Yes, You Can!

“Yes, you can…

Trust that you can…

Believe that you can…

Know that you can…

and you will SUCCEED.”

Welcome to #ThoughtfulThursday! Today is a day to reflect and, of course, count your blessings, and think about your week–things that may have happened and how one regroups if the end result was not to your liking.

Perseverance is a word that I rarely talk about, but it definitely lives deep down in my spirit. Who has not experienced hardship, disappointment, or sadness on a few occasions? But in that instance, we often think, ‘nothing lasts forever,’ even though death and natural endings are definitely inevitable parts of our reality. So, when facing negative feelings compounded by the feeling that time is so short, how does one ever truly enjoy LIFE?

It helps me to feel positive and motivated when I reminisce on women like Harriet Tubman, whose resilient spirit speaks volumes, and truly can’t be matched or measured; especially when you wonder if she had been a happy person. We can’t truly know the evil, the hatred, and inhumane behavior she must have witnessed. And yet, in facing all that stood against her, she remained resilient, weathered the storm. How else could she have overcome, if she hadn’t trusted, had the faith and confidence that she and all those she wanted to help would be okay.

And, most importantly, SHE NEVER GAVE UP!! She was consistent, passionate, and smart to outwit the countless bounty hunters that were after her. I’d like to think it was because Her Faith and Trust in God never wavered, because what else could get her through, when her daily trials and tribulations worked against her, tried to make her doubt her own power and capability to achieve the unthinkable.

Because Harriet Tubman NEVER GAVE UP!!!

In consideration of Yes, You Can! and being able to take control of one’s situation despite how others felt about your decision, I heard something that I just have to comment on:

Yesterday, Michael Strahan announced that he was leaving Live! with Kelly and Michael to begin working full time with my girl Robin Roberts at Good Morning America. Okay, I’m happy for Michael, yet shocked because these things do happen. However, I honestly feel some kind away for Kelly because she was blindsided and that’s just not cool. Yes, in business there is no friendship, but there is something called respect.

So, Kelly, hang in there as this too shall pass, and you are definitely strong enough to weather the storm that was thrust onto your lap out of nowhere. Everyday, I thank God that I am a woman!! I’m just sayin’.

“Nobody should ever be blindsided,” she said. “I don’t know who’s in charge, but somebody should’ve said, ‘This is gonna happen.’ You shouldn’t have to read it in the paper. Ever.” – Oprah

Kobe, You’re Loved!

“I’ve shot too much from the time I was 8 years old. But ‘too much’ is a matter of perspective. Some people thought Mozart had too many notes in his compositions. Let me put it this way: I entertain people who say I shoot too much. I find it very interesting. Going back to Mozart, he responded to critics by saying there were neither too many notes or too few. There were as many as necessary.” – Kobe Bryant

The Utah Jazz probably never saw it coming. In his final game, after a 20-year career with the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant has officially retired from the NBA. Scoring 60 points in this final game, to bring the Lakers up to over 100 points, taking over the Jazz with a 5-point lead in the final quarter. Reflecting on his career when the buzzer rang, Kobe hailed his team and sticking together through it all.

“This is absolutely crazy … and to be standing at center court with you guys, my teammates behind me, appreciating the journey that we’ve been on — we’ve been through our ups, been through our downs. I think the most important part is we all stayed together throughout.” (Source: ESPN)

That’s a sign of true leadership, of true appreciation. Being able to acknowledge that you couldn’t have done it alone. Now, Kobe is not one to belittle his own talent. He can acknowledge his own craft, his own power, and he knows his worth! That’s something we can all take to heart–know what you bring to the table and don’t let the haters make you think otherwise. When you’re the “third-leading scorer in the NBA” and honored as a “five-time NBA champion”, not to mention being an “18-time All Star”, you will definitely not entertain the haters! At least not for long…

“Take it all in. Sit back and watch and listen and hear all the hate that’s being thrown at us and remember every person that’s kicking you when you’re down, because next year it ain’t gonna be this way. Appreciate it now. Let it sit in now, because revenge is sweet and it’s quick.” (Source: ESPN)

#ThankYouKobe, for giving the world a role model in determination, dedication, and hard work. There are never too many shots, or too few, only as many as necessary. There is never too much for us to handle as long as we believe in SELF and are willing to put in the time and effort to making our dreams a reality! So, on this #ThoughtfulThursday, what are you doing to make your dreams come true?

Source: NBA.com/lakers

Love the Company You’re In

Today I attended the American Management Association‘s Women’s Leadership Center Breakfast and had the pleasure of meeting Erica Dhawan. The wonderful mind behind the “Connectional Intelligence” model. This Harvard-trained researcher came with a vast base of knowledge. Even the Q&A was monumental–in that the majority of the women in attendance were seasoned in their careers and literally found new avenues to bring relevancy to their team(s) by seeing growth potential that can affect the bottom line.

My take-away was collecting information on how to launch my iMatter Campaign (which is apart of my Lovin Self Brand), since I want it to become a global phenomenon. And in that room… it became possible.

Look around you; look within your inner circle of friends, business acquaintances, or colleagues and see how you can join forces to satisfy and bring about a much needed resolution toward creating your “idea,” a new product at work, or just brainstorming. That’s what Connectional Intelligence is all about, connecting with a “Thinker (Sees Big Picture), the Enabler (Brings it together), and the Connection Execution (Mobilize Into Action)” based on Erica’s model.

Love her and the brain power that she shared so effortlessly, passionately, and enthusiastically!! Awesome-Sauce!!!

And #kudos and a special thank you to #Laura Katen  of @katenconsulting  who did a phenomenal job at keeping the energy alive and on fire in the room this morning; along with assisting in hosting the AMA Women’s Leadership Center Breakfast. #amawlc

#ThoughfulThursday