Seasons change and people can to. I remember one of my most prominent transformation journeys occured during the Springtime. I was experiencing an extended time of sadness and frustration, stuck in what I thought was an admirable life but I could never shake the feelings of inadequacy, unhappiness and consistent anxiety.
From personal experience, I can tell you that having faith the size of a mustard seed is all you need to pivot and then transform. Tough things happen to some of the best peo
ple in the world and often they cannot find the motivation or strength to overcome those
challenges.
I’m here to tell you that Transformation is possible with the right plan of action!
I want to help you realize the change that you need and to come face to face with the conflicts that are keeping you from showing up as your best self.
Heal…Recover…Grow is a 12 Week Transformation Program that will help you create a new mindset, create a new path forward and motivate you to take action for improvement. I personally invite you to take this guided journey with me.
You can expect a comprehensive program that will equip you with the tools you need to realize real change in your life.
If no one has told you, allow me to be the first, “You have creative freedom over your life and it’s time to write your next Chapter”.
“Black Women live, create and build with the future in mind, because the present has no place for us. In order to stay alive, we have to imagine ourselves in a future where we not only survive but thrive. A place where we are understood. A place where we still exist. This is a tall order in the world but this is the way we make the present work for us, every day, and it’s the reason I’m most proud of us.” -Shayla Lawson
I have read this quote so many times over the past week and each time is more triggering than the time before . Whether you agree with the quote or not, it is nearly unbearable to know, understand and feel the perspective that is voiced here.
I believe this quote is a great place to start in order to take a deeper look into the “State of Black Women”, more specifically how we cope with life’s daily requirements, how we celebrate our wins and how we respond to the heartbreak of those tough lessons that we have no other choice but to learn.
It has long been said, “black women are so strong”. I would argue the point that many of us are strong because we have to be strong, not because we necessarily want to be. In a world where we are constantly working to make the world a safer place for everyone else but ourselves, we nuture, we advocate, we protest and we support our fair share of people and causes. We do all the things necessary to help others survive. Consequently, we are too overwhelmed and burdened to do the same things for ourselves.
Let’s talk about it.
What are your thoughts about this quote? Do you agree or disagree with this point of view?
I belive many Black Women find their validation in the work they do to help others and in their efforts to solution the world’s problems. Rarely does the message of simply being enough and contributing as our authentic self come into the conversation. Constantly living, creating and building with the future in mind is a huge endeavor to tackle, but that’s how we, Black Women make it. We are forward thinkers. It’s also why we have such a huge problem sticking to a self-care routine. We’re expected to always be ON….on point, on target, on top things….it’s alot!
My vision for Black Women is a world where we are respected for who we are, appreciated for our contributions but also given equal opportunites to rest, to rejuvenate and to love.
One of the core principles of Originis of Peace is “Self-Preservation”. We empower women with the skills and know-how to set boundaries, manage overwhelm and gain clarity around their goals and objectives. Self-Preservation is defined as the act of keeping oneself from destruction or harm, a natural or instintive tendency to act as to preserve one’s own existence.
In a few weeks I’m kicking off my 12 week course entitled; Heal..Recover..Grow to help you GROW through what you GO through.
We will focus on 3 Essential Concepts:
Heal – Be the heroine of your life, not the victim
Recover – Own your story; stop running from it
Grow – Be open to all experiences, understanding that both happiness and sadness have their respective places
All Sessions are virtual. Additional information will be shared later this week.
Today kicks off Women’s History Month and this time around, at Origins of Peace we’re putting our own spin on things. Normally we would highlight the achievements of innovative women who’ve contributed their brillance to advance society. Of course we acknowledge and honor these courageous woman and their significant advancements, but this year we’re taking a different approach.
During Women’s History Month 2021, we’re challenging ourselves and all women to reclaim their feminity through self-preservation!
It’s time to feel again, to have again and to make time again, to be intentional again! What am I talking about?
It’s time to…… Feel free, feel loved, feel creative, feel beautiful, feel brilliant, have energy, have time, have conversations, have a waistline, make time to date, make time to laugh, make time to love, make time to exercise, make time to shop, make time to read, make time to cuddle, make time to meditate, make time to chill, make time to dress up, be intentional by wearing colors, slow down to appreciate our curves, take a second to nurture our edges, set goals to drink enough water, make time to just be a woman…………
Of course we recognize there are so many more layers to who you are as a woman but for the next 30 days let’s do some of the things we’ve been neglecting.
I’m kicking off the month by sharing this awesome sermon by Sarah Jakes Roberts entitled Girl, Get up! This is a good word so make time to listen
Later this evening join us online for Strength, Courage & Wisdom Book Club. We’re reading Happy Women Live Better. Here’s all you need to get started:
In preparation for our kick-off, go to www.happywomantest.com to understand which happiness triggers will be most effective for your personal journey.
We’re also excited about our Love Boards & Laughs with Girlfriends Online Event coming up on Friday, March 5th! I’m so excited for this one! Here’s the details for you to join in:
Grab your girls, your favorite wine and show up with an open mind!
We’re creating Love Boards!
Similar to a Vision Board, Love Boards help you set your intentions around love and your relationships! You will leave this event with tools yo help you set healthy boundaries in love and you’re sure to gain a few new girlfriends in the process.
Don’t be shy, we’re all in this together!
This event is for ladies only.
Ladies, if you’re over 30, Single, Divorced, Separated or Widowed, we’re looking for you.
Let’s go!
There are so many opportunities this month for you to join in and grab on to your feminity! Let’s go!
We are a little over a week away from our Love Boards & Laughs with Girlfriends event. I’m looking forward to some real, genuine conversation with my girls about love, life and NOT wasting our pretty! Gotta keep it cute!
You should join us! click below for details on how to Register & Pay:
Don’t wait too long to register. There are materials that you will need for the event. Email me with any questions! Originsofpeace@gmail.com
To get us in the mood for our event, check out “Don’t Waste Your Pretty” this Sunday on TV One. This movie is based on a book by one of my all time favorite Authors, Demetria L. Lucas. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Best selling author Valorie Burton unlocks the secret to your personal happiness. She reveals 13 happiness triggers – choices that can boost your joy right now, even in the midst of deadlines, dating, marriage, parenting and squeezing in a workout or girls night out. Throught these happiness triggers, you will learn how to bounce back from stress and adversity faster, enjoy deeper satisfaction in your marriage and friendships, maximize career opportunities and increase your income and fight off illness. We’re kicking things off on March 1st.
I pray all is well for you. It has been soooo long since my last post. Things turned extremely busy for me at the end of 2020. I will spare you all the details but please know that I was thinking of you daily and quietly praying for your success.
With that being said, “I’m Back!”
For my first post of 2021, I want to talk to you about Confidence, and the importance of nuturing it daily.
What is your personal definition of Confidence. The textbook definition of Confidence is “possessing the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. My definition varies a little. I believe Confidence is utilizing your ability to be present and engaging. We all know it’s one thing to show up, but there’s a whole different level to engaging once you are in the room. With COVID-19 throwing many of us into remote situations, we haven’t had to show up like we were accustomed to in the past. Some of our Zoom Calls consist of a pretty blouse and some sweats or that morning routine that would usually take an hour has now been reduced to 15 mins of a quick shower, slicked back hairstyles and a quick run down the steps to your home office. We know this pandemic won’t last forever so now is the perfect time to plan our comeback.
Oh and Sis, how’s your dating life? Those of us single ladies who had plans to “get our groove back” in 2020 were completly side lined, plans were totally derailed! How many of us are approaching that age where we want to get out of the house more but COVID-19 has us messed up ASF.
It’s alot! It’s way too much to write about, but I’m here with a Confidence Reminder.
You Are A Maker of Pretty Things!
Your confidence, your character, your demeanor, your beauty, your attire, and your boldness all make up the person you are, and that is a Maker of Pretty Things!
It’s the small things like taking accountability and showing up for yourself (even when no one is watching) that accentuate your uniqueness, nuture your confidence and make you PRETTY!
So let’s put in some work!
I love a good challenge, but not those Facebook Challenges, I don’t trust those.
For the week of February 8th – 12th let’s do the “Maker of Pretty Things” Challenge on Instagram.
Monday, February 8th – Favorite Scripture or quote Challenge
Tuesday, February 9th – Favorite Earrings Challenge
Wednesday, February 10th – Favorite Red Lip Challenge
Thursday, February 11th – Favorite Hobby Challenge
Friday, February 12th – Favorite Hat Challenge
The premise of this Challenge is to show off your Confidence. We know these things don’t make us who we are, but they certainly help us feel good and confident when we are flossing for the the ‘gram.
Don’t be shy, come on and join me in this challenge!
You can either tag me in your post on your Instagram page with the hashtag (#makerofprettythings) or you can email your post to me directly to be included in a collage of other beautiful sisters who choose to nurture their Confidence.
Let me know you’re in by liking this post and heading over to Instagram to follow my page @originsofpeace
It has taken me a few days to compose this post. I’ve started and stopped numerous times, overwhelmed by the emotional burden that has presented itself with the loss of Mr. Chadwick Boseman.
I am seriously grieving this man and the loss of his life. I didn’t know him personally but I know a cancer diagnosis personally and watching my uncle rapidly decline from colon cancer, I’ve felt that journey, and it’s a hard one.
To reflect on the many accomplishments of Mr. Boseman in spite of his diagnosis is an absolute honor. cancer has a way of making you feel small, fearful, inadequate, weak and incapable. Five years after my diagnosis and I still struggle with the anxiety of it all.
I commend Mr. Boseman for living out loud and giving black people something to believe in and to strive for, through his many roles. Tonight I watched Black Panther along with much of the nation. I’ve seen it a few times before, but tonight I watched with pride and reverence. I appreciated the land and the waterfalls, the sunsets and all the imagery that make that movie spectacular! Wakanda means possibility to me and Wakanda Forever means “Oh the Possibilities!” https://youtu.be/r8nxdAGg2FY
Tonight I was reminded to show up even when I do not feel like it, stop over-thinking and serve my purpose.
I pray that we all learn to live out loud in the possibilities.
#RIPChadwickBoseman
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”. Jude 1:24-25
When the Call to Action went out to support a sister in the midst of her journey with breast cancer, I felt compelled to respond. It’s not everyday that the opportunity arises to offer support on a personal basis.
Being a breast cancer survivor who’s currently in her 5th year of survival, I understand that everyday choices are a huge part of the recovery process. I decided to gift this beautiful sister with the Planter pictured above in hopes that it would help to boost her mood during these trying times and also add a little peace to her space.
I remember the fear and uncertainty that I felt during my journey, but I also remember the love and acts of kindness that were shown to me during that time. I remember the visits, phone calls and texts. I remember the Banana Pudding Cake from my Sister in Law Lanita and I remember the beautiful Orchid from my Nephew Nicholas.
My hope is that my simple act of kindness will also be remembered as a simple act of love.💖
To this Sister I pray for Peace and Total Healing. ✨
Today I am highlighting several of the Black Owned Businesses that I’ve worked with this year, to bring more attention to the innovation and creativity of black people. Black people inspire, design and exude greatness each and everyday, but our genius is often overlooked. I invite you to learn more about the following companies and support them if you can.
In February of this year, I had the pleasure of setting up Mike Sells Everything, LLC (MSE), which is a Variety Store located in Kannapolis, NC. The owner, Michael Rivers is passionate about helping his community find quality merchandise at affordable prices. At this very moment you can find a Violin ready for purchase as well as Small Appliances and Toys for the kids. Mike believes in doing right by people and does his absolute best to accommodate everyone. Today’s special at MSE is the Crockpot pictured below. The original price is $79.99 but today’s price is $25.00. If you’re located near Kannapolis, NC, stop by MSE at 1905 N. Cannon Blvd. Kannapolis, NC 28083 and grab you one.
Kyla Rivers, owner of K.Beauty, LLC has scaled and expanded her business into a beauty empire. Kyla started creating makeup at the age of 16 and has added Skincare and Bath and Beauty products to her offerings. Kyla is passionate about being successful and helping other young adults find their passion and launch businesses they love! Shop K.Beauty. LLC!
Lanita is the owner of Styles by Lanita which is a Hair & Clothing Boutique. Lanita can style you from head to toe and she offers custom T-shirts and Apparel. For Blackout Tuesday 2020, Lanita is offering $15.00 Roller Sets and Blowouts and $10.00 Boss Racerback Tanks
Steve Bailey started his business in April of this year and he is your go to guy for all of your hauling and landscaping needs. Head over to Steve’s website, he’s open for business!
Other business that I am currently working with include BBZ Lawncare and Maintenance, The Nina Symone Collection and The Glamm Cartel. Be on the lookout for these names coming soon!
I am Melissa Rivers, and I am the Owner & Creative Peace Designer at Origins of Peace, LLC. I use my passion for conflict resolution to help individuals over life challenges and design their next life chapter by starting businesses, adding income streams, expanding career paths, bouncing back after divorce and much more. My passion derives from my own challenges of cancer, job loss and divorce all within a six month time period. I love to encourage others and support them in their journey forward.
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I’m here to tell you that Transformation is possible with the right plan of action!
