"Know Your Goal, Make a Plan, and Pull the Trigger"

2001 was the year I transferred to a University from a Junior College. I was 23 years old and my dorm mate was 18 years. Feeling alone and out of place was constant. Not to even mention the issues from my past that I had not dealt with. I had a dream of moving to a big city from my small town of Oklahoma City. I was a Elementary Ed major with a dream to become an Educator. I knew that my life was called for greatness, but at the time I was confused on how to get there. I then read these 6 strategies for success from Dr. Phil(below). I understood that what I wanted I had to see it first and then I would be it! I did not do all six at one time. I took baby steps and slowly but surely I found my way. Nine years later I am an Educator in Washington D.C. area. My vision has come to me and I see myself doing bigger things in the future. Thanks to Dr.Phil I have a blue print on success. Now you will too!!!

A concerned young women wrote Dr.Phil about how she wanted to be successful. She asked if Dr. Phil knew of any role models to help her define success and he told her no. His insightful answer was a role model is personal, so I can't tell you who a role model would be for you. What I can do is share with you traits and characteristics I've observed in the life of those who had succeeded.

How to be a success, whatever that might mean for you. By Phillip C. McGraw, PhD

1. Specific goals: These winners could describe exactly what constituted success for them. They visualized when and where their success would happen and how it would feel.

2. Strategy: They didn't flounder about, trying first one thing and then another. They had well thought out step-by-step strategies for attaining success.

3. Action: They knew their goal, made a plan, and pulled the trigger. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. These people took action.

4. Self-management: They took care of themselves mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. They refused to be dragged down by themselves or others.

5. Passion: They were excited about their goals-pumped and committed 24-7. They couldn't wait to jump out of bed in the morning and talk about, think about, and work on their goals.

6. Support: I've never encountered a true winner who was a lone ranger. These people bonded with others through their enthusiasm. They were surrounded by people who wanted them to win and who lived vicariously through their success.

Why I LOVE Being a Black Woman!

Being a black women means many things to me. It means strength, character, pain, shame, LOVE and so much more. Reflecting on my ancestors I think of my pain. I think of heartache and betrail. Being sold at a cheap price, and seen as only a baby machine. No wonder I still struggle with my body image to this day. Finally seeing my body as a temple. Scarced. Beautiful. Embracing my seductive curves and voluptuous breast. I LOVE being a black women because of my distinct features that separates from the rest. Main stream media is just catching up to what black women have known for years. Having a big butt is sexy as hell! Go into inner city communities and black women through out the hood has big butts. Full lips, and round hips. Yes honey, full figured and all looking fly! That's me! I LOVE the sis with the natural fro and the sister with the perm. What I LOVE about being a black women is my hair. The corn rows, micro-braids, twist, Afro, blow out, you name it! I won't let anyone put me in a box. Being a black women is not limited to one "type" of women. We are far to complex for that! From the sista who will cuss you smooth out, to the sister who will pray for you,to the sister who will cuss you out and then pray for you, ha! See there is no right or wrong, just different ways of expression. My inspiration comes from women who look like me. When I watch t.v. I get excited when I see a black women featured on a show. I have pride! That is my sister. Being a black women means I come from a community of people who is my family. My compassion shows no bounds. LOVING hard, and harder. As a black women I have seen alot. Through my pain I have learned to LOVE. Like the LOVE of my grandmother who raised my siblings and I because my mother was not going to have us raised any kind of way. Or the LOVE of Ms. J who knew my home situation and took my sister and I in. She would take us shopping and talked to me about the importance of college. See black women built colleges in this country. Being an educator is in my blood. I LOVE being a black women because of my culture. Soul music, candy yams, and the black church. Listening to the pastor give a heart felt message and the whole church jumping on their feet. To the choir singing your hearts song where all you want to do is shout! Yes, that's me! Expressing my LOVE for my GOD and not afraid who sees me! I come from a history of black women who LOVE their GOD! Why I LOVE being a black woman is because I have pride in my rich heritage. The stories told and untold. To see examples in myself of black women who lived thousand years ago. That gives me confidence I can't explain. I was born to succeed. I was born to LOVE. I was born to teach. I was born to nurture. It is in me! It's my legacy! I thank GOD I was born a black woman. I say that as humble as I know how. I LOVE my carmel complexion and my flat nose. I have no hang ups. I LOVE being a black woman!

*The photo is Ida B. Wells

I Am Doing It and Doing It and Doing It!!!

Life is going to be a challenge. There will be rough times, difficult situations, things to fall into, major obstacles, hurdles, stumbling, blocks, forks in the road, knives in the back, mountains to climb, things to get over, oppositions to resolve, unpleasantness to face, feelings to understand, disappointments to accept, mysteries to solve, wonders to unfold and promises to keep to yourself. Now that you know what to expect, prepare yourself. Get ready. The only way to get to where you want to be is to do what needs to be done to get there. Do it fast. Do it slow. Do it right. Do it up. Do it in the daylight. Do it by the moonlight. Do it alone. Do it with others. Do it for free. Get paid to do it. Do it with others. Do it for the world. The moment you give up on doing it, it will never get done.

Iyanla Vanzant Acts Of Faith

Success is a Journey not a Destination!

There is a blizzard outside my window as I type, LOL. I am thankful that I am safe and sound inside my home. I live in Northern Virginia, right out side of the nations capital Washington DC. My passion to live a successful life led me to the area in August of 2007. Born in Oakland California and raised in Oklahoma City, I am truly a country girl at heart with city dreams! My journey to where I am now has not been an easy one. I will use this blog to tell you about my past, present and what I want for the future. My mission is to take you along with me. As I stubble along life lessons I hope to share them with you. My prayer would be that we can inspire and support each others growth as we go on our personal journey through life together.

Oh yea, the snow! I am living history in DC! This has been the highest total of snow in DC history at 56 inches! I have not been to work in four days being I am a teacher schools have been closed. So while I have been home I have been relaxing. I have caught up on some of my favorite things to do like take a long bath, listen to music and read some new books I just purchased. I have also been journaling like a crazy person. So much is on my mind so I find myself being creative, which inspired me to start this blog. It looks like I will be snowed in for a few more days. I will keep you posted.

Finding the best out of the worst situations to me is the key to success! What we can't control should not take too much of our time or energy. If we are to be successful we need to keep in mind our purpose, our mission, and our goals. That is what I plan to do with this blog.

So I ask where are you on your journey? And if you are in the areas where the snow has hit, how have you made the best of it?

Natasha