My Love Letter to 2010

Dear 2010,

Thank you for a year of challenges, accomplishments and most importantly; growth! I met some amazing people this year. I opened myself to dating more, which was an experience in itself. Although, I have not found true love, I’ve met some great life-long friends. The biggest milestone was forgiving a family member who I thought I would never speak to again in life. That experience was definitely life changing! I see now that it was for MY benefit.


My professional arena has been the most challenging, but with these challenges, I’ve found a new sense of confidence in knowing that I am capable of doing and achieving so much more. These challenges have restored a burning flame in me to strive for better. I am forever grateful!

I’ve had so many great experiences such as my first trip to the Bahamas with family and friends, graduating from college, becoming a new seller on Ebay and shopping trips to Atlanta with my best friend!

The best thing that you have given me this year is wisdom, confidence and insight on becoming the person that I have always wanted to be; ME, with no apologies! Thank you for preparing me for great success in the year ahead. 2011, here I come!!

100 Things That Make Me Happy!

1. Seeing my children happy
2. Every month when I'm able to pay my mortgage
3. The start of each new day because I'm alive
4. Memories of my mother
5. Nice Perfume (when I smell good)
6. When I feel beautiful
7. Sea Food
8. Looking back and posts on my blog
9. When I can make someone smile
10. Having a job
11. Having a car
12. Having enough to provide for my kids
13. Spending time with family
14. Laughing on the phone with a good friend
15. Knowing that I've helped someone help themselves
16. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Latte with Toffee Nut syrup
17. Thoughts of achieving my goals
18. Thoughts of my desired life
19. Thoughts of my future husband
20. Thoughts of God's love for me
21. Thoughts of being in love again
22. Thoughts of being financially stable
23. Old School Music
24. Hanging out with my friends
25. Flipping through the pages of Instyle Magazine
26. Dressing up
27. Shopping for clothes and shoes
28. Marie Claire Magazine
29. Reading Essence Magazine
30. Flipping through the pages of Lucky Magazine
31. Shopping on Ebay
32. Accomplishing goals
33. Being able to fit into my jeans like I want to
34. When my kids make good grades
35. When I receive compliments
36. Silly things that my kids say
37. Being able to have a good relationship with my kids' father
38. When I can refrain from cursing somebody out at work
39. When my kids make good grades
40. Acne free skin
41. Doing nice things for others
42. Singing loudly in my car
43. Butter Pecan Icecream
44. Checks in the mail
45. Memories of my childhood
46. When I think about getting out of an abusive relationship
47. African American Love
48. Let me be honest......Money
49. Decorating my home
50. Attending Music Concerts
51. Attending Comedy Shows
52. Attending Church
53. When I master a new skill
54. Learning
55. Knowing someone else is thinking about me
56. Feeling appreciated
57. Receiving a nice email from a coworker or friend
58. When I get a good parking spot
59. When my bills are paid on time
60. Overcoming a fear
61. Christmas Time
62. Enjoying "me" time
63. Reflecting on the past and how I've grown
64. Seeing old pictures of me and the kids
65. When I'm able to resist temptation
66. When I can fit into my jeans comfortably
67. Finding good deals at consignment/resale shops
68. Vintage clothes and accessories
69. Thinking about the boutique that I'm going to open
70. Watching Oprah
71. Receiving gifts
72. Seeing other women accomplish their goals
73. Getting good results at the doctor
74. Tax money
75. When my nails look nice
76. Nice glass of wine
77. A really good book
78. Self Improvement articles, websites and books
79. Fashion
80. A nice relaxing lounge
81. Dancing with my family
82. Live music
83. Pappadeux's in Atltanta
84. Traveling outside of North Carolina
85. The calm feeling of landing safely in an airplane
86. Boy short (panties)
87. Tea and Lemonade mixed together
88. A really good salad
89. My trip to the Bahamas
90. My trip to New Orleans
91. Flowerbomb Perfume
92. Guilty Perfume (By Gucci)
93. Making it through an intense workout
94. Coconut Pecan cookies from Harris Teeter
95. Makeup
96. A man with nice shoes and great cologne (my weakness)
97. Nice shapeup on a man
98. Eye opening conversations with my children
99. Millionaire match maker
100. Family gatherings

Investment

My tip of the day surrounds the word "investment". To invest means to contribute to or to partake in something of interest. An investment is not always related to money. As women, we should be more willing to invest in ourselves. And I don't mean invest in a hot pair of shoes or a newer car. Those things are nice (and I can certainly appreciate both), but they both involve a monetary investment. Whatever it is that we are seeking to improve or become, we should focus on that and involve ourselves with people or activities that can help us get to where or who we want to become. So....how are you investing in yourself?

For me, I'm investing in self improvement by participating in Happy Black woman's "31 days of resetting your life". It doesn't cause me a dime. Check it out here http://www.happyblackwoman.com

Vision Board Party

Friday night, I gathered with a few friends and family members for a party with a purpose! We had a vision board party! It was a lot of fun. We ate appetizers, drank a lil wine, created our vision boards and........learned a new line dance! I shared my vision board with the attendees and some quick information about the law of attraction and helped them create their own.

The beauty of the night is that we talked as women about some of our insecurities and challenges and encouraged each other to strive for success. Some of us arrived at the party with visions in mind, and one particular woman, left with a new found vision that she did not have prior to the party!

At the end of the party, I shared instructions on creating a life map that I pulled from http://www.happyblackwoman.com/ (The Life Mapping Workbook). By the way, if you're interested in improving your life and finding your life's purpose, you definitely want to check out The Happy Black Woman's website. There's lots of personal development information there.


 I am excited about the things that we will accomplish in the very near future. It's great to encourage women to step out of their box and lay their fears to rest. We definitely had some great ideas and creativity going on that night!

Here are a couple of the boards that were created! Some of them are incomplete. The purpose was to at least get started. Enjoy!