Think Ahead Thursday: Shrinking Jeans, Deepak, & a Cheshire Cat Grin

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I'm grinning for ear-to-ear as I write this post.  So much so that my cheeks hurt! I LOVE IT!!

Remember the FlashForward Challenge? Well, I hope you created your own, whether you shared it or not, and I encourage you to place daily reminders in your life that are designed to act as a huge hand above your head that will gently turn it back in the direction of your goals when you get distracted by, well, LIFE!

To that end, I'm starting up Think Ahead Thursdays, a one-day-a-week nudge from me to you, and from me to, well, me!

What are you using to steadily guide you in the direction of your short and long-term goals? 

Here are two items from my Think Ahead Thursday list:

- Remember my commitment to my fitter self through the support of friends and family.  Start and maintain a support team comprised of others who seem to really want to be healthier versions of themselves.  My new online homies over at the Shrinking Jeans 'hood are a great resource for me in this area because it feels somewhat like I'm jogging alongside a group of women with goals similar to mine.  Great to chat and keep each other motivated, moving and keeping Self in mind! They've even got their own FlashForward going -- I love it!

- This Deepak Chopra quote moves me every time: "The possibility of stepping into a higher plane is quite real for everyone.  It requires no force or effort or sacrifice.  It involves little more than changing our ideas about what is normal." Yes! Yes! Yes! It's all about the new normal for me, and I'm deeply ensconced in the process of embracing my desires as "The way it is" as opposed to keeping the mentality of "the way it'll be when I get 'there'".  Where the hell is "there", anyway? There is HERE! When is NOW.

See why I'm rockin' a Cheshire Cat grin as I type?

What are thoughts that make you smile, and how can you create ample opportunity to make those thoughts a part of your daily focus?  Think ahead, but start NOW!

ATLANTA HAITIAN GROUP GALVANIZING SUPPORT: Dedicating my blog post

Spending eight years in South Florida, and having close ties to the Caribbean community as a Jamaican in Atlanta, this disaster really feels personal for me.  I am still unable to watch any news footage of rescue efforts because I literally feel sick when I do.  I offer my continued prayers and support to my Haitian family, and offer today's blog post as a resource means for my metro Atlanta readers (and those of you outside of Georgia who may have family in Atlanta as well).

Medical supplies, shoes, blankets, disinfecting wipes, water, food items desperately needed!

 

The Haitian Alliance, Inc. (www.transformhaiti.org), announced on Janurary 20th,  its plan to partner with 20 other Haitian organizations in the metro Atlanta area and Hosea Feed the Hungry to provide aid and assistance to the victims of the recent earthquake that shattered the lives of millions in the tiny Caribbean nation of Haiti.

The Haiti Disaster Relief Project was formed under the umbrella of The Haitian Alliance, Inc. to collect and distribute needed items to the victims of the January 12th earthquake.  A team of local volunteers will travel to Haiti with the donated items to provide hands-on assistance with the distribution as well as real time reports of the impact of the project and information gathering to enable plans for long-term support.

An estimated 30,000 Haitians live in the metro Atlanta area.  Most have family in crisis in the country and many are desperate for means to provide help as well as information on the well-being of loved ones.  The Haitian Alliance, Inc., established in 2006, has at the core of its mission the education of the people and the reforestation of the land.

Mr. Saurel Quettan, public relations officer for The Haitian Alliance, Inc., said, "We must now galvanize our strengths and resources to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.  We know the depth of their sorrow and the magnitude of their loss.  Haitian people are courageous and resilient, but this is more than any of them have ever had to endure.  With the help of the local and international community, Haiti will rise again."

Cash contributions are needed most and can be pledged on our website at www.transformhaiti.org.
Donations of supplies are also being collected throughout metro Atlanta and surrounding areas at over ten designated collection centers.  For a list of these centers as well a list of needed items, please visit our website at www.transformhaiti.org, and click on "collect" or call 888-499-6509.

Suggested supplies:

• Water purification tablets
• Medicine/Medical Supplies: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, pain killers, antibiotics, analgesics, peroxide, bandages, gauze,  crutches, wheelchairs, cervical collars, splints, and items needed for field surgery, specifically, IV anesthesia
• Non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods in easy-to-open containers
• Tents, cots, camping equipment, lanterns, sleeping bags
• Sheets, blankets, pillows, towels                
• Toiletries
• Port-a-potty
• Solar lanterns/lamps
• Clothes/Shoes
• Pre-mixed baby formula, diapers
• Body bags

Donation centers throughout the metro Atlanta area at the following locations:

Clayton County
Jonesboro High School
7728 Mt Zion Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236; (707) 473-2855

Forest Park Middle School
930 Finley Drive, Forest Park, GA 30297; Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 2:00PM, until January 22nd 

Cobb County
All-N-1 Security Services
3915 Cascade Road, Atlanta, GA 30331, (404) 472-3032; Mon - Fri: 11:00AM - 3:30PM

Argyle Elementary School
2420 Spring Road SE, Smyrna, GA 30080

Fhadi
685 Windy Hill Road, Su. A, Smyrna, GA 30309; Contact: Jean Claude Ledoux; (770) 374-4588
WRFG Radio
1083 Austin Avenue N. E., Atlanta, GA 30307; Mon - Fri:  11:00AM - 6:00PM; 

DeKalb County
Cafe Fasika
447 North Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021; Contact: Herold Ulysse; (404) 499-0997

Stone Mountain Club Intrigue
5471 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Helen Seiz
1165 Lea Drive, Roswell, GA 30076

St. Bridgid Catholic Church
3400 Old Alabama Road. Johns Creek, GA 30022

St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
 2560 Tilson Road. Decatur, GA, 30032

Northside Women's Specialists
1015 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076; Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 3:30PM

NWS OBGYN
980 Johnson Ferry Rd. #620, Atlanta, GA 30342; Mon - Fri: 8:30AM - 3:30PM

Real Source Brokers
650 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030; (404) 819-8014; Mon - Fri: 9:30 - 3:30PM

Fulton County
South Fulton Theophile Church
950 Custer Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316; Contact: Frantz Pinet; (404) 624-9432

City Storage
726 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta, GA 30306; Mon - Sat: 9:00 - 6:00PM; Sun. 10:00 - 2:00PM; Contact: Jeff Ferguson; (404)853-3303

Project South
9 Gammon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30315; Mon - Fri 3:00 - 7:00PM

Marco's Pita
752 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306; Mon - Fri: 10:00 - 7:00pm; (404) 607-0071

Mindzai Multimedia
728 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30312; (404) 222-9337

Wax Wednesdays at Ixtlan
2160 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324; Mon - Fri: 11:00 - 6:00PM

The Mix at Glenwood
1263 Glenwood Avenue Atlanta, GA 30316; Wed: 7:00pm - Midnight

Village Montessori School
1610 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075; Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 5:00PM; Sat: 7:30a - 1:00PM; (770) 552-0834

Gwinnett County
Fisherman Church
300 Merchant Drive, Norcross, GA 30091; Contact: Pasteur Leroy

For more information on the Haitian Alliance or to make a donation to the Haiti Disaster Relief Project, please visit www.transformhaiti.org or call (888) 499-6509.

The Haitian Alliance, Inc. is a registered 501 (c) (3) organization whose purpose is to transform Haiti. Our mission is to empower the haitian community to act as one, to make Haiti Green and Literate by 2030.

In appreciation of YOU!

A thank you from us to you, and 

a request for your perspective.

Scary Little Black Girl

Some things never change.  Seemingly, from time immemorial, recess holds firm as the place and time when life-shaping occurrences unfold, and the people we grow to become are undoubtedly influenced by the things we experience during this free time period called Recess.



I want to know how Execumama readers would handle this situation.  I've gotten strong perspectives on opposing ends of the spectrum on what Kris and I should have done, or should be doing as a result of Marley giving us this information.  We're treating our child, and giving her the tools we think will keep her sound while perhaps allowing her to lead by example for others who may be getting "different" insight at home.  We're doing what we believe is best, so in prayer and gut-feeling, we're satisfied.

But what would you have done?

Children & Tragedy: Explaining Haiti's Earthquake to our Children

When our 5 year old daughter came home from school today, she caught me doing something I rarely do; watching the news.  Typically, I get my updates via the Web, and more recently, specifically via Twitter.  Perhaps I should be ashamed to say that Twitter is my news source, but I'm not, because it works for me. I'd prefer not to be inundated by the reporters' spins and the overuse of shock-value photos in a television report.  Instead, I view the tweets, email myself the stories of interest, then read them (usually from my phone) throughout the day.  But today was different.

Today, I watched in disbelief as I attempted to digest what seemed to be scenes from a distasteful horror flick.  I watched as pictures of distraught people who looked like me scrambled to maintain some sense of reality as their minds no doubt ran from point to point, worrying about missing family, food issues, and their overall safety.  Marley asked me what I was watching, and I told her exactly what it was.  As I gave her as light an overview as one can of a catastrophic earthquake, she stared into my face and soaked in a hearty dose of S-A-D.  We do our best not to shelter our daughters from life's happenings (keeping in mind age-appropriateness, of course), but this time I wondered if I did the right thing.  As she watched and listened to a reporter explaining how people were trapped under rubble and screaming for help, part of me wanted to lunge for the remote and shut off the television, but I did not.  Instead, I stayed with her for a few moments, then distracted her from it by asking her about her day.  I then asked her if she had any questions about what she'd just seen, and all she asked was what causes an earthquake.  I said a prayer, then went to the internet for insight on how to address any questions she or her sister may have, and I wanted to share some of the resources I found with you:

National Association of School Psychologists offers these tips

PBS has a great resource page for talking to our children about news.

Ideas for Women had this information in regard to the Tsunami-related tragedies, but the premise is certainly applicable today.

My friend and fellow blogger, Ana of Quiskaeya, is Haitian, and I encourage you to keep her (and her family) in your thoughts.  She has a post that lists some legitimate aid organizations if you feel compelled to help.  This is also an opportunity to show our children that people care and are willing to help others in need.  Please visit her link HERE.

My heart hurts for Haiti, and as someone who lived in South Florida for nearly a decade, I feel a sense of familiarity with the Haitian-American community, and I am beyond saddened by what they are forced to deal with today (and for some time to come).  Surely, there is never an opportune time for an earthquake—especially one of "severe catastrophic magnitute 7.0, but this just seems like worst possible timing times 10,000.

Prayers, positive thoughts, and all I can offer by way of Light is what I give to Haitians everywhere today, tomorrow, and on.

Featured: Clutch Magazine, Execumamas, & Office Politics

How do you get ahead when your "boss" *using quotes because I despise that word* is not exactly your BFF?

Super-chic and always informative, Clutch—an online magazine for Black women—wanted this Execumama's two cents on that topic, and I was happy to oblige in hopes that my tips can help my fellow Execumamas.   With that, I gave my straight-no-chaser perspective on an issue I faced once or twice during my corporate tenure.  While I'm glad that stage of my life is over, (unless of course, Harpo or some fabulous magazine wants to entice me with a writing gig!) I do feel strongly that working for someone else has its place, and can be extremely rewarding if you're in an industry you love, and working for a company in which you actually believe.

Arlice Nichole over at A Woman'$ Worth penned the article, and as always, she made it shine! If you don't know, Arlice is a TALENTED writer whose blog is a godsend for tips on reaching our fullest financial potential.  Yep, she is definitely a FLY Execumama in all her glory! Have you checked out her "The Book in My Bag" series yet? I hope so!  Here's the latest one. 

Okay, click the Clutch logo below for Arlice's feature article (squeaaal!).  Be sure to share your insight on the topic and help out your fellow clutchettes!

Follow them on Twitter: @clutchmagazine

Gabrielle Union, Halle Berry, and the " I'm Pretty, Now What" Syndrome

*For our daughters*

"it is important to be that mentor, to be that guiding figure in her life, so she doesn't accept validation from the wrong places." - Gabrielle Union

I'm a G.U. fan, fo sho'! I like her story: smart kid, great athlete (she played soccer, the only sport I actually like!), cool parents, good family, stumbled into modeling, landed in acting, making it "do what it do!".

With the handful of black actresses who get consistent work in the industry, it's hard not to love/support them, especially when they are good at what they do.  Say what you want, but I think Gabrielle is holding her own in an industry that probably judges most sisters by the standards of women like Angela Bassett—who ain't nothin' but THE Truth, don't get me wrong, but her light is HER light, and others should be free to shine theirs without comparison at every corner. #myhumbleopinonfolks

I came across at tweet from @UncleRush leading me to his site, Global Grind.  Gabrielle Union posted HERE about her ongoing issue with self-esteem, and the importance of mentorship, and it struck a chord, somethin' serious.  Give it a read, won't you? It's quick and won't encroach much on your weekend.  Besides, it opens the floodgates on that often-had and always-needed conversation about self-esteem.  As a woman first, but lately more so as the mother of two girls, I stay open via meditation and prayer for avenues through which I can instill in my daughters a pride about who they are and why they are perfect just the way Creator made them.

Somehow, many people still don't get that self-esteem IS NOT tethered to external perceptions of beauty.  Yes, it is an element, but not THE factor, and therein lies a pretty significant difference.  Remember in '03 when Eric Benet's crazy ass illness had him cheating on his then-wife, Halle Berry? I cannot count on all my fingers and all my toes the amount of times I heard someone comment on the topic with something to this effect: "Shiiiit, if Halle Berry can't keep her man from cheating, then there's no hope for the rest of us!"  UM, WHAAAAT?!

*Pulling up a chair, inching to the edge of the seat, and talking with my hands like the Godfather*

1.  It was never Halle Berry's responsibility to "keep" her man.  They made a commitment to one another, and that meant she had every right to trust that he would stay within the parameters of their particular relationship agreement, which apparently, did not include sex with other folks.  We (women) tend to link some men's straying eyes (and other parts!) to our "short-comings".  "I gained too much weight!" "I'm always too tired." "I can't compete with 'Busty McGee' over there because...".  Puh-leaase! Let's do everything to make sure that sort of foolishness ends with us, and does not spill over into our daughters' realities, shall we?  Message: Grown folks don't "keep" each other! We commit to each other, and bring trust to the relationship.  Each party of the agreement (be it marriage, co-habitation, whatever), sets certain expectations and promises, and when those are put aside, the one who put them aside is no less at fault than the one who repeatedly accepts it.  #writethatdown

2.  Fitting into this particular society's perception of beauty does not a high-self esteem build.  It takes much more than that.  I remember learning that lesson several times over during my college years.  Some of the most beautiful young girls had the most serious issues I'd ever seen! Outside of the after-school specials, I didn't actually know of anyone who had tried to kill themself until college.  She was one of the most utilized models on our campus, which for many—myself included, at the time—didn't make sense.  That's when my lessons began.  Then I spoke with others who looked the way I wanted to look when I was a young girl, yet they would take levels of abuse from their boyfriends and peers that made me want to commence to ass-kicking on their behalf!  Their "beauty" was a physical trait, but their emotional states and senses of self were never properly nurtured, and through their troubles, I learned just how little "pretty" actually means.  Message: Remind your daughters, and nieces, and cousins (in the presence of your sons and nephews, and male cousins) that they are not only beautiful, but smart, and capable, and wonderful, and special, and worthy! Explain the terms to them, and use books, glorious books, magazines, made up stories, and whatever else you've got up your sleeve to instill in them a sense of entitlement to good treatment and trustworthy relationships.

I could do a frikkin workshop on this... Sorry, this post is getting way too long, 790-some-odd words is way too long for a blog post, but I needed to get this to you.  What are you thinking right now? How has the "I'm Pretty, Now What" Syndrome affected your life? What have you learned? How are you better? What do you need?

This isn't rhetorical. I really want to know.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Business, Social Media, & Self-employment Tips That Don't Suck

Hello, my name is Akilah, and I'm a research-aholic.  Partially by trade, since my freelance writing career keeps me in research mode almost all the time (no complaints here!), but also by personality, because I tend to follow one link through to its origin, even if that's as many as 20-something links back!!  Well, I'm thinking my sickness habit should be your gain, so from time to time, I'll be using Wednesdays to give my blog family some Execumama-related tips that may save you some research time.  You're welcome, Honey!

THREE TIPS THAT DON'T SUCK:

1.  Here's a great one from The Wealthy Freelancer.  As many of us are starting or immersed in business ventures, this tip does not suck because it offers easily applicable steps to getting "it" done!
Check it out here

2.  Social Media Marketing is always a hot topic! Especially for those of us who use social media to raise awareness about our wares, our writing, and anything we happen to have our hands in on a particular day.  Duct Tape Marketing offered some tidbits I found rather un-sucky!
Check them out here

3.  Okay, fine, I wrote the piece about to refer, but it rocks, so read it...please?  It's about the growing self-employment trend and resources that can help us entrepreneurs grow our burgeoning businesses.
Check it out here

See, they fell well within the Anti-suck range, didn't they?  Well, didn't they?

Fit for a Princess: Beauty, Bubbles, & Beyond

"My name is Lisa Price, and I am Carol's Daughter."  That's how she introduces herself on her site.  She goes on to talk about the influence that her mother and grandmother had (and still have) in her life, and her evolution into the mega brand, Carol's Daughter.  For me, this entrepreneur serves as an inspiring example of the ultimate "Happily Ever After" that follows sacrifice, diligence, commitment, and a bit of luck, perhaps, when someone decides to pursue what feels good! She is SUCH AN EXECUMAMA, and I am honored to support the brand.   There's another brown princess (well, queen, in this case!) story in this! I can see it now. Set in New York...okay, okay, focus!)

Now for the official "review"...

My little ones never get to take bubble baths. Yes, they do baths in warm water infused with any of the herbs growing in cutsie little pots on our kitchen window sill, but not the fluffy kind of bubble baths with the generous flow of bubbles that are great for pictures and all. About 3 or 4 times, I gave in and let them do one with a dollop of whatever bubble bath product of their grandmas brought them, but the poor girls complain that four measly bubbles do not a bubble-bath make!! Sorry, Mama chooses safety over bubbles every time, and with all the far-from-good-for-us chemicals in all the children's shampoos, conditioners, and (especially) bath products, there simply aren't many options!!

Well, at least that's what I thought. Along with a particular store-bought "natural" brand, I've been using home-made conditioners and pre-poos for my daughters' hair, and they've been wonderful. But I am always in the market for options, and when The BlogRollers Media asked whether I'd be interested in receiving a free set of children's hair and body products inspired by the Disney's The Princess and the Frog in exchange for my honest opinion on the products, I hit "Reply" so fast, I almost broke my finger!  The Magical Beauty Collection products are from Carol's Daughter, and after researching the ingredients, I saw they were made with children's health in mind, so you know I was so all over it!!

The verdict: The bubble bath was definitely the star of the show!! 

My 5 and 3 year old daughters had a blast, and I didn't have to worry about subjecting them to ingredients I couldn't even pronounce! Since I only used the shampoo and conditioner once, I wasn't able to gauge their effectiveness, but I was happy with the ingredients, so they will be in heavy rotation in our household.

Need more details on the products? Here's the official word straight from The Carol's Daughter Team!

The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol’s Daughter includes:

Shampoo (“The Beauty Within”): Designed with a child’s delicate hair in mind, this cleanser gently removes dirt and residue without stripping hair of natural oils. The formula leaves hair silky smooth and soft to the touch. Renowned for its soothing, nourishing and calming properties, aloe leaf juice helps condition dry scalp and hair. SRP, $10.00

Conditioner (“Inner Shine”): This moisturizing conditioner provides long-lasting softness and shine, leaving hair more manageable for easy combing and styling. Sunflower seed oil cleanses as olive fruit oil and aloe leaf juice condition and hydrate. Protein-rich sweet almond promotes hair growth and adds luster while silk amino acids detangle for improved control and manageability. SRP, $10.00

Hair Detangler (“Dream Big”): This ‘wonder-product’ spray releases tangles while protecting hair against breakage, soothing tender scalps as it conditions. Aloe leaf juice nourishes and calms as cranberry fruit extract helps maintain a healthy, itch-free scalp. Lemon peel extract acts as a natural antiseptic, treating hair concerns while nourishing the scalp and adding shine. SRP, $10.00

Bubble Bath (“Sharing Means Caring”): This moisturizing bubble bath provides long-lasting bubbles that make bath time fun without irritation or drying delicate skin. The ultra rich formula cleanses and moisturizes skin with natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice. SRP, $8.00

Magical Beauty Collection Gift Set: Housed in a reusable tote, it includes shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and a rose- shaped loofah sponge. SRP, $24.00

The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol’s Daughter is available at Carol’s Daughter Stores, select Disney Stores, Macy’s, Dillard’s, carolsdaughter.com and DisneyStore.com. Customers may also contact Carol’s Daughter at (877) 540-2101.

Thanks for stopping by! Now visit www.carolsdaughter.com to grab The Magical Beauty Collection set for the princesses is your Queendom!

The Three on Three List: Goals, Memories, and Sources of Motivation

Denene of MyBrownBaby and Wanda of Somewhere over the 40th Rainbow have offered up what I deem as one of the most wonderful post ideas EVER!!!  The idea is simply to share the 5 MOST MEMORABLE THINGS that happened to you over the last decade.  It's your own personal list of never-gonna-forgets, and I'm so open to sharing some of mine!

My list will consist of THREE of the most awesome things that happened to me between 2000 and 2009, plus THREE assertions of Will-Do action items for 2010.  I love to share, but it's way cooler if you do it too, so see my list below? Great, now post yours and let me know so I can cheer you on for 2010!!  Happy EVERY YEAR!

2002: The Birth of a Union

It was perfect.  I wore my favorite red sweater and the only "girly" skirt I owned, a long grey one, and he wore his favorite grey sweater and a pair of jeans.  Having known each other since sophomore year of high school, but never once considering each other as more than friends, falling in love, and eventually getting married, was a shocker for a whole lotta folk, ourselves included!

Thank you, Kris.

2003-2006: The Births of Our Everythings
I spent four consecutive years being pregnant!
From July(ish), 2003, to March 2004, I was pregnant with Marley. 

 Then, from June(ish), 2005, to February 2006, I was pregnant with Sage-Niambi.

They are, by far, the most amazing people I've ever known, and they are a constant source of inspiration for me in all that I do.  Thank you, Marley! Thank you, Sage-Niambi!

2007: The Birth of a Brand

I self-published Execumama: A Pocket Guide for the Twenty-something Mommy on the Move, after almost 3 years of trying to figure out how in God's name I was going to manage being the type of parent I wanted to be while still holding on to my goal of getting my career woman on.  That journey gave me so many gifts in the form of conversations with over 30 women who were successful Execumamas in their own right.  I learned so much from them, and it is through their wisdom, and my adamance about a lifestyle that actually includes my husband and my daughters, that Execumama Enterprises was born.  Now—a mommy blog, an in-progress business blog, an in-progress Web site, a sub-brand, and an updated Execumama Guide in the works, I am a far cry from the stressed out corporate gal I used to be. Thank you, Creator!

Okay, so here are three pull outs from the Will-Do's list.  The full list is long, and just like in previous years, I take great pleasure in slowly drawing that fateful line of completion through each item.  I'm in full Gitter Done mode, and I am SO excited about the rest of my life!

1.  Produce FIVE wonderfully successful Execumama-related events. This includes Face-Forward's events (the next one's already in the works!!), and collabos with my talented and passionate sister-friends.  Looking forward to it!

2.  Land a book deal! Major, right?! On December 30th, I completed my first ficional piece, currently entitled Naturalized Flies, and I want that bad boy in the hands of someone with the contacts and know-how to get me PUBLISHED!! The novel took a year to finish, and I LOVE IT!

3.  Get fit, once and for all! I'm in okay shape, but I want to feel fit and have a healthier lifestyle overall.  I'm reaching high and low for resources I need to keep that flame a burnin', and this is the last year I lament over how fit I used to be, and get it in gear!

Okay, your turn...

Bliss & Unabashed Shine Through You to the WORLD!

It's a great time to be alive, ain't it! Thought I'd send you what I send to Execumama.com subscribers each month.  If you haven't, do register at the top right HERE to stay informed. I've got so much going on this year, and I can't do it alone.  Ride with me, won't you?!

-------Heeeere we go...

Happy Rest-of-your-life! 2010 is the start of something beautiful, if you deem it so.

I am elated to find that the start of this new calendar year finds me more unafraid and more adamant about learning how what I do can positively affect each of you.  Join me in welcoming the start of a lifetime filled with achievement, peace of mind, and the embrace of each of our LIGHTS!

Please visit the site for this month's message, through me to you.  This month's My, She's Fly shines her light through the cause of education; a topic of interest to Execumamas in particular, and anyone with the realization of how ALL children need our help to keep our world afloat.  Check her out, and then visit her HERE to see just how high she FLIES!

Here's a snippet...

You’ve Earned It, Now Take It!

Though the new year began for me back in September at the start of the Fall Equinox, I still celebrate the calendar new year as it brings a rare energy to most of the world.  I love the idea that people all over the world get a collective renewed sense of possibility, opportunity, and reason to keep trying -- how powerful!  
How will YOU take advantage of this new calendar year?
Will you finally stick to your health goals and...(MORE)

Celebrating the Warrior in YOU!