One of my favorite seasons is spring. I love the spring because it represents renewal. The trees renew their blossoms, the flowers re bloom as well. We shed our heavy winter clothes for lighter clothes, but it's not quite too hot out! It's as if nature is saying LET IT GO! Time to renew.
Well I'm telling you LET IT GO!, what are we letting go of? Everything that is holding us back from blossoming into the fabulous women we were meant to be.
LET IT GO! past hurts and disappointments that continue to hold us back from moving forward. Have you ever heard a tree say I'm not going to blossom this year because I wasn't as beautiful as the tree beside me? I know its silly but think about it. Or have you ever met a child that refuse to grow because another child grew taller or faster.
It may seem silly but so does holding on to hurts for decades upon decades. You say well I need closure from the person that hurt me. Well guess what! that person is not around so why continue to allow them to have that power of hurting you over and over again by not releasing that old hurt and moving forward.
There is soooooooooooooooo much potential in you that is being blocked by your taking up space in your heart and in your life holding on to past disappointments, hurts and wounds. What are you waiting for? LET IT GO!
How can you ask God to send you love when your holding on to the old love. If we continued to pile food in our refrigerator without removing the old items, then eventually the fridge will not only be filled to capacity but I imagine it will start to smell. Ewwwwwww!
Today April 2nd, 2012 Find a quiet place to go, make peace with your mind, body and spirit by LETTING GO!
Hugs and Blessings, Diva Val
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
FASHION FRIDAY (WHAT IS YOUR BRAND/STYLE)
Girlfriends, do you know what your brand or style is? Do you even have a style? I was wandering through a clothing store, waiting for my son. I won't name the store but the initials are Burlington Coat Factory LOL. I was originally looking for a suit, however I stumbled upon a cute dress that actually had a crinoline skirt underneath. I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the look of the dress and though how beautiful and feminine women use to dress in the 1950's. I have a confession. I use to be a huge Doris Day fan, reason being I simply love the clothes she wore in her movies. I proudly label myself as a girlie girl. Now I know that is not every one's style but it is mine. I love clothing that is chic and feminine and most of all comfortable. When I wear a clothing item it needs to feel as comfortable as my own skin.
Now I want to just touch on something that is utterly important. The older we get things change in and on our body. Chances are if you are in your 30's; 40's 50's and older, gravity has very well taken it's toll on your body. Throw in pregnancies, those dreaded stretch marks, weight gains, weight loss etc. your breast now has it's own zip code! Now I'm not saying this to get down on anyone. I am definitely included in this group. My point is we cannot and should not want to wear in our mature age clothes that we would and could wear in our early 20's.
Having lost a lot of weight gives me the option of being able to shop virtually anywhere except plus size stores, which I have to say I miss my Ashley stewards stores. Anyway! as a good friend once told me, because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it. At the tender not so young age of 47, I'm not trying to look like or wear the clothing of a 20 year old. I'm not saying I need to look like a candidate for the Shadybrook Farms Retirement Home, but I'm not trying to look like a Hanna Montana fan either.
So what I've figured out about my Style or Brand is I love to look chic and classy with a dash of trendy with a schmere of classic mixed with a dollop of new. LOL (sounds more like a recipe doesn't it)
When I walk out of my house I feel good and I own my look and that my dear sister friends is a GREAT feeling.
If you haven't figured it out, I challenge you to find or develop your style/brand. It's not to late.
Hugs and Blessings, Diva Val
Now I want to just touch on something that is utterly important. The older we get things change in and on our body. Chances are if you are in your 30's; 40's 50's and older, gravity has very well taken it's toll on your body. Throw in pregnancies, those dreaded stretch marks, weight gains, weight loss etc. your breast now has it's own zip code! Now I'm not saying this to get down on anyone. I am definitely included in this group. My point is we cannot and should not want to wear in our mature age clothes that we would and could wear in our early 20's.
Having lost a lot of weight gives me the option of being able to shop virtually anywhere except plus size stores, which I have to say I miss my Ashley stewards stores. Anyway! as a good friend once told me, because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it. At the tender not so young age of 47, I'm not trying to look like or wear the clothing of a 20 year old. I'm not saying I need to look like a candidate for the Shadybrook Farms Retirement Home, but I'm not trying to look like a Hanna Montana fan either.
So what I've figured out about my Style or Brand is I love to look chic and classy with a dash of trendy with a schmere of classic mixed with a dollop of new. LOL (sounds more like a recipe doesn't it)
When I walk out of my house I feel good and I own my look and that my dear sister friends is a GREAT feeling.
If you haven't figured it out, I challenge you to find or develop your style/brand. It's not to late.
Hugs and Blessings, Diva Val
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
WELLNESS WEDNESDAY (EXERCISE IS OUR FRIEND)
Good Wednesday my lovely sista friends, I just want to share a few words of encouragement about exercise; But before I begin let me give the disclaimer, I am not a Doctor, an exercise guru or a personal trainer. I am, however, a woman who has battle the better part of my adult life with weight. As I stated in a previous blog I chose to have gastric bypass surgery. Now I have heard folks say doing so is cheating. Cheating what death? Then cheat I did. Having surgery was not nor will it ever be a magic pill. Just like the contestants on the show Biggest Losers or some of the very well known weight loss programs, We (bariatric surgery patients) have to work to maintain our weight loss. Now I wish I could tell you how much I simply live to exercise but that would be the biggest lie known to man! lol I don't mind however exercising for the simple fact that I enjoy where I am health wise and want to maintain my good health.
I am a HUGE fan of the show Biggest Losers, this year the theme is eliminate excuses. Well I challenge you to eliminate the excuses. There are a variety of things people can do to get fit and healthy. The NUMBER ONE thing a person can do that is absolutely free is WALK. Walking is a fabulous way to loose and maintain weight loss. Find a school track, or a walking trail to just walk. If you live in a community that provides free gym access then GO. It amazes me how people whine and complain about not having enough time to work out, but spend hours on end, talking on the phone, watching tv or surfing the web. Studies show that just 30 minutes a day of brisk walking can make a difference in your overall health.
Spring has seemingly arrived early, this is a great time to get on track by walking or incorporating any type of exercise regimen. We all want to look good and feel good this summer, but we don't want it to be temporary. I don't know about you but I intend to be fit, lovely and active for a very long time.
Why don't you challenge yourself and join me by moving your body in exercise.
Come on ladies MOVE YOUR BODIES! I know we can do this.
Hugs, and Blessings, Val
I am a HUGE fan of the show Biggest Losers, this year the theme is eliminate excuses. Well I challenge you to eliminate the excuses. There are a variety of things people can do to get fit and healthy. The NUMBER ONE thing a person can do that is absolutely free is WALK. Walking is a fabulous way to loose and maintain weight loss. Find a school track, or a walking trail to just walk. If you live in a community that provides free gym access then GO. It amazes me how people whine and complain about not having enough time to work out, but spend hours on end, talking on the phone, watching tv or surfing the web. Studies show that just 30 minutes a day of brisk walking can make a difference in your overall health.
Spring has seemingly arrived early, this is a great time to get on track by walking or incorporating any type of exercise regimen. We all want to look good and feel good this summer, but we don't want it to be temporary. I don't know about you but I intend to be fit, lovely and active for a very long time.
Why don't you challenge yourself and join me by moving your body in exercise.
Come on ladies MOVE YOUR BODIES! I know we can do this.
Hugs, and Blessings, Val
Monday, March 26, 2012
WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
I was channel surfing and came across the opening for a christian show that was coming on. It really captured my attention. Words would flash across the screen. The question was asked if we believed and knew when Christ would return what would we do differently, who would we talk to, who would we help? That got me to thinking about my life story. It also got me to think about a sermon I once heard. The speaker's topic was about the dash in between the date of birth and the date of a person's passing. The speaker stated that dash represents everything in life that took place from birth until the end of one's life, now I don't want you to get all upset and think OMG she's being morbid. I know people get very uncomfortable about the topic of death. This my dear friends is not about death, this is about life! Let me ask you, if someone were to write about your life, and or make a movie about your life, what would it be about? What would you want the book to say or not say? Would you be pleased with the story? Would you want parts or all of your life re-written? Now you might be thinking Val what's your point? No ONE can write your story better than You! Any great writer knows that in order to get to the end of a great story it may have to be re-written several times. Be honest with yourself would you be pleased right here and now if you wrote your story. Well I challenge you to write your story, and if you find your are not please start writing the sequel. The Part II of your story. This is what my blog is all about. It's about the Sequel or the Second Part to a very interesting story. I personally feel the beautiful Angela Bassett would be the best person to play me in a movie, LOL just kidding.
I recently had a conversation with a lovely and wise woman, Ms. Tina Hines of FOR MY SISTER FRIENDS, http://www.formysisterfriends.org/ I explained that I sometimes feel like I'm all over the place with my ideas and plans concerning business. Tina asked me was I the same person at the age of 20 that I was at the age of 16, and of course I said no I was not I had changed. She then stated "why would you not expect your ideas and plans to change". She was right of course, change is inevitable. The beauty of life is we can choose to sit on the sidelines and watch or we can become an active part of life. The fact that we are still here among the living to tell our story whether you acknowledge it or not is a blessing. The bigger blessing however, is not only to tell the story but to live it.
I love to write, so I certainly know the first thing I put to paper is not always what I end up with as a finish product. That being the case, it doesn't discourage me from continuing to write. Now at this stage of my life I am proudly revising my story and it's fabulous! I would be lying if I said each and every chapter is about happiness, and flowers, and running threw a field of lilies toward a tall fine hunky Man who sweeps me up in his arms and carries me away. Wait isn't that a butter commercial? LOL anywho, a great story has highs and lows; funny parts and sad parts; A great story may have a little mystery in it or some sweet poignant parts to it.
So today my lovely friends I challenge you to revise your story. Make your story what you want it to be it's not to late! Would your story put folks to sleep? Then it's time to spice things up for the revision.
Get up stop sitting around whining and complaining it's time to live your new story!
I recently had a conversation with a lovely and wise woman, Ms. Tina Hines of FOR MY SISTER FRIENDS, http://www.formysisterfriends.org/ I explained that I sometimes feel like I'm all over the place with my ideas and plans concerning business. Tina asked me was I the same person at the age of 20 that I was at the age of 16, and of course I said no I was not I had changed. She then stated "why would you not expect your ideas and plans to change". She was right of course, change is inevitable. The beauty of life is we can choose to sit on the sidelines and watch or we can become an active part of life. The fact that we are still here among the living to tell our story whether you acknowledge it or not is a blessing. The bigger blessing however, is not only to tell the story but to live it.
I love to write, so I certainly know the first thing I put to paper is not always what I end up with as a finish product. That being the case, it doesn't discourage me from continuing to write. Now at this stage of my life I am proudly revising my story and it's fabulous! I would be lying if I said each and every chapter is about happiness, and flowers, and running threw a field of lilies toward a tall fine hunky Man who sweeps me up in his arms and carries me away. Wait isn't that a butter commercial? LOL anywho, a great story has highs and lows; funny parts and sad parts; A great story may have a little mystery in it or some sweet poignant parts to it.
So today my lovely friends I challenge you to revise your story. Make your story what you want it to be it's not to late! Would your story put folks to sleep? Then it's time to spice things up for the revision.
Get up stop sitting around whining and complaining it's time to live your new story!
Friday, March 23, 2012
WELCOME TO FASHION FRIDAY (Beauty Begins Within)
I began the journey of writing this blog to not only keep my mind sharp and fresh but to share my journey in the hopes of encouraging others. Begining a blog in and of itself is an interesting journey and I am enjoying every minute of it. It is however, my desire to encourage women to have balance as we grow in years. As we grow older and wiser we recognize many things will change some way beyond our control. That being said, we don't have to sit on the sidelines helplessly. We can do things to make sure we live a happy, balance, peaceful, successful life. To get this segment started I've invited my very good friend Calandra the Author of THIS AND THAT WITH CALANDRA to share some of her Fashionista wisdom with us.
Read and enjoy!
Read and enjoy!
Beauty is NOT Only Skin Deep by: Calandra Branch
“We wear the mask that grins and lies. It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.” – Paul Lawrence Dunbar
When Valerie asked me to write this blog post, so many ideas flooded my head – I thought of all the makeup applications I had done, videos, FOTD (Face of the Day) posts on my blog, etc. But as she launches her new series of health and wellness posts, I thought it would be more appropriate to start with the basics. A bare face…clean slate…a blank page. THIS is where the rubber hits the road.
At a recent mini-makeup party my best friend and I hosted, I started the event by saying, “If you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, WITHOUT makeup, then you should leave right now because this party isn’t for you.” Of course I was being dramatic, but my central thought was sincere. True beauty comes from WITHIN. The most beautiful makeup will do nothing for an ugly personality. Now, can makeup help you feel better about your appearance? Absolutely!! I attended a formal function several months ago and rocked my first real black smoky eye. And yes, I looked in the mirror, grinned from ear to ear and said, “Girl you betta WORK!”
Ladies, don’t fall for the makeup okie doke. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good “beat” face like the next woman But what I love more is seeing healthy, naturally sun-kissed skin radiating a glow of self-confidence and self-love, whether bare-faced or with a ‘pop’ of color! Be beautiful…be healthy…be YOU!
WELCOME TO FASHION FRIDAY (Beauty Begins Within)
I began the journey of writing this blog to not only keep my mind sharp and fresh but to share my journey in the hopes of encouraging others. Begining a blog in and of itself is an interesting journey and I am enjoying every minute of it. It is however, my desire to encourage women to have balance as we grow in years. As we grow older and wiser we recognize many things will change some way beyond our control. That being said, we don't have to sit on the sidelines helplessly. We can do things to make sure we live a happy, balance, peaceful, successful life. To get this segment started I've invited my very good friend Calandra the Author of THIS AND THAT WITH CALANDRA to share some of her Fashionista wisdom with us.
Read and enjoy!
Read and enjoy!
Beauty is NOT Only Skin Deep by: Calandra Branch
“We wear the mask that grins and lies. It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes.” – Paul Lawrence Dunbar
When Valerie asked me to write this blog post, so many ideas flooded my head – I thought of all the makeup applications I had done, videos, FOTD (Face of the Day) posts on my blog, etc. But as she launches her new series of health and wellness posts, I thought it would be more appropriate to start with the basics. A bare face…clean slate…a blank page. THIS is where the rubber hits the road.
At a recent mini-makeup party my best friend and I hosted, I started the event by saying, “If you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, WITHOUT makeup, then you should leave right now because this party isn’t for you.” Of course I was being dramatic, but my central thought was sincere. True beauty comes from WITHIN. The most beautiful makeup will do nothing for an ugly personality. Now, can makeup help you feel better about your appearance? Absolutely!! I attended a formal function several months ago and rocked my first real black smoky eye. And yes, I looked in the mirror, grinned from ear to ear and said, “Girl you betta WORK!”
Ladies, don’t fall for the makeup okie doke. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good “beat” face like the next woman But what I love more is seeing healthy, naturally sun-kissed skin radiating a glow of self-confidence and self-love, whether bare-faced or with a ‘pop’ of color! Be beautiful…be healthy…be YOU!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Welcome to WELLNESS WEDNESDAY (It's My Anniversary)
Ladies, I'd like to share something very near and dear to me. On March 17th I celebrated 4 years out from bariatric surgery. I made the decision after careful consideration, personal research regarding the pros and cons and much prayer. What prompted me to even consider the surgery was loosing my only sister to a massive heart attack in 2000. She passed exactly one month before her 41st birthday. To say that my family was devastated would be an understatement. One of the last conversations we had was her concern for my health. It wasn't because I was sick, but neither was she. I was, however, morbidly obese. My sister did have a chemical imbalance that cause her cholesterol level to be extremely high. It was comical to see people's response when she would introduce me as her little sister as I was twice her size. Family history aside, I made the decision some 8 years later to save my own life. What I mean is I was unhappy with the way I felt and looked. I could no longer hide in my house and under layers of clothes hoping the world wouldn't see me. I had to stop playing the victim and being selfish. That's right I said being selfish. When you fail to deal in reality about your health and well being, you not only put yourself in jeopardy you put your love one's in jeopardy too. The devastation of loosing someone you love unexpectedly is a hurt and pain that is inexplicable.
After experiencing and dealing with some very traumatic situations in my life I did what a lot of people do, I medicated myself with food. The results was obesity, depression, shame of allowing myself to get to that place and physical pain i.e. back pain, knee pain etc.
March 17, 2008 I had gastric bypass surgery. According to the Nurses I was the poster child for Gastric Bypass. I didn't have any complications at all and a week or two later I was feeling great! Now I'm not suggesting that anyone overweight run out and have surgery. This was my decision and my Journey and it was one of the BEST decisions I have made as an adult.
Fast forward Four years and I am feeling FABULOUS, now I will confess that lately I haven't been exercising like I should but that is definitely about to change. I am so blessed and eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to live through the surgery and to still be here to tell my story. I share this in the hopes that it will encourage , enlighten and uplift someone. Whatever method you use to be a healthy you is groovy! lol I am proud to tell people I am 47 years young. I thank the LORD every day, for each new day I see.
My beautiful sisters we come in different shapes and sizes and hues and it's a beautiful thing, let's just make sure we are healthy in our beautiful bodies.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well Psalm 139:14
hugs and blessings, Val
At my heaviest
Current Day:
After experiencing and dealing with some very traumatic situations in my life I did what a lot of people do, I medicated myself with food. The results was obesity, depression, shame of allowing myself to get to that place and physical pain i.e. back pain, knee pain etc.
March 17, 2008 I had gastric bypass surgery. According to the Nurses I was the poster child for Gastric Bypass. I didn't have any complications at all and a week or two later I was feeling great! Now I'm not suggesting that anyone overweight run out and have surgery. This was my decision and my Journey and it was one of the BEST decisions I have made as an adult.
Fast forward Four years and I am feeling FABULOUS, now I will confess that lately I haven't been exercising like I should but that is definitely about to change. I am so blessed and eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to live through the surgery and to still be here to tell my story. I share this in the hopes that it will encourage , enlighten and uplift someone. Whatever method you use to be a healthy you is groovy! lol I am proud to tell people I am 47 years young. I thank the LORD every day, for each new day I see.
My beautiful sisters we come in different shapes and sizes and hues and it's a beautiful thing, let's just make sure we are healthy in our beautiful bodies.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well Psalm 139:14
hugs and blessings, Val
Current Day:
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