Women: for change

Inspiration || Will Smith talks Law of Attraction & Positive Thinking

I have always wondered if the very successful celebs have used the Law of Attraction principles to get to where they are. Not many people talk about it (except for a few on Oprah), but Will Smith is, when he does he sometimes gets brushed off as being into Scientology. I'm not sure if he is but i do know what he is talking about is that which was discussed in The Secret, it is the law of attraction principles that 'your thinking, creates your life and being positive yields positive results'.

Inspiration || What Inspires Angela Simmons & What Inspires You?

Recently over at Global Grind Russell Simmons posted a blog asking What Inspires you?, which led to others respond...what a great mini movement.

 

Niece of Russell, Angela Simmons replied with what inspires her. Although you can probably guess what inspires her she does go deeper and is quite a touching blog. The good part is she wants to know what inspires you, you can do this by leaving a comment and she will pick a winner...who will win a Diamond Empowerment Fund Green  Bracelet .

Angela Simmons GG Blog

TV || HBO's THE BLACKLIST VOL.1 x SERENA WILLIAMS, RUSSELL SIMMONS & MORE

Clips of The BlackList VOL. 1 have surfaced on Youtube and i find them to all be inspiring. Vol. 1 features Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Russell Simmons & Steve Stoute.

In a film that works as a series of living portraits, prominent African Americans of various professions, disciplines and backgrounds, offer their own stories and insights on the struggles, triumphs and joys of black life in this country and manage to re-define "blacklist" for a new century in the process.

Empower You | To Get What You Want 'Think From The End'

Highly realized people learn to think from the end—that is, they experience what they wish to intend before it shows up in material form. You can do the same by synchronizing with the power of intention.

- Dr Wayne W Dyer

Raven-Symone Combatting Body Critics x Hosts Girls Confidence Confrence

I don't know why 'the media / bloggers' give Raven such a hard time, she's a great role model to kids and an accomplished young women. Check out what she said to People Magazine about how she handles the critics and about her plan to host a hundred 11- and 12-year-old girls at a Dove-sponsored self-esteem workshop in Cape May, N.J.

Empower You | Intuition vs. Imagination & How to Develop It

We all have that gut feeling, but do we always go with it? Sometimes we don't know how to follow it, what it is or if we should trust it. Learning how to recognize and utilize your intuition can help YOU be YOUR OWN guide in life. I found this interview which discusses the difference between intuition and imagination and how to develop your intuition. I hope it helps, leave a comment or email me if you have any questions.

This is an excerpt from
Understanding Your Intuition: An Interview with Akemi Gaines of yes-to-me.com

Intuition vs. Imagination

Ariel:

Empower You | Positive Affirmations x Change your thoughts, Change your life

Are you familiar with positive affirmations? Do you use them?

Positive affirmations can help you feel alot better about a situation or something that wasn't making you feel so good. The idea of reading these positive statements to yourself or out load is so that you shift your feeling and your focus to make you believe the statements or the 'vibe' of the statements.

Check out some positive affirmations below;

Inspirational Note | Listen to Your Thoughts x Eckhart Tolle Exercise

Listen to Your Thoughts

Listen carefully to your inner thoughts, no matter how small or insignificant you may judge them to be. Those tenacious thoughts that just won’t go away should be viewed by you as intention talking to you, saying, “You signed up to express your unique brilliance, so why do you keep ignoring it?”

- Dr Wayne. W Dyer

 

Inspirational Note | Attract The Right People

Attract the Right People

You can’t expect to draw people into your life who are kind, confident, and generous if you’re thinking and acting in cruel, weak, and selfish ways. You must be what it is that you’re seeking—that is, you need to put forth what you want to attract.

~ Dr Wayne W Dyer

Inspiration | Eckhart Tolle's 10 Powerful Insights to a Happier You

I read this over at Oprah.com and thought it was amazing as is all of Tolle's work. The idea of selections from A New Earth is great for quick bursts of insight and inspiration.

The greatest goal you can set this year is to make peace with your life, no matter your circumstances. These 10 powerful insights from Eckhart Tolle will get you started. 

1. Don't seek happiness. If you seek it, you won't find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. Happiness is ever elusive, but freedom from unhappiness is attainable now, by facing what is rather than making up stories about it.
   

Inspirational Note | Act as If

Act As If

Act as if what you intend to manifest in life is already a reality. Eliminate thoughts of conditions, limitations, or the possibility of it not manifesting. If left undisturbed in your mind and in the mind of intention simultaneously, it will germinate into reality in the physical world.

- Dr Wayne W Dyer

INSPIRATION NOTE | Be Humble

Be Humble Don’t allow the approval and attention of others to destroy you. Remain humble and grateful for all your accomplishments, and know that a force greater than your ego is always at work in your life.

Inspiration | Women Who Change The World

Click image to make larger

Empower You | How to Make a Vision Board & The Purpose

Hey all, i thought this would be helpful to everyone who is trying to manifest great things in their life.
I have always used a vision board as a way to concentrate on the things that i want, without making it to serious and being overwhelmed.

There are sites online that will help you create a vision board (that you have to pay for). I normally use the method of cutting the desired things out of a magazine and then sticking it to a bright card. The vision board can be as big or as small as you like....no guidelines, its all about you!!

Another method that you can you is using publisher, word or any other application and inserting the desired pictures on the page like a collage.

Check out a guide to making a vision board and also the link to making a vision book.

Russell Simmons' Blog | 'Black' Sites / Blogs x Dating & Race

Let me know what you think about this blog and his POV. I agree with him 100% but what do you think? Do bloggers comment about his race & dating for gossip / entertainment value ( they also say / said he was gay) or are there true issues behind the consistent attention as he suggests?

Note: while I was searching for a politically correct photo for this blog I found one of the beautiful model Kiara at my Diamond Empowerment event who I have known for ten years. And no, we are not dating-I'm not THAT lucky.

It seems that almost every week since I have been single there is a headline on some black internet site that says something like "Russell Simmons is FINALLY Dating a Sista?!?!?!" Surely you have seen these, its a constant in my life.

I am of the view as a philanthropist and businessman that all press is good if it can help me as a brand or bring in more money to my five charities-especially in this time of economic crisis when every charity is struggling to keep afloat.    However,  I do find this blatent racism offensive.  Just last week I was out with my friend Veronica Verikova and the next day had to read about "uncle Russell's brand new blonde bust down". She doesn't deserve that, nobody does! And yes, it is offensive.

Grown Up & Giving Back | Vanessa & Angela Simmons x Young Women's Leadership Confrence

Who isn't so proud of these girls, V & A have become role models to young people around the world. First seeing them on run's house, pitching, creating and growing their line 'Pastry' and now speaking at the Essence Young Women's Leadership Conference. We have pic's for you and hopefully footage coming up soon...did anyone attend? How was it?

INSPIRATION AFFIRMATION

I only allow that which is good into my life.

No one can depress you. No one can make you anxious. No one can hurt your feelings. No one can make you anything other than what you allow inside.

INSPIRATIONAL NOTE x OVERCOME FEAR

 I am patient and loving with my fearful thoughts.

Be patient and loving with every fearful thought. Practice observing your fears as a witness, and you’ll seem them dissolve.

- Dr Wayne W. Dyer

INSPIRATION x CHANEL IMAN x i AM CHANEL IMAN VIDEO

INSPIRATION AFFIRMATION

I align myself with people who support my growth.

If you meet someone whose soul is not aligned with yours, send them love and move along.

                                                                                             - Dr Wayne W Dyer

INTERVIEW x BEYONCE on OPRAH, TALKS MARRIAGE, COOKING AND ANSWERS PREGNANCY RUMOURS

As this is Beyonce overdrive season i wasn't too excited to see this interview because i thought it would be just like the others. Then i must have forgotten this is Beyonce & Oprah, and i was pleasantly surprised. I loved Beyonce in this interview, she came across very down to earth, chic, yet iconic. All the things we know she is but we just forget about sometimes when Sasha Fierce is on overdrive.

Keyshia Cole x 'A Different Me' Album Cover & Breaking Records

The official Album cover of Keyshia Cole's new album has been released, and her transformation is wonderful, but not drastic which is a good thing. We have seen her journey which makes her more relateable, which is most probably why she broke BET viewing records this past week:

The third season debut of BET’s original series “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” has just become the network’s most watched original series season premiere telecast of all time.

Empowerment x You Gotta Have Faith

It doesn't have to be a God thing. You don't have to be religious. But when you're all alone in trouble waters, you need something to hold on to. These amazing people have discovered the mysteries of faith—and how it gets them through.

The Gratitude Cure
By Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons

Every day I wake up and I pray. And I have to believe that God is sitting there, listening, responding. This whole faith walk is a very hard walk because you don't see him. You're talking to spirit, and you're hoping and praying that spirit is hearing you and going to respond favorably to your request.

A time in my life when I had to lean on faith to get me through a difficult experience? I have a million of them. Number one is losing the baby [his sixth child] last year. I had to lean on the faith that God was going to restore my family's faith in him, in life.

Rockin The Red Carpet x 2008 US Glamour Women Of The Year Awards

Of course it wasn't all about what they were or have been wearing but what they have done this past year.

Before the awards fellow recipient Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the Daily News she's looking forward to moving on from her office. "I want to go back to California, and I want to write a book on foreign policy and a book about my parents. I want to see what I can do to reach out to young people to get them involved and interested in the world and languages. We're a bit insular here in America." The founder of The One Woman Initiative also shared she was "most looking forward to meeting Tyra Banks," who was also being toasted.

Empowerment x Real Definition of Change

Some definitions of change in the dictionary are;

• To make radically different

• to give a different position, course, or direction to

The definition of change that i like , is that given as a quote by Gandhi;

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world".
You may think that the quite is not a definition but if you live by that quote then you then become the definition of change, you become the physical example.

Two of my other favorite quotes by Gandhi are about Ability & Belief, check them out after the click

Empowerment Friday x Enjoy the Present X Rev. Run & Justine Interview

This post is late but we didn't want to leave it out.
Taken from Rev Run's Words of Wisdom

    "Enjoy the present! Are you waiting for that special occasion? If you're not happy right now, then  it doesn't matter what's in your future --you could even win a free trip to Hawaii, yet once you get there you'll be waiting for the next high. The truth is, the only good time you will ever have is right now. Not when you get that new car and not when you get that new house. If you enjoy now, you'll have a much better time later!"

After the Click, check out Rev. Run & Justine Simmons Interview

Empowerment Friday x How to Get What You Want

How do you get what you want in life?

It starts with you, you have to know what you want and believe that you will achieve it. It can't be a distant dream that you feel will never be , but wouldn't it be nice if it was. You have to put your reality in line with your ambition.
You can do this by;

Celebs love.....Doing Good!!!

Recently Mariah Carey and Nicole Richie have been expressing their passion for the humanitarian projects that they are involved with and more are on the way....which is a V Good thing.

Salma Hayek is a  spokeswoman for the Pampers/UNICEF campaign and is supporting a global campaign to eliminate tetanus, which kills a newborn baby every three minutes in poor countries.

As for Salma, she went to Sierra Leone last week to participate in a vaccination drive against the disease.

So, now for each specially-marked pack of Pampers diapers that get sold through the end of the year, Procter & Gamble has pledged to donate a vaccine.

During a news conference in Geneva, Hayek said, "I had no idea how much it was going to really personally move me … to actually see it in Sierra Leone."

Sierra Leone is one among 50 countries where newborn babies and mothers die of tetanus.

Leighton Meester who plays Blair from the CW hit show Gossip Girl walks the runway to battle domestic violence. (Read more after the click)

Have you Checked Out... BarackObama.com x Runway To Change

RunWay to Change Store

Sarah Jessica Parker made a subtle political — and fashion — statement while running around New York City yesterday in her Obama-inspired “Dare to Dream” tank. Her coveted tank is actually Zac Posen-designed and part of Barack Obama’s “Runway to Change” initiative. Posen isn’t the only designer to lend his talents to the campaign. Joining him in creating exclusive “Change” T-shirts, tanks and accessories are other top names like Nanette Lepore, Tory Burch, Russell Simmons, Vera Wang, Tracy Reese, Alexander Wang, Narciso Rodriguez, Beyonce and Tina Knowles for The House of Dereon and more. Your purchase of one of the Ts will count as a campaign contribution. Check out all the designs, at barackobama.com.

(src: people.com)

My Fav's are;

Gucci & Rihanna Team up with UNICEF

Gucci has been a UNICEF corporate partner since 2004, and it is now teaming up with pop's new queen. Rihanna will star in Gucci’s ad campaign with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Bajan pop princess will promote Gucci’s limited-edition Tattoo Heart products and a quarter of the sales will be donated to UNICEF. The ads are expected to start appearing in magazines in December. Rihanna was also on hand to watch the Gucci show in Milan. She wore a sexy, black halter dress and thigh-high fringe boots.

(src: Essence.com)

Special message from Mariah Carey: World Hunger Ambassador

Dear lambs,

I am so grateful for my life and for everything that I have.

Over the years I have been passionate about helping those who are less fortunate, especially children in need.

It is shocking that 850 million people face hunger every day. But it pains me even more to know that every six seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies of hunger. This is unacceptable. Let us commit ourselves today to make a difference and help end hunger around the world.

Join me in support of the World Hunger Relief campaign to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme. Together we will help feed millions of children.

Give children the chance they deserve and give to the World Food Programme. Just $1 will feed 4 children.

To donate and join the movement to end world hunger, visit www.fromhungertohope.com.

Together we can help significantly in bridging the gap between hunger and hope.


Mariah Carey
Ambassador for World Hunger

(src: Mariahdaily.com)

VoteforChange.Com: Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys reminds you to VOTE!!

Although only US residents get to vote, this isn't just important to US resident's but everyone around the WORLD, as it affects us ALL - an example is the current economic situation!!

THANK YOU for VOTING

Hosted via Youtube by Barack Obama's Youtube page.

Chanel Iman ~ First Woman of Colour @ Gucci show since '05

18 year old African American & Korean model appeared in the Gucci show twice yesterday and the first to appear in three years since Tom Ford designed  for Gucci. So its a great accomplishment for a fairly new model, Gucci is a big fashion house. But why does it have to be so few and far between and such a farther goal post for women of colour to appear on the runway. This has been covered by many celebs including Tyra Banks and Diddy. So what do you think about the state of the fashion industry at the moment, regarding booking models of colour?  P.S ~ The Gucci show was AMAZING as always but critics are saying it's more Zara than Gucci.

It's ALWAYS best to focus on the positive's and life is about breaking boundries so lets enjoy....

Chanel Iman Bio after the jump...

Mariah Named Hunger Ambassador for Relief Campaign

Yum! Brands announced today the launch of its annual hunger relief effort to help stop world hunger.

This year, Mariah Carey, the most popular female singer in history, will be featured in World Hunger Relief restaurant posters as Hunger Ambassador with the quote, “The change from hunger to hope starts with you.” Customers who donate to the World Hunger Relief campaign at participating KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver's or A&W Restaurants around the globe will receive a special, free download of her song, “Love Story” from her newest CD E=MC2.

Island Def Jam (IDJ) has partnered with the leading provider of digital download services, Neurotic Media, to support Yum!’s World Hunger Relief movement and Mariah Carey’s “Love Story” song download giveaway. Neurotic Media generated the redemption codes for the giveaway, hosts the redemption mini-site, and delivers the MP3 globally for this promotion.

Christina Applegate Survivor & Inspiration: Feeling Good Is What Life's About

Christina Applegate hit the red carpet of 2008 Emmy's after her AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND DOUBLE MASTECTOMY looking fab!!


"Things happen, and you have to really, really embrace your life," she says on the Emmy red carpet

By Stephen M. Silverman

Christina Applegate Photo by: Frank Micelotta / Getty

Appearing at her first award show since her breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment this summer, Christina Applegate took to the Emmy red carpet Sunday night and declared, "It's a great day … I've got a pretty dress on and lipstick, and [it's] something I haven't done in two months." Speaking to E! host Ryan Seacrest, the Samantha Who? star, 36 – in a Reem Acra silk organza, jacquard-draped gown – said, "It really feels good to be here ... That's what life's all about."

The Fab Maya Angelou Introduces Michelle Obama

The legendary Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou introduces Michelle Obama, at a Women for Obama rally in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was a very loyal Hillary advocate and now Endorses and believes in Barack Obama for President of USA.

Russell Simmons - Do You

One of my favourite books that i read last year & this year was the New York Times Best Seller, Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness & Success  by Russell Simmons. Although not saying anything different from what most other spiritual / self help books say, he admits it and confesses that this is a reminder. It appeals to a new range of people who can sometimes real ousted by the spiritual jargon. He includes examples of hip-hop industry, clothing industry and other personalities to make a better connection with the reader.

Check out Russell talking about his book at Bernard's Book Shelf

Deepak Chopra on 'Obama and the Palin effect'

Deepak Chopra is a spiritual guru who is a best selling author and an international speaker. He recently posted a blog about Obama and the Palin Effect, in this part he explains more.

Obama and the Palin Effect (Part 2)

     

My post a few weeks ago on Sarah Palin acting as Barack Obama’s psychological shadow triggered a lot of people. I thought it would be worthwhile to talk about how one deals with the shadow once it breaks out and begins to disrupt things. But first a short recap: The emergence of Gov. Palin wasn’t simply startling — it was inexplicable. How could 20% of women voters suddenly turn toward her when Palin stands for erasing forty years of feminism? How could the mentality of a small-town mayor morph into a potential President making global decisions? To explain her meteoric rise, I offered the idea that each of us harbors a shadow, a place where our hidden impulses live. By appealing to fear, resentment, hostility to change, suspicion of “the other,” and similar dark impulses, the Republicans have been the shadow’s party for a long time. Sarah Palin put a smiling face on feelings that normally we feel ashamed of.

The shadow is irrational; it thrives on gut emotions. (A recent Fox News poll ran with the headline, “In their gut, independents choose McCain.”) Bringing the 2008 campaign down to the gut level means bringing it down to the level of the shadow. Instead of listening to an intelligent, persuasive, charismatic man with one African-American parent, people get to say, “I just don’t like blacks. They’re scary; they’re not like me. It’s a gut thing.” Only it’s not. It’s a shadow thing that each of us, not just the right wing, must deal with. Reacting to Palin with fear, confusion, panic, and lashing out also comes from the shadow.

People who were shocked and dismayed by the Palin effect generally don’t know how to handle shadow energies. Here are a few salient points:

1. Don’t panic — The shadow is built into your psyche, and when it brings fear, hostility, and resentment to the surface, those feelings want to get out. They cause disruption, but your panic only makes them stick around longer.

I have just joined The 'ONE' Campaign...so should you

You can also view more video's from The One Campaign and donate from their Youtube page

ONE is an advocacy and campaigning organization supported by more than 2 million people and growing, from all walks of life all around the world, uniting as one against extreme poverty.

ONE’s promise to you if you sign here: your voice will be echoed and amplified by millions of others through ONE’s coordinated campaigns, will be heard by world leaders and will encourage them to adopt policies to save millions of lives.

Many great organizations have already been working for years to achieve great results in the fight against extreme poverty. These successes inspire us to do more:-

Tyra Banks: Women for Change moment!!!

Although this acceptance speech by Tyra Banks winning an Emmy for Most outstanding Daytime talk show 2008 is old, i love it and think that its a great inspirational yet fun message

Check it out;

'Just Stand Up' to Cancer: Women for Change

    Thirteen of the most talented female performers joined together on the stage at Fashion Rocks to sing "Just Stand Up!" the worldwide charity single benefitting Stand Up To Cancer. The song was created and produced by LA Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. (Group Picture Left to Right) Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis. Fergie, Ciara, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Nicole Scherzinger at Conde Nast Media Group's Fifth Annual Fashion Rocks at Radio City Music Hall on September 5, 2008 in New York City. (Source)

Help change lives with www.kiva.org

Jennifer Lopez get's fit for charity

After just having twins, Jennifer Lopez is getting back into shape for herself and charity, but preparing to complete a 'Triathlon'. This is a big deal and not the usual celeb route, so props to Jenny Lo for being a great inspiration.

Visit the official Blog at Self.com where you can also donate via Paypal for the Children's hospital in Los Angeles.

How choosing the right thoughts can change your life

“If you can change your thinking, you can change your life” ~ Louise Hay

The great thing is that we can all change the way we think. Sometimes we get disheartened because we think our situation is out of our control but no matter what the scenario we all have control over the way think and feel. So this is the starting point, let’s change the way we think and feel to change our lives.

The first step is awareness - Becoming aware that you do have the abililty to change your thoughts to change your life.

Then it is to state what your desire is, i.e. what you want to achieve, whether it is to change something or to gain / create something new in your life.

You must then really feel that the new desires / intentions/ thoughts/ wishes that you have really can become a reality (some liken it to having a child like faith).