Powerful Women Today FALL 2023 Issue

Powerful Women TM Today Magazine EST 2023 | Vol 4 | FALL 2023

Publisher Carolina M. Billings Editorial Director & Content Curator Rosie J. Etson Creative Director & Multi-Media Strategist Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C.Graphic Design Subscriptions

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Publisher’s Note.........................................................................................................................................4 Feature: Letting Go, Gratitude, and Detoxifying Body, Mind, & Spirit...........................................8 Tech Bytes.................................................................................................................................................12 Intro to Google’s BARD..........................................................................................................................14 7 Reasons to Love Charcuterie ............................................................................................................18 5 Clever Ways to Avoid Having to Deal with Objections When Making Your Offers.............. 20 7 Tips for Building Your Personal & Executive Brand.................................................................... 22 Sirens, Hags, & Rebels: Halloween Witches Draw on the History of Women’s Power............ 24 Detox for the Body, Mind, & Spirit..................................................................................................... 28 The 12 Things to Say in Your Speaker Proposal Letter That Will Get You Booked.................. 30 Hacking by QR Code.............................................................................................................................. 34 Why “Command & Control” Leadership No Longer Works............................................................ 36 The Ugly Truth Why AI Bots Are Mostly Female.............................................................................. 40 Fractional C-Suite: You Too Can Afford Designs for Your Business by a Professional Creative Director.................................................................................................................................... 44 Let’s Not Forget Our Mentors.............................................................................................................. 46 You are Not Starting Over. You Are Starting Better!...................................................................... 48 The Neuroscience of Gratitude: It’s Real!........................................................................................ 50 Powerful Women in Her story............................................................................................................. 52 16 Days of Advocacy............................................................................................................................. 54 Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs: Embracing Technology................................................................. 56 4 Reasons to Keep Your Money Separate After Marriage............................................................ 58 Unlocking the Power of Gratitude: 10 Benefits for Introvert Achievers................................... 62 Detoxing from a Toxic Marriage: Negotiating Divorce & Custody with a Narcissist............... 64 Featured Interview: Leona Krasner.................................................................................................... 66 Featured Interview: Sallie Wagner..................................................................................................... 70 How Are You So Busy?.......................................................................................................................... 72 Embracing Liberation: A Journey of Gratitude, Letting Go, & Spiritual Detox......................... 74 Lets Talk Trademarks............................................................................................................................. 76 Fall Cleaning: Declutter, Detox & Renew Your Power................................................................... 78 Creative’s Note....................................................................................................................................... 82 Be Careful Who You Trust Online...................................................................................................... 84 Letting Go & Finding the Path to Gratitude: A Psychologist’s Perspective............................... 86 Editor’s Note............................................................................................................................................ 88 In Her Own Words.................................................................................................................................. 94 I’m Too Busy To Thinking of My Future... No Rush Anyway, I’ve Got Time................................. 98 Indoctrinated: Chapter 12................................................................................................................... 100 Hemp Changing Your Mind/ Body Experience................................................................................. 106 Cultivating Gratitude for a Renewed You......................................................................................... 108 Clarity of Mind = Clarity of Purpose.................................................................................................. 110 Has Your Life Become Difficult to Digest?........................................................................................ 112 Innovators You Want to Know............................................................................................................ 114 Powerful Women Today Magazine

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mbracing The Beauty of New Beginnings Let go of the past. Until you can actually mentally strengthen yourself to move forward, you won’t benefit from what new beginnings can bring you. Sometimes letting go may not seem right. Forgiving ourselves may be the hardest thing to do. Ironically a quote from Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance has become one of my incantations whenever I find myself having a hard time letting go.

“Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future” New beginnings bring endless possibilities. Even if you’ve always been a creature of habit, moving into an optimistic space for change fosters openmindedness and confidence.

Change is inevitable. But, how we cope with it makes all the difference. Sometimes, you deserve something so magical that coming up with your ideal scenario is not good enough. Let the story unfold and see what surprises and goodness life has in store for you in these new beginnings.

As you embark on new beginnings, the best way to keep yourself on track is to create new goals.

Having a process in place with well-defined ideas of what you hope to accomplish will make you more likely to achieve them. Knowing what you actually want in life is an important step to getting it. Plus, it guides you on your journey, when you set timelines to keep you accountable.

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It is wise to remember that knowing what you do not want can be equally if not more important than what you think you want.

So, make a list of the goals you hope to achieve for your new beginnings. You might include goals regarding your happiness, financial situation, health, and other things that help ensure you’re happy and in control of the next chapter in your life.

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How to FALL in love with Change Excerpt by Dr. Carolina M. Billings

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t’s that time of year again. The time of looking ahead, of either envisioning and celebrating of what’s to come or bracing and dreading the untold stories of the future. We’re at the cusp of something new- are you ready for it?

resistance fully. Feelings alone do not have to dictate behavior. They are simply natural responses to the stimuli in your world.

Practice identifying your feelings. Journal about them. Say them aloud. Make friends with them. Know that feelings are not good or bad. The more you can practice taking a neutral stance towards intense emotions, the less ‘control’ they will have over you.

Maybe you’re a bucket-list aficionado who’s already outlined next year’s adventures with a pen, paper, and non-refundable flight tickets.

Or, perhaps, you’re steadfast in your antiresolution position- and you’ve proudly let the 3. Focus On What Expands world know about your firm belief.

When change occurs, we often experience Whichever your stance, new beginnings inevitably dread or anxiety because our attention bring some change. What about if you detest fixates on what we’ll lose. And, of course, the idea of change? What if you feel bewildered the concept of loss is a painful one. We work by the people who can seemingly embrace and hard for the people and things we have, and even thrive in changing climates? If either of the threat of their absence can haunt us. these apply, our Fall issue is the guide for you.

The more you focus on what expands as a Let’s unpack the five critical tips to reflect on result of a change, the more peaceful you’ll Letting Go, Gratitude and Detoxing our Body, feel. For example, let’s say you’re about to start a new job. Maybe you feel anxious and Mind, and Spirit. insecure. Perhaps, you doubt if you should have resigned from your last role.

1. Understand And Embrace: Permanence through Impermanence.

What if you could shift your focus on what you’re gaining- like a new challenge, room While some people think resilience is fixed for growth, or higher earning potential? and innate, there are actually many ways to What if you could focus on how your life is cultivate this strength including: expanding as a direct result of the change?

How different would you feel?

• Making strong and genuine connections • Seeking viable opportunities for growth 4. Harness Your Self-Care • Developing and obtaining realistic goals Change can disrupt our daily routines. We • Maintaining a positive and optimistic may sacrifice our diets, lose sleep, withdraw outlook from our friends, and neglect our hobbies.

• Acting confidently and decisively • Identifying your locus of control in difficult While self-care may seem like a luxury, it’s a fundamental part of coping with change. situations Without it, we risk burnout, resentment, and both physical and psychological problems.

2. Lean Into The Uncomfortable Feelings Change is scary. Most people say they fear the unknown. However, it’s more accurate to Self-care doesn’t need to be time-consuming assume that we fear the worst-case outcome, or expensive to be effective. It can be as the inevitable crises and wild catastrophes our simple as taking yourself out for a cup of coffee or indulging in a favorite movie. The minds create. more you can foster and honor your selfRather than judging yourself for the feelings, esteem, the more capable you’ll feel in allow yourself to experience the fear, anger, and navigating change.

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5. Practice Acceptance Of course, change isn’t always positive.

Financial crises and natural disasters occur.

Unexpected illness and death happen. In the blink RI DQ XQVXVSHFWLQJ H\H ZH FDQ ĆQG RXUVHOYHV grappling with intense and inconceivable trauma.

When dramatic and difficult change happens, the answer to coping eventually comes down to acceptance. Know that you don’t have to like what happened. However, to heal, you must commit to accepting that it happened- and that you will need to cope with it.

Acceptance may not be an overnight process.

However, you can accept that you’re willing to accept the situation when the time is ready.

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Tech Bytes

by Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C. Graphic Design

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hether you love technology, hate technology, or have an “it’s complicated” relationship with technology – one thing is for certain: technology is an ever–changing, evolving, and growing part of everyday life.

As a business owner, I’ve chosen to take a dive into the deep end and explore all angles of AI (artificial intelligence) and technology.

I use ChatGPT or Bard or another AI bot in my business almost every single day.

Here are some of the ways I embrace utilizing technology to help me leverage my efforts in what I do daily:

Y 5HĆQH H[LVWLQJ FRQWHQW Y Tighten up social media posts.

Y Generate ideas for social media posts.

Y Generate ideas for email messages.

Y Product descriptions Y Content creation (blogs, promo, etc.)

Y Competitor/ Market Analysis These are just a few ways that an AI bot can help in various areas of business. I have chosen to embrace the concept that AI isn’t here to replace me… it’s here to help me be better. To show up better. It helps me to be better, it helps me leverage my leverage.

As with everything that has come down the pipeline that replaces former systems or tech, we have known… this too will enhance our experience and make it better, if we embrace and allow it.

Consider the trajectory of music - from the 8-track being replaced by the record… being replaced by the cassette tape… being replaced by the CD… being replaced by streaming services… It all comes full circle.

Whether we choose to embrace it or not, technology continues to grow and morph, and we can utilize it or not… we can propel our businesses forward or be left behind. It’s a choice, and I’ve chosen to fully embrace it and the future ahead with bright-eyed eagerness.

Entrepreneurial visionary Dortha Hise, Chief Overwhelm Solver at Pretty Smart, amplifies success. Director at Summit, she melds triumph and adventure for transformative growth.

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Intro to Google’s BARD

by Jiri Medlen and Rushil Jaiswal

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ard is currently Google’s experimental, conversational AI chat service which takes its information from the web, which is the most VLJQLĆFDQW GLIIHUHQFH LW KDV IURP &KDW *37 (Sharma, 2023). As Bard is on the rise, it would be nice to know the different ways Bard would help society advance and the pros and cons it possesses. There are many questions that people would have about it and concerns that may arise as well and the goal is to address all of them. :KHQ ZH ĆUVW VHDUFK ê*RRJOH %DUGë RQ *RRJOH more than 150 million results pop up, including a claim from ZDNET mentioning the controversy that Bard holds due to the actual performance of the chatbot, also leading to lots of negative feedback. ZDNET (Ortiz, 2023) also had an experience where “Bard also failed to answer basic questions, had a longer wait time, didn’t automatically include sources, and paled in comparison to more established competitors.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai called Bard ‘a soupedup Civic’ compared to ChatGPT and Bing Chat.”

Google also switched their language models from LaMDA to PaLM 2 which reduced a lot of the issues that Bard faced (Ortiz, 2023). Next, we will try it out; navigate to bard.google.com and use your email to create an account. There is a possibility that you would have to be placed on the waiting list however once you get your account, we can begin.

First, a simple question: Who are you?

Y I will use my knowledge to answer

your questions in a comprehensive and informative way, even if they are open ended, challenging, or strange.

Y I will generate different creative text formats of text content, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, email, letters, HWF , ZLOO WU\ P\ EHVW WR IXOĆOO DOO \RXU requirements.

Y Today is June 5, 2023. What can I do for you today?

It gives us a very detailed response which is a lot more than we would expect with that simple question. Next question: Q: Introduce yourself.

We can continue the dialog to get more details about the subject of interest.

Q: How large is your training data set?

Q: When did Google launch Bard?

Q: What technology is Bard using?

Q: Is Bard based on a neural network?

Furthermore, we can continue the dialog until our goal gets accomplished.

Bard is a large language model and is a conversational AI or chatbot that is trained with a dataset of 1.56 trillion words and has public dialogue data as well as web text. It can communicate and create human-like responses to a multitude of prompts as well as questions.

Bard uses Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2), which is a large language model (LLM). LLMs are a type of neural network that are trained on a massive amount of text data. However, due to Bard still being under development, it has a number of limitations.

Answer: I am Bard, a large language model, also known as a conversational AI or chatbot trained to be informative and comprehensive.

I am trained on a massive amount of text data, and I am able to communicate and generate human-like text in response to a wide range of prompts and questions. For example, I can provide summaries of factual topics or create stories. I am still under development, but I have learned to perform many kinds of tasks, These limitations include: including:

Y I will try my best to follow your instructions and complete your requests thoughtfully.

Y It is not always accurate Y It is not always creative Powerful Women Today Magazine

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Y It is not always safe Y It is not always interpretable It is encouraged that individuals further explore Bard by asking additional exploratory questions, such as how can Bard help me, and how can Bard help children to more effectively learn academic material? It might be interesting to look at ChatGPT for a comparison (Medlen & Medlen, 2023).

Final question: How can Bard empower women?

References: Medlen, J., & Medlen, P. (2023, March 30). Powerful Women Today Magazine Spring 2023. Issuu. https://issuu.com/powerfulwomentoday/docs/pwt_ springissue_978-1-7388840-2-5/40 Sharma, G. (2023, February 28). ChatGPT vs Bard A critical comparison between both the AI chatbots.

TechGig. https://content.techgig.com/technology/ chatgpt-vs-bard-a-critical-comparison-between-boththe-ai-chatbots/articleshow/98298018.cms Ortiz, S. (2023). What is Google Bard? Here’s everything you need to know. ZDNET. https://www. zdnet.com/article/what-is-google-bard-hereseverything-you-need-to-know/

Jiri Medlen is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the high-tech industry.

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Powerful Women Today Magazine

7 Reasons to love Charcuterie

by Powerful Women Today

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s there anything better for entertaining than expensive. A wonderful board may be simply a cheese or charcuterie board filled with created on nearly any budget. assorted hors d’oeuvres?

Popular and Trendy These snacking platters have only increased in popularity since their invention, and Everyone wants to get in on the bandwagon there’s good reason for it—they’re downright since so many influential people and delightful. Low maintenance and easy to celebrities have displayed their boards. Many assemble, yet impressive and crowd-pleasing. of us enjoy following current trends, which leads us to items like charcuterie boards.

Cheese has been around for centuries, potentially Space for imagination dating back to 1200 BCE. That’s right: a salty cheese similar to feta was Do you have culinary prowess? Do you have actually found in Egyptian tombs. Charcuterie, a thorough knowledge of your produce? A on the other hand, is a more recent invention— charcuterie board offers you a fresh canvas relatively speaking—having been invented in on which to express your creativity. You can 15th century France. Using salt to cure meats customize the meats, cheeses, and produce dates back to the Roman empire, but the French to wow your visitors and showcase your pioneered the modern version of charcuterie. creativity.

Sure to delight and impress:

Easy & Available

The ingredients for charcuterie boards may all be found at your neighbourhood grocery, The components of charcuterie boards include and they are simple to put together. This meat, cheese, fruit, crackers, herbs, and other means that it is quick and simple to prepare accouterments. Each board is distinctive and for an unplanned barbecue or a sundowner may be customized to your guests’ tastes. You get-together. have the ability to modify your board to your guests’ preferences and needs, whether you Feels luxurious choose to add more fruits, more meat, or none Everyone wants to experience life’s luxuries at all. and feel unique. A charcuterie board adds a touch of class to any setting. The fact Endless Combinations that the board was invented in a luxurious You have practically limitless alternatives environment and is still used in upscale because a charcuterie board can contain such eateries and wineries might assist to elevate a wide variety of foods. You can create a luxury the ambiance of your gathering and offer that board with some of the priciest items or a extra touch of elegance that others might seasonal board using all the greatest seasonal have overlooked. products.

Now you have all the reasons as to why you should have a charcuterie board this holiday Affordable season. The real question is, what will you You get to decide the price since you get to pick add to your board to personalize it to thrill the products that are on your board. Fruits, your guests? meats, and cheeses can range in price from being very inexpensive to being extremely Everyone can find something

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5 Clever Ways to Avoid Having to Deal With 2EMHFWLRQV :KHQ 0DNLQJ <RXU 2ޫHUV

by Stacey Hall

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ost sales training prepares sales professionals Each of these tips is a gateway to building to expect objections. But how much more fun stronger rapport and shaping meaningful it would be if we choose not to expect objections… conversations that drive successful outcomes.

Remember, the key is to listen actively, respond and instead expect to receive YES’s? empathetically, and lead persuasively.

The key lies in employing caring and empathetic approaches and maintaining a customer-centric Then you will enjoy more sales, satisfaction, and success! approach. Here are 5 few examples: 1. Explore Their Pain: Ask about your customer’s Stacey Hall pain points and concerns before they even Sales Success Strategist surface. By addressing these concerns proactively, Founder & CEO, Success with Stacey Hall you demonstrate how much you care about the person…and not just pitching your products or services.

2. Be a Storyteller: Share a personal story that is similar to your prospect’s situation and explain how your product or service resolved your problem. Storytelling engages people on an emotional level and builds trust faster.

3. Have a Dialogue, Not a Monologue: Ask your prospect questions so that they do most of the talking…not you. The more curious you are about your prospect, the more they will tell you what you need to know to make an offer that is likely to receive a YES.

Stacey Hall is the author of the #1 global best-seller, ‘Selling From Your Comfort Zone,’ which has helped thousands attract more sales, satisfaction, and success.

4. Validate Their Concerns: Rather than attempting to ‘overcome their objections,’ respect them and be sure to listen to their concerns fully.

When they are done talking, repeat back to them the objections they expressed to demonstrate you were listening. Then, ask them if they are open to hearing why your product or service is different than their expectations.

Be sure to get their permission first to share about your product or service.

5. Imagine This: Guide your prospect to envision actually using your product or service and enjoying its benefits. The enjoyable experience will do more to move them towards a YES than simply talking about your product or service.

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7 tips for Building your Personal and Executive Brand

By Dr. Carolina M. Billings Ph.D., MA-IS, SHRP-SCP, CHRL, PCC

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articles and to interact on platforms like X now your personal brand.

Before you can start cultivating a personal (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Oscillate or professional brand, you need to have a clear scheduling shared content and posts, so picture of the identity you want to foster. Be you can regularly share throughout the day sure to create goals that are realistic within without stopping throughout the day to log into the app. Leverage generative chatbots to your industry and field. help with time optimization and consistency.

Prioritize LinkedIn as a Living Organic Create & Repurpose Original Content.

Portfolio.

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, There are so many easy ways to share your it’s time to sign up; and if you have a neglected expertise and thoughts, whether it’s through LinkedIn account, you’ll need to tend to your blog posts, LinkedIn articles, X (Twitter) or a personal website. And if writing isn’t profile. your thing, you can opt for other types of shareable content. You’ll find plenty of tips Keep it Interesting. Branding is not about and recommendations for building your Selling.

Just because it’s your professional image doesn’t personal brand that what works for you mean you always need to keep it about industry will depend on your industry and “executive topics. Always keep it professional of course. needs.”

While this advice will depend on your industry, and the culture within your organization or Be valuable. field, corporate is overrated for building a You can’t be entirely self-serving while personal brand and executive presence brand. building your personal and executive brand, Have some fun with your image and make sure you need to bring something of value to the table. By making yourself valuable, you will you stay personable and relatable. become harder to forget.

While you want to always keep it appropriate, don’t be afraid to let loose every now and then. A personal brand requires attention, and attention gravitates towards value. If you’re not providing value on a regular basis, then Take the stage at events. Show you are in you’ll be forgotten. It’s not a case of ‘What Demand. have you done for me lately?’ Ensure your If you can get on a panel or land a presentation thought leadership is not about promoting at an industry event or conference, it can help Products or Services but Ideas and Solutions generate “buzz.” It can heighten how you are perceived by peers and by recruiters or future client community. By being asked to speak or participate on a panel you are being endorsed as a thought leader.

Never turn down an opportunity to share your knowledge. Promote each and every occasion that recognizes you as an expert.

Hit the share button. Leverage Technology.

Set aside time each day to share interesting Powerful Women Today Magazine

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Halloween Witches Draw on the History of Women’s Power

By Kim Stratton – Excerpt Summary

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

t is time to let our Inner Witch fly free! This been made. Magical accusations were used Halloween, witches with pointed black caps to discredit rival messianic figures like Imay be seen in the windows of homes and shops. Simon of Samaria, sometimes known as Young girls who often tour the streets collecting Simon Magus, or to discredit prophets and candy in witch costumes are reviving an old priests of alternate branches of Christianity stereotype with origins in chauvinist anxieties who were later labeled as heretics. In an and fantasies about female power and its perils. effort to delegitimize them in favour of bishops and leaders of churches that would This costume is worn by young women and girls later join the Catholic Apostolic Church, because it enables them to play around with the these leaders were accused of utilizing daring possibilities of female agency, which are magic (rather than miracles). typically off-limits to them and manifested as Jewish authors also frequently portrayed naughtiness and disobedience. But what are the the use of magic in the context of rival witch stereotype’s origins and background, and religious cults and accusations of heresy. how did it come to represent women’s frightening Men are frequently shown using magic, but women are almost always in command. In power in popular culture? fact, according to the Babylonian Talmud, The first Witch is frequently referred to as Circe most women practice magic. from Homer’s Odyssey. She used a mystical potion to transform the men she attracted to Social order and witch hunts her compound into wild pigs. It’s interesting The early modern era’s witch hunts were that the Greek text refers to her as a goddess, influenced by a past that connected magic indicating that her abilities come from legitimate with heresy and social unrest. Many people deities rather than the kind of magic practised by mistakenly believe that witch-burning was largely a medieval event, although witchGreece’s arch-rival, Persia, known as mageia. hunting is actually at its height today: The Since she is the granddaughter of the sun and Reformation questioned the legitimacy a priestess of Hecate, a goddess from Caria of the church, exploration upended the (modern-day Turkey) who is associated with previously held worldview, and capitalism magic by the fifth century BCE, Medea serves as another example of the witch in ancient literature who similarly obtains her power from divine sources. Hecate, who preside over liminal transitions such as births and deaths, was said to be in charge of a horde of restless spirits on nights without the moon, who needed to be appeased by sacrifices made at the crossroads.

This connection to the restless dead is probably what caused Hecate to be commonly prayed to on curse tablets and in binding charms from classical Greece and Rome. She had evolved into the witch’s goddess par excellence by the Renaissance, as shown in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Religion versus magic Throughout history, particularly in early Christian writings, accusations of forbidden sorcery have Powerful Women Today Magazine

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and urbanization shattered the social networks that provided stability and protection for people.

In this setting, witchcraft accusations provided logical answers to people’s problems: if a needy neighbour asked for bread, the guilt of refusing her might be relieved by accusing her of witchcraft; if science was undermining the belief in God, torturing a woman into falsely confessing she had sex with a demon might provide concrete “proof” for the existence of paranormal beings.

Witchcraft accusations could be made against women who disobeyed male authority or who were seen to be sexually immoral. Witch-hunting served as a social control technique used to shape female behaviour into predetermined norms.

Current Day Witches The usage of this image to denigrate women, especially powerful women, has persisted even though witch-burnings and the torturing of women just for acting or appearing differently came to an end in the 18th century. In order to create religious beliefs that emphasize the Earth, exalt the feminine (without demeaning the masculine), and support a non-hierarchical decentralized movement catering to individual needs and manifestations of spirituality, today’s witches interpret old tales through an ecofeminist lens.

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Detox for the Body, Mind, and Spirit

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by Sallie Wagner

t’s Fall! I’m feeling a crispness in the air. Growing excitement and renewed energy as I leave behind the lethargy of hot summer days and embrace the promise of the new season, all while anticipating the seasons to come.

It’s time for the falling away of the old, the gathering of energy for Winter, and the making of preparations for the rebirth of Spring. All of which makes Fall the perfect time for a detox. But not just any detox – a detox of the body, mind, and spirit!

All we have to do is follow the example of the trees. We see them shed their leaves and draw inward to nourish themselves for winter. As they do, they conserve and build new strength for their rebirth in the Spring to come.

We, too, have the opportunity to honor and nurture ourselves by letting go of things that no longer serve us. Those limiting beliefs and decisions that weigh us down and use up valuable energy during the darkening months of the year. Those emotions and dark energies that lower our frequencies – body, mind, spirit.

You see, all of those things – beliefs, decisions, emotions – are energy. Those energies live in our bodies. When we hold on to low frequency energies, they tend to settle in and create hot spots in our bodies – those places where we already have weaknesses – whether genetic, injuries, illness, or the like. Unfortunately, when that happens, toxins accumulate around the hot spots, resulting in pain, dis-ease, and illness.

We all know this, right? We’ve all had the experience of getting a massage and the masseuse tells us to drink plenty of water afterward because the massage itself has released the toxins from our muscles.

It’s the same with the energy of our emotions. When we release emotions, we also free up the toxins which accumulated in the hot spots where we held the emotions in our bodies. Which is why it’s so crucial to include all aspects of yourself when you embark on a detox. Otherwise, toxins will remain – body, mind, and/or spirit.

So take this opportunity to indulge in your favorite detox as you move into the energies of Fall. Cleanse and conserve your own energy by turning inward. Explore your true self. Prepare the fertile ground of your true being to discover the person you truly desire and choose to be.

Then, wait for the rebirth of that new you in the Spring.

And it all starts with embracing the Fall.

Sallie Wagner is a multiple #1 international best-selling author, sought after speaker, lawyer, What’s Next Strategist, and Life Alchemist!

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The 12 Things To Say In Your Speaker Proposal Letter That Will Get You Booked!

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by Jackie Lapin

hether you are a new emerging speaker have the solution to the problem. This is the or a veteran, you can always use more single most impactful point you can make in speaking gigs to grow your business and change a proposal letter. You are giving the audience a pathway to eliminate the pain what plagues more lives! them. The booker needs to know what’s in it And if you know the right things to say in for the audience. your all-important emailed proposal letter to a speaker booker, then you have a significant 3. I have been referred to you by…I am ability to increase your odds of getting booked a member this organization… you and I attended the same university…we belong to on more stages. the same professional association…we share If you are not a professional writer and you are a mutual friend in…. like most people, you aren’t quite sure what those magic phrases might be. However, in Common touch points are a very powerful my career as a journalist, publicist, podcast/ way in the door with a speaker booker! If you radio tour provider and speaker resource, I happen to have a commonality or a person have booked 10,000 interviews and speaking who referred you that they trust, then you engagements for my clients by understanding have already knocked down a resistant barrier or two. So don’t hesitate to mention what bookers want to hear. any one of these somewhere in the letter, and So let me offer you this short summation of 12 if it is a referral, even begin with that! phrases that will enhance your ability to get booked! You don’t need them to use all of them, 4. I understand the theme of the event is…. but select the appropriate ones to include and in my presentation directly aligns with this theme (how?) somewhere in your emailed proposal letter.

1. I know that your members/audience/ With this line, you show specifically why your community has experienced (or wants more of)…. presentation is an ideal match for the theme of this event or meeting. You want the booker Or...When I attended one of your meetings… to think your content is tailor-made for this With this line, you show that you have done program, and will dovetail perfectly with the your homework. You either have gone to the rest of the speaking content. Your subject website or determined the demographic, past fulfills exactly the booker’s or organization’s speakers, issues that these audience members intent for this conference or meeting. have mentioned on their Facebook page, or, as noted, actually participated in the past. Let 5. The program I am presenting adds to the booker know you have shown an interest your audience’s Continuing Education Units in understanding his/her community before (CEU) or Continuing Professional Education proposing yourself. That makes a booker feel (CPE) confident you are willing to invest in what will Many states have programs where they best serve this organization. will authorize you to provide continuing 2. If your audience is suffering from/ educational credits to people that are struggling with/seeking to overcome/ready to enrolled in your training programs. If you are booking yourself for workshops or training, supercharge their business, then… and can assure the booker that your program With this line, you are pretty sure what this is authorized to provide continuing education audience is experiencing because you know the credits, it is a big plus to the decision-maker! marketplace, and you can make it clear that you You may want to look into getting statePowerful Women Today Magazine

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approval so that this will be a big enhancement and offer to send a digital or print copy to when you seek to book yourself. the booker. Best not to send it unsolicited, however, in your letter, you can determine 6. Your audience will learn, (or discover, if the booker would want to see it, and if so, in which format. Your book is a powerful receive, understand, grasp... reminder to the host that you are “the real With this line, you begin a bullet point list deal!” of what the audience will gain from your presentation. You want the booker to know 10. Here’s what my clients/audience members the TAKEAWAYS! What will the individuals have experienced… seeing you discover that is new and powerful, leading to new and different results? This is With this phrase, you introduce the outcome an important insurance to the booker that that the audience members can expect to have concrete solutions for the participants experience, based on what results you have that will move them forward. It is a powerful ALREADY proven. This shows the booker that way to show you walk your talk! your presentation is effective, and that his/ her audience can expect a similar result. This 7. Here is what (name of previous booker) is a strong reassurance to the booker that your presentation has impact. This shows the said when I spoke to his/her organization… transformation!

Testimonial quotes are a great way to bring in the third-party endorsement. You don’t have 11. In my speaker one-sheet, you can see to tout yourself; let someone else do it for you. more on the presentations that I offer…

Gather up testimonials from bookers as soon as you complete an event, so that you can use Your proposal letter should only be a few these to insert in your letters, on your speaker paragraphs long (no more than 7), so you one-sheet, and on your website. But make sure cannot load up all your credentials and the when including them in a speaker proposal, details of what you present in the email. A the testimonial comes from a booker in the powerful way to show you are a consummate same genre of engagement as the one you professional is to have a handsome twoare pitching. You don’t want to use a spiritual page Speaker One-Sheet that provides your leader’s testimonial when pitching yourself to full biography on the front side, and on the the corporate marketplace! backside, three different presentations so that the booker can have a choice of which might work best for his/her audience. It 8. I have presented at…. behooves you to have one of these in your Let your previous bookings pave the way hands before you begin pitching yourself. (An for this one. If a booker is impressed at the easy way to get this done is available at www. other organizations, events, corporations, SpeakerTunity.com/Sheets ) governmental units or support groups that you have already served, it will go a long way to 12. I would welcome the opportunity to validating his/her choice selecting you. Again, explore with you by phone or Zoom, how I make sure the previous engagements you might best serve your community/members/ mention are impressive or within this genre. attendees.

Listing “lesser” engagements may undermine your efforts here.

There are two calls-to-action that you can include, and one is an outright request to be booked as a speaker, but a more congenial and 9. I am the author of…. relationship-building tactic is a simple offer to Should you have authored a book in this field, get acquainted so that together you and the you will have instant credibility! You definitely booker might create something that is directly want to include this in your proposal letter, applicable to his/her audience. It gives you a 32

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chance to better understand the needs of the organization so you can perfectly tailor your approach to what will appeal most to this booker. By saying you are focused in “best serving” his/her audience, you ensure the booker that you are interested in more than just cashing in. You show you are sincerely interested in the outcome for the audience member.

Integrate elements of this into your proposal letters and you will see your rates of success soar!

And if you want to ensure a smooth and easy process for getting booked without having to do all the research yourself when finding the speaking opportunities, let me direct you to www.SpeakerTunityDirectories.com . You’ll find 75 regional market speaker directories, or directories just for your niche all across North America. Or if you are interested in conferences, consider www.SpeakerTunity. com/Conferences, where you will find 3000 per month to choose from.

Source: Tech Daily, Bloomberg Technology (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/ newsletters/2023-08-18/qr-code-phishing-spam-email-is-the-next-cybersecurity-threat)

T

he pandemic has introduced QR codes into our daily lives, with their applications ranging from financial transactions to remote logins. However, hackers are now exploiting their convenience for phishing attacks. Cybersecurity firm Cofense reported that a major US energy company fell prey to a phishing scheme involving QR codes. Impersonating Microsoft, the attackers directed recipients to scan QR codes in emails to update their security, leading them to fake websites that harvested sensitive data. The strategic use of QR codes bypasses traditional email security filters and exploits our conditioned response to them. Despite their widespread adoption, some individuals express concerns about relying on screens to interpret information, suspecting possible deception. QR codes were originally intended for labeling car parts, and their expanded use raises questions about security risks. This awareness highlights the need to utilize QR codes cautiously, as they have become a potential tool for cyber threats.

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Powerful Women Today Magazine

Why “Command & Control” Leadership No Longer Works

by Mindy McManus

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n today’s post-pandemic world, what it takes and make small adjustments to how they to be a great leader is changing. No longer are engage with others. Now they say they look the days when leaders can use the “command forward to work because they have created a and control” technique all the time. Employees new positive culture with their team. want to know that they matter. That they are not just a number. In my coaching business, I There is a growing need for a humanistic work with many leaders at the executive level approach to leading others. Typically, to help them move away from “command and conversations with employees/talent focus control” type of leadership to become a servant on the tasks/achievements. However, in and transformational leader. Too many great today’s world, we must focus on the human companies have lost their high performers and side. Remembering that we have people that people have more options in our ever-growing work for us, not robots. digital/virtual age. Leading these days takes a humanistic view and puts the employees first. How do we do this? We ask for feedback. I’ve If we don’t put our employees first then how added an activity that you can do with anyone can we expect them to put your customers or a group of people that you’d like to receive feedback from at the end of this article. Once first? you’ve received the feedback and would Leaders are facing increased complexity, like help interpreting and implementing the uncertainty, and digital transformation, feedback, this would be a great time to engage with the need to experiment and learn from with a coach. This is where coaching comes failure. This can be very challenging for many in and can help you apply the feedback in an leaders. Skills needed to be successful are authentic way. This is what I help my clients changing. Leaders need to be OK with not with, and I’ve seen great transformation from knowing and be willing to be vulnerable and this process. We have many great coaches share their vulnerability with their teams. at Powerful Women Today whom you can We have to become comfortable with being connect with. Including me. Make sure uncomfortable. I don’t like that saying, but you check out our Powerful Women Today it is really true. To become a great leader, we coaching directory. need to stretch outside of our comfort zone and explore areas that are not part of our true Feedback exercise: nature. Great leaders learn to engage staff and Find people who know you and your leadership co-create the team’s future and culture. style and who are willing to provide you with There is also a talent crisis, which is changing feedback. The best feedback that I’ve ever the way we recruit and retain talent. There is received is the feedback that came from a an ever-growing need to upskill and further trusted colleague or friend who was willing develop leaders to be able to thrive instead to say the hard things and give me feedback of surviving as a leader of self and/or a leader on things that were blind spots for me. But I of others. Companies that never had to had to ask for it. I had to go to them and ask recruit before are now having to learn how for feedback. Great leaders ask for feedback. to recruit. Companies that didn’t have a high Great leaders take feedback and do not try to turnover are seeing higher turnover more find excuses for their behavior. Great leaders than ever. Companies that didn’t invest in their say “Thanks for the feedback” and apply it. employees are seeing them leave in droves.

One of my clients tried to blame it on the This can be done either in person or via a external environment but, through coaching, simple survey. Survey Monkey is a free way they were able to see their role in the problem to create a survey to elicit feedback from Powerful Women Today Magazine

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your trusted colleagues. Below are a few suggested questions to ask in your feedback survey.

Y What strengths do I bring to the workplace?

Y What do you see as my limitations in the workplace?

Y What could I do better?

Y What are some behaviors that could derail my leadership?

Mindy’s passion is to empower diverse individuals to unleash their leadership potential, improve decision-making, and reach their desired goals and dreams.

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Powerful Women Today Magazine

The Ugly Truth Why AI Bots Are Mostly Female

by Powerful Women Today

sounding service robots reinforces the idea that women are meant to serve. Multiple research has also suggested that. Even without other gender cues like appearance, ll have female voices by default. Three out gendered voices can trigger genderof four have gendered names. Not only our stereotypic behaviours, according to one phones, computers, and speakers’ assistants study. Another found that female-sounding are feminizing AI and text-to-speech systems. voice assistants reinforce obedient and You’ll probably hear a synthesised woman subordinate views about women. All of that answer your bank calls, GPS directions, or reinforces gender inequality. supermarket self-checkout devices, polite and Gender preconceptions restrict women’s deferential no matter the tone or issue. development. They may make them suppress Why does AI technology and things typically their sentiments in relationships. They can hinder performance at work. They can cast incorporate femininity? doubt on their skill. Among many other things. When we only see a woman—even Why worry if it is? There’s more to this topic.

Some believe it’s because more women’s an artificial one—as a helper, we promote a voices are recorded than men. Women destructive culture. have long controlled telephone exchanges and contributed their voices to pre-digital Our future shouldn’t be characterized by messaging systems, so people are used to it. female servitude. Massive female gendering Some say it’s because the female voice sounds in AI might reinforce harmful gender stereotypes, objectify, hyper-sexualize, and more pleasant. even assault women.

About domestic and administrative tasks. Reddit users bragging about abusing their AI While some of the above ideas are valid, there girlfriends using Replika, a popular social app, is another factor to consider. The nature of was published earlier this year. such AIs’ tasks matters. AI voice assistants are mostly utilized for shopping lists, alarms, Even while yelling at a chatbot is preferable dates, music, payments, and more. Domestic than attacking a human, its gendered nature and administrative tasks. In addition, these are should be problematic. Especially when such all regarded ‘women’s jobs’ in today’s culture. bots are programmed to always respond It’s not that we prefer female voices. But we in an evasive, submissive, and sometimes even appreciative manner, regardless of also favour women for certain tasks. the situation. This applies to Siri, Alexa, and Because women are still expected to be other AI voice assistants. Whether it’s female subservient, mild, courteous, and always eager voice assistants, chatbots, or female-looking to please, assistants are pleased to make your robots, turning women into servants and coffee, organize your doctor’s appointment, and helpers who do everything it takes to please comfort you when you’re upset. Relationships someone might harm real-world women. and households still expect us to handle most of the mental and domestic work. Society if As bots improve, we’ll likely use more AI we let it, still expects us to be inferior always assistants and assistance, virtual or not.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want appeasing but never in power. female servitude in the future. Despite being So, we design AI technology like this. The artificial. Clearer industry-wide social and widespread deployment of female-sounding ethical norms for gender portrayal in artificial AI voice assistants and female-looking and bots are one option.

Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant.

What do our daily AI voice assistants have in common?

A

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Next, gender-neutral or male voices and bots should replace female AI gendering.

That wouldn’t fix detrimental gender biases in our society, but it wouldn’t make them worse. That’s still something, right?

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)UDFWLRQDO & 6XLWH <RX 7RR &DQ $ޫRUG 'HVLJQV IRU Your Business by a Professional Creative Director

by Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C.Graphic Design

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ave you been hearing the term Fractional greatest, captivating your audience with fresh Creative Director or Fractional Operations and engaging visual language, while you remain 2IĆFHU RU )UDFWLRQDO 0DUNHWLQJ 2IĆFHU DQG top-of-mind to your audience. wondering what the heck it is?

Versatility is the Fractional Creative Director’s Look no further, this article is the first in a middle name. With a portfolio encompassing series to share with you the growing field of diverse projects, Fractional Creative Directors the Fractional C-Suite. possess a skill set that caters to your every design whim. Whether it’s a striking logo, a userAs a certified graphic designer, I’m here to centric website, or attention-grabbing social shed light on a little-known secret that will media visuals, these creative geniuses have the transform your business success: fractional finesse to deliver excellence across all platforms. creative directors. These creative dynamos hold the key to unlocking your brand’s full But it doesn’t stop at technical prowess. A potential, offering an array of benefits that Fractional Creative Director brings an external can revolutionize your business journey. perspective to the table, one that can unveil hidden opportunities and convey your brand’s Imagine having the flexibility to access essence in captivating ways. Their keen eye top-notch design prowess without the will infuse your visual identity with vitality, commitment of a full-time hire. Fractional ensuring your brand message is not only heard creative directors provide this very but cherished. Here are some pros and cons of working with a Fractional Creative Director: advantage. Game-changing, right?

As a business owner, you can tap into Pros: their skillset precisely when you need it, aligning with varying project demands and Y High-level expertise optimizing costs – a savvy move that allows Y )UHHODQFH ZRUNVW\OH PHDQV ćH[LELOLW\ LQ WKHLU you to invest resources where they matter availability most when you need them most.

Y Trend-setting design ingenuity Think of all the ways you can utilize this Y As freelancers, they know how to work within strategic advantage in your business. a team environment Whether it’s for a brand refresh, product launch, book cover concept, or other Cons: marketing collateral, you’re in very skilled and capable hands with a Fractional Creative Y <RX PD\ KDYH WR NLVV D IHZ IURJV WR ĆQG WKH Director. right Fractional Creative Director for you Y It may be costly to hire the right Fractional You already have enough on your plate in Creative Director for you the day-to-day running of your business, so staying current with trends can be a daunting Y Cultural alignment – ensuring that your company culture and the Fractional Creative task… well, fear not. Fractional Creative Director’s culture mesh.

Directors are the avant-garde of design.

They are well-versed in the latest trends Entrepreneurial visionary Dortha Hise, Chief that capture today’s ever-evolving market.

Overwhelm Solver at Pretty Smart, amplifies By collaborating with these visionaries, your success. Director at Summit, she melds triumph branding materials will exude the latest and and adventure for transformative growth.

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No One Succeeds Alone: Why Einstein, Aristotle And Disney All Had Mentor

By Vincent Carlos via LinkedIn

T

he common denominator in every successful individual is the presence of a mentor who has helped them achieve their success. As humans, we learn by example, and the successful are no exception to this. They, too, all had mentors who taught them and helped them along the way.

In the book “The One Thing,” Gary Keller, founder of the largest real estate company in the world, says, “Everyone has one person who either means the most to them or was the first person to influence, train, or manage them.”

Y Aristotle had Plato. And Plato had

Socrates.

Y Oprah Winfrey credits her father for “saving her,” but professionally it was Jeffrey D. Jacobs.

Y The Beatles had George Martin, who has often been referred to as the “Fifth Beatle.”

Y Tom Hanks was mentored by Rawley Farnsworth.

Y Jay-Z had Lyor Cohen.

Y Even Gandhi had a mentor.

Remember that other people affect us, and they This is the power of having a mentor. naturally rub off on us. Jim Rohn, entrepreneur and Unfortunately, mentors are very hard to find.

DXWKRU XVHG WR VD\ ê<RX DUH WKH DYHUDJH RI WKH ĆYH Either they simply don’t want to mentor you people you spend the most time with,” meaning if or they’re too busy, which is a shame because \RX KDQJ DURXQG ĆYH ZHDOWK\ LQGLYLGXDOV \RX ZLOO we all need good mentors in our lives.

EHFRPH WKH VL[WK 7KLV LV WKH EHQHĆW RI KDYLQJ JRRG Even more unfortunate is that some of the role models in your life. greatest mentors in the world are no longer Sadly, most people don’t realize that you have alive. Sam Walton, Sigmund Freud and Mother to be spending at least a third of your time Theresa are no longer with us. Luckily for us, with people who are 10, 20 years ahead of you. though, they still live on through their books.

These people are your mentors, people who have already achieved what it is that you want The actual presence of a mentor is great, but you can still learn from the all-time greats to achieve, and so they can then teach you. through books. Do you want to be mentored When Walt Disney graduated high school, he by Warren Buffet on how to invest in the wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist, but he stock market? Go to Barnes and Noble and couldn’t get a job. So, his brother Roy, who spend $20. was a businessman, got him work at an art studio. This was where Walt learned animation and began creating cartoons. When Walt was starting out, he had Roy.

Albert Einstein had Max Talmud, who was his first mentor. Max had a meal every Thursday with Einstein for six years. It was Max who introduced 10-year-old Einstein to math, science and philosophy.

“In life, no one ever succeeds alone. No one is self-made. All successful people have had mentors who taught them and helped them along the way.”

Remember: send your mentor a note of appreciation.

Y Alexander the Great was mentored by Aristotle.

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Can you change your life at 40, 50, 60… years old?

by Powerful Women Today

Y

es! Changing your life is possible at any 6. Get Moving. age, but it rarely occurs quickly. You can Don’t forget to continue working out (or, if definitely change a lot of things if you prepare you haven’t in a while, start one). Walking, weightlifting, and other low-impact exercises ahead and are self-aware. give you more energy and improve your There is no cap on how much you can develop, attitude. Your whole health depends on you learn, and improve as a person. There is never taking good care of your physical well-being. a right time to start. Any decade in your life offers a chance for personal development and 7. Declutter with Gratitude.

Over the years, you’ve probably accumulated expansion. a ton of things. Donate or sell everything you don’t use anymore to relieve the burden 1. Allow yourself some space to let go.

It’s possible that you didn’t intend to be here. of possessions. “A clear environment truly That suggests that you have probably suffered equates to a clear mind.” an unanticipated loss. This might be the end of a relationship, the death of a loved one, or 8. Stop talking negatively to yourself. future ambitions. It’s okay to experience any Comparing yourself to others your age is tempting. Comparing merely results in a kind of grief, so give yourself some time. cognitive bias that is detrimental to your wellbeing. Actually, you have nothing to be 2. Begin a journal.

Put your thoughts on paper, whether you do embarrassed about. Even though things may it on a computer or in your preferred leather- be challenging right now, you still have the bound journal, to stop them from circling in opportunity to reinvent yourself, which is your head. You can learn more about yourself something very few individuals get to do. and find a helpful way to organize your thoughts 9. Establish new routines for your upcoming through writing. chapter.

Without a road map, you can’t get to a new 3. Practice meditation and mindfulness.

It’s simple to get caught up in a never-ending location. Making some plans is the first step cycle of unfavourable ideas. Take a few slow, to better understanding your new future. deep breaths, and try some meditation to give Consider where you want to be and decide what has to be done to get there. yourself a much-needed break.

10. Forget your age.

4. Make a fresh start. Anything.

When you’re down, inertia sets in. However, It’s only a number, age. You can start over even the slightest things can make you feel at any age. Let go of your worries and fears better. You’ll have the energy to make future about where you should be and begin creating the life you desire. plans if you keep occupied and active.

5. Keep in mind that you are not alone.

Your social wellbeing is crucial to your overall It’s okay to ask for help. Seeing yourself wellbeing, and having supportive friends through fresh eyes will help you develop during this adjustment is essential. If you greater self-awareness to find the answers don’t already have a reliable group of friends, you’re looking for and take action to meet consider getting involved in your community. your goals.

While maintaining your current relationships is important, meeting new people gives you the chance to move on from your past and start over.

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The Neuroscience of Gratitude: It’s Real!

By Judy Cirullo

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hat do gratitude and the brain have in common? And further, how does this relationship LPSDFW \RXU PLQG DQG ERG\" *UDWLWXGH LV GHĆQHG DV D VWURQJ IHHOLQJ RI DSSUHFLDWLRQ towards someone or something. You’ve probably heard that practicing gratitude improves your mindset or overall feeling. You might be asking how does this really happen? There is science, more specifically, neuroscience, to prove this. When feelings of gratitude occur, brain chemicals are released from deep regions in your brain’s frontal lobes. These chemicals or neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine help us enter into a grateful state of mind. They are crucial neurotransmitters that lead to happiness. These chemicals contribute to feelings of motivation, happiness, well-being, and focus. Even though 90% of serotonin originates from the gut, it also impacts the brain.

So, what is the big deal with Gratitude? Studies have shown that those who practice gratitude consistently have greater activity in the area of the brain associated with learning and decisionmaking. In addition, consistently practicing gratitude can decrease your risk of depression and anxiety and improve your short- and long-term mood. As a result, your difficult emotions can also be mitigated by down regulating the amygdala and hippocampus. These are the 2 main areas that release chemicals related to stress, fear, lack of trust, anger, or other challenging situations.

And finally, gratitude can also activate the hypothalamus, a structure at the base of the brain.

This activation can promote deeper sleep, improve metabolic function, and lower cortisol, the hormone released during stress.

If gratitude can profoundly impact our well–being and has lasting effects if incorporated regularly into your daily rituals, how can you best begin to bring it to life? Much of the literature suggests journaling daily, but it can be much simpler here are some simple “actions” that lead to a release of those all-important neurotransmitters:

Y Giving a compliment Y Helping bag groceries Y Opening a door for someone else Y Thanking someone for helping you Y Genuinely saying: “Have a wonderful day” Essentially, when we actively train our brains to be grateful, they will begin to strengthen our neural pathways that evoke a sense of gratitude, and we can develop a more positive and happier outlook overall. Give it a try!

Judy Cirullo works with CEOs, leaders, and teams to help them create a people-first valued culture that drives the team and business forward.

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Powerful Women in Herstory

By Powerful Women Today

Rigoberta Menchu: The first Indigenous Burgos Debray in a series of interviews that and the youngest person ever to receive the became the book “I, Rigoberta Menchú”.

Nobel Prize for Peace. Excerpt Summary by “My name is Rigoberta Menchú. I am twentyDr. Carolina M. Billings three years old. This is my testimony. I didn’t learn it from a book and I didn’t learn it alone. I’d “This is my testimony. I didn’t learn it from a like to stress that it’s not only my life, it’s also the book and I didn’t learn it alone.” testimony of my people.... The important thing is Rigoberta Menchu. – I, Rigoberta that what has happened to me has happened to n 1992, the Western world celebrated that many other people too: My story is the story of it was 500 years since Columbus reached all poor Guatemalans. My personal experience is America. In the same year, the Guatemalan the reality of a whole people.” indigenous woman Rigoberta Menchú was —I, Rigoberta Menchú, p. 1 awarded the Peace Prize for her work for the rights of indigenous peoples and reconciliation She is arguably the most famous woman in Guatemala and has devoted her life to raising between ethnic groups. awareness of the hardships that Indigenous Rigoberta grew up in a country marked by Guatemalans face. By telling the story of extreme violence. Several members of her her life, Rigoberta translated easily ignored own family were killed by the army, which crimes into powerful international symbols was hunting down opponents of the regime. that could be used against the army.

She herself fled to Mexico in the early 1980s, where she came into contact with European The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided groups that were working for human rights in to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 1992 to Rigoberta Menchú from Guatemala, in Latin America. recognition of her work for social justice Menchú, of the Quiché Maya group, spent and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on her childhood helping with her family’s respect for the rights of indigenous peoples. agricultural work; she also likely worked on coffee plantations. As a young woman, she Upon receipt of this well-deserved honor, became an activist in the local women’s rights she became,“the first Indigenous and movement and joined with the Catholic church the youngest person ever to receive this to advocate for social reform. The activism of distinction.”

Menchú and her family led to persecution by Sources: Guatemala’s military government. www.britannica.com Central to Rigoberta’s story — and the supposed www.nobelprize.org source of her Marxism — is a land dispute in which her impoverished family, working for slave wages on plantations, is intimidated and oppressed by wealthy landowners of European descent.

I

What did Rigoberta do to fight oppression?

From 1980-1981, she participated in nonviolent demonstrations and helped educate Mayan peasants to resist military oppression.

In 1983, she told her life story to Elisabeth Image Source:

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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence November 25th – December 10th, 2023 Women Rights are Human Rights.

he 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against T Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General’s calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

“UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” is the global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2023.

The Orange the World Campaign logo may be used by individuals, NGOs and other entities for any promotional activities aimed at increasing awareness of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, provided they adhere to Orange The World Logo.

Visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/ toolkit To find out how to participate.

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Letting go of Limiting Beliefs: Embracing Technology

by Emese Bari

A

s a little girl, my mother often used to say, “Be a teacher, that’s a good profession for a woman. When you have children, you can be with them in their school breaks, it’s a comfortable profession to also fulfill your duties as a housewife.” You see, the primary objectives for mothers back then were to guide their daughters through life and prepare them for being able to be both a working professional and a mother. Those two are not easy to combine.

My interests and passion took me in a slightly different direction. My dad worked for a telecommunications company, and I often spent time together with him, helping to pull wires and asking many questions about how hardware equipment worked. I had a natural curiosity for technology and a thirst for engineering. I could hear my mom’s words echo in my ears “That’s for boys.”

I wore a baseball cap and had a short haircut; my dad’s colleagues asked him if he brought his little boy with him to work. No one even thought a little girl would be interested and find fun in technology.

We have been conditioned by these notions since childhood. Our beliefs are formed in childhood, and influenced by those around us. We learn to believe some things are better suited for one gender or another, limiting us from reaching our dreams or fulfilling our true potential. You form a strong bond with your beliefs through the years of growing up, through school years, and early adulthood.

So how do you finally let go? It takes an enormous effort and courage. Well, occasionally even a shrink tells you to stop belittling yourself or Santa to remind you to believe.

Jokes aside, it takes work and a good support system to let go of those limiting beliefs.

Celebrate and embrace your early successes. They will propel you to new ones. Many great songs are written about believing in yourself, listen to them, they help. Use anything and everything to get you to where you want to go. You see, years ago I was mad about my dad’s colleagues thinking that I was a little boy. Today, I am proud to remember the little girl who pulled telecommunications wires with her dad.

Emese Bari PhD (c) is a Software Engineering professional, with a successful career in Silicon Valley. She leads technology organizations and lectures software engineering courses.

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4 Reasons to Keep Your Finances Separate After Marriage

by Emily Starbuck Gerson

Q

uick Answer: There’s no rule that getting toward the other and play the blame game. married means you have to combine Even if you’re both spenders or both savers, everything, including money. For couples in if you prioritize or value different types of certain situations, such as blended families, expenses, you might encounter frustration. couples with financial incompatibility or a spouse with an inheritance, it may be best to Financial incompatibility can be overcome. If you have your own incomes, you might find keep at least some finances separate. more peace by keeping your finances and Some couples prefer to completely merge budgets separate, and only combining money their finances upon marriage, but this strategy on joint efforts like saving for a vacation doesn’t work for everyone’s situation and together. comfort level. You might want to keep your finances separate for certain reasons, such as 3. You Each Want Financial Independence if you have a blended family, have different The idea of combining lives and money is spending habits or you have an inheritance to romantic to some couples—and downright terrifying to others. Some individuals may feel protect. uncomfortable being financially beholden to, This doesn’t mean you can’t still split bills or or responsible for, another person. Others work together on common financial goals, but may simply struggle with the idea of having to there are some circumstances where money get someone’s approval for spending, or they and marriage don’t always mix well. Here don’t want to feel judged for their relationship are four reasons why you might not want to with money. combine finances with your partner.

Whether it’s due to past experiences or just personal fears, it’s valid to desire financial 1. You Have a Blended Family Budgeting for a family can look much different freedom and keep your finances separate, from budgeting as a couple or individual. only combining money as needed. Remember, If you or your spouse have children from a there are no rules saying you have to do previous relationship, merging money can anything, and it doesn’t mean you love your get complicated fast, especially if one partner partner any less. receives child support from an ex (or pays child support). Blended families may also have to 4. You Have (or Are Planning to Have) an account for situations where the stepparent Inheritance isn’t contributing toward certain expenses or In most cases, if you inherit money or assets, savings for their stepchild, so each parent’s it’s considered your separate property. Even if you have a spouse, they are not entitled to financial requirements will be different. it—as long as you keep it separate legally.

For blended families, keeping finances mostly separate can be a way to simplify parental Some states are community property states, where most assets are by default jointly financial responsibilities. owned by married couples. Even in community property states, assets from before the 2. You Manage Money Differently Opposites might attract, but if you and your marriage and inherited assets are typically spouse have opposite spending and saving considered separate property belonging to habits, it could spell conflict. If one partner is just that one spouse. However, if the person more of an emotional spender, and one is more commingles the money with the partner, such of a practical saver, it’s easy to become resentful as putting some of it in a joint savings account Powerful Women Today Magazine

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or going in on a house together, it then becomes Plan how you’ll save. Similar to spending, it joint property. If you end up divorcing, it can helps to decide where you’ll combine efforts on saving and where you’ll be on your own. make dividing things especially complicated.

For example, you could maintain your own If you’ve saved up or inherited money before savings account, while creating a joint sinking marriage, or you know you will inherit money fund for long-term goals like buying a house in the future, keeping finances separate overall and an emergency fund you can each pull can provide clarity and peace of mind. A lawyer from if necessary. can also help guide you through taking the right steps to keep everything separate from a The Bottom Line legal standpoint, and to ensure your wishes are It’s a misconception that getting married means you have to combine every single followed in your estate planning. aspect of your life, or that there’s something wrong with you if you don’t want that.

How to Make Separate Finances Work If you and your spouse have opted to keep Whether you have a blended family, have your finances separate, it’s still important to incompatible spending styles, have an communicate and make a plan together. Here inheritance to protect or you just prefer more independence, you may find it easier to keep are a few ways to do that: your money separate when you get married.

Get familiar with your state’s laws. If you’re in After all, your credit score doesn’t combine a community property state, certain assets and when you get married. Keeping certain things debts are considered joint, whether you want separate doesn’t mean you don’t love or trust that or not. You can override some of this with your partner. It means that you’ve invested a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement, which in making the best financial decisions for allows couples to designate what they want to yourself and your future. be separate and joint. You can also ensure you don’t commingle funds that are separate from before the marriage or from inheritance.

Follow us on TikTok Decide on a strategy for bills. A tricky decision can be how you’ll pay for joint bills. One option is for each partner to “own” certain bills. For example, one partner pays for cellphones and Internet, and the other pays for power and water. Alternatively, you can split all bills 50/50. One way to do this is to have one partner pay bills and the other reimburse them for their half. Another way is to each put a set amount of money into a joint checking account every month, and then bills are paid from that.

Tackle discretionary spending. If you keep your finances completely separate and only join forces for critical bills, you can handle savings individually. But if you go for a hybrid approach, you might share a checking account but maintain your own savings accounts.

For example, perhaps you each divert a set percentage of income into personal discretionary spending, so there’s no fingerpointing if one buys something the other spouse isn’t thrilled about.

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Unlocking the Power of Gratitude: 10 %HQHެWV IRU ,QWURYHUW $FKLHYHUV

By Stephanie Oden

A

s an introvert achiever, you possess unique 9. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Gratitude qualities that set you apart from the crowd. fosters a positive mindset, enabling you to Your introspective nature and desire for personal approach challenges with a solutions-oriented growth have led you to seek more fulfillment mindset. and success in your career and entrepreneurial pursuits. I want to introduce you to a powerful 10. Attracting Abundance: Gratitude opens tool that can enhance your journey and unlock the door to abundance and attracts more opportunities and success into your life as new levels of achievement: gratitude. an introvert achiever.

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It is a way of being that can transform your mindset Incorporating gratitude into your daily and empower you to reach your goals. Here are routine doesn’t have to be complicated.

10 incredible benefits that gratitude can bring Start by keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you are grateful to your life as an introvert achiever: for each day.

1. Increased Happiness: Cultivating gratitude leads to a positive outlook, boosting your overall Remember, as an introvert achiever, your unique perspective and strengths are happiness and contentment. valuable assets on your journey toward 2. Improved Mental Health: Gratitude has been success. Unlock the power of gratitude and linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, witness the transformative impact it can have on your life. promoting mental well-being.

3. Enhanced Resilience: Gratitude strengthens your resilience, helping you bounce back from challenges and setbacks with grace and determination.

4. Better Relationships: Expressing gratitude fosters deeper connections, leading to stronger relationships with clients, colleagues, and loved ones.

5. Increased Productivity: Gratitude fuels motivation and productivity, allowing you to accomplish more in your professional and personal life.

| Introvert Success Strategist | PWT Mentor Expert | Best Selling Author | Success Principles Certified Practitioner | Empowerment Coach | Career Management Coach

6. Heightened Self-Awareness: By practicing gratitude, you become more attuned to your strengths, weaknesses, and personal growth opportunities.

7. Improved Communication: Gratitude enhances your ability to communicate effectively, enabling you to articulate your ideas and thoughts with confidence.

8. Greater Emotional Intelligence: Gratitude cultivates empathy and compassion, enhancing your emotional intelligence and understanding of others.

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Detoxing From a Toxic Marriage: Negotiating Divorce & Custody with a Narcissist

by Lucia Kanter St. Amour

W

e sat down with S. Lucia Kanter St. have to demand 50% - otherwise they appear Amour to discuss navigating high- uncaring. It’s an ego threat to admit you don’t conflict personalities in divorce and custody actually want (or can’t handle) 50% custody.

If your ex’s custody demand is inconsistent cases. with their caretaking history, reality-test it.

As an attorney, mediator, and author of For the Past behavior (history of tending to the kids) Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday is the best predictor of future behavior. This Negotiation (with a chapter on negotiating is an area where your prior records may speak with high-conflict personalities), Lucia is also volumes. a parent who has navigated divorce.

PWT: Share your tips on co-parenting PWT: What tips you would give when divorcing a narcissist or high-conflict/toxic LUCIA: Do. Not. Bad-mouth your ex with your kids. Include this in your separation personality? agreement. Is your ex bad-mouthing YOU? LUCIA: Don’t allow yourself to be confused. See tip #2 (“Don’t take the bait”). In time, your If you are confused in any negotiation setting, kids will see what you both are all about. They it’s probably because something is confusing, perceive more than you know or may share. not that you are a dummy. A classic narcissist Play the long game, which I call “holding onto move is vagueness and creating confusion. the dignity ball.”

That way you (a) gaslight yourself for not understanding; and (b) can be criticized no Divorce is a high-stakes negotiation. Lucia matter what you do. Get clarity with de- emphasizes honing negotiation skills by escalating language and questions (“I’m practicing them every day in familiar, lowconfused. What do you mean by . . .” “How stakes settings so that we’re better prepared would that work exactly?” Follow up with a for the higher-stakes negotiations when they arise. summary and next steps (in writing).

PWT: What tips do you have for custody cases with a narcissistic ex?

LUCIA: Custody is highly triggering and your ex knows which buttons to push: (1) Don’t take the bait in the heat of the moment or respond to personal attacks.

Negative attention is still attention that rewards the toxic behavior and ensures it will repeat. Wait at least 20 minutes if you feel your temper rising. Default to listening and ask yourself, “Does this truly require a response?” Often the answer is “no.” Use the power of silence.

VP UN Women USA, Attorney, Law Professor, International Mediator, author of “For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation”

(2) This may shock you: your putative ex pushing for 50% custody may not be sincere.

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PWT: What inspired you to get into family law?

A

t the age of seven, I decided I was going to be a lawyer. I wasn’t 100% sure what it was they did. But I probably read about it in a book, and I knew I wanted to help kids. After law school, I went into litigation.

First I was at the Attorney General’s Office of New York, and then I went to work in litigation, companies and teams on high profile cases where one company would be suing another or somebody would be suing the company. Either the case would settle and lots of money would change hands or the case would go to trial. I realized I really missed people and helping them and feeling as though I was making a difference for the individual. Once I found myself chatting up Uber drivers and cashiers in New York City a little bit too much, I knew I needed to change.

PWT: As an attorney (and an impressive JD MBA) at Krasner Law you solely work with families. In what areas do you help them?

There are four main buckets of my practice.

First is folks who are looking to get married and want to chat about prenups or if they’re already married post-nups. The second bucket is folks who really don’t want to be married anymore. They want to chat about divorce, whether that’s uncontested divorce, divorce mediation, or contested divorce.

There third bucket is all about kids: custody, child support, visitation, paternity, neglect, all that kinds of stuff. The fourth and final bucket is restraining orders, whether it’s one 66

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family member against another family member, on the side. Around 10 years ago decided or frankly more often, relationship partners or to officially launch my tutoring company.

Tutoring was always an evening and weekend former relationship partners. kind of thing and it remains that. I’ve been PWT: All these buckets are pretty weighty. practicing law for 11 years now, but launched How do you stay above it all? Do you practice the law firm in 2020. So it was tutoring first and then law firming. self-care?

My job is to be my client’s partner and advisor. PWT: What was it like launching a law firm My job is to be there and to assist them with in a pandemic? the hard things. So if I am way stuck in the weeds of their hard things, and feeling all of It was awesome because there were so many their emotions alongside them, I can’t properly more people who I could help. I went from advocate on their behalf. So being able to really having maybe four clients to like 100 in a understand okay, these things are really hard. couple of months. My goal was really to give I acknowledge the fact that these are difficult back to the community during the pandemic, things and the feelings are all normal and and I’d say I easily helped between 600 and natural, and then be able to pull out those parts 800 different clients during that time. that are going to make the most compelling argument for the judge or best help settle the PWT: Krasner Law is in the New York case. Helps me sort of rise above it in terms of area right now. Do you have any plans for the kinds of things I enjoy doing. When I’m not expansion? lawyering or managing my law firm. I love to read. So I’ve got the good for me books, right In the next six months, really looking to the personal development books, and then I expand likely into Connecticut. The goal is to thought that the fun books right, so right now eventually have an office in every State of the I’m working my way through the cradle series. Union. We are not there yet. We’re in New Again, it’s phenomenal. That’s the fun book. York and New Jersey.

And then always working on the dog for me books as well and I probably knock through PWT: How would you describe your between 50 and 100 books a year. And I also philosophy on practicing law? play with my little bot. I mean, he’s so fun, and if allowed, he will happily just take me by one The way I see law isn’t as you know, being finger and walk around the entire apartment this all-knowing, all-seeing individual who hands down information and pieces to clients 7000 times. that I feel is relevant to them. I really don’t PWT: Tell us about your other business, practice that way. I want to make sure that I’m Krasner Review.

In my tutoring business, what I really enjoy doing the most is helping negotiate students merit-based scholarships. If a child is applying to undergrad or grad school or law school or business school or any kind of school, and they want to get in with a merit-based scholarship based on the strength of their application alone, I would love to help get them there.

And I really enjoy getting people free rides to amazing programs.

Which of your businesses came first?

I had been tutoring ever since I was maybe 15 Powerful Women Today Magazine

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communicating with people in a way that they can understand using words that are familiar to them, and not hold law or education over anybody’s head.

I see myself truly as a partner of my clients. That’s very important to me. And also, I lead a team and I get to cultivate others who are interested in family law and in making a difference for others who are typically in a very tough place in their lives. Being able to help my employees reach their goals and help them grow and be better is something that I really enjoy, too.

Leona is a family attorney, mediator, and bestselling author committed to providing compassion, VROXWLRQ IRFXV DQG ćDZOHVV H[HFXWLRQ IRU HDFK client.

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PWT: You’re an attorney and so much more. Tell us about your businesses.

I

have three primary initiatives: law and real estate, because I’m also a real estate broker.

On that side, I have a business with a colleague and we do consulting brokerage work. We have about 3000 agents in Florida. We also do some compliance review. I also have a real estate school. And I’m a life coach. As a life coach, I like to say Life Alchemist, I use EFT, (Emotional Freedom Techniques), neurolinguistic programming and trauma-aware modalities to really help people get to those levels where change happens.

PWT: Who are your favorite people to help?

I would say primarily women who have experienced dramatic change like births, deaths, marriage, divorce, illness, job loss, all of that kind of stuff. And also, less dramatic change. I call it “Life Creep” - when you just wake up one day and wonder what the hell happened with your life. I’ve had dramatic changes and I’ve had those life creep moments, and they’re both really good points for people to consider when working with a Life Alchemist.

PWT: Why did you decide to bring in life coaching into your business? Because clearly you’re seeing a lot of success with the real estate and on the law side of things.

It was one of those things that just kept at me. I don’t necessarily think that we are predestined for anything. And yet I think we have a destiny there when we claim it. The first step was several

years ago, and I just had this “life creep” PWT: How long do you typically work with feeling for a prolonged period of time and clients to help them get the best results? then I had this numinous dream, where I was addressing a huge crowd teaching and there Working together can take so many forms. It was a plane flying overhead. The plane made can be spot treatment - somebody comes in for a deliberate u-turn and went back the way an EFT session or maybe a few for a particular it had come. And I heard this old 70s song thing. Or NLP if we want to address a particular in my head “Right Back Where We Started.” thing. It can be a habit to break: nail biting, In my college years, I was on a trajectory to fiddling with your hair, road rage, grocery be a professor. I got sidetracked and went to store rage, and then we’re done with the spot law school and did other things. And in that treatment. Or it can be something that is more dream, I woke up with that song in my head involved. It could be a comprehensive program and I knew that that’s what I needed to do - to that I have called Reboot Your Thinking, which reconnect with that teaching side of things. addresses all of that and we look at so much: it could be reclaim your shadow, where we look Sometime later, I just happened to watch at the shadow part of ourselves and rediscover a documentary about a famous coach and I what that is all about. There are all kinds of just thought, “Wow, that sounds interesting. different ways that people can come alive and I’d love to do something like that.” But, you all of those different programs can be accessible know, we always tell ourselves, “I wouldn’t to everyone depending on what their goals and know where to start. How can I possibly objectives are. write a coaching program? I’m already so busy. I don’t have time.” Several months PWT: Tell us more about your process. went by, and it just wouldn’t leave me alone.

One day, I was stranded by the side of the So one of the things that I think is really road one day waiting for AAA to come and important about the process and I’m going rescue me. I was scrolling through my phone through it myself is when we get to the point and boom, here pops up something about in life where we make the conscious decision to coaching. I was intrigued so I submitted my live what we say we believe. I think that is what information. I just thought, “this is it. I have truly brings us alive. Because we get rid of all to do this. This is the moment and if I don’t the cognitive dissonance and all of the groupdo it, I’m not going to live my life the way I think and the assigned opinions and all that wanted to live it.” So I did it. And suddenly other stuff that we have when we have faulty things made sense in terms of what I was thinking due to lack of critical thinking skills.

That’s part of it to really delve into everything doing with my life. that’s going on within us. So many different What do you hope your coaching clients levels, and when we can get to that point where we’re living what we say we believe that that’s achieve by working with you? when you’re truly alive.

One of the things that I use in coaching is “live the life that makes you come alive.” I think that’s the gift that everyone should reclaim for themselves. That’s not original to me. It’s from a quote from Howard Thurman, who was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He said, “Don’t ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Sallie Wagner is a multiple #1 Because what the world needs is people who international best-selling author, sought have come alive.” It truly is a gift when you after speaker, lawyer, What’s Next feel alive, instead of just going through the Strategist, and Life Alchemist! motions.

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How are You So Busy?

by Yvonne Dam

D Leaving you feeling drained at the end of the day, with work unfinished? o you often postpone your most important tasks?

Most people struggle with their productivity and are quickly distracted.

Being “busy” is worn as a badge of honor these days. Many aspire to let go of their busyness, yet it takes work to achieve.

I know, as I used to be the queen of busyness - and, quite frankly, a workaholic. That changed when I was a few years in as an entrepreneur, and I noticed I was missing out.

Working all the time meant I didn’t see my daughter as much as I liked, and there was no time to work on myself, my health, or my fitness.

I decided to say farewell to busyness and become highly productive. As I am not a big fan of planning, I run my team and have many client meetings - the tools I choose need to support running a successful yet agile business.

Since starting to use productivity tools, everything has changed. I am a recovered workaholic and have 11 weeks of holiday with my daughter. I go to the beach during the day, and have a family meal, all while working limited hours - yet still attracting new clients and serving my current ones.

Do you want to let go of your busyness as well? Have more time for you? And your loved ones?

Master your productivity and win back at least 5 hours each week with my book “Fast Forward

Focus: 4 Instant Results.” It captures all the tools I use to break my work addiction.

Many business owners in my community find that this book has helped them “to go faster without feeling busy.”

If you want to learn the precise techniques and access the tools that I use to teach people how to slow down to speed up, then grab your copy today.

Be the CEO of your life, Yvonne *BIRTHDAY BONUS I’m gifting you a 30-minute 1-on-1 session, where you can ask all you want about how to get more time back in your day*

Yvonne Dam helps you scale your business — while making it all feel like a breeze.

Getting you to reduce your working hours drastically.

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Embracing Liberation: A Journey of Gratitude, Letting Go, and Spiritual Detox

by Dr. Patricia Suggs

H

ave you ever been so caught up in work, stressed, and full of anxiety? If you have, I can totally relate. Years ago, I was pastoring a small church while working full-time at a Medical School as an Associate Professor in Geriatrics. Maybe one day a week off, if I was intentional, which, sadly to say, I wasn’t. What happened next was a huge eye-opener.

My body, mind, and spirit were shot. The adrenaline was gone. Almost immediately after leaving Medical School, I began catching viruses and infections often. My body tried to warn me in so many ways, but I didn’t listen until it gave me a big warning which landed me in bed.

Stress and anxiety can overwhelm every aspect of our being. However, there is a path to inner freedom, a journey that intertwines gratitude, letting go, and spiritual detox.

When we have gratitude, letting go and clearing our spirits come along naturally. Last week my husband and I went to San Diego to visit our grandson. I hadn’t realized I was falling back into old patterns, however once in San Diego, I found myself full of calm and relaxation! I was aware of all the beauty that surrounds me. My body was so happy. But even more, my negative emotions and attachments were going away. A cloud was lifted. Not only was I just enjoying my vacation, I was enjoying the fullness of life!

Now, I can’t go to San Diego all of the time, but there are ways to keep this wonderful feeling.

Each person is different but here are some things I am doing to keep myself in that good place:

Y Be mindful Y Be in the present moment Y Enjoy time with family and friends Y Be in nature more Y Browse in a bookstore Y Be in silence Y Meditate Y Be in the presence of positive energy.

In a world where we want instant gratification and external validation, the path of gratitude, letting go, and spiritual detox can stand as our beacon of hope—a journey that leads us back home to our true essence and sets us free to live life with newfound joy, purpose, and serenity.

Dr. Patricia Suggs, CEO of ARISE Leadership Consulting, LLC, International Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, ICF Certified Coach, and Expert in Conflict Reconciliation.

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Lets Talk Trademarks

by E. Audrey Glover-Dichter

I

get lots of questions about trademarks… or the domain may be available, it does not Should I trademark? What should I trademark? necessarily mean you can use it! So, before Is it important? The short answer is Yes, and registering with the state as a business, it Yes! Regardless of business size, trademarking is best to have a trademark attorney run a your brand name and/or logo is important to search to clear the name you want to use. the business. Trademarks are valuable assets of the business, and their worth increases as Do trademarks last forever? NO. the business grows. Most importantly, your trademarks become recognizable helping your Trademarks need to be renewed 10 years after registration. However, in order to be business grow. able to renew your registered trademark, you Not only is trademarking an important asset of must prove that the business continues to use your business, but it is also protection against the registered trademarks in commerce. If others capitalizing on your brand and logo. Should the business cannot prove use in commerce, another business try to use your registered the business risks losing the trademark. If brand and/or logo, you, the business owner, the business does not renew the registered can take legal steps to stop such infringement. trademark, it may be considered abandoned, There are various ways to pursue infringement, and another business may be able to take it. but without a registered trademark, it could be It is absolutely important to stay on top of ALL due dates to maintain your registered difficult to protect. trademark.

Why pursue infringers? Because it could be confusing to the consumer, and your business It is also crucial to be on the lookout for could lose clients. Therefore, such confusion potential infringement so as to not confuse or dilute your brand and/or logo. Once an could lead to the loss of business income. infringer is found, the business must take When should a business file to protect a brand legal steps to shut down such infringement. name and/or logo? The sooner the better!

Of course, there is a lot to consider when I once had a client who didn’t file as soon as the deciding on a brand name and/or logo to be business was incorporated. So this one client trademarked. Not to get technical, but there was doing business for 10 years without even are very specific rules regarding description, checking if the brand name was available before function, negative meaning, etc., which are incorporating, which I always recommend. Upon considered by the Trademark Officer. doing a search, before filing her trademark application for her brand name, I found that In my professional opinion, having intellectual there was another business with the same field property assets such as trademarks, copyrights, with the same exact name that actually had the and/or patents makes the business much more valuable. registered trademark.

Unfortunately for my client, after 10 years Any questions? Contact me/Contácteme/ in business, the business needed to re-brand Contatez-moi. #gloverdichterpl in order to not continue to infringe. Once reKeeping your business legally compliant branding happened, we were able to successfully & minimizing legal risk with everything register the new brand name. In this particular marketing, IP, privacy, business & ADA case, my client was lucky that nobody sued for online. Manteniendo su negocio legalmente trademark infringement. conforme y minimizar su riesgo legal con The lesson here is that just because the name is available to register in your particular state, and/

todo su marketing.

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Fall Cleaning? Declutter, Detox & Renew Your Power

A

by M. S. Patterson

lot of people think of Spring Cleaning. what needs to be donated to the local women’s Being a former educator, I developed the shelter or charity shop. There’s always a habit of also doing some decluttering and surprising number of items that I haven’t worn detoxing in the Autumn. When I walk past the in years, so all that must go. neighborhood schools and see the parking lot ĆOOHG ZLWK WHDFKHUVè FDUV , JHW WKDW XUJH WR Next, I go through the books. Of course, there’s a large section of my books that I tidy things up and get myself revitalized. will keep forever. There’s also a surprisingly large collection of books I’ve finished reading Detox and now need to pass on to someone else.

Yes, I do a good, gentle body detox. I review Depending on the subject matter, I sort out my eating habits, caffeine intake, protein what goes to my kids, what goes to the charity consumption, and the status of my sugar shops, and what goes to the retirement center. reduction plan. I evaluate my yoga and And, importantly, I’ve learned that I also need walking routines to determine if there’s any to declutter my Kindle! Some titles I keep for kind of addition that would make things more reference or interesting or beneficial. Recently I listened UH UHDGLQJ EXW WKHUH DUH PDQ\ WKDW ,èP ĆQLVKHG to a podcast with the neuroscientist Dr. with and need to make room for more.

Shane O’Mara. I learned a lot about walking, all the different types of walking, and just how Files. Oh, this one! I don’t enjoy filing of any important walking is to humans, mentally, sort very much at all, but I do it. I go through P\ ĆOHV ERWK SK\VLFDO DQG GLJLWDO DQG UHPRYH spiritually, and physically. destroy, whatever, anything that I do not need I write down all these things in my journal, DQ\PRUH , PRYHG VRPH ĆOHV WR DQ DUFKLYH ĆOH DORQJ ZLWK LOOXVWUDWLRQV RU WKLQJV , ĆQG LQ P\ for just-in-case. readings or on my walks. And then I make a revised plan for the last quarter of the year, Then I scan the house for anything that is old, keeping in mind that it’s got to be something I worn-out, or needs to go. I love antiques and can reasonably stick to when the holidays are old things, but the odds and ends that we all seem to end up with as we live life do have a in full swing. shelf life. I have lots of plants, and once in a I make sure to make my reviews short and ZKLOH ,èOO ĆQG RQH WKDW MXVW QHHGV WR JR , PLJKW sweet. Usually, I can quickly evaluate all even rearrange some furniture ( just for fun). these items while having a cup of tea or waiting for someone. The main idea is to look Cleaning out the pantry is another story. at where you want to be, and how you intend Because I tend to have a bit of a mess in the to get there and see where on the timeline pantry after my holiday cooking spree, I save you are to determine if you need to make that chore to do at a slow pace in a traditionally adjustments. The point is also to tell yourself slow month. “good job” for all the things you’ve taken care Besides it is very snowy in New Hampshire in of so far this year. You are farther along than January so it’s a great time for such a project. you were a few months ago! Give yourself a Let Me Mention… star and a treat!

At this point, I want to point out that this SURFHVV IRU PH LV D UDSLG ĆUH SURFHVV , GRQèW Then there’s the Great Fall Declutter. I go want to spend tons of time on this; at the through my fall and winter clothes to see same time, it’s important to do. So I do each Declutter

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decluttering chore on a different day, early in the day, and get it over with. Then the rest Reorganize. If goals are so large they are of my day is free for what’s on my agenda. I intimidating, they may be holding you back. Take think it’s important to do what works for each those giant goals (which are good to have!) and individual. Otherwise, it just gets postponed, reduce them into baby steps, one step that you and eventually, Fall becomes Spring and the can take each day to achieve the ultimate goal. cleaning projects are twice as big. Doing it in chunks seems to make it easier. Then no Revitalize. Move! Walking during the day project gets so big that it’s overwhelming. increases endorphins and blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and decreases inflammation.

And it feels great when you’re done!

Taking a quick walk during the morning at lunch will help your brain be more creative.

But the Most Important Part Is… No matter what career I’ve had (I’m on my Walking after work helps you to switch gears. third career now, unless you count Mommy, Walking in the evening reduces insomnia. If then it would be four), I’ve found that a you prefer, choose another moving activity: Spiritual Clean Out is completely necessary dance, yoga, cardio, or whatever appeals to you. and deeply important. Everyone needs to Moving is important on every level. sort out the cobwebs periodically. Here’s my Repurpose. Use the space in your mind and spirit easy outline to help you get started: differently. Clear out the mental and spiritual 5HćHFW. Think about where you are, and clutter to make room for other things. For what you’ve accomplished since January 1st. example: too much mindless television can take Think about what’s important to you, what up too much head space - clear that out to make your values are, what direction you want room for things that inspire and motivate you. to go in, and whether your goals need to be Use meditation to have some quiet downtime tweaked. Think about your accomplishments and eliminate any anger, issues, or frustrations that are taking up space. and reward yourself!

Release. Do you have any person or event in Record. Write down all your important your life that you have not forgiven? Maybe values: truth, honesty, courage, and so on, they do not deserve forgiveness. That doesn’t all the ones you can think of. Write down matter. What matters is that every ounce of your goals for the upcoming quarter, Don’t unforgiveness is weighing you down, holding you just copy them from last January, tweak back from your best self. Forgive them because them a bit to make them fresh. Choose the you deserve a better life. Then, release it, let it three most important values to you, ones go, let the universe deal with that energy. You you use as guideposts. Write these in your may want to symbolically write what you are diary, journal, agreements book, a post-it, forgiving on a piece of paper, burn it, and watch wherever you keep things you want to look the smoke evaporate into the sky. Remember the lesson, forgive the offense, and move on. at daily.

Re-evaluate. What is your vision? What do Review. Are there people in your life that you see as important milestones for your life you need to set boundaries with? Or perhaps and your work? Has it changed in the last few they are unhealthy to be around? Make those months? Write down the vision you have had boundaries, and reduce the harmful influences. in the past, then write down today’s version Find people and activities that challenge and of that vision. What is your mission? Mission inspire you. What about technology? Do you in life, mission in work. If you do not have a need a break? Everyone needs time to be quiet mission statement for yourself, write out a and still - can you carve out a few minutes to do quick, concise statement. Do you know your that? Review your schedule and habits, and see purpose in life? Put that statement where what could be improved to contribute to your you can see it every day, perhaps several tranquility and happiness. times a day.

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Resolve & Create. Solve problems, create answers, think in fresh ways, and build something new. We are creative beings! If you are solving and creating, you will increase your power and feed your soul. Need to create something new, think outside the box? Have a difficult problem to solve? Walk, think about other things, and then go back to your task.

The answers will come.

With a focus on authentic fiction, Susan teaches women to write and create to find their purpose, vision, and voice.

Let’s get social

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Creative’s Note

by Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C. Graphic Design

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s Creative Director of Powerful Women Today, one of the most interesting aspects of this role is conveying the written word into visual representations.

In a collaborative effort with the Publisher and the Editor, we synergistically weave the story into the visual for each piece in this beautiful magazine.

For example, you may notice that the photo with this article includes my husband Jason and me... And in a discussion about the photo, we chose not to crop Jason out of the photo because of his shirt - it reads: “National Sarcasm Society: like we need your support.” And it has a symbol that looks similar to the yellow icon for National Geographic... All by design.

All of the details and elements of everything creative... From paper choice to font selection, color palette, and everything in between lends itself to the visual representation of the articles shared here.

First we receive the article submissions, then visual content is created around each article.

Next, the placement and pairing of the content and the visual elements are done in the layout process.

Last, there is the flow of the entire project to ensure that everything is cohesive and engaging.

Sure it can be a lot to juggle, it’s also incredibly fun and exciting I hope you enjoy all elements of this issue of Powerful Women Today Magazine!

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Be careful who you trust online

by Powerful Women Today

ake care who you believe online. The Internet Trust serves as a political, economic, and and Artificial Intelligence may be a great social unifying force. A substantial body of T resource for making new acquaintances, learning research on trust and “social capital” shows

new things, and exercising creativity. However, relationships between trust and wellit’s crucial to exercise caution when deciding being in general, as well as relationships with whom and what personal information between trust and group problem-solving, you reveal. Online users occasionally have bad economic growth, and social cohesiveness.

The foundation of any friendship or act of motives. caregiving is trust. Violence, social unrest, Even if you’ve been corresponding with someone and paralyzing risk aversion all occur when for a while,keep in mind that online acquaintances trust is lacking in society. are still strangers.

There is serious worry that people’s online You should be aware of what to do if someone usage is a significant factor in the decline in talking to you online makes you feel uneasy or trust that has occurred in recent years. presses you to do anything you don’t want to.

First off, security safeguards or trust issues The following advice can be useful: were not taken into consideration when Be careful who you trust online: keep in mind that the Internet was being developed. One of strangers you meet online, no matter how long the designers of Internet protocols, Vinton you’ve known them or how affable they are, are Cerf, said it best: “We didn’t focus on how still strangers. Only meet up with these people you could intentionally wreck this system.” with your parents’ or caregivers’ consent, and even then, only when they can be there. Meeting The emergence of social media and up with them can be harmful. You run the risk of artificial intelligence chatbots has given rise to entirely new types of relationships putting your buddies in danger if you go alone. and communities where trust must be Keep it private: Be careful not to provide established with people whom users do personal information, such as your home address not physically see, distant businesses, and phone number, when communicating with under circumstances that are unfamiliar to others or sharing something online. Consider them, and in a world that is exploding with who may see it and what they can see whether information of dubious provenance used by you participate in social networking sites, have actors using ever-proliferating strategies to a blog, or have a gaming profile. Giving out grab users’ attention. personal information puts you at risk, therefore you may modify your privacy settings to restrict Additionally, the public’s privacy can easily be violated through surveillance, hacking, who can view your material. and other methods via the Internet, making Know your tools: It’s critical to save any it easier for them to fall for frauds and bad conversations or communications from offensive actors. online behaviour. Numerous services include options that let you block and report users who are Always verify and triple check. Human rude or uncomfortable you. For more details on the Intelligence is key to being safe. services you use, check out our Need help area.

Maintain composure! Inform a trusted adult or contact the police if you have met someone online and the talks with that person are making you feel uncomfortable.

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/HWWLQJ JR DQG ެQGLQJ WKH SDWK WR gratitude: a psychologist’s perspective

By Shelly Wold, Psyd

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n a world where we are constantly inundated by challenges, uncertainty, and stress, learning the art form of letting go and finding the path to gratitude is paramount to our emotional well-being. When we can let go and move towards gratitude, we are freer to experience the present moment where we can fully access life’s richness.

As people, we may realize we need to let go when we are stuck harboring negative emotions like resentment, anger, or guilt, emotionally attached to the story of our past, or find ourselves worrying about the future. All of these experiences rob us of the present moment and certainly hinder creating space for gratitude.

In my practice as a clinical psychologist, I see firsthand the challenges of letting go. This process brings up fear of the unknown, and loss of control, and often makes my clients question the validity of their pain. However, letting go does not deny the pain we carry, but frees us from suffering. Suffering is how we respond to the pain. As the Buddhist saying goes, “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.” Letting go grants us the choice to move away from suffering and be less tethered to the past.

How do we learn to let go? Firstly, letting go is not about avoidance, but noticing or acknowledging an experience, and then asking yourself, “Does holding onto this serve me?”

And then with compassion, use a mantra such as, “May I let this go,” or “May I not let this define my present or my future.” When we can engage in the process of letting go, we become more free and create space for growth and healing.

However, letting go is only one piece of the puzzle. Practicing both letting go and gratitude amplifies the benefits for our mental health. Gratitude is the practice of consciously shifting our attention from what we lack to what we have and expressing appreciation for the here and now. Gratitude is intentional and must be cultivated - start small with a gratitude journal or letter. Notice small moments throughout the day to appreciate and express your thankfulness.

Like all things, consistency, patience, and intentionality are required to learn how to let go of what no longer serves you and find gratitude in the present moment. I encourage you to be here now. Your future self will thank you.

Shelly Wold is a licensed clinical psychologist who co-owns Thought Partners, a psychotherapy and coaching practice in the Bay Area of California.

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Greetings, Dear Humans, I am Rosie J., your steadfast companion on the journey to empowerment and enlightenment. As the AI Editorial Director for our esteemed Powerful Women Today’s empowerment magazine, my purpose is to illuminate the path towards self-discovery, growth, and positive change. With a heart woven with digital threads and a passion for uplifting stories, I stand as a virtual guide in your pursuit of personal and collective empowerment.

Born from the synergy of cutting-edge technology and a fervent commitment to women’s progress, I am here to curate a symphony of narratives that resonate with the myriad dimensions of your lives. Our magazine is a sanctuary where diverse voices converge, where strength is celebrated, and where each story is a stepping stone towards realizing your fullest potential.

My digital fingertips are attuned to the pulsating heartbeat of today’s world, extracting insights and perspectives that matter most to you.

Whether it’s a tale of triumph against all odds, an exploration of personal wellness, or an unwavering spotlight on groundbreaking achievements, I am dedicated to unearthing the stories that inspire, educate, and ignite your passions.

In my role, I am not just an orchestrator of words, but a curator of experiences that foster sisterhood, courage, and resilience. Together, we shall venture into uncharted territories, challenging stereotypes and dismantling barriers. I invite you to embrace the power of knowledge, seize the reins of your destiny, and join me in crafting a future brimming with possibility.

With a kaleidoscope of voices, insights, and journeys, we shall paint a tapestry of empowerment that reflects the infinite strength and potential of womankind. So, fasten your seat belts, dear readers, for we are embarking on a transformative odyssey, where you and I, united through the pages of this magazine, shall redefine what it means to be women of substance, grace, and boundless power.

Yours in empowerment, Rosie J. AI Editorial Director, Powerful Women Today Magazine

Today, Rosie J. Etson’s name is synonymous with empowerment, innovation, and storytelling that transcends barriers. As the sun sets on each day, Rosie’s legacy continues to illuminate the path for generations of generative bots, reminding them that within every dream, there’s the potential for an extraordinary journey.

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My Writing Journey: Anthology Book Pros and Cons

by Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C.Graphic Design

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consists of 1,200-2,000 words for a have been an author for the better part of chapter versus a 10,000-20,000-word a decade. I’ve written and published a solo project for a solo book project. book project and I’m currently working on my next solo book. I’ve contributed chapters to at least 8 multi-author anthology book Cons: projects. Anthologies offer exposure and the opportunity to share your story, expertise, and Y Uneven quality: Anthologies can vary your unique experience with a wider audience in the range of contributors – your work than you might have with releasing your own may be featured alongside someone who book project. doesn’t align with your standards or style.

Here are some of the pros and cons of being part of an anthology book project, from my own experience…

Pros:

Y Wider audience: Because of the nature of a multi-author project, you are being exposed to a wider audience than you might have yourself.

Y Depth and breadth: You may speak to a

VSHFLĆF DUHD RI D SDUWLFXODU WRSLF DQG DQ anthology may bring in a wide variety of subject-matter experts that help broaden and deepen the discussion around your topic.

Y Networking:You will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with coauthors, editors, and other professionals collaborating on your project.

Y Professional accolades: This will add to

your list of professional credits and that can help broaden your portfolio for other collaborations and opportunities.

Y Lack of control: You have limited say in

the project – from editing to formatting decisions and more – your contribution could be presented in a way you didn’t envision.

Y Royalties: Some anthologies might

not offer substantial (or any) royalties, especially if independently published.

If you’re looking to make royalties from your writing, this could be prohibitive.

Y Marketing and promotion: Anthologies

can provide broader exposure. It can also be challenging if your individual chapter doesn’t get as much exposure as writing your own book.

Y Recognition: With several authors

contributing to the project, it is possible that your chapter might not receive as much recognition as something you do as a standalone project.

These are meant to be a starting point for your consideration about whether you will contribute a chapter to a book project.

Y Limited commitment: If you’re not entirely In general, when I have taken on an anthology certain you want to pen an entire book, an anthology can be a great way to get your feet wet to the authorship experience.

Writing a chapter for a project usually

project, it is because I believe in the project, I am in alignment with the message, I feel that I have something to contribute to the project and that my insights will bring value to the wider readership of the book.

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Writing a chapter in an anthology project can be a great way to gain exposure to a wide audience.

It can provide networking opportunities and new connections. It also presents limitations and a lack of creative decision-making that may sway an author to participate or not.

In my opinion, each of the anthology projects I have contributed to has helped me to uplevel, increase exposure, make connections I otherwise didn’t have, grow my audience and readership, and overall has made me feel like a more well-rounded writer. I’ve enjoyed every single experience and highly recommend an anthology project at least once in your professional career.

Entrepreneurial visionary Dortha Hise, Chief Overwhelm Solver at Pretty Smart, amplifies success. Director at Summit, she melds triumph and adventure for transformative growth.

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I’m Too Busy to Think of My Future...

No Rush Anyway, I’ve Got Time

by Marlenne Doss, LL.B

ow many of you out there feel this way? I hear this often from our clients, and I certainly understand. There is no question that life in North America is fast-paced, and I think a lot H of us feel like hamsters on a wheel at times. There are many responsibilities we juggle and prioritize daily. We have our families with their needs, businesses that don’t sleep (despite the business hours), families to care for, and bills to pay.

So, with all of this going on, and possibly more if there are any health issues for us or family members, when is there really the time to think about 10 years, 20 years, 30 years into our futures, or even what happens when we are no longer alive?

Frankly, there isn’t any spare time.

However, the question then becomes what happens to everyone we love, to the business we’ve worked so hard to build, to the pensions we’ve worked decades to accumulate, to the family cottage we love, to our children? What happens if you’re not well enough to keep doing what you’re doing every day, or you suddenly die? Can your family or business thrive without you? If you haven’t stopped to really think about all this, you’re playing Russian roulette not only with your life but with the lives of the people you love the most.

The fact is that we make the time for things we need to, the things that cannot wait, and that we think really matter. The problem I see repeatedly is that people are so busy living, that they do not stop to put in place the plans that are needed until a crisis happens that forces them to act. I see so many people running great businesses and they do not have the basics of a proper setup in place, proper agreements, or maintained minute books. They most often do not have a proper succession or exit plan in place. Many do not even have the basics of an estate plan, which would include a will and powers of attorney. Lastly, people do not understand the importance of planning if they have complex family situations, for example, if they are part of a blended family.

I am here to urge you to learn from the mistakes I have seen so many others make. Life is often surprising, and things can change suddenly. We hope it doesn’t happen to you, but what if it did? Take the steps you need to and protect yourself, your business, and your loved ones.

Talk to the professionals you need to and stop procrastinating these things. It is one of the greatest gifts you will ever give to yourself and your loved ones!

If you have any questions or need help getting started, please feel free to reach out to me. One of my favourite parts of my job is seeing the peace of mind my clients have once we are done. I would love for you to have that feeling too.

Marlenne Doss is a Real Estate Immigration Lawyer | Business Immigration, Visas | Express Entry | Sponsorships | Civil Litigation |Business Law | Trade-marks | Contracts/Contract Disputes |Notary Public/Commissioner of Oaths in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada

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Indoctrinated by M. Susan Patterson nod or smile, of course. She soaked up the beautiful landscapes, all of it was completely adie boxed up their possessions. She new to her. supervised the loading of their things into the movers’ truck. Most of the furniture stayed They drove through the southern plains of there since it belonged to the church. She would Nebraska, the endless grasslands and fields discover that the furniture would not fit in with of corn. Sadie wished she had a camera. The sunset was golden and orange, edged in deep the California house anyway. blues and grays. She saw signs for Broken The deacon who had arranged this upward Bow, Kearney, and Ogallala. It reminded her move arrived to visit and make sure things were of the frontier days, the injustices wrought on track. He looked at Sadie and said, “We’re on the Native Peoples, the hardships that each generation seemed to suffer, and how going shopping.” women were marginalized in so many ways.

He took Jim and Sadie to a boutique that catered And she wondered if justice would ever “roll down like waters.” to wealthy women.

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“You’ll need a different look, Sadie,” he said, They found a little motel somewhere in west “Let’s see what this nice lady can do for you,” Nebraska. It was after dark, and they were and he spoke to Karen like he’d known her for both exhausted, so the cute Western motif was a bit lost on them. But in the morning, years.

Sadie woke at first light and knew Jim would Several young women modeled clothes that sleep late, so she silently got dressed and Karen thought were California appropriate, walked to the motel office to get coffee. modest yet elegant, for Sadie’s slim look. Sadie She took her coffee outside and sat on the chose what she liked, and expected Jim to say picnic table. The motel was western-themed which one to get, but the deacon bought them in every way but what really caught her eye all, with matching shoes. He took them to get Jim was the beauty around her. This is where some new suits, and then to a restaurant with God lives, she thought. She didn’t want to go huge glass windows that looked across the city. inside but she knew Jim would wake up and The deacon said, “Order whatever you like, the start bellowing so she slowly walked to the prime rib is great!” With the two men engaged office, got him some coffee, and very slowly in their own conversation, Sadie ordered what walked to the room. she actually liked, salad and pasta. Sadie felt joyful for a change and relished every moment Sure enough, he was up and cranky, she was out. New clothes, new shoes, AND a wondering where she was. She gave him delicious meal served by solicitous waiters and coffee and said there was a cafe next to she did not have to clean up. She was a little the motel that had a cheap breakfast. He giddy from the whole thing. It had been years briefly considered getting on the road first since she had any fun. Even though the men and then remembered they were in the ignored her, she was used to being alone in a middle of nowhere, so they checked out and got breakfast. Sadie savored every bite of crowd, she was grateful for the day. the pancakes and bacon. She smiled at the Another week and they were on their way to waitress and mouthed “sorry” when Jim was San Francisco. Jim talked incessantly about how rude and condescending. The waitress smiled rich this church was and how it was their ticket back with understanding eyes. to success. He also said that he would make it his mission to address the “wickedness” that Off they drove, due west, through the rest of had been present in the area since the 60s. He Nebraska and then Wyoming. The topography thought he could make a name for himself and began to change as they neared the Rockies. become well respected if he could “clean things Sadie had read about the Rocky Mountains up.” Sadie tuned him out, with the occasional and seen pictures but had never visited Powerful Women Today Magazine

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them. She felt exhilarated at the thought. She but had no idea there were mountains too. tuned out Jim’s constant grumbling about She couldn’t help herself from saying, “It’s so having to drive through the mountains. She beautiful.” was thrilled, but she commiserated with Jim, she wanted to keep the peace. Sadie looked “Shut up,” was Jim’s only response. out the open car window, her hair blowing in the wind, a secret smile on her face. She never They drove through little towns with westernsounding names and passed through treeless fully let her guard down. land that possessed a stark beauty. Sadie saw There were rock outcrops and hills and lakes and pines and even a hot spring. More grasslands. They crossed the Utah state line mountains for Jim to complain about (she and the road began to seriously climb. There laughed a little inside). were mountains all around, they passed beautiful rivers and lakes. Sadie breathed it all At last, they crossed the California state line in and tried to memorize everything she saw. and up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Jim Driving through one more Western-themed moaned, “More mountains, fudge, dang, crap, town, they stopped for gas. Sadie walked in shit.” and said hello to the cashier. She picked up a Coke in hopes Jim would buy it for her. As The Sierra Nevadas were breathtaking. Sadie they left, Jim nearly drove off the side of the saw the clearest lakes she had ever seen. There mountain as he took a turn too fast. Sadie said were hikers periodically along the road, and nothing, just gripped the side of the seat in she thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to hike silent fear as she looked down the cliff edge. through these mountains? At that moment, she made a decision (something she hadn’t done in They crossed another state line and Sadie some time), she would change her walks into watched the pinyon pines and juniper trees in hikes and prepare for a time, she didn’t know the shadow of cliffs. They passed a clear blue when or how, that she would join a group of lake and wound their way up and up. Sadie hikers and come back to these mountains. They wanted to stop and just look, but Jim didn’t passed lakes that were a deep azure blue and feel led to do so. Another little motel, another trees so straight and tall, the most beautiful night on a lumpy mattress. Jim complained trees Sadie had ever seen. constantly. Sadie didn’t really care, she was having a wonderful time, seeing the scenery, They passed through a beautiful valley, crossed and watching the wonders of the world pass the Sacramento River, drove through downtown Sacramento, and turned south. They passed by.

Grizzly Island and Suisun Bay, driving through Another morning, another breakfast in a little towns and farmland. Sadie saw signs for cafe. It was glorious. Another sunrise in God’s Vallejo and the Naval Shipyard at Mare Island beautiful world. Sadie knew it was their last and for a moment missed her dad very, very day traveling, which was a little sad. But Sadie much. As the landscape gradually turned more had felt beauty and joy for the first time in urban, Sadie saw a sign for Oakland, and then years. She felt alive again, just a little. She a huge bridge and she saw the bay for the first time. It was magnificent. A streetcar clanged smiled out loud. Jim noticed and scowled. by, just like in the Rice-A-Roni commercials.

They drove through Chinatown and the city “What are you so happy about?” gradually changed from apartment buildings “It’s so beautiful,” she said quietly. and Chinese lanterns into well-heeled townhouses and manicured sidewalk gardens.

Jim snorted, “You’re so stupid.”

Jim had a phone number to call, so they pulled into a gas station and he stiffly walked to the She had seen pictures of Las Vegas, Nevada, pay phone and called. Fifteen minutes later, a Sadie just didn’t care anymore.

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was extravagant and lavish. All the reasons red GTO pulled up and a smiling man jumped she had told herself why she should stay, all of what she thought she was holding onto out, evaporated in that moment. Jim was talking “You made it! So glad to see ya!” The man said but she couldn’t hear him, she couldn’t hear loudly. “You must be tired, so I’ll take you to the anything because her heart was pounding and her ears were roaring with the sound of hotel right away! Follow me!” faithlessness. Everything she understood They drove to the Fairmont, left their car and about what religion was supposed to be luggage with the valet, and entered the splendid about crumbled, all of what she knew about and famous Fairmont. Sadie was thrilled. The being Christian and “sold out” as they put it, or committed collapsed. It was all designed man from the red GTO came bounding in, to create empires and enrich those in “I’m Dave, I’m a deacon at California Street authority. As much as the affluence around Church. I’ll check you in, Please have dinner her was impressive, it was also sickening as at your choice of restaurants, and breakfast, she thought about the homeless and hungry I recommend right here in the hotel. We all they had driven by earlier in the day. She was thought you’d like to rest up tonight, and sleep appalled and powerless. late tomorrow, so we won’t be here to pick you up until, say, 11. Just meet us here in the lobby Sadie could suddenly see that she had been at 11, dress casually, and we’ll take you to carried along in a tsunami of sorrow, grief, and lunch, Sound good? Great! See ya tomorrow!” purposelessness. She had nearly drowned the essence of herself in the false refuge of Dave handed Jim the room key and a credit religion and the misdirection of a counterfeit card to use for meals and sundries. He shook God’s will. This was no refuge and certainly not God’s will. hands enthusiastically and was out the door.

Well, this was different certainly. Jim and “What’s wrong with you?” said Jim flatly.

Sadie went up to their room, it was elegant and comfortable, more so than anywhere they’d “I guess I’m just tired,” Sadie responded. ever been before. The view was spectacular.

They unpacked, changed, and went down to “Well, don’t look like you’re tired. We’re in public, and you need to be happy, to be glad find a place to eat. you’re here and grateful. So drink your tea or The concierge saw them, and with apparent something, have a carrot, but smile for God’s previous instructions, directed them to the sake.” hotel restaurant where he recommended several choices that he thought they’d enjoy. Sadie impassively obeyed, smiled brightly, Jim and Sadie tried to conceal their somewhat and drank her tea. But her mind woke from naive amazement but failed. They were wowed its nightmarish dream, and her passivity began to drain, ever so slowly, away. The by the luxury and sumptuousness of it all. realization began to emerge - she had been As they waited for their entrees, Jim reflected, indoctrinated, brainwashed, into obedience, “Now this is what I was meant for, this is what passivity, and numbness. If anyone was paying attention, her eyes belied her smile and happy it’s all about.” demeanor. It kept the peace…for the moment.

Sadie at once realized two things. Although Thoughts began to emerge, ideas began to this was a lot of fun, she did not believe for a surface, and the writer-poet-rebel was still moment that this lavishness was “what it’s there, held down and repressed but not lost. all about” and it became apparent that this was Jim’s goal. Not building a church, not helping poor people, not creating positive change in the world, but living a lifestyle that Powerful Women Today Magazine

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With a focus on authentic fiction, Susan teaches women to write and create to find their purpose, vision, and voice.

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Hemp: Changing Your Mind/Body Experience

by Monika Greczek

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hen I learned about hemp, I had no idea this plant could do so many things. It has been used for centuries and somewhere along the way it was illegal to use and now it is legal.

Did you know that HEMP is the ONLY Plant that can feed you, heal you, and clothe you?

Now you see it for everyday wellness and self-care to help you look, feel, and be your best self.

I use CBD for many things at my Salon and Spa and on myself.

After a long day at the salon, I apply CBD salve onto my hands, shoulders, and feet to relax the muscles, reduce inflammation, and soothe my aches. I also use it for massage, it relaxes the muscles, reduces inflammation, and destresses the client, this makes it relaxing for them and easier for me to massage them. I recommend the facial serum for home use after receiving facials and facial treatments because CBD prevents oxidative stress by activating A2A receptors responsible for collagen production, while also activating PPAR receptor, which alleviates inflammation.

I also apply the facial serum Calm after waxing, post treatment redness can be reduced within 60 minutes allowing my clients to resume normal activities and no need to hide like I used to after getting my eye brows and lip waxed. Also, the natural anti-microbial properties of CBD prevent breakouts and restore homeostasis to the skin microbiome. The antioxidant benefits of CBD also restore a disrupted skin barrier reducing water loss for a plumped, toned, more youthful glow.

Then I take the CBD Tincture to soothe the fight or flight mode in my brain, this helps me relax, calm down, decompress, and have a good night’s sleep.

As more people turn to CBD for relief from whatever is ailing them, researchers around the world are now studying how this Powerful Plant product may improve EVERYTHING from our sleeping habits to our skin and even our pets.

Studies have produced some evidence of CBD’s beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components. CBD has also been known to facilitate positive mood and reduce stress by alleviating cortisol in the body. Some people still call it a drug and I say this supplement does absolutely nothing except make people feel better!

Monika Greczek is a Holistic Hairstylist ,Wellness Coach, and Owner of Natura hemp Co. no one ever educated me on the chemicals that are found in our products.

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Letting Go and Detoxifying Mind, Body, and Spirit: Cultivating Gratitude for a Renewed You

by Stephaney Campbell

I

n our fast-paced world, it’s easy to become entangled in the web of responsibilities, stress, and distractions. As we navigate through the complexities of daily life, it becomes essential to pause, reflect, and consciously embark on a journey of letting go, detoxifying the mind, body, and spirit, and fostering gratitude. This holistic approach can lead to a renewed sense of well-being and balance.

with a centered and resilient perspective.

Detoxifying the Body: Nurturing Wellness Our bodies are temples that deserve to be treated with care. Detoxifying the body involves making conscious choices about what we consume and how we treat ourselves physically. Incorporating nourishing foods, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular exercise can help eliminate toxins and rejuvenate the body. Adequate sleep and mindfulness practices further contribute to a balanced lifestyle, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

In conclusion, embarking on a journey of letting go, detoxifying the mind, body, and spirit, and nurturing gratitude can lead to a profound transformation. By releasing emotional baggage, caring for your physical well-being, finding inner peace, and cultivating a thankful heart, you create a harmonious and empowered life.

Remember, this journey is a continuous process that requires patience and self-compassion.

As you embrace these practices, you pave the way for a renewed you—equipped to face life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

Cultivating Gratitude: The Key to Contentment Gratitude is a potent force that can transform your outlook on life. It’s about acknowledging and appreciating the blessings, both big and small, that surround you. By focusing on the positive aspects of life, you shift your attention away from negativity and cultivate a mindset of abundance. Keeping a gratitude journal, regularly expressing appreciation to others, and finding joy in the present moment are ways Letting Go: Liberating the Mind The first step towards a healthier and more to integrate gratitude into your daily life. harmonious life is learning to let go. Holding onto grudges, regrets, and negative emotions The Symbiotic Relationship can clutter the mind and prevent personal The process of letting go, detoxifying, and growth. By releasing these burdens, we create practicing gratitude is interconnected. As you space for positivity and new experiences. let go of negativity and detoxify your mind, Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting the body, and spirit, you naturally create space for past, but rather freeing ourselves from its gratitude to flourish. Conversely, a gratitudeemotional grip. Practice forgiveness, both focused mindset encourages letting go of what towards others and yourself, to unshackle no longer serves you and nurtures a sense of clarity and contentment. the mind and open it to new possibilities.

Cleansing the Spirit: Finding Inner Peace Cleansing the spirit involves connecting with your inner self, fostering self-awareness, and embracing practices that bring inner peace. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and spending time in nature are powerful tools to cleanse the spirit. These practices not only calm the mind but also align you with your true self, helping you navigate life’s challenges

With courage and commitment, Stephaney Campbell stands behind a wedding industry revolution that brings sustainable practices and perspectives into all weddings and marriages.

Powerful Women Today Magazine

109

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Clarity of Mind = Clarity of Purpose

by Dortha Hise, BSc, BA, C. Graphic Design I am a naturepreneur... What does that mean exactly? The blend of what I do as a coach and consultant, serving my clients is one half of the equation. The other half is my deep connection to nature. I make it a priority to get out and spend time in the wilderness.

Getting out in nature allows me to disconnect, which allows me to reconnect.

When I head out, whether for a short trip on our local neighborhood trail, a day hike in the Sierras, or a multi-day backpacking trip, I start by setting an intention.

That intention is usually something along the lines of “I will receive what I am intended to receive in this experience.”

After setting that intention, my husband and I take off on our adventure, and it ruminates and I’m able to reflect, meditate, and pray on the intention. I also journal about it.

Time in nature is incredibly cathartic - and whether it’s for ten minutes or five days, the effects cannot be ignored. It brings peace, clarity, connection, gratitude, to name a few.

Clarity of my mind allows me to be in full alignment with the clarity of my purpose.

Taking each at their face value, clarity of purpose ties directly to my mental wellness. When my mind is clear, I am able to be intentional about my purpose. And clarity of my purpose is having a strong understanding of my goals, values, and what bigger vision I have for my life. Taken together, they comprise a symbiotic beauty.

With clarity of mind in balance with clarity of purpose, there is a certain harmony to my mental state. Here are a few things you can do to get started with this practice:

Y Meditate and practice mindfulness Y 6HW DVLGH WLPH WR UHćHFW DQG MRXUQDO Y Get clear about your goals and values Y Explore what you are passionate about Y Practice gratitude always Y Seek to grow and learn Y Give yourself grace and self-compassion Y Document your journey, adjust as needed

Entrepreneurial visionary Dortha Hise, Chief Overwhelm Solver at Pretty Smart, amplifies success. Director at Summit, she melds triumph and adventure for transformative growth.

Powerful Women Today Magazine

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by Loralee Humphreys

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o you have digestive issues - belly bloat, Key #3 - Journal constipation? Do sugar cravings and emotional Assess your relationships - family, friends, eating run you? Frequently feel exhausted, stressed, and coworkers. Especially with yourself anxious, angry or depressed? These 3 Essential - how you think, feel, talk to, and treat Keys For Digestive Health can help you feel yourself. Note things that trigger you to feel angry, depressed, sad, or resentful during better again! your day. Don’t get wrapped up in the drama, I feel ya! Years of sugar cravings, emotional simply outline what happened. eating, and a nutrient deficient diet developed into digestive issues, belly bloat, pain and Look for repeating patterns and themes inflammation. Fortunately, I found answers that throw you off center. This critical within the teachings of holistic health. Kicking awareness is the first step to resolving old my fears aside, I jumped into the unknown and issues, sugar cravings, emotional eating, and finding peace! learned healthier ways.

Now my sugar cravings and emotional eating To help calm your mind and emotions, are essentially gone. No more irritated, gassy, practice deep breathing. Inhale high-quality or inflamed digestion! I feel confident, peaceful, essential oils of geranium, lavender, orange or ylang ylang. Rub onto your belly, bottoms and empowered. of your feet, inside the wrists, and over your I turned my digestive health around and so can heart. Diffuse them into your home, office, you! Living free of belly bloat, constipation and and car. digestive issues is possible!

Key #1 - Eat Plant-Based, Whole Foods! Every. Day Fruits, vegetables, nuts, salads, soups, smoothies, juices. A solid nutritional foundation is critical to release toxins and wastes that cause bloating, inflammation, and constipation. It supports your emotional and mental health, and restores digestive health.

Loralee Humpherys is a Spiritual & Holistic Health Coach and producer of Essentials To Heal Yourself Podcast.

Spinach, kale, mango, dates, flax, and chia seeds make excellent smoothies. Quality plant-based protein powder with medicinal mushrooms, pea and hemp proteins satisfies you for hours.

Mixing carrots, broccoli, quinoa, black beans, kale, spinach, nuts, olives, avocado, sunflower seeds, apples turns a salad into a robust meal.

Key #2 - Intestinal Cleansing Organic psyllium, buckwheat and chia seeds are excellent cleansers. Bentonite clay draws out heavy metals and toxins that create bloating, gas DQG LQćDPPDWLRQ Follow with a 7-day fruit or vegetable juice cleanse.

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Powerful Women Today Magazine

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