Sweet N Social

Tag: share your voice

  • The World is Waiting: How to Build Self Confidence to Be Seen

    The World is Waiting: How to Build Self Confidence to Be Seen

    “You can keep as quiet as you like, but one of these days somebody is going to find you.” ― Haruki Murakami

    Quora Question: What are you hiding from the world?

    I am a planner person. I love the washi tape and stickers and all that crafty, creativity stuff!  I used to run an Esty shop and sell my items at craft shows, so when I sit down to work on my planner, I usually have it all laid out on the living room floor. Recently, when I had all my crafting stuff out to update my planner and my husband was upstairs, I could hear him getting ready to come downstairs and my first reaction was to gather up all my things.  As I started to, the first thought that popped in my head was “stop hiding.”

    Ask yourself… what are you hiding from the world?

    I can’t speak for others, but as a child of an alcoholic parent and a young girl who grew up in an area where there weren’t many others who looked like me, you try not to bring attention to yourself. It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I realized my opinions and feelings mattered.  I didn’t learn anything about self-care until I was in my forties.  That’s a long time to stay in a hiding place. 

    As I continue to come out of my hiding space, I am learning more about who I am and what I want, and I encourage you to come out of your hiding place too!

    Our “wounds have wisdom” as Oprah Winfrey often says.  What I am learning along this journey is our experiences can be lessons for us and blessing for others. Here are some practices that have helped me thus far:

    1. Meditation.  I sign up for the free meditation programs that Deepak Chopra offers. You can also search YouTube for guided meditation practices if this of interest to you. I like the guided meditations in the beginning because they helped me stay focused.
    2. Reading.  Anything you are interested in learning is available in a book, an eBook, or an audiobook.  Reading helped me to realize, I am not alone.  Many of the personal struggles we are dealing with, have been encountered by others who chose to share how they overcame and can be a source of inspiration for you.
    3. Walking or Exercise. Getting up and moving is a great way to shift your energy.  I say it helps to get the “gunk” out of our system.  It’s like taking your car our on the highway and opening it up.
    4. Join a group.  There are several great groups that you can connect with in-person as well and virtually.  
    5. Journal.  I started journaling years ago, but I never stayed consistent.  What I found that can help is keeping the journal in my sights. If I see it, I am reminded to pick it up and write.
    6. Blog.  Share your story with others.  You may hold the key to unlocking someone else’s breakthrough.
    7. Have Grace with Yourself.  Your life is a marathon not a sprint. Take time to sit and get to know who you are.  You are worth it!

    Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/hiding

    Thank you for taking time out to read this post. I would love to learn more about who you are and what you do. Feel free to connect with me through a Meetup group.

    1. Confident Strides Women’s Empowerment Network https://bit.ly/CSWENMeetup
    2. Confident Strides Personal Development Network Group https://bit.ly/CSPDNMeetup
    3. Confident Strides Women’s Professional Network https://bit.ly/CSWPNMeetup
    4. Confident Strides Entrepreneurs Network https://bit.ly/CSENMeetup

    To connect with me: https:///confidentstrides

  • Simply Ask: Your Chances of a Yes Increase by Fifty Percent

    “Always ask yourself: “What will happen if I say nothing?”  ― Kamand Kojouri

    I’m learning that the most powerful thing I can do is to simply ask. Here are three lessons I have learned over time.

    Lesson One: Asking for help or asking for the opinion of others, doesn’t diminish who you are.

    In the past, I have been so afraid to ask people for help or even to simply ask for their opinion. I still struggle at times but I think the older I get and the more I realize I have a purpose here on this Earth, if I don’t ask I am missing out on a golden opportunity to grow and connect with someone else. I have learned over the past few years, the more comfortable I am in knowing who I am, the less threatened I feel by someone else’s opinion.

    One way I got more comfortable with other people’s opinion was during the time I was meeting with another person of faith. Our opinions were different but I focused on what we had in common. We would sit for hours discussing our views on faith. It was during this time, realized, I was comfortable with my views and at the same time could honor they other person’s view without feeling diminished. Eventually we parted ways but our friendship remains.

    Lesson Two: By not asking, we automatically assume the answer is no.

    My youngest daughter was one of the biggest offenders of this mental assumption as she was growing up. She was always getting herself in trouble because she was so sneaky. She would try and sneak cookies and snacks. She would take things from her sister without asking all of the time. It was so darn frustrating because we told her all of the time, “all you have to do is ask.” Asking didn’t mean she would always get what she wanted but it gave the person she was asking the opportunity to either say yes or no. I am now seeing this with my granddaughter.

    Lesson Three: We allow people the opportunity to participate in our lives.

    There are always two people in an equation. Allowing the person the opportunity to participate can be a gift if you allow it to be. Just think about how you feel when someone asks you for your opinion, or ask for your assistance on a project. (We’re talking about healthy boundaries and not people pleasing at this moment which is a whole other subject.)

    Here are a few of my takeaways:

    1. Ask yourself, “what’s the worst that can happen?” If you choose not to ask, you are already assuming the answer is no.
    2. Consider how the other person might feel. Allow them the opportunity to participate.
    3. Seek help and guidance from others. There is someone who has been through the same stuff.
    4. Remember, you are awesome. So give yourself some Grace!!

    I am not trying to pretend that asking is always easy, but it can get easier when you you take small steps. I had to hire a sales coach to help with asking for things regarding my business. I had to talk with a relationships person when I struggle with personal issues. When I need help and I am learning to ask and so can you.

    We are building an empowerment and leadership network via Meetup if you are looking for a group to connect with.

    Quote Source: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/ask

  • Time To Let Go

    Time To Let Go

    My husband and I, went to  watch my son swear in to the Army this morning. We were planning to stay with him until he flew out to his training facility.

    There were many young people shipping out today.  The Military Processing Facility was packed with family and friends to see them off.  As the recruits names were called, they would be ushered into a room for the official swearing ceremony that enlisted them into their designated branch of service. There were so many recruits they had three swearing in ceremonies.  My son was in the last group to be sworn in.  As the room started to clear out, the recruits remained. Many family members were leaving. I just watched them interacting with each other. No one looked too nervous.  Many of the conversations I overheard were about how anxious they were to get to started at training.

    At that moment, before the swearing in ceremony, I told my husband that we could head on home after the ceremony.  There was no need for us to stay.  I realized that my son was no longer my little baby who needed his mom to walk him through this process. He was a young man starting a new chapter in HIS journey.  My husband smiled at me and said, “he’s going to be fine, it’s time to let him go.”

  • Warning Signals

    Warning Signals

    warning-lights4I am an avid walker but I have learned to pay attention to my body’s warning indicator signals like sore knees or pinched nerves. As much as I don’t like to stop walking, I know it’s my body’s way of letting me know I need to slow down. This is the only body I have, and as with anything, to keep it working and functioning the way it needs to, it requires self-care. Take time to relax, renew and refresh yourself, you are worth it.

    Photo credit: click here.

  • Staying the Course

    Staying the Course

    Run to successEveryone is a critic. We choose what we like and what we don’t like every moment of each day.
     
    I just recently started posting short video messages on my Instagram and I received a few lukewarm responses to it. At first I was a little disappointed and pondered the idea of maybe not posting any more but then I thought, everyone has the right to express their opinion including me. If I stop now because of a few opinions of others I am basically saying I value their opinion over mine. Learning how to handle criticism is a part of the journey and I will not turn back now. I will and I hope you also stay the course.
    Photo credit: click here.
  • Let Your Voice Be Heard

    Let Your Voice Be Heard

    istock_000016653766small1Everyone has a story to share. I did not learn this valuable lesson until I joined Toastmasters. It takes courage to share but you never know who might need to hear your story or who you might inspire along the way. In the great words of Les Brown, “You have greatness in you.”

    Photo credit:click here.