January 2013 Recap

Hard to believe it's already the end of January!

Many started off the month with goals and resolutions - a renewed resolve to do more and be more. Where are we now? Are you still focused and energized? I truly hope so.  Did you slack off some? Get a little discouraged or face disappointments? I know I did and have - but use those moments to keep pressing forward and motivation to succeed.

January has been quite busy and fulfilling:

We kicked off 2013 introducing The Divatude Challenge - an opportunity to connect with one another, learn from one another and grow together throughout 2013.  I'm still taking volunteers in this challenge, if you'd like additional information, please fill out the form found here.

We met, Britney - the first participant in our challenge and a graduate with a purpose whose goals this year are to be accepted in pharmacy school, have a healthier lifestyle and to create a budget and focus on savings. Can't wait for our April check-in to share how she's coming along with her goals!

Many thanks to the divas who shared their divatude with us this past month:

~ Kita - editor of Kokoa Magazine

~ Joyce Brewer - author of Use What You Know: A Business Guide for Moms

~ Shannon Peterson - author of Love's Memory 

January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month and I shared The End Trafficking Project - the US Fund for UNICEF's efforts to raise awareness and mobilize communities to help protect our children.

Did the events at Sandybrook Elementary inspire you to participate in the #26Acts of Kindness movement? One reader chimed in on that she "love[d] the 26 Acts of kindness idea, but [she] want[ed] to strive to promote kindness on a daily basis, too". A sentiment I've heard express numerous times while bringing attention to #26Acts and one I definitely agree with.  However, not everyone feels that way or has that pressing desire to go above and beyond for others.  It's events and movements like this that may be the catalyst for change in their lives and thought process.

The tributes to Grace McDonnell and Jessica Rekos were not to bring anyone down but to remember these young lives and remind us to treasure the moments with the young people in our lives. 

Are you on Google+? If so, I'd love if you'd connect with the DWP community - another forum to inspire, motivate and support one another.

Have a fantastic evening, Divas! 

Looking forward to the wonderful things in store for February!

Blessings to you all!

~Michelle

#26Acts ... Remembering Jessica

"Jessica was our first born. 

She started our family, and she was our rock...

We called her our little CEO for the way she carefully thought out and planned everything. We can not imagine our life without her. We are mourning her loss, sharing our beautiful memories we have of her"

 ~ taken from statement from Jessica Rekos' family

Courtesy of MSNBC.com

Six year old Jessica loved horses.  She spent her free time reading about, writing about and drawing horses.  Big sister to two little brothers. Oldest daughter to two loving parents. Taken from those who loved her way too soon in a crime that we may never be able to comprehend.


Reading the stories of Jessica that have been shared by those who knew her best, she reminds me so much of my little ones. Precocious, outspoken, lively and full of love.  I can't even begin to imagine the void left in her family.

This dedication to her was extremely hard to write.  Today was one of those days that just seemed to start off wrong and went downhill from there.  My kids seemed to all plot together ways to push Mommy further over the edge...and I snapped. Shut the house down. Bed time came immediately when yet another fight amongst my two boys broke out. I needed complete and utter silence to just be with my thoughts and emotions.

Then I realized that I had this dedication post to do...and now I welcome the noise and fights and calls for me to intervene.
 

"I always felt lucky to be your mom." 

~ Krista Rekos at Jessica's memorial service

In honor of Jessica's life , I encourage you to share with your children how they've made your life better and share with them why you're glad they're a part of your life.  Remember and reflect on those reasons the next time you're ready to pull your hair out and put yourself in timeout.

This post is brought to you as part of my involvement with The Global Team of 200 - a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls. Many of us have committed to keeping the awareness on the #26Acts of Kindness and the victims of the Newtown tragedy. If you're a blogger and have written a post on either (or both), we'd love for you to link up with us below.  

Focus on Divatude - Week 3

When you begin holding yourself accountable (especially in a public forum) it makes you really evaluate what you do and how your actions impact your goals - both long and short-term.  My intent with these weekly check-ins is to keep my goals front and center within my daily tasks and encourage and motivate myself and others along the way.

What was my driving force this week?
Another busy week of rushing, zipping and zooming. My lack of energy has become somewhat of an issue and I need to focus more on my diet and exercise.  By Friday evening, my kids were literally running circles around me as I tried not to crash out on the couch by 7 PM.  I wasn't too successful.

This week my personal focus was finalizing the plans for my community-based sorority's networking event and celebrating five years of work and sisterhood.  Look for an interview and recap of that event in the coming weeks!

What/who inspired me? Who did I inspire?My daughter basically says one word "Mama".  It's the first word I hear each morning as her "Good Morning".  She says it as she reaches for me to pick her up.  She says it when she's frustrated and needs me to come to her rescue.  It's a humbling reminder of the role I play in my children's lives as their protector, nurturer, and care-taker.

Did I walk in victory?
Sigh! This question right here! It's a doozy. My faith and personal beliefs play a huge role in my life.  To me walking in victory means that I keep my head up and a positive attitude throughout the storms I may encounter in my daily walk. I don 't know about y'all but that is HARD to do sometimes.  There are times when it seems the more I focus on the positive, the more negativity is thrown at me.  My goal is to continue to encourage myself and others by focusing on the blessings I have.  When I think of how others are suffering and grieving, the "problems" I may have don't seem that bad.

What specifically did I do that impacted my goals for 2013? What did I do to help someone else?
Honestly, overall, this was not a good week for me when I reflect on what I did to impact my goals for this year.  I did well with my spending (or lack of spending) but still need to finalize a budget. I have tested a few apps on my phone to track my spending and balance my accounts and came to the conclusion that I'm an old-fashioned diva when it comes to my finances - I prefer to right out my daily expenditures and budget in a ledger book.  I do, however, track my debt balances with an Excel spreadsheet. There's something about seeing that figure auto-calculate that brings out my inner-nerd :)

What aspects of DIVATUDE did you focus on this week?

#EndTrafficking : Saving Our Children

Worldwide millions and millions of children are victims of child trafficking and forced labor - bought and sold, made to work in grueling, dangerous conditions with little or no pay, and, often, forced into prostitution. 

Think it doesn't impact you? Think again! The food we eat, the coffee, wine or tea we drink, the cotton we wear - are all items that are the "worst offenders" that are most commonly produced by child labor or forced labor.  There are 128 items on the list and include gold, sugarcane, coal, cotton, rice, tobacco,  cocoa, diamonds, garments, coffee, bricks, carpets.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the US Fund for UNICEF has launched The End Trafficking project to raise awareness and mobilize communities to take meaningful action to protect children.  Human trafficking cases have been reported in EVERY state in the US and are particularly high in California, Texas, New York and Florida (Trafficking in Persons Report, 2011).

How can YOU make a difference?

Connect with UNICEF's End Trafficking Project on Twitter to stay up-to-date and informed. Use the hashtag #EndTrafficking to help spread awareness amongst your Twitter community.

Reach out and influence the life of a young girl or boy in your community by volunteering as a tutor or mentor. Get connected to an organization near you at mentoring.org.

Change the conversation by working within your social circles. A “pimp” is not a cool guy, but someone who abuses and exploits women. A “prostitute” is often a victim of sexual exploitation. Help your friends rethink their choice of language. For tips on how to talk about these issues, visit againstourwill.org/how-to-talkabout-it.

Switch to Fair Trade brands, and/or host a Fair Trade Party. Fair Trade-certified products are produced without slave or child labor. Profits from Fair Trade products support farmers and laborers involved in production and ensure that they are paid fairly and work under safe conditions. To learn more, visit fairtradeusa.org.

Advocate for state laws addressing human trafficking. Visit polarisproject.org/what-we-do/policy-advocacy/state-policy. Advocate for victims by visiting change.org’s human trafficking petition page.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline number is 1-888-373-7888. 
Callers can report potential cases, get help, or request information and training. This 24/7 toll-free hotline is 100% confidential.

Traffickers have been reported targeting their minor victims through telephone chat-lines, clubs, on the street, through friends, and at malls, as well as using girls to recruit other girls at schools and after-school programs. With the rise of social media use by our children, it is essential that parents, guardians, and concerned adults be vigilant in their lives. Ask questions, have conversations, and be active!






This post is brought to you as part of my involvement with The Global Team of 200 - a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls. Meet the team. See our press. Contact us to get involved.

Divatude Spotlight on Kita B.

Hello Divas!!! I'm excited to bring you all a follow-up from a diva first introduced to DWP earlier this summer.  When we last spoke with Kita, she was preparing to for the online debut of Kokoa Magazine.  Since it's debut, the magazine has been seen by approximately 20,000 people!!!! What an accomplishment in 4 short months! Many thanks to Kita for taking the time to chat with us again and discuss how she's embracing her Divatude in 2013 and beyond!

When you hear DIVATUDE what immediately comes to mind?

When I think of Divatude the first thing that comes to mind is strong willed. Someone who knows where they are in life and/or know where they are going. An attitude that has confidence in it.

How do you embrace the aspects of DIVATUDE in your personal and professional life (being driven, inspiring, victorious and called-to-action)?

I have it with my magazine because I like things done a certain way. People call it something else but I call it know what direction I want to go in and being driven by something that I feel is needed. It has taken me a long time to get to the point where if I have to do it alone I will because no one can represent YOUR dream but yourself.

You blog over at Saywhatuwanna.com - where you pretty much give it to us straight, no chaser and keep your readers laughing with your perspective on everything from politics to marriage and friendship. Are you that outspoken face-to-face? Have you always been that way?

Lol, yes I have always been that way. Face to face interaction with people has cost me some friends and acquaintances but I believe in telling it like it is especially if I am asked my opinion. I don’t sugarcoat it just because others may. I always tell people it’s just my opinion take it or leave it because when I give it to you straight I like to come from a different angle of thinking and I am fair. I have always been that way ever since a child I use to be a bit more outspoken when I was younger as I have gotten older I have learned to curb it ……some.  Most people who know me would say I give my honest opinion straight on and if you don’t want to know the truth don’t ask me.

Kokoa Magazine is your newest venture. Can you tell us a little about it and the inspiration behind it?

I was in the line at Wal-Mart one day and I saw some young girls probably around 12 or 13 pick up a magazine and say I want to be like Beyoncé or I want to be like Rihanna or Lady Gaga. I thought to myself why can’t our young girls pick up a magazine and read about people like themselves. I want my kids to look up to people like them whom they can relate too.  Some celebrities do come from backgrounds like us but there are many regular people who get their story told. No one asks them how they helped a man on the street, or how they donated clothes to needy children, or how they feed a family of 4 on 75 dollars a week. I want adults who struggle from paycheck to paycheck to read about themselves and relate. I want to inspire people that although we sometimes don’t know how we are going to put food on the table we can read about someone who does and become inspired to dream big. I tell people to think of this magazine like it’s essence but for regular folks no one rich and famous will be in this magazine.

What was your biggest accomplishment in 2012?

Starting Kokoa Magazine I was sitting on the idea for over a year but was afraid to start because I knew that a lot of work would be needed to done as far as PR, Social Media, Design, etc. I just put in my head one day that I needed to start it because nothing will be accomplished if I don’t at least start.

What's your focus for 2013 - both personally and professionally?

My focus is to start bringing in some money with Kokoa in some type of form via advertisement so that I can start getting more klout. I also want to hire someone to do social media for me so it will take some of the work off of me. If I can’t do both I would like to accomplish at least 1 thing.  I want to get Kokoa spread around a bit more and get the word out. 

 Thank you again, Kita, for taking the time to chat and share with the Divas With A Purpose community! Your drive and determination are truly inspiring and we wish you success in all your endeavors! 

Helping another person with the resources, time and talent that you've been blessed with is an an awesome feeling. We all know someone who fits this description, including ourselves! 

If you or someone you know is an example of a driven, inspiring, victorious and/or action-based woman, please click here for more information on how to be spotlighted as part of the

The Divatude Challenge 2013: Graduate with a Purpose

Welcome to The Divatude Challenge 2013!

Throughout the year we will be following some awesome divas as they focus on taking their divatude to the next level in the personal and/or professional lives.

They have agreed to share their goals and progress with us as a way of staying accountable and inspiring others through their journey.

Today I'd like to introduce you all to our first brave diva, Britney. A recent college grad, her 2013 focus is continuing her education, a healthier lifestyle and learning how to manage her finances.

 My name is Britney and I am 23 years old. I recently graduated from the University of South Carolina in December of 2012. GO GAMECOCKS! I majored in Biological Sciences with a focus in pre-pharmacy. With such an important milestone behind me, any goals and plans that I set for myself seem more attainable. This year I plan on taking significant steps towards my career goal of becoming a licensed pharmacist, creating a healthier lifestyle and preparing a more efficient budget and savings plan. 

My first goal is to get accepted to the South Carolina College of Pharmacy- MUSC Campus (in descending order), Presbyterian College of Pharmacy or the Florida A&M University (FAMU) pharmacy program. In order for me to become a licensed pharmacist, I have to get accepted into a professional school program. I completed my application for the South Carolina College of Pharmacy (SCCP) last October and have been awarded an interview which will take place on January 18, 2013. My application for Presbyterian College (PC) will be turned in no later than January 18, 2013. And I am giving myself until January 31^st to complete all applications for FAMU. Once all of my applications are complete, I hope to be awarded interviews at those schools. After the interview process, it will just be a waiting game to see which one/ones I get accepted into. Classes will begin in August of this year and that is when my journey into the professional field of pharmacy will officially start.

Having limited funds in undergrad and being heavily involved in extracurricular activities was not conducive to a healthy lifestyle for me at all. I ate terribly and very seldom exercised. My goal for this year is to not diet but to allocate my calories appropriately for a healthier me. To do this I will prepare the majority of my meals at home and track my calories daily using the MyFitnessPal app on my smart phone. To be realistic I am making it a duty to exercise at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes a day. Whether it is walking, jogging or TaeBo, IT WILL GET DONE. As a measurement of my progress, my goal is decrease my weight by 10% by December of this year.  That's not a limit but a challenge to maintain a healthier weight by changing my dietary and exercise habits. 

Finally, l need to budget and create a savings plan. The first step in this plan is, of course, having a job...LOL. I’m applying to several places and revising my resume this month to secure a steady paycheck. A problem I have is that I only think about putting money in to my savings account when I get paid. However, once I see the money, I don’t see savings. Instead, I see financial freedom which always runs out on a rainy day. I want to work on becoming a more financially responsible adult. My goal is to secure a job by February 28^th and put away at least $40-50 each pay check. My goal is to have at least $500 saved before I begin classes late August. Similar to my fitness goals, my aim is to maintain the $500 in my saving account. I will not continue to pull from my saving account every time I need extra cash. I'm realizing I'll never have a true emergency fund if I continue to do that! In order to succeed at this I will need to create a working, reasonable budget that fits my income, bills and spending needs.

Those are three of my most important goals for the year and I am fully dedicated to accomplishing each one! Talk to you soon!

We will check in with Britney in April! By then she should know which school(s) she's been accepted to and be making progress with her health and financial goals.  $500 by August may seem daunting to many, but if she meets her employment goal by February - that will give her 6 months. If she sticks to her plan of saving $40 per paycheck she can attain that goal. My suggestion would be to get a savings account at a bank or credit union and do an automatic deduction from each paycheck directly into her account. That way she never sees the money and doesn't have to remember to do a transfer each paycheck.

I love that at such a young age, she's taking the steps to create a healthier lifestyle! Eliminating/Limiting fast foods and exercising regularly are great habits to start at an early age!

Can't wait to see what the next few months bring for Britney! We'll introduce you to our next participant later this week!

What advice do you have to offer Britney to help her with her goals?

Focus on DIVATUDE - Week 2

Heeeyyyy Divas :) 

I hope you're all having a fantastic weekend! Time for my weekly check-in and reflections...accountability can be a beast at times, but it keeps me focuses and balanced.

What was my driving force this week?
If you can't fix it, let it go and keep pressing forward.  With my focus on "focusing" this year, I'm learning to become more aware of those things that I have no control over and acknowledging what will be will be.  

What/who inspired me? Who did I inspire?
The friends who coordinated their schedules to help me with getting back and forth to work this week (yes, still just one car!). I'm not used to asking for help and having people in your life who selflessly step up to go out of there way to help my family and I is priceless.  


I would hope that inspired you all to keep the #26Acts of Kindness Movement alive and well within your lives and communities with my dedication to Grace McDonnell, a victim of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.


 Did I walk in victory?
I most certainly did. I was disappointed in myself last week when I really started to reflect on my attitude and conversation. I let my frustrations over petty items cause me to become despondent and frustrated.  This past week I was committed to keeping an upbeat attitude and to focus on the positive things around me. Yes, of course, I had my moments where frustrations kicked in and I wanted to just gripe and complain.  There were a few times when I let myself just release. We all need times like that and I'm thankful to have people in my life that will let me vent and understand I just need someone to listen.



What specifically did I do that impacted my goals for 2013? What did I do to help someone else? 
I'm still on target with the 52 Week Money Challenge (up through week 4) and have finalized my savings goals for the year. My final step will be to do a look at my outstanding debt and re-vamping my monthly budget to work in my debt payoff schedule. (Yes, I've been procrastinating on that one.)

This morning I had the chance to work alongside some fellow divas with a purpose to help the Columbia (SC) Muscular Dystrophy Association pack boxes for their annual shamrock drive.  If you're in the Columbia or Augusta, GA area and purchase one in the coming months - know that you're donation is helping to impact the lives of children right here in the state of South Carolina and one of these divas below helped to pack those shamrocks. It was a morning full of laughter, love and labor:

How was your week?

What aspects of DIVATUDE did you focus on this week?

The Divatude Challenge Logo Quandary

Lately I've begun streamlining my different roles and realigning what gets and does not get my attention. I'm learning to ***gasp*** delegate and truly let go of tasks and assignments for the major projects I have on my to-do list for this year.

There are some things that I have to have a hand in - even when I have no idea what I'm truly getting into.  Sometimes it's just me being anal, sometimes it's me wanting to try out something new, and sometimes it's me just needing someone to tell me to take a chill pill!

The Divatude Challenge 2013 kicks off soon and I wanted a snazzy logo for it. Typically I use online photo editing sites and free images to put something together, but what I had in mind was something more official and professional-looking.

Thanks to an online logo creator, I was able to easily put together exactly what I was envisioning! When I work with someone else, I feel as though I'm being nit-picky when I send something back numerous times for minor changes.  Using this free website, I'm able to get as nit-picky as I want with myself! Now, the difficult part...choosing which one I want to use....

Image 1 Created Using onlinelogomaker.com

Image 2 Created Using onlinelogomaker.com

 I was able to create a free account with Online Logo Maker where I can save and download my creations.  This is a great tool for business owners of all walks and sizes. Extra perk - it's easy to maneuver - even if you're not very artistic like this diva...especially if you feel you're not very artistic like this diva :)

I would love your input on the two logos - comment with your favorite (Image 1 or Image 2) and the winning logo will be revealed this Sunday when I introduce you all to the first participant in The Divatude Challenge 2013!

 ~Disclaimer~ This is a sponsored post brought to you by my affiliation with Moms With Voices Media.  All opinions are thoughts are solely mine. Read my full disclosure here~

Remembering Grace ... #26Acts

"A beautiful and artistic soul, 

Grace was truly a gift from God 

and represented all that is good in this world"

~Obituary of Grace McDonnell, Newtown Bee

Last night, President Obama paused during his press conference to acknowledge Grace McDonnell's parents - Chris and Lynn - with these words:

"She dreamed of becoming a painter.  And so just before I left, Chris, her father, gave me one of her paintings, and I hung it in my private study just off the Oval Office. And every time I look at that painting, I think about Grace. And I think about the life that she lived and the life that lay ahead of her, and most of all, I think about how, when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must act now — for Grace. For the 25 other innocent children and devoted educators who had so much left to give."

Courtesy of CNN.com

Grace, from all accounts, was a child full of happiness and joy. She loved drawing, the beach and school.

In the days after the horrific acts at sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT - many of us were jolted into action with the 26 Acts of Kindness Movement inspired by Ann Curry. Thirty-four days later is the momentum still there? Have you followed through with your 26 Acts of Kindness? If so, are you going to start the process of over again?

The key, in my opinion, to keeping the memory of Grace and her schoolmates and teachers alive is to continue acting, to continue giving back and to continue having a positive presence in our communities.

When I read the articles on Grace - I'm struck by how fitting her name seems to be with her spirit and the legacy that she leaves behind. Her last goodbye to her mother was a blown kiss as her bus departed that Friday morning for school.  Her father had these words, that we all can and should apply to our daily lives, to share about Grace:

“[Grace] taught us you have to live for the future, happiness and peace" and “not to divert your energy to hate and anger.”

In honor of Grace's life - one characterized with love and a passion for drawing, I encourage you to draw a picture to give to a child (your own or one close to you) today.  So often we cherish the pictures that our little ones create for us, imagine their surprise when we share a piece of ourselves with them the same way.

This post is brought to you as part of my involvement with The Global Team of 200 - a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls. Many of us have committed to keeping the awareness on the #26Acts of Kindness and the victims of the Newtown tragedy. If you're a blogger and have written a post on either (or both), we'd love for you to link up with us below.  

Viva Vita Cioccolato!

I'm a huge fan of accessories that organize! I love stylish, quality and affordable wristlets, wallets, purses, and planners.  Stylish, quality and affordable is typically an all-or-nothing deal in my world so I love when I'm able to find a product that fits all three. I'm far from a label-diva for most products so I'm very open to trying new companies.  Sometimes I'm satisfied, sometimes I'm disappointed and sometimes I'm wowed.  "Wowed" was the case with BellaVita USA!Right after the holidays, I came home to this beautifully packaged box:

Did I, also, mention that I'm a sucker for a pretty box? My husband and kids got a little impatient with me because I spent more time ogling over the packaging before opening it.

Love's Memory - Review and Interview

Hi Divas! Love's Memory by Shannon Peterson debuted today. It’s an inspirational novel about a woman who has an accident that causes her to lose her memory and forget her family.

I've only communicated with Shannon via email, but her kind and warm spirit were evident from our first communication. Many thanks to her for taking the time to answer a few questions for the DWP Community! Her take on embracing DIVATUDE really inspired me!

When you hear the word DIVATUDE what immediately comes to mind?

When I hear the word Divatude the word that immediately comes to mind is confidence--Phil 1:6 Being assured of this very thing, that He which began this good work in you will bring it to pass. Because He has confidence in us--He knows what He's put in us, He knows what we are capable of--we can have confidence in ourselves. We can walk with our heads held high.We can have a bounce in our step and a smile on our face. We can approach any situation with poise and assurance. He's with us! We are daughters of the King! 

How do you embrace DIVATUDE in your daily walk?

I'm a believer in Job 22:28. "Decree a thing and it shall come to pass."  I've learned that if I want every day to count, if I want any  joy, peace, contentment, strength, etc in my life- this is the way to get it. The enemy stalks around like a roaring lion---and sometimes all we can hear are his roars! "you've failed again" "you're not smart enough" "you can't do that" "no one likes you" etc....But one word from God's mouth and he shuts up. I wake up in the morning and immediately start decreeing "I'm blessed!"  "I'm smart!" "I'm loved!" etc it's a great way to begin your day!

What inspires your DIVATUDE? 

I listen to great preachers and teachers regularly. I have a great prayer time with the Lord daily. I walk through my house praising Him, thanking Him, talking to Him. And I also try to be still and listen and let Him speak to me. He loves to do that. He has wonderful things to say to us if we give Him the chance. I have people in my life that I regularly share with and pray with. I'm also trying to get in the habit of reaching out to people in servitude. Serving increases joy and I can never get enough joy in my life! lol

 
To celebrate the launch of Love's Memory, we're all invited to a VIRTUAL PARTY at Shannon's website! Love's Memory has been called "soul-stirring"; "an inspiring story"; "compelling, enthralling"; "wonderfully suspenseful" and "a true page turner".

Head over to the party and see all the free party favors, prizes, and tips from wonderful writers all joining efforts to support the launch of Love's Memory!

See you there, Divas!