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ABC’s of Spring Cleansing: Jump Start to a Zealous Lifestyle

When people think of spring cleaning, more-often-than-not, they prep to clean out the closet space and trash those expired foods in the kitchen cabinets. Tossing out old and scuffed shoes, pots and pans; giving away or donating ill-fitting jeans and favorite shirts they swore they’d lose weight to fit after the holidays. But it’s spring, sadly that shirt still doesn’t fit well. And some stay clear of shining or power washing the windows.

I can relate. However, spring cleaning your home is important but there’s much more to purging or throwing away worn clothes once a year to living well.

These steps in my, ABC’s of Spring Cleansing: Jump Start to a Zealous Lifestyle program helps with the common activities of spring cleaning, as well, as teaches those viable areas that can enrich every aspect of life.

I must stress, it’s a little more in-depth then dropping off a bag or two at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army stores for a tax write-off. These tips were designed to de-clutter the mind, body, and soul (space) from my own personal experiences.

I’ve learned it takes 21 to 90 consistent days to rid oneself of bad habits and to grow from learning and implementing new ones. Let’s just say, you can’t be on a diet for three weeks then off for two weeks and except that weight is going to stay off. It is a lifestyle change! It takes practice to become the norm, the same with cleaning out bad habits.

Over the next 21 days, I will be giving away free information on the A, the B, and the C tactics I use to reboot my mind, body, and soul; permitting me to stay focus on reaching my new year’s goals (new book Amazon.com Cracks in the Pavement: Struggle of Butterflies). Where most have already given up and tossed their goals out the window.

I’ll share a few reasons as to why some are unable to shed those pounds and why some can’t seem to get their life’s together and other’s can.

You can! You will!
21 Day Agenda:
 7 days re-setting the MIND: Thoughts have power
 7 days re-building the BODY: How important it is
 7 days re-energizing the SOUL(SPACE): What matters most

Don’t Give Up…

Why give up on your dreams. Life can be difficult to maneuver through, but we weren’t designed to give up. We were born to WIN!

Aspire to Inspire!

XOXO,
Dawn
Sisters Like Us WIN!

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New Year. New Habits. New Lifestyle.

Today’s the last day of 2018. You may be beating yourself over the head wondering, “why didn’t I achieve my goals this year?”

Did you want to lose those extra five pounds; start your own business, take a class, or travel abroad, but checked nothing off your to-do list?
Perhaps, what has kept you from reaching those goals, are your daily habits. You know that ones, they are comfortable, and you’ve grown accustomed too.

How many times in a day, we might have said, I’ll do it later; later comes, we put it off until tomorrow-then tomorrow comes, oh I’ll get to it sooner or later.

Procrastination does not only put things off, it creates clutter, not only in our physical spaces but also in our mental space. It shortens your fulfillment in life.

Often, we are, unaware of how the boxes in the corner, a pile of clothes needing folding, and the kids’ toys spread throughout the living space causes us stress. That eventually leads to emotional eating, which turns into unhealthy weight gain or loss, bringing on medical issues that cause a domino’s; slowly but surely, everything starts to crumble at your feet.

How many times, have you told yourself, I can’t take a trip or start that business class? Why? Because you’ve told yourself you couldn’t, so you didn’t.

You did not achieve your goals in 2018 because of your I can’t beliefs or procrastination habits.

What we tell ourselves, is what we believe, and is what we will receive.

Our thoughts are provoking so, let’s start the New Year, with a New Mindset, with New Habits to live a New Lifestyle.

Reset, redevelop, recreate our habits.

Happy New Year’s!

XOXO,
Dawn

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What’s on the Menu?

Is your mouth-watering counting down the days to grub-chow down on a delicious Thanksgiving meal?

What’s on your menu? And I’m not referring to the fried turkey and gravy. No, I mean, what are you most grateful for this year you will be carrying into 2019 or may want to take off the menu?

What are some areas you could improve on? How do you plan to make next year better than this year?

There are a few things from this 2018 year I plan on taking into 2019 and beyond.

I’ve learned some smart and effective ways to help keep my stomach from looking bloated and made great health changes. The secret ladies are ginger root, flaxseed, and chia seeds.

Steep peeled ginger root to make a tea, (use a garlic press to release the flavors), place in boiling water and drink as is or add it to a cup of green or black tea.

As for flaxseed and chia seeds, I sprinkle a tablespoon on my salads and into my smoothies. These seeds are loaded with fiber and keep the digestive system moving.

Recipe for Success: Dream it. Plan it. Achieve it.

I know, some of you may be saying, “Can we get through the holidays before discussing new year’s resolutions. And the answer is yes, but why wait to start dreaming or improving on life?

One should always be learning and striving for change, if not for ourselves, maybe for someone else.

Having been a big procrastinator myself, I’ve learned a huge lesson from my daughter and her new husband this year.

They got engaged in February and set a goal to get married out-of-state in September. They had a dream, planned, and executed.

And when I say they knocked it out of the park, it was a home run; one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen (my son’s wedding was beautiful as well). But to plan an out-of-town wedding in eight months was not only impressive, but it was also inspiring. They had a goal to WIN and won!

So, sisters, while munching on that piece of chocolate cake and pumpkin or sweet potato pie, jot down a few goals for the new year and start planning your menu.

Pull together the necessary ingredients to create the meal (life) you want to make, bring it to the table to share with all its trimmings, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Remember, sisters like us win.

Aspire to Inspire!

XOXO,
Dawn M. Dean

P.s. See more inspiration for the mind, body and soul on Instagram @sisterslikeuswin

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Celebrating the Strength of Women

Happy Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day!

Sisters everywhere are fine-tuning and implementing a new standard of women’s rights, regards to receiving the same level of respect and pay as our male co-workers.

We are reminding those who are guilty of miss using their influential power to STOP the madness!!!

And this month we celebrate those women who have spoken up and brought about change for the rights of women.

Marching Forward
Recent movements and campaigns are giving hope to our young women and generations to come; promising our youth an equal playing field.

Women are fed up and are fighting back against the mistreatment, double standards, and the abuse of one’s position used to pressure us. And we must acknowledge the men and kids who suffers in silence at the hands of those who felt they had a right to abuse their authority.

Coming off Black History Month (Feb) and now Women’s History Month I feel so alive and motivated to do my part to bring change to this world.

Here are a few quotes from my upcoming book, along with the great Audre Lorde; a black writer, civil rights activist, feminist, and lesbian who fought many struggles in her time and came out on top.

Audre Lorde could have set quietly; existing the world, but choose to use her voice to impact change instead.

Congrats Audre Lorde and the sisters like us, who have and are changing history!

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So, it is better to speak.” -Audre Lorde

“Speak up for yourself and others. You have the right to use your own voice to express your own feelings. Just say something that will evoke change. Otherwise, hush.” -Dawn M. Dean

“If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde

“Be what you believe you and your creator designed you to be. Or become what others deem you fit to be.” -Dawn M. Dean

“In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.” -Audre Lorde

These issues are all women’s issues regardless of her race or sexual preference. A common thread-experience we all share as women.

Aspire to Inspire!!!

Dawn

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It’s My Birthday!!!

It’s Bday and from the great mind and vocals of Nina Simone (Feeling Good),

“It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good.”

Yes, I am!

This is my year! Is it yours? Say it with me sisters: YES, IT IS!!!

I am celebrating the year before the big 50 with a cupcake, friends, and family, and with a better understanding of the concept health is wealth.

When I say health is wealth. I’m not referring to monetary wealth. No, I’m talking about the energy gained from exercising the mind, body, and spirit (soul), the freedom that comes from connecting oneself with the joyful things life offers naturally like the sun, stars, and the ground we walk on. The many joys of just living in the moment, every milestone, every detour and obstacle handed us.

I’ve come to accept each day with gratitude (the good and the bad) in faith knowing everything will be turn out the way it was designed-alright. No, better than alright-awesome.

But wait
Don’t get me wrong. I do take moments for anger (just a minute or two) when an unexpected monkey wrench is thrown on my path or in my daily plans. But, I only take a moment and regroup because I don’t wish to waste precious time on things beyond my control.

So, what I do? I exhale the issue, breathing in and accepting Gods change in my coordinates. Because after all, he is the captain of this vessel-me.

I’m going to celebrate this day and each day, happy in every second of it.

Aspire to Inspire!

Dawn

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Should I?

I am attempting to age gracefully as I count down to turning that remarkable age 50 (one year from Feb 22nd).
But as I maintain my weight-loss; aging with the ticking hands of time. I’ve noticed the loss of elasticity in areas of my face and neck. My skin isn’t as firm as it was in my youthful thirties or even mid-forties.

So, now I’m asking myself the question. Should I consider having some cosmetic work done on my face?

I know they say black don’t crack, but I do wonder standing in the mirror pulling my face tightly and upwards toward my ears, asking the questions many of us sisters have asked ourselves, how much younger would I look if I had these parentheses (smile lines) filled in? Or attempt to erase my crow’s feet caused by gazing at the nurturing sun?

Perhaps you’ve asked, why would I want to freeze the facial expressions I use to communicate a point, just to slow down the natural progression of aging?

I guess the most important question I must ask is do I dare to remove a part of myself? After all, each line is a imprint left from a moment in time. Landmarks of my journey telling my story how I have smiled with joy and cried from pain.

Gas and needles?
With products lining the shelves having the cure to slow down the process of aging, dermatologists and plastic surgeons claim to have the powers to reverse the aged thin skin by using electronic devices and needles; which can prove costly and may require anesthesia.

Botox (Botulinum toxin) is FDA-approved to treat headaches and chronic migraines before they start. It is also used by some to decrease sweating in armpits and to treat some eye disorders.

Botox was stumbled upon by two Vancouver doctors around 1987 who realized the toxin had a place in the billion-dollar beauty industry.

This paralyzing product has been reducing the appearance of wrinkles and helping to prevent those lines from forming.

Feeling the fillers
As I stated, my parentheses have become more and more pronounced with my weight loss. But, I can’t and won’t stop smiling. LOL!!! I have too much to laugh and grin about.

Not sure if I am feeling the fillers either with the parenthesis around feeling. You know the injectable hyaluronic acid gel better known as Juvederm made by the same makers of Botox.

Can this gel really erase these almost 50-year-old smile folds from around my mouth still allowing me to smile? Or delete my wrinkles even for a short while?

Don’t know. I’ll revisit the should I question in a few years. Right now, I’m not sure if any of these magical whiteouts are for me. In the meantime, I’ll continue to wrinkle with time taking preventive measures with over-the-counter anti-aging creams and sunblock.

Honestly, I’m too afraid of getting pricked every five to six months as the Botox and fillers begin to diminish. And besides, I’ve seen a few episodes of Botched. LOL. (research products and the preforming physician for safety. sisterslikeus.com are not doctors or claim to be).

Aspire to Inspire!

Dawn