To Educate, Explore, Enhance, and Celebrate Womanhood

I have been praised for my ability to organize for as long as I can remember. I would like to think I was embedded by the Creator Himself with an extra dose of organizational skills because even my own family questions the origin of this exceptional trait of mine. While to an outsider it may appear as though I glide through my four-page to-do lists with such grace, I too experience the stress of wanting to pull out my hair because of the amount that I have on my plate. I had to forget a couple of assignments and miss a few meetings before I realized the importance of prioritizing and organizing. The importance of organization is not to be underestimated. It can mean the difference between passing or failing a class; an acceptance or denial letter from your graduate school of choice; or even the difference between getting your dream career or working minimum wage for the rest of your life. However you choose to get organized is solely your decision. My key to organization consists of making daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists, having a planner, AND setting phone reminders. While my method may seem a bit extreme, what works for me may not necessarily work for you. I have, however, compiled a list of general tips that can jumpstart you on your way to mastering organization.

1. Have Goals/ Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: setting goals is the first step to becoming organized. How can you be organized if you do not even know what it is that you desire? Setting [attainable] goals allows you to be focused. By knowing what you want, you will know how you need to organize your life to reach your goals.

2. Use Your Time Wisely: Proper time-management should be more of a stress reliever than a burden. By prioritizing, you are able to get the more important tasks done first and ultimately have more time for leisure. You may have to learn to say “No” every now and then, but the payoff will be great. Although this takes discipline, it is better to learn this now than later.

3. Have a Planner/Agenda: A planner is an easy way to visualize everything on your to-do list. While many of us may think our brains are super duper efficient, it is always possible that we can forget something. Why not write everything down? Besides, writing out your list of to-dos can often show you the amount of free time you had know idea that you had.

4. Take care of YOU: Lastly, by taking care of yourself, you are able to dedicate more time to more things. DO NOT overburden yourself with everything that you have to do. Take a breather every now and then, go to the gym, or have quiet time. Never get so caught up in life that you forget to take care of yourself.

Summer is a great time to get organized. I challenge you to find what method of organization works best for you and commit to it. You will notice your life changing for the better when you can eliminate the stress that a lack of organization brings. Good Luck!

“Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”

― African Proverb

{ 2 comments }

BFDC Sisters,

We are excited to announce that the 6th Annual Purple Power Seminar “The Evolution of an Exquisite, Enlightened, and Complete Sisterhood” is just 2 and a half months away (that’s only 75 days)!

We wanted to remind you that the Early Registration Deadline is TODAY, June 3^rd, 2013. The cost for Collegiate Members is $65 and the cost for At-Large/Alumni Members is $75 if you register by today. Collegiate members, please contact your chapter Directors for more information. Alumni and At-Large members can register online CLICK HERE!

On August 17, 2013, the ladies of the Black Female Development Circle will be taking over Tallahassee Florida for an opportunity to socialize, explore our womanhood, focus on positive identity development and deepen our sisterhood. If you have never attended a Purple Power Seminar, you are in for a real treat! This is an excellent experience to get you energized and enthusiastic about the new school year and putting BFDC on the map at your respective universities.

We are looking forward to meeting you all. See you in August!

Johora

P.S.- The Regular Registration period will take place from June 4^th- July 1^st at $75 for Collegiate Members and $85 for At-Large/Alumni Members.

{ 0 comments }

Recently, I read an article about love and thought I’d share some of  its points. The article was from a March 2006 issue of the Awake! Magazine.  It started off this way: “It is natural and proper to care about how we look, but beauty—which is temporary at best—is not the cement of lasting bonds. Neither is wealth. What does help is showing unselfish love to others. “Practice giving, and people will give to you,” Jesus taught. (Luke 6:38) Simply put, if you want to be loved, show love.”

In the world we live in today most guys will only go for the prettiest girl in the room, or the pretty girl with a big butt, and most girls will go for the tall guy with muscles, or the tall guy with a nice car. Will any of this last? Even if it does, is this the foundation of real, lasting love? I don’t think so.

The article continues with the biblical definition of love: “love is dynamic, that it is defined, not by emotions, but primarily by what it does for others and by what it refrains from doing. Note Paul’s words: “Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”—1 Corinthians 13:4-7.”

Based on that definition, love requires effort on our part. The article continues “How do you feel when someone is kind to you or when he or she accepts you despite the little irritating things you may say or do? Are you not drawn to a person who is sincerely concerned about you, who is not easily angered, and who is forgiving and truthful even when forgiveness and honesty are not easy? So, act that way toward others. Jesus said: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) It is not always easy to show love, yet the effort is worth it. For one thing, you will be more loved by your family, friends, marriage mate, or prospective marriage mate. Also, you will experience happiness in doing the right thing, in giving of yourself for others. Yes, “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35.”

This article definitely helped me to focus on how I can change my attitude to be a more loving person so I couldn’t wait to spread the love. Have a great week!

April

{ 2 comments }

Do you ever catch yourself speaking negatively? What if that negative thought became true? Most people don’t even realize it but they automatically speak negative. For example do you say:

“I love myself and I’m working to be as healthy as I can.” You accept and love yourself as you are and work to take care of yourself.

OR

“I hate my weight; I’m tired of being fat and out of shape!” You speak negativity into yourself and this lowers your self-esteem and makes it harder to make any positive change.

What we grow up hearing and being taught becomes a huge part of our belief system. I believe it therefore I speak it. If you talk/speak more about the problem then you believe it. You can tell what a person believes by what they do. How about speaking positive things and through prayer your words will be brought to light.

Positive affirmations are a simple yet powerful and effective way to change your life.

Positive Affirmations:
Self-happiness:
I am peaceful.
I am healthy and whole.
I am happy and joyful.
Finances:
I am Prosperous.
I attract wealth.
I am affluent and live in overflow.
Attracting Success:
I am successful in all of my endeavors.
I am creative and full of positive energy.
I love and enjoy my job.
Love:
My heart is open to give and receive love.
My heart is open to embrace my soulmate.
I am loved and I am in love.
-Jasmine Balom

Start off by writing down your positive affirmations to get those positive juices rolling.

This scripture says it all.

II Corinthians 4:13, 17 and 18
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak,17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal

Remember, what you say about yourself and what you speak about yourself will become your future.

{ 1 comment }

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson
I have heard and read this poem a million times, and still to this day it touches me. This poem is more than an inspiration, it serves as my confirmation. Confirmation that tells me that I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me, confirmation that tells me to never limit myself, or minimize my potential to stay in tuned with others. Confirmation that tells me to not be scared of myself and to welcome all new opportunities no matter what.

Often times we push off new opportunities because we do not know enough information about them or we think that the task may be a little too much for us to handle. Although it is normal for us to judge our own abilities, sometimes we undermine ourselves and overlook these opportunities that will better us in the end.

Today I ask that you stop saying NO to new opportunities just because you do not feel like you are “ready” for them. Keep in mind that “The will of God will never take you where the grace of God won’t protect you,” and know that you are more than equipped for the task at hand. Step out on Faith, and stop playing small.

{ 3 comments }

It is my pleasure to announce to you the 2013-2015 National Cabinet of the Black Female Development Circle, Inc. This year we are really excited that we have representation on the board from a variety of our chapters! I am sure that these varying perspectives will bring an exciting element to the board and I am certainly pleased to start the next term with the dynamic leaders listed below!

{ 0 comments }

During one of my many life discussions with my coworker about our pasts, I noticed that he frequently tells his stories from a limited omniscient point of view. He replays his life as if he wasn’t even there. Almost as if he is telling someone else’s story. I found it strange because he constantly repeats, “Well it is what it is. The past is past.” Why was he being so distant from his past when he claims it’s irrelevant? Is the past really just the past? Or does it means much more then we would like to admit? Hmmm…

Our past is the basic foundation of who we are today, no matter how often we try to ignore it, replace it or pretend we weren’t even there. Don’t believe me? Why do you think psychologists ask about a person’s childhood during therapy sessions? Not because they’re nosey, but because our past directly or indirectly effects the choices we make later on in our lives. The past is even engrained in our DNA! Don’t believe me? Why do you think doctors always ask if there is any history of illnesses in your family? Even the things our grandparents and great-grandparents did in the past effects us today.

I can admit that I have fallen prey to my past in the many bad decisions I’ve made in my life. However, I am learning that I am not perfect. I will continue to make bad decisions, only now I will embrace the lesson that has been given. I have also learned that as much as I’ve tried to ignore or forget the negative things from my past, the more they kept showing up.

With that being said, the past is NOT just the past and although “it is what ‘it’ is,” IT will continue to be if we don’t embrace it. Take charge. Learn from it.

“The past is never where you think you left it.”
― Katherine Anne Porter

{ 1 comment }

The Empowered Woman, she moves through the world with a sense of confidence and grace. Her once reckless spirit now tempered by wisdom. Quietly, yet firmly, she speaks her truth without doubt or hesitation and the life she leads is of her own creation.

She now understands what it means to live and let live. How much to ask for herself and how much to give. She has a strong, yet generous heart and the inner beauty she emanates truly sets her apart. Like the mythical Phoenix, she has risen from the ashes and soared to a new plane of existence, unfettered by the things that once posed such resistance.

Her senses now heightened, she sees everything so clearly. She hears the wind rustling through the trees; beckoning her to live the dreams she holds so dearly. She feels the softness of her hands and muses at the strength that they possess. Her needs and desires she has learned to express. She has tasted the bitter and savored the sweet fruits of life, overcome adversity and pushed past heartache and strife.

And the one thing she never understood, she now knows to be true, it all begins and ends with you.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

You are cordially invited to join the National Board of the Black Female Development Circle, Inc. on August 17, 2013 for the 6^th Annual Purple Power Seminar, “The Evolution of an Exquisite, Enlightened, and Complete Sisterhood” at the campus of our National Collegiate Chapter of the Year – Florida State University!

The purpose of this Seminar is to explore womanhood and facilitate the members and friends of the Black Female Development Circle, Inc. through the process of personal development by utilizing the mission and purpose of our great organization. This year, we are also partnering with our National Philanthropy “Yes, I Am All That!”: Promoting Positive Self Esteem in an attempt to mentor high school students in the Tallahassee area through hands on workshops geared specifically towards them!

Overall, this promises to be  a truly remarkable event and we can’t wait to see you there!

Registration fees:                      Collegiate/Interest Group Members                 Alumni/At-Large Members

Early   (4/1 – 6/3/13)                                $65                                                                      $75

Regular  (6/4 – 7/1/13)                             $75                                                                      $85

Late    (7/2 –7/19/13)                                $80                                                                      $90

Collegiate Member Registration information will be sent to the chapter Directors. Alumni/At-Large members can REGISTER HERE!

*Additional Details

Hotel Discounts Available:

Courtyard Tallahassee Capital located at 1018 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL  32301-4540, (850) 222-8822. The room rates are $99/night (King and Double Queen Suites) respectively (plus applicable taxes and fees) for attendees on August 16 – 18, 2013. Reservations must be made by phone. Please call Marriott Reservations at 1 (800) 321-2211 or (850) 222-8822 and request the Black Female Development Circle Rate. The deadline to reserve a room at this rate is July 12, 2013.

 These rates include complimentary parking, breakfast, and wireless internet.

Rental Car Options:

The Black Female Development Circle, Inc. is pleased to announce our friends and family discount! If you choose to rent a car, we encourage you to rent through Budget Rental Car Company and use our corporate discount code to save up to 25% off your rental! The discount code is Z716374. You can make your reservation online, over the phone, or in person.

{ 0 comments }