Difference Maker!

Difference Maker!

Age can make a difference.
 
My childhood wasn’t the greatest. It wasn’t the worst, but shit happened. You don’t realize in those moments how those things impact you until you’re an adult. And that’s the truth. At least that’s my truth.
 
My teenage years were not much better. The events of my childhood made things difficult for me to trust and connect.
 
My twenties, things did get worse. This is when I did start to fit in, but not necessarily with the right people in the beginning. When I did start surrounding myself with people who are to this day, my circle, it took me way too long to fully trust and connect. I am beyond blessed to have them in my life.
 
But along came my thirties. This is when I started to pay more attention to myself. I began to reflect and understand why I had reacted to the things that happened in my past.
 
I will never forget having that “ah ha” moment in the car.  Let’s call it a breakthrough, although it was a little more of a break down. These “breakthrough” moments sneak up on you anywhere and anytime.  For me, I had unexpected flashbacks of my life from that very moment all the way back to when I was five. Crazy but true.

From that moment of understanding, I began letting go.  I began rebuilding again. And now, here I am in my forties. Eek, I hate saying I’m in my forties.
 
I am at 45. I am willing to graciously accept my age and accept the time and maturity it took me to get here. I truly feel I am ready to take my mental and physical wellbeing to the next level. And if it wasn’t for the decades of experiences, lessons, connections, and education, I would not be here at this very moment.
 
So, embrace the years.  They ultimately dictate how we prioritize values, efforts, and attention – all the things that make us who we are!

Evergreen and Everlasting!

Evergreen and Everlasting!

Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. We have ideas constantly, but often we let them fall by the wayside because we become overwhelmed by the lack of time to achieve them. And let’s face it, time is a rare commodity these days.
 
There is also the intimidation factor. We constantly question ourselves and use these questions as roadblocks to reach our end goal.
 
And finally, there is always a risk present. What if we fail?
 
Heck, we even do this when thinking about leaving our current positions for better ones.
 
None of the above will ever change.
 
Yet, there are those instances that push us off that ledge. Those words of encouragement, words of adversity, or feelings we have within ourselves that start bubbling over help us take the leap. This is when the risk of not doing becomes greater than the actual doing.
 
My advice… ASK FOR HELP!
 
None of us know everything! There are so many different sectors when it comes to business, so go to the experts in the areas that you may be lacking. Make sure those are people you can trust. Let them guide you; let them educate you.
 
Luckily, in the Mahoning Valley we have the Youngstown Business Incubator. Their sole purpose is to elevate you and your business to the next level. There is also a library of books, videos, and tutorials at your fingertips.
 
It will never be easy to start, or to grow your own business. It will never be without reservation that we take on a new job.
 
Surround yourself with inspiration, expertise, and cheerleaders. This is where your spirit will thrive, and your heart will become stronger.

Edible Fact!

Edible Fact!

Did you know that you are the tallest you will ever be when you wake up in the morning? Crazy, amazing, and true, this fact shows how the day’s activity and gravity can weigh on us.
 
Just like the cushion in our running shoes that need a day of rest to decompress, so does our body. Every evening, the cartilage in our spine, knees, and other body parts get a chance to expand again. And just like a pair of running shoes, each day our cartilage gets a little more worn and expands a little less the next day.
 
Now we know why grandma went from 5’8” to 5’3” by her ninetieth birthday.
 
Can you image if your cartilage had a voice what it would sound like when we finally give our ourselves the rest we so desperately need? I don’t even want to imagine what mine would sound like, but I can tell you if it spoke it would have nothing nice to say.
 
Sounds all so depressing right? Well, have no fear, there is a solution (or potentially a solution which is good enough for me).
 
There are things we can do to help stop the shrinkage. Eat food rich in Vitamin D, and regular exercise. If this too makes you depressed, then you haven’t done it or done it often enough for your body to crave it because it feels so good.
 
Now, I am not a medical doctor, and I often fall down various rabbit holes of self-help. So always check with someone who has had all the education. 

Sun or Shade?

Sun or Shade?

Bear with me on this week’s Sun or Shade, I have two children that are very into Marvel. One of the greatest things about children is that they introduce you to things you never would have considered if it weren’t for them. And as a parent, you want to make sure their interest falls into the guidelines you are trying to set for them.
 
If you haven’t noticed, the Marvel series have made a strong comeback, raking in millions at the box office. In fact, this year, Multiverse of Madness was released in the Spring. And soon the much-anticipated Thor: Love and Thunder over the Summer. The previews for Thor look great… a little comedy and plenty of action while Thor tries to find his way in the universe.
 
I’m not a Marvel fan, but again, my children are, so therefore I’ve taken an interest. To my surprise, I have found many reasons why I do like the series.
 

  1. Women rule, side-by-side, with the men. This is my wish for the real world.
  2. There is always a moral lesson.
  3. It brings to light a lot of social issues we are facing today: discrimination, prejudice, and diversity. Making us think!

 
The latest conversation in our house has been whether I would allow my child to go to a Comicon. My response, heck yea, if I get to tag along and I get to dress up!! Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love a theme party. Hell, my day-to-day dress is themed to a vibe I’m trying to channel.
 
My children already have their superhero selected: Iron Man for my eldest and Loki for my youngest (if you ever met him, you’d know Loki fits him very well).
 
I asked who they thought I should be. Their immediate response… Captain Marvel. I was of course flattered; Brie Larson plays Captain Marvel on the big screen. They said I remind them her because I’m smart, very protective, fun, and a leader. This was one of those moments that made me realize I must be doing something right, and maybe Marvel has been a good influence on my kids.See, my children are boys. I want them to know women possess the qualities of intelligence, wit, strength, creativity, empathy, and LEADERSHIP. And when they become men, they will be our allies, confidants, and friends in the professional and personal realms.
 
Curious to know what Marvel character? Take the short quiz. I bet most of you are Captain Marvel too.
 
https://www.buzzfeed.com/shami1412/which-of-the-mcu-women-are-you-bg980x0rvk