One Busy Lady Magazine by One Busy Lady Magazine

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CONTENTS

July 2015

08 Make a Splash This Summer With These Tips for Indie Authors

As an author there are things one must do to establish their presence in the market. Check out these tips!

10 Summer Budgeting

A few budgeting tips for your summer fun that will keep you from having fall woes.

12 How To Find Your Summer Love

Learn how to beat the heat this summer, stand out in the crowds of flashy women, and find your summer love!

14 Inside The Ink With E.W. Brooks

22 10 Rules To Live By: Summer Sass Edition

17 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Comfortable

26 Summer Time . . . Are You Ready To Thrive!

A look into the life of Author, E.W. Brooks

Being comfortable can be our enemy in many aspects of life because often we will do whatever it takes to ensure that nothing changes in our lives.

20 A Beautiful Balanced Summer - Connecting the Body & Soul

How to maintain a balance of body and soul during the summer months.

10 Rules to apply to your summer.

Wrap your arms around summer time and refresh your body, mind and spirit!

31 GET P.O.S.H

Take a look into an incredible ministry that is enhancing the lives of disadvantaged women and young teens daily.

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ROBIN HARDY Writer

ROBIN STEVENS Writer

LORA WILLIAMS Writer

DIONNE M. LACKEY Writer

“Summer Time . . . Are You Ready To Thrive!” pg. 26

“Summer Budgeting” pg. 10

“Don’t Get Comfortable” pg. 17

“A Beautiful Balanced Summer - Connecting the Body & Soul” pg. 20

ELIZABETH GARLAND Writer

KATE PEREIRA Writer

“How To Find Your Summer Love” pg. 12

“GET P.O.S.H” pg. 31 *Kate Pereira is a regular writer for OBL, however this article wasn’t written by her, she wanted to use her platform and submit an article on behalf of GET P.O.S.H

E.W. BROOKS Writer

“Make A Splash This Summer With These Tips for Indie Authors” pg. 08 “Inside The Ink with E.W. Brooks” pg. 14

R.Y. SWINT Writer

“10 Rules To Live By: Summer Sass Edition” pg. 22

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Candice Kilgore Brand Ambassador & Editor One Busy Lady Magazine

My mission for One Busy Lady, is to bring together women from around the world so that we can share our experiences, life lessons, advice, and more! Together we can support, enlighten, and encourage each other. - Candice Kilgore One Busy Lady is the premiere digital magazine featuring pure unfiltered lifestyle, health, and beauty advice from top female entrepreneurs. With its plethora of articles on everyday business tips, life strategies, and inspiring success stories, One Busy Lady will soon become the survival guide for the everyday momtrepreneur and vibrant businesswoman. Take notes from experienced female entrepreneurs that have found the key to successfully juggling business and everyday life responsibilities all driven by their relentless pursuit of success.

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CANDICE’S CORNER

My Summer Survival Kit

GOOD LIPGLOSS . . . NOT THE CHEAP STUFF! Having lipgloss with me at all times is a must have!

A GOOD BB CREAM! I can get a flawless look and protect myself from the sun all at the same time! I love this stuff because it’s lightweight and has an amazing finish!

CUTE SHADES! Summer buns are the normal for me so I like to throw on cute shades and a pair of earrings to pull this super chill look together.

FLATS! FLATS! AND MO FLATS! With 3 kids ages 4, 8, and 12... need I say more when it comes to flats?

LONG LASTING GEL NAIL POLISH! This is an absolute must have for me! This gives me an option to save on manicure bills and do-it-myself! This stuff is long lasting! Paint and GO honey!

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MAKE A Splash THIS SUMMER with THESE TIPS FOR

INDIE AUTHORS

As an Indie author, it is key to monitor how you chose to spend advertising and promotion dollars. Concentrate on people with a large following and always ask yourself if the advertisement will pay for itself in sales or build your customer database.

Make a Splash in the Indie Book World this Summer With These Tips... Writing a book is a task that should be commended. The countless hours it takes to create a novel discourage many BUT if you’re “bout it” enough to get to the next step in the process; it is important to understand the things that should happen next. As an author there are things one must do to establish their presence in the market. Here are some tips:

Fall in LOVE with social media. It will be one of your best and least expensive allies. Creating Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages are a must. It is vital to connect with your target customer as often as you can. Once you have their attention. Keep them engaged with posts that include games, trivia, and general conversation. Your frans (friend+fan=fran) will want to know more about you. Know what you want to share. Stay consistent and KEEP IT

CLASSY. Join Other Groups! Virtually all genres of writing have Facebook groups. Don’t be afraid to join. Learn the rules of the group. Goodreads.com is also a great resource for listing your book. It offers a forum to connect with other authors and readers. They allow a free book giveaway for registered authors that provides a great way to connect with new groups. Goodreads forums

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also allow authors to ask each other questions. Sharing is a Good Thing Sharing is vital to the success of an author. Don’t be afraid to ask authors to swap likes, follow, reviews, and anything else that can be reciprocated. Share your book with some of your most loyal fans by gifting copies through Amazon (It still counts as a sale). Separate the business and the personal. As your fan base grows, more and more readers will want to connect with you. This is great, however it is important to decide how much personal information you are willing to share. Authors should consider creating a separate social media page for their work or adjusting their privacy settings when applicable. Watch Your Pennies Advertising is a pre-requisite for success. An author could write the best

book in the world and it will never be profitable if no one knows it’s there. As an Indie author, it is key to monitor how you chose to spend advertising and promotion dollars. Concentrate on people with a large following and always ask yourself if the advertisement will pay for itself in sales or build your customer database. Otherwise, it may not be the best use of your capital.

Author E.W. Brooks Facebook: facebook.com/ewbrooks Twitter: twitter.com/Mafiettaishere Instagram: instagram.com/ewbrooksbooks www.Mafietta.com E. W Brooks is the owner of E.W. Brooks Books and author of Amazon’s bestselling Mafietta series. Connect with E.W. today!

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$UMMER

Budgeting A

s we approach summer we often think of vacations. Time off from work, from school, from the everyday stresses of life. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what drives us to work so hard the other seasons of the year. And though summer is such a refreshing time to lay back and enjoy warm temperatures and the company of family and good friends, if we budget correctly, our summer with family and friends will be so much better and far less stressful. Below are a few budgeting tips for your summer fun that will keep you from having fall woes. KNOW YOUR TRUE FINANCIAL PICTURE A common mistake many people make is planning a vacation without acknowledging their true financial picture. If at the end of the month you barely have enough to buy groceries, why plan a huge vacation that will leave you bankrupt? Be realistic about the amount of money that you have that is available to plan and pay for a vacation. START A VACATION FUND One of the things I tell my clients is to save money in a vacation fund. We have Christmas funds and college funds, why

not a vacation fund. That way, you have a clear picture of the amount of money that is available for your vacation. USE THE WEB TO LOOK FOR HOTEL AND TRAVEL DEALS There are many travel resources you may use to look for that great vacation deal. Travelocity, Trip Advisor, Expedia are some resources that will give you the best price guarantee. Another great resource is Groupon that offers you discounts on everything from hotel rooms to local restaurants and local entertainment. Using these services helps you compare which vacation is best for your vacation buck. THINK ABOUT INVOLVING OTHER FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS TO SHARE EXPENSES Many of us like the idea of having our own couples vacation but there is nothing wrong with inviting others we are close to to come along with us. This can cut down on the expense of the hotel/suite, food and gas expenses depending on where you may be going. It may also afford you a larger suite or nicer vacation at a smaller expense.

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MAKE SURE TO SET ASIDE MONEY FOR UNEXPECTED EXPENSES Things happen and we must be aware of any unexpected expense that may come up. Be aware that most hotels will charge an incidental fee that is refundable as long as you didn’t incur any extra expense such as eating or drinking from the hotel room mini bar, etc. Also be aware of commute expenses such as bus, or cab rides. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET This can’t be stressed enough. Vacations are a time to relax but just because you see they have a bar in the hotel, or an available upgrade, does not mean there won’t be extra expenses. Many times there are and if you are not clear on the small print, or ask the right questions, you may find yourself spending more than you planned on. RESEARCH THE AREA OF YOUR UPCOMING VACATION FOR RESTAURANT AND ADVENTURE DEALS Check with your hotel upon arrival to see if they have any nearby adventures that are offered at a discount. Also check for restaurant coupons that may be offered as an incentive for staying at the

hotel. You can save anywhere from $3 to$10 depending on the adventure and the hotel. These can end up saving you money especially when you budgeted for them initially. HAVE FUN Regardless of whether your vacation is in the Dominican Republic or 30 minutes away, make the most of it and have fun. That’s what vacations are for. They are for us to refresh, renew, lay back, and enjoy ourselves so in all of your vacation planning and budgeting, make sure that at the end of it all, you enjoyed yourself immensely. Author Robin Stevens Facebook: facebook.com/robinastevens Twitter: twitter.com/playwright42 Instagram: instagram.com/playwright45 www.rhabirites.wix.com/rhabi-rites

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How to Find Your Summer Love Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time again, time for short shorts, sun dresses, wedges, and the beach. Summer usually also means winter romance has melted away, and good men seem to be a mirage. The heat finds women parched and willing to wear and do anything to quench their thirst. If you are not that type of woman, it may be frustrating competing with those who are as quick-serve as microwavable dinners. Some men love the quick and easy option, but you are not a frozen dinner, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to be one! You are

the soul food; you take care of yourself and know your worth. Only men of that same caliber are worthy of dining at your table. So how can you beat the heat this summer, stand out in the crowds of flashy women, and find your summer love?

romance with a handsome tall drink of lemonade or fantasying about the pool boy, but you must realize that these types of men are usually not going to commit to three more seasons. So what do you do in the heat of summer?

Many relationships are summer-only flings, because the booty shorts and the six-pack abs are in full effect, and temptation seems so sweet. There is nothing wrong with having a summer

Identify Your Wants It is important to identify whether you are looking for a summer fling or

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a long-term relationship. Once you’ve done that, you can start eliminating the men that will leave you sun burned and exhausted. If you are looking to begin a relationship, be careful when you see a man who has the perfect smile, nice eyes, never wears a shirt, and can easily engage in a conversation with ANY woman. These men are like flip flops. They are disposable, comfortable in the moment, make a lot of noise, and provide little support. A man who wants to take you on a date, have phone conversations, and is working, rather than just snapchatting you poolside with the homies is the type of man who may be looking for a longer relationship.

Identify Your Needs What are your relationship needs? There is a difference in needs and wants. Make a list of your needs and be realistic

ladies! Foot rubs and watching chick flicks should not be on the need list. Do you need a man who will support you, spend quality time with you, and make you laugh? It is essential to know what you need out of a relationship and never compromise on the things you absolutely need from a man.

Don’t Settle

want to go into that crisp, enchanting season dragging a bag of regrets.

Take Your Time Have you ever been fishing on a hot summer day? It takes time and patience. There are plenty of fish in the water. Don’t rush to find the right man; just be patient, and you will find the perfect catch. Take time to love yourself because

Women have a habit at settling or not listening to the little voice within that screams, “Girl, you are stupid!” We are all guilty—you know it’s true! We become so consumed in the calories of a man’s physical appearance that we forget to listen to our inner voice. Do not settle for that good-looking guy just because he is cute. That is a heat stroke waiting to happen. If a man is wrapped up in his own beach towel and doesn’t feed your emotional side—move on. Fall will be here before you know it, and you don’t

The heat finds women parched and willing to wear and do anything to quench their thirst. If you are not that type of woman, it may be frustrating competing with those who are as quickserve as microwavable dinners. Some men love the quick and easy option, but you are not a frozen dinner, so don’t try to be one! Author Elizabeth Garland Facebook: facebook.com/elizabeth.l.garland?fref=ts Instagram: instagram.com/elizabethlashay

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INSIDE THE INK WITH E.W. BROOKS “My Inspiration, my characters are a culmination of personalities, experiences, and just some of the crazy stuff I’ve seen on television or read in a newspaper.”

When I was around 6 or 7, I met Oprah Winfrey for the first time. I remember my grandmother carting me off to Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina. Someone she knew was having a birthday party. Well, it turns out the young lady they were celebrating happened to be turning 1oo years old AND Stedman Graham was her grandson. Attending Ms. Jacob’s birthday party at that fine house changed my view of the world forever. I remember standing feet away from Oprah Winfrey as she unfolded this fairly normal looking wallet and wrote out a check for a brand new Oldsmobile. There is a picture floating around somewhere of that moment and I’m still searching for it, but to watch this African American woman do this in my presence and standing so close that I could touch her, helped me realize that I could be a mogul as well. . . . soooo even though Stedman wouldn’t let her autograph my wrinkled piece of paper; I walked away knowing that I could be anything I wanted to be. That was my AHA moment. I took that spirit into my professional career and began to write a series of urban novellas that chronicled the love story of a couple who lived on the wrong side of the law. While many may have been offended by my use of words or thought

I perpetuated some stereotype; those that read my books quickly understood this series also followed a family looking to right their wrongs and make a clean go of it. My Inspiration My characters are a culmination of personalities, experiences, and just some of the crazy stuff I’ve seen on television or read in a newspaper. Ultimately, I share experiences that resonate with women from abuse to the happily ever after. For example think of how many friends you have that can relate to this everyday woman: Clarke, my main character, is the educated go getter who simply wants a man who can love her BUT pay his own way. She’s grown tired of the “scrub” and seeks a man of means wrapped up in a bad boy’s exterior. I am sure we all have at least one friend who’s gone through something like this, so my goal in writing the Mafietta series was to shed light on these situations but subtly provide a bit of comic relief and entertainment as this team of people fight to free their family from their drug dealing past. Writing the Mafietta series was never about glorifying drug dealing. It was always about showing the evolution of a family establishing legitimate wealth despite their seedy past. It Doesn’t Stop There It wasn’t enough for me to just write books that recounted the single woman’s

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nightmare because some people just don’t read, but I knew my work was entertaining and I knew it could fit in the landscape of today’s programming. That left me to figure out a way to bring Mafietta to an even larger audience and Mafietta TV was born. We shot the sizzle reel for the concept last August and we’ll be filming a full length feature this Fall. I Want It All If you walk down my hallway, it is lined with vision boards. I have a process. First, I create one and once I accomplish the goals I’ve set; I take it out of the living room and add it to the hallway collection. I am working on a new one right now to replace the one I just moved. Understanding the importance of multiple revenue streams was important to my sustainability as a stay at home Army Wife, mother, and college student. This led me to create a company to give voice to the urban writer. I have two authors with material available on Amazon and my online bookstore. I also have two additional authors with material coming out in July. Finding the balance wearing all of these hats and spending more time mentally secluded from my family led me to establish boundaries early on.

For example, Tuesday is date night and Wednesday is family night. I work late on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Setting these limits help me to do all of the things I do and still be WIFE and MOMMY. Author E.W. Brooks Facebook: facebook.com/ewbrooks Twitter: twitter.com/Mafiettaishere Instagram: instagram.com/ewbrooksbooks www.Mafietta.com E. W Brooks is the owner of E.W. Brooks Books and author of Amazon’s bestselling Mafietta series. Connect with E.W. today!

There is a picture floating around somewhere of that moment and I’m still searching for it, but to watch this African American woman do this in my presence and standing so close that I could touch her, helped me realize that I could be a mogul as well. . . .

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DON’T GET

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comfortable As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? —Psalm 42:1–2

Being comfortable is such a great feeling. Whether I’m sitting, lying down, or working, I will adjust everything around me in order to get comfortable. I will do whatever it takes to create a place of comfort. But being comfortable can be our enemy in many aspects of life because often we will do whatever it takes to ensure that nothing changes in our lives. One thing that I have learned throughout my walk with God is that the greatest opportunities follow major changes. In my prayer time, God has said to me, “I will make you uncomfortable so that you will move on to the next place.” In response, I have thought, “Really, God? Is that what it will take for me to continue to walk through new doors of opportunity?” Honestly, it’s in those moments that I feel a stirring in my heart and desire more of God. I become so uncomfortable with where I was in that season. Now, I seek God much more than I did that last season or year. I’ve begun to hunger for more knowledge, understanding, revelation, and education. My prayers, my expectations, my dreams, and my

vision for my life have exceeded even my own expectations. I believe that uncomfortable places will birth new things in our lives if we tap into God’s heart concerning our lives. If you come to understand that God has more in store for you, then what He has will exceed your expectations. I pray that you don’t get comfortable with where you are in life. Dream again, get hungry, and expect more to be discovered inside of you. The best place of worship is one that will cause you to be hungry. That hunger will cause you to seek God, become a student of the word, and position yourself in His presence. It’s the feeling of thirst that pushes us to get a drink. It’s the empty feeling of hunger that pushes us to get food so that we will be full. That uncomfortable feeling should cause you to spend time with God. Ask Him, “Is there more? If so, Lord, show me more of You, more of what You have in store for me.”

Arise Moment I pray that you will become uncomfortable with where you are, that you will seek God in a way that you haven’t before, that you will have the boldness to ask God what’s next, and that you will be patient enough to hear His answer with trust and expectation. He isn’t finished with you. Don’t let age, gender, race, or origin be an excuse or a hindrance. Be comforted by the knowledge that He knows you by name and He is ready to bring you to a new place in Him. Author, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker Lora Williams Facebook: facebook.com/lora.williams3 www.loradwilliams.com

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A Beautiful Balanced Summer – Connecting the Body & Soul

When we think of balance, the first thing that comes to mind is “even” or “equal on both sides”. As the seasons change, are we taking the necessary steps in feeding our body and soul to maintain a holistic balance, while enjoying all that the summer season has to offer? Many believe summer is probably the healthiest season there is. Why? Well, it’s because we have a tendency to take time off for vacations and really slow down our everyday hectic lifestyles for a more relaxed stress-free zone. It’s also a time where we naturally gravitate towards eating more fresh foods, spending quality time outdoors, increasing our physical activity and simple enjoying that natural source of Vitamin D (the sun). While it’s almost second nature to take care of the body, how well are we nourishing the soul during this time? The cooler seasons make it easy to find time to focus on our inner being, but because we are on the move during the summer months, it’s easy to get side-tracked from that quiet time with the Creator and refresh our souls. Use the summer months to deepen your spiritual awakening. Even in the midst

of vacation, select a place that provides time to read, relax, contemplate, and breathe. Here are a few ways to maintain a balance of body and soul during the summer months:

Enjoy the outdoors What a great time to take advantage of God’s Creation during this peak season. Sitting on the patio in the morning to meditate or going on a prayer walk around your neighborhood are great ways to stay balanced and connected. You can also channel your summer energy into a sunset walk with your spouse instead of working extra hours at the office.

Listen to your body The first step in achieving long-lasting balance and staying connected is to simply be aware of yourself. The more we pay attention to our habits and thoughts, the more likely we are to make healthy decisions for ourselves. Be aware of how your body moves and how you feel in the movement.

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Define your priorities Are there spiritual habits that draw you closest to God? Maybe reading a chapter a day in your Bible, reading a devotional, writing in your journal, meditation, fasting or giving back. Make those habits a priority, even if they need to look different in the summer.

Be fully present We live in such a fast paced society that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re constantly moving, thinking or planning. Over the summer season, see if you can take time to simply be. Take a moment to press pause. Stop contemplating the future or dwelling on the past, and simply see how present you can be to truly enjoy your

surroundings in this flourishing season.

Unplug and connect with family and friends Winter is the time to hibernate and hide behind your computer, whether catching up on work or social media, but summer is the time to shut off the laptop and put the phone away for a while. Your body and soul will thank you for making a conscious effort to truly connectâ&#x20AC;ŚEnjoy a beautifully balanced summer. Author Dionne M Lackey Facebook: facebook.com/WINwithDionne Twitter: twitter.com/thewellnessxp Instagram: instagram.com/thewellnessxperience/ www.TheWellnessXperience.com

Listen to your body. The first step in achieving long-lasting balance and staying connected is to simply be aware of yourself.

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10 RULES

TO LIVE BY:

SUMMER SASS EDITION

At some point in life, we finally get the good sense enough to pay attention enough to learn lessons that ultimately serve us throughout the rest of our lives. Those lessons become rules, and those rules become guides. Although these particular 10 rules actually apply to my life year round, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve polished them a little bit for some extra summer sass.

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F*ck dieting. I was having a conversation with my best friend a couple of weeks ago. She looks marvelous, and lives an uber-healthy lifestyle, which happens to include counting calories and a rigorous exercise routine. I love her and admire her, and those like her, but for me? No. I’m retired from over 25 years in the U.S. Army. I just have no longer the desire to do self-deprivation or rigid life restrictions. The Army has sucked all of the restrictive weight-watching, body fat-monitoring, height-weight checking out of me that I will ever do for the rest of this life. The rest of my life is for living as I see fit. Or unfit. Period. Of course, with whatever you eat, there is no harm is exercising moderation, but let it be of your own discernment, not of the will and discretion of someone else. A healthy diet with an intake of nutritious and satisfying foods is my ultimate goal, but thanks to good genes and the grace of God, I have also the luxury, even in my 40s, of maintaining excellent cholesterol and blood pressure levels. I Atawhat ipiderferumMandit eat I want, and I encourage others firium ciem etiam igilicam, tonostri, do the as much as and as often dan same, Catus Mae as you can afford to do so. I can’t go hungry. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting here right now, thinking about what I’m going to eat tomorrow. And if ask me if I’m worried about a swimsuit or special sundress for my summer vacation, the answer is no. Buy stuff that fits. Too easy.

Don’t date men who don’t read.I fell face-planted into a pile of manure in love with a man who readily admitted that he didn’t enjoy reading. He even thought it was funny. I should’ve run far, far away. Regardless of how good he looked in swim trunks, boxer briefs, or jaybird naked. And believe me when I tell you he looked good. I learned that not every fling is meant to be indulged, especially at the risk of scorching brain cells trying to survive it. Consider this. People who don’t read demonstrate painfully poor attention spans and comprehension skills,

struggle with semantics and context, are excessively argumentative, and are ultimately poor communicators, and poor communication is a death knell to relationships. There’s nothing to say that you won’t find these same failings in a person who does read, but illiteracy is not appealing once the new wears off. There’s a popular meme circulating about not spending “quality time” with a person who has no books in his home. Take it.

People sacrifice willingly for the people and things that matter. Short and simple: Don’t sustain yourself on the stated or implied intentions of others. Pay attention to actions, especially the ones that required effort, energy, and sacrifice. Nothing in life is all play and no work, even in the summer, but take this for what it’s worth. If you get stood up, put off, dropped off early more than once, then that’s plenty of notice that you’re not a priority, and should consider reevaluating yours, including the company you seek to keep.

Fear is for the back pocket. Don’t hesitate to live because you’re afraid of dying. Discernment and caution are useful tools. Fear and trepidation are natural inclinations that temper our reasoning and judgment, but to be ruled by one’s fear is restrictive, and can serve to suffocate you rather than protect you.

Always give the best of yourself, when it comes to children. Whether you work with children, live with children, have your own children, or see random children in passing, children are everywhere in the summer. Whether or not they grow exponentially in number between June and September, they just are. In any case, be kind to them. Be responsive. Be the guardian, protector and nurturer that future leaders of this world need. Children are always worth our choices to sacrifice time, money, energy. Even after a long day, genuinely smile at a child, whether you feel like it or not.

No manicure is worth more than $15. I don’t need sea salt, paraffin, gel overlays or special dips. Give me the Palmolive treatment. Take this $10 ($15 max), buff and polish me, and let

me go. I’ll see you in two weeks. And if I’m doing the mani-pedi combo, $40 is the max. My hands nor feet know the difference between, regular, spa, or deluxe treatments. My wallet deserves the same courtesy.

Always pack a snack. You’d be surprised how long, even short trips can be when you’re hungry. Trust me on this one. Take snacks. I prefer any snack that is individually wrapped or packaged and travels well. Fruit snacks, sunflower seeds are winners for me.

Drink water. Stay hydrated. With actual water. Drink it. A lot. As a matter of fact, pack some water with your snacks, and take it with you.

If you get a chance, take a nap. Dead is not resting. Get rest that you can enjoy, and wake up refreshed. This may be a no-brainer, as I have yet to meet a grown person who doesn’t love and appreciate naps, but it’s here, just in case.

10.

Sunscreen is your friend. And speaking of just in case, yes, ladies. All people, including black people, melanin-enriched, POCs (People of Color) get sunburned, are susceptible to sun damage, and do need to protect ourselves from whatever harm that the UV rays are dishing out. Real sunscreen, not baby oil or Vaseline. My personal preference is SPF 70.

Author, Blogger, Entreprenuer Regina (R.Y.) Swint Facebook: facebook.com/ryswint.author Twitter: twitter.com/ryswint www.ryswint.com

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re you ready to wrap your arms around summer time and refresh your body, mind and spirit? Summer is a great time to spend reflecting and refreshing yourself before the holidayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come rushing at us. As women we are often out of balance because we are always busy taking care of everyone else and everything else, we forget to maintain our balance. When we are out of balance we find ourselves getting sick, irritated, frustrated and in some cases even depressed. In order to take care of all that we manage each day it is important to keep our mind, body and spirit in balance. Sometimes it is a simple shift that will balance us out and other times we need a full refresh. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with 10 things you can do to balance in each of the areas:

Get quiet. Find a place in your home and create a special quiet spot. This is a space designed for you only and family knows if you enter that space to allow you the time to regenerate. In this space place things you love (photos, blankets, flowers, journal, relaxing music, etc). Make sure you have a comfortable place to sit. Each day spend 10-30 minutes in YOUR quiet space relaxing, not running through your head that list of what needs to be done. You can close your eyes, do some breathing exercises...just relax.

Take a walk. Taking a 15-30 minute walk will refresh you, no cell phone calls on the walk just you and nature. Walk at a slow to moderate pace and enjoy the nature around you. If you love to sing, sing a song while you walk.

3. Stretch your body. This is important especially if you sit all day behind a computer screen. When you are feeling fatigued or irritated, stand and stretch. This will help release some of the tension from your body by spending 5-10 minutes each day stretching. If you love yoga this is a great place to try a few stretching poses as well.

4. Drink water. Our bodies are mostly made of water, so in order to keep it running we have to add water into it. No, soda is NOT water. I like to add some lemon to my water, it adds a little flavor to it, plus the smell of lemon is rejuvenating.

Eat whole foods. When I say eat whole foods it means to eat things as they grow. For example your food choices should contain only one ingredient, a strawberry should

Summer Time... Are you ready to THRIVE!

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be just strawberry. Basically stay away from processed (per made/packaged) foods. When we eat processed foods all the chemicals in them can affect our body and brains in a negative way. Select vegetables that are fresh or frozen fresh, that way you are not getting the chemicals from canned or processed ones. I usually dish up a plate that is 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 protein. If you eat a lot of fast food, try cutting back a meal or two a week. You will find you feel more and more amazing by eating something you made over a hamburger from a fast food joint.

6. Pray. There is something about

seeking God when you need balance that is totally amazing. I often will ask God what He wants me to do, sometimes it is changing direction and sometimes it is to be still. I love going before God because He already knows what I need, so if the prayer is silent I am still covered since He knows what is off balance. Sometimes in our weeping God’s hand will comfort us, which releases whatever the issue was that held us back. Basically let go and let God.

7. Exercise. Exercise is the best way

to combat depression. Get up and get moving. Exercise can help balance out the mind and the body. Keep it moderate while you are re-balancing yourself and remember to stretch before and after. I personally love boxing workouts. They re-energize me and I feel so empowered at the same time. For fun you could even get yourself a pair of bright pink boxing gloves to use while you workout. I use my Wii Fit for boxing and I love it.

8. Music. You know the old saying

“music soothes the savage beast?” It is true by listing to worship or a upbeat

instrumental music (it is okay to sing along with it) the mind, body and spirit will come back into balance.

Remember: Healthy Mind + Healthy Body + Healthy Spirit = A Healthy Life!

They have done tests at NASA around the impact of music can bring to those totally stressed out. They found that music can release stress and increase productivity. Probably why some of us like to work with music, we are calmer and more focused.

9. Positive Affirmations. How many

times a day are you hard on yourself? How many times have you used really negative words to describe yourself? Time for that to shift! Grab a marker and some post-its or index cards, and write positive words on them that you will place all around your home and desk. Put them in drawers you open daily, on the bathroom mirror, in your car, in your wallet....etc. Then repeat the daily when you see them. Use words like: “I am enough”, “I am beautiful”, “I will choose joy”, etc. Always start it with “I am”, or “I will.” You have to own it and say it like you mean it...out loud! After time you will begin to believe it and live it daily.

10.

Laugh. Laughter is the best medicine! When you laugh you engage endorphin’s which in turn help you heal and balance your mind, body and spirit. Watch a comedy and laugh out loud, meet with some friends and tell jokes. My laughter comes from my dogs, they do some of the craziest things that make me laugh. Just laugh, laugh from your belly! Then listen to your body, it will tell you what is out of balance and then take action to restore the balance. We have to practice self-care so we can be of service in our lives where we are called to serve. What is your body telling you today?

Author, Motivational Speaker, Mentor Robin Hardy Facebook: facebook.com/healthymindsetcafe Twitter: twitter.com/RobinHardy Instagram: instagram.com/hardy.robin www.robinhardy.net

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W W W . H I R E M Y L I F E C O A C H . C O M

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GET P.O.S.H.

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P.O.S.H is an acronym for Positioned and Ordered Steps by Him and is based on the scripture found in Psalms 37:23-26.

What does P.O.S.H mean? Positioned and Ordered Steps by Him P.O.S.H is an acronym for Positioned and Ordered Steps by Him and is based on the scripture found in Psalms 37:23-26. Positioned by God- From faith to fashion, He has placed us in perfect position to be a witness to others in how we represent His kingdom. Ordered and Ordained-Our destiny has been pre-determined. By studying His word we are able to define and fulfill our destinies. Steps- Our steps are ordered by God and He is delighted to see us walk in them. Him- We are made in His image and are made complete and whole by embracing what His word says about who we are.

Meet Sheila Walls, a kind, compassionate and fabulous human being. Did I also mention talented and determined? Get P.O.S.H Ministry, Inc. was founded by this dynamite women’s empowerment enthusiast. She is dedicated to enhancing the lives of disadvantaged women and young teens. Sheila leads a team of volunteers that share in her vision and desire to use their talents to serve the women in need.

Get P.O.S.H. empowers women through the ministry of beauty! They provide beauty and wellness services for free or at low cost to women who are underprivileged and in impoverished situations. They collaborate with non profit organizations, community programs, local churches and schools to expand our reach and become directly involved in the lives of these women.

Often times it is hard for women who are experiencing financial hardships to see herself as beautiful. Her self-esteem is destroyed by the many obstacles and issues she’s facing. Statistics show: • Girls today are prone to low selfesteem. 78% admit that it is hard to feel good in school when you do not feel good about how you look. • Three-fourths of girls with low selfesteem engage in negative activities,

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such as disordered eating, bullying, smoking or drinking. • One of the main factors in teen promiscuity is self-esteem • Only 2% of women think they are beautiful • 90% of all women want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance. Statistics also have shown that just by receiving a simple makeover and a little pampering her confidence will soar! Our vision is to see every woman feel better, feel more empowered and ready to go out into the world and achieve her dreams Last month Get P.O.S.H. had the joy of teaching a group of teens at ACH Services about skin care and makeup. Teenagers who have been victims of abuse and possibly victims of human trafficking! A Posh Clinic provided them with new tools necessary to learn how to love themselves again and a course on how to “properly” wear makeup for everyday. Simple things that we take for granted but has been stolen from them. It is no secret how vital having a healthy self-esteem is for success in life. Our Posh Girl’s Workshop in April turned into a workout! Fitness Trainer Shonda Dombrowsky (Restored to Fitness)

joined our teen girls ages 13-17 and taught about fitness and nutrition as we did a quick Zumba class! This monthly event builds self esteem in teen girls; opening up their ability to reach for higher goals and become a productive part of the communities in which they live. This Summer we will launch our first Fit2ReLease Bootcamp which will include a balloon release celebration! We are partnering with fitness trainer Ivorie Ford of Performance Experience and surrounding ministries and nonprofits to come together for a morning of fitness and then… Release! Log onto our website for details about the Fit2ReLease Boot camp Celebration coming in August 2015!

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Statistics also have shown that just by receiving a simple makeover and a little pampering her confidence will soar! Our vision is to see every woman feel better, feel more empowered and ready to go out into the world and achieve her dreams.

All of this, and so much more, is only possible because of God. Yet YOU play a huge role in it as well. Please visit our website and connect with us via Facebook and Twitter to learn how you can partner with us . Together, we continue to see Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand guide us as we build self-esteem in women and teen girls; empowering them to become all that God called them to be!

Sheila R Walls, Founder & Executive Director Get POSH Ministry Facebook: facebook.com/getposhmministries Twitter: twitter.com/GetPoshMinistry Instagram: instagram.com/GetPoshMinistry www.getposhministry.org

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