An "Exquisite Affair"

Hellooooo.....guys, I know you think I have totally forgotten you; never! June and July were some busy months, but never once did I not think about you and our connection that we have. So, with that being said, how is every one's summer going thus far? Have you been on vacation yet? Have you had a chance to make it to a beach or pool? How many family reunions have you gone to. Have you had the chance to read Reflections66 (I know..shameless plug...lol!!). But seriously, have you had a chance to read it. You guys know I can't write without putting a little humor in.

Well, if you have read over this blog, you know that Exquisite Diamonds (my business) had its first conference. Guys, can I tell you; it was work - but the ED team pulled it off. Which is another thing; it is very important to have a good team, and I surely appreciated mine.

The conference was held on Saturday, July 30th and it was a success. From the speakers, to vendors, to the mini makeovers (hair/nails/make-up); it was phenomenal. Although I was all over the place until my son told me to have a seat somewhere, I was in awe. Sometimes when you have a vision, you often wonder how it's going to pan out. Well, the Lord took it beyond what I saw (but that's how He does things - isn't).

As women; young and old, we came together in the spirit of sisterhood and celebration. No one cared about all the other things women have a tendency to focus in on when in the company of each other. You know what things I'm talking about: who is she, look at her outfit, what kind of car she drive, what do you know about her, etc - all of the things that separate and bind us from being our sister's keeper. Things that make us envious and jealous of each other before even getting to know a person, properly. That kind of mentality has, and continues to plague us as women. But at the conference, our sisters; black and white, celebrated each other with open arms. We danced, we cried, we hugged, and we laughed. My heart was overwhelmed - I loved it.

For anyone that understands me; I am one who is always observing. It took me a week to process and dissect every part of what happened on last Saturday. And although the ED Team and I received many positive comments and feedback (thank you to everyone who shared), as the owner of Exquisite Diamonds, this is what I saw:

Exquisite Diamonds are among us every day, but they just don't know it. The Exquisite Diamonds that I observed on Saturday, were the women who were vendors talking and sharing about their products and businesses. They were the Liz Adams - a woman who sacrificed celebrating her birthday to bring a group of young ladies out to the event because she cared about them more then they understood themselves. It is the Director of the Eastern Shore Pregnancy Center (Mrs. Jacquelyn Seldon), who opens her heart up to young expectant teens. It was the young ladies from the Beauty Academy who came and enhanced the beauty of a group of single mothers by doing their hair and nails. It was Ms. Alicia Dennis, the Mary Kay Consultant who added the finishing touches to those young single mothers after the Beauty Academy were done their part. It was the two Oncology Nurses who came and took blood pressures and who made energy flags (thank you Marti Ellis) that we waved in the air as we shook our groove thing to the music that was played (thank you Tyshon Smith) and that represented breast cancer, because I had shared with Marti prior to, that one of my friends (Tanshelle) had just been diagnosed. The Exquisite Diamond is the young single mom, LaToya Johnson who just started an organization called Single Moms on a Mission aka SMOM. It was our Mistress of Ceremony (Ms. Savasti Brown) who always says, "I'm about two things: Business and Babies. My business has to be straight in order to take care of my babies." Amen sister! It was my best friend from Philly (Marcella Tinsley) who too, is a single mom working two jobs just to put her daughter through college who come this year (2012) will be graduating in May. The Exquisite Diamond is Ms. Stephanie Milbourne, a mother of three and my cousin, who no matter what I do, is always there to keep me straight personally and professionally. The Exquisite Diamond is my friend (Deja Bell-Johnson) who came all the way down, she and her husband at the very end of the conference to show their support, because she gave me her word that she would. The Exquisite Diamond is my friend (Sheila Dunn) owner of Treasured Moments who sowed into the vision because she believed in it. The Exquisite Diamonds were the speakers (Dale Reddish, Joyce Farrare, Sara Miller and Jacquelyn Seldon) who all had a story to share that enlightened, motivated, inspired and encouraged us to continue to shine brightly mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is the ones, whether far or near, that prayed and sent their love and positive energy to us. It was the ones who faces and spirits glowed in the presence of each other as they took in what was going on around them. It is the woman who did not want to be mentioned that donated bags and lotion and shampoo, for the cause. Ahh yes, they are the Exquisite Ones. I can still feel their spirits just typing this.

So you see, Exquisite Diamonds is not something where you have to be all deep and stuck up or super important with multiple titles behind or in front of your name in order to shine brightly. All you have to know, is your worth. What I observed in that conference is: Exquisite Diamonds are your every day people, who sometime get noticed and sometime don't, who are just trying to do the very best they can with what they have been gifted with, to live the abundant life that God has blessed them with. Some understand their exquisiteness, and some don't. And for those who don't yet; well, that's where we will come in to guide and direct until they can see if for themselves.

Final word - I was glad to connect with other Diamonds last weekend. We made a light so bright that even the help of the facility in which we held the conference had to take notice. It was truly an "Exquisite Affair".

Normally, I would end this by saying peace & love...but today, I'm going to end it by saying,

Shine brightly Exquisite Ones...

Soul Investments

Happy Wednesday guys. I know what you are thinking; long time, no write. Well, you are absolutely right. I have been so busy with all kinds of projects. I pray all of you are doing well and that you are making progression towards your goals, dreams and aspirations. I pray that all of your loved ones are well, too. Though I have not written much, you are always in my thoughts and prayers. You are the reason I do what I do, and your encouragement is the energy that I use to keep going.

Well, we have transitioned into summer. Who's ready for the beach? I know I am.

Tonight as I sit in quietness (my son is working ya'll - hallelujah, doing my happy dance, strike up the band, wooohoo!! Sorry about that, but I had to get that out), I want to share something that I like to call, " An Investment to the Soul."

Movies, as I'm sure we all like to watch, have so many different messages and stories that they are trying to portray. But then there are some movies that you were so glad you watched, because they were life changing, eye openers, an investment to your soul. I can think of one in particular that I shared with friends and admonished them to go see and that movie was, "Pursuit of Happyness." Talk about an investment to the heart and soul. Outstanding!

Though it was scripted and acted out wonderfully by Will Smith and his son Jaden; that movie stirred something in my soul - it moved me with compassion and determination and once again opened my eyes to how some of us really take our blessings for granted. Well tonight, I was reminded (reminders are something we need throughout life to keep us focused) again of how blessed we are and don't even realize it.

This evening I had the opportunity to hang out with a person who I consider to be like a sister. Though she quietly and apprehensively (she is a very private person) came into my life; her presence, has spoke volumes. To look at her you would think she is just an average person you see in passing, but this quiet spoken woman packs a power within her that would knock you off your feet. Her testimony alone is unbelieveable. I don't know who led who to who; but all I know is, I thank God she's a friend of mine.

Mrs. Brown, I like to call her, invited me to step inside a part of her world that she lovingly gives service to. As I watched her along with others care for the people who were coming in seeking a place of refuge and a hot meal, I marveled at her smile as she greeted each one with love and compassion. Truly this is not something she does to get recognition, to build up her business, to impress people, or to get a pat on the back; this is something that she does out of her service to God for His people.

I quietly sat and watched and said hello to different ones that spoke and smiled from the help, to those being helped. As everyone talked and laughed among themselves, immediately, I said to myself, "We are clueless to all of our blessings." For some of us, me included, we complain about the smallest things that life throws at us. Though some things are bad; trust me, it could be so much more worse. As I continued to watch Mrs. Brown and her friends; something, just like how the movie did, something stirred in my soul; and I thought about this:

Wouldn't it be nice sometimes if we just stopped for a moment trying to be important, trying to make it big, trying to impress people who really don't care about us anyway and see that there are people all around us who are less fortunate, but who have a bigger heart than most us have. That's what I saw tonight. I saw people who knew their situation, but yet they came in as if they didn't have a care in the world. They talked, they laughed, they ate, and they smiled - something that we can hardly do with the blessings we already have. I noticed they didn't care who was looking at them, they didn't care what you had on, they didn't care what kind of car you drove, and they definitely didn't care about your titles; all they cared about was what they were there for.

I watched Mrs. Brown and her friends as they walked among those they had served and how she took the time to cater to an older gentleman who could barely walk without the usage of his cane. Matter of fact when he came in, it was like she was waiting for him. Immediately she came to his aide.

Finally after a half-hour had gone by, some left; and those who wanted more, she and her friends served with the same smile and enthusiam they gave as if the room was crowded.

I will say, I was truly impressed, although I know that's not what she was trying to do. I believe all she wanted me to see was a peek inside her world outside of what she normally does. I believe she wanted me to see her passion; and why not, I've shared mines with her. I'm assuming she said, "now that I know what you like, come see what it is I like to do. And it hit me, what she likes to do is not glamourous, but what she does, is how she is personally - private and quiet.

In closing, being with Mrs. Brown tonight reminded me once again, that some things you see, some things you feel and some things you do, are "Investments to the Soul." Thank you Mrs. Brown for sharing that through your actions and service.

"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and you clothe me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matt 25: 34-36

Peace & Love...

Happy Father's Day

DGWOS would like to wish every Father, (single or married) Grandfather, Pop-Pop, G-Daddy (that's for the more younger Grandfathers) Uncle, Brother, those who step-in, step-up, and mentor, a Happy Father's Day. The power and strength that God gave you is for a purpose. You are our protectors, our leaders and strength. We extend our love and appreciation for you on this day. May it be filled with much adoration from all that you love you.

PS: To all of the Father's who may no longer be here; we remember you too. Rest in peace.

Peace & Love...

"Happy Mother's Day Mothers and Excuse Me, Some Sirs Too.."

DGWOS want to wish all of the mothers (no matter in what capacity you played the role of a nurturing and caring individual who shaped the lives of children) a "Happy Mother's Day". This is your day to rest and relax and to catch your breath, because tomorrow, it all starts back up again. Lol!!! Ladies, and excuse me, some sirs too; we applaud you on this day for your endless sacrifice to help shape unique and productive individuals that we call children - the greatest gifts that God gives us.

Peace & Love...

Transformation

Happy Friday - Well ladies; I'm back. How are you doing...it's the weekend and its April Fools Day - who remembers all of the April Fool's songs and rhymes. My favorite: April Fools go to school, tell your teacher he/she's a fool. I sang that song one year to a teacher thinking that she was going to find it funny. Uhhh, let's just say, by the time my mother finished with me; I would not sang that to another teacher ever..lol. Whewww, those were the days. The month of March was a busy, as well as an emotional and transitional month for me. I wanted to write, but I think I was too caught up in the emotions I was feeling and experiencing. Although to the outside, it looked like I was still functioning fairly well, but on the inside, I was really going through something deeper. Some of it I shared via FB or Twitter from time to time, but really I was searching and seeking through prayer, what it was that my heart and soul was feeling. And like with anything when in this kind of state, I like to retreat to quiet places so that I can dissect what it is I need to learn. This is what I discovered in those quiet moments: There comes a time in all of our lives when we go through a transformation (change in form, appearance, nature or character) of some sort. Whether its a change from middle school to high school, from high school to college, from singleness to marriage, from being boys and girls to becoming adults, from having children to having adult children - every one of these experiences, transforms us in some way. In this transformational stage, the emotions you may experience, can sometimes be overwhelming, even frightening I might add, because it forces you to look at everything about yourself; the good, the bad, and the ugly. It forces you to look at all of your shortcomings, your failures, your weaknesses, and insecurities. And sometimes, all of that alone, will make you feel inferior and that you are the only one; but you're not. What you are experiencing is just another stage in life. A stage that is transforming your appearance and character for the better. A few days ago while working out, the thought hit me, not only are you transforming your body, but you are transforming emotionally. In three more days, I will be celebrating another birthday - I'll be 45...five years away from 50. That alone, is a transformation. The changes (there's that word...change) that my body and appearence have morphed into, is phenomenal to me. I have transformed from a young girl to a woman of purpose, character and destiny down through the years - amazing. This transformation has been a beautiful journey, and I have learned to embrace it, and I'm still, in the words of Mary Mary, "walking." On this transformational journey, I've gained some friends, and I've lost some. I've to learn how to release my baby son to the journey and path that God has for him. I'm learning how to be a mother-in-law and not just my son's mother, to his girlfriend (does that make sense). I'm learning how to be a better friend to the friends that God places in my life for the season that He places them in there. I'm discovering how to walk better in my entrepreneurial shoes. I could go on and on with all that I have discovered and learned, but I think you get the point. So in closing, I leave you with a question: what transformation has taken place in your life, and what did you discover about yourself through this transition. Whatever it is, just know, it's making you into something beautiful. Like a catepillar metamorphising into a butterfly, it's changing you into someone you never would have dreamed of being. Despite the rain ladies, sisters, friends; I pray you have a beautiful weekend. Peace and Love... PS: Stay tuned for changes coming to this blog in the near future...

"Celebrate You"

It's Women's History Month - Take time this month to celebrate you, your mother, a sister, a granddaughter, an auntie, a good girlfriend, a cousin, a niece, or any woman who has made a difference in your life. I celebrate my "Mommy" - Geraldine Smith.

"Take Care of Ourselves"

DGWOS salutes you First Lady Obama. Thank you for being a Model of Grace, Intelligence, Modesty and Class. You are an inspiration to me, and to all others who strive to make their dreams come true.

"Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we are scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own "to do" list." - First Lady, Michelle Obama.