Rid Yourself of the Clutter, HAZARD!

Just the other day, my Events Assistant came by my house for a visit; she’d been out of town for a few weeks and i was oh so glad to see her.  As she entered one of my rooms, she looked around and said, ummm…you need to get rid of that and that, and put this here and here….I politely said(not really), “don’t touch my stuff, I will become confused and not be able to find anything.”  Of course, she pretended as if she did not hear me and proceeded to do what she does best, ORGANIZE!

Event Planners/Designers normally are in specific modes most of the time:  1.  Thinking Mode.   2.  Computer Mode.  2. Planning Mode.  3. Budget Mode. 4.  Execution Mode.  5.  Team Mode.  In those modes, though organized, we sometimes hold on to stuff that we literally can throw away or store in an out of the way place to give room for new projects lined up but we get so busy, that we don’t necessarily take out the time to rid ourselves of clutter, even if filed away neatly. 

This year, I’ve had quite a few people who have approached me for internship.  The first thing I look for is organizational skills, being able to think and do without me having to prompt, great writing skills and people skills.  You see, it also helps me de-clutter my brain when the right TEAM is around to get the job done.  Event planning/production can be a stressful job and it takes the right people to do it;  it is definitely not a fly by night career and has to be taken seriously.  To keep self sane, one has to plan days and take time out for self to unwind.  We literally need to take a day out of the week and do absolutely nothing but enjoy the beach, go out to dinner and/or breakfast, take self to the movies and enjoy!…..Trust me, I am preaching to the choir as I pen this as there are weeks when I get it in and some weeks I do not but I definitely continue to attain for it. 

The summer is upon us and with this new season, there have been a lot of marriage proposals so wedding and bridal parties to plan amongst other events, seminars, workshops that entail an event planner’s life.  We have to stay up on the latest fads, designs, colors, arrangements, hottest venues, etc!  So I say to you, in the midst of the bustle, take a day to DECLUTTER, otherwise, it will be very HAZARDOUS to your HEALTH and we want you around for a very long time to REAP the benefits of your SUCCESS!  JUST DO IT!

 

 

QUEENDOM! LIVING LIKE A QUEEN

Women are Queens, some of us are princesses growing into their own, and we have to learn that with Queendom comes responsibility; the ability to love, to submit, to nurture and to show kindness. 

In history, we’ve seen a many women conquer many battles, move many mountains, forge into conflict with resolve, and carry their children on their backs all while submitting to their husbands and loving family.  Women are the salt of the earth the Mother of Nature, the beat to a man’s heart all while waking up early in the morning beginning the affairs of the day, making gold with her bear hands, maintaining households(corporations) and yet kissing the scrapes and scars on her son(daughter)’s elbows and saying “it’s going to be okay.”  That’s a Queen. 

As a Queen, we have to be reminded that we are worth rubies and diamonds, we’re worth the true I love you, the honesty, the gratitude, we’re worth the cheers, the accolades, the recommendations and the peace for we bring hope to a Nation that feels there is no hope, peace to a people who live in a world of chaos and love to a generation that is clueless as to what LOVE IS!  Are you operating in your Queendom.

I’ve experienced that in my EXPERIENCE, you take the bitter with the sweet, learn from your mistakes, not judge people, be open to constructive criticism and rule like I was created to rule but knowing when that King comes, it’s okay to submit as he submits. 

God created Adam and Eve was created from Adam’s rib to be his help meet.  WE were created to RULE AND REIGN(RAIN) over all living creatures and each creature was named.  MY NAME IS QUEEN and I AM VIRTUE!  I see you too QUEEN  _______________!!! 

One can put a Thousand to Flight, Two can put Ten-Thousand to Flight!

We are a few months into the new year of 2012! Prior to entering in, I’ve heard many say, “2012 is my year, it’s ON in 2012, etc., etc. Some are making things happen, others are talking but trying to make the move, some have laid down by the wayside. For me, a few major things I knew I needed to add to my equation of movement was a more feeding of my Spirit-Man and becoming accountable to someone. Not just anyone, but someone who would check me, would not be a “yes” person, who saw the potential and would not allow me to sail below it; WE ALL NEED IT!

In one of our Real Talk the Movement sessions, the word “accountability” came UP and it made me think…it made me think so much that I realized it a MUST HAVE! We have to begin prioritizing the necessities in life and become honest with who we are and what we really want to attain. For me, because of where I am now, I can’t afford to waiver much. I have to continue to be challenged and be as accurate as I can in my way; even in our weary moments, we can fall down but it takes another to tell us, “dear, get yourself up and you are more than a conquerer.”

It is our responsibility to find someone to make us accountable. That one person will not only challenge us, but uplift us, pray for us and uphold us. Ask, Seek, Discern and you will Find! It’s okay to have another pair of eyes to help you see!

I am grateful to those who even though I may have bucked against, still kept me accountable, yet kept me lifted and upheld me. You’ll know the difference from those who mean business and are doing business. You need someone on YOUR TEAM.

I TOLD Y’ALL, I AIN’T PLAYIN NO MORE! I am a believer that if I can put a thousand to flight, I and another can put ten thousand to flight! You better read Cora!!

Dating to Marriage in America….Got Real Talk?

They say there are more than 105 million singles in the United States, one third of the population.  At Real Talk the Movement (www.realtalktm.org), we’ve discussed the many reasons why, but here are a few:

• people aren’t marrying as quick now like they use to (career taking priority, getting self in order)
• women can give TOO much to a man who is not yet labeled as “their man” (the cow syndrome)
• people divorce and fearful of marriage again or
• choose not to marry but just have a partner. 

During my experience in life and even while listening to others at Real Talk the Movement, it is evident that men and women still long for one another….if they didn’t RELATIONSHIPS, LOVE, MARRIAGE, SEX would not be such a hot subject matter. At this point, we’ve decided to not just talk about it, but begin to do something about it.

I had a conversation with a lovely couple last night and asked them, “what is it that keeps your marriage going because it is obvious to me that you guys love one another from how I see you interact with one another!?”  They said to me, it was all about communicating how they felt, if something did not sit right with them, they talked about it as opposed to pushing it under the rug and allowing bitterness to brew and also what keeps it on the positive tip is being self-less!  It made me realize, that it is a MUST for us to begin hearing from couples whose marriage and/or relationship is WORKING!  That is part of the solution.  And for some of us, we MUST get SELF in order!  You ask,  how do you know if self is NOT IN ORDER?  I say Dig IN, take time by yourself, ask yourself the REAL questions…it may not be pretty but who knows you better than you and of course GOD! 

It’s okay to date but be real with yourself and the person you may be dating.  We all have issues and skeletons in the closet, just be true.  A person who really wants to be with you will hear you and look to understand you.  They will wait for you, just be patient….IT’S ABOUT ORDER!

 

Hi everyone, I thought you might enjoy this episode from 99.3 KCLA FM-The Dating Advice Girl Radio Show Podcast.

Click this link to check it out:

http://thedatingadvicegirl.podomatic.com/entry/2011-11-22T07_40_11-08_00

LET IT BURN

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Do you have plans for the holidays? There are so many things happening from parties to banquets to family gatherings, kids coming home from college…we don’t know where to begin. On top of that, we are about to step into the year 2012. We’re looking for the ultimate blessings in 2012 but did you prepare for it in 2011? For me, I’m going in with no excuses and started putting together business plans on a business tip. On a personal tip, I’m going in transparent and whole; on a count-up. I’m letting it burn NOW….OUCH!!

I know that 2011 was a rough year or as a dear friend said to me, a year of “chaos.” You’re not alone. The chaos was meant for your good. “Your Good” is your realization of the need for change in your life to set things in order or “your good” to get rid and let go of the toxic things holding you back; LET IT BURN. “Your Good” is the sick and tired of being sick and tired which causes you to rise above.

I went through my changes in 2011 which made me think more than I’ve ever thought before. I had yet not released clutter that was holding me back from my true destiny. I had to release patterns. I had to stop in my tracks, stop moving so much and be still. In the stillness, I was able to hear, hear that still small voice in me saying, it’s time to let go and let God. There is so much in store for us that I don’t know if we realize it. We are to reign as Kings and Queens, not peasants. We are to enjoy life to its fullness which includes that alone time, not just work so hard until we’re stressed, out of breath, can’t eat, can’t sleep, crying and moaning, woe-is-me…. STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! You deserve more and in 2012, I’m looking to see you with more, do your part, we’ll leave the light on for ya’ but from now until….burn baby burn….

The Reality of the Journey..A Lifestyle that Advocates LIFE

Growing up, I lived in a 2-parent home with four siblings, a German shepherd dog named Sergeant and on occasions, a chameleon that I brought home from school who we called Sam. To me, this was normal and the way all households should run. Following high school graduation, I went to college, married and had a son; that was the way it was suppose to happen….right? Yes, in my WORLD. Unbeknownst to me, that WORLD was not my REALITY….my REALITY was the breakup of a unit/family and the beginning of something else. From that bag of tricks came the shame, the fear, the tears, the insecurity, the brokenness and the thought of suicide embodied in a shell of womanhood and motherhood. From then to now, I was being molded to take on a movement while on a path of my very own healing and forgiveness…..Real Talk the Movement it was called, MY REALITY of a MOVE.

My story includes so many uphill battles that through it was birthed a spirit to help the hurting, to cheer for the underdog, to bridge the gap and to bring about change in the way we treat one another, see one another and handle one another; I know I’m not alone. There are so many others, both men and women, who have dealt with their own REALITY of life. For some, came the bitter woman, the stone cold man, the timid wife, the manipulative husband and now what seems like a selfish society. In order for things to get better, we have to break LOOSE from the chains that entangle us, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, see where we are, and cry out…HELP! With the cry for HELP, there should be a community of people to embrace, help mend, support, guide and love. Are you ready to embrace? Are you ready to help mend? Are you ready and willing to love? Ask yourself, why are you here? You’re here to bless others, to nurture the youth, to build a community, a community to be filled with so much LOVE that nothing is broken and there is no room for envy or jealousy.

The REALITY is we live in a WORLD that is full of possibilities just waiting for us to take it by the horns and LIVE! A WORLD filled with Great people doing Great things, engineering Greatness Together. A MOVEMENT that has decided to transcend past judgment, evil, brokenness, but advocates for healing, prosperity, effective communication and understanding of one another so we can grow until there is no more… Then at the end of the day, we can all look back and say….we fought the good fight together and we created our REALITY! Our REALITY to see the good in one another, our REALITY to treat others the way we would want to be treated, our REALITY to do good, to live life, to show acts of kindness and to be a light to those trying to find their way home…..

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and LW Special Events Mgmt LLC is glad to be the Events Director for Shoot for Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA.

When I was asked to put this day together, it made me ask myself, “when was the last time you had an exam?” I seriously had to think about it because it had been at least 2 years; that’s unacceptable. Many times we think we are invincible and nothing can happen to us but I’m sure that was the same thing a cancer-survivor or a person who had cancer and didn’t survive said before getting to the doctor for an annual breast examination. Did you know that early detection can make every ounce of difference in cancer spreading to lymph nodes or even other organs of your body? With the way modern technology is going, I’m looking for a major cure any day now. We’re in a fight and I believe in winning!

If you have not had a breast examination within the past year, I advise you to make an appointment and do it today. You have nothing to lose but life itself….I think you’re worth it!

Handling the Movement of Real Talk TM….can you?

When understanding movement, you have to understand action, and we’re about ACTION and ACTION PACKED IT IS! Real Talk the Movement Los Angeles has been our fortress, our family, our community. We share, we heal, we laugh, we cry, we commune and relationships are developed.

Real Talk is about people in the community realizing that we do not have to be in the stereotype but understanding the stereotype. We don’t have to be in the negative percentage but understanding the percentages. We know that we can effect self through interaction with others and through the help of experts who help us in the understanding process like Relationship Expert/Coach Ryeal Sims, a part of Real Talk TM fabric and Relationship Coaches, the Amazing Clarks, Melanie and Anthony.

As Ryeal Sims notes consistently with us….”know your negotiables and your non-negotiables”….what are you willing to shed, what are you willing and able to deal with?

As Anthony Clark noted at our last Real Talk….”you have to let go of the past to get to your future….the middle is the journey.” Let’s get through the journey together….Each One, Reach One!

At Real Talk TM, it is our endeavor for men and women to come together and learn how to communicate more effectively. We want to see our men back in their rightful place as leaders of a household, for this our panels are mostly made up of men and we women do listen. We want to see others grow, we want to see relationships thrive, we want to see men and women come together as ONE and make it! It starts with self, branches into two who become then family, then community. I know we can be effective, I know we bring about change in our society, our community, our world. Can you handle the movement? I know you can….

Real Talk The Movement, every fourth Friday Night at the Penthouse! We do handle the movement and you can too…..We are a People Making Change with Solutions!

LaTonya Washington, Producer of Real Talk TM

Photography by Photographer Tshombe Tshanti(panelist) and owner of Tshanti Photography