Own Your Power

Takeyah is one of Own Your Power’s favorite lifestyle coaches. Take in these key tips to learn how to be more balanced during this Fall.

5 Steps to Fall Fulfillment  by Takeyah A. Young

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, autumn marks the transition between summer and winter.  The temperature drops.  Trees shed their leaves.  Crops are harvested.  Seasonal transformation doesn’t only happen with the change in temperature, the trees, and the flowers. There is a transformation within us, even if we do not realize it.  Like all of the seasons, this is a great time to honor and embrace this transition.

Traditionally, in the fall, we would harvest our food to serve us through the winter.  So many may ask, “Does this have to be yet another “gloomy, unfulfilling winter”?  The answer is, “Of course not!”  This is a time of harvest, happiness, realization, and implementation.  Now is a great time to gather your tools to infuse your life with renewed health and wellness.

This time around, you can welcome the transition and spend more time and energy on creating balance in your life.  Here are six strategies you can use to build serenity into your wintery days.

1.    Slow down.  We often spend our days going from one thing to the next and we rarely take the time to enjoy ourselves.  Allowing one or two extra seconds can bring more awareness to our actions and help us great each moment with gratitude.

TIP: Set aside 5 minutes each day to remember the things you are grateful for.

2.    Unleash your creative spirit.  Take the scenic route as opposed to the usual way home.  Use the recipe that you cut out months ago and make a delicious meal.  Create a space in your home for relaxation.  Start a journal and let your wild and crazy thoughts pass through you onto the paper.

3.    Make time to connect with loved ones.  Cultivate relationships with family, friends and others around you.  Think about what you want and how you can connect to or build your well of support.  Find creative ways to strengthen the flow of energy between you and your loved one(s).

TIP: Send a card to that old friend who crossed your mind several times last month.

4.    Eat.  Eat.  Eat!  As the season transitions from autumn to winter, so must our bodies and eating habits.  During this time of harvest, embrace the opportunity to look closer at the energy sources for our bodies.   Eating warming foods from local farmers will give you the opportunity to try new food and recipes.

TIP: Eat foods like potatoes, cabbage, winter squash, and beets, as well as less familiar vegetables such as burdock, rutabagas, and Jerusalem artichokes.

5.    Remember to do the things that bring you joy!  Schedule time to do the activities that you love.  Listen to the messages that your body sends to you.

Takeyah A. Young is the Founder and Director of Core Connection Lifestyle, a company dedicated to providing life essentials for well-being and tools for balanced living.  Takeyah’s mission is to empower people to live their dreams in balance; connect the actions in their lives to their dreams; and inspire them to take living personally. To learn more about Core Connection Lifestyle, please visit www.core-connection.org

The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

History Was Made Last Night!

Own Your Power Communications would like to send out a huge heart-felt congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama!Last night was a true example of our own mantra that ANYTHING YOU WANT IS ATTAINABLE. Whether you voted for him or not, this feeling is UNDENIABLE and a true example of what AMERICA is suppose to be about. UNITY!! CELEBRATE AMERICA. You are Not Dreaming! YES WE CAN!

I met Angela a few years ago while waiting in line for a women’s event and we have been friends ever since. Instantly, I connected with her and when I found out what she did, I was even more intrigued. Helping breast cancer survivors is her mission and at the time I met her, my mother was still with us and battling breast cancer. She began to offer free advice and great health information to my mother. I saw first-hand how she helps women in the community and vowed to support her business even more. Please take a look at what Angela Darling is doing to empower others and learn why she loves what she does!

What’s your business name?
I must explain how my business name came into fruition. Following my breast cancer diagnosis in 1999, and undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I had quiet time to think. The divine spirit and still small voice within each of us guided me to generate an educational newsletter. I was then told to entitle the newsletter, “Love Your Breasts” which was received positively in the community. It was launched October 2000. Friends and family encouraged me to do more. Therefore, Love Your Breasts, Inc. (LYBI) was incorporated in 2002 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003. Because breast cancer is the most feared cancer this is related to the fact it affects body image. Therefore, God chose the name for me in order to encourage women to love themselves first, love their breasts and perform monthly breast self exam, annual clinical exam and never ever skip your yearly mammogram.

2. What’s your main service?
Our main service is educating the community to heighten and increase awareness of breast cancer and other cancers with emphasis on minorities. To provide overall wellness guidelines and support services i.e., monthly cancer support group and bi-monthly Look Good Feel Better program for women experiencing the negative side effects of cancer treatment.

3. What are some things that you do for women?
We attend health/street fairs, organize wellness seminars and healthy breast workshops, accept invitations for speaking engagements to places of worship, community groups, etc. At these events uninsured/underinsured women are identified and referred for free or low cost mammograms. We support cancer survivors and their family during the cancer journey via support services mentioned above, via telephone, email, inspirational cards, birthday cards, etc. We also refer women who did not have breast reconstruction to be fitted for breast prosthesis. A strong and caring support system is crucial.

4. Any interesting fact you can share about your industry?
LYBI is located in the Bronx and has a myriad of community partners. We are listed in Cancer Care, (ACS) The American Cancer Society’s database and clients are referred to LYBI. We also receive referrals from friends, multiple doctors and survivors in the support group, etc. Breast cancer can be a daunting and devastating diagnosis, but in the end these women come through it stronger than they ever were before. They realize there is an inner strength that comes forth and they in turn can support others. There is so much to be learned during the breast cancer journey with a myriad of winning successful personal stories.

5. What’s the most popular problem you help people solve?
The negativity and fear of recurrence. We work to keep the women focused on positive thoughts. Guiding them that when fears are creeping in to divert thoughts to a prayer (if one has a belief in a higher power), meditate, carry out deep breathing exercises, yoga, call a non-toxic individual, write in your daily journal and identify blessings. Reinforcing regardless of what is going on negative there is a blessing in the storm. Reminding the newly diagnosed I myself is still here nine years later following a stage 2 diagnosis because I adhere to the following tips noted above.

6. What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?
For over 27 years I worked in the hospital setting. I worked staff level approximately 3 years and then promoted to assistant nurse manager and then the remaining years to manager/supervisor. The job was extremely stressful. During my illness God did speak to me to make the transition into the community. My outreach into the community is desperately needed. I meet individuals still working at the hospital and they tell me Angie we miss you and would I ever reconsider and come back. My response is always no because God has reassigned me.

7. How do you stay motivated? What keeps me motivated is: 1) The sincere appreciation from the ladies we support through a cancer diagnosis journey. 2) When in the community at health fairs, speaking engagements and individuals thank me and express the presentation was so informative and they learned so much. Giving back and being of service drives me in addition to the admiration for my mission of love from my daughter, sister and grandkids.

8. What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?
Being bold enough to approach important people and express my request. For example, asking the community relations manager at Barnes & Noble bookstore to allow me to do presentations two years in a row during breast cancer awareness month. 2001 and 2002. He said yes each time and that led me to request launching a cancer support group there in 2003. Next request in 2004 was boldly asking for room rental at The Negro Women Council building to launch our Look Good Feel Better program. To date LYBI is a multiple award winning organization and recipient of 12 distinguished awards.

9. Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine?
I have truly been blessed in this area. LYBI support services were featured 2003 and 2004 in the local papers. Myself personally on multiple radio interviews the most outstanding with Michael Baisden radio personality. One hour personal interview on Cablevision channel 68 and 70 in 2006. For October 2007, The New York Amsterdam News featured me in a full page story in Black New Yorkers article that is published monthly.

Want to connect with Angela or learn more about her organization? You can also make a donation via her website!
Email: aloveyourbreasts@aol.com
Phone: 718-231-5746
Website: www.lybi.org

~~~DRUM ROLL PLEASE…~~~

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE FAST FORWARD CONTEST! We had many who played, however only these three QUALIFIED.

Fast Forward Winners who have done an amazing job at helping us getting the word out are:

(l to r) Jaz Owens from California, Avice Warren from Miami, and Reggie Lamptey from New Jersey!

THEY WON:
1. 8 weeks of Marketing Coaching (www.ownyourpower.biz)
2. Two free sessions with other experts of their choice (We have a round table of 12 to choose from.)
3. Lastly, an Own Your Power Radio show (www.ownyourpowerradio.com) highlighting them and their business.

(TOTAL VALUE OF PRIZES: VALUED AT OVER $1500)

Send them a congrats on their profile page and stay tuned for the NEXT fun contest to win amazing prizes to help you boost your business and improve your life! It’s coming up VERY soon and I’ll give you a hint, you have to be very FRIENDLY TO WIN ☺

Thanks to everyone who participated! We at Own Your Power appreciate you.

Have a fab day and keep on Owning Your Power. Want to join us in the community? Come on in…

Simone

I voted early yesterday and the feeling of unity was more exhilarating than I could have ever expected. The long lines of all different kinds of people, the laughing, the chatter, and the complete calmness that I saw was unbelievable. (Guess being from NY, people aren’t usually that patient in line, they fuss and complain normally. Didn’t see that at all.) I brought a book to read, because I heard the waits were averaging two to four hours. Well, turns out I didn’t have to read one page out of my book!

Although, it was my intention to stay quiet and patiently wait in line…it was next to impossible, because of the bubbling energy surrounding me. Judy, the consignment shop owner, really expressed a lot of fired up energy and super-charged my little crowd sharing why she was voting and who she was voting for. Then there was down to earth Chris, the marine biology college major; Gina, a spunky school teacher and Louise retired sweet heart stood in line as we bonded together. The 90 minutes flew by, thanks to good conversation and the cool shade of Judy’s monster size umbrella that protected us from the blazing sun. (Much love to Judy on that note!)

Aside from being different, races, backgrounds, religions…we were all voting for the same party. (Something I was taught not to discuss in polite company. ~a-hem~ But it all came out eventually.) However that’s not the only thing that bonded us together, as much as it was the absolute confusion about various amendments we also had to vote on.

While in line, we were handed a breakdown of amendments from a security guards that were going to be on our voting ballots. Now, I consider myself at least moderately intelligent. LOL The rest of the crowd said they felt most of them were college educated, can read and comprehend normally…but eh, why did we ALL have to read each amendment about three times before it made ‘slightly’ any sense? Some I found out were written in the 1900’s so that explains that issue.

We all laughed about it and then realized how unfair these things were written. Think about the average person who might not have the greatest education or reading level. I would guess they are using that familiar technique that we all know and love like, errr… eeny, meeny, miny, moe!

My “in line” buddy Chris even joked, “Imagine in a year from now, there some new crazy law that is passed and then we’ll say ~As he slaps his forehead~ ‘Ah man, I think I voted for that!’”

The ladies in line behind us chimed in and said they found out the layman’s translation online at the Sun Sentinel (Florida paper).

Two minutes later, Chris whips up the page on his Blackberry and kindly read off the plain English version of that mumbo jumbo legalese. It was pretty hilarious to see the group of people shouting things like…
“What did number one mean?”
“Oh no, but I’m for gay marriage, so I’m voting yes.”
“Does putting yes, mean you are FOR it or against it. It’s so freakin’ confusing!”
“What did you put for amendment number 6?”
“Is that for taxing my house?”
“Let me see your paper!”

After we were able to get some clarity it really made us think why some less uneducated people probably don’t vote at all. It’s very intimidating, especially with paper ballots, since we were early voting. Any wonder why someone with a 5th grade reading level might be shaking in their boots from embarrassment to fill out a ballot. It was absolutely eye-opening folks.

If you are early voting which I hope you are, please make sure you look up your state’s amendments beforehand. Many are very old and here’s an example of the absurdity of them…

I want to say thanks again and give a “give a shout out” to my ‘in line crew’ (Judy, Gina, Louise, and Chris) who made my 90 minutes wait an uplifting, pleasurable and fun experience. I felt like singing we are the world on my way home. LOL

ROCK THE VOTE EVERYONE…This election is too important not to.
Own Your Power,
Simone