Lessons

09 Nov 2015

The Next Chapter…

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

…And this is the end of this chapter for me.

Her Goody Bag came about in 2008 from a random conversation with my brother seven years ago and I have enjoyed every moment of this journey.

The last seven years with this blog have been incredible. I got to meet some of my favorite celebrities, designers, makeup artists, motivational speakers and more. I have learned many great lessons and met some really great people along the way.

I just want to thank all of my faithful readers for sticking with me for seven years. I’ve gotten to meet some of you in person or connected with you via social media, emails, or simply the comments section.

I hope I was able to inspire you to Look Good. Feel Great. Live Better.

This isn’t the end…

JaniqueCambridge.com is my new journey to live The Good Life. Join me.

Categories: The GOOD Life Tags: Lessons, Life, new chapter

08 Sep 2014

Motivation Monday: Time to Grow Up and Life Updates!

By Jai Leave a Comment

Hey my loves!

I know the last time I wrote a post I said that I was back to blogging because I finished school, and guess what that wasn’t the case. I know I said I was in the process of moving and I would still blog, but I didn’t. I am a woman of my word, so don’t hold my lack of consistency against me, but A LOT has changed since I last wrote that post. So here it goes…

Life Updates

I got a new job. Well this isn’t just a job, I am advancing in my career as an educator. This year would have been my 9th year as a teacher, but God had a different plan. I am now an AP (Assistant Principal)! How awesome is that!

I moved. New place, new life, new responsibilities.

This is the first season in about three years that I missed fashion week and…..I’m not bothered by missing it.

I will be 30 in less than a month and so it is time to grow up. I have a new career that requires a different level of thinking and time, and I have new responsibilities. I am no longer solely responsible for the 150 students in my classroom for my content area. I am now responsible for making sure a school is functioning; that includes supporting a teachers, operations staff, support staff, students, parents, and the community. I am now responsible for helping the principal fulfill the mission and vision of the school. I literally went from 0-100 real quick (I can’t give up my hip hop lingo lol).

Over the last year God has been pushing me in a different direction, and the things that I used to do, I don’t do anymore. I’m not referring to any type of “ratchet” behavior, that’s not me. I’m talking about what my concern and focus used to be is not the same at this point in my life. When God brings you to a new stage or level in life He expects you to act accordingly, because you have now accepted a new level of responsibility. This time last year I was probably looking at my schedule of shows for fashion week. This year my schedule does not have Lincoln Center anywhere near it. I would have been attending lounges and getting pampered and tweeting or instagramming looks straight from the runway. This year I’m revamping my professional wardrobe and not concerned with the runway because quite frankly some things do not fit my new lifestyle.

I struggled with accepting this new level of responsibility, but I know God will not give me more than I can handle. I was not expecting this change to happen so quickly although I went to school for this very reason. I’m still in shock about all that I have accomplished this year. God never ceases to amaze me. He knows exactly where He wants us, but we just need to listen to His word and follow His command. Over the last few month’s Pastor Bernard has been teaching about God’s Mediatorial Rule, which deals with God’s Rule and Presence. Under God’s rule He directs, corrects, and protects. I know that I am where I am for a reason. I know that God will never leave me or forsake me. I know that as long as I have faith the size of a mustard seed anything is possible.

So I’m finally accepting that I’m growing up. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says,

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

I am excited for this new season that I am about to enter and know that without God’s love, grace, mercy, direction, protection, and correction, I would not be where I am today. So as I continue on this journey, walking in my purpose by meeting the needs of others, I know that God is my source and without him, nothing is possible.

Categories: HGB Go Getter, The GOOD Life Tags: growing up, Lessons, Life, Motivation

04 Aug 2014

Motivation Monday: Next Steps

By Jai 4 Comments

Hello My Loves!

Yes it is been forever and a day, but I am happy to say that I officially finished graduate school last Sunday! Working on my 2nd Masters was definitely a challenge. I was in an accelerated program and completed what normally takes two years or longer for some people in 14 months. The program consists of six weeks of pre-course work, two 5-week intensives (five weeks for Summer I and five weeks for summer II) and a 10-month long internship. As I said in an earlier post practically everything suffered because of the intensity of the program. I was so busy I barely wore heels and if you know me, you know I love my heels. The last 2 1/2 weeks were the most intense. I haven’t pulled so many all-nighters since undergrad over eight years ago. Completing this degree was by far one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve done in my life. My degree will be conferred in October, and I will be able to walk across the BIG STAGE in May 2015.

Now that I’m finished I keep getting asked the same question…what are your next steps?

Besides catching up on sleep and catching up with friends and family I haven’t had much time to really relax. While I was in school I decided to look for a new apartment. I know…what was I thinking right? Well this was my logic, I wanted to find a place before school was over, so once I was done I could just pack and move so I could be settled by September when the school year starts. Well I found a place and I am in the process of packing and moving. Don’t worry, my laptop won’t be packed up, so I will have time to blog!

I’m also planning a birthday/graduation/house warming shindig. I figured why not celebrate all three at once. This way I can catch up with my family and friends who I have not spent that much time with over the last few months because of school and the internship.

So what’s next? I need to relax, but I can’t get restless. I have to stay motivated and put to use what I learned over the last 14-months.

Yesterday in church was “Graduation Day,” and that is when everyone who graduated from high school, college, and graduate school go up to the altar and one of the ministers pray over everyone for guidance regarding their “Next Steps.” This brings me to my favorite scripture Jeremiah 29:11 (I reference this scripture all of the time to keep me grounded and to remain faithful to God’s promise). It says,

“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” New International Version

I know what God has placed in my heart and I am not sitting around hoping for something to fall in my lap. 2014 has been a HUGE year for me and everything that I set to accomplish, I have by the grace of God. I gave myself a list of things to do before I turn a certain age (I’ll tell you what that age is in October) and I’m working hard to do that. I know that God is calling me to advance in my career, and I am taking the necessary steps to do that. Besides moving up the career ladder, my next steps really are just following God’s word and plans that he has placed on my heart. That deals with improving my spiritual life, relationships, finances, health, and blog (Yes I pray about HGB constantly-this is my baby).

God has taken me in a totally different direction than I was going two years ago. Honestly, two years ago I didn’t think I would have my 2nd masters degree because I didn’t want it. I thought I was done with school, now look at me lol. I can only laugh and think about this:

Of course I set goals…don’t think I’m just out here waiting for a “sign” from God, that isn’t the case. What I’m saying is that you may have one plan for your life and it may not be what God called you to do, so instead of trying to do things your way, follow God’s plan because He always has your best interest at heart.

Categories: HGB Go Getter Tags: jeremiah 29:11, Lessons, Life, Motivation, next steps

30 Jun 2014

Motivation Monday: Life Update!

By Jai 4 Comments

It’s been WAYYYYYYYY too long since I’ve written a Motivation Monday post, so instead of giving you all of the fluff I’ll just tell you what’s been up.

1. Work– This year I had a lot more demands with work that occupied a lot of my time. I will have some of those same responsibilities, but with a more flexible schedule this September.

2. School– In about four weeks I will have completed my 2nd Masters program. I had a year long internship (at work), which consumed a lot of my time, so as of August, I will have a lot more time to dedicate to the blog.

That’s mainly it. My graduate school program has been extremely intense and I am almost at the finish line.

Although I haven’t been posting consistently here, I have been guest posting for my friend Kim on her blog Makeup By Kim Porter. So check out a few of my beauty posts.

One thing that I promised myself to work on for 2014 was to have balance. I would let work and school consume my life, but I have been managing my time much better. Although I’m not where I would like to be, my family and friends have been extremely supportive during this time. So that’s my update.

Categories: HGB Go Getter Tags: Lessons, Life, life update, Motivation

03 Feb 2014

Motivation Monday: Focus Is…

By Jai 20 Comments

Focus is a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity according to dictionary.com

My pastor preached this message for Watch Night Service on New Year’s. I found this quote by Tony Robbins that states,

One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.

The part of this quote that stuck out to me is the first part that says, “One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power.” I found this to be exceptionally true for me. I consider my self to be a “goal digger,” and I set goals for all aspects of my life, but it is a struggle accomplishing those goals. I know that success is definitely a journey, but in many areas of my life, I feel like my journey could have been shorter if only I was focused. Some people may say that it wasn’t right because of God’s timing. God gave us free will so that we can make our own decisions. Some of the decisions that we make derail us from God’s plan, so he now has to redirect our steps and it takes us longer than he intended.

So in order to focus you have to know what focus is…