Category: encouragement

Dreams Delayed: While We’re Affirming Our Men and Kids, Whose Affirming Us

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Beyonce and Oprah aren’t the only women in the world with big dreams and big talent.


You have something special too.


I recently read an article that Tisha Campbell-Martin and Duane Martin agreed to put their own needs first in their marriage. They believe that if our individual goals are priority we’ll be more fulfilled in family life.


That’s brilliant. Imagine how your life could change if you poured 15% of the energy you invest into your kids into yourself. 

#MommyMagic would shine bright like diamond.


No matter where you’re beginnings, your goals can be achieved with little focus and a lot of work. Building anything takes a lot of time to find the right combination of time, resources and opportunity.


It can be done. It has been done.


How do we keep ourselves amped about our goals? Getting kids dresses for school, making breakfast, going to work to do the same job, the same way starts to kill your creativity.


( Lord knows I know)


Add some umph to your routine with personal pep talks. It’s perfectly normal for you to boost your confidence by projecting your future career, scholastic and business plans to the world.


As women, we spend so much time affirming our men, kids, friends, even celebrities. It’s time for us to affirm ourselves by valuing our talents, goals and plans.


Don’t be arrogant, but having a positive outlook on your future will inspire those around you.

3 Things you can do to move forward on your plans


  • Start on your business plan, even if you have no money.
  • Put a picture of your dream house on your wall, even if you stay in a shelter.
  • List the characteristics of your dream job, even if you’re a freshman in high school.


It’s never too early to start planning for your future wins.


Keep pushing and believing in your dreams but remember without hard, smart work there will be no reward.

Be Brave, Not Perfect

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To my lovely ladies – I know it’s tough out here figuring out what our place is in this world. We spend our lives trying to be the perfect worker, partner, daughter, friend, mother and so on. 

It’s not an easy task to be everything to everybody, but truth is we must be everything to ourselves first. If we give everything to others what’s left for us?

We must tell ourselves we are beautiful No matter how “BAD” the chick is standing next to us. 

We must encourage ourselves when those we love most have no positive words for us. 

We must cheer for our accomplishments and we must pray for ourselves. 

We MUST love ourselves for every flaw and mistake. 

Rest assured that you do have a purpose. God invested a lot of time into making you an INDIVIDUAL!!! 

You were not meant to look and behave like other women. Don’t ever feel bad for being different. No you may not get all the attention from men when you go out but is that the attention you really want?

Those who are meant to be in your life will be in your life because of the amazing person you are, not because of what you look like.

Sorry for the long post but I see so many young women speaking the same, looking the same and acting the same. “BE YOUR OWN WOMAN.”

Giving Up Isn’t an Option

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Happy Thursday Move Makers: My message today is about finding your own path. 



Maps, examples , land marks, travel guides are all helpful when going somewhere. What happens when you’ve lost your map? 

When your GPS Google maps is off?  For me that was my mother. For you that could be the absence of a father or maybe you took a wrong turn that caused you to get a little lost off path. 

Once we lose our map or get off path our life becomes about getting back on track. We spend an excessive amount of time trying to figure out “Why” and “How” we got lost. 

I’m here to tell you that you’ll make it there. Yes, it’s taking you longer to get to where you feel you should have been years ago but you’ll be wiser and much more appreciative of what took so much effort to attain. Quitting is not an option!! 

You can take a break, cry, yell and regroup. Just know that if something is meant for you, you will get there. 

Pray, Plan, Persevere 

Why We Need to Celebrate Ava DuVernay

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Ava DuVernay, the Golden Globe nominated director of #Selma, is someone we all should know. Even if you’re not a history buff or activist you need to know that she is the First Black Woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2015, she is the first.

 At the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, DuVernay won the Best Director Prize for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere, becoming the first African-American woman to win the award. It’s kind of a big deal. 
This gives us all hope that our great ideas and efforts haven’t been accomplished by someone else. There is still time for us to be great. 
We must root for our fellow trailblazer. I don’t think we can want to achieve success without celebrating the sacrifices and accomplishments of others. Isn’t that was Selma is all about? Acknowledging the strategic and heroic march that was the catalyst for legislative change. 
Tune in to the Golden Globes Sunday, January 11th on ABC. 
Follow Ava on Instagram @DirectHer 

Yes Hunny, People Admire You

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We are all teachers. How we act and react teaches others how to do the same. That’s a lot of pressure right! Someone always watching us, analyzing our every move – waiting for us to mess up. I have two particular people that watch my every move daily. It’s crazy how kids can’t remember to put the toilet seat down, but remember if you cursed out the UPS man – I didn’t do that, it’s just an example. (Don’t side eye me)

I don’t think my kids or the people that are watching you are waiting for us to mess up. They are actually waiting to see how we do it right. Yes sweetheart, there are a bunch of people that admire you. 

We are all far from perfect, each trying to find our own way – but why not share the little lessons we’ve learned along the way. 

Girl someone needs that broken hearted love story, career plan or exercise regime you figured out. Don’t hold on to that good info. Release it into the world, with the hope it improves this gorgeously confusing place.

Yep it takes a lot of patience to teach but you and the person you’re teaching will be happier in the end.

Keep Teaching!

About the contributor:

Chanel is the founder of MommyMakinMoves.com and full time brand marketing professional. She is the lipstick, book and accessory obsessed mom of an energetic kindergartener and fabulous big sister to a creative pre-teen. Find Her on Twitter @MommyMakinMoves

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World

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    Our work matters. Motherhood isn’t something every woman experiences or even wants to experience. We are moms by choice! We have decided to love endlessly, lead fearlessly and commit whole heartedly. And for that hunny we are special. William Ross Wallace had us in mind when he wrote this masterpiece of a poem. Many of us have heard the title, but it’s the meat of the poem that drives the message home.
    Blessings on the hand of women!
    Angels guard its strength and grace,
    In the palace, cottage, hovel,
    Oh, no matter where the place;
    Would that never storms assailed it,
    Rainbows ever gently curled;
    For the hand that rocks the cradle
    Is the hand that rules the world.
    Infancy’s the tender fountain,
    Power may with beauty flow,
    Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
    From them souls unresting grow–
    Grow on for the good or evil,
    Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
    For the hand that rocks the cradle
    Is the hand that rules the world.
    Woman, how divine your mission
    Here upon our natal sod!
    Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
    Always to the breath of God!
    All true trophies of the ages
    Are from mother-love impearled;
    For the hand that rocks the cradle
    Is the hand that rules the world.
    Blessings on the hand of women!
    Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
    And the sacred song is mingled
    With the worship in the sky–
    Mingles where no tempest darkens,
    Rainbows evermore are hurled;
    For the hand that rocks the cradle
    Is the hand that rules the world.

    William Ross Wallace