Valiant Lady - Virgin Voyage
So this was my first cruise with Virgin Voyage and here’s my experience. We cruised on the Valiant Lady and it was amazing - 7 days and 6 nights. We visited Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico and Bimini, Bahamas. Bimini and Roatan were my favs! It was an amazing trip, I feel rested and rejuvenated!
Here are the things I loved about the cruise line:
- It’s an adults-only cruise - no kids are allowed.
- There were several different and unique restaurants with great food options. My favorite restaurants were Gunbae and Extra Virgin.
- The customer service was stellar.
- Tips were included with everything so I didn’t have to carry cash.
- The loot money came in handy for any purchases on the ship including excursions.
- The Valiant Lady was beautiful and clean.
- The spa day pass was superb and it’s cheaper on port days!
- The free WiFi came in handy because everything must be booked in their app.
Here are some of the opportunities I recognized:
- Some of the restaurants and activities were at capacity before even boarding the ship so you weren’t able to enjoy them.
- You must pay attention to the app for announcements because updates aren’t made over the speakers and there's no cruise director.
- I wish we could have spent more time in Bimini.
- The Virgin app could use some work. It kicks you out randomly.
Overall, I’ll rate the cruise 9 out of 10! What’s your favorite cruise line?
Last week’s Blog: What About You
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Happy Thanksgiving
Y’all may not know this but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love Thanksgiving because you have two consecutive days off from work, Black Friday deals, the food and it’s the beginning of the Christmas season.
While I understand some have mixed emotions in celebration of the holiday for various reasons, it’s always a good reason to stop, pause, and give thanks!
We’ve experienced a few unprecedented years and we are still here! That’s enough to say thank you! So whether you celebrate the holiday or not, take a moment to give thanks! A grateful heart allows you to refocus and changes your countenance!
Last week’s Blog: Valiant Lady Virgin Voyage
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What About You?
Sometimes in life, we make decisions that impact our own lives whether positively or negatively. I feel like we often hear, forgive others for what they did to you - which is extremely important. But what about forgiving yourself?
Have you forgiven yourself?
I remember going through a relationship breakup years ago. While I was processing everything while journaling I realized I had to forgive myself. In that instance I wrote a letter to myself and apologized to myself for past experiences. I wanted to be sure I included forgiving myself in my healing process. Scripture remind us one of the commandments is love your neighbor as you love yourself.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 NLT
I realize before I can truly love others, I have to love and forgive me. Forgiveness is a decision and a choice. Sometimes you may have to revisit forgiving yourself until you are fully healed. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how many times you have to revisit forgiving you because it is your journey - just remember to do the work to heal you.
In the words of my therapist, I’ll spend the rest of my life doing the work to heal myself!
Last week’s Blog: Out of Season
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Out of Season
I was listening to a podcast recently and they mentioned we can purchase almost every fruit all year long. Like summer fruits, can be purchased in the winter and vice versa. That’s a little scary when you think about it. I think this has aided in our current society that we need everything now. There’s no reason to wait until things are in season, they can be imported or manufactured even when they are out of season.
But when we have things out of season, we are no longer receiving the best quality or fruit that we could have if it was produced in the right season.
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT
Sometimes, it’s better to wait until things are in season for you! Just because something is available it doesn’t mean it’s the right season for you. Not waiting to the right season may mean your fruit aren’t ripe! Often times it’s better to wait until your season.
Last week’s Blog: Therapy
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Therapy
Did y’all know the word therapy is in the Bible? When I learned this I was astonished!
One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Luke 9:1-2 NLT
The word heal in this verse translates in the Greek to therapeuō and it’s where we get our word therapy. This word means to restore health!
If you have ever been to therapy, this is what a therapist does - heals!
I believe God can use therapy as one of many resources to help us process things in our lives. I tell people all the time, I need Jesus and therapy. Therapy can also lead to quantum leaps in areas emotionally, relationally, or spiritually to process past experiences and create new habits to move forward. Therapy helps you see your blind spots from the past and gives you language to help you understand things that may have occurred in your life.
If you are looking for a therapist, the key to finding a therapist is to keep trying until you find someone who works for you! If you ever want to have a non-biased person listen to you, try therapy.
Last week’s Blog: Thrive 2023
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Thrive 2023
Hey y’all! So I went to an amazing conference over the weekend! It’s really more like a family reunion. Lol. I finally put some names to some faces and met some of the coaches from the mentorship program. I always feel the best way I learn is to implement what I learned and to share it with others.
So here’s my top 7 nuggets in no particular order:
- God gives creative abundance. What I do with the creative abundance determines if I get financial abundance.
- Sometimes you need to be in a room to get permission to be you and do what God called you to do.
- Content is an exchange of goods and services and the compensation is the way to say thank you.
- You are not who you are after you are encouraged, you are who you are at your natural state.
- Money respects itself so much that it will not come to someone who will waste it.
- Certain rooms will change your appetite and you get hungry for things that you didn’t even know you needed.
- Greatness is mandatory.
Because I’m me, here’s a bonus nugget:
Those who are uniquely successful treat what others deem optional as mandatory!
I have so many pages of notes that I wouldn’t even try to share in one blog! The best conferences are those that make me examine what I am doing and lead me right back to Jesus.
What’s your favorite conference to attend?
Last week’s Blog: Internal Investment
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Approved
In a world with a heightened awareness of seeking approval from others through social media likes, comments, and reshares I have to ensure I’m grounded in who God says I am.
We are in such a beautiful time with information easily at our disposal within seconds. However, on the flip side, we can consume 20 to 30 different images in less than a minute on social media telling us we should be more like this or that.
To be honest it isn’t normal to consume information so quickly because we can’t filter or process all the images we are seeing.
As the Information age continues to rise, I have to be willing to decrease my intake and fall on my knees and have an encounter with the one and true King.
Before I fill my eyes with any social media post, GIF, and y’all I love a good laugh, I have to fill my heart, mind, and soul with the word of God.
The only approval that weighs the heaviest in my life is my Heavenly Father. Once I’m approved by him, it becomes easier to tune out the noise of others.
“I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalms 56:4 NLT
Last week’s blog: Holding Patterns
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Holding Patterns
I am writing this blog while I am on a plane in a holding pattern. While I don’t know all the instances a holding pattern is used, I’ll share with you my experience on a plane in this holding pattern.
We were descending into DFW airport and the captain came on the intercom and advised of bad weather. All flights in the air were halted from flying into the airport and for 10 mins we were circling in the area in a holding pattern in the air until we were cleared to land.
After I landed, I began to do a little research on a holding pattern. Based on my knowledge a holding pattern is a period of no progress or change and for a plane it is when you are awaiting permission to land.
I realized sometimes we may have holding patterns in our own lives. There may be areas where there’s no progress or we are stagnant in our growth. I think holding patterns usually start in our minds and thoughts and eventually lead to our hearts and become part of our actions.
Mind -> Heart -> Action
They can derive from a variety of things such as fear, unbelief, or a lack of direction or clarity. The best and hardest thing to do if you want to release yourself of the holding pattern is to become the person and do the thing that brings you growth.
Question of the day: What is stopping you from releasing yourself from a holding pattern?
Last week’s blog: Exposure
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Exposure
I am often asked why I travel so much. I can sum this answer up in one word, exposure.
Exposure breeds curiosity.
I was exposed to travel in high school, and after that, while I didn’t have the means to travel as often as I liked in college, I was finally able to pursue my love of travel after finishing school. The one thing about exposure is that once you are exposed to something you can never be unexposed to it. For me, I realized travel exposed me to so many different cultures, landscapes, lifestyles, cuisine experiences and much more. Through my exposure to traveling, I encountered various situations and learned resilience. So, if you see me on the plane just know traveling is just one of my hobbies that I was exposed to, and it captivated me.
What’s something you were exposed to which changed your life?
Last week’s blog: My Top 5 Travel Items
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My Top 5 Travel Items
I recently had the pleasure to visit both London and Dubai. While I travel often, Dubai was my farthest trip a total of 15ish hours in the sky. I’m truly grateful for the ability to travel and want to share 5 of my go-to items when I’m traveling - whether abroad or local.
My top 5 travel items
- Phone tripod - I can use this as a selfie stick or as a tripod to set a timer and take my photos.
- Face towels - This idea came from my friends, but I love having a piece of home with me.
- Battery Pack - There’s nothing worse than a dead phone and sometimes you need a little extra juice.
- Cold medicine - Planes are cold and you are around so many people in a short amount of time. I rather have this in case it is needed.
- Empty bags - I bring an empty beach bag or gym bag depending on the length of a trip just in case I purchase souvenirs or to use as a bag for an excursion.
- Because, I love a good bonus here’s an additional item- a reusable water bottle!
While I’ll take several other items with me, I want to highlight a couple of things in case it is things you can add to a future trip.
What’s your favorite travel item?
Last week’s blog: Others Perception of Me
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Other’s Perception of Me
My friend Brittany mentioned this quote recently and I knew I wanted to share and talk about it on my blog.
“I don’t participate in other's perception of me.”
This quote while simple was profound for me. I’ve learned everyone has opinions and perceptions of others - right, wrong, and or indifferent. And if we aren’t careful, we will find ourselves interacting to accommodate others t for a favorable perception.
Storytime: I was in a meeting recently and I had a question about the content discussed. I asked a clarifying question earlier in the discussion and was hesitant to ask another question. At that moment, I asked myself a question, Was I willing to sacrifice learning valuable information at the cost of someone’s perception of me? Heck no!
So y’all know, I asked the question anyway because I don’t participate in other’s perceptions of me.
While I do my best to consider others if deemed necessary, I recognize, I’m human and something I do may impact how they perceive me. For example, my tone may be too high or too low, and someone may perceive that my attitude is off or I’m doing too little or too much on my blog. Guess what? That’s okay, it’s their perception of me. I can love others and not participate in their perceptions of me at the same time! ✌🏽
Last week’s blog: My Year of Grace: 35
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My Year of Grace: 35
The last twelve months was a whirlwind! Lots of great things happened.
I self-published my first children’s book, Kids Can Pray Too.
I began my circuit boxing training journey (s/o to my gloves Energizer Honey).
I hosted my first One-Day Conference for the Business Brunch.
I launched an online global women’s community, check it out here!
Wow! If I move too quickly, I’ll miss a moment!
Most importantly I’ve seen God show up for me as my Heavenly Father and I know the best is yet to come! I sowed the biggest seed I’ve ever given to church and seen God give it all back to me and more! ❤️ He’s so faithful!
I’m still learning to listen more than I speak. It’s a work in progress! 😂 While I’m receive grace, I’m learning to walk it out and give grace to others.
Above all I’m learning my relationship with God is not linear, it’s filled with twist and turns and knowing God is with me every step of the way! Cheers to another year of life and grace.
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:35-38 NLT
Last week’s blog: 5 Lessons Learned from Planning a Conference
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5 Lessons Learned From Planning a Conference
I’m still in awe when I think about The Business Brunch One Day Conference. I found my journal from 2020 and one of my goals was to have an in-person event and then Covid happened. While the conference didn’t happen in 2020 because we all know life happens, in August of 2023, my dream and vision became a reality.
I was recently reminded by a friend of the importance of taking a moment to sit and share any lessons I learned along the way. So here’s my top 5 lessons I learned while planning an event.
Top 5 Lessons Learned
- Hire a personal assistant before you need one. There will be so many task along the way, so hire someone to help you.
- Start planning as early as possible - at least 6 months in advance. I planned the Business Brunch One Day Conference in two months and wouldn’t recommend. 😂
- Ask for help. I’m grateful to have friends and my sister that stepped up to help with making the event a success.
- Over communicate with vendors and companies you are working and get everything in writing.
- Protect Your Vision. Some things may change because we have amazing people around us - so be flexible. But also protect your vision when it comes to implementation. It’s your brand and your name.
And as a bonus - let me remind you of the importance of rest! There was one day every week in which I didn’t do anything Business Brunch related and I logged off social media to rest! It was so helpful and beneficial to relax my brain for a day every single week!
I hope this helps you in case you are ever planning anything! Until next time, Ciao!
Last week’s blog: Comfort Zones
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Comfort Zone
Comfort zones are lush, relaxing and remind me of a warm cozy blanket with the perfect amount of soft marshmallows in your hot chocolate on a cold winter night. It’s hot in Texas, so I’m dreaming of colder weather. 😂
But what about when you have to step out of your comfort zone? 😬 I stepped out of my comfort zone with the planning of The Business Brunch One Day Conference and I’m so glad I did. Even after a successful conference event, you would think I could rest - but I felt the nudge again to continue to move forward with a community event for women. So, here I am with the planning of another event, Finding You! This virtual workshop is free 99. I’m launching this because I know I’m called to help women who feel stuck or unsure about their next steps! Check out the information on my website and sign up for the workshop! I hope to see you there! I’m building something great and I’ll love for you to be a part of it! ❤️
Sign up for Finding You!
Last week’s blog: The Business Brunch One Day Conference
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The Business Brunch One Day Conference
Wow! Where do I begin? While, I know nothing in life is perfect, the event on Saturday was perfect for me. ❤️
The event was timely, the food was spectacular s/o to Mama Gwen, the participants engaged with the panelist and honestly, both panel discussions could have continued past our allowed time. The candles (Golden Blk Candle Lounge) smelled amazing, the swag bags (Forever Woods) were cute and the coffee (Yari Blends) was amazing! To God be the glory for only something he could do!
I’m so glad I interacted with all the tables in between sessions and activities - I didn’t feel rushed! I can’t wait to receive the photos from the photographer (TotheteePhotography) to share!
Of course with anything, there are always lessons learned and I’ll share those with you later. For now, I’ll like to thank the ladies of The Business Brunch, Carmen, Renisha, Erica, Kelechi, Brittany, Timeka, and Yaritza for believing in my vision and helping me implement it.
Thank you to the panelists, Kessy, Krista, Renisha, Erica, Brittany, Kelechi, and Carmen. Each one of you did such an amazing job and shared so many gems.
Thank you to the sponsors, AccuOps, Wrenhowsway, Ricki Wax, Forever Woods, Yari Blends, Google, and Erica Menefee. Thank you for believing and investing in the vision of the Brunch, to create a safe space for women to cultivate their gifts and talents to obtain wealth and leave a legacy for their future.
Thank you to all the ladies for coming! I truly appreciate you! Until the next brunch, Ciao! ✌🏽
Last week’s blog: 5 Keys to Stop Worrying
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5 Keys to Stop Worrying
I’ve talked about this scripture before in a prior blog titled Worry Blueprint; however, it’s a topic I can revisit yearly. People be worrying and I’m people sometimes.
With the planning of the Business Brunch, there are so many things I can worry about at the moment. To be honest, I have several task lists. I even have a task list to remind me to create another task list. 🙃
But every day while I’m planning this event I journal or do brain dumps and write out everything I’m feeling in the moment so I’m not worried. But even, with my plan of action, there are moments in which I want to worry. However, I know worrying hurts my life and can lead to unnecessary stress. I was reading a devotional this morning about Paul in the Bible and I came across these scriptures and it instantly calmed me and gave me peace. Therefore, I had to share it with y’all!
The Keys to Stop Worrying
- Don’t worry.
- Instead, pray.
- Tell God what you need.
- Thank him for what he has already done.
- Then you will experience God’s peace.
Philippians 4:6-7
The steps to not worry are free, easy and can bring us peace.
Practical application: When you think about worrying this week remember to practice these steps.
If you practice these steps, let me know if it helped your week!
Prior blog about worrying: Worry Blueprint
Last week’s blog: Anxiety Redefined
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Anxiety Redefined
I recently heard a different definition of anxiety in a sermon and I wanted to share it with y’all.
Anxiety - I’m a creative being
Listen this definition freed me because the stories I tell myself that never happened are colorful and creative. I remember I once shared with my friends my hypothetical situation and they looked at me as if I was crazy, so I stopped sharing with them. 😂
The sermon continued and elaborated that when we have anxiety it is misplaced faith. Your faith is placed in everything else except focused on God. Sigh…
I’ve learned and I’m currently having to practice with the planning of the Business Brunch, my faith has to be focused back on God. If things aren’t going as planned - my focus must remain on God and not on the situation. He’s the only one who owns everything in the world; therefore, he can fix it and handle it! Therefore, I release any anxiety and continue to anchor my faith in God.
Last week’s blog: Time Moves On…To check out more of my blogs and or content check out my Linktree!Missed a blog post? Don’t worry, subscribe to my newsletter and have it emailed directly to you! ❤️
Time Moves On…
*Caution: This blog is about grief, feel free to click out it if necessary.
I was conversing with a friend recently about grief. If you have ever lost someone close, the week leading up to the funeral there are so many people around while you are planning all the event arrangements.
But…
What happens as time moves on? There are many random moments, days or months when it feels you are grieving all over again. As time moves on, there are many life updates you will never experience with them such as birthdays, weddings, the birth of children, and so much more.
What do you do as time moves on?
I’ve learned to take moments to cry if I need to and reflect on past experiences I shared with them. I'll talk to a friend or my therapist. I also remember that as time moves on, I have to exhale and continue to breathe.
My dad passed away on his birthday, April 12, 2010. I realize I’ll never stop missing him or grieving him. While, I don’t grieve him the same as I did before, I realize to grieve someone shows you loved them.
So in closing, my moment of wisdom is to remember those you loved, even as time moves on and continue to love.❤️
Last week’s blog: Say YesTo check out more of my blogs and or content check out my Linktree!Missed a blog post? Don’t worry, subscribe to my newsletter and have it emailed directly to you! ❤️
Say Yes
Don’t tell yourself no before someone else tells you no.
This is a recent quote I heard while watch tv.
Planning and selling tickets for an event is an adventure. One of the things I’ve had to get better at was asking others.
Webster defines asking as to put a question or to inquire.
My friends would tell you, I’m usually not afraid to ask a question. If I’m out with my group of friends, I’ll be happy to ask someone a direct question and await their response.
However, I’ve learned when it comes to an event you are planning, you have to ask and invite others to come to the event.
It’s not okay for me to ask once and expect the place to be packed. I have to continue to ask others through different communication channels. Therefore, I think it’s important that I refreshed the initial quote shared at the beginning.
My reframe is:
Don’t tell yourself no before someone tells you yes.
Chicken Soup
Okay, I’m going to take y’all back a bit with this reference. Do y’all remember the book, Chicken Soup for the Soul? In case you never read them, in my opinion, they are a collection of short, soothing, and relatable comforting stories.
I’m sure you are wondering why I’m talking about chicken soup, just wait - I’m going somewhere with it! 😂
I’ve shared on my social media I’m hosting a Business Brunch. I really can’t explain the eudaemonic state I’m experiencing in anticipation of the event. While I truly believe God wastes nothing, it is special to feel like you are in a destiny moment. I would like to describe it as my chicken soup moment. You know when you have a good hearty bowl of chicken soup and it is the right temperature, a perfect blend of spices, a good balance of chicken to noodle and veggie ratio and you feel it fuels your soul! That’s what this moment feels like! I’ve invested in the Business Brunch for a few years and I’m overjoyed to share it with everyone.
So, excuse me for a few weeks if my blog post reference the planning of this event - I’m ecstatic!
Also, I’ll like to personally invite the ladies to come to the Business Brunch One Day Conference. Come expecting fellowship, excitement, laughs and some aha moments. Most importantly, I hope you are fueled to do what you are designed to do!
Last week’s blog: Joy in the MiddleTo check out more of my blogs and or content check out my Linktree!Missed a blog post? Don’t worry, subscribe to my newsletter and have it emailed directly to you! ❤️