Well, ladies, it's finally time! I've set the date for the first meeting of 2 Higher Ground's Women's Self-Esteem and Empowerment Group, Rise Up 2 Wise Up! We will be meeting at 6 p.m. on March 15th at the Clark County Public Library in Springfield, OH. This is the plan: We will be meeting eight times between now and December 1st. During these meetings, we will be exploring the Six S's of Success by tackling such topics as Knowing Who We Are, Setting Goals, Learning How to Defend Ourselves, Becoming a Believer, and Understanding a Woman's Worth, and How Women Can Change the World! After we complete these eight sessions, "graduates" of this program will begin mentoring the next "class." I'll explain how it all works at the meeting.
The goal of this group is to help women overcome their obstacles and make the most out of what God has given them. By learning more about ourselves, we can begin to reach out to other women and help them to achieve the same thing in their lives. We will use our own strengths to help others find the strength that lies within them. I hope you will stop in for our first meeting. I'm sure this is going to be a wonderful experience for everyone involved! It's time to Rise Up 2 Wise Up and empower women to succeed!
There is no cost to meeting attendees. No fees for participation. This is just a great way to get out there and get involved not only in helping yourself succeed, but in helping other women in your community do the same. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have questions about the group. More details will be posted here as the meeting day approaches!
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Showing posts with label women's empowerment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women's empowerment. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Empowerment=Respect for other women as well as for yourself
Over the years, I've talked alot about empowerment. I believe that we should take every opportunity to try and help one another to be our best selves. I believe that women especially need to do the work on their self-esteem to keep them motivated and working toward personal goals. I also believe, however; that an empowered woman and a confident woman can sometimes be a dangerous thing. I unfortunately have seen evidence that some empowered women are very effective and successful, but to an end that is disempowering to others.
Let me explain this a bit further. When we get to a point where we are confident in our abilities, acknowledging of our strengths and feeling good about ourselves we shouldn't confuse our ability to attract things into our lives with having a right to all that comes into our line of sight. Some of us believe if something appears in our lives that it is meant to be there. Sometimes, however; it is a test. Of our moral fiber, our character and of our love for our fellow human being. Earlier today, I blogged about women who cannot seem to keep boundaries when it comes to dating or having affairs with married men. This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Sadly, I wholeheartedly believe that even an empowered woman; one who has had to scratch and claw her way through obstacles her whole life, has the potential to make a bad decision where relationships are concerned.
Women tend to fly under the radar when it comes to infidelity. If a woman is sleeping with a married man, almost 100% of the time, the scrutiny for the offense is placed on the married man. Granted, he certainly has a cross to bear in that situation, but his cohort shouldn't walk away unscathed. It takes two to tango and while he has broken more than a piece of the moral code, she has also shown little regard for her fellow woman and for the family that this man may have created with his spouse. The man's responsibility in this situation is different, but he doesn't necessarily play a more significant role in the act than that of the woman who willingly participates.
I don't often turn on women like this, but I have to say that I just don't know how a woman can live with knowing that she is partaking of this type of "forbidden fruit." This is especially sad in situations where women who are trying to fix their marriages have husbands who still haven't quite committed to the idea of making it work. She may be trusting that he will change his ways, but the very fact that there are so many women out there who are willing to mess around lessens the seriousness of the offense in the eyes of the offender.
As women, we need to be very careful who we are willing to spend our time with. Is he really available or is he just playing around? The best policy is to look for a man who is not fresh out of a marriage or other long-term relationship. But if you absolutely insist, at least find out why the last relationship ended before you make yourself available to him. And for God's sake, make sure that the relationship really did end. Don't just take his word for it because he is paying attention to you and he seems like a nice guy. He probably seemed like a nice guy to his wife, too.
If you are lucky enough to be in a relationship with someone who isn't cheating or hasn't cheated on you, that's wonderful. Count your blessings. Lots of women aren't so fortunate. Ladies, let's keep reaching for Higher Ground.
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Let me explain this a bit further. When we get to a point where we are confident in our abilities, acknowledging of our strengths and feeling good about ourselves we shouldn't confuse our ability to attract things into our lives with having a right to all that comes into our line of sight. Some of us believe if something appears in our lives that it is meant to be there. Sometimes, however; it is a test. Of our moral fiber, our character and of our love for our fellow human being. Earlier today, I blogged about women who cannot seem to keep boundaries when it comes to dating or having affairs with married men. This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Sadly, I wholeheartedly believe that even an empowered woman; one who has had to scratch and claw her way through obstacles her whole life, has the potential to make a bad decision where relationships are concerned.
Women tend to fly under the radar when it comes to infidelity. If a woman is sleeping with a married man, almost 100% of the time, the scrutiny for the offense is placed on the married man. Granted, he certainly has a cross to bear in that situation, but his cohort shouldn't walk away unscathed. It takes two to tango and while he has broken more than a piece of the moral code, she has also shown little regard for her fellow woman and for the family that this man may have created with his spouse. The man's responsibility in this situation is different, but he doesn't necessarily play a more significant role in the act than that of the woman who willingly participates.
I don't often turn on women like this, but I have to say that I just don't know how a woman can live with knowing that she is partaking of this type of "forbidden fruit." This is especially sad in situations where women who are trying to fix their marriages have husbands who still haven't quite committed to the idea of making it work. She may be trusting that he will change his ways, but the very fact that there are so many women out there who are willing to mess around lessens the seriousness of the offense in the eyes of the offender.
As women, we need to be very careful who we are willing to spend our time with. Is he really available or is he just playing around? The best policy is to look for a man who is not fresh out of a marriage or other long-term relationship. But if you absolutely insist, at least find out why the last relationship ended before you make yourself available to him. And for God's sake, make sure that the relationship really did end. Don't just take his word for it because he is paying attention to you and he seems like a nice guy. He probably seemed like a nice guy to his wife, too.
If you are lucky enough to be in a relationship with someone who isn't cheating or hasn't cheated on you, that's wonderful. Count your blessings. Lots of women aren't so fortunate. Ladies, let's keep reaching for Higher Ground.
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Sunday, May 10, 2009
2 Higher Ground Poetry Contest Winner!
Congratulations and Happy Mother's Day to our 2HG Poetry Contest winner, Jenelle Gaines! It was so difficult to choose from the entries we received and we thank everyone who entered. Jenelle captured the spirit of the contest with her entry titled, "What it Means." Jenelle is a mother, activist, and writer who lives in Enon, OH and her poem is absolutely what we were looking for here at 2 Higher Ground. And so, enjoy:
What It Means
To be a woman you must have poise,
And hold your own with all the boys.
To be a woman you must have class,
And know when it’s time to use your sass.
To be a woman you must have grace,
And know when you’ve fallen out of place.
To be a woman you must rejoice,
When you finally find your hidden voice.
To be a woman, you must be all
The higher you climb, the farther you fall.
To be a woman you know this well
And the story of the climb is yours to tell.
Congratulations to Jenelle Gaines!
Stay tuned for our next contest!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
To be a woman you must have poise,
And hold your own with all the boys.
To be a woman you must have class,
And know when it’s time to use your sass.
To be a woman you must have grace,
And know when you’ve fallen out of place.
To be a woman you must rejoice,
When you finally find your hidden voice.
To be a woman, you must be all
The higher you climb, the farther you fall.
To be a woman you know this well
And the story of the climb is yours to tell.
Congratulations to Jenelle Gaines!
Stay tuned for our next contest!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monica Marie Jones-Commitment to Self (The Second Installment of the Commitment Series)
I'm reposting this from one of my friends at Facebook. It's a great piece on taking care of yourself. Enjoy!
Recent events in my life and an interesting quote prompted me to contemplate commitment. Today I find myself at yet another Monday promising myself that I will recommit to taking better care of myself. I’d fooled myself into believing that I was doing so because I work out at least five days a week….but then why is it that I continue to gain weight, experience hair breakage, and lack the spark and motivation that I once had?
I came to the conclusion that my fitness is for others and not myself. Let me explain…
I teach kickboxing four days a week and I meet with personal training clients on the days that I do not teach. Working out has become and obligation and a service that I do for the benefit of others, so the focus is on all of the people that I am helping and not on me. I sit back and watch as all of my students and clients lose weight and get healthier while my weight stays the same or increases. The bottom line is that I am no longer intentional about fitness for myself. My body has become immune to the workouts that I do for others because I can control it to the point where it is not as challenging for me as it is for them. I don’t take out specific intentional and planned time to focus on my own fitness goals.
To what extent does our commitment to others affect or take away from our commitment to ourselves. You may find that you go out of your way to make sure that your significant other, children and friends are happy, but at what expense? Something has to give and quite often the price is our own health and happiness. We place our wants, needs and goals on the back burner so that someone else can realize their dreams. This may also be the case with your job, career or business.
Ask yourself these questions…
When was the last time you did something just for you?
When was the last time you bought yourself a new outfit?
How often do you treat yourself to a new haircut, pedicure, manicure or massage?
When was the last time you took a long, hot, relaxing bath or read a good book?
Do you feel guilty doing things for yourself?
If it’s been more than a month, you can’t remember, or you answered yes to the last question, then you too suffer from fear of commitment…to yourself.
How do we find that healthy balance between loving and helping others without sacrificing ourselves?
This brings to mind a quote that was told to me by a high school friend that had wisdom beyond her years. She said,
“Don’t be selfish with yourself.”
Now let me point out a few things that happen as a result of us being selfish with ourselves and putting others first.
We continue to do that thing that we know deep down we really don’t want to do. As a result, resentment begins to slowly grow. When resentment sets in, we are no longer doing that thing with a joyful heart. From there we begin to have contempt for that person or thing and we get to a boiling point that they did not even see coming. Now we want to quit or leave. Consequently, we end up causing this person or situation more harm than good. We have now become a hindrance instead of a help. When we make ourselves the martyr in such situations we are exhibiting false humility because we know we really don’t want to suffer like this.
I challenge you to make a commitment to yourself that parallels a romantic relationship. Start slowly with the courtship phase. Get to know yourself better, do nice things for yourself, and become your own best friend. The next step is engagement. Take the first step toward lifelong changes by committing to taking good care of yourself forever. Buy yourself a ring if you have to. Engage in activities that add value to your life. Join a church, surround yourself with positive people, join a gym or come up with a fitness plan that works for you, take a class on a subject or for a skill that you truly love. Start putting things in place that will lead to a lifetime of fulfillment.
Next is marriage. Align yourself with things, people, environments and circumstances that nurture your soul. Make sure that you are equally yoked with what and whom you allow into your life. You don’t want the “Until death do us part” to be an untimely death because the undue stress has caused you to suffer from a heart attack. More and more people are suffering from stress induced heart attacks at younger ages because of the people and circumstances that they place themselves in. Think about it.
Today, take a moment to reflect on the dynamics of your life. What percentage of your daily activities are devoted to caring for and bettering yourself? Are you receiving your fair share of the love you are giving out? If not, adjust accordingly.
You can read more by this author by visiting her website:
http://www.monicamjones.com
Have a great day!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Recent events in my life and an interesting quote prompted me to contemplate commitment. Today I find myself at yet another Monday promising myself that I will recommit to taking better care of myself. I’d fooled myself into believing that I was doing so because I work out at least five days a week….but then why is it that I continue to gain weight, experience hair breakage, and lack the spark and motivation that I once had?
I came to the conclusion that my fitness is for others and not myself. Let me explain…
I teach kickboxing four days a week and I meet with personal training clients on the days that I do not teach. Working out has become and obligation and a service that I do for the benefit of others, so the focus is on all of the people that I am helping and not on me. I sit back and watch as all of my students and clients lose weight and get healthier while my weight stays the same or increases. The bottom line is that I am no longer intentional about fitness for myself. My body has become immune to the workouts that I do for others because I can control it to the point where it is not as challenging for me as it is for them. I don’t take out specific intentional and planned time to focus on my own fitness goals.
To what extent does our commitment to others affect or take away from our commitment to ourselves. You may find that you go out of your way to make sure that your significant other, children and friends are happy, but at what expense? Something has to give and quite often the price is our own health and happiness. We place our wants, needs and goals on the back burner so that someone else can realize their dreams. This may also be the case with your job, career or business.
Ask yourself these questions…
When was the last time you did something just for you?
When was the last time you bought yourself a new outfit?
How often do you treat yourself to a new haircut, pedicure, manicure or massage?
When was the last time you took a long, hot, relaxing bath or read a good book?
Do you feel guilty doing things for yourself?
If it’s been more than a month, you can’t remember, or you answered yes to the last question, then you too suffer from fear of commitment…to yourself.
How do we find that healthy balance between loving and helping others without sacrificing ourselves?
This brings to mind a quote that was told to me by a high school friend that had wisdom beyond her years. She said,
“Don’t be selfish with yourself.”
Now let me point out a few things that happen as a result of us being selfish with ourselves and putting others first.
We continue to do that thing that we know deep down we really don’t want to do. As a result, resentment begins to slowly grow. When resentment sets in, we are no longer doing that thing with a joyful heart. From there we begin to have contempt for that person or thing and we get to a boiling point that they did not even see coming. Now we want to quit or leave. Consequently, we end up causing this person or situation more harm than good. We have now become a hindrance instead of a help. When we make ourselves the martyr in such situations we are exhibiting false humility because we know we really don’t want to suffer like this.
I challenge you to make a commitment to yourself that parallels a romantic relationship. Start slowly with the courtship phase. Get to know yourself better, do nice things for yourself, and become your own best friend. The next step is engagement. Take the first step toward lifelong changes by committing to taking good care of yourself forever. Buy yourself a ring if you have to. Engage in activities that add value to your life. Join a church, surround yourself with positive people, join a gym or come up with a fitness plan that works for you, take a class on a subject or for a skill that you truly love. Start putting things in place that will lead to a lifetime of fulfillment.
Next is marriage. Align yourself with things, people, environments and circumstances that nurture your soul. Make sure that you are equally yoked with what and whom you allow into your life. You don’t want the “Until death do us part” to be an untimely death because the undue stress has caused you to suffer from a heart attack. More and more people are suffering from stress induced heart attacks at younger ages because of the people and circumstances that they place themselves in. Think about it.
Today, take a moment to reflect on the dynamics of your life. What percentage of your daily activities are devoted to caring for and bettering yourself? Are you receiving your fair share of the love you are giving out? If not, adjust accordingly.
You can read more by this author by visiting her website:
http://www.monicamjones.com
Have a great day!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Thursday, April 2, 2009
First Annual Poetry Contest
2 Higher Ground is holding its First Annual Higher Ground Poetry Contest! Submit your entries by sending in a poem about "What it means to be a woman." The winner will receive a $50 gift card to Bath and Body Works! There is no entry fee and you may enter as many times as you like!
This month is National Poetry Month, so seek out your muse and send your poems to 2HG! Be sure to include your name and your city and state with your entry! Contest ends on April 30th. The winner will be announced on Mother's Day, May 10th!
Submit Entry
Good luck!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
This month is National Poetry Month, so seek out your muse and send your poems to 2HG! Be sure to include your name and your city and state with your entry! Contest ends on April 30th. The winner will be announced on Mother's Day, May 10th!
Submit Entry
Good luck!
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Special Author Spotlight: Maureen G. Mulvaney, The Women's Millionaire Club
We're proud to be a stop on author Maureen G. Mulvaney's blog tour through Nikki Leigh's Promo 101 Virtual Blog Tours!
Years ago, Maureen G. Mulvaney (MGM) arrived in Phoenix, AZ… Flat Broke, Jobless and Licking the wounds from a divorce. If she can Make It…So Can YOU. Let her show you 'HOW'.
Author of The Women's Millionaire Club
MGM set out to answer the simple question: Why do some women make a fortune and others don't? She assessed, surveyed and interviewed 21 'Ordinary' Women who started their home based businesses with NO Prior Experience yet they each did the 'ExtraOrdinary'-- MADE MILLIONS while MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
MGM wanted to give YOU the ingredients and recipes to learn 'How To' Do the SAME whether you are a veteran, 'newbie' or 'wanna be' Home Based Business Entrepreneur.
Discovered the Closely Guarded SECRET RECIPES of Millionaire Women for Building and Owning a Million Dollar Home Based Business.
Entrepreneurial Success Coach
MGM teaches small business entrepreneurs 'How To Attract Paying Clients, Who Become Lunatic Fans, That Refer Others.' MGM has over 25 years as an entrepreneur and small business owner. She teaches, consults, coaches and speaks to Women Entrepreneurs about the country. Call 480-759-6251 to enroll in MGM's next Intense Weekend.
Professional Speaker
MGM is:
* An internationally known speaker
* Who has graced the stages from Finland to Malaysia & every corner of the USA
* Has spoken with everyone from Norman Vincent Peale to Ann Jillian
* Is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).
* (Less than 10% of the 5000 plus members of National Speakers Association have ever been able to attain this Earned CSP designation because one must have both longevity in the speaking industry plus outstanding skills.... MGM has both!)
* Her Clients include Amway to Arbonne, AT&T to MCI, Hospitals, Schools, Banks, USArmy and hundreds more.
Our Mission for The Women's Millionaire Club is …To help Home Based Business Women become Millionaires by creating an Abundance Conscious Community to Support Each Other through Education, Empowerment and Caring Energy!
To Book MGM Call 480-759-6251 or email: mgm@mgmsuperstar.com
The Women's Millionaire Club, by Maureen G Mulvaney, is being offered beginning on March 17th, 2009 at 12:01 am. We invite you to go to this page - http://mgmsuperstar.com/wjtc/exclusive.html - to access the order page and then go back to this page to access the bonus page. On the Exclusive Private Invite page, enter your order confirmation code. That will allow you to gain entry to the FREE Pot o' Gold Bonus Items.
For more information about Maureen G. Mulvaney, please visit her wonderful blog.
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Years ago, Maureen G. Mulvaney (MGM) arrived in Phoenix, AZ… Flat Broke, Jobless and Licking the wounds from a divorce. If she can Make It…So Can YOU. Let her show you 'HOW'.Author of The Women's Millionaire Club
MGM set out to answer the simple question: Why do some women make a fortune and others don't? She assessed, surveyed and interviewed 21 'Ordinary' Women who started their home based businesses with NO Prior Experience yet they each did the 'ExtraOrdinary'-- MADE MILLIONS while MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
MGM wanted to give YOU the ingredients and recipes to learn 'How To' Do the SAME whether you are a veteran, 'newbie' or 'wanna be' Home Based Business Entrepreneur.
Discovered the Closely Guarded SECRET RECIPES of Millionaire Women for Building and Owning a Million Dollar Home Based Business.
Entrepreneurial Success Coach
MGM teaches small business entrepreneurs 'How To Attract Paying Clients, Who Become Lunatic Fans, That Refer Others.' MGM has over 25 years as an entrepreneur and small business owner. She teaches, consults, coaches and speaks to Women Entrepreneurs about the country. Call 480-759-6251 to enroll in MGM's next Intense Weekend.
Professional Speaker
MGM is:
* An internationally known speaker
* Who has graced the stages from Finland to Malaysia & every corner of the USA
* Has spoken with everyone from Norman Vincent Peale to Ann Jillian
* Is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).
* (Less than 10% of the 5000 plus members of National Speakers Association have ever been able to attain this Earned CSP designation because one must have both longevity in the speaking industry plus outstanding skills.... MGM has both!)
* Her Clients include Amway to Arbonne, AT&T to MCI, Hospitals, Schools, Banks, USArmy and hundreds more.
Our Mission for The Women's Millionaire Club is …To help Home Based Business Women become Millionaires by creating an Abundance Conscious Community to Support Each Other through Education, Empowerment and Caring Energy!
To Book MGM Call 480-759-6251 or email: mgm@mgmsuperstar.com
The Women's Millionaire Club, by Maureen G Mulvaney, is being offered beginning on March 17th, 2009 at 12:01 am. We invite you to go to this page - http://mgmsuperstar.com/wjtc/exclusive.html - to access the order page and then go back to this page to access the bonus page. On the Exclusive Private Invite page, enter your order confirmation code. That will allow you to gain entry to the FREE Pot o' Gold Bonus Items.
For more information about Maureen G. Mulvaney, please visit her wonderful blog.
Subscribe to 2 Higher Ground by Email
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wake Up!
Listen to Nikki Leigh's interview with Author, Doris Roper on Blogtalk Radio! Roper is the author of Wake Up Your Life, a wonderful book about how to pick up the pieces when you go through life's difficult transitions. The interview is very informative and you'll definitely want to get a copy of this book!
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Good for You!
Tips on healthy living, healthy loving and healthy habits!