym for the first two months of the new year and then you see them less and less each year.
What if there were a few key thoughts that could guide your steps to creating POSITIVE change in your new late that would last and domino into the next year…… BUILD and domino even MORE POSITIVE change in to the next new year!
And so on!
I believe that these 5 focuses are a good start to that avalanche of goodness!
- Reflect on the Year
I am a firm believer that we cannot embark on anything new without reflecting on what had past. This is especially true when trying to tweak your habits, and lifestyle for the better!
Some things to take into account are:
-The good things in the year (Things you over came, habits you formed, weight you lost, friends you made, businesses you built and the relationship with The Man Upstairs you invested in)
-The not so good things: Things you let slip through the cracks (The goals you set for the year, bad habits that resurfaces, mistakes that were made, and decisions that were made, the lack of time spent with friends, family or most importantly The Father!)
- Set New Goals
Setting new Goals is a great way to create excitement and passion going into the new year! Having big dreams is only sweet when paired with goals that make baby steps to achieving those Big Mama Dreams!
- Set Deadlines
Setting dates and specifics next to each Goal is so key to keeping your eyes on the prize. This is also a good tool for those inevitable times when passion cools, and when we get a little off track! Knowing that that date is creeping up on you helps to get your head right back in the game!
- Find an Accountable Partner
No one likes to admit that they are off track or not making the best decisions when they know they can do better! So confide in your spouse or reliable friend your goals… and yes the deadlines! This will ensure that you keep the heat tuned up!
- Be involved in Your Home Church
This was a curve ball wasn’t it? All of your Goals, Dreams and Talents are blessings and callings from the Lord. So naturally we need to bring them back to The House of The Lord to put it into its biggest and most useful outlet. And honestly I envision it being exactly that: an Electrical Outlet! Plug into the House of the Lord and you have a non-stop flow of encouragement, accountability, prayer and of course The Holy Spirit to guide your way!
These 5 Steps are a great tool to start you 2016 with VIGOR! I think we all know that those hard times in each year come and go. However, if we have the back bone to our lives; which is non-other than Christ Our Lord, Eyes fixed on our Goals, and Our time plugged into The House of The Lord then it is guaranteed that you will gain ground in this next year! So Lets pray for those bad habitual tendencies to be broken, the passion to never die out, CLARITY in what you’re called to do on this Earth, and Generosity with your time and investment into the lives of others!
So What do you say? Are You going to have enduring VIGOR this New Year!?
Have Grit Sweet Ones,
Kiersten Homalon
by Taylor Gardner | Jan 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
I am not sure what it is about a new year that makes people want to change their life around, but like many people it happens to me every year. And by February 1st I have already given up on everything I said I would change. However, this year I decided to approach my New Year’s resolution a little differently. So before 2016 started, I decided to pull out my journal, grab a poster board and my computer, and began reflecting on all that 2015 has taught me. Then I thought about how I am going to use the lessons learned to make 2016 a better year.
Now this time my “new year’s resolutions” are a little different. Instead of making resolutions that were extremely unrealistic, I tried to write down statements that would help change over time. Then instead of just making a list that I would forget in a week, I decided to make a vision board, so I am reminded of my goals everyday I start morning. I have always been a fan of vision boards, but this was the first time that I made my own and it was quite rewarding. Everyday I am reminded of what I need to accomplish and how my life will look once I do.
Here are my goals for 2016:
- Put myself outside of my comfort zone as often as possible.
- Less fast food, more home-cooked and balanced meals
- More quality time with God
- More me time: Reading, exercising, writing
- Try new things and visit new places.
- Save, save, save
- Don’t allow toxic people or things in my life
So, for anyone that is sort of stuck in the New Year rut, I seriously recommend reflecting on 2015 and making a vision board for what you want to accomplish in 2016. You got this, even after the month of January!
Taylor G.
by Altimese Nichole | Jan 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
It’s a new year and it’s time to get inspired! Check out these wonderful resources that can give your focus a boost:
- ZenHabits Radio: this is a blog turned podcast, full of inspiration. If you desire a boost to live your best life, this is for you!
- Why we have too few women leaders: Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach executive levels within their careers — and offers 3 powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the “C-suite.”
- Heather Lindsay YouTube Video: Founder and CEO of Pinky Promise– preacher, wife and mother, Heather Lindsay shares many intimate sermons about seasonal friendships, spending quality time with God, and more!
- Monificent11: Co-Founder of the Single Black Female project and media-maven, Monique truly conveys her heart through her Podcasts. It’s easy to want to listen to more, especially when the message is delivered with authenticity. She’s up and coming and worth the time of listening!
- The 5 AM Miracle Podcast: Created by Jeff Sanders, The 5 AM Miracle is a weekly podcast dedicated to dominating your day before breakfast.It has been proven that those who extremely productive make use of their time in the morning. This podcast can help your create the habit of morning productivity.
Any videos or podcasts that you currently listen to for inspiration that are not on the list? Share them with us!
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