Flourish Digital Magazine May - June 2022

MAY/JUNE 2022 ISSUE 3 VOLUME 3

We're Clapping For SISTERS4SELFCARE

TEA TIME TREATS

SADIYAH ADAMS

A VIEW THROUGH THE LENS OF MARIE THOMAS

BLOSSOM & BLOOM

ms a d A S

HAPPY

M

ther's Day

CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN

Editor's Note

Hello there! What pops into your mind when you hear or see the words blossom and bloom? Think about it. Whenever I hear these words, a picture pops into my head of blooming flowers and plants blossoming beautifully (a seed). What also comes to mind is a girl or young woman finding herself—embracing her passions, hitting her GOD WANTS US stride, and flourishing into the phenomenal woman she wants to be (a stage).

I believe God wants us all to be the authentic flower that we are, to express in real life the desires of our heart, to live the good life, to flourish, and to allow that goodness to spill out and over to others. In fact, flourishing is an important theme found throughout Scripture. Even though Flourish Digital Magazine is not a "how-to" magazine, our writers and contributors, and myself—we all find ourselves coming to the center of the theme for each issue. We find that we are aligned—feeling compelled to share in a way that is real, beneficial, empowering and entertaining.

Likewise, in this issue we are allowing ourselves to blossom and bloom in our authenticity by sharing what inspires us: what we admire; what we aspire to; how we feel; what we like and love; how we get though challenging times; how we celebrate and travel; what we eat and how we dine; and so much more! I love the cover Sadiyah Adams, our Chief Creative Designer, has created to express Mental Health Awareness Month as well as diversity, equity and inclusion for all. I know you'll benefit from my piece on practicing mental wellness, as well as my conversation with Kim Scouller on how money works for women. You'll appreciate Terri Jackson's eloquence as she remembers her dad and shares her passion for coaching women. Flip through our pages of love and luxury, and you'll see there's something wonderful here just for you. Enjoy the beauty and adventure of the journey, and let's flourish together.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 4

ALL TO BE THE

AUTHENTIC

FLOWER THAT

WE ARE.

Chloé Taylor Brown Editor-in-Chief chloe@flourishdigitalmagazine.com @flourishdigitalmagazine @chloetaylorbrown @chloetaylorbrown

NEVER

give give up up BECAUSE

great great TH

INGS

take take time. time.

@flourishdigitalmagazine @sadiyah_adams FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 5

Practicing MENTAL WELLNESS Chloé Taylor Brown

09

24

IT'S NOT ALWAYS PRETTY

26

your three main things to flourish

29

saprea.org

30

bloom where you are planted

49

adjust and adapt

Laurie Renfro

Getting to know yourself better

Liberating society from sexual abuse

Janis Hunt Johnson

hey, mamas! we blossom and bloom

50

what do i want, now?

54

Elena Taylor-Bagger

Paula G. Voice

Chloé Taylor Brown

loving myself first makes it easy to love my neighbor

60

Chloé Taylor Brown

it's time to elevate and pep yourself Chloé Taylor Brown

camera conversations

Paula G. Voice talks with photographer Marie Thomas

46

who is ms. jackson?

Chloé Taylor Brown talks with Sisters4Selfcare founder Terri Jackson

tea time treats for mother's and father's day

Sadiyah Adams

40

TASTY homestyle meals:

56 sweet heat bbq wings and sautéed shrimp Best-selling recipes from Miguel Global

TO TRAVEL: an unexpected adventure 58 TIME Monique V. Salak takes us to the Philippines

80

62

summmer glow: tips for radiant-looking skin Lyn Ross

22

irresistible kissable lips

72

the african marquis

16

Chloé Taylor Brown

The latest from designer Gabriel Froid

HE'S GOT FLAVOR!

Miguel Global's family recipes

56

MEET CLIVE MATHIBE

Flourish Digital Magazine's Arts and Lifestyle Editor

how money works for women

Kim Scouller in conversation with Chloé Taylor Brown

38 32

MEET SHARI PERKINS

44

SAVVY COACHING

61

MARRIED TO THE MANTRA: COUPLES COaching

78

Flourish Digital Magazine's Beauty Expert

with Chloé Taylor Brown

Chloé Taylor Brown & Rick Brown

BECOME A

Flourish Digital Magazine SUPPORTER

ADVERTISE & PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS, PRODUCT, SERVICE OR YOURSELF WITH FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE Contact +1 770-653-7883

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 8

MENTAL

wellness

by Chloé Taylor Brown

ALWAYS POSITIVE THINKING, WITH POSITIVE VIBES! FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 9

The Overexcited Situation I was backstage waiting for the fashion show to start. Each model was as stunning as the next.

We were all lined up in the order of our first designer outfit. As we waited for the music to start, I started telling a story, and everyone seemed captivated. The more I spoke the more my words seemed to run away from me. It seemed that I was becoming too excited about my own story, and with each new word that escaped my lips, it came out faster. I noticed that the models and dressers who were listening changed their expressions to curiosity—not about my story, but about me. I was saved from myself by the music—which was our cue to hit it.

I was super excited and ripped that runway.

The Overstimulated Situation I was just about to enjoy dinner with my family at a favorite Southern-cuisine restaurant several Sundays ago when I noticed a very vibrant 3D art piece taking up a great portion of the wall where we were sitting. I was drawn to it, but soon found myself turning away. I was overwhelmed by all its moving parts while at the same time I felt helpless, pulled back in to the details of the art again and again. In addition to this, the waitresses were dressed in 1950s diner-style outfits.

They seemed to run as they took orders and delivered good Southern comfort food. Did I mention there were hundreds of lively voices of family conversations going on simultaneously—with most diners dressed as though they had just left Sunday services. It was hard to concentrate on what I wanted to eat. I couldn’t hear myself think any longer. I started to feel little fragments of my energy slipping away. Uh-oh, I’m starting to feel anxious, I thought. I had quickly lost control of my space—my environment. Focus on the menu, Chloé. What are you going to order? Focus. Focus. Focus. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 10

The Performance Anxiety Situation I was launching my signature multimillion-dollar PEP—the Personal Excellence Profile coaching tool—in 2011. It was a full-day workshop for a select, sold-out audience of 100 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. I had worked on it for several months with a team of six dynamic power players. It was a dream about to come true. I had booked an actress emcee to host the event and a few heavyhitting signature presenters and speakers. It was exciting and stressful at the same time, but I had no clue how stressful—until I woke up the morning of the event debilitated— throwing up with diarrhea. It was 5:00 AM. The ground crew started arriving at 7:30 and everyone else was to arrive by 8:30. I was still at home trying to stand up at the mirror to style my hair—and I could not. I got a call from Wendy, one of the speakers. “Where are you, Honey?”

Registration started at 9:00 AM with breakfast and networking, and the doors opened at 9:45 for the event to start at 10:00. I finally arrived at 10:30, and was taken to my table in the front.

Everything appeared to be running smoothly.

The emcee was on stage, entertaining the audience—everyone was laughing.

I sat there, nervous, weak, yet very proud of what we had created and what I was witnessing. >

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By the time my name was called to take the podium I was about seventy percent myself—and I was able to successfully pull off my small, individual part. My team was concerned, though.

Still, the event was a tremendous hit!

There was a prominent pastor—a bishop—in attendance, who participated in every segment. After the event she said, “Chloé, I want to do what you’re doing.” I was thrilled in my mind; but because I had lost so much of my energy and life force, my response was incoherent, and I just wanted to go home.

The next day, my husband grew concerned and ended up taking me to the emergency room. After the doctor examined me, he said, “I have some good news and some not-sobad news. You’re not having a heart attack, but you do have situational anxiety."

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What is Situational Anxiety?

Situational anxiety appears in response to situations—random or specific. It’s not something that appears every day or even every year—at least not for me. In fact, it is thought of in many instances as normal—like being anxious before giving a presentation or speaking in front of a large group. But not necessarily. I’ve noticed that these feelings pop up for me when I feel like I’m losing control; if I think I don’t have control of my own thing; or, if something important to me is about to happen and I feel that I’m not ready or didn't prepare. Since then, I've learned to practice Mental Wellness. >

Combating Situational Anxiety through

MENTAL WELLNESS

According to The Global Wellness Institute, mental wellness is an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function. It is an active process that helps us build resilience and grow. It flows up and down from languishing to flourishing—capturing the many factors that shape our overall mental health and well-being. We may experience stress, worry, loneliness or sadness at the negative end; and happiness, life satisfaction, strong relationships or personal growth at the positive end. Mental wellness offers a salutogenic approach that focuses on positive human functioning, with the belief that we as humans possess the capacity to cultivate health in the face of hardship. We are able individually to find effective ways to prevent illness, maintain balanced mental health and pursue optimal mental well-being. Mental wellness is self-directed, personal and subjective; it typically relies on self care and personal agency to cope with everyday challenges. Each of us is capable of proactively pursuing a higher level of happiness and well-being. Mental wellness is empowering because it acknowledges the universal desire and ability to achieve peace, joy, happiness, meaning and purpose. Learn more about mental wellness here. < FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 13

YOU CAN OVERCOME WHATEVER IS GOING ON AROUND YOU WHEN YOU PRACTICE MENTAL

Wellness!

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BRENDA TAYLOR LEWIS TRANSFORMING PEOPLE, PLACES & SPACES

ALTERATIONS HOME DECOR PERSONAL SHOPPING By appointment only: +1 470-261-9674

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Summer Glow

by Lyn Ross

The days are getting longer, and the sun is shining a little brighter. It’s the perfect time of year to shed the last of your winter layers and get ready to glow this summer. Exfoliating dead skin cells is one of the best ways to say goodbye to dull skin. Whether you’re getting a facial treatment at the spa or using a body wash with glycolic acid at home, summer-ready skin isn’t far away. >

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WHAT CAN YOU DO? GET A PROFESSIONAL PEEL After a long winter, your skin may look dull due to the build-up of dead skin cells. It’s hard for your natural radiance to come through without supporting cell turnover. Peels are popular for that very reason. They work well to help slough off dead skin cells and unclog pores. Peels also help even the appearance of skin tone and texture while supporting your natural collagen production.

An advanced peel formula helps brighten the look of skin that appears damaged by sun, age, hyperpigmentation, or acne. The best peels leave your complexion looking and feeling soft, smooth and radiant. The goal is to create a better surface for your topical products to absorb more effectively without irritating your skin.

This month, treat yourself to a professional peel that’s suitable for all skin types. Better yet, find an aesthetician skilled and experienced in facial peels. Your aesthetician will work with you to decide the most appropriate peel to address your specific concerns. Your peel will likely contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

AHAs naturally occur in citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and sugar cane.

Peptides and anti-oxidants to nourish your skin will likely also be included in an effective peel. >

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DO FACIALS AT HOME Another option is to give yourself weekly facial treatments at home using clinical-grade products. Using both a topical and a physical exfoliant in your skincare regimen can help keep those dead, dry skin cells away. For example, you may start with a gentle polishing scrub, followed by a renewing peel, and finish with a hydrating mask. Focus on using clinical-grade products to maximize your results and minimize irritation.

Skin ages whether we like it or not. Thankfully, you can assist the natural aging process by exfoliating and strengthening your skin’s ability to retain moisture. In addition to professional or at-home facials, make sure you have a set morning and evening skincare routine.

Aesthetician-recommended products can help encourage your skin to increase dead cell turnover, boost elasticity, and support a smoother-looking complexion.

USE RADIANCE BOOSTING PRODUCTS You can extend your professional results at home by using effective skincare products. Consider a line of brightening products to maintain radiantlooking skin. Products may include a brightening cleanser with corrective ingredients that assist in evening out the look of skin tone. The right cleanser will not dry out or strip your skin.

You may also benefit from an anti-oxidant-rich toner that can help protect your skin from recurring dark spots. Follow with a vitamin C or glycolic acid serum and brightening moisturizer with UV protection. If your moisturizer doesn’t have SPF, be sure to apply it as the last step in your skincare routine. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of skin damage and visible aging.

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TRIED AND TRUE REFINING INGREDIENTS As we age, one of the goals is to maintain a freshlooking appearance. What helps address the signs of aging skin? You want to gently remove dead skin cells and avoid drying out or causing irritation to your skin. You also want to encourage your skin’s natural rejuvenation process, boost collagen production, and fade the look of current skin discolorations. The following ingredients are a few of the gold standards in some of the best antiaging skincare products.

GLYCOLIC ACID As mentioned, AHAs are some of the leading skin exfoliants used to address surface-level concerns.

Examples include citric acid from citrus fruits, malic acid from apples, tartaric acid from grapes, lactic acid from milk, and glycolic acid from sugar cane. AHAs have marked a new age in skincare by bringing nature and science into beauty products.

All AHAs have a similar molecular structure, but glycolic acid is the smallest. This is ideal for penetrating hair follicles and “ungluing” dead skin cells for exfoliation. Dead skin cells and build-up can lead to breakouts and blackheads. Glycolic acid’s penetrability also helps encourage collagen production. As a result, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots may diminish over time.

Glycolic acid is great for your face, but it’s a wonderful exfoliant for your body, too. For your body, glycolic acid is a highly effective AHA for refining the skin’s surface and supporting a smooth complexion. Get ready to show some summer skin with a glycolic body wash and body lotion. Your body wash may have glycolic acid derived from sugar cane to exfoliate, as well as shea butter—rich in fatty acids and vitamin E—to moisturize. Follow with a hydrating and nourishing body lotion to keep the skin’s natural moisture barrier intact. >

RETINOL Around the same time that AHAs entered the skincare world, so did retinoic acid. It’s a derivative of vitamin A. Retinoic acid was found to be effective in treating certain types of acne, and dermatologists investigated its possible use in anti-aging products. However, retinoic acid was proven to cause dryness and irritation. Eventually, retinol was developed, which is a gentler derivative of vitamin A than retinoic acid.

Retinol has proven to be helpful for a variety of skin conditions. It can address acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. People with sensitive skin may need a few weeks to adjust to retinol, but it’s now a time-honored ingredient in skincare products.

For the best results, talk to a dermatologist or professional aesthetician. Consider using clinicalgrade products as well. Many products use buzzwords such as retinol but they don’t contain “actives.” If there are only subtle traces of retinol in your products, you can’t expect them to have much of an effect on your skin. Speaking with a professional aesthetician will ensure you get powerful products with your skin type and individual concerns in mind. <

Lyn Ross @institutdermed @institutdermed

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Step into

Summer

KAI SHANI GEMS UNIQUE, ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELRY DESIGNED BY JACQUI LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA BROWN

ADORNMENTS MADE WITH LOVE semi-precious stones, crystals, cultured pearls, ethnic designs, wood, hematite, vintage, glass beads, sterling silver, and gold-plated motifs—for women and men

JACQUI LEWIS

jayjuice3k JOSHUA BROWN FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 21

IRRESISTIBLE

KISSABLE LIPS Luscious, smooth and sexy lips will triumph every time. Beautiful plump lips are a sign of youth and natural beauty. In fact, the most beautiful and kissable look for lips is fast, natural and pretty. Yes, Darling, your natural lip shade, spiked with a little gloss, is the most kissable lip look, especially for summer. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 22

As a busy woman, you’ll no doubt want your morning lipstick to last at least until after lunch. First, line your lips with a color that's a shade or two darker than your lipstick. Then shade in the entire lip area with your liner pencil and apply your lipstick. For a superlong-lasting and defined look, layer lipstick on top of matching liner, blot several times and reapply lipstick. You'll have hours of luscious lips. Dark smoky eyes will look fabulous with this lip look.

Make sure your lips are smooth and soft by massaging a lip balm—like Chapstick, which also helps to keep your lipstick on longer—on your lips. Wait a few minutes.

Line your lips with a shade the same color as your lips.

Use your fast, natural and pretty lipstick color—or another color that allows your natural lip color to show through (that is, a sheer lipstick or gloss).

You may apply your lipstick straight from the tube if you like.

Blend well along your natural lip line.

Apply your lip gloss with the wand or a lip brush, or smooth it out with your fingertip. <

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I'ts not always pretty When I think of the word bloom, my mind immediately goes to flowers.

Now, there are plenty of other things that bloom—like tea, and yeast and, not quite literally, developing young girls and pregnant women—but flowers hold my fascination for the extended time their blooming requires. The observable effort toward transformation. Flowers don’t burst forth before our eyes like tea or yeast, the latter presenting full bloom in just a matter of minutes. Instead, flowers take their time and provide a spectacular show of unique and beautiful stages as they move closer to full bloom.

I remember days long ago when my father would tend the plants in our yard and I would tag along. We would rise early and, as it goes in the timeless hymn I Come To The Garden Alone, “the dew [was] still on the roses.” I can’t help but send you to the Mahalia Jackson cover of this hymn. Mahalia sings it the way I grew up hearing it. But I digress. My father would point out the tiny new buds that appeared seemingly overnight and I would lean in to get a closer look. “Be gentle,” my father would remind me.

"Blooming is hard and solitary work."

Very different from flowers, when we bloom it’s not always pretty. Over the last few years, I’ve been a fortunate witness to some special women who, like me, have initiated a whole new personal blooming. All of us far beyond the youthful glow of hormone-driven becoming, have, in our own time and for our own reasons, reached both inward and outward for the deeper spiritual awareness necessary for the mid-life leg of the journey. And this time around we are not intoxicated by fantasies of love and marriage, financial and social success, or the idea that a power greater than ourselves will do all the work that needs doing for us—without us lifting a finger.

Having outgrown tolerance for consequences and behaviors born of unhealthy ideas and relationships, we are reassessing how we nourish our minds, bodies and souls—how we spend our time and who we allow to occupy our time. We are breaking out of limiting boxes authored by our parents and so many others who came alongside and before them.

We are restructuring our lives, including making choices and changes in our most intimate relationships; our health and spiritual practices; and even the physical environments we inhabit. And while this self-propagated blooming has produced many sensual, soulful and satisfying results, I will not lie to you: The process has not always been pretty.

As it was for the flowers I learned about under my father’s gentle tutelage, human blooming, too, is hard and solitary work. The required tilling of life experiences, circumstances and corollary coping strategies can be sticky and painful. Correcting the composition of personal “soil” by replacing false expectations and beliefs with informed clarity is emotionally strenuous. It requires a deep dive into the psyche, where shit we’ve been fed and bitter pills we have voluntarily swallowed lie buried. >

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Weeding that soil of unhealthy emotional patterns and behaviors requires honest self-observation and conversation; deep listening and contemplation; openness to constructive criticism; focused intention; and consistent selfcorrection that doesn't include judging ourselves or others. We, finally, get to reseed the soil of our lives with healed hearts, updated knowledge, clear thinking, realistic expectations and an explosion of creativity.

Flourishing is the result of successful blooming.

And to get there, we must do our work even though it’s not always pretty—while accepting that we are exactly where we are supposed to be at every stage of the process. You can’t rush or skip any steps. And, you may find that you need a little help to get your garden growing again—from a therapist, counselor, or coach, or from a stack of qualified books. For instance, Dr. M. Scott Peck’s long-lauded The Road Less Traveled is a must-read for anyone with a desire to bloom.

And if you read The Road Less Traveled more than five years ago, I highly recommend you read it again. Maybe via an audiobook this time. I also suggest Bell Hooks’ All About Love. Sista Bell’s brilliance, deep insight and loving nature radiate from every page; so if you can avoid denial and resistance, it will surely be transformative.

Blooming is, indeed, hard and solitary work. But, I promise, the difficulty wanes and a community of like-minded people will feel you and find you even as you find them. You will bless others, too, especially those who see themselves as nearly dying on the vine, seeking rejuvenation. Your unique blossoms yearn to unfold. And while the journey is not always pretty, the resulting healing, freedom and joy are worth every effort. <

LAURIE RENFRO is a writer and spiritual seeker with a Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology from Sofia University in Palo Alto, California (formerly the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology).

@routineinterrupted Laurie Renfro FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 25

YOUR THREE MAIN THINGS TO

Flourish!

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Here's a little exercise to get to know yourself better.

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU LOVE?

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOURSELF?

WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU'RE GOOD AT THAT YOU LIKE AND ENJOY DOING?

WHAT'S YOUR GOAL? AND WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU ALREADY HAVE THAT CAN HELP YOU ACCOMPLISH YOUR HEART’S DESIRES RIGHT NOW?

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Personal Excellence Profile The world's most innovative, intuitive, self-awareness and personal excellence profiling tool

CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM

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Learn more WWW.SAPREA.ORG

USE YOUR VOICE

Break the silence

@SAPREA.ORG @SAPREA_ORG

Bloom where you are planted.

THE MIRACULOUS STRAWBERRY PLANT The first time I saw a strawberry plant, I didn’t even know what I was looking at. I was out taking a walk and just happened to notice some cute little white flowers with yellow centers, planted alongside a building. On later visits, I really wasn’t aware that they were starting to look a bit different, until after a few weeks. . .voilà! Those yellow centers had transformed—into strawberries!

Before that moment, to be honest, I’d never really thought about where my favorite fruit came from. I never even pictured them growing from the ground. As far as I was concerned, they just magically appear in those little green boxes, ready for us to eat.

But that’s not how life works, is it?

I’ve learned something about strawberries since then. As the Spring days grow longer, the flowers begin to bloom. At the yellow center of each blossom, the plant is pollinated. Each strawberry branch will grow three or more flowers on it. Eight if you’re lucky. Once pollination takes place, the petals fall off and the yellow centers begin to change. The small berries start out yellow or greenish at first— eventually turning just the right color of red for the picking.

By June, the berries are ready! But they can’t all be picked at once.

Because the fruits on the flower trusses grow individually in different sizes, the farm workers have to make three passes through the fields to make sure they take each berry only at its very best. The “king fruits”—the biggest berries—get picked first; then later the mediumsized and smaller ones.

It used to be that a strawberry plant’s flowers would bloom only in May, and then the “June Berries” would arrive—and that would be that. But nowadays, depending upon the plant variety and the climate, strawberry season can last all the way until November. Some varieties will even grow any time of year, as long as the weather is good—like in California, for instance.

After learning all of this, I definitely have a much greater appreciation for the fact that because I live on the West coast, I can buy my favorite organic strawberries essentially anytime I want. >

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STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER! As everything in my life and in this world seems to be shifting into something new, I’ve been thinking about the strawberry plant—with its delicate flowers that amazingly transform into scrumptious berries.

Each strawberry takes its own sweet time to become what it needs to be. For awhile, it may seem like nothing’s happening. We may lose interest and not pay much attention. But then, just like that, the perfect berry is ready for the picking.

The strawberry's growing process has taught me something about patience, perseverance and gratitude.

We often wonder when something we’re trying to accomplish will bear fruit.

More often than not, we consider all the what-ifs, and we find ourselves wishing for something else, somewhere else. It seems like we’re never really satisfied—always wishing things could be different.

But we could choose to be just like the little white flowers that bask in the sunlight, content with whatever the day may bring.

A woman I know told me of a time when, even though she had a college degree, the only work she could get was washing dishes. At first she hated the job and wanted to quit, but she needed the money. As she slogged through every shift, she prayed for guidance. She was longing for the work she really wanted, but didn’t know how she would ever get there. After awhile, an answer came: Be grateful, and do your best.

She decided to be the best dish washer that ever was. She blessed every plate, every glass, every utensil, lovingly envisioning the restaurant’s customers—how they would enjoy their meal more because of the lovely, sparkling place settings.

As she did this, each day she felt lighter. She made friends. She found herself smiling and laughing. She opened her heart.

She bloomed where she was planted.

After awhile, through a series of coincidences that happened only because she’d made herself receptive to new possibilities, someone at the restaurant connected her to the perfect position in her field, and she was able to start the career she’d always wanted.

Let’s make the most of whatever we’ve been given, wherever we are. Let us be grateful in whatever our present circumstances may be—taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. Things may not always go as fast as we want them to, or in the direction we’re hoping for.

Maybe the weather isn’t as ideal as California’s. But there’s always progress being made.

For some of us, the growing season may be shorter. We may come out early like king fruits and June Berries. Others of us may be late-bloomers. But every flower bears fruit.

When we keep the faith in the growing process, we flourish and thrive, culminating in a beautiful life. Whatever our size, we all get picked sooner or later.

And life is delicious.

by Janis Hunt Johnson . . .who always recommends rose-colored glasses.

Flourish Digital Magazine's Copyeditor & Spiritual Author/Prayer Coach/Healer www.CSRenewal.medium.com Facebook.com/CSRenewal @CSRenewal

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HOW MONEY WORKS FOR

W W O M E N WO OM ME EN N

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Clive Mathibe is a South African Creative Director, Screenwriter, Playwright, Composer, TV & Theater Director and all-round creative!

"What is important for us as artists who have a platform and who have a voice is the ability to use our craft to influence what people think, and to effect change in our society. It's high time that we use our art to do exactly that."

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―Matshona Dhliwayo FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 39

SHOW YOUR LOVE TO MOM AND DAD BY BAKING SOMETHING SWEET AND DELICIOUS ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 40

Ingredients

1 cup + 2 Tblsp. butter 3 cups flour 1 tsp. baking powder ¾ cup superfine sugar 2 heaping Tblsp. corn flour 1 cup toasted almond nibs 2 egg whites 1 cup flaked almonds ½ cup powdered sugar

Directions Preheat oven to 300ºF Sift flours and baking powder together.

Cream butter and sugar well.

My parents don't have much of a sweet tooth—but when it comes to these two cookie recipes, they are smitten.

Add flour and almond nibs; then form into biscuit dough.

I believe anything to be eaten should be shared—every bite full of love.

These cookies are my mom and dad's favorites. I hope they become yours, too!

Roll into balls and whisk egg whites till fluffy.

—Sadiyah Adams

Dip in egg whites and coat

THE ULTIMATE

Crispy Almond Cookie MAKES APPROXIMATELY 35 COOKIES FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 41

with flaked almonds.

Place on lined baking tray.

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool. >

Ingredients

3 cups + 2 Tblsp. cake flour 1 ¼ cup superfine sugar 1 cup + 2 Tblsp. softened butter 2 large eggs 3 ½ cups shredded coconut ½ cup cocoa 1 tsp. baking powder ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract 17 ½ oz. baking chocolate 2 cups toasted flaked almonds

Directions Preheat oven to 350ºF Beat the butter with the sugar; add eggs, then oil and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients, mix till well combined.

Roll the dough and cut with a circle biscuit cutter.

@sadiyah_adams

Place onto baking tray with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes.

CHOCOLATEY

Romany Creams

Once cooled, top with melted chocolate and toasted almond flakes.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 42

MAKES APPROXIMATELY 60 COOKIES

FLOURISH DIGITAL MAGAZINE'S BEAUTY EXPERT & CONTRIBUTOR

LOOK FORWARD TO AMAZING BEAUTY & WELLNESS CONTENT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN UPCOMING ISSUES > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 44

@LUXXSHARI_

@THELUXXURYCOLLECTION

SHARI’S LIFE OF LUXXURY

THELUXXURYCOLLECTION.COM

CAMERA CONVERSATIONS A VIEW THROUGH THE LENS OF PHOTOGRAPHER MARIE THOMAS

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by Paula G. Voice

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@mariethomas505 www.mariethomas.com FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 48

Adjust & Adapt BLOSSOM AND BLOOM WHEREVER YOU ARE PLANTED!

God has brought you through all your storms of life. And during each storm you had to be creative. You didn’t have time to panic because you yourself had to produce innovative ways to adjust, accommodate, adapt and co-exist with that storm. Some of us grew up with the residual effects of the creative survival techniques of the Great Depression. Grandma never threw anything away. Grandma recycled that grease in the coffee can so everything you ate tasted like fried chicken, fish, or bacon. But she cooked. . . and you ate everything on your plate!

Grandma made homemade soap—you know, that soap that she washed your mouth out with when you said a bad word. (Oh! Sorry.

Maybe that's just me!) Grandma learned how to adapt through a storm in her life—and she subconsciously taught you how to do the same. Nowadays, we have become so modernized that we have forgotten how to be innovative and creative through challenging times. We have forgotten how to speak encouragement to ourselves during challenging times.

God will never leave you nor forsake you. So be still.

Listen to His still small voice. Allow Him into the creative being of your spirit and use the innovation that He pours into you, to weather that storm in your life. He will see you through, to the day where you can say, "As I look back over my life and think things over, I can honestly say, I’ve been blessed."

I’ve got a testimony, and so will you be able to testify about how God brought you through this storm of your life.

Be mindful of what you allow into your eye gate. Be mindful of what you allow into your ear gate. Be mindful of what you speak to yourself. Words absolutely can change our physical reality. When you see it happen in your life, you'll never look at the spoken or written word the same.

Go now, and be creative. Go with the understanding that the call comes at a cost. There will be naysayers.

There will be those who war against you, those who try to hinder you. But if you answer the call of God in your life, the rewards will come.

The greatness of God will shine through. After the storm, after the rain, the blossoming and blooming always come. Flourish!

So, I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, what is it that you are saying to yourself? What is it that needs to happen now to stir up that creativity within you? That creativity that has been smoldering inside of you for years? That creativity that has been nearly smothered by fear, stress, anxiety, worry or doubt? The truth is, God's flame of brilliance within you has not gone out. So find your “I Am.” Then blossom and bloom.

Embrace the journey! < FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 49

Paula G. Voice Paula G. Voice is a sagacious lifestyle influencer— influencing dreamers to breathe life into their dreams and ultimately live the reality of their vision.

It is never too late to embrace your journey and live your dream. Flourish!

WWW.PAULAGVOICE.COM

@PAULAGVOICE

WHEN WE

Blossom and Bloom Hey, Mamas!

From seed to bloom, we grow through motherhood. I’ve been blessed to have global conversations with moms from all around the world to gain their perspective on motherhood. As different as our cultures may be, we all tend to go through similar phases.

While it may not be exactly the same for everyone, I’m sure we can find similarities in the experiences we’ve had with our children. We go through various stages that ultimately lead us to an amazing flowering of incredibleness—when our babies become grown and flown! It’s a beautiful thing—not always easy, but beautiful indeed.

Our first phase is during pregnancy—or it's while waiting for a child to adopt. Whether we give birth or adopt, our instinct is to give it our all. No one else can prepare you for the love you are about to experience.

No one else can possibly explain that you could love someone so much that you would actually forget to go to the bathroom, or forget to eat; that you would take joy in poop & pee; that you could wear vomit as an accessory; or that you will stay up endless hours to make sure that your children are comfortable with all of their needs met. You may feel like you become so protective, that in your mind you are their only protector—from all things seen and unseen. You can forget who you are as you become what they need.

Then we move on to the phase of our children becoming a little bit more of a unique human being than they once seemed. Now we see that they have their own thoughts, emotions and feelings—even though they can’t always express them. Their actions speak much louder than their words. We teach, they learn, and they soak up everything. They exert their independence. Before we know it, they will be teenagers.

During this phase, we finally have a little more time to sleep. We become a little more conscious of eating, and take a little more time to dream of what we are to become. But even here, we are still reveling in the essence of motherhood and giving it all we've got.

>

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 50

When the teen years come, our stroller walks in the park

Now, we contemplate and act upon our next move.

have become rides to and from school, and sitting in the

Some women have prepared for this moment during

bleachers or in the audience as our children explore

every single phase, so they glide into it effortlessly.

what they love to do. We Muber them to and from other

Others go into it with angst—a great eagerness to find

kids' houses, back and forth to practices of all kinds, go

out who they truly are. It doesn’t matter how you come

on grocery store runs and take them on an occasional

into it. The truth is, you’ve been blooming all along. Add

night out with friends. The teachable moments now

yourself to the schedule, and savor each moment. In

become even more meaningful as we begin to realize

each phase and each stage—even when it wasn’t all

that they are about to enter adulthood—the same

roses—you’ve grown. And it’s a beautiful thing.

<

adulthood that we’ve been navigating as a mom during this time.

During all these phases, we may be working full-time, or part-time. Maybe we are becoming or have already become an entrepreneur. Yes, in this last phase, we recognize that there’s a me inside. The desire to find that me becomes more distinct as time goes on. And still, we are going strong, giving it our all for our babies.

Then the phase that never ends comes: They are young adults, and we are no longer needed as much. We get to watch years of both our work and theirs come to fruition.

ELENA TAYLOR-BAGGER Founder of The Innovative Mom, and single mom to five young adults

We see them make moves and decisions based on what we’ve taught, what they’ve learned (either from us or on their own). We step into a guidance role. We've lived twice as long as they have, and we've also learned along

www.theinnovativemom.com

@theinnovativemom

the way that they, too, are our teachers. the

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innovative

mom

T Th he erre e a arre e a allw wa ay ys s

ffo orr tth ho os se e w wh ho o w wa an ntt tto o s se ee e tth he em m..

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 52

adventure adventure

play play FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 53

by Chloé Taylor Brown

Do you feel like you're entering into a "new season" of your life? So many of us do.

If we're intending to blossom and bloom this season into the true flower we're meant to be, then we have to know that it's not enough to just know that we're creative, innovative, intuitive, valuable, brilliant, fabulous, beautiful, and alive. . .we've got to know how to align these God-given traits and characteristics—to flow and harmonize with the new experiences we want in our life—based upon our vision of our life's new season.

Did you get that? First, you've got to have a vision. What's yours?

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 54

>

It's important to know what you want, and then how to apply what you know—so that you will manifest it.

It's alignment through identity. Let's practice aligning ourself to our vision, and how we want to live and experience life, now.

Know what you want and visualize it as though you're living it right now. . .in living color. Use all of your senses to get into the spirit of the vision. This should feel amazing. Be present and still. This gives you a keen ability to hear, to listen to your inner essence. Trust your gut and follow the prompts.

It's important to know how to apply what we know.

Being our best self starts with self-awareness, personal excellence, knowing what we want, and knowing how to raise our energy and excellence levels to match what we want. Then we direct this power toward our goals and objectives.

If you’re looking for an online, interactive, sustainable program to reset your whole life, then look no further. Try the PEP yourSELF program, and start flourishing immediately.

Applying the PEP (Personal Excellence Profile), the goal is to elevate your awareness, your energy, your focus, your intention, and your overall excellence by learning about your twelve most important life abilities.

Imagine how cool it will be to elevate and align this excellence and power to your authentic self, and then to direct this deliciousness into your intention and purpose—to accomplish your new goals.

The PEP and the PEP yourSELF program are now accessible globally--by phone, WhatsApp, and video conferencing, and on all devices including Mac or PC desktops, tablets, and iOS or Android mobile devices.

This is a wonderful time to ignite your passions, reset your vision and goals, transform your thinking, and start winning in your life again--or even for the first time.

Get your PEP on!

<

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 55

Sweet Heat BBQ Wings Here's What You'll Need 1 lb. chicken wings (cut into sections) Salt (season to taste) Ground pepper (season to taste) Cayenne pepper (season to taste) Peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying 1 stalk green onion (diced)

Wing Sauce ½ ¼ ½ ½

cup of barbecue sauce cup of hot sauce teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon parsley

Here's How You Make It 1.

In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, hot sauce,

½

teaspoon of salt,

½

teaspoon of pepper

and 1 teaspoon parsley. Once mixed together, set aside.

2.

Rinse wings under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Spread out wings on a cutting board

or baking sheet, and sprinkle both sides with salt, ground pepper and cayenne pepper.

3.

In a large pot over medium heat, heat 3 inches of oil until hot (about 350° F). Working in batches,

fry chicken until deeply golden and cooked through (roughly 8 minutes).

4.

Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate or bowl. Toss around wings in sauce and serve by topping off

with a sprinkle of green diced onions.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 56

Tips: Green onions make a great garnish. Serve with a side of celery, too, if you like.

You can also bake the wings instead of frying— for a healthier choice; just coat with a little baking powder to make them crispy.

Easy Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic and White Wine Here's What You'll Need 1 lb. med.–large shrimp, peeled and deveined Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste 1

½

Tbsp. olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

½

cup white wine

2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes

¾

cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves 1 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning

Here's How You Make It 1.

Season shrimp with the salt and pepper (to

taste), and paprika. (Butterfly the shrimp for more even cooking and better presentation.)

Miguel Global Author & Recipe Creator, Miguel Global

2.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-

high heat. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally until pink, about 2–3 minutes. Set aside.

3.

Add garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring

frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 4–5 minutes.

Stir in butter, 2 Tablespoons at a time, until melted and smooth. Add the red pepper flakes

@Hesgotflavor

@DrFlavor

and half of the Old Bay seasoning.

4.

Stir in the shrimp and half of the parsley;

season with salt and pepper, to taste.

5.

Add the shrimp to the plate and top it off with

juices from the pan.

Best-selling cookbook He's Got Flavor available on Amazon.com and www.hesgotflavor.com

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 57

6.

Sprinkle the remaining parsley on top and the

rest of the Old Bay seasoning, for a flavorful touch.

"I am a strong, independent woMOM, who loves to explore possibilities at home and to travel to different beautiful places that nature created."

@nicavilleeee Monique Villavicencio-Salak: Your Right-Hand Lady Monique Villavicencio-Salak Monique narrates her travel experiences with insight and humor. Come share a day at the beach—with unexpected results. Read more about her unusual outings when you follow our travel series in upcoming issues.

places to eat • new adventures • amazing destinations

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 58

>

DINGALAN, AURORA IS THE PLACE TO BE

BY MONIQUE VILLAVICENCIO SALAK It was November when we decided to go on a beach trip to the north. Everyone was excited to feel the sea breeze after almost a year of working in a stressful situation at work. And for the most part, we simply needed to feel the peace of mind that the sea, the sand and nature itself is always offering us.

shouted—telling us to get ready, as the way up was going to get slippery. We needed to prepare for sharp rocks. We might get scratched, we were My friend found this amazing location: Dingalan, Aurora, told, if we weren't careful. And so situated north of where we live in the Philippines. We thought the real journey began! we were just going to have a bit of fun and relaxation—but when we got there, a whole new adventure awaited us. We We ended up slipping many times. Some were mesmerized by the sea view and the sound of the of us tended to catch the person in front of us strong splashes of the waves by the shore. It was utterly idyllic. and vice versa. One woman fell on her butt, but It had been a three-and-a-half-hour trip for us, so we were she was laughing through it. It was truly a exhausted by the time we arrived. We sat down on the shore demanding but fun experience! We were covered in for a peaceful moment, to enjoy the view of the waves, to feel mud, and some of us got scratches from slipping and hitting the sea breeze and to take in the sounds the ocean makes. sharp rocks. Eventually we were all sweating, thirsty, and tired—we almost wanted to go back down and just take a We started formulating our plans for the trip. We decided that swim. The make-up on all the ladies’ faces was melted! for our first day we would just rest, have some drinks, swim Everyone's hair was a mess. Our once flawless legs were and repeat. The next day, we rented a boat to bring us to an caked with mud! We experienced all this—just because we island where most travelers go to see a lighthouse. We came had been curious about the lighthouse. (It is supposedly a completely unprepared, because when we got there, we replica of the famous Basco Lighthouse in Batanes, located realized that we needed to hike for an hour. I had brought in the northernmost part of the Philippines.) only a limited amount of water with us, and I was wearing only flipflops on my feet, with no protective clothing.

When we finally reached the top, we actually disregarded the lighthouse! Why? Because the grandeur of the place Luckily, there were tour guides happy to help us. These local from the height of the mountain was so spectacularly residents of the island informed us that it would be quite beautiful. We were swallowed up by the magic of the challenging for us because it had rained the night before, so moment. We just stayed there, gazing at the magnificent the way up there was going to be slippery. So we used our view for a long while. We all said the same thing: The journey resources. We found long, thick sticks, which we used as was definitely worth it. walking poles, and we used ropes, too. We brought additional bottled water bought from a local vendor. From there, we I was thankful that our determination had led us to this started on our trek. amazing site. We didn't let the struggles and hardships stop us along the way.

At first, we were enjoying it—as it was easier than we thought, and the view was starting to look promising. We were In life, it's the same: If we are determined and stay focused thankful that our guides were well trained. One was leading on our goals, we will get to see marvelous results that we us, one joined us in the middle of the group, and one was never even thought were possible. After so many trials, tests assisting us at the end of the group. But then, the lead guide and challenges, we will feel how rewarding it is to achieve something wonderful. < FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 59

by Chloé Taylor Brown

I believe God expects me to love and honor myself—completely and authentically—with the love of Jesus inside me. That's what we're taught in words and in Scripture, right? But imagine experiencing this love daily. That’s why, according to Jesus, “love your neighbor as yourself” is the second-most important commandment, recorded in the gospel of Matthew right after “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37–39).

If love is not coming from a genuine heart space of delicious assurance—with acceptance of our real identity, power and well-being—then it is a dysfunctional love we’re offering to others. Without having a high value of one's self, it seems almost impossible to love our neighbor and those who love us in a complete and authentic way. How can we love with authenticity, if we don’t sincerely know and value who we are and what it feels like to adore, love and honor ourselves in the way Jesus meant?

My point: We are all born with this true love within us, it is agape love. Agape is unconditional love: Self-love, pure love and love of neighbor—this is the global answer to restoring our world and recalibrating our true self to create the set-up our life yearns for, to move forward and beyond.

It’s a higher consciousness we’re all being called to now. It starts with each of us. It happens with us going within, knowing, honoring, and valuing our authentic self in the highest way possible—and allowing this wonderful love within us to spill out authentically, blessing us, our neighbor(s) and even the world. Go ahead. Imagine this. How does it feel?

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 60

<

Coaching SAVVY With Chloé Taylor Brown

We're drawing out the best in people— and facilitating change for professionals, groups, teams and executives within organizations and Fortune 50–500 corporations.

Let's Dialogue

Be the leader who offers the best.

Your people deserve it.

CLIENTS HAVE INCLUDED

CHLOE@CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM =1 770-653-7883 FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 61

Terri Jackson is a certified self care and holistic wellness coach whom I met in 2012 through a mutual friend, Teri Alexander, who told me that Ms. Terri Jackson would be a perfect guest on a radio show I was hosting at the time. Coach Terri says, "self care is self-love." She is the founder of Sisters4Selfcare, an organization which has been empowering women to honor their self-worth and value their self care for the past ten years. In addition, she mentors and offers her support to women who have experienced depression, divorce, disease or any type of domestic violence. >

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 62

Chloé: Terri, let's jump back and reflect on where you were in 2012 when we first spoke on my radio show, to right now. How do you feel you have progressed and grown over the years?

Chloé: Wow, what a story. Now I'm getting chills again because I've heard you say that now you help kids to get into Iowa State University as well. Or did I hear that from someone else?

Terri: Oh, my goodness. That's a great question, Chloé. I have grown tremendously—and still have room for growth. At that time, I was two or three years into a divorce. My divorce took three years to complete. At that time, I was in dis-ease and displaced. But I was also empowering other women at the same time. And these women had gone through a divorce, or had been depressed, or they were going through a challenging time in their life—where they needed a coach, a friend, or support system. I started by hosting and facilitating conference calls every Saturday at 9:00 AM.

Terri: Well, yes, I will help them get into Iowa State University with my connections from what my dad built. Still to this day, the legacy continues. There are people who went to college with me whose children now go to Iowa State University, because we're continuing my dad's legacy. We have a committee now where we raise funds for students to go to Iowa State University.

Chloé: Did they know what you were going through?

Terri: Yes, I told them. And that's what positioned me into the role that I am in as coach today, because these women would be coming to me asking, "How are you raising your two kids on your own?" They wanted to know, "Where is the money coming from?

And how are you able to juggle a full-time job with being a caregiver for your parents?" I had a bedridden dad, and two young kids in elementary and middle school. They wondered, "How are you doing all of this?"

They would always ask. And it was because of the belief system that my dad instilled in me—that I had whatever it took to be successful in this life. I just had to focus. And I had to have a passion for people.

Because that's what my dad had: a passion for people. His passion was helping people get their college education for free.

And whatever he had to do, Chloé, he did it. I don't care if it came out of his own pocket—he fought for that. If you were a student in high school who thrived, if you showed determination and hard work— even if you might not have done well as a test taker on those standardized tests—he was willing to give you an opportunity to come to Iowa State University on a George Washington Carver scholarship to get your degree for free. If you wanted to get your master's, you could—even your Ph.D.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 63

Chloé: Is that where you're from—Iowa?

Terri: I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan. I grew up there until I was eleven years old. And then Dad was traveling back and forth between Detroit and Ames, Iowa, and finally, Dad was like, "Family, you've got to come." And we did. And it was a total culture shock, Chloé. I mean, to the point where I was saying, "Where are the buildings? Where are the Black people? Where's the city? Where's downtown?"

Downtown was a blink. And so, from age eleven I grew up in a predominantly White environment, where I was the only African American student, or maybe there were one or two of us, in my sixth-grade class.

Chloé: How did you adapt and adjust to that situation—coming from Pontiac, Michigan, right outside of Detroit, a Black neighborhood, to Ames, Iowa, a predominantly White neighborhood? Was that a smooth or challenging transition? Did you feel out of place? Did you blend in? Did you excel? >

Terri: It was challenging. I felt displaced in the beginning, but I blended in, and I excelled. My younger sister, Toni, and I both did. And because my parents are both Doctors of Philosophy in education, they knew it was the right decision to get my sister and me out of that environment in order to get an elite education. So it was a smart move for us to do that.

My leadership skills were developed from them, and from those experiences. Even in Pontiac, Michigan, I might have been only nine years old, but I was leading fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds in the neighborhood. If there was going to be a neighborhood fashion show or talent show, I designed it! I had everybody set up for what they were going to do—from the refreshments to what the act was, to who was going on first, and what they were going to be doing. All at age nine!

Those skill sets, I absolutely got from Dad, and so I adapted in that predominantly White environment. I went for it, because it was what Dad instilled in me.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 64

He said, “Do not allow anyone to block what it is you believe you can do. Because you can do it if you're focused on it.” So, what did I do, Chloé?

I ran for class President and won! And I was right there in front of the spelling train with 100 out of 100, every single week. So I was President of my high school, I was Prom Queen, and I was Captain of the cheerleading squad. And it was all because my parents believed in me and instilled that in me. I'm blessed to have had that foundation. And I pour that same legacy into my children, who are absolutely excelling. Kalen, my twenty-four-year-old son, and Kenzi, my twenty-one-year-old daughter, are the loves of my life. Kalen works in medical sales in Kentucky. And Kenzie is aspiring to be a Pediatric ER Physician.

Chloé: You don't know any other way to be except exceptional, Terri. You're just a natural, energetic leader—a confident, savvy woman who knows how to ask for and go after what she wants. And you make a way for other people to do the same. Talk some more about that. >

Terri: How do I make a way for other people? I truly believe that we're all unique and wonderfully made. I truly believe that we all have gifts to give to other people. When God gives us gifts, they're not just for us. We're supposed to accept what it is that we have and be able to give it to other people. I believe in pouring our gifts into other people. And that's where my coaching business started to develop.

Chloé: Tell me about Sisters4Selfcare, your business. Is this when you officially started empowering women?

Terri: Yes, Sisters4Selfcare is where it started. As I went through my divorce, I had to be able to get out of that. I had to learn how to forgive. I went to a forgivers’ conference at a church, and the pastor was saying that if you don't forgive the person who hurt you, then you're setting yourself back. But I was like, "How do I forgive him for this?"

It was so awful, the experience that I went through.

Yet the pastor went on to say that the experience is a blessing. He said we need to really see that "the cup runneth over." Not even that the glass is half full. "Terri," he explained to me, "the cup is running over. And the experience is going to allow you to pour into other people how to forgive—because you're already positioned as a leader." And he said, “So think it not strange. Don't be selfish here. You're not the only one who has gone through this. And there are women who've gone through worse—and men, too. So get over it. You're going to have to learn how to forgive.”

And so, I started to write a forgiveness letter to my ex-husband. And the Spirit said, "Write a forgiveness letter to yourself, too, Terri. Don't beat yourself up so much.”

I had imagined and lived this cookie-cutter life, which so many young people grow up believing in. I got married, had two kids—a boy first, then a girl— with the picket fence. And then you're supposed to get a dog or a cat, or some type of animal. But we never got to the animal because we divorced before the kids were old enough to appreciate a pet and have some responsibility for it.

FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 65

And so I felt like I had a permanent bad mark against me that I couldn't get away from. The pastor said to me, "Don’t be so selfish. Wear that mark proudly, because you're going to be able to pour into other people so they can have their own breakthrough." So that's where that came from.

Chloé: Since you were going through so much yourself, where did you get the energy to pour into other people? I know you had the knowledge and the training. But where did you get the energy from during that challenging time?

Terri: It came from looking at my two young children and knowing I needed to provide for their immediate needs, and for their future. I'm an athlete and a dancer. I have a degree in Modern Dance. I've been dancing since the age of four, and I want to open my own dance studio. It has always been my desire to do. When that will happen, I don't know. I won't be doing the classes myself, but I will own it and help create the programs.

Chloé: Now I see where you get all this good energy from.

Terri: Listen, looking at my children, I knew I needed to provide for their future. Yes, I had a nine-to-five job. I'm a Physical Therapist. I was treating patients at the time, so I was always already coaching and into helping people. I was always saying things like, “Come on, two more steps," or "Just three more steps. Let's just get to the bedside.” I’d encourage people, whatever their goals were.

But it was my children that kept me going. I still wanted to be able to provide for my children, whether I was a single mom or not. That's where that energy came from. So they lacked nothing. I always heard a still, small voice: “You gotta go. You can do it. This is what you're supposed to do.” And I would look at my kids while they were sleeping, and just go to work, and get it done. That's where that energy comes from, even to this day. >

Terri, continued: My daughter, who's now going to the University of Central Florida—and she lives here at home—she'll come to me at eleven o'clock at night and she'll say, "You're still at your desk?" And I’m like, "Yep, and after this, I'm doing my workout, and I'm creating a video." She’ll say, “Mom, I'm so proud of you.”

Chloé: Terri, I know that you're into all the physicality of your body and you're sharing all your knowledge, and now it's starting to make sense to me—that you were an athlete and a dancer. Have you kept all of that going all these years—of being physical, moving, and dancing, and cheerleading and jumping off things—or did you leave it and then pick it back up in recent years?

Terri: I Never stopped. Once I graduated from high school and college, I went right into going to work for the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, Georgia, in their corporate fitness program. I taught their aerobics classes, and I personally trained their employees. I would go to their desks to make sure they were sitting the correct distance from the computer, and to see that they were ergonomically correct. Of course, there was low absenteeism, and great production for the company. Right?

I also worked at Healthworks, and did my thing there as well. And then I went from there to the Atlanta Human Performance Center, where Keith Evans is a physical therapist, right there in Atlanta still, and I was

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the manager of his fitness facility while he treated patients for physical therapy. It's important to be observant. I was thinking, "Well, I think I want to be a Physical Therapist," because I got a chance to see those patients come from the Physical Therapy clinic over to the fitness center that he owned, and he was rehabilitating them.

They were being rehabilitated!

Not only was I managing the facility, I was also teaching those classes. And I taught stretching classes, and Pilates, and all that great stuff, and I was hiring other fitness trainers to come in and train, too. >

Terri, continued: And then from there, I uprooted from Atlanta, and moved to Chicago. And I was pregnant, and had my kids, and was still teaching aerobics classes— it was called Cardio Funk. I taught those Cardio Funk classes at Lifetime with a pregnant belly. And people would be like, "This child here is not going to quit. She's the Energizer Bunny." And I even did it in Atlanta at Sports Life. It was called Sports Life at the time. There were classes with a hundred people packed in—Kevin and I were teaching those Cardio Funk classes.

I had my mother-in-law back there because she had a lot of energy, too. She was back there always jamming around, she never stopped. So being an athlete and a dancer is in my DNA. I will keep doing it. I always reference that in my social media. I'll say, “dance grit” or “do that dance” or “dancing with amazing choreography.” Because I believe our life is a dance.

Chloé: I love that. You say, “Life is a dance.” I say, “Life is a game and we ought to play it.”

Terri: Yes, Chloé! Press play now! Let's play and dance. Because really, every single step you take, every decision that you make, everything that goes on every day is "your dance" for the day.

Chloé: Tell me more about your father. With all his knowledge and coaching of others, was he debonair?

Terri: Oh, yes, Honey. He had to make sure before he left the house, that he was looking just right. He’d ask his wife, my mother, "How do I look?" And he'd say, "Fix this for me," and "How's my hair?" I mean, he had to make sure he looked dapper. I'm talking GQ. >

@sisters4selfcare

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Chloé: Based on the little bit that you'd shared and how you light up when you talk about him, I perceived that your dad was a sharp dresser and a refined man.

Terri: Yes, my father, Dr. George A. Jackson, was a sharp man—a sharp dresser, sharp in his presentations, eloquent, and very impactful. He and my mother, Dr. Clemmye Oliver Jackson, fought for Civil Rights and they were jailed. They stood up for what they believed in. I remember sitting in the audience listening to his speeches on several occasions. One evening, he was in the back of the room waiting to be introduced as the keynote speaker when one of the attendees came up to him and said, "Excuse me, sir, our table needs more water."

My father said, "OK, I'll get it for you." When he was introduced, he came up to the podium, with his dapper physique, and he eloquently shared how some people perceive and judge other people, and how their judgments can be inaccurate. And he pointed the woman out in the crowd. "That young woman there," he said, "asked me to get her table some water. She thought I was one of the servers tonight. But I'm your keynote speaker, and this is who I am." I was like, "Oh, my gosh, I'm so embarrassed for that woman."

But I understood it. He made a good point. My father was a man who paved the way for so many others. He always said, "Every single student can fly. Some just need a longer runway."

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Chloé: You’ve told me how much you admire your parents. In addition to your mother, who are other women you consider to be your role models?

Terri: I loved Cicely Tyson— the roles, the characters she played—and admired her petite stature. I love Oprah Winfrey and what she stands for—the fact that she was able to gather millions of women around the world together, to really grow together into something. She created a community. And that's what inspires me about Sisters4Selfcare, my business and the work I do. It's a community of women. And, when I watched Oprah, I saw more women, even though there were men were in the audience, too. >

Terri, continued: I just thought that she really wrapped her arms around the women. And now she's branched off into several beautiful things that she's doing in her role—and I so much admire who she is—she's just being authentic and real.

And that's what I love about working with women.

And for all people—I just want us to continue to be authentic. To be real and to tell the truth.

You sat down, and you had real live conversations.

I think we have gotten away from that. And so people got lost from who they really were, and there was nobody really empowering or pouring into them.

We all have a story to tell. We shy away from the stories that are embarrassing? That story matters.

It could even save a life.

Chloé: You know what I think the problem is, Terri? So many people don't know who they are, and they don't dig deep enough to find out. They walk through life with a good façade. They know something is missing, but they don't know how to put their finger on it, and they don't know how to start. It’s sad. I’ve been there.

Chloé: People often don't know how to love themselves, and this brings me to wanting to know more about Sisters4Selfcare. Are you coaching, training, and teaching women how to love and take care of themselves?

Terri: They don't, Chloé. And that's why they have us. To coach them. Right? Because we’ve been chosen to bring that out of them. Some people aren't even discovering who they are until they have reached middle age.

Terri: I teach women how to have a "Serenity Sanctuary" in their home. And what that means is loving themselves and taking care of themselves.

Most women believe that men bring them happiness. But you have to love yourself and make yourself happy first. One thing I do is encourage these women to take a trip.

Chloé: The truth is, it’s never too late. I believe some people don't experience self-discovery until late in life because so many of us don't talk about it openly. I believe we're expecting people to just know. But for instance, how would I have known if my cousin had not spoken some words and looked at me so lovingly? How would I have known if my aunt and uncle had not started telling me who I could be and who I could become?

Terri: And this is exactly why I’ve created Sisters4Selfcare, Chloé. It's about having real downhome-cooking conversations.

Chloé: I love that.

Terri: Yes, Chloé, the real downhome-cooking conversations. The reason why I say that is because I don't know if families are coming together for dinner on Sundays with all the food, the way we used to. The reason why it's called soul food is because it was food created from the soul, from the love of that person—to pour that nourishment into the family.

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I took myself to New York City. I took myself to see The Lion King—because I'm a dancer and I always wanted to go see that show. I gave myself the finest wine-and-dining experience I could have, alone—just for myself. I booked myself the most beautiful hotel suite with a view overlooking the whole city of New York. I walked in Central Park, journaled, and went to breakfast at Tiffany's.

Because I needed to have that experience—to tell myself, "You can be happy by yourself, and you can enjoy it." And that's exactly what I did.

I teach women how to have a Serenity Sanctuary within themselves. Take at least 30 minutes out of your week. Everybody's running ragged, running scared. They don’t dare say take a whole day. They say, “Oh, no, Coach Terri, I can't do a day. Can I break it up? Ten minutes here, and another ten there?” I say, “Oh, my God, can you run yourself some bath water at least?” I teach women how to make love to themselves. And they're like, “What is that? Oh, my gosh, do I need to get a toy?” >

Terri, continued: And I'll say, “You can get a toy if you want to!” Anyway, I tell them, “I'm going to teach you how to love yourself. That's running your bath water, touching your skin, moisturizing it, an so on.” I let them know that their skin is the largest organ of the body. You've got to take care of it, because as you start to age, it needs to be beautiful, pure, clear and vibrant. You've got to get sleep. So that's what I teach women. The women I have coached are now excelling. And some are becoming coaches themselves.

And I teach them that they need to "discipline their disappointment." It's not always roses. I got that from my dad. My dad told me, he said, “Baby girl, the people that you love the most will be the people who disappoint you the most. You're going to have to get over it, and you're going to have to discipline those disappointments.” That means taking a deep breath—and not acting out of emotion. Walking away. Journaling. Maybe you dance. Maybe you turn on music—hear your favorite song. Maybe you go eat your favorite fattening food—in moderation, of course. But truly, you've got to be able to discipline your disappointments.

It may mean calling your mom and telling her all about it. But first you might say, “I don’t want you to say nothing. No advice. I just want to say what I need to say and be done with it. OK?” Then you can let that be what it is. But you can't blame a person who disappoints you, because you're always going to love that person. You may have a little love lost that day, but learn how to discipline your disappointments.

Chloé: I saw that you were recently given an award because of your passion about heart disease. Share more about that.

Terri: I got that award based on my leadership in the workplace as a National Sales Trainer. I had no idea that I was being nominated in the minority culture of that organization. Heart disease is the number-one killer—it's taking us out of here every 36 seconds, Chloé. And that has been on my mind for years. With the American Heart Association, I was an Open-Heart Chair for a few years in Broward County, in South Florida—I never stopped being an advocate for heart disease awareness. >

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Designer

Gabriel Froid

The African Marquis

SARTORAL ELEGANCE He is young, Mauritian, and very passionate about fashion and culture. Gabriel Froid’s bold character adds to his colorful personality as he adopts bright colors to reflect his personal style, which shows the pride he expresses with his cultural accessories: Inspired by the Mauritian Cultural Hub, my goal is to create clothes that fit everyone irrespective of their age, gender, origin and sexual orientation. Fashion spans a global community that is meant to connect people— and The African Marquis is my new capsule collection which focuses on this connection. The African Marquis is an Afro-centric sartorial designer-wear brand, which I created two years ago. It's all about a celebration of life that goes beyond simple apparel. It is also a way to engage socio-politically—to make a statement that places emphasis on self-acceptance—in terms of skin color, hair style and personality. These values are incorporated in my designs to make my customers feel better in their own skin.

My signature style is derived from the art of exquisite, fine tailoring. My designs are inspired by the Congolese sapologie—in which the thirst for colors and prints is fully satisfied. We have perfectly fitted suits and shirts for both ladies and gentlemen, demonstrating how meticulous we are with the details.

When you buy The African Marquis, you feel chic, unique and elegant—and you realize that you are also investing in your wardrobe and your wellness. We focus on clothes as therapy in a timeless style. We'll help you redefine fashion culture and everything it means to you. > FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022 | 72

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The African Marquis

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The African Marquis

@african.marquis

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STAY FOCUSED AND EXTRA

Sparkly

A RELATIONSHIP PROGRAM FOR COUPLES FACILITATED BY CHLOÉ TAYLOR BROWN & RICK BROWN

A couple can have the greatest physical attraction for each other— with great sex, love, and respect—but their relationship can slip out of alignment.

Why? Because it's not about that alone. A sustainable, long-lasting, loving, fun, fulfilling relationship is about creating a shared vision, hope for the future, and aligned energy, flow and play.

But life happens, right? Couples shift, slip, fragment, and deplete their energy—and sometimes they crash and split apart when it appears that nothing in their relationship is working anymore.

At most, it's status-quo and robotic. It may even seem too hard and painful to continue.

What can couples do?

They can energize and enliven themselves by creating their own Sacred Marriage Mantra to align their relationship to thrive and flourish again—and maybe even for the first time.

MARRIED TO THE

MANTRA

#

MARRIED TOTHE MANTRA

CHLOÉ & RICK SHARE PERSONAL STORIES & LESSONS LEARNED WITH PROCESSES & STRATEGIES FROM CHLOÉ'S PEP COACHING TO HELP COUPLES CREATE SACRED MARRIAGE MANTRAS WHILE OFFERING DIVINE TRUTHS TO REALIGN, REESTABLISH AND REVITALIZE MARRIAGES AND ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS.

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#

MARRIED TOTHE MANTRA

7 STEPS TO KEEPING THE FUN IN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

Sacred Relationships

The couple starts by taking the Personal Excellence Profile (PEP) Assessment online

Each person gets a personal one-on-one PEP debrief with Chloé The 1st couple’s session with Chloé and Rick includes The Couple’s Debrief of combined PEP Assessments, as well as an introduction to the PEP yourSELF twelve-day program for couples, including a workbook and MP3 For the couple together: Twelve days of quick, fun activities for both to align and PEP yourSELF The 2nd couple’s session with Chloé: Review of the twelve-day PEP yourSELF activities and accomplishments, with an introduction to the Mantra Creation process and strategies The 3rd couple’s session with Chloé & Rick: Each person brings their finished personal Mantra to the table to review—which the couple uses to create their Sacred Marriage MANTRA Final couple's session with Chloé & Rick: Review the couple's second PEP Assessment, along with their thoughts, feelings, and goals, establishing a renewed outlook for their newfound coupledom.

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TRY THE PERSONAL EXCELLENCE PROFILE WHEEL. WHERE WILL YOU LAND?

C IN RE V A IN IS TU TI FL IO ITI VE UE NA VE N R TI Y A L

MASTERFUL HONORABLE EXPANSIVE EMPOWERING

RESPEC TF HOPEF UL U HELPFU L FRIEND L LY

L D YA IZE VE LO AN TI US RG EN IO O TT SC A N O C

WHOLE LOVING TRUTHFUL KNOWING

E LE BL AB TA ST UN E VE TI CO SAF UC AC TR NS CO

COMPE T PRODU ENT CTIVE CONFID TRUSTW ENT ORTHY

L FU T R E AN UL W D SF T PO BUN ES IEN A CC IC F SU UF S

LEVEL UP WITH PEP, ENERGY AND EXCELLENCE! GET THE WHOLE PROGRAM. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, ACTIONS, AND YOUR RESULTS IN 12 DAYS.

A COMPLETE DOWNLOADABLE, INTERACTIVE COACHING PROGRAM: INCLUDES THE PEP ASSESSMENT, WORKBOOK AND MP3 AUDIO

CHLOETAYLORBROWN.COM

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WE BLOSSOM AND BLOOM IN OUR OWN TIME AND IN OUR OWN WAY

Hey there, beautiful people!

My goal this season is to tell others: Stay true to your feelings! Be self-aware!

Create a good foundation for a better future.

Embrace the best version of yourself, and let your personality bloom.

I hope you took my advice last issue and made new friends. I hope you've been out with family, and that you're staying safe.

I pray that you and your family are well, and that you are gearing up to be the best you can be.

Remember: It's not the length of life, but the depth of life that matters. Let's flourish together.

Stay safe and keep blossoming. Until next issue!

Best wishes,

@flourishdigitalmagazine @sadiyah_adams FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM | SPRING 2022 | 82

#LETSFLOURISHTOGETHER

BE PRESENT. BE WELL. FLOURISHDIGITALMAGAZINE.COM

MENTAL WELLNESS MATTERS