13
May 2013

Motivation Monday: When Life Gives You Lemons…

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I know many of you know the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Well that is exactly what I have been doing. Over the past few months God has been making major moves in my life. Some of these moves I did not think I was ready for, but they were the answers for my prayers.

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I love how God still finds ways to amaze me in situations that I least expect. Last week, I began to put the pieces of certain parts of my life together. Over the past few years God has placed me in situations and I didn’t know why and would be miserable, but now everything is falling in to place. Many of the conflicts that I have had all make sense now. He was just preparing me to move to another stage in my life. Many of my failed relationships (not only romantic) aren’t failures after all. I am realizing that I had to go through some of those painful experiences to be where I am today.

I can say that I truly see God’s hand at work in my life. It wasn’t that I couldn’t see it before, but the way in which everything is coming together just amazes me. Sometimes we look for grand events to see that God is working, but pay attention to what some consider “the small things.” I felt lost, confused, and unappreciated in certain areas of my life. The level of stress I was experiencing was affecting me mentally, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. I am now able to see that those situations were necessary in order for me to draw closer to God. Those situations enabled me to step out on faith and praise God under all circumstances. The saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” isn’t only about turning a negative in to a positive. It is also about developing yourself through the hardships to come out victorious.

Now I can sit back and enjoy my lemonade.

Categories: HGB Go Getter, HGB Lifestyle Tags: , ,
22
Apr 2013

Time for Change with Generation Know

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In January I had the opportunity to take part in an amazing panel discussion with some awesome people (click here for the recap). U by Kotex sponsored the event, and they wanted to break the silence about the misleading information when it comes to a woman’s body. We broke myths, exposed the truth, and vowed to empower others, especially young girls when it comes to learning and discussing about a woman’s body.

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Many girls today get their information from their friends, television, the internet or social media. So you can imagine how much information is out there that can confuse a person. I remember growing up watching “The Cosby Show” and the episode that stayed with me was when Rudy got her period. A few of her friends came over and they shared with her every horror story you could think of. One myth that I still remember to this day is “You can’t go to the beach when you’re on your period or you’ll get attacked by sharks.” Let’s just say I didn’t want to go to the beach because I thought I was going to die. I knew that it was just a television show, and I should have gone to my mom or someone else that I trust to ask questions to make sure I wasn’t crazy, but I didn’t. I was too embarrassed and I know that’s how many girls feel now.


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I now have a platform where I can help educate many people who are misinformed. Too often we pass up opportunities to help people, even when it is done indirectly. Small change is better than no change and if only one person receives the correct information from me then I believe I did my part.

Recently I was riding in the car and someone was using FaceTime and mentioned they needed panty liners. Instinctively I said “Keep that to yourself,” and they replied “Didn’t you do that Kotex forum? Remember we shouldn’t be embarrassed to share that information.” She was right and a wave of guilt hit me. It was like second nature for me to say keep that to yourself. We have to remove the stigma about getting our period. No one should feel embarrassed about that when it is a part of our nature. It shows that we are healthy women (young and old) with our bodies working properly. We should embrace it, even though PMS and cramps can get the best of us.

Take a look at how we plan to empower others

We have to Bust Myths, Speak the Truth, and Empower others to embrace their bodies and the many changes they will go through.

Brand Statement
U by Kotex Brand is committed to empowering girls to change the way the world thinks about periods and vaginas through Generation Know, the first generation of girls comfortable asking questions, gaining real knowledge and spreading information about their health and bodies to others. To get the facts, learn how to make a difference and get a free Generation Know bracelet to symbolize your commitment, visit www.GenerationKnow.com. For every girl that joins, U by Kotex brand will donate to Girls For A Change to continue to create change.

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex
Categories: HGB Go Getter, HGB Lifestyle Tags: , , , , ,
22
Apr 2013

Motivation Monday: Overcoming Limitations

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Too often we do not fulfill our destiny because of the limitations and restrictions that we put on ourselves. Limitations can come in many forms, but the most detrimental limitations are self-inflicted. Doubt, regret, fear, guilt, and not forgiving are what usually prevents us from accomplishing goals and living the best life we can live.

We may not be able to control what happens around us, but we can control is how we react to what happens around us. We have to stop allowing people, our circumstances, and sometimes even ourselves from having negative control over our lives.

Limitations aren’t are only true if we believe them. Of course you have to take in to consider your gifts, talents, and abilities. So I wouldn’t suggest you try out for a basketball team if you have no idea what it takes to play the sport. We have to use what God has given us to the best of our abilities and stop putting limits on things.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Do you believe those words yourself? We have to become people of faith. Saying you have faith is different than acting like you have faith. If you want a promotion, act like you already have the promotion? Who want to start your own business, act like that company is on the Forbes 500 list. You want to go back to school, don’t wait until you get an acceptance letter. Start educating yourself today.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith not by sight

We have to constantly have this mind set. When grounded in faith there are no limitations.

Categories: HGB Go Getter, HGB Lifestyle Tags: , , ,
15
Apr 2013

Motivation Monday: Increase Your Productivity

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When God said in Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground,”  many people interpret that as populating the earth with humans, but that is not the case.

Fruitful is defined as

producing good results; beneficial; profitable; producing an abundant growth.

In other words, fruitful means be productive and when you are productive, you are following God’s word. Being productive involves using your gifts, talents, and abilities for a greater purpose in order to serve. A simple definition of productivity is how much work we have done in specific time unit.

Sometimes it is hard to see if we are being productive because the results are not immediate, but we need to understand that productivity doesn’t always equal some grand result. So how do you measure productivity? I’m glad you asked that question :)

Here is a simple formula to help

Time Worked/ Time Available = Productivity Percentage Rate

45 minutes of work / 120 minutes of available time = 37.5%

Which means I wasn’t very productive :(

So here are tips to help increase your productivity!

1. Make a plan for your day- Get organized!
2. Break larger tasks down into easy to accomplish bits
3. Prioritize- Use To Do Lists
4. Block out distractions
5. Set a timer to define uninterrupted work stretches
6. Take breaks to recharge and refresh
7. Don’t make excuses or procrastinate
8. Reward yourself to reinforce success
9. Maintain a positive outlook
10. Know how hard you work, and when
11. Say no more often
12. Ask for help

Source

 

Categories: HGB Go Getter, HGB Lifestyle Tags: , , ,
08
Apr 2013

Motivation Monday: How Strong is Your Support System?

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As humans, we were created to be social, to work together, and to support each other. As you progress through life you build relationships with new people and in most cases strengthen the relationships that you have with the people you meet first, your family. Because we are social, we need strong support systems.

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A support system is defined as

A group of people who are available to support one another emotionally, socially, and sometimes financially.

We need strong support systems to get through life. There will be times where we are lost, heartbroken, confused, and we need the comfort of another to let us know that we are not alone and whatever hard time we are facing, we will get through. There will be times when great things happen in our lives and we want the people we care about to be happy for us as well. Sometimes when we think someone is in our corner, that is not always the case. Jealousy and envy are real and may surface in your life in the form of “frenemies.” I know this may seem a bit extreme, but this happens everyday.

In order to build a strong support system you have to do what you wish someone would do for you. So for me that includes correcting me when I’m wrong, being encouraging, leading by example, giving sound advice, celebrating achievements, making sacrifices, and the list can go on.

Having a strong support system is important especially when it comes to one’s mental health. It will help with the following

  • Alleviate stress
  • Improve the decision making process
  • Improve how you relate to others
  • Improve confidence and feelings of value
  • Decrease the feelings of loneliness and isolation (source)

We cannot grow in isolation. We can only grow in community and we need to be there for each other during the good times, the bad times, and the ugly times. When we see our brother or sister down, don’t leave them down or beat them down even further, be there to offer a helping hand.

Here are a few bible scriptures showing why we need to be there to support each other, especially in a time of need

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

So in order to have a strong support system, you must be the example. You cannot expect to receive what you are not willing to give.

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