Stay Thirsty and Stay Hungry

Day 234: "Connect the dots looking backwards." Steve Jobs

I'm Writing My Own Story

Day 235: "So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground."-
Oprah Winfrey

Changing my Address

Day 236: "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent."- Martin Luther King Jr.

Riding on the Fresh Winds Of Change

DAY 237: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20. I love this scripture, and today it was elevated as I reflected on just how good of a day it really was.

Most times when this verse is spoken the last part about which states " according to the power that works in us" is left off. The sooner that we realize that God has already given us everything we need to live out our destiny the sooner we will be able to do just that. But it does say that He is able, and He is able means it's His good pleasure to do so. I love this verse so very much because I have the assurance that He is ABLE.

I hosted my first Private Business reception for my Zamzuu business at my friend Dwight Eubanks home this evening and it was a huge success. I was pleased with the diversity professionals that attended and certainly those three new business partners. My team is really growing and I know the one that got started today are going to work it and keep me busy.

Well another class under the belt and I did survive with only 10 more to go. It's almost midnight and I want to get an early start so I'm going to call in a night. I so know that God is doing a new thing. There is a shift going on and I can feel it and almost taste it.

Lord I give you thank for all things that you have done.

That Time Has Passed

Day 238:"I always tell my kids if you lay down, people will step over you. But if you keep scrambling, if you keep going, someone will always, always give you a hand. Always. But you gotta keep dancing, you gotta keep your feet moving."- Morgan Freeman. Tonight I was engaged in conversation with an old friend regarding an old friend. I expressed my concerns that our mutual friend was not happy and appears to be just sad.

As she began to give me a clear understanding of the real world circumstances that brought our friend to where they are to day it became clearer. We went through the what ifs and could have, would have , should have. I expressed my desire to just be our friend's friend because I believe they truly are in need of just that. And then she set off sparks with," Rita that time has passed."

I almost jumped out of my skin. I was so very relived that I didn't have to go down the path I thought i did because I wanted to keep the memories in tack. Yet, that time has passed and I we can't go back and changes thing. In fact, our friend isn't even my assignment. So there goes Rita getting in her own way...again, I say again. When will we women get it through our heads that everyone isn't assigned to us and that's okay. We do not have to fix everything and everybody. Nor do they want us too.

Enough about that..

Finding Your Tipping Point

Day 239: “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight; and never stop fighting”
- E.E. Cummings

Everything pushed me over the edge today. Being bogged down writing a Literature Review paper is absolutely crazy for me right now. I want to focus on my business and this just seems to have me way off course. I really did think at this stage in my life that graduate school would be a little easier but it's not. And so now my posture is I only have 9 more months left.

I have this huge passion now where I just want to focus on my business...so many moving parts. This is a life lesson for me and for any one reading this. Please stop, pray and then wait for and answer when making decisions that so affect your future. I'm sure I will look back on this time when I'm crossed the finish line and I'm celebrating and be very glad that I did this. However, I do know with all my heart that if I could have do over I would not be doing this. Better decisions Rita.

Well enough self pity for tonight. I have midnight prayer at the church as we have been on a 30 day prayer focus and fast. (have not fasted on day this month) I'm so out of sink with what is happening at my church as I have been on the road. But, I do know that I need to be in the house of prayer tonight among the congregation. Thank you Lord for grace and mercy....I've needed a big dose this month.

What I realize more than anything is that I have this burning desire to walk in my destiny. I want to work on my magazine, talk show and women's conference. I've got distracted along the way with life and stuff I added to life. Yet, today I reached a very pivotal tipping point I know exactly what I want! That my friend's is so refreshing and powerful. I'm a finisher so I will forge ahead.

Going to lay it all down at the altar tonight and not pick it back up again.

Let's Hear It For New York

Day 240: The first time I heard Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform the Empire State of Mind I was hooked on that song. It brought back all the warm and fuzzy feelings that I hold dear to my heart about New York. As soon as I get in the yellow cab at the airport the energy of the city begins to draw me.

This all came back to me tonight as I co hosted a call with New York plugged in from all five Burroughs.

I've Got Two Advocates

Day 243-241: I resolve to live my life to the fullest each day and to the best of my ability. I have but one life to live and I chose to live it laughing and running towards the wind. I especially love the winds of change. It is a reminder to me that God said, "I will do a new things shall you not know it, I will make rain in the wilderness." I love change for it is the only constant in life. And the fact that I get that makes me smile and it keeps me youthful and open to all kinds of possibilities.

I take the limits off of God and I'm letting Him lead and guide me like never before. He's downloading creative ideas and strategic business strategies to me and today it was hard to keep up. I like knowing when I step up to the call on my life that I have two Advocate working on my behalf. On earth, The Holy Spirit pleads our cause. The things we can not say right, He says for us; the things we do not understand, He interprets for us. In heaven, Jesus is our Advocate with the Father; He pleads our cause. Just think, we have the two greatest Advocates in the universe. With two Advocates or Attorneys, how could we ever lose a case?

I didn't blog for the last two days because I came back from the beach with a head cold that tried to shut me down. As I lay in bed last night with body aches I wondered if this attack on my body was for the prayers and scriptures that went forth for Vicki. Or maybe it was just the combination of swimming and the very hot air. No matter for I was determined to get under the covers, rest and beat it right out of my body. Tonight there is very little evidence that I felt yucky from head to toe.

I've not worked out in three days so tomorrow I have to hit the tracks and get back on game. Tomorrow night my mentor Donald Bradley and I start our "Straight Talk Live-New York" call and that's pretty exciting. Then on July 5th, I'm launching a national call for women and we're noodling a name for it...more to come.

I have a Private Business reception on Sunday and I'm expecting to sign up at least 7 new business partners to reach my goal of 10 this month. I know the month is only 7 days away. But I believe it's not over til its over. For I can do "all things through Christ who strengthens me , the hope of glory."

After all, I have two Advocates working on my behalf.

Waiting Behind the Veil

Day 244: Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland In memory of the beautiful women that I'd only had the pleasure to know for a very short time. But she and her husband touched my heart in a very special way.

Salute Vicki O'Neal, there are so many wonderful people waiting to greet you behind the veil. I will see you again in paradise.

Leaving shortly for home and this has been an amazing three day's for me and wonderful memories have been made and stored for a lifetime. I feel brand new.....

Today is Your Tomorrow

Day 245: The day was filled with a wide range of emotions as the day was eventful from the time my feet hit the floor. I prayed with my brother Dane as he went to his baby mama's house to try to bring his daughter home with him. I prayed with my friend Noy as she wept because tomorrow is Father's Day and she lost her day in December.

The I called one of my Zamzuu business partners to tell him I was sending him healing Scriptures he should pray over his wife Vickie as she lay clinging to life after 3 aneurysms. An aneurysm is a bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery. I felt anxious for her as I texted him each scripture. I could only hope that Sid would be bold and put God's word into the atmosphere. I could barley get the scriptures sent to him quick enough as I felt so strongly in my spirit that he needed to speak them over her.

I felt so blessed that I was able to pray with three dear people to day and humbled that God was using me to do so. I felt empowered that I was walking in my calling and doing ministry outside the walls of the church. I felt God presence so strongly and I was happy that I had gone to be studying the word and woke up on my knees. The word says, we should have a word in season. And the only way for that to happen is to study to show yourself approved.

I swam today and that is something I have not done in year's. It was a little scary at first until I got my grove back and then I didn't want to get out of the water. These three day's are a mirror of what my life is going to look like from this day forward. Today, I'm in someone's second home and one day that will be my reality as well.

Just as I was coming in from the beach the phone rang and I saw it was from one of my other business partners in Zamzuu and my heart started racing. She said, " Rita I'm so sorry to have to call to tell you this," and I went weak.. Vicki O'Neal had just lost her life and succumb to a premature death. She tried to assure me that all the scriptures I'd sent to Sid were sure to have ministered to him.

Vickie lost her life because she let the stress of life and assisting grown children and all of their mess overtake her. That's why I called it a premature death. What we do today will determine what our tomorrow will look like. If we allow life to over take us instead of us taking control of it we will find ourselves coming up short in our health and eventually our life.

My heart is broken for Sid O'Neal as this is his second wife to pass over before him. He and Vickie appeared to really love each other and she smiled like a school girl when she told the story of how they met. They had just vacationed together and he simply adored her. I had the pleasure of visiting heir home on two occasion and they were so excited to have me present to their guest for them. When I would see them at some of our weekly meetings they would make sure their team got a chance to speak with me. They made me feel very special each time I was in their presence.

I trust the scriptures I sent Sid ministered to his soul and now to his broken heart. I now need them to minster to my broken heart.

Santa Rosa Beach

Day 246: All I can say is WOW! This place is fabulous and I have such a wonderful peace just being near the water. Everyone we've met thus far has been extremely nice and it even feels like I'm part of the neighborhood.

We're visiting the second home of one of my business partners in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It would be amazing if it were my first home but to think its someones second home just got my baby leaping. As I walked around taking in each room being more splendid than the other it got me day dreaming. Which I have been doing since Wednesday morning.

I just love that God is the God of impossibilities. I keep telling myself if I can think of this how much more does God have planned for me. I plan to read the "Alchemist" and "Outliers" on the beach tomorrow. And I plan to use every minute of my time here loving on myself and drawing closer to the Father.

This me time is something I've been needing for quite awhile now.When I started this blog I promised to fall in love with myself. This weekend represents a very basic step towards doing just that thing.

Please Remind Me Why I'm In Grad School?

Day 247: Make me want to holler who dropped you on your head as a baby Rita Owens. Oh my goodness, grad school is so darn hard, hard. One day I think I'm as smart as I cant be. Then you turn around and have a day like I had in Second Life and you just ask your self why.I don't need another degree as I already have two

Tonight here I was in Second Life which is a virtual environment where people go to play and even live out heir fantasies with about 40 other classmates. Why am I on a team where none of us know anything about the virtual environment? While I was tripping at some of the younger kids profiles i.e. gamers. You can believe me when I say I so wish one of them had landed on my team. Just goes to shows you when you start to judge people by what's important to you. I'm sure no one else has ever pre judged someone based on who we want them to be?

My avatar Twinkle Darmoset had the body of the girl next door pink polka dot dress and all. I was by far the wackiest person at the professor virtual house tonight. Even the professor's avatar was a sexy hot red head and that is defiantly and alter ego thing going on.

I'm going to the beach tomorrow still having to do homework all weekend. I just want to let everyone know that timing is everything. And the timing for me to be in graduate school could not have been worse. I really want to quit school but that is not the option on the table for me. I'm not a quitter but I sure feel like kissing this idea good bye, sirrah nara, see you. But atlas, I have to lick my wounds, get back up and start where I left off.

That's the good thing about God. Even when we are messing up He looks at our hearts and allows us to get back up again. Ah, grace!

Playing around in Second Life

Day 248:

In the Locker Room

Day 249: "Looking back, you realize that everything would have explained itself if you had only stopped interrupting." ~Robert Brault

Tonight the LA Laker's and the Boston Celtic's are playing Game 6 of the NBA playoffs tonight. But, I 'm so blessed that I'm in the Locker room with my millionaire mentor having real talk on how to be a championship leader.

Renewing my Mind

250-251: This post is a culmination of my weekend in Detroit and coming home on today. The weekend truly revealed that yet another door to my past was opened and closed. Even coming home today I wasn't able to sync my time with a cousin who I'm not seen in about 25 years until this past October. He took it as a negative that I was not able to meet up with him when his schedule changed. I took it as another door from my past was closing back and being sealed.

I refuse to own other folks stuff anymore in this Second ACT of my life and as well I refuse to dumb myself down so you fit. So this will serve as notice to all those folks who should have never been allowed into my life and who certainly don't belong now. I will no longer move out of my place in being who I am so you can be a part of my life or I can be a part of yours. If it don't fit...keep it moving period.

Even when people are part of your family it does not mean they are suppose to be actively in your life. We don't get to choose our family but we do get to chose our friends. My, my that will preach! And I chose to decide even if you're part of my extended family if you fit in my world. If you don't let's not make it personal but keep moving forward and nurturing and loving on those relationships that do belong to you.

This weekend gave me such new perspective on life and I was able to have transparent and open conversations with self. Self said, "renew your mind and walk in the fullness of everything that God has purposed for your life." Self said, "don't ever look back."

I love me and I love how I'm evolving. I can't wait to see the finished product. Tried by the fire and coming out Pure Gold. My life is totally surrendered unto God so that He can make me over until I please Him. Not man, only Him.

Is this the Life You Were Meant to Have

Day 252-251: "I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see."-John Burroughs This post encompasses Friday and Saturday blogs as my The time Live Reunion didn't allow me to post last night.

Stop Passing the Ball

Day 253: Okay, so enough sitting and watching presentations to my friend’s and colleagues that are just plain unprofessional. I keep hearing my new mentor say” you’re Rita Owens and why are you under the net but passing the ball.”

Over the past couple of weeks a passion has ignited in me for my Zamzuu business. My light bulb so to speak finally came on and I know this business is something that I’m going to be very successful and happy doing so.

Having spent most of my life in corporate America has given me unmeasurable experience in how to present myself and whatever I'm marketing in a professional manner. This really is not about other people but more so about me. I've chosen to become involved with a business model that allows people from all walks of life to become successful in their own right.

People who become successful in the network marketing businesses come in every shape. form and fashion. Many who rise to the top have been average and ordinary all their lives until that found a product they believed in that would ultimately change their lives. And they will be able to attract others who are just like them as their followers.

So the moral of the story is their is someone for everybody...really. The measure of a leader is if someone is following you. However, it does not mean that I have to or will follow you. I'm seeing the Second Act of my life out of very crystal clear glasses and everything I run into something that does not line up with what I want for my life..see ya.

Kicking butt and taking no names.

Easing into Running

Day 256 Today I was so excited about what the day would bring I got an early start on my exercises routine. I'm trying to build momentum and walking instead of the gym and wights is certainty the slower process. Some little bird inside kept telling me to run/walk/run/walk as much as I could. I mean I've never worked out on the track as hard as today.

Well by four o'clock my lower back telling me just how much it did not appreciate me overdoing it this morning. I couldn't even take my granddaughter to the park this evening for our walk and then give her time at the playground.

I hurt in any position I try to assemble myself and I'm giving in to a muscle relaxer and some rest. The morale of the story is give yourself some time work up to a more aggressive routine especially if you're over 40 years of age. I have nothing to prove but I was trying to prove something to me. I will take this as a minor set back for tonight and give my body and mind time to rejuvenate.

My business mentor called tonight and wanted to talk strategies for the ne to hear me sweat. A lot is riding on me looking the part for my business and I have to keep pushing myself back to a healthy place not just for physical appearance but as a testimony as well.

See you tomoorrow

Leading From the Front

Day 257:

Success takses on so many diffreent forms

Day 258:

Women Friends

Day 259:

Mindmapping to Destiny

Day 260: If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau

My team and I sat and mapped out our dreams tonight and it was the most exhilarating three hours I've had in a long time. The wonderful thing that came out of it all was our interdependence on each other. All three of us realized we need each other to make our individual and collective dreams come true.

Treasure in my own backyard

Day 261: "Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself.-Walter Anderson

Back in 1973 James Shepherd suffered injuries that would keep him in a hospital in Brazil for five weeks. His injuries were like threatening and only by the grace of God and three physicians He worked through is he alive today. That was 37 years ago and because there was no place in Georgia to treat his type of injuries his family built the Sheppard Center. The Sheppard Center specializes in spinal cord injuries and rehabilitation.

I took a tour conducted by Alana Shepherd who by the way turned 80 years young today and it was nothing short of amazing. It was so evident this has been her life's work as she maneuvered us thorough almost every aspect of what they do. The patients were courageous and each one was fighting through all kinds of intensive therapy to get back some semblance of what they lost.

I thought I was well versed in the kind of facility the Shepherd Center was before I was invited to this intensive tour. Only to find out that I knew nothing in comparison to what I experienced today. I went thinking this tour was going to be heart wrenching and sad. Yet, it was full of people pushing themselves to the limit with support from family to stay in the game of life. It was doctors, therapist, nurses and volunteers spending hours upon hours committed to making a difference in the life of those who have come to depend upon and trust them.

We were allowed to watch as a young man was being taught how to cook a meal in a simulated kitchen with all the gadget's that would make it possible for him to be independent. All the things that I take for granted everyday flashed before my eyes. We heard the story of a couple from Nashville who were sitting at a red light after an evening stroll on a scooter. They were just sitting at the light as a car plowed into them killing her and making him a quadriplegic. Just sitting there waiting for the light to change. How courageous is he get up everyday and go through eight hours of intensive therapy. He has given up on life but has decided to try with all his might to get some of what he had back no matter how small.

My feet hurt from the hour and fifty minute tour in my cutiest heels...didn't know it was going to be that long. Even as I teased about needing a leg rub I felt small. How blessed was I to have been on this tour and to have experienced the treasure of the Sheppard Center sitting in my own backyard. I will forever be grateful to my friend Carl Nelson and to Dana Shepherd for sharing this with me. And I am forever a committed donor to the cause.

A heartfelt salute to Harold and Alana Shepherd for your sacrifice and your labor of love. Just imagine God trusted you two with this assignment.
To learn more about the Shepherd Center log on to www.shepherd.org and please feel free to donate.

Asking for What You Really Want

Day 262: "Understand that you, yourself, are no more than the composite picture of all your thoughts and actions. In your relationships with others, remember the basic and critically important rule: "If you want to be loved, be lovable. If you want respect, set a respectable example!" -Denis Waitley

This day has been filled with wonderful and I mean wonderful favor. When you have favor with God He will give you favor with men. I'd heard this quote used before and as I searched for one that would line up with my spirit this one stood out.

During a business negation today I heard myself getting ready to lowball my bid. Why, you may ask and the answer is that I thought the client would not think I deserved what I wanted. Where do we as women get this kind of thinking? Why don’t we think we deserve to be fairly compensated for our work?

The truth is you never get what you deserve in business you get what you negotiate. Ask for what you want....period!