Fw:Stop Faking It: How To Be Honest About Your Needs In & Outside The Bedroom

I really enjoyed this Stop Faking It: How To Be Honest About Your Needs In & Outside The Bedroom joannawillis |    Often times as women and wives, we try our best to please everyone around us (our husbands, children, friends, family, boss) and we continue to put our own needs on the shelf, this is a big mistake. As wives, it's important that we communicate our needs to our husbands and teach them to satisfy us and meet our needs in and outside of the bedroom.   4 Tips On How To Communicate Your Needs To Your Spouse Tags: Christian, communication, how not to be a nag, how to explore your needs with your spouse, how to get your sexual needs met, husband, intimacy, marriage, Sex, Wife | Categories: Communication, marriage | READ MORE URL: http://wp.me/pPIAt-oI

Mondy Morning Motivation - "Shed The Skin You're In"

Monday Morning Motivation Monday Morning Motivation September 27, 2010 In This Issue Happy Birthday "Swag"! Shed The Skin You're In Radio Show TONIGHT! Kick Boxing Canceled Art In Color Grand Opening! Happy Birthday "Swag"! This past Saturday was the one year anniversary of the release of Swag!  Click on the book cover to order your autographed copy so that you can read it in time to be ready for the release of the next installment...."Intrigue."   Shed The Skin You're In Every now and then there comes a time where we need to leave old things behind.   Comfort makes it so that we don't want to let go, but sometimes letting go is necessary in order for us to grow.  Think about that pair of jeans that you love.   It may be too big, it may be too small, it may be worn and tattered...either way it's beyond time to get a new pair.  We hold on to it because it's what we know and it fits us, or at least used to fit us just the way we like it. Jeans that are too tight sometimes even stretch with us as we grow because we wear them so much.  We think that new jeans just wouldn't be the same.  Then one day, you're out in public and the button pops off, or the zipper breaks, or the crotch or inseam rips.  We wait until some major upheaval occurs before we finally give in and say, it's time for a new pair. This is much like our lives.  Many times we stay in a situation because it's comfortable, it's what we know, and it seems safe.  But the truth is, if we stay in that same place...how will we ever grow?  It makes me think about snakes.  According to wisegeek.com, "Snakes shed their skin to allow for growth, as well as to remove parasites along with their old skin."   Think about that for a moment. If we are trying to symbolically stay in our old skin, it binds us so that we cannot grow.  Our old skin has also accumulated parasites and other harmful things which we need to rid our system of.  Those parasites could represent things like bad habits or behaviors that we need to turn away from. Once a snake goes through the shedding process, its old worn scales are replaced with new healthy skin.  This can occur anywhere from every few weeks to once a year.  When you think of the skin that you need to shed, it can range from simple to complex.  It may mean donating all of the old clothes that you no longer wear and replacing them with new clothes. Or it may mean walking away from a very comfortable yet stagnant or difficult situation. In order to successfully shed the skin you're in, it's important to be honest with yourself.  We often make excuses and try to convince ourselves that we are just fine where we are, but if we look at the situation truthfully and honestly we will find that we may in fact be hanging on to layers upon layers of old skin.  We also tend to wait for something to happen (Like the jeans ripping that I mentioned earlier) to give us that push or that reason.  We don't need an excuse to grow. The fact that it's just due time should be reason enough.    Once the old skin has been shed...leave it behind.  When snakes leave their skin behind, it is still intact, but you don't see them turning back to try to squeeze back into their old set of scales, do you?  They move on and continue going through life with the new healthy skin. When was the last time you shed the skin you were in?  This week, I encourage you to take a good hard look at yourself and determine if there are some layers that need to be shed. Marketing and Motivation Mondays Radio Show TONIGHT at 8pm EST! Join Author and Motivational Speaker Monica Marie Jones as she shares Book and Business Marketing tips on a budget and Motivation to keep you striving toward your goals! This week's show topic is, "How to Effectively Use Twitter." Our featured guest will be Kalita Farver, owner of Art In Color. This is a show that you do not want to miss.  Listen or chat live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/michiganliterarynetwork or call (646) 915-9177     Cardio Kickboxing Canceled :( I'm so sad to say that the fall session of Cardio Kickboxing has been canceled due to my extensive travel schedule and other circumstances beyond my control.  The good news is that I am still available to come out and do fitness classes and workshops with your school, church or organization.  All you need is a minimum of 10 people committed to participating in order to get the discounted rate of $5 per person.  Email me at monica@monicamariejones.com to schedule a class.   Art In Color Grand Opening Celebration! Join me as I celebrate with my best friend, Kalita Farver, for the exciting Grand Opening of her new business, Art In Color! Art in Color's mission is to provide positive images of multi-cultural art, home décor and collectibles to multi-cultural people at reasonable prices. The event will take place at Tangent Gallery which is located on East Milwaukee near Woodward and West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, MI. I will be the featured author for this awesome event and the featured artist will be Detroit's own amazingly talented, Jason Phillips. I hope to see you there! Art In Color Grand Opening Celebration! Saturday October 2, 2010 12pm to 5pm Tangent Gallery 715 E. Milwaukee Detroit, MI www.myartincolor.com   Contact Info Monica Marie Jones PO Box 441134 Detroit, MI 48244 www.monicamariejones.com monica@monicamariejones.com

Monday Morning Motivation - "Take Your Medicine"

Monday Morning Motivation "Take Your Medicine" Greetings! Last week I made a spur of the moment decision to attend a literary conference in Kansas City, Missouri.  I immediately paid for the conference and my hotel room in advance to make sure that I didn't change my mind.  After researching the price of flights I'd decided that I'd rent a car and drive the thirteen plus hours all on my own.  On the day of the trip, I realized that based on how busy my week leading up to the trip was and how demanding my week after the trip would be, that I'd gotten myself into a pretty ambitious undertaking. I must admit that as the trip neared, worry and anxiety began to set in as I faced the reality of finances, time and the fact that I was tired and trying to beat a cold.  As much as I am a cheerleader for faith, I began to waver and I wasn't quite sure how I would pull this trip off if I could make it happen at all.  All the while I prayed and in response I simply heard, "Trust Me." A concerned friend began to go back and forth with me about how it wasn't safe for me to drive that long distance alone.  So after arguing that I was a trooper because I had driven that distance and longer on my own several times, I decided to at least check to see if there were any good deals on last minute flights.  As I looked over all of the outrageous prices, it occurred to me to check on the status of my frequent flyer miles to see if I was eligible for a reward flight.  A reward flight to Kansas City would cost me 25, 000 frequent flyer miles.  I had 25, 009.  On the day that I was schedule to hit the road, I was able to book a FREE, non-stop, round trip flight that was only two hours in duration as opposed to the thirteen plus hours that I would have had to drive one way. It was clear to me that this leap of faith was one that I was meant to take. This particular conference was filled with some of my favorite authors.  These were famous authors that I'd grown up reading, authors that have made the New York Times and Essence Bestsellers list on multiple occasions.  I whisked in and greeted them all personally as if they had been family that I hadn't seen in a while and they embraced me equally so.  Well into the long Saturday full of workshops, panels and intense conversations, I realized that I was so engaged, that not a single worry had crossed my mind.  I was so into what I was doing that the things that usually occupy my thoughts such as finances, relationships, responsibilities, and concern for family had not even attempted to enter my mind.  It was at that very moment that I came to understand a simple truth that can help and heal us all of the toxic feelings of worry, fear and anxiety. Being immersed in what you love makes you forget about the things that aren't right in your life.  It erases your worries and allows you, if only for a moment...to be free.  It's like the serum to personal freedom.  It is a feeling like no other...one that we should be intentional about making happen in our lives on a regular basis. The remedy is simple.  Identify It Identify the thing or things that you truly love and are passionate about. Create It Create regular experiences or opportunities for yourself where you are immersed in that thing that you love. Capture It Savor the experience while you are in it, and capture it so that you can revisit it if you need to.  This can be done through taking notes, journaling, taking pictures or reflecting on the experience afterward. ~ This week I challenge you to set aside some time to immerse yourself in that hobby, that project, that class....Take that trip...Spend time with that person...Whatever it is for you, make it happen, if only for a moment, and watch how you will be almost instantly alleviated of the day to day woes that often plague your heart and your mind. Worry, fear and anxiety are the illness.  The antidote is immersing yourself in what you love.  Get health. Get happy. Get whole. Swag by Monica Marie Jones Happy Anniversary Swag! September 25, 2010 is the one year anniversary of the release of my latest novel, "Swag."  On this day you can look forward to special deals, sales and the unveiling of the cover and synopsis of my upcoming novel and the next installment in this series called, "Intrigue."   Thank you for your constant support and if you like what you read, please tell five friends. Click on the cover of Swag to order an autographed copy today. I appreciate you!   Most Sincerely,   Monica Marie Jones The Literary Loft www.monicamariejones.com

THEATER EVENT: "Cheaper To Keep Her" starring Vivica A. Fox, Brian McKnight, coming to Music Hall

www.IMREADYPRODUCTIONS.com Presents... Je'Caryous Johnson's Cheaper To Keep Her "He had it all...Until she took everything!" "Romantic Comedy Stage Play" October 12-17, 2010 @ The Music Hall Starring: ~ Vivica A. Fox ~ Brian McKnight ~ "Comedian" Jonathan Slocumb ~ ~ Christian Keyes ~ Gary "G Thang" Johnson ~ From: "NAACP Award Winning Playwright" Je'Caryous Johnson Click here to GET YOUR TICKETS at Ticketmaster.com NOW! Tickets on sale at Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com Or Call Ticketmaster [800.745.3000] For information on events call 313.887.8500     To promote your own event or ministry to over 20,000 metro-Detroit Gospel music fans, please contact DetroitGospel.com's Sales Department at 313.833.3555 or email keith@detroitgospel.com

THEATER: Cheaper To Keep Her - Arriving in Detroit, October 12-17

Free Is My Life: Why I'm feeling S.A.F.E. and how you can too!

Why I'm feeling S.A.F.E. and how you can too!
check out jackie's blog at: www.freeismylife.com 

Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE)

On July 30th, I had the pleasure of attending a very moving event at the Detroit Historical Museum.  It was the 4th annual Appreciation Event for Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE). SAFE assists survivors of domestic violence with financial self-sufficiency.

Now I know the subject of domestic violence is not one that most folks want to talk about or even acknowledge happens, but it happens everyday and with the bad economy in our city, the number of domestic violence cases is increasing.  Can you imagine leaving your marriage or relationship on violent terms and not only is your physical body bruised, but also your financial life totally in shambles? Most people stay in an bad relationship for economic reasons. Everyone needs money - that is why most of you read this blog. SAFE is there to help women in metro Detroit gain the skills to earn a decent living and regain their lives by providing help with career mapping, resume writing, interviewing, employment rights, financial literacy, and entrepreneur skills.

Kalyn Risker

Meet Kalyn Risker
So amongst the backdrop of our Historical Museum, I got a little education on the history of SAFE and why it exists from the founder, Kalyn Risker.  Even though I have known Kalyn for almost a year, this was the first time I had met her in person. I was introduced to Kalyn on Twitter and she is one of my blog's kindest supporters. Always positive, always kind, her tweets are indicative of someone with a humble and warm spirit - and definitively not someone that was almost killed as a result of domestic violence. She is at a point in her life where she can tell her story without emotion or bitterness because her past has now helped to position her as the head of a powerful non-profit.  Kalyn  is now in a position to help women in the same situation that she was once a part and in October of 2009, Kalyn testified before congress in Washington DC on the plight of domestic violence in this country.

Kalyn and her daughters

It's a Family Affair
Not only did I get to meet Kalyn in person, but also her mother, sister and two daughters.  SAFE is run by Kalyn, her family and a host of volunteers.  This is definitely a family affair of women helping women.  I met a proud mother who is in awe of the unselfish work her daughter was chosen to undertake, a sister who it using her professional photography talents to document the amazing work of SAFE and two young daughters who will definitely grow up with a unique and real prospective on the importance of surviving and thriving.

Women Helping Women
The SAFE appreciation program showcased local metro Detroit women of distinction.  Tracey McCakill from Mix 92.3 radio fame was the MC for the evening.  Tracey really did not have to introduce herself because her distinctive voice and playful personally is one-of-a-kind.  The audience was full of some of the female movers and shakers of Detroit including financial guru Gail Perry-Mason.  The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Judge Linda Parker, from the Wayne County Circuit Court. In her speech, Judge Parker gave some sobering statics.

- Domestic abuse is three times more likely to occur when a family is under financial stress
- Domestic abuse is three times more likely to occur if a partner has been unemployed 2 or more times
- Every 9 seconds a woman is abused or beaten by her partner

Judge Parker remarked that she is making a commitment to get more involved with community issues like these and urged everyone to volunteer with organizations like SAFE.

A Call to Action

On Saturday, October 23, 2010, SAFE will hold a FREE Health & Wealth Expo at the Northwest Activities Center at 18100 Meyers Road in Detroit.  There will be FREE information and resources on healthy living on a budget, stress reduction, job seeking tips and personal finance.  This event includes lunch, giveaways, and sample packs from various vendors.  The event is totally  FREE and open to the public. Come on out an meet Kalyn and find out what SAFE is all about. 

If you are with a corporation that can provide grants and sponsorships to SAFE go to http://www.safehealthwealth.com/for more information.

 

check out jackie's blog at: www.freeismylife.com

Monday Morning Motivation - "Experience Life!" by Monica Marie Jones

Greetings! Monday Morning Motivation "Experience Life!' I think while I sleep.  My mind continues to work long after I am deep within slumber's grasp.  This is why I sleep with two journals and my laptop in the bed next to me and a pen on the night stand. This quote woke me up out of my sleep on Sunday morning...   "Live to experience, not to avoid...but do so in such a way that the mirror is your friend and not your foe."    We spend a lot of time in life suspended in a state of avoidance.  We live to avoid what is often inevitable instead of savoring moments, engaging in experiences, appreciating the arts, enjoying relationships and celebrating life. In trying to avoid things, most of which are beyond our control, we expend the majority of our energy, which is a precious resource that is only borrowed and at some point must be given back. We don't let people get close to us, especially the ones that we might really care about or potentially fall in love with, to avoid being hurt. We don't take on or tackle the careers or the professional goals that we have in order to avoid failure. We don't ask for what or who we want to avoid being rejected. Essentially we torture ourselves by constantly operating in avoidance mode as opposed to being present and in the moment...Instead of fully experiencing life right now.  Now when I say Experience Life, I don't mean going straight buck wild.  We have to be able to live with our choices and decisions.  A guest pastor that spoke at church said, "We go to bed with one of two things, results or regrets." Which one sounds like the better bed mate? In experiencing life we have to be able to look ourselves in the mirror, hence the second part of my quote above. This past weekend I made the conscious decision (and a pact with a friend) to begin to experience life to the fullest.  There is so much out here to love, but we often don't even realize it because of our tendency to focus on the negative.  The very thing that we are trying so hard to avoid may be the very thing that is the key to our breakthrough.  I often tell the participants that come to the trainings that I facilitate to, "Trust the process."  We get so wrapped up in the outcomes that we miss the best parts of life...the process...the experience.  As we approach this new season I challenge you let go of your need to control everything in order to avoid what you don't want to happen.  I challenge you to focus on the experience of life.   Sincerely, Monica Marie Jones The Literary Loft www.monicamariejones.com Live. Laugh. Love! JOIN OUR MAILING LIST P.O Box 441134 Detroit, Michigan 48244 SWAG by Monica Marie Jones   Kindle Edition List Price: $5.00 SALE Price: $3.89 Buy Now Download the Swag eBook to your Kindle, Blackberry, iPhone, PC, or iPod Touch right now for ONLY $3.89! Taste My Soul by Monica Marie Jones Kindle Edition List Price: $2.50 Buy Now Download to all of your electronic devices including your Smart Phones Instantly! FLOSS by Monica Marie Jones Kindle Edition List Price: $5.00 Buy Now Go Green! Buy an eBook today!