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No quitting allowed

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Morning 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 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   

We About That Life – Keeping Your Momentum While Mommying

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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. No matter what your beginnings, your goals can be achieved. Easy! Nope, it takes a lot of time to find the right combination of time, resources and opportunity. It can be done. It has been done.

Keep yourself amped about your goals. Day to day tasks get boring. ( 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. Don’t be arrogant, but having a positive outlook on your future will inspire those around you.

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.

Support Greatness – 5 Tips for Helping Others Pursue Dreams & Goals

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If you’re not interested in being the greatest, support those that aspire to be great. Great coaches nurture great players, Amazing teachers nurture amazing professionals, Great parents nurture great children. Your words and actions can inspire others to push for excellence even if you dont want to rule the world yourself. We all can play an important role in the life of a champion.

Here are 5 Tips for you to contribute to the success of another.
 
1.) Understand their product, business or talent. Ask questions about what they’re doing now to work towards their goals and how they plan to get there.
 
2.) Spread the word about their gifts, talents, events and products. You don’t have to wear a shirt that says “Marketing Manager” but you can utilize your social media, professional and person connections to spread the word about your friends budding business.
 
3.) Patronize their products and services. Put your money where your mouth is. You can’t tell others to believe in something you won’t buy yourself.
 
4.) Encourage them – look out for helpful resources, grants and possible business opportunities. They can use all the help they can get.
 
5.) Be consistent – Many people are excited at the beginning of careers and ventures but when the going gets tough people stop supporting. Show that you’re interested in their success. Ask how things are going weekly and if you can lend a hand.
 
These tips can be applied to college students, business owners, volunteer work, magicians, comedians and even preschoolers. The underline rule here is to support progression at any stage.
 
MommyMakinMoves

Need a Indoor Play Place for Rainy Days? Try EduFun Play Center

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Kids need their play time. Today we took our little mr. to EduFun Play Center in South Holland, IL.

I’ll admit I had no idea what to expect but I’m tired of the playground and Randy needed to get out the house.

 We grabbed some food from Boston Market (Yum Yum) and headed to EduFun. Didn’t know at the time but you can bring food. That’s great!! The play places in the mall won’t allow that.

The building is 1 block off 159th street. Easy to find! Because it’s a week day of course it wasn’t packed which wasn’t a problem for Randy. He doesn’t mind entertaining himself.

We knew we were on to something when Randy said “Mommy this is a nice place.”

For $5 he played for 90 minutes. They even gave him a batman tattoo and a lunch. Bonus!

Mrs. Okeisha, whom I believe is the owner offers cooking classes with 24 hours notice. We’ll definitely be back for that.

Here’s the link http://www.edufunplaycenter.com/

Dry Congrats on Career Accomplishments: Are Women More Excited About Relationship News?

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This will be quick as I know you’re busy closing business deals, setting up meetings and planning your life and every one elses.

A close acquaintance of mine was a bit bothered that when she shared some great news with friends and family everyone blew it off as “oh, that’s nice.” 
To her this was huge, life changing almost but it was treated as an everyday occurrence. It got me to thinking (every situation should) why are women so quick to jump on the bandwagon in regards to relationships but when it comes to career success the conversation is short?
Women have discovered how to control their financial destiny but are still a bit confused at how to bag the man of their dreams. The truth is in today’s society it’s an easier task becoming CEO of your company than to find a man that genuinely loves, appreciates and respects you. This is a hard reality for many of us. 
So I guess because a large chunk of women are moving up the corporate ladder a promotion is no longer BIG news but moving up the relationship ladder is bit more of an accomplishment. 
Do your friends seem more excited about relationship subjects than career subjects? Why do think that is? 

Spending Money Like There is No Tomorrow – How Many Are Saving for the Future?

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Disclaimer: I am in no way a financial expert, nor am I perfect with my spending habits. As I evalute my spending habits I can’t help to wonder if others have the same issues, concerns, complaints and ignorance as myself.

I’m very passionate about self education, so I’ll read anything anywhere pertaining to improving life as a whole but one thing that really stumps me is investing. I’m familiar with the real estate market but I’m still lost as to where I’m suppose to get the money from to invest in property. All I hear people saying is save, save, save, spend less and invest. That all sounds really great if you can move in with family members for a while or you have a two person income. What about all the people that encounter hardship everyday. Everyday is a rainy day when you’re hustling your way to the top.

The reality for many people is that our credit is jacked up by the time we’re 25 because our parents couldn’t help us with college or with our careers. If you’ve been to college you know how credit card companies sworm the campus looking for financially uneducated freshmans to apply for lines of credit.

Actually, I didnt have this problem because my credit was done before I hit college. A few of my friends took advantage of the credit cards because they had single parents that couldn’t afford to send them money for college expenses. What’s a college student to do? CHARGE IT!

Not the wises decision but when you’re hungry or need gas to get home what are your options. I can’t even remember how many jobs I had while in college just to try to get 20 hours a week. College is not a walk in the park, you have to hustle just as hard in college as you have to on the streets of Chicago. Don’t let the Degree fool you, attaining a degree isn’t easy but it’s worth it.

So fast forward, now you have a decent career but you have a bus load of debt, college loans and family financial issues. What’s the next step? Well I’m asking you because this is where I am in my life.

Happy Mother’s Day – 12 Gift Idea’s that Any Mom Would Love

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“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”

                                                                      ~ William Makepeace Thackeray

                  I believe Sophia Loren said it best, “When you become a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. You always have to think twice; once for yourself and once for your child.” Being a mother takes an extreme amount of dedication and hard work; therefore, every day is really mother’s day if you ask me. 
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, here are several gift ideas that will be sure to put a smile on any mom’s face. Hopefully, you will take advantage of this time, because some ideas require a reservation or a bit more mullah.  
  • Go to church with her
  • Bake her something tasty
  • Create a heartfelt poem or painting (bring out the inner Picasso or Maya Angelou out)
  • Start a Pandora bracelet
  • If the weather permits, then plan a picnic
  • Make or Buy a card that express your unconditional love for her
  • Take her for a night on the town (be her personal tour)
  • Send something to her workplace (it could be something as simple as flowers or a pair of tickets to an upcoming event)
  • For that candle lover of yours, add to her collection (try Pacifica or anything from Bath and Body Works)
  • A gift card to her favorite venue is always a great options for the mothers that are a bit picky.
  •  Relax and join your mom on a spa day retreat.
  • Take a weekend road trip to her favorite establishment (e.g. Sweetie Pies, Chicago’s Chicken & Waffles, etc.)

However you choose to spend May 12, the most important thing is that you that you show your love and appreciation for that special woman/women who gave you life and/or helped you experienced it to the fullest.

Posted by MommyMakinMoves Contributor
Chantelle A. Kelly 

Your Dreams Matter! Struggle with a Smile

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Morning Move Makers – Life is for the living. Trying to survive often becomes the goal of the week, hell the day for many of us! Know that those Wishes in your head matter. Those places you wish to go and people you hope to meet can happen. Unfortunately nothing is easy so your dreams require work, faith and direction. The greatest successes came after struggle. Don’t give up, your dreams are waiting on you!