It's never to late!!!

I stood at the barre watching myself in the mirror imagining that I could perform an effortless pirouette. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins. I was super excited to be a part of the beginners ballet class. I had been juggling the idea around in my head for years, then I was plagued by fear of being the only adult in a beginners ballet class. I could see the little girls in their tutu's laughing at me. Finally being able to afford the classes was definitely as issue.
Now it has all come together and every Thursday night I put on my pink ballet shoes and I stand in first position waiting on my instructor to show me how to do a correct Tendu. The amazing part about the whole experience is that the women in my class are all different shapes, sizes, and come from different back grounds. I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb but instead I blend right in with the women who are pursuing their interests.

I can't explain to you how good it feels to follow a dream. It makes life worth living! Now my question for you is what is your dream and why are you not following it? Is it because you have a full time job? Kids? Not enough money? What????? What is it that is holding you back? First you must figure that out before you can go on!

Shameka

SELF SABOTAGE?

 I was reading this interesting post on A Black Girls Guide to Weight Loss, a very inspiring weight loss blog focused on black women. The post was all about recognizing and defeating self sabotage. So I got to thinking, the wheels got to turning and churning. My question is what does self sabotage look like in money matters? Matters of the heart? The reaching of a seemingly unattainable goal?

Well it's the same as eating the brownie or donut when you made a commitment to a healthier life style. You have basically talked yourself out of the agreement you just made to yourself and back into the bad habits that keeps you stuck in misery. You want to pay down debt? Well, put any extra money that you have toward that debt until the debt is gone. Don't talk yourself into buying that new bag or pair of shoes. Trust me you wont die without them!

You have decided to find Mr. Right? Well whats keeping your from finding him? If your are sizing up every man that comes your way or comparing him to the one before him...that's sabotage! You haven't even given the brotha a chance. He's wrong before he could ever be right. Don't judge a book by his cover, take the time to get to know him first.

I have noticed that I have been constantly asking myself why I haven't reached my goal of seeing my name in the bylines of a magazine or on the covers of a newly released novel in Barnes and Nobles. Honestly I have been defeating my own self. I have been my own worst enemy. Every time I come up with a new idea for a novel I tell myself that I am not a good enough writer, the publishers are going to tell me no, my idea doesn't make sense or my favorite...it's been done before. And then six months later I wake up and say....I could have had a book published by now. And the story continues...

Ericka K. of A Black Girl Guide to Weight Loss  writes that we must do five things to combat Sabotage:

• Be accountable for what we choose
• Divert or avoid those things that defeat us
• Be conscious of our decisions
• Challenge ourselves
• And reforming our thinking!

So What next? Take some time out and write down what keeps your from reaching your goals. What things do you tell yourself? What have you uncovered about how you sabotage yourself. Share with us.


Shameka

Russell + Jet = A Richer Life Now!

Russell Simmons on the cover of Jet December 27/ Jan 3rd issue.



 I was browsing the isles at Publix when I saw Russell's smiling face on the cover of Jet. Hummm? My curiosity was piped just that quick. I'm a magazine fiend so any time a new issue hits the stands with a hot cover and informative, entertaining articles I have to buy it. Why? I don't know! I just have to. I guess it's a simple pleasure of mine.

As soon as I saw his face I had to see what Russell was telling us in Jet. Well I'm excited to say that Russell has blessed us with a new book, Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All. Published by Gotham books this book hit selves earlier this month. Critics have been raving over this book. Why?

Well Russell does not give us the coveted business secrets that make him a filthy rich, he shares the life lessons and secrets that make him filthy rich. If you are looking for a get rich guide to material wealth, this book  isn't for you. If your looking for the rare nuggets of inspiration that can help you keep taking that next step, see something in your life a little bit different I challenge you to pick it up.

It will definitely be on my book self soon!

Pick it up, Read it!

Shameka