Winning Mindset – Woman on the Move Enterprises LLC

#ShareYourStory Introducing the Creative Powerhouse Dr. Sonja Elise Freeman

admin — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 03:24:09 +0000

Can you tell us what it is that you do and what makes your business unique?

I have been a multimedia producer and small business consultant for over 20 years, where I have worked with some very influential and award-winning professionals nationwide. What makes my business unique is I only work with creatives. All of my clients are musicians, photographers, models, fashion designers, authors, sports athletes, actors, and artists. I am a musician, and I know what it’s like to balance both my business and creativity to achieve financial success. Divine Voices Media has recently celebrated our 20th Anniversary on August 22, 2024, and we are elated by the progress we have achieved working with all of our past and present clients.

What are the most impactful life lessons (or the ONE most important lesson) that you’ve learned to date in relation to the woman you’ve become?

The ONE most important lesson I have learned to date that has helped me to become the woman I am today is there are no such words as “I can’t!” I learned this while I was an undergrad at Prairie View A&M University College of Arts and Sciences from the late Dr. Ruby N. Hebert, Voice Teacher. I started college at 17 years old, and at my first voice lesson, Dr. Hebert told me in this voice studio, that there is no such thing as the words “I can’t!” She said you must try to know if you can or cannot do anything in life, especially in this voice studio! I NEVER forgot her words. There were many things I had to try as an entrepreneur because either I could not afford to hire someone to do it, or I needed it done quickly, and I had no choice but to do it myself.

How do you personally feel that YOU empower women? What does that mean to you?

I personally empower women daily with my social media posts via my “Diva’s Diamonds” Words to Inspire, Empower, and Encourage, and twice a month my podcast I have been producing for 14 years. I have also had a yearly Diva’s Diamonds Conference online since 2019. Empowering women means everything to me because I give to the world what I would like to receive. For many years I have wanted a mentor and someone to empower and inspire me. I find empowerment and inspiration from my best girlfriends nationwide and also near where I live.

How important has mentorship been to your success?

I have to admit I have had more “Mentors-in-my-Head” than actual mentors because of time, distance, and inability to connect with women I would love to have as a mentor. Over the years, my “Mentors-in-my-Head” that I have watched, studied, and admired their work ethic, success, and achievements in this world are Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Phyllis Hyman, Chaka Khan, Oprah Winfrey, Vivica A. Fox, Cicely Tyson, Maya Angelou, and Michelle Obama. All of these amazing women have inspired and given me great hope in striving for my musical, educational, and business goals over the years. It is extremely important to have mentors who give you hope toward achieving your own dreams and goals. For me, I was okay with not actually knowing my mentors. It was enough to follow their successes and to make a plan of action to succeed in my own goals.

What are 5 things that have helped you have success in business that every entrepreneur must do to grow?

1.) Be intentional-I learned over the years that it is very important to be intentional with every single goal you set yourself as an entrepreneur.

2.) Keep your blinders on-Do not look to the left or the right when forging ahead towards your goals because you can get caught up in the wrong things that will hinder your growth and progression toward success.

3.) Stay focused-Life will be lifing, but it is up to you to stay on track with your daily, weekly, and monthly goals that you set for yourself and your company.

4.) Never stop learning-I am presently working on my PhD in Education because there are some goals I want to achieve that require this credential. Whatever field you are pursuing, make sure you are updating yourself on the latest technology, salary projections, verbiage, and practices that will keep you sharp and ahead of others in your field.

5.) Enjoy the journey-You may have heard this before and it is very true. I highly recommend celebrating your small and large successes. Take the time to celebrate yourself and how far you have come. If you do not celebrate you who else will? It is not always about always reaching a destination or goal. It’s the entire journey, the process, the people, places, and things you learn along the way that make you into the phenomenal person you are today!

What is one thing that you would have done differently at the beginning or height of your career/journey? Why?

I would have written down a plan for success. I did not understand the importance of writing down exactly what I wanted to accomplish with my company until 10 to 15 years into working with clients and producing my Broadway shows, radio shows, and podcasts. If you do not plan, you plan to fail. It is very true. You must type or write down what exactly you want to do and accomplish to fulfill the goal exactly the way that you envision it to be. There will be hiccups, but if you have what you want written down to get accomplished, life will be so much easier for you and your company.

What were some times over the course of your career that you’ve had to reinvent yourself?

It seems like every day I’m reinventing myself! LOL! Truth be told, I believe I am reinventing myself every year. I create a vision board electronically and post it on my laptop and cell phone on January 1st and I create it as a flier to look at it every day to visualize what I want to accomplish for the year. Some years, it works, and some years, I do not accomplish a thing on the vision board if I do not look at it every day. I do reinvent myself yearly. I am not the same person each year, so I have to reflect on the new me.

How has reinventing yourself and your brand helped you in business?

Reinventing myself yearly helps tremendously because I have a new mindset, goals, achievements, paths to take, and people to meet. I do not do the same thing twice. I have learned if I give my best to something and I do not win or excel in a greater way, I need to go down another path or direction and surround myself with people who will receive me and what I have to offer.

What are some daily, weekly, or monthly practices that help you protect your mental health?

I absolutely pray all day every day. That is a must. I have learned the hard way not to include prayer in my daily life. I have quiet time most of the day. I work from home, and some days I work without any music or talking. I’m a vocalist, podcaster, and public speaker, and I am constantly on voice rest. I drink tea, especially Earl Grey Tea with brown sugar and cream in the morning or Chamomile Tea in the evening with honey. These teas are like Heaven to me! I love to listen to educational, motivational, and thought-provoking podcasts and documentaries. I love learning. My name, Sonja means wisdom. I can’t imagine a day without filling my brain with more wisdom, love and peace daily.

What books have helped you grow personally or professionally?

First and foremost, the Holy Bible. For the last 20 years that I have been on a “Faith Walk” as a woman of God and entrepreneur, this book has helped me to grow all across the board. I have also read Good to Great in God’s Eyes by Chip Ingram, The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson, Pursuing Your Purpose: How to Discover God’s Revelation For Your Life by Carl Mathis, and my own anthology Diva’s Diamonds Ultimate PINK Diamonds Collection Anthology by Queen Diva.

Connect with Dr. Sonja Elise Freeman

Website: www.divinevoicesmedia.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/drsonjaelise

Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/in/drsonjaelisefreeman

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DiVoicesMedia

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@drsonjaelise

Nominations are Now Open!

Click here to join our #ShareYourStory initiative!

Thank you for reading! Please leave us a comment below!

A Letter to Our Daughters

admin — Wed, 22 May 2024 22:22:02 +0000

A Letter to My Deborah,

You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me. You are loved. You are cherished. You are one of God’s most beautiful gifts. You are my pride and joy.

I am so grateful and honored to be your mother.

Always know that I, your mother, will always love you from up close and from afar. Your father loves you. You are the apple of his eye. You mean the world to us and we are grateful that we helped bring you into this world.

Walk in the world knowing you are powerful, loved, majestic, beautiful and that you belong.

You are one of one; truly marvelous and unique.

When you walk into a room stand tall and know that you have something powerful to share. Your presence matters. You are seen. You are heard. You are valued.

Choose who you give your heart and time to very carefully. Friendships and relationships have a lasting impact on your future. It’s okay to say no. It’s ok to stand by a yes. Be wise with both.

Kindness, grace and mercy will be shown to you. Generosity will be your pillow. Compassion will be your blanket. You are a source of comfort in the world. Remember to prioritize you and take care of you before you take care of others.

You are sacred. You are magnificent. You deserve to be protected. You deserve the best love life can offer.

Your boundaries are yours and no man, no woman or child should ever break them.

You deserve the absolute best in life. You deserve the best from those around you and you will always deserve your personal best.

Preserve your health and train your mind by being good to your body. Use your mind to take you places that you’ve never seen. Read, travel, create and explore. The world needs your creativity.

The world will be forever changed by the love you show.

You are a precious jewel in the world. You determine your destiny.

I love you now, always and forever.

Love your mother,

Bonnie Jean Bailey

Deborah deserved more….

The letter above to my mother Deborah, is a fictitious letter. How would Deborah’s life been transformed had she been told these things as a child, by her birth mother? My mother Deborah, was abandoned by her mother Bonnie Jean Bailey at the very young age of 3 years old. Deborah knew throughout her life that her mother, started a new life, with a new husband and children and never shared with them that she had a Black daughter and ex-husband until her daughter was 48 years old after she was given a diagnosis that she wouldn’t have much longer to live. This truth was one of the reasons why Deborah struggled with feeling loved and as if she belonged.

In reconnecting with her mother late in life, Deborah learned that her mother also struggled with feelings of depression and had a hard time feeling as if she belonged in this world. As women, we have the power to heal each other.

Woman on the Move’s signature event series Mother Should Have Told Me… was created as a way to honor my mother’s memory and to help other women heal and grow.

I would like daughters to ask their mothers about how life was growing up so there can be a peace that comes with understanding. I hope that mothers take the time to explain their lives and lessons so that their daughters can grow, heal and make peace. I made peace with my mother, because I understood that there were things she should have been told by her mother that didn’t occur.

Please take a moment to write a letter to your daughter and/or mother. There are hidden benefits through releasing things in letters. Share this with other mothers and daughters so that we can help more women heal, grow and make peace. Comment below if this helped you on your journey to healing.

With love,

Jasira Monique

Woman on the Move, Founder

#WomanontheMove Spotlight on Tinú Peña, Owner of Motré Co., TOAP Consulting Agency & Banwo Foundation

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:15:54 +0000

The modern-day renaissance woman comes to mind when you think of Tinú Peña-Akinyinka. She is the
CEO of Motre Co. LLC, a project management and engineering support consulting firm; the President of
TOAP Consulting Agency, Inc., a business consulting firm and the Founder & President of Banwo
Foundation, Inc, a women empowerment focused non-profit promoting wealth generation,
entrepreneurship, advocacy and health and wellness among women ages 18 – 30. She is the Founder of
A2IO Imprint, the publishing arm of TOAP Consulting Agency and the Editor of Banwo Magazine. She is the epitome of a Woman on the Move!

What are the most impactful life lessons that you’ve learned to date, in relation to the woman you’ve become?

Tinú Peña of Motré Co., TOAP Consulting Agency & Banwo Foundation

Life lessons are steppingstones in my opinion, the
good and bad experiences have equally been
impactful lessons I would say. As a woman, I
believe I am still evolving but honestly being true
to myself and embracing who I am, glory & flaws –
makes me TINU.
We, as women tend to cater to others, bending to
fill in the inadequacies of others while
compromising ourselves. I have learned that
putting myself first is not selfish, but self-care and
I accept that now.
It is my opinion, that the cycle of catering has to
be broken. We as ladies, mothers, sisters, and
daughters must speak up and share with others in
our circle and families that its “okay to not be
okay”. If you as mom, cannot do the laundry for
the household or cook dinner, it is okay. If you as
a woman has setbacks in your career or personal
life, it is okay. If you as a sister is disappointed by your family because of a decision in your best
interest, it is okay. We, as women, must recognize our individuality within the collective and know how to be okay within that space. The worst thing you can do to yourself and the person you are, is to live a pretentious life. So, it is
best to be who you are and grow from your steppingstones, while refining and elevating yourself at
the same time. Know that it is okay to evolve and improve on yourself.
That is what I do for myself daily and I am okay with the woman I have become.

How do you personally feel that YOU empower women?

Empowering women comes in different forms, be it through one-on-one mentoring, to be as an ear to listen to another when they need a sounding board. As for me, I empower through my actions, sharing my insights, lending a helping hand and being candid with those that seek my opinion.
So, I was on the elevator at work with another lady, we exchange greetings and we introduced ourselves. The lady was so excited and surprised to be meeting me in person because she had saw my political campaign sign when she first moved to Florida. I came to find out later that at time she had just relocated to Florida, that seeing my sign, running for a state seat inspired her and since that time, she had wanted to meet me. That itself was mind-blowing for me. I would later develop a friendship with the young lady, and she is doing well in her space as a young professional.
Not only was I surprised by the revelation, but I was also humbled that my journey inspired and empowered another woman. So, when you ask me what that means to me, words alone cannot express the sense strength and pride I get from knowing that others see themselves in me. That makes me continue to rise to the highest height for myself. Frankly, these women inspire me as well. In their stories, I find strength to keep doing what I am doing.

How important has mentorship been to your success?

To be quite honest, I have not had a mentor throughout my career thus far, I have had a person taken
interest and “bam” the leave the firm. Even though I have not had a mentor, I certainly know that it is
good to have someone and even better to have a sponsor – someone that would be a champion for you
when you are not there and secure opportunities in your interest.

While there is still an opportunity to have mentorship, I have, however, had impactful moments along
the way that has helped me as a professional – this is what I call “period mentors”. These individuals
have shaped the way I move as a leader and share in my insights.
I realize now that developing my social and professional network early would have had a more impactful
result overall, but the journey thus far is not regrettable at all, it has shaped the success I enjoyed along
the way and has helped me regroup in the cases where I have stumbled.

What are the 5 things that have helped you have success in business that every entrepreneur must do to grow?

My top 5 things for success in business that I would advise are 1. Consistency 2. Drive 3. Resiliency 4. Quality Delivery 5. Failure.
So, consistency has to do with being true to form. As an entrepreneur or young professional knowing and what your brand is about and pivoting when needed but staying on point at all times is consistency. Having the drive to see it through will keep you going when you want to give up. It will keep your eyes on the goal when you have to regroup and take a detour. Being resilient will keep you from feeling rejected when you get a “No” from presenting your pitch. Delivering quality results in form of service or products is essential to branding yourself or company and last but not least accepting failure for what it is and learning from it to grow and become better. That is my recipe.

What is one thing that you would have done differently at the beginning or height of your career?

That’s a great question! Like many zealous young professional and entrepreneurs, we leap without consideration for all aspects of the business and industry we are entering; so, I would say, understand the industry/business norms and build a network of human capital that will support you along the way. The reason why this is important is because people see you, they are watching. In fact, I was once offered a job based on my leadership skills and personality rather than technical skills – believe me, this is not back thing. As a leader, you must be cognizant that you do not know everything but be willing to surround yourself with knowledgeable people, that’s how you make better decisions.

When in your career have you found it most necessary to collaborate?

I think collaboration is essential at all phases in one career – be it when you are starting or growing. In the engineering industry it just happens that collaboration cannot be avoided because a firm that does not have all the services will have to team up with others. The beautiful thing about collaboration is that, with the right people around the table you get great results.
It also depends on the type of project you are doing. It may or may not require collaboration but if the opportunity presents itself, I say go for it and collaborate. You will be surprised how much you learn.
Keep in mind that dealing with people isn’t an easy task but being “clear”, “concise” and “consistent” in communicating your needs for the project or event can make the process better.

What tools or people were necessary for you to build or scale your business?

Tools? People? Let me see, for my consulting firms while I initially practiced as an engineering firm with my business associate who was an engineer. When we decided on different paths, I had to shift focus and rebrand the company, which was okay.

Now, we are focusing on providing services on engineering projects from project management perspective. So, while you need people to be able to get things done, sometimes it crucial that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. When that basket breaks, you can lose all your eggs. Repurposing my brand by using what I had and was good at, helped keep me going. So, yes! We need people but it also okay to start with you and find the right fit and your business grows.

The aim here is steady pace and gradual growth. That’s how I am moving now – at my own pace. c

When it comes to tools, it is important to research and know what is happening in your industry and go from there. One of the tools that I have yet to maximize is my network. That is an essential tool to have if you are in business, letting the people you know, know what you are doing so they can be your champion and share with others what you are doing.

How have you used real estate, land ownership and trusts to create generational wealth for you and your family?

That is a great question! The prospect of creating generational wealth in my immediate family is still an
ongoing process as it should be based on the opportunities that present itself. For our family, owning real
estate, having life insurance both whole and term life were the first steps taken to create generational
wealth. The consulting firms are another avenue in which generational wealth can be created and the
way the company is planned out allows the professional interests of my children to be captured in the
company’s services in the future.
Further steps to be taken to secure wealth will be to establish a trust that will have fiduciary duties. I am
also ensuring that my children invest in their own life insurance and start investing in general. Ensuring
that your children understand finances as well as how to differentiate between wants and needs goes a
long way in getting the right mindset to start creating the type of wealth that can be established for
generations to come. I would also say, even if your children act like you are being bothersome with all
this information, don’t stop sharing because they are listening, keep engaging and working with them.

What are some daily, weekly or monthly practices that help you protect your mental health?

I love, love, love! taking picture of myself – I always have as a young girl been fond of my picture being taken so to me it is a relaxation thing that helps with my mental health. Another thing that I do for myself and wish I did more of is exercising, you would thinking having been in the US Army, that it would be second nature to exercise but it is not; I have to consciously put effort into getting my dose of exercise in.
Also, I find it very therapeutic doing home improvement projects be it weekly or monthly. I wind down with a good K-Drama on other days and sometimes just listening to my body and sleeping, I am slowly incorporating quiet time into my routine to listen to my thoughts and opening my mind.
Therapy isn’t a shameful thing either, when I find myself at a fork in the road and I need an objective perspective, I schedule a meeting with my therapist. Oh, last thing, I do this religiously every morning, I look in the mirror and appreciate myself and say out loud you are beautiful, you are phenomenal, you are smart. Whatever positive affirmation comes to mind; I say to myself.

What books have helped you grow personally or professionally?

Books, books, books! I am always reading a book for something, more so for professional development rather than leisure. I honestly cannot remember the last time I read a book for leisure – Professionally, I am studying for my real estate license exam so that is what I am reading right now. However, I have read the “Nice girls don’t get the corner office”, I have queued to read “GirlBoss” and other readings for leisure and enlightenment are “The Fire Next Time” James Baldwin, “The Girls” Elaine Kagan and “The Mother of Black Hollywood” Jennifer Lewis.

___________________________

Tinu holds a Master of Science degree in Project Management, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration and two associate degrees in Computer Science and Architecture and other professional certifications. She was recently honored as one of South Florida’s Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry and has received recognitions from other organizations such as the Women Chambers of Palm Beach County, Executive Women of the Palm Beach to name a few.

A mother of two young adults attending local college & university in Palm Beach County – one of her greatest achievements in life. She finds her inspiration from national and local influencers and has continued to inspire many by being unapologetic as an astute woman of color and businesswoman. A speaker and aspiring author, Tinu shares in her insights, be it business-wise or personal branding-wise encouraging others to see the value in themselves and building on that to get to where they want to be. A Veteran of the US Army, Tinu believes in not just being “strong” but resilient and through her passion for having women share in their stories especially women of African descent to help others, this passion has sparked her interest in writing as well as self-publishing. She has teamed up to publish under her company its first book Engineher – a collaborative book of four African American Women and soon after a self-affirming journal, Finding Self Love through Challenges.

To follow up on more of this phenomenal woman visit www.tinupena.co

Get What You Want Out of Life Using These 4 Effective Steps

Javi Osei — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 07:00:39 +0000

In order to get whatever you want out of life, it is truly imperative to be clear on EXACTLY what you want, have standards, and never settle. Here are a few powerful strategies to help you to secure the life you want!

Live Your Truth – It’s so important to be authentic to yourself and own your truth. When I was younger, sometimes I would get a little embarrassed when I was called “high-maintenance” or labeled “too much”. The implication was always that I should “tone it down” and be a little less dramatic. This came up often when I was dating and some men thought I was “really cool” and would be perfect, if I could only just be a little less opinionated, less outspoken or less emotional. I honestly did try, I’m sad to confess. I wanted to be considered more “ladylike” and more reserved, but ultimately, the “real me” would always be unleashed. Eventually, I came to accept that a passionate, vivacious, outspoken, sometimes loud and overly dramatic person was just who I was and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Being comfortable in my own skin has made me happier and more confident, allowing me to redirect energy from trying to change my core, to the more important things in life.
Let Your Heart Be Your Guide – Similar to #1, sometimes, we pursue things for money or paths that society accepts or deems more respectable, but that don’t necessarily resonate with us. To that end, you will always find yourself longing for more and never truly satisfied. If you can pursue something that you are passionate about, a. you can avoid wasting a lot of time and b. it’s only a matter of time before the money and stability follow. Wouldn’t it be truly amazing to build a life around doing something you actually enjoy instead of settling for something that makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning?
See the Big Picture, Then Drill Down & Write it All Down – Studies show that there is infinite power in writing your goals down. It makes an imprint on your subconscious and renders it more real and attainable. Like energy, you are setting things in motion when you take your dreams out of your head and write them down. This is a real actionable step you can take in creating the life you want. I write everything down. Not in my phone, but on an actual piece of paper with a pen. I have to-do lists everywhere because it just helps me function and get more done. When it comes to goals, the best approach is to start at the top and then, break it down into actionable steps. You are basically building a customized road map to your dream.
Surround Yourself With Like-minded Individuals – Stay away from energy vampires and Debbie Downers. These people will only drag you down and drain you of the positivity and essential life force you need to create your charmed life. It’s imperative that you guard yourself and protect your dreams, as if your life depends on it, because ultimately, it does. Once you’ve decided that you are going to the moon and beyond, you’ll realize that some people in your life are simply not meant to accompany you on that journey.

Figuring it Out

Hannah Kirk — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 14:45:44 +0000

Unfortunately, just like many Americans, I have suffered from issues relating to mental health. For me, many of those issues were a result of a series of physical health problems I had faced year prior, with many after-effects still impacting my life during my senior year of High School.

In a way, I was going through an identity crisis. For my entire life until then I was a swimmer, and that shaped my entire life. From what I did every night, how I prioritize my day, and what I did on the weekends. My swimming was even how I found the college I am currently attending for my undergraduate degree. When I had those health complications, I had to quit swimming. I would take periods of time off from swimming and working out in order to help my body recover, then every time I would begin to practice again, my health would decrease, and once again I would have to stop swimming.

Because I hit a hard transition from intensely working out four hours each day to not working out at all, I had become agitated with all the energy I was no longer able to work out. This would cause me to feel symptoms of anxiety, however, at the time I did not know what was developing. Also, because swimming was my greatest stress reliever, I no longer had a place to think and clear my mind. Therefore, I began overthinking a lot more than I already had. I have always been a rather stressed person, but without an outlet to let everything go, I did not know what to do, and it all started bottling within me.

Long story short, I had become rather anxious and depression. To be blunt about it, it was awful. It impacted every single moment of my life. I would wake up, not wanting to go to school, go to school, nearly fall asleep in my classes because of the little sleep I received the night before. With time and a lot of self-reflection, I was able to work through it gradually.

By no means am I thankful for having to experience it. But I am thankful for the time that I did. It was my last year in high school, so I had a good amount of freedom to do what I wanted. I also knew that I would be getting a fresh start rather soon when I left for college. In addition, looking back on it, it was a good time to face that, because who I am was not fully developed. I was still evolving, and I still am.

Now, being much more on my own than I was in high school, being in a serious relationship, I know who I am and what I need in order to be happy and maintain a positive attitude. But more importantly, I know my signs. I know when I am at risk of slipping back, and I know what I need to do to prevent that. I am rather lucky I believe that I was able to have those realizations on my own.

It is so important to know that everyone is different. What one person needs can be vastly different than another. What triggers one person can be vastly different. It is important to know who you are and what you need. That may take some time; it took 3 years of ups and downs for me. But once it is all figured out, it’s great.

Watch our Virtual Panel Series by Debbie Motivates on Taking Care of You here.

Do it Anyway!

Hannah Kirk — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 11:13:08 +0000

My summer this year is very different than every summer I have had thus far. Going into my senior year of college, I finally had to stray away from lifeguarding each summer and living at home, to moving to another state, interning in the New York State Senate, and going without knowing anyone.

I have always been interested in politics, and loved history growing up, but I was nervous beyond words to begin this internship. I was not sure if I was going to like it, I was not sure if I was going to be good at it, I just was not sure about a lot of things. But eventually my start date began approaching rather quickly, and I had no choice but to pursue it.

Growing up I was always told that if something both excites you and terrifies you, it is something that should be pursued.

I was assigned to intern with a female senator that is in her first term in office. Her Legislative Director, who is my direct supervisor is also a woman. The Democrats currently hold the majority of the senate and are only a few positions short of holding a supermajority over the Republicans. Previously, the Republicans have held the majority for decades. I knew this was going to be an interesting time to have this opportunity, especially given the national political climate currently.

Before I moved to Albany, I completely revamped my wardrobe. I figured that in order to thrive this summer in this position, I was going to have to look the part, which would in turn help me feel and be the part. From the shoes to the pants to the blazer I was really feeling the part. Then when I walked in on the first day, I did not feel like I shouldn’t be there.

Part of that transitional ease I believe is due to the percentage of employees in the Legislative Building that are female. The majority of those who work under the the Senator I am interning for are women, and I was very much surprised by the female representation in the State Senate as a whole. Furthermore, I believe it is very evident that each woman there is a badass in their own regard and are an inspiration to anyone.

What I was expecting out of this summer was much different than how it actually turned out. I realized I had much of the skills for this position, and my worrying did not do anything other than potentially holding me back from an amazing opportunity and experience. If it excites and terrifies you, definitely pursue it.

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How to Influence Your Subconscious with Positivity

Emily Brewer — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 07:13:06 +0000

Your subconscious is always working, taking in information and storing it, even when we don’t think we’re really paying attention. This can have either a positive or a negative effect on the way we think and feel, depending on what we’re surrounding ourselves with. By examining and guiding the things in your life you can control, like the music you listen to, the shows you watch, and the people you follow on social media, you can influence your thoughts and feelings behind the scenes with almost no effort at all.

Music can be a great mood-booster, but it also has the potential to sneak negative thoughts into your subconscious. Consider the lyrics and overall messages of the songs you listen to. Are they about engaging in self-destructive habits? Are the lyrics degrading others? It’s easy to brush off a negative song or lyric just because the song has a cool beat and a catchy melody, but these negative messages are still being stored somewhere in your brain. If you find that you listen to a lot of negative songs, try looking for songs that emote more positive messages, like self-love, having fun, or female power. Obviously, you can still listen to all the songs you love, but by steering yourself towards positivity in music, you will be steering your subconscious that way, too.

The shows and movies we watch have the same effect on us that music does. Try taking the same approach to your favorite shows, and ask yourself what kinds of thoughts and feelings those shows are instilling in your mind. Even if you’re multitasking, a reality show that features petty, mean people will still add negativity into the material your subconscious picks up on. Especially if it’s not a show you’re super invested in, ditch your reality shows in favor of witty comedies or dramas that center on family and friends who come together and choose love. By choosing these shows instead, you’ll be teaching yourself how you want to behave and what you want to prioritize.

Courtesy of SHOTS BY PRIIINCESSS

Another easy thing to consider is your social media feeds. Although it’s typically painted in a bad light, social media doesn’t have to be negative. You can control the types of accounts you follow, so take advantage of that control! Every time you see a post that makes you feel bad about yourself or look down on others, unfollow the account. It doesn’t matter who it is; you deserve positivity in your life, and it’s your right to remove anything negative from your feed. On the flipside, follow people whose posts make you happy! Find accounts that post pictures of their puppy, their art, or whatever makes you smile, and add those posts to your feed for a daily boost of happiness.

There are tons of other ways to influence your subconscious brain through your environment. See what else you can find! A small change is sometimes all it takes to turn your thoughts around.

Chime in & let us know your thoughts below!

Leaning Back to Move Forward

Deborah Pullins — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 08:13:34 +0000

For years, celebrities have raved about the practice of meditation and the profound effect that the practice has had on their lives. We watch the ease and flow that people who seem to have “figured out” their lives, businesses or careers and think, what do they know that I don’t? Why does it look so easy for them? Part of that reason may be because, through the silent practices of prayer, meditation and daily reflection, our awareness is often expanded beyond what we’re capable of without those moments of pause.

What’s funny is, in most cases, the people who embed these principles most seamlessly and successfully may not even be aware that they are doing them! Our favorite celebrities and businesswomen say things like, “I got clear on what I wanted, and it happened.” Or, “I just believed, and everything worked out.”

In an editor’s column for her widely popular magazine, O, Oprah Winfrey reflected on the transformation she’s had in making time for stillness and awareness in her own life. She wrote a few years back, “The voice in your head is so constant: I need to do ________. I am _______. It’s easy to mistake that voice for you until you’ve been ‘still’ enough to know otherwise.”As women, we tend to vastly underestimate our inherent ability to create through the power of our bodies, intention and thoughts alone.

This embodying of femininity (relaxing, leaning back, observing and accepting), along with daily reflection and quiet, can create massive shifts in our lives and businesses that are always waiting to occur, but perhaps don’t have the opportunity to come to fruition within our current state of consciousness.

Another way to say that is: “what we want cannot come to us, if we’re feeding our present mindset.”

No matter what religious or spiritual beliefs and practices you embrace, there’s a single truth that we HAVE to accept: There is always a greater power, waiting and wanting to assist you.

The question is, will you allow it?

Your Personal Relationship: The Benefits of Dating Late

Emily Brewer — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 13:48:58 +0000

At a recent get-together, a friend of mine shared that she was worried about getting into the “dating world” so much later than some of her friends since she hasn’t been in a romantic relationship yet. She isn’t the first person I’ve heard voice these concerns. The pressure to start dating young is so high that it’s internalized, especially by single women of all ages. As someone who did start dating young and is currently in a relationship, I wanted to share some benefits of dating late and just being single that I missed out on by jumping into a relationship at age 14.

As far as relationships go, the one you have with yourself is the most important by far.
Emily Brewer

As far as relationships go, the one you have with yourself is the most important by far. The only thing we are guaranteed to have throughout our whole lives is ourselves, and that doesn’t have to be a sad thing. Instead, we can take the time to develop that relationship and celebrate it just as we would want to do with any other relationship. Waiting to enter romantic relationships with others can give you the time and space to really focus on your relationship with yourself until you find the right time and person to share yourself with.

While it is possible to have both a healthy relationship with yourself and with a romantic partner, it’s also easy to neglect your personal relationship in favor of the other, causing you to lose touch with yourself. Although we don’t need to know exactly who we are at all times, your personal relationship is always developing, and it’s easy for those close to you to change the direction of that development, for better or for worse.

In my experience, my early relationship negatively impacted my personal relationship because I was trying to make the relationship seem right for me when it just wasn’t. It takes a strong person to choose what’s right for them when it goes against the perceived norm, and that strength and individuality is so much more valuable in the long run than almost any romantic relationship.

Everyone is different, and our timelines reflect that. A romantic relationship may be right for someone else at a certain time, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Whether we are single or in a relationship, our personal relationships deserve our time and effort. I believe that things will happen when they are meant to, and in the meantime, we deserve to focus on ourselves.

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life

Javi Osei — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:35:39 +0000

If you want to put yourself in a prime position to accomplish your goals, then it’s imperative that you effuse and resonate positivity. By consciously choosing to remain positive, you can directly and effectively place yourself in a prime position to accomplish whatever you set out to do. Achievement starts with a winning mindset.

Here are some helpful methods to bring you closer to transforming your thoughts for the better:

Be Positive – You can help alter negative thoughts with consistent and constant positive affirmations. If you feed yourself positivity, ability, and a purposeful existence with no limitations, then undoubtedly, you will raise your vibrational energy and set into motion a chain of events that will attract people and opportunities with these same qualities. Do research on some of the attributes you want to possess and start finding affirmations that support this. Repeat daily until you have truly embraced this for yourself.
Stop Beating Yourself Up – A fact of life. We are all human and make mistakes. Sometimes we are definitely embarrassed and regretful but this shouldn’t prevent you from moving ahead. Negative self-talk can truly hamper your personal development and hinder you from moving forward in life. Instead of “Nothing good ever happens to me” or “ I’ll never be wealthy.” Re-visit #1 and start training yourself to “speak life” over your life.
Gratitude for the Win – Being grateful is an automatic mood adjuster. I have gotten to the point where when I feel myself feeling dejected and gearing up to launch a pity party, I just start silently listing everything I am grateful for. Sometimes it’s the seemingly smallest things. Food, hot water, etc. Once you get to this place of being thankful, your mood is elevated and your feel recharged to turn your attention to bigger things. So the next time you feel or frustrated, take a minute to give thanks.
Be Content With the Present – This is not to say that you shouldn’t set goals or hope and desire for more than what you have and are. However, there is true power in owning your status quo and appreciating how far you’ve come. It’s easy to always look to Friday, the weekend, that vacation, next week, next month but seek solace in today. There is beauty and love in your present day that can be comforting to acknowledge.
Set Your Intention on Being Happy Daily – A few years ago on a solo trip to Tulum, I read this book: Creating A Charmed Life: Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know by Victoria Moran. This book is all about truly living your best life, treating yourself divinely, residing in tranquility and peace and pursuing your hearts desires. I find myself revisiting this book from time to time as it serves as a reminder of small habits to acquire that help solidify my beautiful life.

The information you consume on a regular basis and what you turn your attention to can certainly influence your thoughts, vibrations, and energy, so please be cognizant of this when making decisions on what you focus on. Your personal development absolutely depends on it.