Author: TSG!

There’s just something about the feeling of starting fresh, a clean slate. A new month does that for me, especially when it starts at the beginning of a week lol. I take the time to get real with myself about what I need to get done and plan my month accordingly.

Setting goals isn’t always about financial doings, they could be deep cleaning a room in our house, getting a pedicure, taking a ME day, researching how to start that business we have been putting off, networking, passing a class, etc. To be honest goals can be pretty overwhelming, that’s why prioritizing is important.

We all probably have more than 10 goals we would like to complete. But trying to complete every goal at the same time dilutes the quality of effort we put in to completing them.

Every new month set 3 goals. One financial. One personal. One relationship or family oriented. That gives us time to live as well. As someone once told me the only problem about being overly goal oriented is we forget how to live. Our life becomes consumed around goals instead of living in the moment, which is just as important as the goals we set.

Also, setting 3 goals leaves us room to actually complete them and walk into the next month feeling confident that we will complete 3 more. Overly setting goals leads to some goals not being accomplished, which attacks the confidence within ourselves and we begin to question if we are ever going to get things done.

In other words, STOP, BREATHE, be gentle and patient with yourself. You are only one person! I challenge u to set 3 goals this month. Goals that are most important to you and your growth. Yup that means there are some things you may have to save til next month and that’s okay. Take the steps needed to complete them and feel that feeling of accomplishment that you deserve to feel. Your goals deserve 100% of your effort! Begin your clean slate, begin brand new today. What happened the months before doesn’t mater. All that matters is how we choose to move forward. Make this a December to Remember. THERE SHE GO!

On Wednesday’s we highlightHER 👑

This week we are showcasing Realtor Mecca Lewis-Shakur. She was nominated because of the excellence she represents within her career and as an inspiring woman. Mecca gave us a “blurb” into her realty world and wanted to share how to help women get involved. She doesn’t shy away from hard work and is willing to help anyone who wants to or is already in this career. She has a happiness and fulfillment within her job that we all aspire to have. To get up everyday and love what we do. Thank you for your insight and education into your daily life. THERE SHE GO!

“I am a full-time REALTOR® with Weichert, Realtors – Diana Realty in Bel Air, Maryland, serving Harford County and surrounding areas. I am dedicated to integrity and attention to detail. I am enthusiastic about providing excellent customer service to all of my clients and customers. There is no need too big or too small!

I specialize in Residential Homes, Townhomes, and Condominiums in all Price Ranges from starter homes to luxury properties. I am a military wife so I am very comfortable with the process of VA loans and familiar with the needs of busy and transplanted military families.

When I am not assisting my clients with real estate I enjoy spending time with my family, visiting with elderly relatives, cooking, gardening, traveling, and hiking. I lived overseas for several years and have some experience with other languages; conversational French, some Spanish, and I can understand Italian, Portuguese, and Arabic.

I am easily accessible by phone or email and always happy to assist with any and all real estate needs. I would relish the opportunity to be your lifelong realtor for any point in your life’s journey.

If you are considering a career in real estate, know this: you will get EXACTLY what you put into it. If you are someone who likes to dial it in, likes working set hours and is not self motivated, being a Realtor may not be the field for you. If you are willing to dedicate time and energy to marketing yourself, learning new tech to make your job easier and to developing yourself professionally, the sky is the limit! If you’ve just started working in the field and would like professional advice, feel free to reach out to me. I would be happy to help you in any way I can.”

-Mecca

This weeks blog was interactive. I got some feedback from some of the women of TSG on what makes them beautiful. I hope to inspire women to see the beauty within themselves. There She Go💖

On Wednesday’s we highlightHER 👑

This week we are highlighting the beautiful soul, Shawnee’ Walker. She is a mother and author who was nominated by other women for inspiring through her children’s books and her caring and loving energy. Shawnee’ lets us in on what she has learned following her dreams and loving herself. She represents Kindness, Dedication and Love! Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with us. THERE SHE GO!

Who is Shawnee’ Walker?

“I am a mother, author and advocate.”

What are some of your best qualities?

“Two of my best qualities would be determination and optimistic. Determination because I set goals in everything I do, and I try my hardest to work diligently to achieve them. Optimistic because I think it’s important to find the light in any dark situation, and focus on the positive rather than the negative.”

What has your journey of self love been like and what advice do you have for other women on their journey?

“My journey to self love has been bitter sweet. Learning to love myself has been a process and it still is. For the last year I have made it my mission to evolve into the best woman I can be, and I work at it daily. Advice I have for women who are trying to find and love themselves, is to have accountability and do the work. Dig deep and tackle all the issues you have from the petty issues all the way to the really ugly toxic issues. Learn to love yourself for who you are from the inside out, once you master that then you will be able to love others genuinely and in a healthy way.”

You are an author of Children’s Books. How did you find your passion and what do writing these books mean to you?

“I was inspired by my son to write my first children’s book Milo’s Day at School. My son has epilepsy and I saw a need to spread awareness and educate children in the community on epilepsy, so I wrote a children’s book called  Milo’s Day at School. It started out as just a passion project but when I finally published it, I receive pretty good feedback so I turned it into a series with my second children’s book titled Milo’s Cool New Glasses.”

What was the hardest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your dreams and how did you do it?

“The hardest obstacle I had to overcome was self doubt and judgement of others. I would ask myself if I was good enough and if could really write and self publish a book on my own. It was very hard in the beginning, because I didn’t know where to start. I did a lot of research, but there were plenty of days where I just wanted to give up but I had a purpose to fulfill.”

How has becoming an author changed you and your life?

“Becoming an author has changed my life because I realized that whatever I set my mind to I can do it without a doubt. It’s also a great feeling to know that something I created will always be out there to inspire, motivate and encourage others.”

What means the most to you in life?

“What matters most to me in life is peace and gratitude. Without peace we are just living in turmoil. It’s important to have gratitude because it helps us to be thankful and positive despite our circumstances.”

How do you balance your life so you don’t forget about yourself?

“I balance self care in my weekly routine by spending time alone even if it’s just an hour here or there, taking myself out to lunch, reading self help books, or doing something enjoyable with family/friends.”

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?

“If I could change one thing about the world it would be to have a cure for all sickness, and diseases. We only have one life to live and it’s very unfortunate that many people spend it being sick. My hope would be for everyone to be happy and healthy.”

What empowering words can you leave the women of TSG?

“Three empowering words to share with TSG would be align, vision, and purpose. We have to align our goals, with our vision, to fulfill our life’s purpose.”

–Shawnee’

On our journey to finding self, we all find things about ourselves we don’t like. We probably notice those things first to be honest. Why don’t we like them though? Physical dislikes could be the seed of doubt that’s been placed against our beauty. We have to learn to accept our physical flaws and embrace them as our uniqueness. But what about those qualities about ourself that could be changed; like our attitudes, our thoughts, our communication, our motivation, just to name a few. Do we stay stuck in the routine of what we have been accustomed to? Maybe we have done some growing in those areas, but does that mean there’s no more room for growth?

When I look back on the times I wish I would have done things differently, I’ve learned to look at my mindset, and who I was internally then, that made me make certain decisions or act a certain way. Although those experiences made me who I am today, I can’t bring who that person was mentally and emotionally to who I am today. That person would hold me back from what I have become. Just as I continue to grow; the mindset I have today won’t continue to make me successful unless I’m willing to keep growing.

We are all doing the work and putting in the effort to be better people. But that doesn’t mean we still aren’t carrying old ways with us. We all have gotten in our own way. We have to be willing to grow past that. If we know we have a communication problem, we aren’t going to reach the height of our potential if we think that’s all it can be “a problem.” If we know our attitudes are negative, we will never be who we need to be for ourselves, if “that’s just how I am.”

What holds each of us back is different. With every new level we reach in life, there will be new obstacles that approach that will require shedding those old ways. When we shed old ways, we allow room for new growth to happen. When new growth happens, we mentally, physically and emotionally become better for ourselves and the people around us.

I challenge you this week to dig deep and find what’s holding you back. What’s some old ways you are still carrying, that could be stopping new doors from opening? The best part about growing out of old ways is the new level of yourself waiting on the other side. Enjoy each day, be present, but never ever stop growing. THERE SHE GO!

On Wednesday’s we highlightHER 👑

This week I am very excited to be showcasing Author, speaker, emotional wholeness coach and all around inspiration to women Yah Hughes. Yah was nominated by women who admired her beauty inside and out, her transparency and her passion for helping women grow. Yah’s book “Hello Me” has been used as a “tool” amongst women in helping to find and value ourselves along our journey. Yah’s values and passion align with what TSG represents. She is powerful, determined, empowering and confident. I thank her for taking the time to inspire! THERE SHE GO!

Interview:

1. Who is Yah Hughes?

“Yah Hughes is a woman who has shown herself to be resilient, every evolving and authentic. Who happens to be a cultivator; one who fosters growth, change and fearlessness. She’s a wide, mother, sister, friend, author, speaker and ordained elder to name a few. She’s just a woman who DECIDED to trust God, pursue wholeness and share her discovery with the world.”

2. What would you say has impacted you the most in life?

“Pain. Pain has been my catalyst for change, it’s the one thing I don’t want to allow for me to be defined by but it’s also the reason why I’m here today. It’s aided to who I am. So I’d say it’s been pretty impactful 😂. Most people run from it, or lose themselves at the hands of it, but for me, it’s been what’s changed me the most.”

3. You are the Author of “Hello Me!” What inspired you to write the book and deliver it to the world?

“In my work as a emotional Wholeness coach, I met countless women who struggled with embracing who they are and who they’ve become. So I wanted to provide a tool that helps women embrace the greatest and weakest parts of themselves. To stand in their “internal mirror”. With over 600 copies sold, it’s safe to say it’s an impactful and sought after tool.”

4. What were some of your biggest challenges when writing the book and how did you overcome them?

“Time! With working full time, speaking, coaching and the daily demands of family life, it at times was hard to focus and carve out time. One of the ways I overcame it was to stick to a strict writing schedule, every morning 4:45-6:45am. Staying in for a season, no hanging out, no to idle time etc. It really was about being intentional and remembering my why.”

5. What does it mean to you to participate in events as a motivational speaker?

“It’s very important to me to be in places and spaces that align with my core values of impacting, transforming and being authentic, so I am very selective of where I participate because it’s apart of my purpose. So it means everything to me to be able to cultivate and provide women with the tools to live a meaningful and purposeful life.”

6. What do you value most in life?

“My family, my word to myself (authenticity, honoring my commitments to ME) and my relationship with God.”

7. If you could recommend one book all women should read (outside of yours lol) what book would you recommend and why?

“Oh, that’s easy …Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. It’s life changing. It speaks of the power of vulnerability and overcoming shame. It’s my belief that so many of our (women) issues stem from how we see ourselves and the feelings behind it. If we could be more vulnerable and comfortable in ourselves we’d be more fierce.”

8. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?

“I’m doing it, how we understand our emotions and the power we have within ourselves. When we change our relationship with ourselves and our pain, we can change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of generations to come.”

9. What advice do you have for women on the journey of finding themselves?

“Don’t give up, you deserve to be the happiest, healthiest version of you, the women God created and intended for you to be. Keep going, it’s coming, one step at a time. You owe it to yourself to see it on the other-side.”

10. What is one empowering quote that you can leave us all with?

“It’s never too late to become who you’ve been destined to BE! BE HER”

–Yah

On Wednesday’s we HighlightHER!👑

This week we are highlighting the beautiful Orleana Bland. Women in the community have nominated Orleana because of her dedication to her goals and her outreach through event planning. She is a positive voice and promotes women empowerment by helping to provide women with the opportunity to network. Bringing women together in a positive way to help each other achieve their goals is what TSG is all about. Orleana represents community and togetherness. Thank you for allowing us to get to know you. THERE SHE GO!

Interview:

What are some of the best qualities of Orleana?

I am hardworking, independent and loyal.

Where are you from and what was your childhood like?

I am from Seaford, Delaware. My childhood consisted of getting good grades in school. I was in a female group called Unique, teaching myself about sisterhood at a young age. If I didn’t go to Florida for summer vacation, I was attending summer classes to prepare me for the school year. I took my education extremely serious. Graduated in the top 10 in my class.

What’s your goal right now in life?

My ultimate goal is to be a homeowner. No one in my immediate family owns their home, they are renting. I want to have big family BBQ’s, family reunions, parties, etc. at my own home. Have something set in stone for my children.

How do you keep your focus on your goal with other distractions in life?

I pray constantly. If any distractions start taking place, I let God lead the way.  

What does women empowerment mean to you?

Women empowerment to me is building, bonding, inspiring, and connecting with other women to strengthen their lives and help encourage them to reach their goals.

Name one thing in your life that changed your outlook. 

My grandmothers’ death changed my outlook in life. She was such full of life. She helped so many people constantly that stole from her or lied on her. Her heart was full of love. On her death bed she called for me and I promised her that I will continue being the kind-hearted person I am and finish school.

Express to other women about the power of networking and how to go about it.

Networking is another key to success. You must know the right people for the right things. Interacting at work events, participating at college events or even to fundraisers in the community; you just never know who you will need in the future. The saying its not about what you know, its about who you know. Just by knowing the right person could save you millions. 

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?

If I could change anything in the world, I would say how this welfare system is setup. No offense, but its so many mothers out here who want to succeed but choose not to because they are so comfortable with the welfare system taking care of them. When there are other women working 2 to 3 jobs to make ends meet that cant receive any assistance when they fall short 1 time out of a year.

Who is your favorite author and what is a good book of theirs to recommend?

I read urban fiction books, Jaquavis Coleman

If you could leave women with your favorite quote, what would it be?

”One of the lessons I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.”- Michelle Obama

 –Orleana