CAN'T STOP NOW!

I attended a celebration yesterday honoring Dr. King. It was more than a reminder that I must not get weary in doing this work! There are too many shoulders that I stand upon to give up, turn back, or not move with focused determination.

There was a young lady who presented an original poem entitled "Enlighten Me"...the first formed chapter of NSBE in this community was also presented. The question is "What am I giving?" beyond my professional day to day. I often find this a difficult question to answer since I truly believe that my professional work is also my ministry. It is Heart work! However, I must make some time..aside from my exercise schedule :) [it is coming on a consistent basis]. I have decided to start a Toastmaster's for Teens chapter in this community! It speaks to me professionally and personally in teaching communication skills to teens.

In remembering Dr. King...I remember Harriet Tubman (my She-Ro), Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X, and many more. These strong shoulders hold me up so that I may someday be the shoulders upon which someone else will stand!

New Year!

At the start of each new year, I feel a new energy to begin a new life chapter. This year is not very different. Lessons learned in 2007 I think have fueled a sense of quiet resolve for fortitude and continued growth in 2008. I am completely excited about new found peace that I am not standing alone but completely on HIS promises. While I do the work of my hands, heart, and head...I know that I will not be left, forsaken and that I have S.A.P. (STRENGTH, ABILITY, AND POWER).

My focus this year which began in November 2007 was to not forget myself and needs as I cultivate a growing business. I also began to go back to nurturing myself and things that provide me with peace and time for reflection. Getting myself back and learning to share my personal self with my business self has been an awesome pilgrimage. I will return to Bikram Yoga (yeah!!!) and will join a Kickboxing Class (watch out!), I am also enrolling in Knitting very soon.

As I begin to plan a life with my soulmate, I have learned that my business life is dependent on how I share and nurture my creative self...and vice versa.

I am glad to be at a place in business that I am comfortable with building ME into my schedule and actually sticking to it.

And who knows what's next...I've always wanted to try pottery!

BREATHE for LIFE!

When things get crazy..sometimes I forget to breathe, eat, and pray. This is not good! Today I noticed that I took for granted that while I forgot to breathe...I was still breathing! The lesson...take nothing for granted and remain conscious even in the crazy. When I remain conscious...I am present. When forgetting to remain conscious while breathing and still partaking in inhalation and exhalation, I understand that I begin to go through the motions. My conversation with a friend today informed me that a mutual acquaintaince will be undergoing a double lung transplant due to a childhood disorder. While this woman has surpassed all odds of mortality, she who has difficulty breathing...is conscious about every breath she takes. She even brings you to consciousness in your interaction with her.

When I think of the things and the many challenges encountered this week already...I am brought to this woman who has decided to breathe every minute of every day because life is worth it! There is nothing that cannot be accomplished, completed, or solved...we were not created to worry...but to BREATHE, WORSHIP GOD, PRAY, and LIVE with GRATITUDE!

Holidays!

Good 2007...no complaints. The 2008 will be even better. I have spent the last couple of weeks planning for the upcoming year. Budget planning, Goal planning, Implementation Planning and I am excited.

The title of my blog is Moving Forward and I think my life is a proof that God wants you to go forth..learn from the past but go forward. I have been in business since 2002 and as a person who never thought she would go into business for herself...I can tell you it is always about seeing beyond the circumstances and going forward. And that philosophy and belief has not and will not fail or disappoint me!

Some things and people do not need to move with me in the new year...it is true can't carry everyone and everything will need to retired.

Ambiguous relationships will be retired! Bad stress will be retired!

As we move forward...my load must be lighter as 2008 will require me to move fast!