The Power You Possess

I certainly hope 2013 has started off right for everyone. More importantly, I hope you took my advice and decided not to set "resolutions;" for those who did, I hope you managed to stick to them.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I want to talk about power. He was a man who lived in an era of inequality, and paid for the beliefs and convictions regarding the love of his people, and humanity in general, with his life. He was a powerful man, because during his struggles, and carrying the weight of a race of people on his shoulders, he stood steadfast in his belief of non-violence as a means to bring about change. Part of his gift was being a great orator. He persuaded and inspired with his words.

We often look at others that hold certain positions as being powerful, but rarely do we look at the power we all possess as equivoke. All the mothers in the world are powerful, because something so natural as giving birth literally is powerful. Take the time to think about the fact that women nurture and provide sustenance in order for a child(ren) to grow and maintain its health while within the womb. Needless to say the process of childbirth in itself requires a certain inner strength, that makes me want to faint each time I think about it. Additionally, it has been scientifically proven that mothers inherit double strength when it comes to protecting their children in times of danger.

Gifts, talents, words, nuturing- all individuals are better at something than others, and it is a matter of finding out what that power is, honing it and sharing it with the world.  Molding it and making it profitable, or using it to uplift.

While we celebrate the life and legacy of a great man, take the time to acknowledge the power within you, and how you inspire others as well. Hone into your greatness and use it to the best of your ability.

Make productivity your signature,

Tish-Author
Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose
Available where ever online books are sold

Tell Me What You Can't Do and I'll Show You What You Can

You all heard the story. I did sixteen years in prison, released my first novel, Heads or Tails? Geminis Don’t Choose, seven months after my release, repaired my credit in that same time, and recently I  purchased my first home. I called myself being strategic and purchasing a home that needs a considerable amount of work, with the goal of obtaining instant equity in order to purchase an additional property next year. The process has racked my nerves in every sense and I found myself chanting that foul, emotionally crippling word CAN’T. Yes, the same word I have encouraged all my readers to strike from their vocabulary. I have literally spat: I CAN’T fix this, I CAN’T do that, I CAN’T build this, I CAN’T afford that. Thankfully, the word has only been able to ease off my palate as opposed to infect my spirit. As quickly as it manages to come out is as quickly as I have picked up a tool I have affectionately named She-ra, after the powerful 80’s cartoon sibling of He-Man, and somehow found the ability to demolish and/or repair something new.

Consequently, like most things in life, my new headache has brought with it many good parallels. I have  strengthened bonds with old friends, family, and have been afforded the opportunity to make new ones, as well as, acquire lifelong skills. I am nowhere near finished with the repairs, and I am obsessed with and solely focused on this project. It always manages to put a smile on my face when I see the progress that has been made in such a short time. Finding the beauty in adversity and life’s challenges is the truth behind experience and growth. And let my words act as a repellant for all those who have allowed CAN'T to embed itself in their psyche and cripple and stagnate them from learning all the ways in which they CAN do things. 

 

Cheers to Success

Tish

Author of Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose

ROAD TRIP CALLED LIFE

I receive emails from so many people who feel their own personal situations are dismal, and they do not know how to get their lives going in the direction they would like it. Sometimes when you are in a situation it's easy to see it as just being the way it is. I hope this blogs road trip analogy helps you to step out of the situation and view it as a variable, instead of a constant way of being. 

On a road trip you aiming to reach a specific destination and eventually you do, the same applies to life. You control where you are headed and where you end up.

While navigating life, you may stop at different locations; some you like and stay for a while, and possibly visit frequently, others you  leave and have no desire to return to. But each location provides you with the gift of different experiences, whether bad or a good. Detours, forks in the road, ditches are expected on a road trip, and can quickly knock you off course, by causing you to get stuck. Yet if you accept these minor setbacks as part of the journey, it becomes easier to recover from them.

Finally, everyone needs to rest or refuel while on a road trip, so find that one place or person in life that can act as your support when needed. Then get back on the road!


Cheers to Success, Skies the Limit
Tish
Author of Heads or Tails?Geminis Don't Choose 

    

Recipe for Success

     I have dedicated a series of blogs to the idea of success, in hopes of expanding people’s minds about personal success being obtainable, and should not be narrowly attributed to fame and fortune. This week I decided to give my dedicated readers a gift, the gift of insight and my personal recipe for success. People write books on this type of thing, and conduct pricey seminars, but I am offering you my recipe, along with, all the necessary ingredients for free. 

Here are the ingredients:

 

#1-Idea: You have to thoroughly think of what it is you want to accomplish, and all that goal may encompass.  For instance: I wanted to publish a novel. That was my idea, then I thought about everything that comes with it from manuscript editing, to publishing, cover design etc.  

#2-Research:After laying the mental foundation you have to do extensive research. Read everything on what you want to do. Thanks to the internet information is a click away.

#3-Plan:Develop a strategy to accomplish this goal. Your research, if effective, will make your plan that much easier. It will help you locate who can help,  how, and what resources may be needed.  

#4-Implement: Then you will be prepared to put your plan into action.

    Careful preparation is all you need to accomplish anything in life, from owning a business, to reaching any other goal you have been pondering. Stop standing in your own way, there is no such thing as impossible.

Cheers to Success,

Tish

Author of the popular novel Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose

Success Series Finale-Kimberly Seabrook

The success series is coming to a close. It began with the Measure of Success, where I challenged people to focus less on using the success of others as paradigms, and focus more on appreciating their personal triumphs. That redirection of energy will hopefully act as a catalyst to help folks reprogram their minds to into understanding the notion of success is not only equivoque to money. The object of this final entry will hopefully open everyone's eyes a little wider to my concept of personal success. 

Kimberly Seabrook single mother, domestic violence survivor, former drug user and molestation survivor is indeed a success story. By overcoming the same challenges that have left many dead,  emotionally crippled, living in shame, and unable to regain control of their lives, she embodies the strength and determination of a hero at war, who even in captivity, maintains their staunch demeanor refusing to allow their minds succumb to victimization of their flesh. Her experiences are the platform for the poetry she seems to write effortlessly, such as the powerfully raw Where is She Going?, or her dare to dream quest Yes I Want More. Kimberly turned her melancholy truths into a a question I am certain we all have chanted at some point in our lives- God Where Are You? In addition, her work has been featured in the same popular online magazine which she has been a contributing writer and interviewer for The Machine Network.

Not only is Kimberly a poet, but she is also known for getting the party started. Her outgoing personality, love of music, no nonsense attitude, and attractive dark features  has landed her opportunities on internet radio shows such as  The Skenny Kravitz Show (Ustream), and lead her to host various venues throughout the New York and Atlanta areas.  Currently she is the host of The Ladies Room, which has been around since 1996. The addition of Kim "Good Look" Seabrook, as she is affectionately called,  has enhanced the shows visibility, as she aims to bring you what you want, and everything you need to get your groove in sync, while showcasing music artists you might not otherwise hear on commercial radio.

Just when you thought her talent stops there, Kimberly has a popular t-shirt adorning the chests of everyone to working moms, to entrepreneurs, baring the befitting logo, Paid By The Hustle Not By The Hour. The logo doubles as the mantra of hard working individuals from all walks of life, chasing their dreams, and putting their talent to work. 

I truly hope the will and determination of women like Kimberly Seabrook, Noelle Hanerfeld and Bertha Aracil resonates with you the reader. I hope the way they have utilized their talents to overcome adversity, and pave a way for themselves and others will inspire you to do the same. Wanting something that someone else has can be a driving force, but appreciating your ability to obtain what you already have and what you have already accomplished in this one shot deal called life in my opinion is being successful.

To learn more about Kimberly, or for bookings and to order your official Paid By the Hustle...tee, you can hit her up on Facebook or via email at kim.seabrook@yahoo.com. Until the next time,

Cheers to Success,

Tish

Author of Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose

 

Success Series

This week I am highlighting a powerful Latina, and the one to literally try and beat- Bertha Aracil. A true testament in over coming adversity, Bertha with her 5-9 athletic frame, high cheekbones, and attractive features is a striking beauty, who stands out in a crowd, while donning androgynous duds or a form fitting dress. But it isn't her looks she is known for, instead her powerful fist are what have people far and near praising her name.

Bertha is a lightweight boxer hailing from Yonkers, NY with the heart of and humility of angel, face and body of a model, and the inner power of a Camaro. She is a self proclaimed natural fighter, whose blows have been felt on the streets of the Bronx, to the prison grounds she once stomped through. These days the only crime being committed by Aracil is assault on any opponent who enters the ring with her.  Like my novel, Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose, if you Google her name the Olympic hopeful is everywhere. 

Check out Bertha in the Village Voice; Compete Community and WNYC News
For interview requests and bookings contact Bertha at berthaaracil@yahoo.com.

Cheers to Success,
Tish
Author of Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose

SUCCESS SERIES

Time waits for no one, and those who make excuses get lost in the shuffle of life. One woman realized this in her quest to merely take care of her family. Noelle Hanerfeld- a true New Yorker born and bred, had a passion that life's challenges forced her to pull out from off of the back burner. Like so many people, Noelle was faced with the challenges of surviving in an economy where the job market was as scarce as her financial means. For so long Noelle allowed self doubt to plague her mind, and stand in the way of her success.

After what seemed to be endless job searches, and unfulfilling jobs, Noelle decided to follow her passion. She returned to school earning a culinary certification from Penn Foster University and went into business for herself, hence NHC Catering was born. Famous in NYC for her flavor packed empanadas, Noelle recognized her talent and learned the pitfalls and the pros of being an entrepreneur, all while putting her best foot forward, approaching challenges with an inner source of strength that so many women unknowingly possess.   

NHC Catering is a year old, and thriving, proof that a dollar and a dream really can go a long way. Follow Noelle's lead, invest that dollar in yourself, and bring your dreams to life.

Need her catering services contact Noelle at NoelleHanerfeld@gmail.com

WISHING ON A STAR

Everyday, I try to do something toward strengthening my talent and my business, from practicing time management or reviewing different writing techniques, or simply looking for more income producing opportunities. Whenever I research one thing, I have the tendency to stumble upon opportunities that may be beneficial for other aspiring authors and entrepreneurs.  Most of the time, those opportunities may be totally unrelated to what I was initially searching for, but prove to be equally as beneficial. I quickly share those resources.

Recently, I stumbled across a grant opportunity that could help aspiring business owners. I reached out to at least 10 people, and can count on one hand those who actually tried to to take advantage of the opportunity. This wasn't the first time, but what I am learning is some people like to dream out loud, but do not want to put in the work to turn those dreams into a reality. I have tried guiding folks through certain processes from book publishing, to character development, and finding investors for other projects. Usually it ends with me getting frustrated. So here is my advice to all ambitious persons with a sharing nature-- take heed, do NOT become a hand holder. Hand holding should only apply to children who need to have every step explained to them. Do not feel guilty when you try to help someone and it is to no avail. And do not let anyone make you feel like you are obligated to do things for them under any circumstances. Most importantly, do not let another fear of success or procrastination make you bitter to the point where you stop being the sharing individual you truly are. It's all about boundaries and limits. Dreams and goals are meant to be chased. What good is wishing on a star if your wish comes true and you do not know what to do when you get it?

Tish
Author of Heads or Tails? Geminis Don't Choose 

The Art of Life-Go Ahead, Expose Yourself

On Friday, March 23rd I had the pleasure of hearing the renowned social and political activist Professor Angela Davis speak for the first time ever.  Yes- the Black Power chanting, Afro donning powerhouse who became the prolific voice of African American women, who teased and picked their hair to imitate Davis' signature, and one of the most influential figures in the era of revolution.  To say that I was awe struck would be an understatement.  Her words are even more captivating, and thought provoking in person, as they are on the many YouTube videos that I have ever listened to. 

Consequently, her speech provoked a side thought, you do not have to agree with someone’s politics or ideologies or writing in order to respect their words. I have received similar reactions from people who do not normally read erotic fiction. They have admitted their prejudices regarding the erotic genre before reading my novel Heads or Tails? Geminis Don’t Choose, but stated they liked how my story line is comprised. What I am leading up to is the importance of being open minded, and exposing yourself to different cultures, activities, styles of music, writing, and even politics. Begin to view life as a mosaic, and you only have one chance to create your masterpiece.  Pulling pieces from here and there and watching it develop, can only be fruitful and fulfilling. The demand of well roundness is having a bit of diverse knowledge. I so do enjoy being able to have conversations with writers of all genres, and feel comfortable in a room full of strangers, because I know when a conversation arises, there will be at least one thing that we will share a common knowledge of. 

Angela Davis, an admitted Communist, is respected amongst people of all political affiliations, classes and genders.  She has traveled the world and touched the lives of scores of people of all races just by being true to her convictions. Her name is threaded in the fabric of American identity politics-a mosiac that will forever prompt critical conversations, that bring out strong opinions, that will lead to strong debates or gracious handshakes. Now ask yourself, what does your mosaic look like?