Thursday, August 11, 2011

We're Moving on Up!

For simplicity & ease, I have moved my blogging home to my new website: www.InspiredSistah.com. Visit me there. Take a look around & get comfortable. We'll be there a while. ;-)

Blessings!

Tangie

Saturday, May 7, 2011

For Every Little Girl Who Wants Her Mommy

Mother’s Day always presents me with a mixed bag of feelings. Because my relationship with my own mother is tenuous, at best, I never really know how to feel at this time of the year. These feelings usually surface around the time they start displaying Mother’s Day cards in the stores. I know I have to broach the aisle, so I go over there, hopeful. After reading dozens of cards, none of them express exactly how I feel. Where are the cards that say, “I don’t understand your rejection” or “If you love me, why don’t you show me?” So, again, I walk away with a generic card that has a generic message that barely scrapes the surface of what I’m feeling.

Here’s what I know to be true: Every little girl (and grown woman) wants the affection and attention of her mother. She will clean her room, get all A’s in school and pursue a prestigious career just to know that she’s been accepted and loved by her mother. When those amorous feelings are not reciprocated, she can begin to look for love in all of the wrong places and become bitter and resentful. But this is not a tribute to the Bitter, Angry Women rejected by their mothers. This is a tribute to all of the sistahs who, despite not feeling the love and support of their mothers, choose to live an extraordinary life of victory, success and love. This is a tribute to the sistahs who make a decision everyday to love their children, love their husbands and love their lives, even in the face of adversity. And, finally, this is a tribute to every little girl (and grown woman) who wants her mommy and decides to honor her, anyway, despite their differences.

Happy Mother’s Day to every mother trying to make it happen, doing the best she can, showing up 100% and loving her children in the process.

Friday, March 25, 2011

The Radical Life

This week I had the awesome opportunity of attending a women’s conference at my church. The theme of the conference was Radical Redefined and the tone was set to admonish us to live radically in our faith and our purpose. One thing I always look for, when I attend conferences or seminars, is the word behind the Word. I’m always looking for a way that I can be impacted personally.

Oftentimes when we think of someone being radical, we think of it with a negative connotation. We think of people committing crimes of hatred in the zealousness of their beliefs. But to be radical simply means to be extreme or uncompromising. Here’s a thought: What if we got radical about our purpose? What if we became so focused on exercising the gifts we were given, that we were undaunted when faced with opposition? How would our lives be different? How would the lives of the people that we interact with on a daily basis be different? How would the world be different? I offer to you the radical notion that if we became so radical about making an impact in this world, change would take place swiftly.

So, what’s the hold up? Fear; Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of lack, fear of insufficiency, fear of not being good enough, fear, fear, fear. Do you not know that you have already been equipped with everything you need to succeed? There’s nothing left for you to do but be obedient. When God called Moses, don’t you think He was aware of Moses’ resume or his speech impediment? Yet, He used him in a mighty way and called him a friend.

You may not be called to lead nations, but you may have been called to be a Radical Mother to your children or a Radical CEO of your company or a Radical Singer. Whatever it is, this is the time for you to fully operate in that gift. Someone’s destiny is linked to your obedience…or disobedience. You, being in position, will help someone else to get in position.

So, let this note be a call to action. Consider this your commission, your confirmation, your answer. God has done all that He’s going to do. The ball is in your court now. How will you play your next move? Will you sit on the sidelines or get in the game? Let me help you: It’s time to take a leap. It’s time to live the Radical Life!


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Inspired Sistah Presents...Fall Retreat 2011: Pathway to Purpose


Come join a group of uniquely talented and gifted ladies as we hone in on the full manifestation of our purpose. Whether you’re unsure of what direction you want to go in life or you’re fully living out your dreams, this retreat is for you.

During the retreat, we’ll be converging on the beautiful Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, GA. In the midst of luxury and relaxation, we’ll have 4 days and 3 nights of power-packed fun, inspiration & purpose building.

This year, we really want to focus on helping you walk fully into the life you were created for. We’ll focus on renewal of the mind, body and spirit by offering activities that will help you live your life in balance in order to fulfill your God-given purpose.

Retreat activities include:

· Inspirational workshops focusing on spiritual, emotional & physical health & wellness

· An Interactive Talk Show: Matters of the Heart with Inspired Sistah

· An Awards Ceremony honoring Inspired Sistahs everywhere

· Plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the beautiful estate grounds which includes world-class amenities such as a European Spa, Winery, & Equestrian Center.

· And, of course, an awesome opportunity to bond with other like-minded Inspired Sistahs



Early-Bird Registration (March 1st, 2011-May 1st, 2011):

$239

Regular Registration (May 2nd, 2011-Aug. 1st, 2011):

$259*

Late Registration (Aug. 1st, 2011-Sep. 1st, 2011):

$279


For registration details, visit the Retreat's website.

*Payment plan available for regular registration fee

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What Are You Up To?

Like many people, I have set some pretty lofty goals for 2011. The important thing to remember about your goals is that they need to be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Time-Specific) in order for you to see real success with them. The intimidating thing about that is, oftentimes, we undershoot “just in case” things don’t work out like we planned. If you plan your goals with the mindset of an Under Shooter, you will always live beneath your potential. On the other hand, if you make your goals so unrealistic and unattainable, you will still be living beneath your potential because they will still be unachieved. Okay, so let’s be clear: A goal is something you can realistically see yourself attaining and not a “wish list.” So, while you may desire to change jobs this year, unless you’re willing to commit to doing the things that are necessary (i.e. updating your resume, networking, etc.) it wouldn’t be wise to list that as a goal. Here are a few other tips to help you get focused (if you’re not already) and stay focused:

1. Set your goals up in such a way that they can be measured. For example, saying that you want to lose 10 lbs. is a better goal than just simply saying you want to “lose weight.”

2. Along that same line, be realistic. If you’ve never been a size 6, it is not likely that 2011 will be your year to reach that size. Your genes, lifestyle and eating habits may be more consistent with a size 10. Be okay with that.

3. Put some time on it. Giving yourself a realistic time-line will position you for greater success. If you’re trying to lose those 10 lbs. in one week, well…You get my drift.

Understand that it is a good thing to be goal-oriented. However, many people shy away for fear of failure and end up in The Land of Average. The key is to prioritize your goals and give yourself little rewards along the way. Remember the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

So, I’d love to know what you’re up to? Email me at InspiredSistah@InspiredSistah.com.

Blessings,
Tangie

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Fear Factor

In one of my favorite books, “Who Moved my Cheese?” there’s a question posed, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” This question is loaded and it really makes you evaluate where you are and where you aren’t. It’s also a question that I ask myself periodically when I feel like I’m getting stuck.

I have a whole plethora of things I’d love to do. So then the question becomes, “Why aren’t you doing those things?” The answer for me and for countless others is bundled up into one sorry, little word: FEAR. Now, on the surface, if you asked me if I was fearful, I would yell a resounding, “No!” But from time to time, I have to go back and ask myself that basic question, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

The reality is that many of us have big dreams, but we get stuck in the “paralysis of analysis” and allow our desires to remain just a dream. Fear creeps in for a lot of reasons, but two major reasons for our fear are Fear of Failure and Fear of Success.

Fear of Failure comes into play when we ruminate over the “what ifs.” “What if they don’t like me? What if no one reads it? What if no one comes? What if?...What if?...What if?” In actuality, none of the people whom you deem as successful could afford to be concerned with the “What ifs.” If they did, they wouldn’t be where they are now. And, as I’ve said before, “What’s the difference between you and them?” Nothing, other than they've decided to move past their fears.

Fear of Success is really a big one because it’s kind of insidious. This fear manifests itself by your secret sabotage of your dream. For example, you may procrastinate by not returning phone calls, finishing projects or attending workshops. Not moving forward with those things will, ultimately, delay you in moving forward with your dream…in a big way.

Understand this, no matter what your goals, hopes or desires are, you can start pursuing them TODAY. Regardless of your financial, relational or mental status, you can start right where you are. The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time. In other words, don’t get so caught up on the fact that you don’t have all of the details worked out. The key is to get in motion. Moving forward will position you to attract all of the things you need to see your dream come to pass.

In closing, I’d like to share with you my answers to the question:

If I were not afraid, I would—

  • Travel the world inspiring and encouraging women to live abundantly full lives.
  • Teach women how to live free despite their past, shortcomings or inhibitions.
  • Live my life to the fullest so that when I take my last breath, I know that I’ve left this world in a better place than when I arrived.
While my goals have not been fully manifested, I have to make a decision everyday to move toward them doing what I can with what I have RIGHT NOW. And I challenge you to do the same.

Take some time to ponder this question and write down your answers. Look at them often. Remind yourself of them…and then let’s go!

See you at the top!

Inspired Sistah