March is "Ask for What You Want" Month

It's a new month in a new year and I am excited to see what March is going to bring! For the past two months, I have been going through the ups and downs of my personal and professional life. I have finally sat down and asked myself "What Do I Really Want?" I had to really look within to see what are the things I have accomplished for January and February and celebrate those accomplishments. I realized that I was not possessing the attitude of gratitude because I didn't appreciate what I have accomplished and pushed myself more. In the meantime, I had to quiet my mind, meditated, listen to the thoughts that God whispered in my ear and flowed with life.

I am a high achiever, highly energetic, perfectionist in recovery and overall determine brown girl. I have gave myself permission to have several seats for the month of March to prepare for my major speaking engagements, workshops and coaching clients. Within the two months, I have launched my ebook (Manifesting Your Greatness), became an ambassador for Blogger Week in Washington D. C.  and I am speaker at Heal a Woman and Heal a Nation. I also have coaching clients that I coach on a regular basis, coach student athletes on self-esteem, healthy relationships and nutrition along with volunteering my time to the community. Let me take a breathe....

I started to realize that I didn't have a healthy balance in my life in which I started to become burnt out from everything. I stopped everything I was doing and started to really ask for what do I really want? I sat down in a quiet area and started to pray, meditated and journaled what I truly want. When I started the hear the whispers, I started jotting down what I want and how am I going to achieve these things. I started jotting down I want to have more fun, I want to be more creativity, I want to handle my finances in a better and healthy way, I wanted to forgive myself and others, I wanted to start healing myself in a holistic way, I wanted to be more unapologetic and vulnerable and I wanted to travel more. When I jotted down these things, the floodgates started to open.

• I started to open my mail again and started to create a budget to pay off my debt and start saving for my personal savings and business. 
• I started to hang out with my sister-friends more. I have laughed, ate cupcakes, enjoyed pottery classes and talk a lot of trash with my sister-friends and didn't have a care in the world. I even stayed up to 2:30am like I was back in college and graduate school.
• I have enrolled into the Iyanla Vanzant's Forgiveness online six week class in which I am learning more about the power of forgiveness and how to forgive myself. 
• I have enrolled into a six week womb detox group coaching program in which I found a spiritual mother/mentor and met more positive sister-friends in which I am sharing in the healing process with. I have did the ugly cry, able to receive greatness and forgiveness while healing my womb. 
• I have started preparing to run in three 5ks marathons for this year. It is a scary and daunting task but I am loving every minute of it. 
• I am traveling more this year for speaking engagements. I am speaking in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Detroit, MI. I am excited because I am able to spread my unapologetic message to women who are in need to hear it. 

Asking for what I want wasn't a hard task to do. I just had to quiet my mind, organized my thoughts and prepare to receive the greatness. I was afraid to honestly receive because I have been rejected by man. I have been rejected by society, a job, relationships, and in friendships. The powerful message I can share about rejection is that it prepares you for greatness. It prepares and protect you from mediocrity. I also remember that man's rejection if God's blessing. God is preparing YOU for something better than the things you were rejected from.

Make sure you are asking for positive things you truly want and be ready to receive!

Coaching question: What do you truly want? Have you asked for it? Are you in the season of receiving?

Thank you for reading Brown Girl From Boston. I always appreciate your support. Please comment, share and like this post.

Love,

Andrea

P.S. Here is a picture of me being creativity with pottery at Pea Poddery in Cumberland, RI with my sister friends! I have painted the owl and was working on my tea set to remind myself to serve from my overflow.

July's Theme: Celebrating Your FLYness

                         "Stop being everything to everybody. It is time to celebrate you." -Anonymous

Happy 1st day of July! July is a month full of celebrations, events, sun and fun. I decided to write a quick blog to help those are currently stuck being everything to everybody, on the verge of burn out, and just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Today, is the day in which you can start something beautiful and celebrate your flyness!

After this past winter, I decided that I am going to spend my warmer days, enjoying the beauty of nature by spending everyday outdoors. Dealing with the Polar Vortex killed every vibe and motivation that I had. I am thankful for the warmer weather because I love riding my bike on various bike paths, I decided to grow beautiful flowers to witness growth and transition, and I get to go on vacations and indulge on new memories and experiences with my love ones.

If you are unsure on how to spend your Summer 2014, I will provide some helpful hints, tips and sites to celebrate your FLYness and get your creative juices flowing. Let your hair down, stop being hard on yourself and enjoy yourself.

1. Learn a new hobby!  Have you ever wanted to learn how to swim? Take swimming lessons. Now is the time to learn a new hobby because the nights are longer, weather is warmer and why not now? (http://www.findmeahobby.com/)
2. Volunteer! Serving others is a great way to have fun, connect and serve the community and the people. Make a positive impact in one's life by giving your time, smiling and energy to serve others. Sign up to be a Big Brother/Big Sister. Help plant a garden within your community. Just do it! (http://www.volunteermatch.org/)
3. Complete an uncompleted project! Don't wait until the Fall to complete that project you've been working on. Working on a blog, event, home improvement, book and etc....why wait to launch until it is complete. It may not ever become complete if you are waiting for it to be "perfect". Just launch it because life and that project is a work in progress.
4. Start a side hustle! Looking to start a side hustle to turn into your full time gig. Look within and rediscover your passion and purpose in life. Jot down your passion, gifts and strengths and start your side hustle. Don't over analyze, get into your heart and start your side hustle. 
5. Get Moving! Someday is not a actual day. You want to increase your happiness, look good and feel good. Get moving. There are so many free physical activities within your community that is going on for the summer. These activities consist of Zumba in the park, walk/run challenges and more. Check you local city and town website, libraries or social media networks for free physical activities within your city. Make sure you stay hydrated with water, wear sunscreen and have fun!
6. Take a vacation! I try to take at least three major vacations and multiple mini vacations (getaways) a year. As human beings, we need to recharge, re energize, and live rather than exist. When you don't take a vacation, you suffer from burn out, depressions, headaches, and heartaches. You are never too busy to take a vacation. You make your schedule and in charge of your FLYness! Remember to stay FLY (First Love Yourself)! (http://www.parenting.com/gallery/51-mini-family-vacations)
7. Start a Summer Reading list! I love to read and I make time to read extra books during the summertime. I make a summer reading list to keep me in check on reading and obtaining more knowledge. I am a learning of life and I enjoy thriving and striving for excellence. It keep my mind active and creative. Check out Brown Girl From Boston 2014 Summer reading list (http://www.browngirlfromboston.com/2014/06/brown-girl-from-bostons-2014-summer.html)
8. Attend a workshop/class/conference! There are so many workshops, classes, and conferences that occur during the summertime. Some are free and affordable. Learning shouldn't stop over the summer or as an adult. Check out Eventbrite, Google and your local community centers for an upcoming workshop. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-pursuit-of-passion-and-purpose-group-coaching-workshop-tickets-11979195095)
9. Attend a festival, outdoor concert and event! I am a lover of music, local artists and food. I love attend outdoor events when all three are included.  There are so many festivals, fairs and outdoor concerts that occur only during the summertime and you don't want to miss out. I love traveling to other states to check out their festivals such as the Essence Music Festival in NOLA or the Food Truck Festivals in New England. Make sure you check out these free or affordable festivals. Check out Summer Music Festival Junkies for the music lovers (http://www.musicfestivaljunkies.com/) and Fodor's for all the foodies (http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-best-us-summer-food-festivals-for-2014)
10. Home Improvement/Organizing Projects! "When you house is a mess, your life is a mess." How many of you ever heard of that saying? Now, is the time to de-clutter your home, organize and freshen up your safe haven. Do you have clothes in your closet that you don't wear? If so, now is the time to start de-cluttering your closets. If you haven't worn something in over a year, either donate or give it away. Throw away old magazines, newspaper, paper and things that no longer serve it's purpose. (http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/donate-clothes-10000001043865/)

Remember, this is your time to celebrate your FLYness! Stop saying yes to everybody and everything and start saying yes to you and your happiness. Until next time!

How are you celebrating your FLYness and summertime? We look forward to hearing from you.

XOXO,
Drea

Brown Girl From Boston's 2014 Summer Reading List

“My alma mater was books, a good library…. I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.” — Malcolm X

True life: I am a bibliophile (a person who collects or has a great love of books.) I started my reading journey at the tender age of 6. My mom read to me while I was in her womb and I believe that I was born with a book in my hand. According to my parents, I started reading at the age of 2 and I often frightened many adults with my reading ability. For example, my family and I went on a family trip to Florida to visit my Aunt one winter and I starting pronouncing the names on the holiday cards on my Aunt's coffee table. This gentleman asked my Father my age and who taught me to read at an early age? My Father giggled and joked with the guy that I was a baby genius lol. The guy agreed with my Dad.

My favorite pastime is reading and I always create summer reading list every summer to further expand my creativity and knowledge. My high school that I attended from 7-12th required every student to read three books every year. We were given a list and we had to pick three books to read and was tested on those books once return back to school in the Fall. Some of my classmates, must have thought I was the CliffNotes edition because I received phone calls in regard to giving them a brief synopsis of the book (lol). I use to tell them go read the book and you might enjoy it. 

Below I have listed 10 books on my summer reading list:

1. Mom, Me and Mom by Maya Angelou
2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
3. My Crown and Glory: Six Fundamental Principles to Heal Emotional Wounds and Build Healthy, Self-Esteem by Sandra Dubose
4. What's Really Holding You Back? by Valorie Burton
5. Authentic Happiness by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman
6. Forgiveness by Iyanla Vanzant
7. To Be Young, Gifted and Black by Lorraine Hansberry
8. Basic Black: The Essential Guide for getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) by Cathie Black
9. Bitch is the New Black: A Memoir by Helena Andrews
10. Zami-A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde

This summer I want you all to challenge yourself to do some leisure reading and expand your mind!

Thank you for reading Brown Girl From Boston blog! We appreciate all the supporters and fans of this blog!

If you like to add a book or two to this summer reading list, please list your book(s) in the comment section. Share this list or challenge yourself to create you own summer reading list. 

XOXO,

Drea

What's In A Name?: Identity and Reputation Goes A Long Way!

"If there's a book you really want to read you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."-Toni Morrison

Allow me to introduce myself, I affectionately go by Drea but my parents or rather my Father prematurely named me Andrea Camille while my mom was six months pregnant with me. My Dad came home after working the second shift at Massachusetts General Hospital and had an epiphany and was sort of peered pressure into naming his unborn fetus, "Andrea Camille". I can image the puzzled looked on my mother's face because she wears her feelings, thoughts and emotions through her facial expressions. The reason why I said prematurely named me because my parents wanted my sex kept a surprised due to having two older sons already. I just wanted to illustrate that your name is important and it is apart of your identity. Your identity means a lot.

Throughout my life, I didn't appreciate my name because people would often mispronounce my name and I quickly corrected them for 31 years. Now, I am finding myself assisting people with pronouncing my last name as well but hey that's life. Sometimes, I often wonder will I ever get a break on correcting people on my first and last name? (I guess not).

When I first went off to college at Tuskegee University, people took noticed of my identity and zoned in on my hometown. During freshmen orientation at Tuskegee, my classmates were amazed that I stated that I was from Boston. The looks and jokes they have and still have were quite amusing. The number one question everyone asked: Andrea or Miss. Boston, how many Black people live in Boston? I didn't know Black people live in Boston besides New Edition, Paul Pierce and Antwoine Walker. Now mind you, many of my classmates reside in urbanized cities such as Birmingham, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and more where being a person of color is the predominate and Whites were the marginalized population. Even at Tuskegee University a Historical Black University, I was apart of the majority population of body of students from a marginalized group in Boston, MA and the region of New England. Oh the irony, right!

The reason why I named this blog, Brown Girl From Boston is to represent my ethnicity and race along with my hometown of Boston. Being a Brown Girl From Boston represents various things such as being apart of a marginalized group. Whenever your race, ethnicity, gender, creed, sexual orientation or religion is considered marginalized in a major entity such as a city or state, we need to peel back the layers and address the social issues at hand.

Being a Brown Girl in Boston or in a predominately Eurocentric society, your presence, voice, essence and power can be invisible and oppressed. I started this blog to give a voice, address issues, and provide helpful tips to live life limitless and building a strong and effective lasting emoire and legacy.  This blog will provide solace and authenticity that brown girls need and long for.  Being a brown girl is such a beautiful thing because we possess uniqueness that many desire and wish they can possess. As brown girls we need to recognize and celebrate our uniqueness along with uniting with other beautiful brown girls.

Brown Girl From Boston will cover a range of topics such as life, career, and entrepreneurship for brown girls. We will also have a Brown Girl Series in which you, yes you the readers will have a chance to have any burning desire questions and have your questions answered by Brown Girl From Boston and the rest of the Brown Girls.

Thanks for Reading! Stay Brainy, Beautiful and Brown! XOXO

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