June 2016 – InspireFire

The Be Yourself Challenge

June 27, 2016

Ever wonder what it’d be like to just completely be you? Just being your authentic self?

You know, not being hesitant to post that picture on Instagram or video on snapchat because you’re scared of what other people may think.

Like actually starting a conversation with someone because you simply want to. Or speaking up in that meeting because you have a great idea.

Or promoting your YouTube Channel, because you think it pretty damn awesome.

You know just doing what you want. Living in your truth.

Well, I think it’d be pretty dope. To just be yourself.

I want to see what happens when I do. So I’m taking on the Be Yourself Challenge, where you guessed it, you just be yourself for let’s say 30 days.

Here are the rules.

If you like something and you want to share it with the world, share it.

If you want to say something that you think would be great for the world to know, say it.

If you want to dance in the middle of the street on a rainy day, dance.

If you want to say hi to someone across the room, say hi.

If you want to wear that new shirt, even though you feel like it’s a little “out there,” wear it.

If you want to book that flight to Barcelona, Spain, book it.

If you want to sing to the top of your lungs, dang it, sing.

If you want to change up your look, and try something new, change it.

If you want to look for another job, even if the pay maybe less, but it’s something you love, baby apply.

If you want to bake brownies and give them away to your neighbors, give it.

If you want to get your praise on, but aint nobody standing up in church, please get your praise on.

If your song comes on in the middle of you running your mile, and you feel the urge to dance, child dance.

If you want to compliment someone on their shoes, compliment,

If you want to kiss someone, (with their consent of course), kiss them!

If you want to smile at someone, smile.

If you want to laugh, laugh.

If you want to write, write.

If you want to draw, draw.

Basically if you want to do something, do it.

Just remember, whatever you do, do it with love and good intent.

At the end of the day, people are attracted to what’s real. And you are seriously doing yourself a diservice by not being you. Being you is what makes you so special. Unique. Great.

Can’t nobody do you, like you do you!

So who’s with me? Who’s taking on the challenge? Let us know what your first ‘you’ activity is going to be!

There’s 24 hours in a single day. What is your daily routine like? Do you have a routine? “Those that fail to plan, are subconsciously planning to fail” How are you spending your time? We all have some goals we want to achieve, whether we set them last year or last week. Maybe you would like to earn your bachelor’s degree, obtain another degree, eat healthier, increase your financial status, make your sports team, or become better at your favorite craft? In order to achieve your want, you have to practice living a mentally, physically, and spiritually balanced lifestyle daily!

First you must be a H U S T L E R

Handle Your Business. Real hustlers are driven by their ambition. There are “168 hours in a week if you can’t dedicate 56 hours a week pursuing your passion for free then maybe that’s not your passion (Charlamagne tha God). Be productive! Create a to do list, then make the time to check each thing off of your list.

Unleash Your (True) Potential. You were put on this earth to do amazing things. Don’t limit yourself or your abilities. Don’t be satisfied with going through the motions. Invest in yourself and your future. Be purposeful, aim high, step out of your comfort zone and go for whatever it is that you want.

Step Up To The Plate. If you are waiting for the right time it’s now. Take Action! I challenge you to make a bold move in the next week. Take at least 2 hours minimum to put in work toward your goals daily.

Trust Your Intuition. Listen to the genius inside of you. (Read “Power of Intuition”)

Leap without reservation. We eventually have to let go of the limitations of our own view – and leap without reservation

Encourage Yourself. Within the first 30 minutes of you waking up your subconscious mind is at its most powerful. Turn off that inner critic and encourage yourself with positive self talk. Here are some of our favorite affirmations. Also, listen to character building audios. Here’s a few Self development/ Motivational speakers I listen to that can be found on youtube:

Les Brown
Bob Proctor
Shameless Maya
Gary Vee
Ralph Smart
Michael Hyatt
Eric Thomas
Tony Robbins
Jim Rohn
Marie Forleo

Refuse to give up. There are going to be hard times, BUT you have to have the gusto to keep going. You may not see it now, but one day you’ll look back and ‘say wow, look how far I’ve come.’

Now we gave you the tools, but it’s up to YOU to take action.

Ready, Set . . . Go!

Peace and Love,

Why Being Uncomfortable is the Best Thing Ever

InspireMind InspirePrestige

June 24, 2016

I thank God for making me uncomfortable. And you should too.

Because if you’re feeling this way, that means you want something more. Which means you get to do something amazing… And that is, make that ‘something more’ happen. Isn’t that magical? We all look forward to that day when we finally have our dream jobs, dream lovers, dream whatever the heck it is. But take a minute and ponder on this. One of the most magical parts of it all is getting there. Yes, I’m gon’ say it. It’s the journey.

It’s cool though. Like look at where you are right now in this very moment. Me, I’m currently at my job writing this, just filled with so much passion and determination of getting ‘there’. But what I’m just realizing is that this very moment is magical….. I am, right now fulfilling the steps to get where I need to be. And though I may dread going to work most of the time, the magic is there. The magic is you. Taking on that power, the power of actually going for it. Actually doing that special something that fuels your fire. That something that makes you just feel so dang good. If you’re doing this you are diving into your purpose. And you should be proud of that.

I don’t care what job you have, where you live, what your finances are, what your hair look like … If you are a going after your dreams full throttle. You are magic. You are worth it.

For too long I have felt like I wasn’t enough.

I am a Howard University Alum, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Journalism, specializing in Broadcast News, and yet I work somewhere I have very little passion for. And sometimes I just feel like, damn girl what happened.

And the answer is, I don’t know.

But what I DO know is that I am the creator of two blogs, I am a Youtuber, I am a photographer and I am business owner. And what I DO know is that my ventures will be successful. And what I DO know is that God is lining me up with the right people and the right feelings. And right NOW, I feel uncomfortable, because I’m not where I’m supposed to be. BUT I am so happy for it, because NOW there is a fire burning in my soul that won’t go away. And I love it. Because now, each step I take to being closer to my purpose feels soooo good. It feels something like a “God Dream”, an “Ultralight Beam” (shout out to Kanye lol.)

So if you’re feeling down because you’re not where you want to be, stop. Because the journey to where you want to be is going to be epic. And when you get ‘there’, you’re going to be in awe of yourself. Because you’ll be looking at all the magical things you’ve done along the way. The stuff you’re doing right now.

Peace & Love Royal Ones,

Stop Holding Yourself Back!

InspireMind InspirePrestige

June 19, 2016

Recently the stars have aligned and God has been throwing lesson after lesson at me like pow, pow, pow! And I am inspired.

So here. I wanted to share this little nugget with you all today.

YOU owe it to yourself to stop holding yourself back.

Listen. You have the power to live the life you truly want. We talk about this all the time and I’m sure you heard it a gazillion times too. But the awesome thing is that it’s true. But there is only one thing that holds people back, and it’s themselves. And yes, this may have something to do with the doubt you may have or even the hardships of trying to break out of societal standards. Indeed this is all true. BUT to be honest with you (and myself) is that most people are not accomplishing their dreams because they are simply not putting in the work.

You’re either waiting on the right time, which is never to be frank. Or you just don’t want it bad enough.

A lot of people are all talk. They have dreams as big as the world, but their effort is as small as a seed.

So be honest with yourself.

Are you doing something everyday that is contributing to your dreams?

Are you being consistent?

Are you being persistent?

Are you putting your best foot forward?

Are you truly getting aft’ it?

This is the time to be brutally honest with yourself. Because if the answer is no to any of these questions, you my friend, are holding yourself back. And you deserve better.

“Your dreams will NOT work, if you don’t.”

Now let’s get to it. Make time.

Background: I don’t know what it’s going to take for you to get on it, but the reason I wrote this post was because I know I have not been putting in the work I need to in order to be who I know I should be. What inspired me is actually seeing the grind of a friend. His ambition is on 1000% and he is so close to being where he wants to be. And now I know, that it takes more than what I’ve been giving to accomplish my dreams. Sure some things may come to you, but you are kidding yourself if you think you’re not gonna have to put in work. You owe it to yourself. It’s grind time.

Peace & Love Royalty,

The Power of Intuition

InspireMind

June 16, 2016

“You can still be who you wish you is. It ain’t happen yet. And that’s what intuition is.”

Whew! Kanye hits a nerve with that line every time I hear it. If you don’t know, that quote is from the song “I Wonder” from Kanye’s album Graduation. Let’s read it again . . . slowly:

You can still be who you wish you is. It ain’t happen yet. And that’s what intuition is.”

Now I know I’m not the only one feeling this. Intuition is such a powerful thing. It’s really such a blessing … but we HAVE to listen to it. It is imperative. My goodness. It had to be about a month ago, I was doing my daily run before I got ready for my job (and when I say job, I mean temporary job that I go to in order to invest into my dreams which is soon to be my real job lol) I felt so much anxiety. My heart was heavy, my throat got a little closed up and I just was feeling like this is not enough. And I realized this is the same feeling I always get when it gets close to work time. And that’s when I realized in the middle of running that my intuition was making feel this way. My body was signaling me, basically saying ‘hey this is not right’ you need to be somewhere else. I immediately text my brother

“I feel like the anxiety I have before work is a way of my body, self, God telling me I’m meant for more.”

And now I’m working as hard as ever to become “who I wish I is”.

And if you read my last post about being “Recently Single & Dating Again” you know I just got out of a 6 year relationship with my first love. And when I say, it was only my intuition that drove me to the break up, it was just that. It’s that feeling when you know “something’s just not right.” And boy I tried so hard to fight the feeling and justify the reasons why I should stay. But to be honest my intuition wouldn’t let me. I was always stressed out and my heart was so heavy.

So you see. These are the signs. You know them. They’re there. And you may, (like I did), try to fight it but you have to listen to it or else you risk just settling. Always feeling somewhere deep inside that you deserve better. That you deserve more. And reality is, if you’re feeling this way, you do.

But the cool thing about intuition is that it makes you feel good too! When you are living in your purpose you start to feel excited about life. It’s a rush. Just think about it, when you are doing something you love you feel like you’re on a high. For me, writing this post I feel so in love, so excited, like I’m ready to burst because this is part of my purpose. When you connect with the right person, you’re going to be like ‘yes, this is how it’s supposed to be.’

I’ll leave you with this. God wants you to live life and live it more abundantly. So all of this settling, mediocre stuff is for the birds. We are beautifully and wonderfully made and we are meant to live a beautiful life.

So follow your instinct and let it lead you to that “who you wish you is.”

Peace & Love Royalty

InspireFire & Redefining Beauty Takes on Los Angeles!

InspireMind

June 11, 2016

We have this slogan called “Adventures of Lifetime” for every trip we take. The first “adventures of a lifetime” started in San Marcos where our girl Deborah (Creator of Redefining Beauty) lives. But this past May we took it a step further and went out of the state to Los Angeles and it was phenomenal! Here’s a recap.

Here are some tips to a successful vacation with friends.

Go with the right people. We all have friends, but that doesn’t mean we have to travel with all of them. Luckily the ladies of InspireFire and Redefining Beauty are besties and awesome travel partners. We just fit. We love the same things: working out, nature, shopping and healthy food. You should go with someone with similar interest and plan activities related to it.

Location is key. Pick a location where stuff is (for a lack of better words) popping! We got an Airbnb smack dab in the middle of WeHo (that’s west hollywood). We were walking distance from shops on Melrose and cute restaurants. Oh, and there was a Whole Foods literally down the street! A dream!!!

Plan ahead. When there’s four people you need to have a plan of action to make sure you’re never sitting around asking what’s next. That’s why we made an itinerary breaking down each day, down to the restaurants. And no, we didn’t stick to the itinerary completely, but we were never bored. So start doing your research and plan your trip out. You won’t regret it.

Know the infrastructure of the city you’re visiting. When planning this trip we asked for a lot of advice. We got the warning signs about the traffic in LA so that’s why we picked a walkable location. But we still knew there were places we could only go in a car (due to lack of sufficient public transportation), so we rented one. Know the city infrastructure so you know your needs.

Go with the flow. Sometimes things just go wrong or don’t go as planned. But all you can really do is go with the flow. Don’t get stressed out about things you can’t control. For goodness sakes, you’re on vacation. Relax and really enjoy the people you are with.

Have fun! Go crazy and live it up. You deserve it.

Check out our LA activity list!

Wanna know where we ate? We got you. Best Health Conscious Restaurants in LA you just HAVE to go to!

Peace & Love Royalty,

Recently Single & Dating Again: Must Have Dating Guidelines

InspireLove

June 11, 2016

Recently single and dating again.

I’m 24 and just ended a 6 year relationship with my first love. The why to the breakup is another story.

So now I’m on the dating scene and it’s weird. It’s kind of new territory for me. To be honest, I’m scared. But if I learned anything from my previous relationship it’s that I know what I want in a man and I know HOW I want to be treated by a man. And I think when you’re dating, these are two essential things you need to know.

Here are some rules & guidelines I’m setting for myself in this process called dating.

Be Yourself: Look, I know I’m weird, goofy and a tad bit out there and the person I’m dating should know that. If you’re being someone other than yourself, how is this person supposed to fall in love with the authentic you. If someone doesn’t like the real you, then they are not for you. And it’s okay. On to the next.

Don’t Settle: You heard the saying “If it doesn’t feel like 90s R&B I don’t want it.” Personally my life is too amazing (or is in the process of becoming amazing) to be in a mediocre relationship. Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic, but I do believe my soulmate is out there manifesting me up. Come get me…. I’m here…. Waiting.

Take Risk & Have Fun: Don’t take everything so seriously. I know you want husband, but it may take a few frogs to get to your prince charming. But in the process have fun! Enjoy every person you meet and learn something from them. But don’t get caught up. You know what’s best for you.

Don’t Worry: I know it gets hard when you see half of your high school class getting married and having kids on social media but calm your behind downnnn. You’re not going to be alone forever. Someone is going to love you just the way you want to be loved. Just be patient.

Get Out: Put yourself out there. Ain’t nobody gon find you at your house. Join a gym, go to the coffee shop, go to networking events, go to church.

Love Yourself: Love yourself so fiercely. Get to know yourself and be at peace with being with yourself. This is a time to soul search and blossom. When you love you, you will only do what’s best for you. Which means you will only choose who’s best for you.

And again I must reiterate. You have to know what you want in a mate and how you want your mate to treat you. Write it down. And whatever you do, don’t settle. You don’t deserve that. But be open, you never know who God has in store for you.

Peace Love Kings & Queens,

Month: June 2016