Yesterday, I had to have another reconstructive surgery. As you might know, I previously had reconstructive surgery, which unfortunately led to a capillary constriction in my left breast. Thankfully, the medical team took swift action, and I was able to have the constriction corrected in yesterday's procedure. Thank God it went well.
Throughout this journey, I've learned the immense importance of trusting the process. The original procedure should have been in and out and nothing else. Since the initial surgery, I've now had to have now 4 surgeries to correct the issue. It's not always easy, but sometimes we must let go and have faith that things will work out. Life has a way of teaching us profound lessons, even through challenging experiences.
Speaking of trusting the process, I wanted to tell you about a rebroadcast of a live video I posted yesterday titled “When God Says No: Trusting The Unseen Plan.” In this video, I share my thoughts on navigating difficult times when it feels like our prayers aren't being answered. I believe this message could resonate with you, especially if you're going through any challenging circumstances.
I encourage you to take some time to watch it. I hope it will help you find the strength to trust God and embrace your journey, even when it feels uncertain.
Click the link below to watch the video:
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any thoughts or reflections after watching the video. I'd love to hear from you. Wishing you peace, strength, and trust in the process!
How many people do you know that talk about their “dreams” but are doing the same thing they were five years ago? In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream…” speech.
The problem isn't the speech; the problem is that people in America stopped reading at the title. The REAL problem is that most people never heard or read the very first paragraph of the speech.
Here's the first paragraph of Martin Luther King, Jr's speech…” I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.”
You must remember one of the biggest takeaways from the text above.
He used the word “DEMONSTRATION.” That word closely resembles the word ACTION and MOVEMENT. Is having a dream important? Yes. But a dream without action will always remain a dream in your mind.
If you want things to change, you START with a dream, create a PLAN, and then take ACTION. How many people do you know that stop at step #1? Don't be that person.
The saddest day of my life was the day that my Mom died. She was on Hospice care close to the end of her battle with cancer, and no matter how much you think you're prepared for death when it actually happens, it's gut-wrenching. When you have a parent pass away that you're very close to, it feels like a part of you has died. The day I lost my Mom was the saddest day of my life.
This morning, as I sat down to type this email. I didn't know what I would type until the subject “The Saddest Day Of My Life” dropped in my spirit. But I want to go back and explain to you how God moves and how God works when we don't even realize He is shifting things on our behalf.
Near the end of 2015, Ricky and I decided to have a five-day event for those who wanted intense work on their business. At this event, I focused on breaking barriers, teaching how to write books, all kinds of things, and it was everything we set out for it to be. The event was called 5-Day Roadmap To Results, and it was scheduled to start the week of May 8th.
A few months into 2016, I got a phone call from the hotel that I would host this event at saying something happened. They had to move the dates to my event to June/July. I was very upset about this because people had already purchased plane tickets, arranged childcare, time off, etc. So it was a lot to have to change this but, it actually ended up not being that bad.
After we got everything settled, I thought nothing else of it and went back to everyday life. A few months later, we noticed Mom's health was declining, and the nurse for Hospice care had to come out to the house a little bit more. Suddenly, on the Friday before Mother's day, things shifted very quickly. I could tell Mom was significantly worse. On May 9th, the day after Mother's Day in 2016, my Mom passed away and went home to be with the Lord.
Needless to say, we were absolutely devastated, but what a blessing to have spent all of that time with her. She was literally surrounded by family when she took her last breath. I know that that gave her peace and comfort.
A month or two after Mom's funeral, it was time for the 5-Day Roadmap To Results event. Now a lot of people thought I came back too soon, but when God pulls you out of something, you can't help but get back on your feet because it was only through God's mercy and grace that I was able to pull through and push through.
Early on day one of the event, I received a text message from Ricky that said, “This is not your event. This is the Lord's event. Let God have His way. Pray for people, lay hands on people. People are going to be healed, delivered, and set free.” That prophetic word came to pass.
On either day one or two of the event, Jessica (our business development manager) comes up to me during one of the breaks and says, “You have to see this! You have to see the dates of the original event!” The dates of the original event were the exact dates that we spent prepping for Mom's funeral. I was completely floored and blown away.
The Lord knew that we would be preparing for Mom's funeral during the same time that I would have had that event. So even in my anger and aggravation for the people at the hotel, God was working on our behalf. He was ordering our steps and interceding for us.
That happens so much in the lives of so many people, and we don't even realize it. When you stop and look at it, and you stop and say. Man, I can't believe that just happened. We have to give God the glory and the honor, and the praise.
The purpose of this email is for you to reflect for you to go back and reflect on your life, for you to go back and reflect on the things that you're thankful for, for the blessings that you have that you don't even realize, the Lord has shifted things for you.
How often have you thanked God for your blessings?
How often have you reflected on what you have been given that you didn't even ask for?
Sometimes we get so caught up in asking for what we think we need or don't have, and we lose sight of what we do have and what we are thankful for.
I encourage you to reflect on what you have that you didn't ask for, and then I encourage you to just be thankful and gracious to our Heavenly Father for providing those things you didn't even know you needed.
One of the biggest things that hold people back is unforgiveness. We must understand the importance of releasing and forgiving those that hurt us so that we can move forward in life and be free.
Forgiveness is not for them; it's for you. Sometimes they don't even know they've hurt you.
In this video, I brought in Zachia Jones to explain the process she helps others go through to forgive.
Zachia has literally written the book on this, and it will help you get set free and release all of the offense and unforgiveness you've been carrying.
One of the most common things that I hear people say is that I should be so much further along in life. By now, we've all been guilty of it, myself included.
Looking at the goals that you set for your life and then looking at exactly where you are in that moment and saying, “Man, if I had just made this decision, then I'd be there.”
Reminiscing about what you've done in life and where you are now, and where you think you should be can be very unhealthy and be the catalyst to get you stuck in a rut that some never come out of.
There are things must happen for you to really, truly step into what you've been called to do. And that is part of your equipping. We must understand that to get to a certain point in life; you will need things along the way. These “things” are equipping you to walk out what you've been called to do.
Tuesday, I was very eager to go live because the Lord had laid a word in my belly about this very topic, and I needed to get it out. You can watch the full video here.
You are exactly where you need to be at this moment. You do not have to worry about where you're at right now and think you're too old or that it's too late.
A few years back, when I used to have my live events, I was preparing for Million Dollar Stylist LIVE!. While tweaking my slides, I was led to create an entire section dedicated to people who felt that they were too old to start, and so in that section, I talked about Samuel L Jackson and how he was in his 40s when he got his big break, and I talked about Julia Child who was 49 years old when her first book was published. It's never too late.
There are so many things that you can still do in life. It's never too late for you to start something. It's never too late for you to walk out your full anointing and calling that's on your life.
The perfect example of being patient and waiting is the biblical story of David how he was anointed to be king at 15 years old. He didn't actually take office until 15 years later because he understood the assignment. He understood that he needed to be equipped. He understood that there were things that he needed before he stepped into that office.
There will be things along the way that we need to walk into what we've been called to do thoroughly. So I highly encourage you to watch this video.
And if you're on the brink, and feel like you're at that point, and you feel like I'm speaking directly to you because you know there's more, you know there are things that you need to fill voids in your business, I highly encourage you to register for Million Dollar Stylist LIVE!. This is an event. That will shift the trajectory of your life.
It is that thing for so many people that they needed to step into that next phase in their lives. We cover so many things at this event that you're not going to find covered at any other event. It is an event where I show you what's working in my business and show you how to implement these things into your business. So head on over, check out the video here, and then you can also check out how to register for Million Dollar Stylist LIVE! right here.
A few weeks ago, I was back home in Las Vegas about to go to bed when the John Oliver show just so happened to be on TV. Just as I was about to close my eyes to sleep, I saw that he was getting ready to do an entire segment on black hair.
I sat up immediately, paying very close attention because I was very interested in hearing what he would say about our hair. I mean, part of me was like, “Oh my gosh! Am I going to be offended?”
I didn't know what to expect because for so long black hair has been the topic of discussion in the workplace, not just from black people but also from white people or people of other ethnicities who are uncomfortable with the way we wear our hair.
Before I get into what he talked about in the video, I want to talk a bit about some of the struggles and things that we've gone through for so many years as black women when it comes to our hair. I spent nine and a half years in the United States Air Force, and in my time in the Air Force, it was always an issue with hair, not with me personally, but in general.
We had to follow Air Force Regulation 36-2903. That regulation had to be adhered to for you to remain compliant about your hair. Basically, you could not wear your hair in a “faddish” style.
The natural texture of black hair was considered a fad, so you couldn't wear your fro if you were going natural, for example. Braids were sometimes an issue, wearing a nice tapered short brush cut was an issue, and so were locs.
But in my mind, the question I always asked myself was, “What other ethnicity would be told that the natural texture of their hair is faddish?”
All of this comes from a simple lack of understanding of our hairstyles' cultural meaning. Have you ever experienced someone asking if they could touch your hair? Or maybe they make a snide comment like, “it's just nappy.” All of this comes from a lack of communication and understanding.
Okay, back to John Oliver because I want to give him and his writers credit for the research and love they put into their show concerning black hair and all the drama we have to deal with just to live in a world that completely disrespects our God-given hair at every point.
You can watch the show here.
His team did an incredible job doing the research, and they got it right. Our hair is not an ornament. Our hair is a cultural thing for us, and everyone in the world needs to understand that.
To have someone like John Oliver, who is not a black man, or a black woman, create a piece like this and nail it to me is absolutely amazing.
So thanks John, you made a difference, and I'm very thankful this issue hit your radar, and you chose to take action on it.
Planning is important. Having a vision is important. Being faithful is important.
There's a new movement that's becoming pretty popular these days. And if you look and listen very carefully, you'll begin to notice the word patterns used by people who believe in this movement.
I call it the “Feel Movement.”
There are people who actually believe you can “feel” your way to your goals.
They don't believe in planning. They don't believe in work; for the most part, they basically don't want to take responsibility for themselves or anything around them.
If these people don't “feel” it, they won't take action. They won't do anything.
And don't think Christians are any better. There are many Christians who are still waiting, 30 years later, for God to PHYSICALLY tap them on the shoulder and say it's okay to WORK.
Don't buy into this nonsense.
You are a child of God. You have a beating heart and two legs to walk on. That's enough to get out there and make a difference.
Stop waiting to do what God already equipped you to do.
Listen to the spirit of God, stay prayed up, and take STRATEGIC action. If you fail, chalk it up as a learning lesson and get back to your work.
If you wait to “feel” EVERYTHING, you'll never move forward.
Let me leave you with a few verses to think about…
Proverbs 12:11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (NIV)
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (NIV)
John 5:17
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (NIV)
Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (NIV)
John 4:34
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. (NIV)
Lastly, if you are like me and don't mind work, like helping others, you might consider making Lace Wigs.
Registration is open for my 1-Day Virtual Lace Wig Bootcamp. You don't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity to help people with this amazing skill.
Take a look at what one of my students who just trained with me did.
The bottom line is, you can do it. All you have to do is believe and make a mental shift! This is your season to shine!
It's becoming common to hear people talk about how they are tired of seeing “fake” bodies, vacations, etc., on social media these days.
Have you ever scrolled through your Instagram page, and one of your friends liked something that kind of confused you?
Let me put this another way. Have you ever been laying in bed scrollin' that finger and saw an inappropriate post or message and were surprised that someone you thought you knew well liked a post that goes against everything they are supposedly for?
We really need to get clear about a few things. What you do, say, like, and consume on social is public knowledge in one way or the other.
I preach a straightforward rule in my house, and it's simple. If you do something on your phone, the internet, whatever, consider it public domain and assume everyone will see it.
What you stand for, what you believe, shows on social media. And guess what? It's NOT getting better or easier out there. This is the new world, and you must act accordingly and understand that EVERYONE is watching. This is reality TV times 20!
When it comes to social media, I always go back to one of my favorite movie quotes from Beverly Hills Cop, “Don't fall for the banana in the tailpipe!” meaning, don't fall for the tricks people play on social to get your attention.
Don't think the fake bodies, photoshopped breasts, perfect teeth, and Lamborghinis are going anywhere. You will always have people trying to one-up each other, show off, and try to make money on the backs of the gullible.
The key is not falling for it. Stay focused on your vision and your truth. Then go out into the world and shine that light and be smart. Put out your message and do it YOUR way. You will attract the right people into your life and business. But the last thing you want to do is fake it.
I will never forget overhearing these words, “I don't remember the last time I was sober.”
It was a few years ago when I had to go to the ER for a nasty fall. I can laugh now, but at the time, I thought I'd broke every bone in my arm and leg! 🤯
The nurse took the vitals for a gentleman who showed up to the ER to be seen for something. As I was walking by, I overheard him say, “I don't remember the last time I was sober.” 😢
I instantly felt my heart drop. A lump was forming in my throat, and I was starting to tear up. This poor man had been in so much pain that all he knew to do to numb the pain was drink.
Although I couldn't relate totally to his situation, I did relate to wanting to feel numb from the emotional pain of my mother's death. That's why I instantly felt compassion for him. I'll never forget laying in bed at night, hearing the audible voice of God telling me to “Get Up!” not just physically but spiritually and emotionally.
I shared that message while in India; you can also watch it here.
I had to fight to get up and get out of the funk I was in. I was sinking into a dark place that some don't come out of.
In times of struggle, emotional pain, frustration, fear, and loneliness, you have to get up, decide, and take your place. Life will throw you curveballs, but it's how you handle them that makes all the difference in the world. It's how you handle them that builds character. It's how you handle them that gives you a powerful testimony to share with the world.
Yes, we're human, and we will make mistakes, but just don't give up. Keep going and never stop pursuing your dreams. We all have a purpose, a reason for being.
Before you leave this earth, do everything in your power to walk in your purpose because YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Years ago, when I learned that minding your own business was Biblical, I was shocked. Our good friend Pastor Rich talked about this in this video.
Here's the scripture:
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV
In this scripture, Paul explained that when you focus on staying out of the drama, working your gift, and minding your own business, you will not have to look to anyone for anything.
There will be naysayers, there will be people who talk about you, there will be people who will outright hate you for what you're doing, but you can't focus on that. You have to concentrate on your giftings, your truth, and what you were put here to do.
While we're still in the first month of the year, here's what I want you to do if you haven't already. I want you to make a list, specifically of educational things like classes, courses, or books that you want to read or go through this year to increase your skill level.
List those things and start working on that list. As you accomplish each one, make a 2nd list, and each month or each time you add to that completed list, know that it's because you focused. Don't allow people or things to distract you from sowing into you and your gifting. Make this a year of exponential growth for you and your business!
