Book Number Three is in the Works!

I decided to go ahead and take the plunge.  After almost two years away from the characters of Scott and Savannah, I will complete the trilogy.  Oh did I mention that the other two novels have been picked up by another book publisher?  Did I also mention that there are very early talks of turning the books into movies?  Very excited.  To see my characters on the big screen, that would be amazing.  *running to vision board now*

Happy Easter

I have been away for sometime on a few special projects that I will annouce soon, but wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Easter!

Why? 11 year old girl, gang raped.

The big story floating through cyber world today is the arrest of a 19 year old for his participation in a gang rape of an 11 year old little girl.  This young man along with six other gang members sexually assaulted the young girl in a park bathroom.  This is the second sexual assault in a month in the California neighborhood park.

My question....what are we going to do?  Yes, what are WE going to do.  The state of our young people is really a reflection on what the generation prior has done.  We can no longer place blame and say the streets, drugs, gangs, negativity, if you ask me, they are all crutches that we use to keep the blame from ourselves.  To be quite honest for a second, it is our fault.  Come off the high horse for a moment.  Believe me, I am talking to myself as well.  We can do more.  I know that I could do more.  Our children are seriously loosing while we watch on the sidelines shaking our head.  Seriously, we should be the ones shaking our head at ourselves.

How many times have we been in the presence of youth who just didnt know any better and offered to mentor?  How many times have we saw a young girl cursing like crazy to cover her low self-estteem and just turned our head in disgust?  Really, just think about it.  How many times have we past judgement on these children and have had no clue as to what they face in their personal lives everyday. Many of our young people are raising themselves or raising other siblings or a parent. 

It is evidenced in the bullying, the disrespect, the murders, the rapes, and the pain that they are calling out for help.  Here is a question that we should all ask ourselves....have we let our children down?

Game Changer

I have been going through a little process in my head for a full week now.  My thoughts have been circulating around the idea of having multiple jobs.  I already have three and was offered another position last night.  I am doing the same thing with each company, but it had me thinking if I was being greedy or expected to have all that I dreamed of in one setting.  Is it possible to be too greedy in life?

A friend of mine told me that she believes that you can have it all, just not at one time.  Is this true?  What if we you have right now is exactly what you are supposed to have at that time.  We all know that as we grow, our wants and our needs change.  I am not the same person at 32 as I was at 30.  My needs, my desires, my life has changed drastically since then.  I certainly do not live the same life.

When I really thought about it, it became very clear to me. What I am doing along with a lot of my peers is trying to really live my life to the fullest.  I know we say that a lot, but if you really look around you will see many individuals sincerely going after their dreams despite the costs and the sacrifices.  There is a genuine determination to change the path of life that they have seen family members before them travel.  I know for myself, if I don't get this ambition out of of me and manifest everything inside of me, I will bust.

People who don't understand will probably say that I am taking on too much.  I often hear the statement of, "you are doing that too?"  Yup, that too!  You would agree that it would be better to say that I tried and had the opportunity to experience than to not have had the opportunity?  I know my limits and I haven't reached it yet, so be prepared in the next upcoming weeks to see what else has been added (the pot is stirring).  I have realized that the rules of the game have not changed but I have decided to not only change the rules but change how it is played.  A natural Game Changer!

Part Two: There is another angle to the receive part. (Ask, Believe, Receive)

About a week ago, I posted on my new spiritual exercise of Asking, Believing, and Receiving.  Three simple words that I found were not so simple to execute.  Early last week, I thought that I would really put this concept into action.  I asked for three specific things by a certain day.  I asked and believed.  I believed with great intent.  The day came and none of the three things that I asked for had manifested.  I was a little upset and offended because I had done the two parts that was required of me.

For the entire weekend, I continued to questioned this entire concept.  If I asked and believed, then what I asked for and believed in, I should receive.  Its as easy as one, two, three. Right?  I learned a very important element of this concept.  I can ask and I can believe, BUT I really have to be open to receive.  Last week, as much as I really believed, I had self-sabotagging thoughts that did not allow those things to happen.  Let me show you what I mean.  At the beginning of the week, when I first made my declaration, I was excited, fully believing.  As it became closer to the day when I was the receive, conflicting thoughts began to run through my mind.  You know those thoughts: "Why should you have that?"  "You really think that you can have that?" "Your not qualified."  All of those stupid little thoughts. 

Sunday morning, in my intimate time with God, I was given a great revelation.  This is what I learned.  The reason why I did not receive what I asked for is simply because I did not believe that I was deserving to have it.  I may have wanted it, but deep inside my thoughts, I disqualified myself from receiving because I did not believe that I could actually have what I asked for.  I closed myself off from receiving.  The moment I caught this, I started crying because it was true.  I had not dealt with my true insecurities regarding myself.  These were insecurities that I had hidden within myself that surfaced when I believed things for myself.  I don't know about you, but it is always easier for me to encourage and believe great things for other people.

I will tell you this much.  Since dealing with ME yesterday morning, I have seen prayers answered and worry and stress have left me.  The ASK, BELIEVE, RECEIVE does work.  The secret to getting the things you ask for is for you to get out of your own way. 

Go ahead, ask, believe God, believe in yourself, believe that you are worthy to have what you are asking for, dispute the negative thoughts, open yourself to receive and you will.

Pure Disgust: Why do we continuously throw each other under the bus.

I tried my very best to stay away from the whole subject, yet there is too much concern in me to remain quiet.  I know that I have mentioned this numerous times, but I truly love people.  I am a huge supporter of women.  I love to see other women accomplish their dreams if that is running a business, receiving the promotion they desire, climb a mountain, write a book, or run their home. If I am able to assist, I give from what I have or point the person in the direction of someone who has what they need. My philosophy is that we have to be supportive of one another.  Women are each other's resources.

When watching the "Celebrity Apprentice" on Sunday, my emotions ranged from shocked to disgust by the time the end credits were rolling.  Listen, I completely understand what competition is and I am well aware of how business works and how the game is played.  However, I think that what moves us ahead without the "burglar" look over our shoulder is how much integrity we utilize when positioning or leveraging ourselves.  There is really something to be said about integrity.  What many of us have to realize is that the prize is not the business deal but the reputation of the person that closes the deal.  You can be a savvy businesswoman yet execute in excellence without causing another person to stumble, feel humiliated or demoralized, or even worse, stupid.  After a deal is closed or a competition is won, what is remembered by onlookers is how the competitors played the game.

In the year of 2011, why have we as women not moved past the crab in the barrel mentality?  God made this world vast.  He made us all with many talents and gifts.  believe it or not, there is enough room for ALL of us to grow.  Will we ever get to a point where we realize that we can get out of the barrel quicker by linking arms together?  Seriously, woman have made great strides in so many areas, yet when I see us throw one another under the bus with no remorse, it makes me question how far we have really come.  Are we imitating power that we have lost or have we just lost, because we are lost?

Japan's Tragedy is Our Tragedy!

I think we all have sat with open mouths as we have seen the complete devastation in Japan.  I know for myself that it was very difficult to see an entire airport wiped away from water.  It was beyond disheartening to know that in an instant, the lives of innocent people had been completely turned upside down.  To know that children were killed and separated from their families, brought tears to my eyes.  To see streets, homes, and buildings wiped away along with people sitting on a piece of undestroyed land with looks of displacement, heartbreak, and confusion on their faces, should hit home for many of us. 

We can't compare one tragedy to another for each situation has its own story.  However, we do understand that pain holds no boundary.  For many of us, Japan rests on the other side of the world, yet what we must understand and realize is that what affects one, affects us all.  We are all divinely connected to one another and share the space of the world together. 

Do not watch in horror, do something!  If your something is a prayer or donation, I am sure that both would be well appreciated.  We have to remember that we are each others keeper.

Silent Sufferer: Miscarriage

Throughout the day, I have heard various reports discussing the a potential law that will require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.  I have mixed reviews on the issue not because I feel that I have a right to tell anyone what to do with their body, but because I dealt with Mother Nature's abortion.

I remember finding out that I was pregnant in April of 2005.  I was married for only four months and although I was scared about becoming a mother so early into the marriage, I thought that this would be a very blessed time in our lives.  I could not have been any more wrong.  My husband was against becoming a father and issued an ultimatum, I would choose between having a husband or a child. You could imagine the emotional roller coaster.  I experienced happiness and excitement from my colleagues at work and suffered in silence at home as the topic of the baby was not up for discussion. 

I am a very strong willed woman and have always had my own mind, however, this particular situation broke me.  I was caught between a rock and a hard place of leaving a marriage and raising a baby on my own, or ending a life and keeping a marriage.  In the end, the decision was not mine.  The weekend of July 4th in 2005, I miscarried in my home. The babies were not developing the way that they should have and my body was doing everything it could to support them.  In fact, the pregnancy was becoming poisonous to me.  At that point, my life was in jeopardy.  The doctors discussed the options, told me that I could go on to have more children but this pregnancy was not a healthy one.  A decision was made.  The emotional ramifications of loosing a baby, not trusting  my husband, realizing that my marriage would no longer be the same (it ended three years later), and attempting to return to who I was pre-pregnancy was a more than enough to handle.  You really have no idea what to do with the thoughts in your mind when you miscarry.  People have no idea what to say to you and you have nothing to say to them.

What lawmakers need to realize is that each situation is very different.  None of us understand the mental process that another person has had to experience to formulate a decision.  Yes, there are women who use abortion as a form of birth control ( for whatever reason) but there are women who are forced to a decision by circumstance and survival.  We can all say what we would not do when we are far removed from a situation, but i guarantee, the statements change when you are starring a circumstance in its face.

If I had to watch an ultrasound  before I was given medication to terminate my pregnancy, I am not too sure if my mind would have remained in tact.  Lawmakers can not be so quick to impose what they believe are deterrents or harsh consequences on women because they feel abortion is wrong.  If you have ever had to make a decision to end a pregnancy voluntary or involuntary, the emotional aftermath is a painful reminder all to itself.

A woman has the right to choose without the moral chastisements from people who do not know her or understand her situation.

Ask. Believe. Receive

All week, this seems to be the theme.  No matter where I have gone, including a funeral or what I have read including several times within my twitter timeline, this is what I have been hearing.  I decided to put this to the test.  On Monday night, I promised myself that I was going to test this and no matter what negative thoughts came into my head or distractions that came my way, I was going to ask, believe, and receive.  Two people that are very close to me, have done the same thing and I have witnessed miracles happen.  We are talking job interviews and many other great things.

I won't tell you that this is easy.  My mind fights against itself.  Yesterday in particular was a little more challenging than usual.  Anytime any person makes up their mind to think positive, it seems like every storm cloud in America is overcast upon your head.  Yesterday was a lot of tears and I cant's, but I remembered ask, believe, receive and I got through it.

I am so determined to see this through.  Just think, if I can really get my mind to agree with my heart, half the battle is won.  Okay, wish me luck, its the middle of the week and I asked for something by the end of the week.  My goal is to receive it so I can inspire you to ask, believe, and receive.  Check back soon.

Girl Power: Women taking the Publishing World Over!

In case you didn't know, I am such an advocate for women and an even greater supporter of all of the wonderful things that we have going on.  Here lately women have been trailblazing in the publishing world.  I am so proud of my fellow colleagues.  We all stand in different genres of print, but are making great strides nonetheless.  Cheers to us.  Take a look at what fierce and fabulous looks like these days:

Constance White: It was announced on March 3, 2010, that Constance would be taking the position of the Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine.  Constance has over 15 years of journalism experience and has recently departed from eBay as their style director.  We wish her all the best of luck in her new role.

Have you seen the new redesigned April issue of Ebony magazine.  You should check it out!  There is a new styled logo as well as a new section entitled "Elevate" dealing with the mind, body, and soul.  This all due to a very tenacious young woman, Amy Dubois Barnett.  This dynamo is no stranger to boosting new energy into a publication.  Look her up.  Amy is amazing!  Good work Amy.  We look forward to more great things from Ebony.

Jillian Sanz is the National Fashion Director for Haute Living Magazine.  She has been with the luxury magazine for only seven months and has already chartered new dimensions in fashion for all 13 city magazines.  With her eclectic style, we all look forward in seeing what Jillian has up her sleeve for the upcoming issues.

Ariana Huffington has partnered with Shelia Johnson (co founder of BET) to form HuffPost GlobalBlack.  This will be a section of the popular newspaper that focuses on positive news makers within the black community.  Anything positive gets a vote of confidence from me.

Latina Magazine is also created a huge buzz.  Rich in culture and diversity, Galina Espinoza who is the Co-President and Editorial Director of the magazine has successfully catapulted the publication as the leading magazine for Latina women.  Take a look, really good things inside.  Great work Galina.

Brandon Holly took the position of Editor-in-Chief of Lucky Magazine last September.  The fashion/shopping magazine serves a guide to all fashionistas.  We look forward to great fashion spreads Brandon.

 Tracey Ferguson is the creator and EIC of JONES Magazine.  What started as a small magazine in Texas has now become a national publication.  Great fashion and inspiration.  You never know where your dream can take you.

Emmanuelle Alt was recently appointed the new Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue.  The publication is set to become more open and cutting edge.  Congratulations Emmanuelle.

These are just a few.  Don't worry, my highlight is not over. There are so many women doing extraordinary things to highlight them all at one time.  For now, lets give these ladies a wonderful round of applause.  Great job!  Remember, when one elevates, we all elevate.

Letter to Lil Wayne (Little Girls Empowering Themselves)

Two young ladies, 9 and 10 rapped an open letter to Lil Wayne about his derogatory rap lyrics towards women.  It seems to me that our younger generation has had enough.  Take a look.

The Charlie Sheen Epidemic

Okay, so I tried to stay away from this for as long as I could.  The crazed whirlwind surrounding Charlie Sheen has been undeniably crazy and quite frankly hard to watch.  To many of us, we see it as another celebrity/entertainer who has fell from their high mountain top, yet it is so much more than that.  An entire show has been suspended, which means hundreds of people including writers, actors, producers, clean up crew, caterers, assistants, production crews, etc are out of work.  He is out of work.  He has children who are front row ticket holders in watching their fathers' life fall many bricks at a time.  Sad, very sad.  However, watching all of this made me ask as question: How many of us are victims of our own hype?

Charlie Sheen is really no different than any of us.  His "stuff" has just been exposed on a world platform.  How many of us have committed actions that have had an adverse effect on others?  How many times have we just did what we desired without thinking of the consequences or even cared what the outcome would be?  How many times have we made decisions that caused our loved ones to question their love for us. How many times have we thought that we were loosing our minds due to the sum total of our bad choices coming down on us? Let's be honest.  We all have the ability to become products of our own hype.  This is why it is so very important to have an inner circle of people around you  that you trust and respect to ground you. 

Sadly, Charlie Sheen had no one in his circle to bring him back to reality.  No one becomes this over night.  There was a slow progression of the that train headed for the wall for some time and no one said or did anything to stop it.  "Two and a half Men" is a close account of his life.  As long as it was making money and remained the number one sitcom, no one was willing to mess with the formula.  When it became uncontrolled, like anything else, Charlie and the show were dismissed.

My point:  Check your life.  Check your inner circle. Check your motives. Check yourself. There is a great epidemic going around, don't be the next casualty. (Point taken Diana)

Who are you? Where are you now? Where are you going?

Some times you need to do a little inventory check on your life. I do this every quarter just to see if I am on target or if I need to make some necessary adjustments. I have also used this numerous times when I worked in Social Services or have done a speaking engagement.  This is very powerful as I have seen emotionally hardened men and women come to tears behind this exercise.   Can you answer these three questions?  Before you turn your nose up, there are some rules to these questions.  If you are up for the challenge, I will guarantee that will see exactly what is happening in your life.  Disclaimer: In order for it to work, you have to be honest with yourself.   Lets get started:

Who are you?  When answering, you can not write down your name, your race, your gender, the fact that you may be a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, or wife, cousin or friend. Do not list your job title either.  It is not important.  Those are all titles that we hide behind that help us not to deal with us.  Who are you really?  Who are you independent of everyone around you and independeant of the titles given to you by other people? This will require you to really hold that mirror up to yourself and record what you see.  Search deep.

Where are you now?  Don't say stuck, in transition, in a happy place, your current location.  Nope, those answers will be completely unacceptable.  You have to access where you are in your life emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically.  This is dealing with self positioning.  Be honest!

Where are you going?  As with the other two, no surface answers.  You have realized who you are and where you are, now we need to position where you go from here.  Develop your plan.  It is okay if you need to make corrections along the way. 

Remember, no one can build your road map for you and above all, no one knows you better than you know yourself.

The Two Me's

I experienced a little hardship this past week, nothing big but enough to cause a small struggle between Diana and Dionna.  Yes, the two me's.  Diana is the person sure of her purpose, understands where she is headed and executes plans to get us there.  Dionna is the person who as soon as a bump in the road is very quick to ask the questions, "Why are we here?" "Why cant we just go back to what we know?" "Why didn't you listen to me and just play it safe?"  "Can we go now?"  Her voice just becomes so annoying and aggravating that it starts the fight between the two.  At times, although I have gotten better, I find myself trying to rationalize the points between the two arguments.  This then gets my emotions involved causing me to become tired and wanting to shut down from both voices.

Although I am working through the tale end of this, it made me question why I even become flustered?  I have seen my fair share of disappointments and hardships, in the end, it all worked out for my good.  It was through those hardships that I understood why certain things had to happen.  A missed relationship and a painful past led to my first book.  A miscarriage and a failed marriage led to a second book.  My past has given me great insight to be an excellent speaker.  A closed door on one job led to a dream job.  I know these things, so why do I waver on not only what I know but on what I have experienced.

The two me's.  The struggle, the fight and I am stuck in the middle.  I ask you, what are you wavering on that you already know to be true.  The real question is why?  Oh, the fight to be great. So it continues.....

My two favorite books: Mine!

I know that this is a shameless plug, but this is my blog.  Here are my two novels.  The Courage of my Tears and The Courage to Become.  

Let me give you a brief synopsis of both, the best way I can:

The Courage of my Tears:  Young woman who seemingly has it all, is dying from the inside.  She can't give or receive love because of the horrific relationship she has with her mother.  There is a man involved in her life (most men love his portrayal, you don't see this often) who honestly loves the woman that she is.  The story has a lot of twists and turn but is extremely raw and honest.  There is an emotional point of identity for everyone.

http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Tears-Diana-LaValle-Hicks/dp/1604742704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298305295&sr=8-1


The Courage to Become:  The sequel to the first.  Okay, the characters took on a definite life of their own. I wrote this book during a very painful period in my life.  It deals with a very taboo topic in society, miscarriage and the emotional effects that women and men experience, who is too blame, and how not having an answer can destroy a family.  The characters deal with the issue of growing up while being an adult.  I want to tell you more, but trust me, its good. 

http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Become-Diana-LaValle-Bridgett/dp/1448986419/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298306123&sr=1-5

Hope you enjoy them.  Book three in the works this summer!

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die.

It's Steve Jobs.   Enough said.

On the list.

Last weekend, I went to the Louis Vuitton Store in Atlantic City just to walk around and see what was new.  There they were, on the shoulder of another woman who was talking them for a test walk.  I looked at them, they looked at me.  "Come and get me,"  "Diana, come and get me."  "You need us and we need you."  I just kept hearing the phrases over and over in my ear.  I shook my head in agreement.  Yes, you need to come home.  I touched them both gently as a reminder that I would keep my word.  They are on the conqueror.  Look at them aren't they beautiful?

Here is my other obsession for the upcoming season: This beautiful fedora.

Okay, these items or number 1-3 on my list.  The next time you see them it will be a picture of me with a bag on each shoulder and the hat on my head!  Can't wait.  Gotta go.  Talk soon.

Currently in love with the following.

So I am switching up my fragrance for the Spring.  I love to smell good.  I think a woman should always smell good.  Its just my thing.  A few weeks ago, I was sent a package from a bodycare company called "Four Truffles."  This stuff is amazing.  The bodycare line is made with Argan Oil from Morocco and Shea Butter from Africa.  Talk about heavenly. 

I am currently in love with the Bulgarian Lavendar Body Smoother.  OMG!!!!!!!  Really. This sugar rub does it for me.  I look forward to the end of my day with this stuff. 

Check "Four Truffles" out at http://www.fourtruffles.com/

If you don't believe you dream is worth the sacrifice and fight, you don't deserve to have it!

These are the same words that I said to the students at Gloucester County College.  I say these same words to myself at least once a day.  Yes, this journey is not easy and can seem utterly impossible some days, but you know what, someone is doing it.  Don't give up! Fight like your life depends on it.  Actually, it does.  If you don't accomplish every dream that you have, you are merely existing and not living.  In essence, you are walking dead. 

Be passionate.  Be committed.  Be honest to your self.  Above all, be accountable to YOU! If you don't move and act, then time will pass you and opportunity will go to someone else.  Don't become a causality to your own defeat and insecurity. 

Act, Be, and Become! (Note to self: Believe your own words.  Got it)

Check this out.

Borders is going bankrupt.  Magazine's are going digital, print is becoming non-existent.  Kindle and nook are taking over.  Arianna Huffington spoke about new media and publishing eleven months prior to her merge with AOL and the Huffington Post.  Take a look at what she has to say.  After all, she is 315 million dollars richer.

What Egypt showed me.

So I had just come from teaching two lectures on Global Competition at Gloucester Community College when I heard the news that Egypt's president had stepped down.  I don't believe that i understood the magnitude of what happened until I was at the Winslow Diner watching the reactions of the Egyptians on CNN. 

18 days these individuals stood on their convictions and decided to not be moved until action had taken place.  18 days may have seemed like a long time while they were going through the protest, but in retrospect, it was just a little over two weeks before they received what they had asked for.  You know what that said to me?  Diana, pull it together!  Sometimes I can't wait 24 hours before thinking that I should have something that I requested. 

The real question that I asked was, where is my faith?  My faith in what I believe, my faith in that what I am requesting will be granted and that I am deserving and  my faith that things will all work out for my good.  Huh, yes, Diana certainly needs to pull it together.

Necker Island: Going before the year is out.

There really are no words for this.  Check it out and see what I see:

Charles Brunson's Necker Island!

Diary Back Page Notes: Loren Ridinger

One Saturday in January, I had the great opportunity to speak with SVP of Market America, Loren Ridinger.  I can not begin to tell you the wealth of information that I received or the sincere genuine spirit that was relayed through the phone.  Normally when speaking with an individual who owns a billion dollar company, there is a certain aura that you find attached to the conversation.  This was certainly not the case.  What started off as an interview turned into an impromptu mentoring session for me.  I don't know how the tables turn so quickly, but it did and I was extremely grateful.

Prior to the interview, I had been feeling overwhelmed concerning my professional life and how I had not devoted time to anything personal in years.  I will be 33 soon and the desire to have a husband and family, well the voice is becoming louder in my ear.  I love everything that i do but like any other person, I do want to be fulfilled all around in my life.

Well, when speaking with Loren, it was as if she knew my exact thoughts and offered a lot of answers without realizing it (or maybe she did).  We spoke about building from the ground up and the heartaches that come along with the construction work.  We talked about being a woman and having that introspective time just for me.  Of course the topic of men came, but it was the usual conversation.  What Loren said to me has stuck with me since we last spoke.  She said, "Diana you have to connect yourself to someone who understands your drive and encourages your growth."  You may ask why that was so earth shattering to me? Here is the reason, sometimes when you long to feel a void, you settle on the slightest imperfection hoping to make it work.  When Loren made this statement, it came as a confirmation to not move forward in something that could potentially be destructive to me.  Little warnings will come to you in any form.  You just have to keep your ears open.

I will tell you that many people have come my way but the sincerity, compassion, and time that was given to me by this powerhouse of a woman was invaluable.  The humility alone was enough to bring tears to my eyes.  She talked with me for over an hour, with no rush and made me feel that what we were discussing was just as important as anything else.  People are just not that kind anymore these days to take time away from their lives to our into yours.  Loren and I have never met.  This was a phone call and the beauty of this woman's heart shined.

Here are a few other tidbits she taught me:

1. Give, give, and give.
2.  Understand that in building your brand there is sacrifice.  You have to determine how much you desire to sacrifice.
3. Give, give, and give.
4. Work with integrity.
5. Give, give, and give.
6. What you think about, that is what you will become.
7. You can have the life you desire, its your choice.
8. Give, give, and give.

Need more inspiration?  visit www.lorensworld.com 

Are you leveraging yourself?

During my normal routine of reading The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily News, The New York Times, checking the blogs along with my Facebook and Twitter; I came across some really stunning news.  AOL had acquired the Huffington Post for 315 million dollars (300 million in cash and 15 million in stock).  The Huffington Post is a news publication established by Arianna Huffington in the mid 90's.  This is the biggest deal for AOL since becoming an independent company in 2009.  This will give AOL a huge presence in journalism.  Arianna Huffington will be appointed Editor-in-Chief of AOL's content.  She will not only run the Huffington Post but will lead AOL's Huffington Post Media Group. 

Another big deal that occurred a few weeks ago was the acquisition of Bill Gates, shopdotcom by Market America for an undisclosed amount of money.  Market America is now poised to take over retail on line shopping through its company that already sees a billion dollars in revenue a year.

My point here is this: deals are happening all over the place.  Opportunities are endless even in this economy.  Are you leveraging yourself enough to sit at the table to deal your hand of cards.  I read an interesting quote this morning from Marvet Britto, a PR Guru, she said, " If you are in a room and no one remembers that you were even there, it is a waste of  your face in the place."   I thought about that.  She made a great point.  How many times have we been in THE place and not made ourselves, credentials, skill set, or personality known?  How many times have we silenced our own voice because of intimidation and missed what could have been a great opportunity? 

Here is the art of the deal: If you don't believe in the product of you, it wont sell and you will be just another person with great ideas and excellent skills that no one knows anything about.  Get your head out of the clouds and OPEN YOUR MOUTH!  Wow, that felt great to say.  I am talking to myself as well.  Look at your hand, pick your best card and get in the game. 

Don't cry at a shut door.

I worked at a place that I loved for five years.  This was the place that I got my footing so to speak in my "what I thought would be" career.  I loved my co-workers, the participants, and just overall fell in love with my job.  It had come to the point where I didn't see anything higher than where I was because this one corporation was the only thing in my sight.  Well, to mys surprise, the corporation was closing down due to many problems but I was one of the first to be laid off due to personal conflict.  You can imagine how I felt after five years of pouring my heart into a company that didn't have their heart with me.  When I say pour my heart, I stayed late, came on weekends, worked at home, developed new initiatives, a new program, etc.  I was crushed because this is where I had invested my heart.  I was devastated!

A year later, after much struggle and introspective thinking, a new opportunity in the field that I soar in came whispering at my door.  Before I go on, let me tell you that the year before was very difficult.  A relationship with employment ended, a marriage ended, I lost friendships, and came face to face with the little nasty things about myself that I tried to ignore.  It always easy to hold a mirror to someone else, but when its your own, somehow your arms become a little weak with holding that mirror.  It was painful.  I learned that I changed who I was to conform to the environment around me just to get ahead.  What I thought was being a leader was nothing more than a glorified misled follower.  These are all the things that I learned when the door closed.

Okay, back to the new opportunity.  So I was offered the position of Managing Editor at Hope Today in March which required me to form a new staff, take initiative on things, form a new editorial direction, build PR relationships etc.  You see how the past matures you for where you are going?  All of the things that I was doing before but on a much larger scale.  Also my experience taught me how NOT to do these things.  In July of the same year, I was offered the Editor-in-Chief position.  Then came all of these other wonderful opportunities along with meeting new people and establishing new relationships.  Amazing!!!!! Best part, I learned that who I am was good enough.

When one door closes, you may feel a little twinge of pain for a while, its okay. Endure it for its building character and stamina for where you are going.  Don't be afraid of the reflection in the mirror.  If you cant deal with you, you will not grow.  A closed always leads to another door.  Don't cry, just keep walking and fearless in turning the next knob of greater opportunity. 

Birthday Present to Me!

My 33rd birthday is just around the corner.  Am I excited?  You bet your bippies I am!!!!!!  April 10th, I will move into my new place of residence.  Oh so excited about that one.  I have a great, yet challenging and demanding career, and above all I will celebrate this great birthday in the Dominican Republic.  A whole entire week.  You read correctly.  I am taking off from everything for a whole week.  No phones, no computers, no companies, no magazines, no deadlines, no editing, and no meetings.  Just fun in the sun with my books, a surf board, and my IPod.  That's all I need. 

With all the snow around me, April 15th can't get here fast enough.  Check out where I will be calling home for a week....my little villa.

Ready to take on the world.

This morning I woke up with a great sense of empowerment.  My prayer every morning is, "Lord, open doors of new opportunity, help me to release my fears, bless me that I will be a blessing to others, and put someone in my path today that may need my help."  I pray this everyday.

Well this afternoon, I received a call that opened a huge door of opportunity for me.  Along with the publications that I oversee, I also consult with businesses to assist in their measurable outcomes and diversify their products.  A company that was not even on my radar contacted me today and want to establish partnership.  Talk about incredible!

Start your day with great intentions.  Get past the fear that says that you are not worthy to have the life that you desire to have.  I heard a great statement this morning as well, "Where there is a will there is a way, where there is a desire, it will be fulfilled."  I whole hearted believe this.  Things do not come into our heads to hold up space but for us to act.  Act on what is in your head.  Make today count. Face the fear of success and failure and understand that both are used to mature you.  Have an intent to be great and you will!

So glad that scripted shows are coming back.

The new show, "Harry's Law" is one of the best to come out in a long time.  David E. Kelley is a master at telling stories that have a moral compass attached.  I have long missed the days of watching television program that left something for me to talk about or drew some form of emotion out of me.  Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of all of the housewives franchise, but at the end of the day I would like to have television that left me with a little something as well as entertained me.

Woo hoo!  Scripted television is coming back.  I love it.  That means writers, producers, camera people etc are employed and the audience can follow a well thought out story instead of the non reality script of people's lives.  Who knows, perhaps in the near future you will see the name of yours truly roll down the line in the list of credits.  Stay tuned.....

My past time consumption: Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

I have been hooked on the Shopaholic series from when it first hit the bookstores.  Becky Brandon-Bloomwood is the funniest character dealing with finances that I have read yet.  I love the humor that this woman represents in all of us who try to reconcile purchasing items that we really don't need.  Now she has a daughter who is the exact opposite that could care less about clothes or anything feminine.  Funny!!!!!!!!! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Just Write?!

I absolutely love my job, all seventeen of them.  However, I think the most rewarding aspect is empowering new writers in the writing world and stretching established writers past what they have viewed as their writing glass ceiling.  I really feel a sense of pride when I have a writer who i have worked with on editorial and I finally get the assignment where our practice and their persistence and flexibility has come together for a well thought out , research piece of work.  I really get a high off of seeing writers understand their writing style and see the progress in their journey.

As the author of two novels, I am often asked the famous question I believe any author is asked a million times over, "How did you write your book?"  If not that question then this statement, " I really want to write a book but I don't know where to begin."  I always tell people, if you want to write a book, just start writing.  Come out of the mindset of constructing a bestseller right off.  You will have many revisions and edits before you arrive at the place of being ready to publish.  Just pick up a pencil and begin.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1.  Get a journal. 

2.  Set aside time each day that is devoted strictly to writing.  You can start off with 15 minutes and work your way up.

3. Release all pretense.  You  are in the beginning phase so you don't have a deadline to turn your book into an agent.  Just write. 

4.  Its okay if you started writing about one thing and it leads to another.  That is creativity working at its best.  Often times your characters will begin to take on a life of their own, go with it.  Let them tell their story.

5.  Read, read, and read.  The best way to improve your writing skills is to read.  This enables you to view all different types of writing styles as well as help you to develop your own.

Writing is self-expression through words.  Be creative, have fun, and don't be too hard on your self.  Now get to going and I'll see you on the Best Seller's list.  Happy Writing!