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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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We are Strong in Sisterhood!

Happy Labor Day Sisters!

Women have come a long way with employment. Not only in America, but around the globe.

Progress has been made throughout the years. Thanks, impart to strong women standing up for equality, and freedom to hold careers that were once deemed only for men.

Sisters like us; the modern woman, work hard proving her skills in the boardroom and on the field alongside men. We contribute to the world and growth for all of mankind.

Though we continue to fight for equal pay in the work place, as our male counter parts. We have found with determination and persistence, other avenues to make income to support the home.

The strong American woman inspires and influences women across the world to be open to the possibilities of making a huge difference; not only in their communities, but in the world. We are strong in womanhood-sisterhood!

Aspire to Inspire!
Dawn

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Red, White and You

Today, celebrate not just the independence of America, but celebrate you.

Take a moment to reflect on how far you have come. All the obstacles that you’ve hurdled over, the many doors that closed, the rejections or the setbacks after having leaped three steps forwards. Though, it was difficult at that time, while going through the emotions. You pushed through it all and came out victorious.

You are still standing. Stronger than before with more wisdom and confidence in yourself, and your abilities to be whatever it is you dream to become. To live in your purpose out loud.

Be proud of jumping through hoops and rings and coming out a winner. Those accomplishments may seem small in compresence to what you are hoping to achieve big. But, small hurdles are preparing you for the finish line, pushing you to move forward and not stay glued in place.

When something terrible is happening in your life. Tell yourself: This is happening for a reason. It is to push me forward. To place me where I am supposed to be, it is where God wants me to be. Opening your eyes, heart and mind to receive the lesson in what is happening in your life.

So sisters, today, pour yourself a glass of wine, eat that piece of cake or dance the night away. Celebrate your independence in the acceptance to learn openly while becoming the best version of you. Cheers to sisters like us!

Aspire to Inspire!

Dawn
Originally posted here on 7/4/2017

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Embracing Change

In the Beginning
In my late adolescent years, change didn’t frighten or define me. I’d pack a suitcase and purchase a one-way Greyhound ticket. Wave goodbye and freely shout “see-you-when-I-see-you” to family and friends.

I’d start a new job without fear or concern as to what anyone thought of me or my performance. I always gave 110% to whatever I did, but, I was fearless-confident in me.

What Happened?
Being a mother, having a partner to compromise with (who eventually left), and the responsibilities of rent, car note, old man time, etc., etc. I begin to resent change. New was no longer fun or adventurous for me.

The lost of love-ones meant I was getting old and needed to have more to show for my age. The growth of once innocent child’s transforming into adults meant an empty home. I wrapped myself up in others needs and wants forgetting about my own, so when change begin to bring more pain than joy. I could not handle it.

My thoughts became, who was going to take care of me? What was I going to do with a shell of a house? I felt used, frighten and angry with myself for not have loved myself, as well as, I have loved others so dearly.

The Change Came
I have always known God and understood He has a greater plan for me. But, falling ill and now living alone. I soon realized in the end, I only have me, myself and God to rely on. So I had to make a change and embrace what is. What was and what I could and could not change about my life.

I can’t cure myself of something I don’t completely understand (only God can), but I could improve my health, by changing eating habits and exercise. I can’t bring back my best friend or family members that have left before me. But, I can remember their love, their support they gave me and how they influenced me in being the woman I am.

Change is going to come like the seasons. So embrace it and know it will pass by, leaving you in a better place, with time.

Aspire to Inspire!

By Dawn M. Dean
Founder and Creative Director
Sisters like Us