Is there an elephant in the room?

Is there an elephant in the room?

Growing up it was a must to have an elephant in the room, the elephant signified dignity, power, pride and reliability. The elephant is one of the largest animals in the jungle not to mention the tremendous strength and wisdom it carries. Have you heard the saying "I have the mind of an elephant"? The elephant is thought of as one of the most intelligent creatures. The life span is 60 plus years and throughout their years they are very compassionate and deeply committed. 
 
As humans we are much like elephants. We show compassion, wisdom and strength. The development of relationships that are fostered through family, friends and neighbors we build each other up and support in the time of need. The elephant does the same with community of the jungle when babies are born they hover around to celebrate and take care of the elderly of the jungle by honoring them. 
 
This large yet graceful animal has poor eyesight, but with FAITH his other senses are keen. For Faith is not what is seen but knowing and believing so I am more than sure this animal has tons of FAITH. With my FAITH I would love to be the ELEPHANT IN ANY ROOM.  
 
I AM WISE, I AM STRONG, I AM GRACEFUL, I AM A LEADER, and I AM FAITHFUL

- Keshea Way

Connect with Keshea:

Website: www.kesheaway.com
Twitter Handle: @taughtbyfaith
Instagram Handle: @taughtbyfaith
Facebook Handle: Keshea Way
Linked In: Keshea Way

Living Vs Existing

Living Vs Existing

"You haven't lived until you have learned to breathe." I was driving to the office one day when I heard this saying in my spirit. I begin to ponder on it and it brought tears to my eyes. The first image that I could see was when a baby is first born.

Pregnancy doesn't equate living, it is merely the anticipation of life. How many of us can recall and reflect on being "pregnant or pregnant with something"? To be pregnant with something, means that we are holding something that is so dear that has yet to be birthed, nurtured and matured. That's how it is with your dreams, visions and desires. But it's just conception until we give birth to it and it has life blown into it.

I want to take a minute to look at the how something has the potential to live or to exist. Anything living is thriving, growing, and maturing. Anything that is just existing is lingering, barely surviving. Many of us can possibly find ourselves in one or the other and have at some point in life. Life has a way of causing some people to just exist, mean you are lingering. Sometimes many don't even know they are just existing. It's a normalcy to them. How can one just be existing?

Easy! Focused more on survival than creating substance. For some that's all we know. We believe that there's no more options or very few options. Ok, so that's the hand you were dealt? Then let's change the card game that you're playing. Instead of playing Go fish, let's play Solitaire. Increase your leverage and change your strategies and influencers. People with different mindsets play Solitaire from those who play Go Fish. That's a different discussion. Existing! You want to start the business but you're lingering at "I thought about it". You want to get married but when it comes to trust you say "I don't know if I will find the right one". You want to travel and your words are "but the bills have more frequent flyer miles than I do". You get the picture?

That's existing because what should feel like life feels like exhaustion, as if life is being drained from you. At some point in life you have to take your decisions and direction by the horns and create a space to live and not just exist. There's a saying that says "Surely I was born to do more than work and pay bills". That is so true. So how do I live and not just exist? I am glad you asked. The key is to learn to breathe!!! Inhale and exhale. You haven't lived until you have learned to breathe. Anything living is breathing. That's why it's so important that babies cry when existing the womb and into the world. That cry clears the lungs and that cry denotes breathing; which confirms that the baby is living!!

You may need to cry to clear your lungs. It's ok! There's Kleenex for baby tears as well as adult tears. Crying is normal, pride is unhealthy. But once you've cleared your lungs and wiped your tears, it's time to Live and not just exist. Give that vision, life; that relationship, life; that ministry, life; your family, life; and so much more. So it failed before. No it didn't fail, that strategy just was befitting for that plan.

Try again! It's time to get rid of or walk away from what's not giving YOU life. Whatever isn't giving life is lingering and you can't afford to linger. Be mindful of your environment, it may not be conducive to positive living. Toxic environment and connections give off toxic air; which is more fatal and worse than second hand smoke. For those who feel like they have passed slap out due to past trauma(s), that have caused you to stop breathing, today we administer CPR to you. We are our sisters and brothers keeper. You will live again. You were create for so much more. Inhale. Exhale. Live the life that's worth living.

- Melody Joy

Connect with Melody:

Website: www.stilettoauthority.org 

Twitter Handle: @melodyjoy_ 

Instagram Handle: @stiletto_authority 

Facebook Handle: Melody Joy (Stiletto Authority) 

Linked In: Melody France

Put On Some New Genes!

Put On Some New Genes! 

As children we come into this world just as innocent as we can be. As our characteristics and traits start to develop people may see things we do that remind them of our mother or things that will remind them of our father. I have someone in my life that comes from a family of bi-polar disorder he constantly states he is not bi-polar. He does not want to be associated with the disorder. He is choosing to put on new GENES.

Just because his family line is associated and impacted by this disorder he is making better choices and decisions with his life. Life is all about making good choices and decisions because the choices affect our future, not to mention what or who is connected to our future. Diminish the infamous character or conduct that may have been passed on through your GENES. When you take authority over your life and learn to walk in your new GENES the overall life for the next set of family members can take a different route than the previous family members.

After a conversation with a close friend we realized the patterns that are currently in her life and I brought it to her attention that she must end it now. She must put on her new GENES because she has a daughter that may take the pattern and continue to build a quilt out of it. When you make the final say to ending the relationship with the old GENES and you put on the new GENES they will have a much better fit, cut and they will look good on you.

So stop what you are doing and look at your GENES....DO YOU NEED TO PUT ON SOME NEW GENES?

- Keshea Way

Connect with Keshea:

Website: www.kesheaway.com
Twitter Handle: @taughtbyfaith
Instagram Handle: @taughtbyfaith
Facebook Handle: Keshea Way
Linked In: Keshea Way

Purpose To The 5th Power

Purpose To The 5th Power

As "Finding Purpose" has become the trending factor across the world; so many are engaged in finding their purpose or assisting others in finding their purpose. The truth is purpose was never lost, our way was. The reason I say that is because we were born with a purpose and it was left up to those who were molding us to help us understand who we are and to point us in the right direction. Often times we grew up as children hearing "You're a child you don't have a say so" or "Stay in a child's place". I believe that had we been molded differently, operating in our purpose wouldn't have been such a challenge. We lost our way because we were groomed and shaped into thinking how someone else thought we should. Our purpose was already in course the day we inhaled and exhaled. That's why I say it's not about finding purpose but about finding self. When it comes to purpose, purpose is a powerful things. I like to call it Purpose to the 5th Power.  
 
Here are the 5 powerful points to purpose.  
•A purpose will motivate you. 
•A purpose will keep your priorities straight. 
•A purpose will develop your potential. 
•A purpose will give you power to live in the present. 
•A purpose will help you evaluate your progress. 
(Excerpt from The Maxwell Leadership Bible) 
 
Once self-discovery is there and purpose has it's free course, you can look forward to 5 powerful encounters to purpose that are sure to take you beyond you're preconceived thoughts of how to live out your purpose. Once you know who you are, serving others becomes easier and more rewarding to do and you can rest assure that purpose will operate in the 5th power. The number 5 signifies grace, meaning you find joy, favor, ability and fulfillment; you will have the grace to be and do who you were originally created and chosen to do before it became contaminated. Go and be great…there are more counting on you than against you. The world awaits you. 

- Melody Joy

Connect with Melody:

Website: www.stilettoauthority.org 

Twitter Handle: @melodyjoy_ 

Instagram Handle: @stiletto_authority 

Facebook Handle: Melody Joy (Stiletto Authority) 

Linked In: Melody France 

STARTING OVER WITH SHYREETA

Greatness Unmasked!

I want to WIN but I have no one that believes in me or my vision!
I need a mentor!
In order to receive what you are being taught by a mentor, they have to be relatable.
Relatable in a sense of knowing how you feel and being unafraid to share their raw feelings of how they felt and how they coped.
On those days where you just feel unmotivated, defeated, rejected, empty, overwhelmed, beat down, and just blocked up from life's occurences this person should be able to tell you that it's normal and show you ways of how to get pass it.
I'm not saying that your mentor should pacify and pat you on the back by telling you what you want to hear. They should be able to be in touch with life and not sale you a story of whimsical dreams and experiences. Nobody gets to where they are by way of luck or by living the perfect life. Their lives are built with brick and mortar; one brick at a time.
When you find a mentor that you can trust, be honest with, and unashamed to share your rawest of feelings, keep them close. Those are the ones that have experienced some things and take pride in providing the necessary tools to help you succeed.
Remember your success depends greatly upon you and the work that you put in not the excuses!
I hope your week is grand!

Connect with Shyreeta:

Website: www.ibrandmatchmaker.com

Instagram: Shyreeta_shops4u

Facebook: Shyreeta Benbow

Linked In: Shyreeta Benbow

But It's Worth It

But It's Worth It

For many it wasn't easy getting to 2016 and every day still isn't sunshine but don't allow pressure and processes to cancel out your promises. Your gifts have made room for you. I know you can feel the stretch but don't give into the cramping. It's just purpose "walk it out". As we get wiser and older, certain things and people should no longer matter. One thing is for sure you will go as far as you can speak and as far as the support around you. What and who shall be, will be. God is definitely removing excuses and giving you what and who you need and desire. This is the season of connections. Sometimes you have to lose to win; it teaches you how to persevere. Learn to do it less than perfect and to do IT afraid. Lots of great things coming and you get to experience some of the best days of your life. Don't wallow in what was but leap into what is to come. Often times we are consumed by our battles and negate to look at what's already been won. It's easier to say what you desire to do, where you desire to go and who you would like to be connected with but the real victory and joy comes in moving your BUT. Change your profession and you'll change your position. Notice the title of this "...But it's worth it" instead of "It's worth it but...". I did that because the “but” changes the position of accomplishing based on where it's placed. We are positioned to acquire not shrink back or make excuses. The placement of the "but" says in spite of I can, I must and I will. Blows and trials will come to detour you but they aren't fatal. Tough times don't last tough people do. You're the lead star and headliner. Despite how it feels, there's greater on the other side of through. Faced with anything? Just go through. There's danger and defeat in getting stuck. There's an encore being performed in your life in your honor. Your best is not next its NOW. The stage is set. Are you? Lets go and be great. It's worth it. 

- Melody Joy

Connect with Melody:

Website: www.stilettoauthority.org 

Twitter Handle: @melodyjoy_ 

Instagram Handle: @stiletto_authority 

Facebook Handle: Melody Joy (Stiletto Authority) 

Linked In: Melody France 

STARTING OVER WITH SHYREETA

Tune out the Negative!

“Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle and a victory.” –Mahatma Gandhi, Political and Spiritual Leader

Failures in business happen. It is a fact of life. Research says that you could probably expect to fail in business since the majority of new businesses do fail within the first four years. Is that something that we want to accept? NO! But it is a true statement. So go at it full-fledged knowing that you will WIN! 

Most of us experience slow business, increased overhead costs, and bad location etc. Which causes us to shut down our business. It hurts and we feel less determined to start over. 

However, we must realize that it is what you do after your failure that separates the wheat from the chaff. If you give up then you should resign yourself to working for the man and make the best of it. But if you don’t, and start another venture, you are giving yourself the opportunity to succeed and surpass your previous endeavor. If you don’t keep trying to make a go of it, you will never have the opportunity to experience the freedom of success. Where there is no risk there is no reward and a successful business can be the most rewarding thing to ever happen to you.

Don't look at past experiences as failures, look at them as a way to improve and move forward. 

A bad mental situation will keep your business from ever experiencing the growth that creates success. Find yourself something that makes you excited and get into that instead. You will be happier when you do. – Doug Kersten 

Today we must think about what makes us happy and what we can do to extend our existing businesses. Especially when business is slow.

Ex. If you do hair, you could sell extensions, hair care products that you make on your own, give out complimentary scalp massages, give out free services time to time (ex. deep conditioner or clip ends), have loyalty cards and accumulative point systems. Offer consignment for your products.

If you own a space, rent it out for private events after office hours.

Remember, where there's a will, there's a way. Find it!

Connect with Shyreeta:

Website: www.ibrandmatchmaker.com

Instagram: Shyreeta_shops4u

Facebook: Shyreeta Benbow

Linked In: Shyreeta Benbow

Photo Credit: Rich Cruse 

STARTING OVER WITH SHYREETA

Tradition vs. Entrepreneurship

Tradition states that we have to go to school and earn our college degree so that we can then pursue the thought of getting married and raising a family along with living in a house on the hill.

As we know, times have changed tremendously!

The only thing is... We've changed our thinking!

We are looking to kick that 9 to 5 job to the side and run full-fledged towards our dreams. While we feel strongly that we're making the correct decisions, there's always the person that's close to us discouraging us with their negative "What If?" So then we start to think "What if, I can't pay my bills, I lose my house, my car, and most of the loss of income that I already receive at work?”

I'm here to say that it's all true...depending on our grind. If we keep thinking negative, we will receive negative results.

In order to bypass the naysayers, we have to find ourselves a good business network of people. I find myself so excited to speak with other entrepreneurs because they kick my passion to thrive into overdrive. They get it! They get the struggle! Rest assured that everyone that we'll meet on our journey, will instill tidbits of value and experience to our burning desire to become successful. This will alleviate the sharing of information with the people that are traditionally driven.

I also wanted to touch on significant others that totally don't see or believe in our vision. We must realize that it is our vision and not theirs. We can't expect them to get it but we can show them a visual. Otherwise, we can find what motivates us best and gravitate to it when we're not so motivated. Accept change and consistently fine tune your business model if things don't seem to pan out how you want them to. Find a BBF (business best friend) and ask for direction. I have been really grateful for all of the people (including you ladies) that gave me guidance on moving forward after what could have been failure. They were also open to sharing helpful information with me.

Keep your head up and your ears open to new opportunity. Stay prepared because you never know who you're speaking with.

Connect with Shyreeta:

Website: www.ibrandmatchmaker.com

Instagram: Shyreeta_shops4u

Facebook: Shyreeta Benbow

Linked In: Shyreeta Benbow

Photo Credit: Rich Cruse

STARTING OVER WITH SHYREETA

Self-Criticism - A positive approach

"Confront your path with courage, and don't be afraid of the criticism of others. And, above all, don't allow yourself to become paralyzed by self-criticism."

Self-criticism - critical of oneself, one's abilities, or one's actions in a self-aware or unduly disapproving manner.

Although many people believe that being hard on themselves will make them better people, research does not support this belief: Self-criticism has been shown to increase procrastination and rumination and impede goal progress. If you already feel worthless and incompetent, you may feel like there’s no point in even trying to do better next time.

Whether your M.O. is to build yourself up or put yourself down, it’s all about self-judgment. The focus is on, am I good person or a bad person? It’s easy to lose sight of questions that are more likely to get us somewhere, like how did this happen, and how can I avoid letting it happen again? What does it take to get out of the trap of self-judgment? 

1. Are you thinking positively?
2. What is your solution?
3. Can you use a second opinion?
4. Have you stepped away completely, took time out for yourself, and returned to a blank canvas to start over?
5. Are you worried about what others think?
6. What's makes you happy?

Make sure your thoughts aren't poisonous to your well-being. Believe in yourself and know that there is a difference in being cocky and confident.
Post 3
Tradition vs. Entrepreneurship
Tradition states that we have to go to school and earn our college degree so that we can then pursue the thought of getting married and raising a family along with living in a house on the hill.

As we know, times have changed tremendously!

The only thing is... We've changed our thinking!

We are looking to kick that 9 to 5 job to the side and run full-fledged towards our dreams. While we feel strongly that we're making the correct decisions, there's always the person that's close to us discouraging us with their negative "What If?" So then we start to think "What if, I can't pay my bills, I lose my house, my car, and most of the loss of income that I already receive at work?”

I'm here to say that it's all true...depending on our grind. If we keep thinking negative, we will receive negative results.

In order to bypass the naysayers, we have to find ourselves a good business network of people. I find myself so excited to speak with other entrepreneurs because they kick my passion to thrive into overdrive. They get it! They get the struggle! Rest assured that everyone that we'll meet on our journey, will instill tidbits of value and experience to our burning desire to become successful. This will alleviate the sharing of information with the people that are traditionally driven.

I also wanted to touch on significant others that totally don't see or believe in our vision. We must realize that it is our vision and not theirs. We can't expect them to get it but we can show them a visual. Otherwise, we can find what motivates us best and gravitate to it when we're not so motivated. Accept change and consistently fine tune your business model if things don't seem to pan out how you want them to. Find a BBF (business best friend) and ask for direction. I have been really grateful for all of the people (including you ladies) that gave me guidance on moving forward after what could have been failure. They were also open to sharing helpful information with me.

Keep your head up and your ears open to new opportunity. Stay prepared because you never know who you're speaking with.

Connect with Shyreeta:

Website: www.ibrandmatchmaker.com

Instagram: Shyreeta_shops4u

Facebook: Shyreeta Benbow

Linked In: Shyreeta Benbow

Photo Credit: Rich Cruse