Personal & Professional Development, Conflict Resolution, Service to Others
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. ✨
Hi Origins of Peace Family,
How are things going for you? Can you believe that it’s mid-August already? Time surly flies when you’re having fun. I’m doing pretty good. I can honestly say that I have many things to be grateful for, my heart is full with gratitude and love.
I’ve had three family members who contracted COVID-19. Thankfully each has recovered and they’re all doing great. I have to praise God for the 13.6M people globally who’ve recovered and also pay homage to the 774K who’ve succumbed to this virus.
There’s so much to be thankful for but I’m also aware of the continuous angst and anxiety during this challenging time. It can be difficult to hold on to hope and to peace of mind right now, but in all honesty those two tools are what we need in order to make it through. To help maintain my Environmental Wellness, I’ve been super focused on exercising my creative freedom to spruce up my space.
I’ve found my calm through creating unique pieces. I’ve designed flower pots, created Planters, made home décor and I’m currently working on a new line of earrings.
For me it’s the act of developing a product from start and watching it become something excellent that calms my spirit!
I shared a video below to show you how things have been going. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Today my mind kept pondering on one thought….”I wonder how America’s response to this pandemic will be documented in history books.”
I mean we are directly in the midst of a pandemic and America basically said enough playing it safe, we have to re-open, we must re-open! Covid-19 cases are continuing to rise and social distancing is becoming non-existent.
No vaccine, no documented way of slowing the spread beside staying put and all 50 of the United States of America are in some variation of the re-opening phase.
Personal thoughts aside, it’s happening. I just wonder how we’re going to look on the other side of this. When the federal government initially predicted 100k deaths everyone was like what, wow, why would they say that but last time that I checked, we were at 96k. Not too far from 100k. I guess WuTang Clan called it in 1994, when they said, “Cash Rules Everything Around Me!”
I say all of this to remind you to journal. You should definitely document this period in time and document your personal thoughts. It’s a great way to release tension and also to reflect on current events.
Some of the greatest solutions are developed after the fact. So grab your pen & notebook and be sure to journal.
I’ve added a journal to my product offering and I would love for you to purchase one. Head over to my site: www.melissaarivers.com/products and grab your Origins of Peace Journal.
A Facebook Friend posted a simple cookie recipe and I couldn’t wait to make my own personal version of it.
Baking Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Spoon mixture into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake on 350 for 8-13 minutes.
Your challenge for today….try and new treat and Enjoy!
Peace,
Melissa
One of the hardest things people attempt to do during the holiday season is “attempt to remain positive when tensions are high.
One of the most common reasons this issue occurs is because people place themselves under a tremendous amount of pressure to show up and be present when they are feeling disconnected from friends and loved ones. To alleviate these feelings, the answer isn’t always as simple as saying no to an invitation or failing to show up for a gathering. Oftentimes the people who need your presence are the very ones who aggravate you to no end.
With that being said, I’m here to support you. I want to make sure that your energy is high, your vibe is positive, and you are ready to celebrate with those you love.
I’m providing you with 2 quick and easy to follow tips to protect your energy and remain positive during the holiday season.
One of the most impactful ways of managing your Peace is to have a well, developed plan. My latest course, Peace by Design is available at my online school, The Design Academy. You can choose between General, VIP or Platinum Access to choose the best option for your needs.
Cheers to a Peacefully Positive Holiday Season!
Create Your Peace.
Can you remember the last time that you were excited by the ordinary? I’m talking about those simple pleasures that we often taken for granted like nature, peace, love and even silence. Oftentimes we find ourselves caught up in acquiring more, achieving more and constantly looking for the next promotion, elevation or fancy purchase that we believe will help us to find happiness.
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of watching my grandbaby experience excitement from being able to play with a lid. As I watched her face glow with amusement, I could only think about how easy it is to forget about the simple things that once provided us with joy.
“I have three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” `Lao Tzu
Today I am sharing 3 tips about simplicity, patience and compassion that may help you live a happier life.
Fill your life with simplicity, patience and compassion to not only live happier but also to live healthier. Incorporating these tips can reduce your stress level and boost your immune system.
In my last post I challenged you to make a list of the people, places, things and experiences that add peace to your life. If you’re not familiar, catch up by reading
Now that you have your list, use the following scale to rank the level of peace each item adds:
To elevate your Peace Factor spend more time focusing on the items ranked with a 3, determine if items ranked with a 2 can be elevated to a three and consider what changes should be made to remove or redefine items ranked with a 1.
This exercise can be challenging. If at anytime you feel yourself needing support simply email me at: info@designedbymelissarivers.com
If you are new to my page, my name is Melissa Rivers and I am a Creative Peace Coach! In everyday terms this means I am a Conflict Resolution Strategist. I use my gifts of creativity and communication to teach strategies that provide guidance to achieving mental clarity, embracing self-preservation and prioritizing service to others.
Today we are discussing Affirmation #3 from my Instagram 5 Day Affirmation Challenge – “I am professing my boldness by trusting grace and mercy to follow me, believing that greater days are in front of me and knowing that God is for me.”
The inspiration behind the third affirmation is sheer determination. I am creating a new blueprint for how I manage my wellness dimensions, and trusting that things will be better than they’ve ever been.
If you are not familiar with the Dimensions of Wellness, they are: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Environmental, Intellectual, Social, Occupational and Financial.
I am deconstructing each area and authentically rebuilding. I am shaking things up, moving things around, possibly leaving things behind and definitely welcoming new experiences. My faith walk and “works” are in full affect.
I am trusting God to create new opportunities and new spaces for me, but I also understand that my reasonable service is to put in the work to acquire the newness.
I am definitely ready.
Just the other day, I signed up for a personal development class and mistakenly showed up to the venue on the wrong day. I walked into a room filled with women discussing wealth and investments, professing their love of God and sharing personal success stories about their finances. These were definitely my people.
This diverse group of women welcomed me in to their sacred space and made room for me at their table. Grace & Mercy had my back!
Not too long ago, circumstances made it necessary for me to cash in my retirement savings to pay for routine expenses; mortgage, healthcare, groceries, and all those other things you need to survive. This was an extremely uncomfortable time for me because I held the belief that retirement funds should only be used for living expenses during retirement. I quickly learned that “change is the only thing that is constant,” and I now appreciate doing the work to have the funds available when I needed them most.
When the time was right, I began rebuilding my retirement fund. I prayed for guidance and instruction on how to strategically rebuild my account.
In return, God sent me to this group of women who will educate, encourage and support me along the way.
This was a gentle reminder that miracles happen when awe & expectancy intersect. As the affirmation declares, I am boldly trusting grace & mercy to follow me while believing God that my greater days are in front of me!
So here’s what’s important. Everyone experiences times in life when a shift is necessary. If you’ve noticed yourself feeling stuck, stagnant, unmotivated, unimpressed, disgruntled, conflicted or simply not in the mood for alot of *______* (you fill in the blank) it’s time to shake things up.
It’s time to get your energy up, increase your creativity and start doing and enjoying things that add Peace to your life!
So here’s your chance to get involved and start the process of intentionally impressing yourself every single day! I challenge you to take out a piece of paper and make a list of all the people, places, things and experiences that add peace to your life. Be intentional and truthful about what you add to it. Exam your list and take notice of the types of items that are on your list.
Which categories show up the most and which categories are lacking?
For now, just do the work to develop your list and I promise to discuss this process in more detail at a later time. If you have question feel free to shoot me an email at: info@designedbymelissarivers.com
If you haven’t already subscribed to my blog and signed up for my newsletter. I would love to have you join my Peace Community!
My 2020 Vision Board and Goal Setting Circles will start next month. Details coming soon!
Until next time,
Peace, Love & More Peace!
Melissa