What if you had given your all to everyone, and nothing was left for you. In a nutshell, you were missing your inner peace. How would you handle it? What if you were told, “You look drained and you need to take some time for you.” What would be your response? What if you went in search of something but had no idea what that something was. Where does your search begin?

All of those “what ifs” and many more could be asked of anyone. Oddly enough, everyone’s response may be a little different. Going through the motions of life, there are times when there is so much happening around us that we fail to recognize what was happening on the inside. That is when it is time to step back from life’s challenges, turn off the voices of others and go on a search - a search for inner peace.

The search begins in your bedroom. During this short period, you are searching for your suitcase, a journal or note pad, and a few essential clothes. You are packing to go to a place that does not include friends and family. You are preparing to search for your inner peace. That place can be anywhere (outside your home) that will allow you to think, pray, meditate and try to return home as a renewed woman, slightly different from the woman who left a few days earlier.

To desire inner peace is one thing but to consciously work towards obtaining it is another. So the work begins:

Day one – Identify and write down the things or people that prevent you from having inner peace. Be very specific as to how they affect you. If they are depleting you, perhaps this is an indication that a change needs to occur. It is not necessary to devise a plan of action at this time. The key is identifying the challenge.

Day two – Revisit your list from the previous day. Place the items you wrote down in order of how important they are to change. Under each item, create two or three bullet items that can be your plan of action. Write the affect this will have on you once it is changed. Please note, this is subject to change because the future cannot be predicted.

Day three – Review your list, plan of action, perceived outcome and make adjustments as you see fit. It is time to return home. It is time for you to have the inner peace you desire.

With plans in hand, begin the next phase of your journey toward inner peace. You are the only one who can fulfill your need for inner peace. Clear the clutter of people or things to reach your goal. Each day that you complete an item on your list will bring you closer to the end of your journey for inner peace. The woman who packed her bags a few days ago will emerge anew in the coming days, weeks, or months. As stated by Dr. Brian L. Weiss, ” You are greater than your fears, anxieties, bitterness, and worries – you are even greater than your own suffering.” The inner peace you desire is within reach. Where does your search begin?

When you walk into your home, is there a place just for you - a space that has special personal items that you enjoy looking at ever so often? Even if you live alone, have you created a sacred place that you can go to and wind down from the challenges of the day?  If not, then it is time to create your space of peace.

Take a moment to walk around each room of your home. Start with the front of the house and  work your way to the back or up the stairs. Take in every window, corner, the furniture, the organization, the disarray;  take it all in and create a mental picture.  Now retrace your steps, but this time view the rooms with different eyes; eyes that envision the entire room or one of the corners of a room as your space - your space of peace.

Decorate your space of peace in a manner that brings you tranquility, perhaps a place where you can receive direct sunlight. There can be fresh flowers or a plant, a mini water feature, your favorite book(s), pictures, candles, or whatever takes you to that place of peace. Most importantly, remember to include a journal, writing utensils and highlighters. Exclude your computer, iPad, cell phone or anything item that would take away from you having peace of mind.

Now that you have created your space of peace in your home, how do you use it? Each day spend time in your space, starting with 15 minutes, and gradually increase the time you spend there. Before taking on the challenges of the day, you can sit there, meditate and create a positive thought that can carry you throughout the day. Or, at the end of a long day, you can cleanse your mind by writing in your journal, breathing in the aroma of a candle or flowers, listen to the sound of a waterfall or light music and get your mind at peace.

Creating your space of peace in your home provides you with a place where you can go when taking a trip is not an option. You have created this place just for you and it should be used daily. Even when you are not physically in your space, the vision is engrained in your mind for whenever you need to use it. Enjoy your space of peace.

There is something about that clear blue water that brings me peace. The island’s beauty never seems to cease. Even when the storms come and go; the calmness of the water, its appearance is never altered.

Just stop, close your eyes and listen to the waves hit the shore. The sound which I have come to adore. While listening, my imagination floats me to another place in time. It doesn’t matter where I go, because I know when I return that clear blue water will still be there.

Let’s not forget the feeling of the white sand under my feet. Now, that is a feeling I cannot beat. It looks like the granules in an hour glass. And although I am not focusing on the time that will pass, that feeling is one that will last.

The hardest part is the end of the trip. My mind is constantly thinking, when I can come back. Why do I keep going back one may ask. Because there is something about that clear blue water that brings me peace.

Do you have a place you like to go that brings you peace? Visit the comment section and share.

I fell in love with someone yesterday. You will never guess who that person could be. Yesterday, I fell in love with me.

I fell in love with every part of me. From the top of my head to the soles of my feet. YES, I fell in love with me.

I learned long ago, you cannot expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself. And, I must admit there are a few physical things I do not like about myself. But, at the end of the day, I still love me.

I often wonder what made me fall in love with me. Perhaps it was the vision I saw in the mirror. Oh wait, that is me. At the end of the day, one thing I can say is . . . I realized there will always be one (human) person who will love me unconditionally. And that person is ME!!

Who have you fallen in love with lately?

Summer With Charlie: A Modern Pinup Girl On The Go!

Hello there, Charlie here! And who am I? I am the face of Noir A-Go Go, an online gift store which features Black pinup girls on everything from magnets and greeting cards to tote bags and wallets. We put the black in the magic that is 50s Americana! I am the main dame, the main squeeze, the hot tamale but I am not alone. There are my gal pals Belle, Izzy, Harper, and a couple of others, all of whom you will eventually meet. We are going to tell you how to rock it out, live out loud and run the show, all while glamming it up. All our tips will all be pearls of wisdom, trust me!

Glam Tip #1
Always arrive early so you can spirit yourself off to the powder room to blot off any excess moisture. Pinup girls should be dewy at all times.

Be sure to check back and chime in. The girls and I relish feedback.
noiragogo.com
www.noir-a-gogo.

You Be The Magic!

Love, Charlie

You are probably reading this headline with your mouth open like WHAT!  Yes, we’ve all heard it.  “Your why must make you cry.” “You’ve got to know exactly why you are doing this.” The list goes on and these things are very, very true – that is – to YOU!

Don’t get me wrong, I do agree with the fact that you do have to have a very strong why, but the mistake that many people make is pushing their own personal why off on people who could care less one way or the other.  Let’s think about some things in the following way.

While you might have been ecstatic about the fact that “it only cost $50 to join your business and it could potentially make you rich which is what you need and why you are doing the thing come hell or high water” this could at the same time sound absolutely ridiculous to Mary, the educated professional with the graduate degree who has run her own business before and knows that $50 would never personally make her or anybody else rich.  Let’s flip it another way!  You are the life of the party and you absolutely LOVE the environment of your team, your company, your leaders, it is like one big party of positivity and fun….what person in their right mind wouldn’t want to be a part of this is what you are thinking and blabbing?  Perhaps, the person who could live without a “grandiose performance” and is more focused on how your opportunity is going to retire them versus have them partying like it is 1999 again!

So never mind your personal why for a moment, that is, if you are planning to build it BIG!  Ask yourself these questions:

• What do “they” want to achieve?
• What is “his or her” personal WHY?
• What is “his or her” personal dreams and goals?
• Can my opportunity really be the vehicle for getting HIM an extra $3,000 per month, from home, on just 5 hours per week of work?
• Can YOU or Your Direct Team get HIM what he wants?

If you answered yes, how do you really know?  If you answered no, then what are you going to do about it?  What are you going to change?  What is your weekly activity like?  How are you progressing in the name of your WHY?  What type of tools and funnels are you using – aside from massive forum and face book postings – hoping to “get a bite” behind a screen without ever having to use your own voice?

This simple tool will EDUCATE your prospects.  You are in the comfort of your home, in your pajamas, staying in touch, building your business, enabling people to FIT their own WHY into your business or NOT, all while taking advantage of leverage!  Always remember, it has got to make sense to them.  Don’t expect your why to make them cry!  Click Here for one of the Tools I personally use that always makes sense to my prospects.

I believe it was Warren Buffet that said something to the effect of “make what you like your hobby and make what the world likes your business.”  This makes business sooo much easier.  Click Here!

Let's Connect on Facebook

Let's Connect on Twitter

No more crying, no more complaining, no more feeling sorry for yourself because you don’t know how to “do” social media. Stop believing that the reason it’s not working is because of the type of business you have or the industry your in.

The fact of the matter is, EVERY business online today, should be using social media to build their network and grow their social influence. When you realize it’s all about interacting with people to connect and network, things will begin to change for you.

If you don’t have a plan BEFORE you get on Facebook and Twitter each day, you’re going to get caught up with all the stuff in your feeds and really, who has time for other people’s drama when you are busy trying to build a business…right? *wink*

I often get asked, what it is I do to build up my business using social media, so I decided to write this post to share how I do what I do!

My strategy is fairly simple. To me, a strategy is just a fancier way of saying – In order to reach my goal, this is what I NEED to do and this is HOW I need to do it. So, the strategy would be determining the “NEED” and the “HOW”.

This is what I do…[continue reading]

I have been gone for awhile as I was concentrating on a new challenge.  We started with DJs Unique Sound & Entertainment which was established to help local artist brand themselves and gain exposure through social media.  We have expanded and are extremely excited to announce....DJs Unique Sound Charities.  DJs Unique Charities is a non profit in Phoenix, Arizona.  Our ultimate goal is to obtain a motor home and to convert it into a mobile recording studio. Our mission is to help youth by giving them a way to express themselves in a positive way through music and photography instead of negatively in the streets.  It has been a slow start, however, believe in what we are doing and we know our work will help build up self esteem and self worth.  If we can make a difference in one person's life, all the work is worth what we put into it.  We are always looking for suggestions/help.

Diana Jones

DJs Unique Sound Charities

DJsUniqueSound@aol.com

DJs Unique Sound Charities

The grand opening of UMOYAisms Boutique & Lounge Saturday June 16th 11 am-4 pm at 16 Hancock Street Dorchester, MA.

UMOYAism Boutique & Lounge Logo's

The UMOYAism Tank....

 U-Shamballa Wrislets

Umoya Designs Summer Look Book

Our Shoe Game

Giveaway!!!  Drawing is June 5.

http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2012/06/wirequeen-etsystalker-giveaway.html
https://www.etsy.com/listing/72845475/cowrie-shell-and-antiqued-copper-chain

If you have a website, blog, ezine, or newsletter, I'm sure you consider your content to be valuable to your readers and potential customers. So, why not get paid for it in the meantime? If you're new to this idea, then this article will help you. There are several ways to go about monetizing your website or blog:

Google Adsense

This is one of the most popular and best ways to monetize your website or blog. Google Adsense will place advertisements on your site that are similar to your content. So, how do you get paid? You get paid when someone clicks on the advertisement. Here are some resource sites that will help you better understand Google Adsense and help you sign up.

Google Adsense Sign Up

More information on Google Adsense

Clickbank

This is a program that offers several different types of products you can promote on your website and get as much as 75% commission on them. You can choose any product and as many products as you would like to promote or advertise. This is another lucrative way to make money from your website or blog.

Clickbank.com

Text Link Ads

Text-link-ads.com brings targeted traffic to your website or blog. Similar to Clickbank.com, you make money from potential clients clicking on text-based ads inserted on your site. You receive 50% commissions on everything and they also have an affiliate program which gives you $25 for every person you refer to their company. Read more here:

Text-link-ads.com

Here are some additional sources for making money on your website or blog:

JuiceBoxJungle.com

Blog Traffic Cash

Remember, just because you create a website doesn't mean people want to see it or work with you. Give them a reason to, by enriching your website or blog. Make some extra money!

How do you make money on your website or blog? Share your ideas with us.

Tamara Garrison-Thomas

www.garrisonprosperitysolutions.com

www.busy925.com

follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/tamarargarrison

Thanks to every one whose visited my blog , commented and shared. Today we hit 20,000 and I have you all to thank for it.

http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2012/05/we-hit-20000-today-thank-you.html

The interview by Denise Turney of Off the Shelf was delightful because Denise is so warm and so knowledgeable.  Click here to hear it. 

I recently had the honour of being interviewed on the Tycoon Women Moments radio show.  I have listed the seven moments I focused on for my healing journey, and put the videos for the great songs I chose to  accompany them - click here to check them out or click here to listen to the show. 

I was recently interviewed by a lovely sister, Taylor from the All Black Woman blog.  Click here to read the interview. 

I was delighted and humbled to have been interviewed on Morgen Bailey's author blog recently.  Click here to read the interview. This one focuses specifically on my writing, and on me as an author. 

Like several people who have interviewed me lately, Morgen asked me for my views about the future for writers and the publishing industry.  Click here for my interview with Adrianne George of Black Women in Europe, who also asked me about this. 

Click here for another interview about my new ebook, Secrets of the Black Bloggers, by Veronica Young of Veronica Inspires. 

Click here for another recent interview, on Interviews with Black Entrepreneurs. 

Click here for more interviews.

I trust you will enjoy them and find them useful.  Any questions, please post below.

For Staying Focus! May not be your thing….I know its now mine.

But there is Great News!

There is information on how to…READ On!

Okay so I love the idea that I can run my own home business, it is fantastic! I have the flexibility to set my own hours, freedom to make my own schedule and getting to be MY OWN BOSS. Unfortunately, sometimes staying focused isn’t my thing.

My mind wanders, tasks fall by the wayside, the kids are calling, procrastination sets in and suddenly, I’m “working” 12-hour days.

After reading around on the big ole internet I was able to find some tips for staying focused while running your own home business that I thought would be interesting to share.

1) Wake up earlier. Some of our best work is done in the morning, without the distractions of daily tasks. If you have children then getting up even just an hour before them can produce amazing results when you have a big task to tackle.

2) Turn off distractions, the radio, TV, including not checking your email. Set aside an hour of uninterrupted work time where you will only stay focused on the work at hand. Force yourself to not checking emails or social sites and concentrate on that one task even for just one hour. The results can be very rewarding.

3) Sometimes getting out of the house is good for focusing. Go for a walk or take your laptop down the street to a local coffee shop. Sometimes, getting out of your space is not only good for you mentally and physically, but it can also help re energize you and give you new ideas. Next time when you’re struggling over a problem or facing a creative block, try a change of scenery.

4) Plan your day. Get an agenda and set aside blocks of time for each task or project. Not only will this help you stay focused, it will also help you track exactly how much time you really are spending on each task.

5) Set boundaries. Let your family know that the office is out-of-bounds and let yourself know that the work day is done at 5pm. By setting rules and boundaries for yourself, you’re adding valuable structure into your business and preserving your separation of home and work.

For more tips on success in your business click here!

See you on the other side!

The other day I read an article that discussed which of the Ten Commandments was the hardest for humans to keep.  I believe that’s a valid question.  I suspect that all of us violate two or three or more a day, no matter how saintly we might think ourselves to be.

Now, I’m not a religious scholar, nor am I an expert on the Bible.  I don’t quote scripture as part of my general conversation, but I have experienced people who use scripture to validate their comments or behavior.  I’ve also experienced those who use scripture to denounce the behavior or comments of those with whom they disagree.

Well I’m going to take some poetic license and tell you what I believe to be the simplest, yet most powerful commandment ever given: “Love ye one another, as I have loved you.”  The Spirit asks no more of us than to Love each other.  And yet this seems to be the one commandment we have the most problem living up to.

Our society has become so antagonistic that we seem to have more and more difficulty being civil to one another.  We discriminate based on looks, gender, race, lifestyle, income, education, neighborhood, size, and a whole lot of other variables that make us unique as human beings.  And there are those who use scripture to validate their discrimination.  It would seem to me that the Spirit, who has created all of us, would never condone any one of us purposely being cruel to another human being.  Again, the commandment says, “Love ye one another, as I have loved you.”  And if you don’t believe the Spirit loves you, look out the window.

While I’m at it, I’m going to provide another scripture that I’ve heard the preacher use.  To paraphrase, the Spirit asks, “How can you say you love me whom you’ve never seen, yet hate your brother who you see everyday?”  There are those who continually proclaim that they “love the Lord”, yet they badmouth, ridicule, and purposely deceive their neighbors everyday.

Back in 1972, Marvin Gaye sang a song called “God is Love”.  One of the lyrics goes as follows:  “Don’t go and talk about my Father, God is my friend.  He made this world for us to live in, and gave us everything.  And all he asks of us is to give each other love.”  Pretty simple, huh.  The Spirit will provide all of your needs.  All you need to do is love one another.  That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me.

SAM

SoulVisionTV.com

For some of you, summer time may not mean anything different for you than warmer weather. But for me and my fellow educators who are also entrepreneurs, the summer time is my most productive time. For at least 3 months I get A LOT of work done for my business. I am able to sit down, focus and revamp things if necessary, take on more projects, hire more people, and prepare for the last quarter of the year. I LOVE the summer time for this reason. Having the ability to focus daily on my business during the summer is just one of the benefits to being an educator. Education is definitely a passion and I cannot let go of it. But the ability to have the summer time to focus on my business is a true bonus. As I approach the end of the school year (today :)), I want to share this article I came across by Mocha Writer that I thought was a great reminder for work-from-home entrepreneurs. Read and enjoy and have a great summer!

5 Tips for Work-at-Home Entrepreneurs

Tamara Garrison-Thomas

www.garrisonprosperitysolutions.com

www.busy925.com

In a recent conversation with a friend who is CEO of a construction company, I explained how doing business with the government could potentially take her business to the next level. She shared her frustration at responding to RFP (request for proposal). She had bid on many over the years and each time, they were awarded to the same male owned businesses! She then blurted, “If only I could think like a man… I could have won some of those contracts!”

Hmmm, is she right? Do women need to imitate men to be more competitive in business? Should a woman ‘think like a man’ to be more successful in business? Maybe OR maybe not!

Can an Assertive Woman Get What She Wants?

While it is acceptable for men to be assertive; on the other hand, women who go after what they want without apologizing along the way are viewed as aggressive or worse, a witch (drop the ‘w’ and add ‘b’). So, how can women use this to their advantage?

Women can:

• Be Firm: whether it’s a handshake or the price of your services! We’ve all done it before; lowered the price of our products or services for the sake of closing the deal or meeting the needs of a potential client. Avoid this behavior! By doing so compromise your expertise and integrity.

• Speak up: let your voice be heard. ‘Say what you mean… and mean what you say!’ Stand firm in your beliefs! When engaged in a discussion, ensure that others understand your message and are able to communicate any questions or concerns as appropriate.

• Play the Part. It is imperative that you look the part of a successful and self-assured entrepreneur. Whether meeting with a potential client or business partner, attending networking event or giving a speech, IMAGE is EVERYTHING! Give a firm handshake, establish eye contact and engage others.
  

Afraid to Take a ‘Chance?’ Odds of Winning… 50/50!

Men are encouraged to take chances. The unknowndoesn’t scare them as it’s a part of doing business. Most women shy away from situations that are uncomfortable or daring.

To take advantage of this strength, it is crucial for women to evaluate, manage and take risk in business. Say you are faced with a challenge and pondering if it is worth taking a chance. Ask yourself:

1. What is the worst thing that could happen if things went amiss?
2. If it happened, how would you handle it?
3. What positive things could you learn from this situation, regardless of the conclusion?

Life is full of chances! By embracing challenges and obstacles head on, lessons learned from them is well worth it!

Men vs Women in Networking… Which Gender is More Effective?

Men are very skilled at networking. They take full advantage on the golf course, during happy hours and at other informal settings. They cut to the chase and go from introduction to deal.

Women believe in the importance of ‘know, like and trust’which eventually cultivate into business. They develop great relationships but don’t take advantage of their interpersonal or social strengths.

Statistics show that 70% of new business is generated from referrals from networking events. In a recent article, Nicole Williams, author of "Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success,” says, “Women tend to equate networking with "schmoozing" or handing out business cards. In reality, networking is about building relationships before you actually need them."

While women have different strengths and communication styles than men, there are a few simple tips to help in getting the most BANGout of a networking event.

• Create a Mini Action Plan for Every Event. When attending an event, it behooves you to know who will be there. Take time to research the purpose of the event, attendees, presenters, vendors and businesses. Then you can decide who you want to connect with. Imagine meeting a potential client and acknowledge a recent award they received.

• Practice your Pitch. You will meet a lot of people and have the opportunity of introducing yourself and business. Make sure your message is clear and concise. Fine tune your elevator pitch to make the most of your conversation.
  

• Follow Up. Within the next week, make sure you follow up with e-mails, phone calls or a simple letter. The key is to connect with potential people that can be beneficial to your company. For most women, this is the easy part as they tend to be thorough with follow-up, delivery of promised information, or promptly scheduling of meetings.

In conclusion, it’s apparent that women and men speak different languages. Neither gender is all right or all wrong. So, it is not necessary for them to ‘Think like a man,’ rather; learn from what they are doing right!

About Author: Sylvia Browder is a small business consultant, trainer and author. She is founder of National Association Women on the Rise, a virtual community for aspiring and established women entrepreneurs. She has served as an online volunteer SCORE counselor since 2004. For FREE weekly articles go to Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs, www.sylviabrowder.com. She can be contacted at info@sylviabrowder.com.

Have you heard the statement: When you love something, give it away for free?

Well, that's what we're doing with our ebook:  How a Security Clearance can change your life!

Would you like receive a copy - Free?  No strings attached

In honor of Memorial Day and  the men & women that protect our country, we are giving the ebook away for FREE.

From you friends at Security First & Associates.  www.securityfirstassociates.com

If you've been hearing a lot about Pinterest, it's because it has caught on like a really catchy phrase...it almost seems as though it just came out of nowhere and now it's breaking record speed for popularity, length of time on site (average? 90 mins+!), and more.

If you are a business owner, chances are you have not yet figured out how Pinterest could be used in your marketing strategy. Sure, you have established goals for each of your individual marketing tactics, like your content marketing. You have even created a step by step plan to achieve those goals, possibly with the incorporation of social media (why not, everyone else is). But I bet you didn't think that posting pictures could be much of a marketing boost, right?

Pinterest is boasting faster growth numbers than some of the more popular social networks when they first started out - i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc. At my last reading, they had nearly 12 million monthly unique visitors and it hasn't even in existence very long. Creating a Pinterest profile could very well help you be exposed to new leads, drive traffic and boost your business growth.

Pinterest is actually catching on so fast, I suspect, because it's heralding the next social media phase - visual imagery. Remember when it was all about written content? Then we heard video? Pictures and visual imagery are hot right now because they speak to people emotionally. Visual aspects of how you market are becoming more and more important. And it would be very smart to develop an image sharing strategy to tell your story, to convey your branding, to make faster connections.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started using Pinterest in your marketing approach:

#1 Blog PlugIns

#2 Content Marketing

#3 Social Networking

Remember to test and track your efforts. Add Pinterest to your analytics. Pay attention to who is pinning your content and repinning your pins. Track your Pinterest traffic and integrate your efforts with other traffic generation strategies you're using.

By the way, you have to be invited in order to set up an account. If you need an invite, simply visit me on Facebook and let me know you need an invitation. You'll be able to view my Pinterest tab there also (remember? integration :) ).

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

About the Author: Tanya Smith is a creative business strategist and coach specializing in showing independent service providers how to simplify, save time & stand out with simple strategies that engage more quality leads and clients.  Her company Be Promotable provides fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote business owners as power players in their market.  For instant access to your free 7 secrets to online time management report, visit us at: www.tanyasmithonline.com.