Mommy Dearest

They say age ain’t nothing but a number because it’s so much more than that.  Age is an indicator of life experiences…triumphs, failures, overwhelming joys and life altering losses, all of which you’ve survived.  I am a firm believer that every lesson doesn’t have to be learned as a result of personal experience.  You can learn from the experiences of family members, friends, co-workers, and stories that you’ve read/or heard about.  Every loss or failure doesn’t have to be your own in order to apply that lesson to your life.  So where do you go when you need guidance, encouragement, or wisdom?  To someone who has lived and experienced life long enough to have survived through some it all.  That’s right!  Our elders.  For me, the wisest and closet person to me is my mother.  I think we all, at some point have reflected on what our mothers and mother figures have told us and thought ‘I should’ve listened’ or ‘she was right.’ I know I have.  For some of us those thoughts may be different due to not having a mother/mother figure.  Maybe your mother didn’t have the knowledge or experience at that time to offer meaningful advice or help you on your life journey, perhaps she was ill-advised.  So, instead of giving you one Mommy, I gave you three.

YT Mommy Dearest

It’s one conversation, three Mommies, and a variety of topics, hosted by Saran Almond.  (From right to left) Meet Lady Di, Granny, and Ramona Big Eagle.  These ladies offer advice that you can apply to your life right now.  Their chemistry, personalities, and responses will make you think, laugh, and wonder ‘WHAT WOULD she DO?’  Remember, be proud of the years you’ve acquired and celebrate each day of your life by living on purpose.

Mommy Dearest,

Thank you for being the ultimate example of strength, love, and beauty…and for showing me what it looks like and what it means to be a woman and a lady.

To all of the Mommies, thank you so much for the joy and insight that you bought to the show.

You are appreciated!

Sincerely,

Saran

WATCH the show here!!! MOMMY Dearest!

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How do you Volunteer?

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At some point in our lives we all need a helping hand.  What better way to show gratitude than to help someone else.  Whether it’s time or money, every effort helps.  So often I hear people say they don’t have a talent or they don’t know what they want to do with the rest of their life.  As disheartening as this sounds, I believe an answer can be found through volunteering.  Volunteering provides opportunities for adventure, exploration, and discovery.  While applying skills you already have or developing new skills you can make a difference.  Here are a few reasons why everyone should volunteer according to Volunteer Match

  • Help others
  • Make a difference
  • Find purpose
  • Enjoy a meaningful conversation
  • Connect with your community
  • Feel involved
  • Contribute to a cause that you care about
  • Use your skills in a productive way
  • Develop new skills
  • Meet new people
  • Explore new areas of interest
  • Meet good people
  • Impress your mom
  • Impress yourself
  • Expand your horizons
  • Get out of the house
  • Make new friends
  • Strengthen your resume
  • Feel better about yourself

Some other reasons include: The more we give, the happier we feel. Volunteering increases self-confidence. When you do good for others and the community it provides a sense of accomplishment. Volunteering can help shape character, fuel your passion, and create other opportunities.

If any of these reasons hit home for you, and you need help finding volunteer opportunities LOOK NO FURTHER.

My favorite volunteer resource is www.volunteermatch.org, and they’re national.

Other resources for volunteer opportunities are listed as follows:

  1. www.idealist.org
  2. www.dosomething.org
  3. www.volunteer.gov
  4. www.universalgiving.org
  5. www.createthegood.org

Tune in to the show How do you Volunteer? to hear what motivates others to volunteer.

What’s your best volunteer memory?  I’ll show you mine next week.

Please like/share/comment/SUBSCRIBE

 

 

The Assessment

 

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When you’re in the midst of a storm (storms that life sometimes bring) you have to make an assessment, a self assessment.  Take inventory of all the things that you have and the things that are required to get you through it.  This is an evaluation of your character, your perseverance, your goals, your habits, and a gamut of other things that may be required for your storm.  One of the most important assessments is that of those around you, your inner circle.  If you don’t have one, think of the people you talk to most and those with whom you spend the most time.

In recent conversations with a few people, I heard them speak louder than ever in their silence.  The silence spoke doubt and reeked of judgement.  It’s crazy, the closer I look at my surroundings it makes me ever so aware of who I really am.  A girl with a dream and no drive?  A woman with talent and excuses to match?  A person wasting away trying to keep up with the Kardashians or the Jones’…you pick.  Or maybe, just maybe I’m in a delusional competition…one in which my competitors aren’t even aware that I’m in the game.

On occasion, I find myself asking people what kind of person they think I am?  I remember a time where I didn’t care what anybody thought.  In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter…but it does.  No matter what you do or how you do it someone is going to judge you, not agree, criticize, request or expect more.  However, the energy you receive is also the energy you exude.  See, it’s not about acceptance or approval.  It’s about doing the things that you enjoy, and give you purpose.  It’s about creating the best life for yourself.  It’s about surrounding yourself with people and things that will help you reach your potential.  While it doesn’t really matter what people think about you.  It does matter what they think about themselves and how they weather their own storms, and it’s subsequent impact on you.

As you complete your assessment ponder this: Am I the person I intend to be?  This is not a question about how kind and considerate you are.  This is a question about WHO you are and what you want out of life.  In your quest to become the person you intend to be consider your own drive and motivation as well as that of your inner circle.  Think about the what and WHO are required in your time of storm. Your inner circle must consist of people who possess the traits and characteristics of the person you intend to be.  If not, you’re going to need more than an umbrella to weather that storm.

 

 

 

This month on “WHAT WOULD she DO?”

Tomorrow 2/15 at 10:30pm, the “I’ll Pass” Episode of WHAT WOULD she DO? airs on Channel 21 (on TW Cable) in Charlotte, NC. My guests and I discuss flirting in relationships…the DO’s and DONT’s…please tune in and let me know what you think. Follow the show on Twitter @WWsD_theshow