We are in that season again where employers are hiring and promotions are given. Everyone wants the opportunity to progress at work. All the work that you put in, of course you want to continue to be in a better position and more money.
With bigger positions come more responsibility. We all may think we deserve this and that, but we have to know that if we don’t make ourselves ready with what we were given, how would we handle this better position? If you can’t appreciate what you have now, you won’t be ready for the next big thing. I know it’s difficult mostly all the time to be satisfied with your current job because you know you want better but others are watching you to see if you can manage more responsibilities.
Don’t tarnish your character or work ethic because you’re tired of doing the right thing. Make sure you’re taking care of what you have now as if you had that better position. You can’t move to the next level when you haven’t mastered your current one.

,​Every day, I speak with many people about life insurance and managing their products.  It’s rewarding that many are buying insurance to leave something behind for their loved ones.  It’s rewarding because I have seen many that suffered, not only just the loss but the headache of getting things in order after their loved one had passed. 

Death isn’t a comfortable topic to speak about but it’s very important.  Let your loved ones know where to find things, write what your wishes are when this happens and follow up with your life insurance agent or company while you still can.  I have seen many people lose their life insurance policies by not opening their mail or checking in on it.  Most people aren’t sure of the coverage they have and it’s a term policy rather than a whole life policy and dies after it matures. 

Also, if you take a loan out on your policy, it is NOT your money, it is a cash investment that will earn interest if not paid back that can eat up your death benefit to where you don’t have much to leave to your beneficiaries. 
​
Follow up with the products you have and make sure you’re on track or get it situated before some life altering incident happens that restricts you from handling it on your own.  A part of buying life insurance is organizing.  The last thing you want to do is leave your family scrambling over finding something for you.  Keep it in one place, organize and write some instructions down.  This is just a heavy observation and experience that I wanted to share that can benefit a lot of families.

​About every two weeks, I get my nails done.  I’m a big fan of the dip powder which when it is applied, it has a hard base like acrylic.  With that, I like wearing them a little long which makes my real nail prone to splitting because of the pressure I constantly put on my nails.  ‘Even though I put something on the split to hold my nail together before applying the dip powder, after a week, the nail will break on top.  Every time this will happen no matter what was corrected on my real nail. 
How I see this is that if the foundation of something isn’t stable or broken, no matter how much you try to fix it, eventually whatever you cover it up with will break as well.  No matter what you go through in life, just know that you need a solid foundation to build anything on.  You may can cover it up and put glitter on top but after the wear and tear, the glitter will start to fall through the cracks.  Instead of doing quick fixes, invest in complete makeovers over your life to have a lasting result in whatever you do.  Don’t continue to fill up potholes, to have to keep filling every 6 months.  Just redo your whole street.

Sometimes you have to be willing to take risks.  Not all risks are good nor bad. But a risk is almost never a good thing because you have decided to jump into the unknown hoping that it all works out.  That’s why it’s called a risk right?  Now, you can take “good” risks if they aren’t acting off of impulse, poor judgment and planning.  Most risks are where great businesses, relationships, etc. are born.  If it’s something you want and have to have, then go for it.  Waiting around won’t get you anywhere but behind or you will even watch someone else living your dream.  The unknown of course isn’t a comfortable feeling to think about getting into, but its life.  We do it every day.  But knowing that you want change requires you to take the first step.  As long as your heart is in the right place along with the planning and the right people in your corner, anything is achievable.  You’ll be swimming in no time!

I finally had the chance to read Becoming Michelle Obama after patiently waiting a while to get my hands on a copy of it.  Let me just say, I haven’t finished it; but just reading the first two pages really puts you in her shoes and her vision on things. To me and many others, we look up to Mrs. Obama for her status, confidence and drive that she portrays so effortlessly that we forget that she is just a regular human being figuring out this thing called life like the rest of us.  Her journey from a child, teenager, wife and mother is just like ours.  She lets us know that it’s okay to not have all the answers, but to always stay on track. 
We all may see ourselves looking at the end product or the successes of others, but forget that there were some bumps along the way of getting there.  Remember, we always see the finished product because no one necessarily needs to see the struggle in everything you do.  Just don’t beat yourself up trying to find a formula for success or think you’re less than because of what you see on someone else.  Yes, Mrs. Obama has it all because she set a goal, made plans and executed them.  She had great role models and mentors to get her to each step with incredible determination.  We can all make up that formula within ourselves and instead of looking at others fulfill their dreams and callings, we can do it too.

​Over these past two months, I was able to witness and attend two birthdays for women who were celebrating 60 years of life.  60 years is a long time to experience life and they deserve to be celebrated.  Their wisdom, perseverance and strength doesn’t go unnoticed.  With that being said, it is such a milestone and blessing to make it to see 60.  Many people aren’t making it to 25, 40, or 50 now and days but that has almost been the norm. 
We seem to celebrate the life of people more when they’re gone than when they’re alive.  That seems like the norm too but that cycle should change.  If people are doing great in the community, a mentor or just someone you look up to, whatever it is, they should know how much they mean to you.  Show them the appreciation and love that they deserve.  You don’t have to throw parties for them or go over the top unless that’s just how you do things but just to tell them that you see who they are and respect their journey and their light that continues to guide you.  Showing those your appreciation and love for them is something you won’t regret.  When they’re gone, you can show it all you want, but they’re not here to receive it.  Take that extra step with those that you truly love in your life now and not wait till it’s too late. Give them their flowers while they are still here to enjoy them.

The key to getting tasks done is to make sure you are being productive rather than staying busy.  Just because you’re always on the go and have many things on your plate doesn’t mean you’re checking off anything on your list.
We can easily be distracted and involved with things that take up time but don’t benefit us.  Have you thought about what needs to be done to schedule out your day and your week?  If not, you will find yourself very busy with unnecessary things because now you can’t direct your focus on the more important tasks. You’re distracted and now it’s the end of the day and you’re exhausted and still haven’t gotten that thing done that you needed to do today.  Be productive, have a mission and stick to it. Make sure you implement the most important first or in the middle of the little things so that you see how your list starts to come down.
Trust me, it’s maintainable if you use your time wisely. Work smarter not harder. 

​Is it possible to pour into yourself 100% and still have something left over to give in relationships (friends, family, partners, work, etc.)?  The easy answer is no. To be able to only worry and care for yourself, no distractions, and dependability but to depend on what you can do for yourself.  Most times it isn’t possible to work on you 100% and have any left over and that’s okay. There are seasons where we can’t juggle pouring into our lives and pouring into others. Those seasons are just for you and if you find yourself not having left over to supplement you, then it's indication that this season isn’t meant for anyone else but to better yourself.  It’s hard to say no or step back, but if YOU aren’t made a priority, then you can’t prioritize for others.
​
Some of us have been constantly lending out to more than ourselves and we can’t seem to pick up the missing pieces for ourselves.  No matter how organized you get with planning time, money, etc. you will always come up short.  These seasons come and go and they come like growing pains or another level in life.  Prioritizing you is always a must.

​Sometimes your faith has to be the down payment for your future… At the time, you could
be so worried about how others will view your ideas and creations that you took the time out
to create. You may be nervous that many won’t follow your ideas and new business
ventures but when you insert your faith, everything else falls into line. You make sure you
continue to do your part. Stay organized, plan, execute and watch the magic happen. We
hear inspirational stories all the time about that leap of faith but can’t somewhat insert
yourself into that picture. Why not?
Trust me, I know it’s difficult because I’m starting to train myself on this same issue. Start
being your own inspiration and goals. That prayer and faith behind it will one day let you be
able to tell the next person how you just did it when you put in the physical and the spiritual
work. It’s legit.

​Many people have fears or phobias of consuming medication and the diagnosis for that is called pharmacophobia.  The fear of consuming any medication especially the wrong kind due to misdiagnosis.  Whether or not it is that serious, there are many of us, men and women that are not fond of taking medicine. No one wants to take it of course but it can get to that point to where we will sit in pain and deal with our ailments instead of allowing proper treatment.
I myself am not a fan of taking medicine.  Whether it’s a headache or getting over a sinus infection, taking anything is the last thing I want to do.  Now that I know I have constant anxiety, it has been a battle with whether I want to start the process with the proper medication.  Sometimes I may feel like I can handle it on my own and get over it. Or I would be weak or something is wrong with me if I have to fold and take this to get me through my everyday life.  I don’t like the feeling of having to be dependent on it but I know without it, I’m constantly struggling with this and others are too.
Just know with taking medication, know that it is to help and make you better. Constantly ask questions and follow-up with your doctors so that you’re not taking the wrong meds.  Make sure that you’re taking them when you absolutely need it and don’t feel as if you don’t need it or you may need them forever.  Take care of yourself and cope so that you can be able to wean yourself off and operate without.  It’s okay.