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Six Days Off Of Facebook

06 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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There I sat, the selfie queen, FB-social media evangelist being prompted to take a selfie to share the presenting charitable organization being featured at the S.H.I.N.E. meeting (www.shine-now.org). It was awkward. I deactivated my FB account a few days ago, a radical step toward a more disciplined use of my time in the New Year. Not sure how long my sabbatical would be, but just to take the first step.  I deactivated my account and uninstalled the apps from my phone to ensure my success.  To actually say to someone who invited me to take a selfie with them, “I have stepped away from social media so I will refrain from a photo.” Wow!  Who is that person?

I had not however uninstalled the Instagram and Twitter apps. I found myself checking in under radar.  One of the presenters at the meeting suggested we follow her updates on Instagram, so I searched for her and found myself scrolling IG and checking tweets.  Sadly, it was just more of the same. The same exact noise I was stepping away from on FB.  The same exact stir of emotions I felt on the ‘book, instantly rolled over my spirit. There is a toxicity (at least for me) that slithers through the otherwise façade of connectedness that social media purports.

Uninstall.
Uninstall.

It has only been six days! Initially I felt the pull of it, not checking in, ‘feeling’ present; not seeing what my FB friends were posting, not posting my selfies, quotes and thoughts of inspiration; nor feeling a part of the interactive convo, as bogus as it may be. I was missing it. I felt the disconnect. But then, after a few more days, it felt surprisingly liberating.

Yesterday, I really noticed. My disposition was not fastened to what other people were posting, doing or perpetuating.  I was turning a corner, literally.

​A Prayer for My Grandchildren

06 Friday Oct 2017

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“Today, we pray for our children. We want good children – not just smart children…

We pray that [parents and families along with] our schools will teach knowledge and virtue.”

My children are all adults who have children, so my prayer is for my grandchildren and for children everywhere.

My children though are educators and mentors who have chosen the life path of developing greatness in young people. I’m so proud of each of them and the individual contributions they make every day. Perhaps the impact is not readily seen,
but I know without a doubt it will flourish.  Even now, as I am at the threshold of my 60th Birthday, I still reflect on teachers who made an indelible impact on my life from grade school through college as well as my mentor and spiritual mothers
who have influenced my life learning. That is why I’m confident that the youth that learn from and experience the educational and social values that my children emulate to their students, they will remember and benefit from throughout their lives.

My grandchildren, however, are living and growing in such a different time than myself and my children.  My prayer is that the values and standards that our family believe and model will shape their lives and that of their children as well. 
So often when I think about all that is happening in the world, I wonder with great concern what society will be like for them.  Who will be the strong compassionate leaders that the world needs for their future? Will family and God-fearing values reemerge
over entertainment and social norms, as the foundation for building a society that offers hope and goodness?

Today, I pray a simple prayer.  Thank you, God, for Who You are … God of the universe. No darkness can eclipse Your Light.

Thank you, God, for my grandchildren, Jordyn, Astrid, Noah, Alaia and Baby. Bless, keep, protect and prosper them with favor and good success.  Bless them with a bright future filled with hope and promise, not fear and dismay.  Bless their parents with the LOVE, wisdom, resources,
virtue and knowledge to raise them to be God-fearing and honorable.  Bless them with competent and compassionate educators, mentors and spiritual leaders to teach them and develop their greatness which You have already destined in them.  I pray (like their
parents) they will grow up in obedience, with high standards and confidence, and to be leaders and examples of excellence.  Moreover, as they grow, I pray they will come to know You, love You, honor You, trust and depend upon You, realizing You are the ultimate
source and Giver of life and every good gift. Until Your return, I pray that the foundation that we have modeled before them will be the faith and truth they stand upon and that will guide their lives.

Even when so much of the world seems dark and gleam, You God, remain the Light of the world, the Hope of humanity and it is You, You are our God from everlasting to everlasting.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

I’m Worthy

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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“Patience is one of the clearest manifestations of God’s grace.” – from the Web

This week our GirlTrek (www.girltrek.org) #PrayerTrek Challenge is to walk and pray, worship and praise focusing on the fruit of the Spirit. Today is Day 4 and the virtue is Patience.  When we think of Patience, we often think of the grace and tolerance we extend outside of ourselves to others. 

All morning, in considering this fruit of the Spirit, I have been thinking about my need to be more patient with myself.

I recently heard a minister speak about how what we develop in ourselves is what we are able to extend to others.  Love, grace, forgiveness, Patience … they must first be developed within us.

I am so hard on myself, literally 24/7, hardly ever letting up, from my waking moment until I fall asleep. Do this, do that; why this, why that; why not this, why not that; why me, why not me?

My prayer today is Lord, mature within me Patience with myself, with the journey You have purposed for me. Help me to see, understand, align with and accept Your will for me and my life.

In everything I give You great thanks.

It is You that makes my way perfect in You.

“Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.” – St Francis de Sales

​There Is Beauty In My Brokenness …

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

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There Is Beauty In My Brokenness … I love this lyric from Vashawn Mitchell’s “JOY”! https://youtu.be/Yl5lKSTtPR8

My Sister-in-Christ, Tiffany L. Warren, who is a prolific novelist and published author (www.tiffanylwarren.com) has challenged me to get back to writing.

I have stepped away from it because I never want to write from a broken place.  I have been encouraged by several people actually to put the pen to paper or tap out the keystrokes of what is in my heart.  I have heard the whole spiel about
the power of ‘transparency’ and being more relatable through one’s flaws.  I know I need to give myself a break, but someone said, ‘average sucks’, and I agree.

I’ve been on my fitness journey for several years now and although I’ve made great strides, I’m still a contender, not yet a champion. I know there is no real finish line in fitness, it is really about a lifestyle.  So therein lies the
truth of my position in the race, my lifestyle has changed, so maybe I am a champion (conference or divisional
J).

Change is about learning.  My mentor always taught, “Evidence of learning is changed behavior” – Charleyse S. Pratt, Ph.D., and life is certainly about perpetual learning. So as long as I keep striving, continue to learn, make good/better
choices most of the time, I will eventually be content in this journey.

God takes our brokenness and makes us beautiful.

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway

Oregó (REACH)

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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Nearly nine months into my fitness journey which I began January 5, there are 110 days until my birthday.
A significant part of my new personal fitness community or network is the family at No Fat Birthdays, a boutique fitness studio owned by Fitness Trainer/Coach Jamey Mixson. The studio or gym name grips you in a way that gives you a relatable focus point for your goals.
Entering into this new season on this first day of September, with Autumn officially arriving in a few weeks, I’m focused on or REACHing to achieve more progress by my birthday, “’cause no one wants to be fat on their birthday!”
The prompt for Five Minute Friday, http://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/ (I know it is Monday) is REACH.
After returning from our Alaskan cruise vacation a few weeks ago, I was so low because of all the delicious indulgences I enjoyed while we were away. For days I really struggled, beating myself up about it. I vowed I would not weigh myself for several weeks because I could not bear to step on the scale and see it move up. I could not see it myself, but people around me kept saying how great I looked like something drastic had taken place. In my mind I asked, what are they talking about? I cannot remember why I did it, but I stepped on the scale one morning and was pleasantly surprised to see I indeed had lost more, reaching another short-term weight loss goal. It was the breakthrough I needed to release me from the state I was in. Then I had a checkup with my doctor who had not seen me since I began my fitness journey. She was so impressed and, of course, encouraged me to continue … that was a huge boost for my motivation. I put on my big girl pants #beastmode and got back in the game, mind, body and spirit.
Now, I’m here, 110 days ’til my birthday with this REACH in my spirit. I am excited about where I am and optimistic about what I will achieve.
I have made a commitment to myself, which I intend to keep. “… REACHing forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize …” or the goal which I have set for myself.

set-a-goal

WOW, how powerful is that!

Family, friends and readers … Thanks for coming along for the ride and for inspiring encouraging, cheering and championing me along the way. Hang in there with me, I need you.

People Need The Lord

27 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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Tags

Blogging, Christian, Compassion, faith, Family, Help, Jesus Christ, love, Ministry, miracle, Parenting, Prayer, suffering, Teaching, Women, Youth

I love this Steve Green song …
 
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eye.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize –people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What would be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.
People need the Lord
 
It came resounding through my wakefulness this morning.
A three-year old boy is dead.
His mother killed him.
His siblings will now live without their brother and their mother.
A family too is bereaved with no answer or sensibility.
People need the Lord.
Anger, unbelief, sympathy, compassion, hurt flood the mental and emotional cavities of our being.  The huge ‘why’ surfaces to the top. 
Blame, contempt, damnation, and judgment seeps through our humanity.
People need the Lord.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him.
God bless the soul of the young child.
God bless the soul of the mother.
God bless the family.
God bless us all.
People need the Lord.

Thank You

24 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Five Minute Friday

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back and invite others to join in, http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/.
3. Visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on … THANK YOU

In this designated season of Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks, I have been participating in a challenge to post what I’m thankful for in my FB statuses each day.  It has been easy because I have so much to be thankful for.  God is so great in my life and He is the One I must give the ultimate THANK YOU each and every day of my life.

Particularly, for this post, I say Thank You for the unexpected ways and times God shows His love, times that take my breath away, that I have no words to adequately express my feelings.

Yesterday, while our family were all saying what we were thankful for, my oldest son said he was thankful for the Patriarch (his paternal grandfather) of our family and for the great legacy that has been exampled before him, his brother and sister and cousins and of the responsibility they have to uphold it for generations to come … that was a moment to remember, appreciate, praise God for and say, Thank You.

Today, when my granddaughter, Jordyn, climbed into my bed and gave me a kiss … that was a moment to say, Thank You.

This evening, when I logged into my blog and found a comment from a prolific blogger that I admire which read, “, I really appreciate you :)” … that was a moment to say, Thank You.

Whatever the language or culture, whatever age, class or gender, understanding the importance of saying, Thank You, to people who bless your life in ways great or small; to a God who is ever present, working on your behalf however bleak or bright your reality may be is a virtue that keeps on giving.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. ~ Pslam 69:30

After a while you learn… by Veronica A. Shoffstall (1971)

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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After a while you learn… by Veronica A. Shoffstall (1971).

Masquerades, Charades, and Facades

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Balance, Christian, faith, Fear, Fitness, Forgiveness, inner strength, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Masks, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Purpose, self confidence, Women

 An Event Blog
            I attended a women’s conference this weekend entitled, Surrendering the Mask, which evolved from a book of the same title.  Not having read the book, I only surmised what the theme of the conference would reveal.  I celebrate the young woman visionary, young women speakers and leaders of the conference on its inaugural occasion, they did an exceptional job.
            So the focus was that women wear many different masks for many different reasons.  Masquerades, charades, and facades that disguise and cover up, and I would venture to say sometimes protect.  They are things that we hide behind to keep from being seen by others or secret things that blind, bind and imprison us.  They are life events that have shaped how we look at ourselves: traps of guilt, shame, and failure.  Sometimes these things are imposed by others through violation and some are self-inflicted by poor, irrational or ill-advised choices.
            The dynamic conference speakers talked about masks of control, pain, lack of repentance and unforgiving, toxic thinking, obstructed vision, how masks affect our health and wellness.  One of the speaker’s comments even revealed how masks meant to disguise us from others, can boomerang and disguise us from ourselves. That was a ‘wow’ one for me.
“Masks will be broken not because we are going to break them, but by God’s orchestration.” ~ LSP
            So often God is working things out for and through us, but we manipulate and control situations so that His process is either prolonged or aborted over and over again.  We are guilty of not surrendering all to God, not yielding and trusting Him with the whole of us.  We say, non-verbally, through our behaviors and actions, God I trust you for this much, this far, but this I’m not so sure about.  Or we, of our self-preserving nature, are too afraid to trust Him with the totality of our lives.  So we find ourselves coming time and time again to the altar or threshold of deliverance, only to walk away unfulfilled, undelivered, unhealed.  We must endure the process, even when it is scary, even when we cannot see through the darkness or the murky drowning waters.  Because when we release control, when we take hold of the Shepherd’s hook He extends, when we walk through that portal, open our eyes and hearts, we will find He is there to rescue us.
            One speaker spoke about the mask of pain.  How we must exercise faith to confront the thing we are hiding from. Faith is operative, you have to be willing to defy yourself and other people, risk judgment, reputation, and criticism. The woman at the well, she took a risk.  The woman with the issue of blood, she took a risk. The Shunamite woman, the woman with the alabaster box, they too took risks for what they needed.  How desperate are you to be delivered, uncovered, to emerge from hiding? The speaker spoke of how pain isolates us, but God calls us to Him.  He said in His Word, come unto me, and cast your cares upon me, He’s always reaching out to rescue us.
            Lack of repentance and unforgiving hearts are reasons we wear masks. Like David, we have to confess with a spirit of humility and honesty seeking the face and mercy of God.  Many times, we are guilty of clearly knowing what we need to confess, but we won’t utter it.  Spiritual healing and deliverance comes from an audible utterance to God, an acknowledgement and confession of what we need from Him.  My God, how cleansing it is to speak the thing that you are too afraid to utter!  When you do, you severe the bands of the adversary to use that thing against you, you become free to receive God’s deliverance.  I know, because I did it.  When we give those things to God, we become ‘loosed of infirmities’ that cripple us and have us ‘bent over’ spiritually.  We become free of soul ties, emotional connections, slavery and imprisonment.  We have to give it all to God so He can rescue us.
An appropriate segue was a song verse …
Create in me a clean heart, purify me, purify me
Create in me a clean heart so I can worship you
            Additional highlights for me included … All the masks of emotions that we wear cause our physical bodies to suffer and become impaired with fatigue, obesity, and chronic illnesses.  We already know our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, vessels unto God.  He created these temporal houses and gave us stewardship over them.  Emotional eating is a mask.  Imbalances; lack of discipline and will power; crutches and excuses; seeking comfort for some hidden craziness, some self-satisfaction that does not satisfy.  These are reasons for the mask.  Fitness instructors and experts chime all the time about the importance of having a healthy relationship with food, not living to eat, but eating to live.  In print media, speaker forums, talk show television, we are constantly infiltrated with health and wellness, fitness, and a myriad of ways to get fit, stay fit.  If you, like me, fight this battle every single day, you know we need God to rescue us.
            A few more notable nuggets …(1) satan plants seeds of deception in our minds and thought processes, we must not water, nurture nor believe or accept them.  We must be careful what we invest our thoughts in.  We must take authority over our thoughts.  We must be careful to daily renew our thoughts and consciously remember what God says about us and His ability to rescue us. (2) People seem to always be searching, asking about, seeking to know their purpose and it was clearly demonstrated by one of the speakers that purpose is always right in front of you, it is your essence, but often it is obstructed from view by emotional masks, masks of self-doubt, people pleasing, comparisons, fear of failure and fear of judgment, paradigms, and social and religious constructs.  We need the fortitude and attitude to knock down all those obstructions, to clearly see and embrace our purpose in life
            Finally, I wrote above about one of the speaker’s comments that revealed how masks meant to disguise us from others, can boomerang and disguise us from ourselves. She stated that so many masks of trauma had silenced her voice to the point that she didn’t even recognize her own voice.  That was a ‘wow’ one for me.  I’m always championing for people, especially women and young people to find and use their voice.  Why?  Because I know why the caged bird sings or the masked woman is screaming in silence.  Because she feels inferior, that no one cares to hear her; that her voice doesn’t matter, that she doesn’t matter.  She feels so misunderstood that she masks her voice and her words from being misjudged, picked apart, and trampled underfoot.  I submit, as I wrote in a recent blog post, use your voice even if it quivers and trembles as long as it is seasoned with love and grace.
            One other really poignant thought that was expressed, came from the Worship Leader who stated, ‘Some of us are wearing not only face masks, but masks here, here, here, and here which she demonstrated by pointing to all the parts of her body.  That was another ‘wow’ for me.  When I heard that, I thought, body masks!  But I didn’t get stuck there. I thought we have to exchange these masks for crowns.  Surrendering these masks is a process.  As much as we perform symbolic exercises every time we attend these types of conferences and meetings, often it is a process.  While God does work miraculously and He can do a thing suddenly, often it is a process.  A process that begins with the release of control, the application of faith, an uttered confession to God, true repentance and forgiveness, an insatiable hunger for change, using my voice to speak to myself healthy, positive affirmations, taking authority over my thought processes, and destroying every imagination that obstructs my purpose.
            Lastly, I want to share my God-moment.  The Worship Leader came forth and I felt she began her expressions from a position of assignment.  But as she continued, I felt God transform it from an assignment to a connection with the women in the room.  Then we began to sing, I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship You, oh my soul rejoice; take joy my King in what you hear and let it be a sweet, sweet, sound in Your ear. We exalt Thee, we exalt Thee, we exalt Thee oh Lord.  In that moment, that worship, I was lost in His presence, bowed down in reverence, assured and empowered.  She directed us to say out loud what we came for and I said, “God, I came for YOU”.  Then we were released to minister to others that tonight they would receive what they came to receive.  For me, that was a God-moment of worship, surrender, and blessing to others.
            God does not want us to wear disguises. So we can end the masquerades, charades and facades. 
            He wants us to live the abundant life that He gave His life for us to live.
            So take courage, remove the mask(s), and put on your crown.  *Q
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” ~ Galatians 5:1

The Good, Bad, AND Ugly!

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

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Seize the day of empowerment!

It was my privilege to attend the Women of Color Foundation~10th Anniversary “Women In Leadership” Conference.  This phenomenal empowerment initiative is the brainchild and passion of Alexandria Johnson Boone.  Learn more about WOCF and its Founder/Executive Producer at http://new.womenofcolorfoundation.com.

I was excited to learn that the Conference was being held at my alma mater, Cleveland State University, in its new Student Center Ballroom where the view of the cityscape reminds you of CSU’s commitment and connection to the Cleveland community. 

Upon arrival, the Registration and Vendor space was already abuzz with ladies signing in and checking out books by Black women authors and other vendor offerings.  I was signed in and welcomed by a very cordial staff, received my Program and choice of Conference bag provided by some of Cleveland’s most recognized event sponsors.

The announcement was made that we would begin shortly and everyone should take a seat in the Ballroom.  Having been taught by my mentor that “Leaders always go up front”, I took a seat at the table right in front of the podium, checking to be sure it was not a reserved table.  There was one gentleman seated at the table and it turns out that I extended my hand to shake the hand of University President, Dr. Ronald Berkman.  Well what a way to start the day.  President Berkman extended the welcome for the Conference.  In his remarks, Dr. Berkman shared two important elements of leadership, (1) the ability to think creatively; and (2) the ability to implement ideas at a number of stages, and to carry them through from start to finish.  He referenced and recommended a book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain, http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com.  He shared that the book is about extroverted and introverted leadership and realizing ‘leadership is not all one flavor’.

Following the Welcome, a ‘spark’ was introduced.  She is a CSU Graduate Assistant who came from West African to attend school in Cleveland (I’d like to hear the story behind that decision) and ultimately became a U.S. citizen.  She spoke beautifully, her accent still very present, and with a self-assurance that was engaging and uplifting.  She spoke about her academic journey at CSU and all the people who ‘mentored’ and ‘championed’ her along the way.  One of those persons was now sitting next to me so I introduced myself.  The powerful thing that this young woman shared (at least for me) was “A lot of people speak life into me.” Oh my goodness, that shakes my core even as I reflect and write those words.  She gave distinct instances when someone called her ‘Administrator’, ‘Success’, and while introducing her Dr. Charleyse Pratt called her a future ‘President’.  She said, “You start to become what people speak into you.” Lastly she shared, “Leaders pay it forward”.  I updated my FB status right then, “I already feel empowered and we’re just at the Welcome.”

What are you speaking into others? Who and what are you allowing to speak into you?

We then moved into the Lecture Room for the Conference Presentation.  The Presenter was Dr. Ella L.J. Edmondson Bell, Associate Professor at Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.  Her academic and career path includes Case Western Reserve, Yale and Darmouth.  She is the author of “Career GPS”, http://www.careergpsthebook.com.

Dr. Bell’s topic was ‘Authenticity’.  She’s a pint-size powerkeg, not tall in stature but has this great height of scholarly and experiential learning.  She shared, “Leadership is needed no matter who or where you are.”  There are different kinds of leaders and leadership styles … she said, “We often don’t see images of ourselves as leaders” because we have this concept of what leaders look like that may not include the perception we have of ourselves.

Highlights for me included: Seize opportunities. You are a blank screen, paint what you want on it … your true authentic self. Avoid self-destruction. Help and support each other … You see me. Help me! Don’t be so self-consumed; divided from your sister. Performance alone will not advance you, relationship is also important. (Yes you did all the work, but what relationships did you build?) You are your best tool as a leader, you’re your best asset.

Then we did an exercise where we had to list our Good, Bad, and Ugly. Yes, self-evaluation … not comfortable with that. But she said number them, write them, then share them with the people in your row.  Our good is always recognized, celebrated and reinforced. We must use it to grow.  In sharing those ‘good’ virtues, we were energized. She encourged: keep the list, grow the list, review it often. Then we wrote the ‘bad’, all that energized chatter turned to engaged thought about what we were writing on those lists.  In sharing those lists, we found that we shared a lot of the same ‘bad’ … how people perceive us and what we know to be true ourselves. Finally, the ‘ugly’.  No one wants to look at that, right? She exclaimed, ‘we must’.  She said, you have to learn to dance with your ugly. ‘Ugly’ is not your identity.  She referenced that Bishop T. D. Jakes asked, “What comes out of the chaos of your life?” Out of the ‘ugly’, the dark, distorted, destructive, hidden, wounded, insecure comfort zones.  The best of us (charistmatic, celebrated leaders) have those places of ‘ugly’ (I recalled that from my Gender and Leadership class).  Some childhood trauma, family dysfunction, identity crises, social, class, ethnic inqeuity, rejection, abandonment … it is from these places, often in our youth, that the ‘ugly’ starts to form.  BUT! It is the ‘ugly’ that gives us muscle, determination and inner strength throughout our lives, it all makes up who we are, our authentic selves.  It is a triangulation, Dr. Bell said, the good, bad, and ugly, all points from which our gifts and blessings proceed. The book she referenced in her presentation, “Leadership & Self-Deception (Getting Out of the Box)” by The Arbinger Institute, http://www.arbinger.com)

What is your good, bad, ugly? Write it? Grow the good, embrace the other and work through it, use it for the development of your most authentic self.

Next, was the Awards Luncheon celebrating and honoring the achievements of three professional women. This year’s honorees included a NASA Aerospace Engineer, the first African American and woman Pastor of an historic congregation, and a leader in the local social sector.  African American women of influence, stature, and success breaking barriers, creating pathways and opening doors. At the end of the Luncheon, all the attendees recited to a partner the WOCF Covenant:

(in part) “I regard myself and you, as being created in the image of God. I see your beauty. I sense your power. I celebrate your potential. I support your prerogative to sing your own song. I share your pursuit of a high quality of life. … In you I see God and in God I see you. You are my friend and I love you.” Powerful!

The Conference continued with two panel presentations in the afternoon. The first panel presented on organizational Mentoring (of relationship and sponsorship) and Championing (of positional power) for others. What leadership competencies would be important for sponsorship? Cases of inequity; someone who demonstrates curiosity, is transparent, builds relationship; someone who demonstrates greatness, is available, connects with people, persons who SHINE in their career pursuits. Highlights: “Learn from every opportunity whether you fail or succeed.” “Keep your antennas up, be true to your convictions, but also open to opportunities.” [In the absence of any external champion] “Recognize your internal champion.”

 The second panel presented on having what it takes to make the grade from the classroom to the boardroom.  Panelists shared that it takes passion (the prevailing characteristic); in some situations, it takes a calling; purpose, perseverance, not only academic, but emotional readiness, and understanding power and the ‘rules of the game’ (which can change midstream, without your knowledge), and it also takes the ability to apply wisdom; self-reliance, “It is up to me”; create your own path, write your own story.  How do you recognize your own passion? It is what you’re good at, what you enjoy, what you live and breathe.  Closing tips: Define things for yourself; set goals; receive advice, but listen to our heart; follow your passion; realize you’re not alone; don’t sell yourself short, know your value; speak to, encouarge and empower yourself. Learn some skills (how to run a meeting); don’t be perfect; speak with authority/boldness, don’t apologize so much; have a short memory, don’t hold grudges; Have FUN!
 
I’ve shared my takeaways from the WOCF Conference because when you experience something great, you want others to experience it too.  So I pray my nuggets will give you a sense of being there.

Recommended books:

What will the WOCF be doing in the future? Whatever the platform, I’m sure it will be empowering!

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