Finding the Oppurtunity in Opposition

Your Opposition is your Opportunity!

T.D. Jakes

We all go through those hard times. The times when we just want the situation to go away, or the problem to stop. Times when we feel as if we just can not bear anymore. Looking back over my life I have faced challenges that I felt at the time I was not going to make it out of. There were times when I was at my lowest and no one could help me but me. By the grace of God I aways made it to the other side of those challenges.  As I picked myself up and brushed off my knees I realized that there was a point behind the madness and mayhem.

More often than not challenge is looked at as a negative thing. Everyone wants to escape it  or be saved from its grips, but challenge is placed in your path for a reason. Here are three reasons to take hold of challenge.

Makes you stronger, diversity, challenge, problems are all meant to make you stronger or better than you were before. Notice each time you face a problem or complete a challenge that fear or worry that you had before is no longer there. You could go through it again with out even blinking an eye.

You learn, have you every know someone who keeps going through the same thing. For example every week right after they get paid they are broke or living paycheck to paycheck. They keep facing this challenge because they have not learned the implied lesson of budgeting. During and after a difficult period in your life you must ask yourself what was the lesson. Instead of being bitter with your ex about the bad break up, look at what you gained from the experience to take with you into the next phase of your life. You may have learned what love was, or wasn't. You may have learned who you were in love or what you need from your partner.

You grow, after  opposition you are no longer the same person you were before. The challenge could have potentially pushed you to your limit. You may be able to take more risks or change things about yourself that you did not have the courage to change in the past.

As your moving and shacking challenge is bound to find you. Instead of running away from problems, embrace them, be thankful for them because they make you, better, stronger, and a little bit more fierce a  la Tasha Mack from the Game.

Let me know how challenge changed your life for the better......

Shameka

<3 2012

Tracee Ellis Ross Talks “Reed” and The Real Her

  From: Vibe Vixen

I remember when I would run back to my dorm room to catch reruns of Girlfriends. It seemed no matter how may times I watched an episode it was always like the first time. I fell in love with Joan's quirkiness and style. I could identify with some aspects of her life...mainly the scared self sabotage. Sad but true. As I have matured considerably I still get excited when I see Tracee in the media. Her style is always chic, effortless, so her. She inspires me to be uniquely me and not apologize for it. Not to mention I'd kill for her hair, and that bold red lipstick! It makes a statement.

Kudos to you Tracee Ellis Ross, Your Fab. Point. Blank. Period!

Check out Tracee article in Vibe Vixen's Digital December Issue ( link below)...



Tracee Ellis Ross Talks “Reed” and The Real Her

Happy Birthday Dr. King

The Ultimate Measure of a Man is not Where he Stands in Moments of Comfort and Convenience, but Where he Stands in Times of Challenge and Controversy...MLK

As the years roll by, it is easy to forget the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives so we can have the lives we deserve, or even simple luxuries we take for granted each and everyday. Living in Charleston , S.C. where at times I can feel the hardship and the set backs that have plagued the area for generations I wonder what it would have been like to live during a time when dreaming seemed impossible. A time when all you had was education, and determination. The years have spoiled us and made us lazy, allowed us to make excuses and lower out standards, loose our values. I wonder what Dr. King would think of us now? I don't think he would be very proud of how we tear each other down. Like crabs in a barrel. I was just as proud as any other African American as I watched President Obama and Michelle dance at the Inauguration, I felt as if we had crossed a major hurdle, which we have. But still I wonder if we as individuals have done all we can to make sure that we are letting Dr. King know that we appreciate all that he has done for us.

Here are a few ways you can keep the legacy alive:

1. Make education a symbol of wealth, and become a life long learner.
2. Challenge the status quo, dare to be different
3. Use your life to inspire others, get out there an volunteer
4. Be the change that you want to see, don't just complain about something...change it.
5. Leave your mark on the world, the next generation needs something to grab onto.

Don't get comfortable for you will never grow....

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, I appreciate you!

Shameka
<3 2012

GET YOUR LIFE PROJECT

The world has been obsessed with Beyonce and Jay's little recently or the lives of  the many reality stars that have taken over major networks. I'm not going to try and lie and say that I don't count down the hours until Love and Hip airs, I have to see what Chrissy L. does next.
My question is this: if everyone is watching others live there dreams or lives on T.V. or following their lives on blogs, how many of us is actually putting that same passion and intensity into ourselves. To some people Beyonce is next to GOD! Yes, I said it. They either spend time praising her or hating her. To me she is human, flaws and all. She is just like every other woman you see everyday. The only difference is that she is living the life of her dreams. She had a plan, and the courage to live the life that she wanted. She also choose to be the best at what she does, not to mention that she put in the work and made certain sacrifices to make it to the top. I honestly would not want to walk in her stilettos. It's a bit much.
Instead of wishing to be like Bey, or Rhi-Rhi why don't you pray to be your best self. Live your own life more abundantly, write your own script and be the leading lady in your life. I'm pretty sure if you put in the effort your life can be just as fabulous as her's and you can be just as fierce.

It's the start of a new year. You have a fresh start. Instead of spending so much time coveting the life of others spend the time sowing into your life. This is one of my plans for the new year so I'm giving myself a 52 week Challenge! The purpose of the challenge is to push me out of my comfort zone into the life I dream of living. I don't want to watch everyone else live their life I want to be the star of mine. It's not about what Kim K. is doing. It's all about the next big thing I've accomplished. First on my list...getting healthy!

Along the way I'll be updating you on my progress and accomplishments as I walk confidently toward the my best life.  Each week I will be tackling one or more of my goals and writing about my progress here on SheMogul. I encourage you to join me and share your journey with me.

I'm getting my Life! Get Yours!
Shameka

<3 2012

New Thinking for the New Year

I haven't blogged in a while. I know... I know! I have let life take me away from one of the things I enjoy...the sadness. On another note, as I was reflecting on 2011 I realized that I had accomplished many of the things that I set out to accomplish. I can't be mad. I am proud myself. Altough I know that I have not reached my full potiential.
Unlike most people instead of making resloutions I write down my goals for the year and make a vision board to go along with it. I have accomplished many of the things on my board, the ones that I have not accomplished I know that I am not ready to achieve. There are certain things that have to be done before those certain goals are reached.

I am a Christian, a believer of GOD. In the Christian faith their is a saying that " you reap what you sow." More often than not this saying is centered around when negative actions are taken. I personally have never looked at the saying in a positive light. Well if you switch your thinking and adopt the saying to positive actions their is a whole other energy to the saying. Think about it..." you reap what you sow." Sowing positive things can take you to the next level. The saying translates into, you get out if it what you put in. If you give your best and work hard success is sure to follow. Take short cuts and you will find youself lossing. This year I have added a new aspect to my life. I will commit to sowing positive seeds in areas of my life where I feel that I can improve such as my career, and my health. Here's how I plan to sow my seeds.

• figuring out the areas where I am lacking, and the goals for this area of my life
• think about the time and energy I devote to this area
• devote more time or energy to pursuing goals in these areas

I plan to reap great things in 2012!!!

Shameka
<3 2012