Purposed. Magazine - September 2023

E D I T O R ’ S L E T T E R

Hey Mama,

This is a very special issue dedicated to those of you who are committed to confidently stepping into your Purposed life.

I already know that there have been some life circumstances that have made you feel like you couldn’t pursue your purpose in the past, but I’m here to tell you now that your Purposed Life is attainable.

We crafted this issue with YOU in mind. Every article in this issue is charging you with the assignment of tapping into your purpose. And I promise, I absolutely want that for you sis.

I hope you enjoy The Confidence Issue!

WHAT'S TRENDING...

CIARA ON CO-PARENTING

Ciara recently had a sit-down with The Shaderoom to talk about her current life, including her new music When asked about her co-parenting relationship with the rapper/singer Future, Ciara chose to laugh instead of answering directly leaving many to wonder what their co-parenting relationship actually looks like For those of use who speak fluent sarcasm, we all knew EXACTLY what that laugh meant

KEKE PALMER...AGAIN

Most of us have probably seen the viral video from Vegas by now. As with most things that go viral online, it's difficult to keep it private and move on. During a recent interview with Hoda & Jenna, Keke was quite indirect when asked about her relationship with Darius Jackson, the father of her child, but she ultimately suggested that people should “mind your business.” At this point sis, we’re in the group chat and are geniunely invested in the outcome of the relationship.

First of all, can we just acknowledge how beautiful Halle Bailey looks? And whoever styled her hair to allow for the versatility, kudos to them. Now, to the matter at hand, there is a lot of speculation surrounding Halle's new look and wardrobe choices that have left the internet aunties wondering if she's pregnant with rapper DDG's baby. However, some of us are just waiting for her to confirm the pregnancy because the writing is clearly on the wall.

HALLE BAILEY - IS SHE OR ISN’T SHE?

ALL THINGS BLACK FEATURING

THE NO SYNDIC

OIRE CATE JENNIFER B.

ALL THINGS BLACK FEATURING

THE NOIRE SYNDICATE

JENNIFER B.

PM: JENNIFER, WE'RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BE A PART OF THE CONFIDENCE ISSUE! TO DIVE STRAIGHT IN, WHAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE DO YOU FEEL YOU SHOW UP TH MOST CONFIDENT IN?

IT'S THE STEPS I'M TAKING TO UNLEAR THE LIMITED BELIEFS I'VE INHERITED FROM GENERATIONAL TRAUMA THAT MAKE ME FEEL MOST CONFIDENT. MY GOAL IS TO BE A BETTER WOMAN, A BETTER MOTHER, A BETTER FRIEND, A BETTER ENTREPRENEUR, A BETTER PARTNER IN THE FUTURE, ETC. IN MY MIND, I AM ALWAYS THINKING ABOU HOW I WILL ENSURE THAT I TEACH MY TWO CHILDREN THE THINGS THEY NE TO KNOW IN ORDER TO BE HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL ADULTS.

IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, I MUST WORK ON MYSELF AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO MY BELIEFS, VALUES, AND LIFESTYLE. AS I REFLECT ON MY JOURNEY, I AM PROUD OF THE PROGRESS I HAVE MADE THUS FAR. WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT TERM ENCOMPASSES ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE TO DO ON YOUR JOURNEY TO HEAL. I KNOW IT RESONATES WITH MANY PEOPLE, HOWEVER. I'D CALL IT MY JOURNEY TO ACCEPTING WHO I AM, WHO I WANT TO BE, AND WHAT STEPS I'M GOING TO TAKE TO GET THERE.

PM: AS YOU VERY WELL KNOW, PURPOSED IS ALL ABOUT SHINING A LIGHT ON SINGLE MOMS BOLDLY OPERATING IN THEIR PURPOSE. CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT INTO YOUR SINGLE MOM JOURNEY?

"CO-PARENT" IS A TERM I LIKE TO USE BECAUSE THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN IS STILL INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES. ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO SHOW RESPECT TO WOMEN WHO ARE ACTUALLY SINGLE MOMS AND HAVE NO OTHER PARENT TO ASK FOR HELP OR ANY COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THEM. THAT BEING SAID, MY JOURNEY BEGAN WHEN I REALIZED I WASN'T IN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CHILDREN'S FATHER. MY GROWTH WAS GOING ONE WAY WHILE HIS WAS GOING THE OTHER. AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO STAY TOGETHER, I WAS BEGINNING TO FEEL STUCK. THE LAST THING I WANTED FOR OUR CHILDREN WAS TO GROW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE THEY WERE EXPOSED TO TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE STUCK TOGETHER RATHER THAN TWO PEOPLE WHO LOVED AND CARED FOR EACH OTHER. IT WAS HARD TO LEAVE AT FIRST, AND I WAS AFRAID TO BE A WOMAN L

LIVING ALONE WITH TWO CHILDREN. IN REALITY, PARENTING IS HARD AS FUCK, AND NO ONE TELLS YOU THAT IT'S MOSTLY TRIAL AND ERROR. THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, YOU ARE REALLY LEARNING. FOR MYSELF AND MY KIDS, GETTING AWAY FROM THAT FEELING OF BEING STUCK WAS THE BEST THING I COULD'VE DONE. "ONCE YOU GET FREE, YOU STAY FREE." I'M DETERMINED TO STAY FREE.

{M: WAS THERE EVER ANY POINT IN YOUR JOURNEY WHERE YOU FELT LIKE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE YOU NEEDED TO TAP INTO YOUR PURPOSE?

I'VE FELT HELPLESS AT TIMES AND RUSHED TO GET WHERE I WANT TO BE. IT'S EASY TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IF YOU COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE. WHEN I LOOK AT MYSELF, I THINK I CAN DO IT. THEN I WONDER, WHY DON'T I DO THAT OR HOW DO I DO THAT? I'D GET SO DOWN ON MYSELF I'D FEEL HELPLESS AND LIKE I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT OR THE WAY I PLANNED. FAILING TO ACCOMPLISH BIG ASS GOALS OR MAKING MISTAKES ALONG THE WAY FEELS LIKE FAILURE WHEN YOU'VE GOT BIG ASS ASPIRATIONS. IN THOSE MOMENTS, I TELL MYSELF TO TRUST THE PROCESS. NO MATTER HOW HARD IT IS TO BELIEVE THERE'S HOPE ON THE OTHER END OF THE PROCESS, I KEEP TELLING MYSELF TO KEEP GOING.

PM: THE NOIRE SYNDICATE - FOR THE FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW IS YOUR BRANDING AGENCY THAT CATERS TO ALL THINGS BLACK CULTURE. WHAT'S YOUR DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS BRAND AND WHAT ALL DO YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR IT?

THING I'VE NOTICED DURING MY DESIGN REER IS THE LACK OF REPRESENTATION OF ACK PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES SHOWCASING OUR BEST SELVES AND ING OUR BEST LIVES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO THAT I MAKE AN IMPACT AND INFLUENCE E NARRATIVE REGARDING HOW WE ARE WED AND WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE. IT IS MY SSION TO MAKE MY AGENCY THE GO-TO ENCY FOR OUR CULTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR ANDS THAT ENRICH THE LIVES OF MY OPLE AND CULTURE. THE USE OF EREOTYPES OF OUR IDENTITY AND OUR PABILITIES IS ABSURD. I'M REMINDED OF A E FROM BEYONCE'S SONG "I'M THAT GIRL," LEANSE ME OF MY SINS, MY UN-AMERICAN E." AS BLACK PEOPLE, THERE IS AN PECTATION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A RTAIN LIFE. REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE BOX YS, I'M DETERMINED TO SHOW US OFF UTSIDE OF IT.

The Push You Need To Tap Into Your Next-Level

By Falon Bonner

Life can be a challenging journey filled with ups and downs, setbacks, rejections, and moments of pain. For many women, these challenges can sometimes lead to a state of feeling stuck, where their potential lies dormant, waiting to be awakened. Girl, pull up a chair as we talk about the importance of acknowledging your setbacks, rejections, and pain, while also tapping into the incredible power you possess to pursue your purpose with passion and tap into the fullness of God's blessings for your lives. It's time for you to rise up, awaken your potential, and embrace the abundant life that awaits you.

Acknowledge the Setbacks

Setbacks are an inevitable part of life. They can be as minor as a stumble on a rocky path or as significant as a career setback, loss of a loved one or a broken relationship. For women like you who are ready to tap into their purpose, setbacks can sometimes lead to selfdoubt and a sense of inadequacy. However, it's crucial that you remember that setbacks are not failures but opportunities for growth. They provide valuable lessons and prepare us for the blessings that lie ahead. By acknowledging these setbacks, we can begin to take steps toward waking up to the true potential of our purpose.

Embrace Rejection as a Teacher

Rejection is another aspect of life that can be difficult to handle, especially for women who may feel pressure to conform to societal expectations. We all live in this fast-paced world where social media, television, and/or celebrity lifestyles tend to dictate some unattainable level of perfection. Whether it's rejection in the professional world, in relationships, or even in pursuing one ' s dreams, rejection can be painful. However, it's essential to reframe rejection as a teacher rather than a judgment of our worth. Each rejection is a redirection is a chance for God to do His work to redirect us into His intended purpose for our lives.

Healing from Pain

Pain is an inevitable part of our journey. Many of you have faced pain in various forms, whether it was physical, emotional, or spiritual. However, what I want you to know NOW is that instead of allowing that pain to hold us back, we get the opportunity to use it as a catalyst for growth and transformation. Healing from pain can empower us to tap into our potential and help others do the same. I mean if it weren’t for that pain, you wouldn’t have become the resilient, strong, and purposed woman that you are today.

Pursue Your Purpose with Passion

Once we have acknowledged our setbacks, learned from rejection, and healed from pain, we are ready to pursue our purpose with passion. Each of you reading this article has a unique calling that is waiting to be unlocked. When we align our passions with our purpose, we tap into limitless motivation that will propel us forward. Pursuing your purpose moves you out of the driver’s seat of your life and allows you to put all your faith and hope in what God desires to do through you.

Embracing God's Abundant Blessings

As we awaken our purpose, we position ourselves to receive the abundant blessings that God has in store for us. These blessings may come in the form of opportunities, relationships, or personal growth. By aligning yourself with God's plan and staying committed to your journey, you can experience a life that is rich in fulfillment, joy, and purpose.

"Girl, Wake Up" is a call to action for women to stop sleeping on their potential and embrace the fullness of God's blessings for their lives. It's an acknowledgment of the setbacks, rejections, and pain that may have caused them to slumber, while it’s also a celebration of the incredible power that lies within every woman to pursue her purpose with passion. As women awaken to their true potential, they not only transform their own lives but also inspire and uplift others on their journey. It's time to rise, embrace your potential, and step into the abundant blessings that await.

I’m rooting for you!

BECO MING becoming

CECEI LY MARAYA

Life is an ever-changing adventure, and change is inevitable. Circumstances change, our views shift, and personal growth and development occur. Authenticity is not defined as staying true to a particular way of being forever; instead, it embraces change and transformation. If you are in a transitional period, it is OK to examine your points of view, change your goals, and even change your mind about specific issues This adaptability allows you to remain true to your ever-evolving self while navigating life.

You are a remarkable woman who is conquering life's challenges with grace and determination, and this one is for you. In the pursuit of success and caring for your little ones, or even your big ones, it's easy to forget about the most crucial person in your life: yourself. Between faith, science, and inner work, we are our guides as we explore the world of authenticity and self-discovery.

Embracing authenticity may be a courageous effort in a world that frequently places a focus on external validation and comparison. It involves reflection, self-compassion, and an openness to accept both the positive and negative aspects of ourselves. Although pursuing authenticity is not always simple, the benefits are immeasurable: an immense sense of fulfillment, stronger relationships with others, and a life that feels truly lived. Buckle up, because we are about to explore four evidence-based steps that will empower, encourage, and inspire you to become your most authentic self.

Step1:AuthenticityStartswithSelf-Awareness

Authenticity isn't just a buzzword; it's a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life. Before you can be authentic, you must know who you truly are. Studies and research on personality psychology suggest that understanding your core traits and tendencies is essential for living authentically. Take some time to explore your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Even if you are in a season of transition or things are changing, it is okay to change your mind, believe differently, and reevaluate as needed. This isn't about pleasing others or fitting in with the norm; this is about owning all that you are, and self-awareness lays the foundation for genuine self-expression.

Step2:ShedSociety'sExpectationsandEmbraceYourValues

In the age of social media, societal pressures, and doing it for the culture, it's easy to lose sight of your authentic self. To become truly authentic, you must free yourself from these external influences One of my favorite speakers and researchers is Professor Brené Brown. Her work on vulnerability emphasizes the importance of embracing your imperfections and allowing yourself to be seen. While it can be a challenging step, it's often necessary for living in alignment with your values and beliefs. Even as moms, we have the right to say what is best for ourselves and our families, even if others may not agree, and that is okay, as long as your session leads to happiness, peace, joy, love, good health, and anything else that is of value to you.

vulnerability emphasiz imperfections and allow g y challenging step, it's often necessary for living in alignm valuesandbeliefs.Evenasmoms,wehavetherighttosa for ourselves and our families, even if others may not a is okay, as long as your session leads to happiness, pe goodhealth,andanythingelsethatisofvaluetoyou.

Step3:CultivateSelf-CompassionIt'sNotselfish;It'sSma

As a mother carrying the weight of the world on h sometimes it can feel like deciding what best serves However,practicingself-compassionisn'taluxuryorase necessity. Dr. Kristin Neff's research on self-compassio treating yourself with the same kindness and understan offer to others can significantly reduce stress and increa resilience. That takes the do unto others quote to a new self-indulgent; it's a scientifically proven way to improv well-being. Because if we aren’t good to ourselves first, be?

Step4:PursuePassionwithPurpose

Authenticity flourishes when you engage in activities th passion, excite you, motivate you, and encourage you t purpose daily. This is not to keep you within the boun daily to-do list but to allow you to live. According to t "flow," immersing yourself in activities that challenge an can lead to increased happiness and a stronger sense o yourself, What's that passion you've set aside for far to was the vision that used to keep you up all night a energized the next day? It's time to bring it back into today.

Embrace your authentic self, unapologetically, as a h woman, mother, business owner, or even in a space o your life. Your journey to authenticity is not only admi essential for your well-being. On this journey to provi nurture, it's easy to lose sight of your true self. Howev scientifically-backed steps self-awareness, shedd expectations,practicingself-compassion,andpursuingy can all lead you toward living authentically Remember, not a destination; it's an ongoing process. It's about yourself, embracing your uniqueness, and continuo You're not just a mom; you're a multi-faceted woman aspirations, and the power and audacity to be un yourself. So, here’s to letting your authenticity shine lik strength and inspiration to those fortunate enough You've got the faith, science, and intellect to back you worldisreadytoseetheincredible,mostauthenticyou.