Treasures Thursday – You Are Not Alone

Posted on September 25, 2014 by MarleneMB

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” ~ James Baldwin

You may feel that no one understands what you are going through. Acknowledge how you feel. Yet, know you are alone. Someone has experienced your situation. Reach out to others. Share your experience. You may discover the treasure of a mentor that has gone through it, survived it and has grown stronger despite it.

Remember You Are Not Alone on Treasures Thursday!

Keep Living a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose!

Invincible Monday – JUMP!

Posted on September 15, 2014 by MarleneMB

Remember when you were young and knew you were invincible? When you knew you could climb walls, trees and conquer the world? Or the day you graduated from high school, college, etc. and you were going to achieve all those wonderful dreams? Then life crept in with all its limitations, obstacles and doubts to box you into fear of losing, failing, and crossing the line?

Well it’s time to reclaim those childhood fortitude again! Recently, I visited Jamaica (land of my birth) and went swimming in one of its beautiful rivers, White River. Some of the folks I went with challenged me to jump off the side of the river from a rope into the water. I was terrified, but the 12-year-old boy, Junior, that was with us encouraged me. He said “Miss, you can do it. Jump!” We agreed to encourage each other…he was scared also, but he was willing to try.

Drawing on my inner child, I took hold of the rope, sent up a prayer and jumped. To my great surprise and pleasure, I thoroughly enjoyed the jump. I enjoyed it so much that I jumped a few more times. Junior accompanied me and we screamed with excitement. Sometimes it takes a child to remind you that you can do it. Junior certainly reminded me of this. We should believe in our abilities to accomplish the goals we desire to reach; just like children do.

What are you afraid of doing? What dreams did you lay aside, thinking you don’t have the ability to do it? Have a talk with your inner child, pray and JUMP! Keep Living a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose on Invincible Monday.

Get your autographed copy of Live a Diamond Life, Live a Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters, today.

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Invincible Monday – Keep Pedaling

Posted on September 8, 2014 by MarleneMB

One of my favorite pastimes and form of exercises is riding my bicycle. Since learning to ride a bike as a child, I’ve enjoyed the sport immensely. I bought an aluminum, 21-speed, men’s mountain bike for my birthday, some years ago. I like men’s bike because that is what I first learn to ride. I chose the aluminum bike due to the lightweight…I can pick it up with one hand. It also has front shocks to absorb going over rough roads (not much of that in the city area…but you never know).

There were many mornings that I would jump on the bike and ride. It gave me a feeling of freedom and exhilaration. When I moved to South Florida, I rode it less and less due to my fear of the traffic. Let’s face it, if you live in South Florida, you know people drive crazy around here. One would often hear of a biker being hit by an automobile. The bike sat for a few years not begin touched…parked on the balcony.

Recently, I made up my mind that I’m going to get on the bike and face my fear. I bought a helmet to give me a sense of security. Putting the bike on the elevator, excitement bundled with nerves ran around my gut. I pushed the door open to the parking lot, got on the bike and road off into the street. Keeping to the more residential part of the city, I road along feeling the freedom I love returning. The breeze felt great on my face as my legs kept on pedaling around the neighborhood. The more I kept on pedaling, the more the fears subsided. The chains of my fear broke, replaced by a feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence.

Then I thought about all the other fears that I allowed to keep me from accomplishing more goals. Goals that align with my achieving my life’s purpose. Now, I’m committing to facing these fears and riding them out of my mind. I’m going to keep on pedaling towards those goal lines. Won’t you come riding with me…Keep Pedaling those fears away, my friends!!!

Get your autographed copy of Live a Diamond Life, Live a Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters at “A Day with the Authors Event” Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 (10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center.

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Invincible Monday – Let ‘Em Hear You Roar

Posted on August 11, 2014 by MarleneMB

This past Saturday, Jillian one of my fellow Toastmaster at Gelfand, delivered a speech about Artemisia Gentileschi, the painter. Artemisia was a 17th century painter that one may say broke the glass ceiling of her day in the art arena. Women were not allowed in the circle of male Italian Baroque painters. Artemisia was fortunate that her father, Orazio, also a painter, encouraged her to paint. Her paintings are admired today all around the world.

Like women of Artemisia’s time, many people are still blocked from certain circles or jobs because of gender, race, sexual orientation, etc today. I recall that in the 1990’s I went for a job interview for a technical consultant position. The interviewer point blank told me that he had never interviewed a woman for position before. He made no attempt to disguise his belief that a woman did not have the knowledge or experience to perform the job. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job. A few months later his entire department was released due to downsizing.

I didn’t let this person’s opinion stop me from pursuing the position of technical consultant. I not only got the position in a different department, but I also go promoted later as the sales engineer manager. Don’t let others tell you what you cannot do or that your dreams cannot be achieved. Push forward and let ‘em hear you “Roar” as Katy Perry sings in her song!

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

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Invincible Monday – Summer in Winter

Posted on June 16, 2014 by MarleneMB

Invincible Summer in Winter. Image by OAJ

Diamond Nugget: “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

There will be periods of harshness in most of our lives, similar to the coldest of wintery days. The difficulties of life snatch our warm breath of joy, pelting us with icicles of pain, doubt and despair. It is at times like these that we ought to:

Follow Albert Camus’ example and draw on the invincible summer of hope, determination and belief residing deep within us

Find that true purpose that will gives us the strength to press through our troubles

Connect with mentors who will show us ways to get beyond certain obstacles that we may not know how to overcome

It is in recalling the passionate, sparkling seasons of our lives that we may see beyond the lackluster travails we encounter….finding our invincible summer in winter.

Pick up a copy of the Diamond Cutters book to learn how to find your purpose.

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