Forgiveness Friday – Validation

Today’s Forgiveness Friday focuses on “Validation.” There is a constant need for validation in today’s world. We have the tendency to look for validation from friends, family, work and even ourselves. Validation often disguises itself in the form of approval. As children, you may recall the first time you sought out the need for validation. Validation often comes up in conversations with strangers when trying to make a point or decipher information. Many people see validation as a part of life. The real truth is, validation is necessary when it comes to basic human rights. Today the U.S. Supreme Court has finally validated the basic human rights of the LGBTQ community. Today is a day that will go down in history books as a day of validation. All of our love and commitments are now truly equal.

Happy Pride 2015

Dee & Jaye Wedding

Dee & Jaye Wedding Nov 14, 2013

Monday Morning Mindset – Challenges

This week’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on “the conqueror within.” In life, we all encounter opportunities for growth. The differences between those who succeed and those who accept defeat is the ability to push forward regardless of circumstances. We are innately built to conquer, overcome and strive. Challenges enable us to decide the type of person we choose to be in life. When one receives an opportunity, a challenge is not far behind. The decision on whether to accept the challenge can be life-changing. Life-changing moments happen at the most opportune times. It is important to stay aware of your ability to do all things, knowing that it may not necessarily be easy to obtain. The sooner one realizes the challenge assists in establishing one’s character, the easier it will become to overcome the challenge. The real question lies in the ability to understand that struggle is not always necessarily bad. Challenges and struggles often provide us with the capacity to reflect and see how strong and resourceful we are. Take some time today to reflect on past challenges that you have overcome. Then make a list of current goals. Challenges are difficult, but you have everything you need to conquer and overcome within you.

Dr. Jaye

Earth Day: Plastic is Everything

Earth day has vastly changed over the years. When I was younger, Earth Day consisted of picking up garbage, recycling bottles or reusing items found around the house. On this day, it is time for a human awareness about what really needs to happen in order to save our earth. As humans, we must take responsibility for our actions. The human awareness of the harmful affects of using plastic has reached an all-time high. The chemically engineered product has interrupted the health of the earth. We use plastic for cups, bags, clothing, hair products, hair extensions, technology, cleaning products, bottles, eyewear, straws, windows, flooring, baby products, food products, lawn decorations, dental replacements, lip sticks, tires, cars, audio equipment, construction, paint, toys, guns, eye contacts and any other item that you can think of. Plastic is not biodegradable. In order to reuse plastic items, they must be recycled.  But, most plastic items are not considered recyclable.

The truth is, plastic exists forever.  Plastic pollutes our oceans and causes some types of cancers. We use and rely on plastic as a convenience factor without thinking about the negative consequences it has on the earth. Instead using a several plastic disposable cups for your morning coffee, bring a cup to your local coffee shop. Instead of using several plastic bags for groceries, bring reusable bags. Be mindful of purchasing clothes that are made of polyester and reuse plastic items around your home. Being mindful of the harmful affects of plastics is just one way we can improve the earth and become more aware of the affects. Remember, there are small things you can do to make a big impact on decreasing plastic consumption.

Jenice

Reference information: Mother Earth Living

Monday Morning Mindset – Accepting Miracles

This week’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on “Accepting Miracles.” We have heard the old saying “Miracles happen everyday.” This can be true for you if you so choose it to be. Where we fail in our understanding is what constitutes a “miracle.” A miracle for you may not mean the same as what it may mean for me. I choose to “see” and “experience” miracles everyday, for instances waking up. Waking up is a miracle; we slumber all through the night without any awareness of what it takes for the human body to function without our being awake. We tend to think of things being a miracle when we “can’t believe it.” Isn’t that just the opposite of what a miracle is supposed to be? We need to revaluate what we consider a miracle. Food for thought, actively think and look for miracles you can believe in – then be thankful for the experience.

Forgiveness Friday: The Forgiveness Formula

Today’s Forgiveness Friday focuses on “The Forgiveness Formula.” Forgiveness takes time and efforts. Once you realize that you will never be able to “press a button” and forgive and forget the easier the path toward forgiveness will be. It is important to realize that you are a part of a larger “Forgiveness Formula.” The book “The Forgiveness Formula” talks about the “pathology of forgiveness which you were born into.” Yes, you have our own ways of forgiving, but you also have family dynamics which have shaped how you forgive. How does your mother forgive? How does your father forgive? How do your siblings forgive? How does/did your grandmother or grandfather forgive? These are patterns have shaped your “Forgiveness Formula.” Take some time and write out the forgiveness patterns you have and those of your close family members. Then connect your forgiveness patterns to those that you have similar forgiveness patterns. Do you see a pattern? When I completed this exercise, I noticed huge similarities. The good news is you can change your “Forgiveness Formula” with time and efforts. Focus on who you want to be and the part forgiveness plays in your own life.

Barnes and Noble Book Reference: The Forgiveness Formula 

Monday Morning Mindset: Compassion for Others

This week’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on “Compassion for Others.” Compassion starts with the ability to have self-compassion in any given situation or moment. Often, we equate compassion to the ability to relate to somebody else, compassion is also the ability to understand when another is disappointed with something or someone whether the action occurred purposeful or indirectly. It is common practice to want others to feel how we feel about a situation, but the related aspect of emotions has a tendency to misdirect our intentions to show compassion. With practicing of compassion, I’ve come to realize that it first starts with the ability to have compassion for self. Being that each situation will be different with different people, it’s important to understand that compassion is an active aspect of every relationship you have. It is important to remember that just because you may practice compassion towards another, does not necessarily mean that your compassion will be received equally. Instead of finding excuses for why something isn’t or is, find a relatable factor to show compassion within the situation and then except the fact that your compassion may or may not be by the other person(s). The real growth comes when you have the ability to exercise self- compassion and then transfer it over to compassion for others.

Satisfaction Saturday: Satisfying your need for Energy

Today’s Satisfaction Saturday focuses on “satisfying your need for energy.” Many of us have hectic workweeks and find ourselves exhausted by Friday. On Saturday, all we want to do is relax, sleep in and taken the day in our own relaxing way. Although it is tempting to sleep in and do nothing on Saturday, try to think of ways to increase your energy by going out for a walk or having brunch with a friend. You have the ability to satisfy your need for energy without tapping out your time or ability. Find out where your local fresh vegetable and fruit market are and find a new recipe to cook. Whether you are going to the gym for a workout or going for a stroll through your neighborhood, take time out to satisfy the need for energy and replenish it with the nutrients needed to sustain a healthy balanced life.

Monday Morning Mindset: Taking it one step at a time

This week’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on “taking it one step at a time.” There is an old saying that goes “Rome was not built in a day.” This is not only a metaphor but also a practical life lesson. Accomplishing your goals takes diligence and day-to-day tasks in order to be successful. I can recall joining the military at a young age and initially wanting to earn my associates of science degree. When I initially started school it was overwhelming and I often found myself discouraged. I would think about how long it was going to take me to finish my degree. After speaking with my academic advisor I realized that I was thinking about my goal in the wrong way. Instead thinking about how long it was going to take me to get my degree, I refocused and concentrated on one class at a time. With any goal we have in life it’s important to understand the end goal, but equally important are the day-to-day tasks in order to accomplish the goal. Don’t be discouraged by how far you have to go to get to your goal, instead try to remember how far you’ve come. Becoming mindful of how you think about goals provides an overall foundation for positive growth and development towards actually accomplishing your goal. Give yourself a break; take it one step at a time.

Monday Morning Mindset – Building Up

Today’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on “building Up.” You have an important part to play in this world; we all have a life purpose. Your purpose may be to influence, motivate and uplift. You purpose may be to provide encouragement or to promote goodwill. Either way, you matter and your purpose is significant to the lives of others. Take some time this week to seek to find your natural ability to commit to your life purposes and become actively significant in the matters of “building up.” When you choose to build up, you build up others around you. Everyone has a purpose, find your purpose – no matter what it is, you matter and you have the power to build up and promote goodwill from where you are.

Jenice

Monday Morning Mindset: Your Health

Today’s Monday Morning Mindset focuses on your health. Many people make goals of losing weight at one time or another in their life. The actual ability to lose and maintain a healthy weight depends on the food you are consuming. It is important to exercise and drink water daily, but what you eat is even more important than how much you exercise. This is something that we all hear time and time again from commercials, society, our families and sometimes even our self-conscious. The most important thing is what you actually put in your mouth. With commercialize processed food it can be hard to make healthy food choices on a regular basis. Instead of making an outlandish goal of losing 100 pounds within a certain amount of time, make smaller more realistic goals for yourself. You will allow yourself to succeed one moment and one bit at a time.

Reference: Health.com 

Forgiveness Friday: Words

Today’s Forgiveness Friday focuses on “Words.” Have you ever noticed that after you said something aloud that it came to be true in your life at one time or another? We have a tendency to speak without thinking. We complain without thought and gossip without recalling facts. We give opinions when not asked for, or give information without revelation. Then in the same instance have the audacity to be offended when our “words” are not taken in a manner suitable to us. My point is, it is time for forgive yourself for mindless words. There is nothing wrong with having a good time with friends and family, but when our words start to become hurtful or unwarranted it is time to press the pause button on the mouth. Words become things, so if we say mindless words we are in retrospect hurting ourselves. Being mindful of words is a matter of thinking about what you are saying, as you are saying it. Forgive yourself for mindless words and choose to come up higher in your ability to use your words for higher purposes.

Thankful Thursday – New Beginnings

Today’s “Thankful Thursday” focuses on finding and being thankful for new beginnings. New beginnings are the birth of brand-new things that manifest in your life. With new beginnings comes the realization of understanding the efforts of hard work and self-motivation paying off. New beginnings are a time for celebration and reflection. With every new beginning something else must end. The optimistic mind focuses on new beginnings as a plateau for new adventures, new journeys and new relationships. Instead of focusing on the past, focus on new beginnings of your the future.

Forgiveness Friday – Choosing to Come Up Higher

Today’s Forgiveness Friday focuses on “choosing to come up higher.” Life events require us to adjust our eyes to the levels of deficiency within a difficult situation. The levels of deficiency provide us the ability to choose to come up higher, and make a different choice. When you choose to come up higher, you’re choosing to connect with the essence of your true self. Your true self speaks to the stillness of clarity that comes with then. It is in the stillness where we find our true faith, empowerment and beliefs. Choose to come up higher and allow the grace of goodness to submerge your life with abundance. When choosing to come up higher, you must make a choice to understand that fear is a wasted emotion unless you choose to learn to grow from it. Forgive yourself and choose to come up higher. Allow yourself to be empowered to think for yourself and choose to connect with the essence of your trueness.

Monday Morning Mindset – Happy New Year

Happy New Year and now it is time to focus on your New Year’s Resolutions. There is only one problem – is your New Year Resolution realistic? Is it something that will better your life? Or only give you a quick fix? Will it sustain you? Or will you only be sustained by merely obtaining the goal itself? The key is to stay realistic. Do you want to loose weight? Instead of focusing on losing the weight, focus on eating better. Do you want better relationships? Focus on having a better relationship with yourself. Either way, a New Year brings new hope. Keep your hope, keep your focus and keep your motivation through out this New Year. Know and understand that there will be times when you won’t want to focus, that is when you need to focus on the feelings of achieving and believe that your goals are happening one day at a time – just as this new year happens.

Forgiveness Friday – Understanding Humility

This week focuses on understanding humility. Humility is something we normally don’t think of as an attribute. But, humility is something that we must all obtain in order to learn more about others and ourselves. A humble mine is able to learn and grow, it also ensures the ability to commit one self to further and deeper understandings for richer relationships. Humility is not a weakness; it is something that takes strength. We must try to consciously be aware of humility when having a conversation or interacting with others. When you’re humble you’re able to come up higher and gain a deeper understanding of self. A humble mine doesn’t always have to be right, or be the one to call out someone else’s flaws. Today forgive yourself or others for not practicing humility as much as they should. Take a moment to think of ways that you could practice more humility in your everyday life. This will help you be more aware of areas where growth and development are possible. Remember, humility gives way to a richer and deeper understanding of oneself and others.

Monday Morning Mindset – Keeping a Positive Attitude

This week focuses on keeping a positive attitude. Your attitude is the one thing that nobody or nothing can change without your permission. You have ultimate control over the attitude that you have within any given situation. If somebody cuts you off while driving, you have an opportunity to keep a positive attitude and ensure that you pay attention to the traffic ahead instead of getting road rage. Ultimately, there’s nothing you can do about anybody else’s attitude, but you do have control over your own attitude in relation to dealing with people, situations, and adverse events. It’s important to do a attitude check when you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated. Ask yourself “why am I frustrated” or “what is causing my negative attitude change.” Once you’re able to understand what you trigger points are, you’re able to figure out ways to stay positive with in those situations. It’s important to promote a “positive self-talk” attitude. Thinking of an accomplishment or a happy memory assist with improving your attitude almost immediately. Overall, it’s important to remember that you and you alone have the power to change your attitude for the better within any situation.

Forgiveness Friday – Finding Your Purpose

This week focuses on Finding Your Purpose. We often have a mixture of finding a purpose and pursuing our goals in our lives. Finding your purpose is apart of pursuing your goals. These both are among the same entities, but applying different attributes of your life determines what you do with opportunities you are aware of. Finding your purpose allows you to become more connected to your natural gifts and abilities. This also makes you more aware of your overall purpose in life. Pursuing your goals is a fundamental aspect of our human ability to feel successful. When you combined finding your purpose with achieving your growth goals, you end up matching your personality to your purpose. Too often, we don’t match our personality to our purpose; rather we receive and accept mediocrity as our ultimate achievement. Finding your purpose does not guarantee riches or fame, but you will receive a treasure of knowing exactly who you are and what your purpose is for your life. Everybody has a dream, whether it is to achieve success with an organization or to your own business. Although success comes in many different forms for different people, it’s important to respect the abilities of yourself and embrace the adversity of challenges. Your destiny is beckoning you to achieve your full purpose of understanding your natural abilities and matching your personality with your purpose. Forgive yourself today for the lack of awareness and choose to be more aware of opportunities that you may have otherwise missed in the pursuit of your goals.

Monday Morning Mindset – Motivating Yourself

This week focuses on Motivating yourself. Motivation is more than getting a pep talk from friends or family members. Motivation truly comes when you decide to do something when you don’t have the feelings of wanting to do it. When you decide to do something, it takes motivation to keep doing it. It is important find ways of motivating yourself. Often we have a support system or family members encouraging us to do better and strive for more. There will be times where you will need to find the courage within yourself to “self-motivate.” Instead of depending on others to motivate you, make a list of motivational factors to remind you of your end goal and how close you are to achieving your goal.

Monday Morning Mindset – Human Capital Worth

This week focuses on knowing and understanding your human capital worth. In this difficult job economy, it’s important to understand and notate your knowledge, skills and abilities to your field of development. You are your best marketing manager. You have the ability to annotate everything that you “bring to the table.” Without you, an organization or company would be crippled in the ability to be successful. Make sure to notate all the projects, collateral duties and other contributions you make throughout the year. Employees are typically reviewed on an annual basis. The annual evaluation process is a form of documenting your human capital worth within the organization. The annual evaluation displays what you “brought to the table” for the entire year. It is your responsibility to dictate and annotate all contributing factors, which shows your human capital worth within the organization. When you start keeping track of your professional significance, your professional productivity will show your actual annual growth. The growth may come from personal accomplishments or professional accomplishments. Either way you will grow your human capital worth.

Monday Morning Mindset – Developing Structure for Goals

Jenice Armstead

This week focuses on developing structure. It is important to develop structure in our lives to become practical about the realizations of our dreams and goals. We all want to strive and grow in our relationships, business field and emotional health. It is important to take time out to critically think about what makes you happy in your life. Think about the joy of doing what you love to do in your life. We all have aspirations of “coming up higher” in our awareness for our own greatness. Make sure to make a daily, weekly or a monthly habit of practically attaining your dreams and goals. Listen to your inner voice and take note of your hunches and gut feelings. When you take time to think about attaining your goals in a practical and structured manner you were able to assist with defining your path for success.