An equal world is an enabled world #IWD2020 #EachforEqual #MotivationMonday #everydayIWD

NOT SPONSORED: I love sharing motivational finds!

IMAGE: Libbi Reed

I hope International Women's Day 2020 didn't pass you by this year.

It is never too late to celebrate the women in your life:

Your Mother

Your Daughter

Your Aunt

Your Grandmother

Your Wife

Your Niece

I link you to International Women's Day website above, but I couldn't help but borrow this amazing quote from their website:

"An equal world is an enabled world. How will you help forge a gender equal world? Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality."

They have a page devoted to increasing the visibility of women creatives and to promote their work for commercial projects in a number of fields and industries. You can find it here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Mission/Creative

And the page celebrating street artists worldwide is also a great read, I would love to see more women street artists earn a good commercial living from their passion!

I am a writer and photographer, and it is a struggle to make a living doing what I love, any chance I get to support female led companies/brands is important to me.

The 2020 Presidential Race saw the most female candidates in history, it literally breaks my heart that there are none left in the race.

Just like we are getting better at encouraging our girls to enter tech and sciences, I hope we begin to make strides in encouraging young women to enter politics. I hope female politicians put strong internship programs in place to allow those women who strive toward a career in politics to have a training ground.

I found out quite randomly via twitter that clothing company M.M.LaFleur (Twitter: @mmlafleur) will actually loan clothes to women seeking to run for political office! Now that my butterflies is putting your money where your mouth is about supporting women. I haven't researched this particular topic extensively but hope to learn of other brands following suit. (No pun intended!) Fellow NYC peeps should RSVP for their Complimentary In-Person Styling at their event on 03/11 to celebrate International Women's Day - your hour long appointment comes with complimentary hemline alterations in stores only and a prosecco to toast your wardrobe refresh!

Another Twitter account to put on your radar if The Oval Office is in your future is @CAWP_RU - Center for American Women and Politics.

I love all the hashtags but my favorite has to be #everydayIWD and I plan to follow it more closely to stay inspired, motivated and empowered.

And while I normally steer clear of politics on these pages, I do want to strongly encourage you all to use the power of your vote, it is more important than ever that each and every single voter makes it to the polls.

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, all opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway / Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure this butterfly out of her cocoon: Technology, Travel, Fashion, Beauty, Spirits (Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Sake, Bourbon, Craft Brews), Foodie Fare - really I'm such a *simple girl*.

One of my favorite moments from #TheMakeupShow NYC w/ @JVincentmakeup & @thebodyshopusa #MakeupMonday #MotivationMonday

Happy Summer Butterflies! Have you entered our first giveaway in our "Summer of Memories" promotion yet? No? Then get on that NOW!

My summer has been a mixed bag of *ish to be honest. Some Major Appliances decided to ALL die on me at once including my air conditioner in the middle of a heat wave (No Bueno), My Washer AND my Refrigerator. Not sure how I am going to magically replace all three of them. Let's see I'm already wearing three hats - Life/Career Coach, Social Media Consultant and Writing, I may have to take on a FOURTH job, LOL!

And life has had the nerve to get in the way of my normally daily blogging routine.

So there it is! Those are just part of the challenges I have been facing and it's been making it super hard to get focused, back into my writing and concentrate.

I have attended some amazing events whose recaps are long overdue. But I am sure if I hustle to put everything I experienced into one post in an effort to get them covered and keep it moving, that important things will slip through the cracks.

And with some major shows where so much ground gets covered that is all to easy to do.

That being said I decided to cut up my recaps into smaller bits and poignant moments.

First up, The Makeup Show NYC.

This the 11th year of the show and they always host a blogger preview night that is hosted by the amazing James Vincent - he goes through which trends we should be looking for during the show and concludes by going through each item in the Blogger Swag Bag (a Bag which I promise will get a post of it's own). There are some amazing beauty brands that come through each year, so when James dissects the bag and what's in it and WHY, there are always a ton of 'oohs and aaahs' - this year he presented a brand that made the room literally go quiet. It wasn't 'silent awe'. Attendees weren't awestruck. I think they were a bit 'under-whelmed' to be frank. It's an ugly side of blogging I don't like to be honest. A bit of the 'bougies' is what it was.

And that made James decide to give us all some history on how he began to work with the brand and what he admires about them like their "The Body Shop Foundation" which supports a wide variety of causes including Animal Protection, Human Rights and Environmental Protection.

MY TAKE:

I love that James supported The Body Shop. The Makeup Show is about real MUA sharing real tips and tricks. A good bag has a wide variety of products in a wide variety of price ranges.

That "Keep it Real folks moment" was my personal favorite from the preview night. One of many I plan to feature (slowly but surely as my schedule permits).

And by the way I am totally digging The Body Shop MORINGA Softening Body Butter that was included in The Makeup Show Blogger Swag Bag. It offers 24 hour Intense Moisture for Dry Skin with Seed Oil from Hand-Picked Moringa. I love the light floral scent and rich intense hydration, especially on my hands which seems to soak up everything I use on them in an instant.

Remember blogging buddies, it's not the amount of the swag or the amount the swag costs, it's the *usefulness* of it!

This Body Butter has a familiar scent I can't place, if any of you out there have already tried it and can place what this is reminding me of, please let me know with a comment here or tagging me via social. (I swear it's been driving me nuts that I can't figure out what this smells like to me). I am picking up a white floral scent but it reminds me of something and I can't figure out what.

More Show Highlights, Makeup and the Swag I was blessed to receive, either in swag bags or at vendor booths to come.

Happy #MakeupMonday to my Beauty Babes out there and Happy #MotivationMonday  too!

What is your favorite 'budget friendly' Beauty Find?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated Post, and as always ALL opinions are 100% my own! Press Passes to The Makeup Show New York were provided for Editorial Consideration. A Swag Bag was provided and this product was in that bag. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Highlights: Glambition Women Think BIG #IMANxglambition #Imanalterego event in #NYC #MotivationMonday #MakeupMonday

I am still in catch up mode and plotting something special for summer for my butterflies for being so patient this year!

During 2016 Women's History Month in March I attended a very special event called "GLAMBITION Women Think Big". An event intended to help empower and inspire and explore the many roles we play both in life and in business.

One of the sponsors was Iman Cosmetics who presented their newest collection #IMANAlterEgo - a collection that helps women to celebrate all of our 'moods' - they were providing makeovers and a photo booth opp. I am obsessed with their lipsticks. But as usual, they didn't change my lips. It is very rare that any makeup person changes my lipstick. Probably because I custom blend my color myself! But it's always flattering! I am digging this collection and there will be more to come soon (If I dive into the collection here, it will certainly overshadow the event recap).

There is a reason, putting on makeup is called 'putting on your face', We feel like two different people at times when we are wearing makeup - more 'in control' and ready for whatever comes your way, and when you are not wearing any makeup, I'll bet you feel a bit different.

It's OK to explore your 'alter ego', it's OK to celebrate all the different roles that make you who you are - both in life and in business.

Above: Alter Ego - The Many Roles Women Play Panel at GLAMBITION Women Think Big event in New York City. Speakers Included: Desiree Reid, EVP of IMAN Cosmetics, Robert Willis of Universal Beauty, Sharon Nelson of National Woman Caucus, Sarah Perez Jarrett, CEO of SPT Wellness and Elizabeth Carrion of Ogilvy & Mather.

There were panel sessions that helped to empower entrepreneurs - both men and women in business who are doing big things and were willing to share the journey! 

Photo Credit: Dee & Co Group

Photo Highlights of the Sponsors and Exhibitors in Attendance:

Above: You may remember seeing Murphs Famous Bloody Mary Mix on these pages before, but check this post out for a refresher - Bloody Mary Mussels and cocktail (I used Murph's Famous Hot & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix to make both the cocktail and as a base for the red sauce for the mussels as well!)

Above: Swee Tess CreationZ had such a pretty display I photographed it in separate vignettes instead of just the whole table so the details wouldn't get lost! (The first photo all the way on top of this post is from their display as well.)

Above: The Chocolate Covered Oreos and Sugar Cookies were event branded! Smart!

Above: Cakepops are awesome, delicious goodness in an easier to eat, party friendly format. I still haven't mastered the art of eating a frosted cupcake 'neatly' with cakepops I get the same goodness in a smaller bite size package.

Above: Dr Jose Rigoberto Perez Diaz Salud Para Todos featured at Glambition WomenThinkBIG NYC event. I certainly appreciate the reference to Psalm 46 on the bag! (I linked you to it if you are interested in reading it!) We were provided with health supplements that I will share more about in another post.

Above: I love when events present me with brands that are 'new to me'. I greatly enjoyed Limation Organic Drinks and am happy I got the chance to try them out. Infused into a traditional limeaid you will find pure organics - lavender, exotic passion fruit, watermelon - and with summer swiftly approaching I can tell you that you *NEED* these in your life. Whether your summer beverage includes 'spirits' or not, this will be summer cocktail enhancer for sure!

Above: You guessed it, all natural and made with Pure Olive Oil! Spadet has a wide range of product offerings and area also great on even the most sensitve skin!

Above: Universal Beauty Products Inc presented products from their Jamaican Mango & Lime line - the products are coconut milk and honey. I can't wait to try these out!

Above: Paychex was on hand to let business owners know they don't have to go it alone when it comes to HR services including Payroll, Retirement and Insurance.

MY TAKE:

Taking your business - whatever your business may be, to the next level requires a balance of smarts/knowledge/'know-how' and inspiration/creativity. You need a bit of both, and there certainly is no reason you can't look beautiful doing it! 

Readers Sound Off: What is YOUR Alter Ego? How do Cosmetics and Beauty Products alter your mood?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, this is an event recap and passes were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Is 'Cause Marketing' becoming the 'Stray Dog of the Internet' - something you have to stop feeding for free? #MotivationMonday

This is NOT a Sponsored Post.

Photo Credit: Steam Driven Media

Blogging seems to be the only industry I have ever worked in where people assume it's OK NOT to pay at all for the services they require or suggest that a barter of product suffices as payment. Social Good and 'Cause Marketing' are beginning to feel like that stray dog that you are warned never to feed under any circumstances.

And this is coming from someone with a Print (remember Newspapers? 'The Blogs on paper" that melted on your fingers when you read them) background as - get this - a 'Human Interest Reporter'. I went on to Television News writing and then did a brief stint for several Magazines before joining the 'Digital Influencer' side of the journalistic house.

My blog began in 2009 (I was actually Ghost Writing for a few brand blogs before then), and the first week we launched a simple empowerment post with an affirmation it got on the radar of a well known celeb - one whose roots began in Music and has become pretty much an empire - he re-tweeted that post. Simple enough right?

That simple 're-tweet' got picked up by his fellow celebs and was re-tweeted so often they temporarily broke our server.

Very much a blessing. One I was NOT prepared for. I got bombarded with un-solicited press releases and requests to 'run giveaways' and post what amounted to 'advertorials', with no compensation for me because the info was just so 'valuable' and 'informative' that my readers would LOVE it they assured. I scoffed. I have a strong communications background, a degree in mass media communications and these emails were nothing similar to the ones I received when I was in print or television. Not at all similar. I hid and was 'PR Free' for the first year of our launch. Those were the most blissful 365 days of my blogging career.

Then along came a household brand who had pitched me the whole time, invited me to events and really wanted a way to be presented to the community I worked very hard to build. I knew full well I needed to be careful in how I partnered with brands. It's why I avoided it for so very long.

This brand was persistent, they make products I actually use in my home daily and spent a year really reading my posts - most likely because I refused to snatch the dangling carrots.

They finally presented a charitable initiative. A very worthy one.and asked directly how we could partner.

Alas, my 'Good Heart' became both a blessing - and to an extent - a downfall. I enjoyed partnering with the brand. I certainly enjoyed helping them help a worthy cause. Doing good fits well with an Empowerment Blog that is run by a Life/Career Coach.

But don't cue the music and don't ride off into the sunset. Yet.

It opened up a flood gate of  'do me a favor' emails. A ton of 'why did you it for them and now won't do it for me?' questions that I face to this day.

I now have to tell them what I tell brands that pitch me other things:

When underwear brands pitch me about creating content or running a free giveaway in exchange for their underwear, I ask their reps pointedly 'Do YOU get paid in UNDERWEAR'? and when they reply 'No, of course not' I reply 'Why should I?' - Most have no answer. One agency rep forwarded my email to his entire agency with the subject - 'Who does this little bitch think she is?' I was 'accidentally' copied. Within minutes I tweeted the agency's owner and let them know I could post our email exchange and show their reps exactly who 'this little bitch' is. Needless to say they didn't want that to happen and I will never partner with their atrocious agency.

Sadly I now have to tell folks who pitch me 'Cause Marketing' something similar - I can't quite pay my bills with my 'good heart'. I can't give every cause free advertising just because it's a good cause. And the hard part is I have a background in Human Interest and Empowerment. That will always be 'my beat/my thing' but that does NOT mean I am REQUIRED to do anything for free.

It's an even bigger pet peeve of mine, when the rep will look at my site and tell me since you haven't posted for a day I thought you were in need of 'content'. I live in New York City where there are thousands of trade shows, theatres, art, and multiple events DAILY - I also Life Coach, run a Social Media Consultancy and mostly blog during 'Graveyard Hours', I will never lack content and at any given time - I average 14K in un-read emails on a 'good day'.

These lessons in Blogging and Cause Marketing have prompted me to take on ONE major pro bono cause per year and devote myself specifically and entirely to that cause, which I can opt to change the following year so that more Not-For-Profits can have a voice that are scrambling to get heard over the Social Media noise out there. I was raised by a very philanthropy driven family, and was taught that giving of time is as valuable if not more so than giving money, but the problem is - there is only finite amounts of time that one can afford to give away.

That means I have to turn others down and I refuse to allow myself to feel guilty for doing so. This is a business, I have always treated it that way. If you approach me like I am a 'hobbyist' - you are doing us BOTH a huge dis-service.

Call To Action/Soundoff:

Bloggers how do YOU approach Cause Marketing on YOUR Blogs? Readers, how do you feel about Bloggers 'feeding the stray dog'? Is it like any other 'advertorial' to you or does it make you truly explore the cause a bit more?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated/sponsored Post, All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} Ready for YOUR Shift? #butterflies #empowerment #inspiration

I posted this photo via our Social Media over the weekend but thought it would be perfect for Motivation Monday as well!

Are you ready for YOUR shift?

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FTC Disclosure: All opinions are 100% MY OWN. this post is NOT compensated. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} The #SuperBloodMoon shines brightly across the world, what does that mean for YOU?

Super Blood Moon, Lunar Eclipse, Harvest Moon and Motivation Monday:

Last night the Twitterverse was following @SuperBloodMoon (this twitter handle outlining the events of September 27th with the support of NASA) and it's corresponding hashtag #SuperBloodMoon with baited breath. Folks either had their heads out their windows or hopped in their cars and tried to find the Super Blood Moon to take photos. NASA was live streaming it!

I was also following this fun Huffington Post article which I shared on Ascending Butterfly's Facebook Page as well as my personal one with this wish:

These ‪#‎SuperBloodMoon‬ photos are awesome! ‪#‎LunarEclipse‬ ‪#‎FullMoon‬‪ #‎HarvestMoon‬ - Make a moon wish tonight butterflies, and let the Universe Whisper an answer in your dreams

The photos on social, and shared in this Huff Po article (they were live streaming NASA's video feed most of the night) are absolutely stunning, but after the rush of the photos died down, there was a collective question, what does this mean?

I'm certainly not an astrologer, but I have followed it for years (and I do mean a bit more than passively reading my daily horoscope), and there is a collective theme that I felt was fodder for a Motivation Monday.

This is not only a 'Blood Moon' butterflies, but also a 'Harvest Moon' - now what we harvest in life all depends on our individual Karma, but the doom and gloom associated with a Blood Moon is sort of leveled by the fact it is also a Harvest Moon, if you have been planting positive seeds and working ethically, diligently and with persistence, how beautiful it is to expect to reap what you have sown.

This is also a Lunar Eclipse - yes Eclipses do signify things 'coming to an end' in some way, but remember that doesn't have to be 'bad'. Blood is sometimes associated with atonement - forgiveness or a clean slate, releasing of old Karma and attachments can all be things coming to an end - which is NOT necessarily bad.

For many of us 'endings' and a 'new start' is exactly what we need right now.

One of the most amazing things I read about this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Super Blood/Harvest Moon was this:

What really needs to happen is we need to stop with our differences, accusations, judgments of one another and start thinking more about the effects we are having on our own lives and the lives of others that know us and the world we live in and our contribution. Life is short, what do you want to be remembered for?

We should focus on becoming better people so that the future of our world as we know it can have a real chance to live in peace and harmony with one another, the human family. 

Until each of us focus on becoming the best version of ourselves as an individual and each of us does so,  and to realize we are all human and one brotherhood that needs to work together, respect one another and love one another, then the change we want to see may never come. ~ILLUME ASTROLOGY

Another worthy read in it's entirety and it's beautiful accompanying photo is from Moonology:

I would have to quote their whole page it is so well written, but I found it interesting that if you are an Aries or Libra (or for those who know their natal charts well those with Aries or Libra Rising), this is going to be a potentially STAND OUT time for you, she wrote "You're being singled out by the Universe as among the people most likely to take some kind of quantum leap into the future" - if you guessed I'm an Aries, you would be correct. (Additional Note for Aries: You have Mars (your ruling planet) on your side for the next seven weeks until November 12, to help you improve your eating habits or update your excercise schedule - make good use of it!)

For my fellow numerology lovers the eclipse was a 1 hour and 11 minute occurence! (For me the number 222 tends to follow me daily - I tend to look at the clock at that hour, see buses or subway cars with that number etc).

MY TAKE:

I have been feeling impending change for a long time now. My soul/spirit is pretty much YELLING at me to try something new, to make needed changes and release not only old habits, but to also find fulfillment - spiritually, emotionally as well as professionally in brand new ways.

I also find it interesting that my name 'Tracy' means 'the Harvester' and this is a Harvest Moon. I personally looking forward to Karmic Rewards for having planted positive seeds and I wish the very same for ALL of my butterflies as well!

This is a rare occurrence, one that won't cycle around again for another 18 years.  Use this rare energy, let it be a spark that propels your life positively forward.

As for the phrase 'Blood Moon' Jonathan Cainer described it best by saying:

There is nothing sinister in this phrase, it merely suggests a time for outgrowing a fear.

Call to Action/Readers Sound Off:

Did you see the Blood Moon? Were you able to capture a photo of it? What are you hoping to change, release or embrace for this last half of the year?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. All opinions are 100% MY OWN. this post is NOT compensated. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} Leave a Prayer/Good Vibe - Get a Prayer/Good Vibe

Have you ever noticed how easy it is for you to 'kick it into gear' when you are helping someone else? Some deem this a 'helpers high' - where you feel better when you are doing something good for someone else.

Many people feel their prayers work the same way. They feel when they are praying for someone else that their prayers seem 'more powerful' - but not so much when they pray for themselves.

I can't say this is or isn't true - but I can say as a Life Coach the weight you put on that perception can certainly sway your outcomes.

In my humble opinion I think that when we pray or send good vibes to/for other people, we tend to be incredibly precise, it's a focused prayer, when we pray for ourselves, we often feel the need to 'explain ourselves' to explain why we are praying for a specific outcome and tend to include what we have tried to do on our own but felt we failed on, we throw in too many 'additionals/variables' - they say the Universe is very specific, and so our prayers and affirmations should be specific AND very concise.

I agree.

While I love hosting a Weekly Moment of Gratitude on Ascending Butterfly (and I still recommend keeping a daily gratitude journal where you end each day and list three simple things you are grateful for - these are my favorite journals to re-read), I thought I would mix things up a bit and offer a leave a prayer/good vibe request and take a prayer/good vibe request. I have seen these on the interwebs in various places and I have been amazed at how it's brought disparate communities together on a global scale.

Please note this is NOT a 'lets get into a religious debate' post/thread.  You can participate in this even if you are an atheist, hence the reason I used the term 'prayer OR good vibe'. It doesn't matter what religion you are (or aren't), I believe our words have tremendous power, let's use them to HELP one another.

Can you imagine what a better place our world COULD be if we took a moment to pray for a stranger instead of bullying, teasing or watching a fight video on YouTube?

Do you think you need prayer? Ask yourself these questions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Is there a roadblock you are experiencing?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Do you feel like you are at a crossroads in some aspect of your life?

Crossroads are a great indicator that you are in fact ready for change. Let's surrender it all to prayer/good vibes.

This week I Leave a Prayer and Good Vibes for:

The Family and Friends of Dr. Wayne Dyer who passed away on August 31st. Our world lost a tremendous spirit, so I take a moment to pray for his passing and for the next phase of his journey. I think the best way we as a society can honor his life is by becoming 'change agents' and being that change that we wish to see in this world.

And I seek a Prayer: 

Recently I experienced  the shocking and very eye-opening experience of having been followed into my apartment complex. My both hands were full (heavy bags of groceries in one hand a large pizza box in the other) and I live in a walk up with no elevator so I had to think quickly. I short stopped suddenly and stared the person right in the eye, he was confused by my decisiveness I'm sure and then turned and changed his mind, but obviously did NOT have good intentions. I want to move out (I have actually been toying with re-location and changing cities for awhile now) but financially that is not in the cards at this very moment, so I seek prayer for a financial breakthrough - an area I am sure many of you can relate to.

To make it easier, pray for the poster above you (If the thread gets big enough it may hard for you to pray for everyone, but you can at least tackle the request immediately above you), if you want to let them know you did, by all means do so, if you just want to pray for a few and keep that to yourself, that's OK too.

Feel free to leave your prayer, know that I will be praying for and sending good vibes to EVERYONE who posts here. (Your responses will let me know if this should replace the weekly moment of gratitude!)

What Prayer/Good Vibes are YOU Leaving? May your Motivation Monday and Labor Day be filled with good company and great memories.

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON -compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received. All my opinions are 100% MY OWN. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} Can you have #SwitchersRemorse and still feel GRATEFUL? #Inspiration

I was on a very different career path in life.

I was very young while watching the news one night around dinner time and the reporter announced that more people had died of heart problems that year than murders (and in New York City for murder to NOT be the number one killer/taker of lives that is quite rare indeed!).

I marched into the kitchen and told my mother quite matter-of-factly that I wanted to fix hearts when I grew up. (As I also had a passion for horses and was also sure I wanted to be a cowgirl, I'm sure she was amused to say the least). I told her about the news story, and she told me there was different types of doctors who worked on the heart, some that diagnose and others that did the surgery to repair it.

Childhood happened, but my interest in medicine never really waned and eventually she took me to the  library to read up on Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. In high school I even got the chance to sit in on the actual Gross Anatomy class. I watched as adults ran off and puked their guts out and wondered how on earth they'd become doctors if they couldn't handle that class! I wasn't allowed to do anything but observe the first year med students on the first day of this class and for some reason I didn't feel nervous.

Later on doing the frogs in anatomy class in school was a breeze for me. I got to work on bigger animals in a College Course I took knowing that this was all leading me to my dream of becoming a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon someday.

But College was a whole different ball game, and various circumstances forced me to switch majors and I went from being a Biology Major with a minor in Psychology to a Mass Media Communications Major.

And from there a chain of events was set in motion:

(1) I interned for a Newspaper

(2) I took my first Television Course

(3) I interned for a local cable television show

(4) Became a film critic for a local paper

(5) Got to head up a science section as an Editor for the same local newspaper (My reporting skills led to a beloved community doctor getting additional exposure in various outlets until he eventually re-gained his practice, I have to say this was the moment where I personally felt just how powerful one voice and one simple 'human interest' assignment could be....)

(6) Freelanced for one my favorite magazines

During that process something else happened. Communications classes forced me out of my shell. Unlike my science labs, which on ocassion did have me partner up, communications classes were all about partnerships on deeper levels, especially the courses for Televison. I learned what being a fish out of water felt like. This wasn't my strong suit, with the exception of the writing. My love for writing was always there all along, but it wasn't coming out as much in the sciences in the same way it did when I switched to communications. It gave me the confidence to enter writing contests and when I took home first prize and cash for a writing contest in College just after I changed my major I must admit I felt quite validated by my decision!

A recent totally random conversation on my bus ride home this weekend (ironically from a blogging related event) got me to talking to the bus driver. His daughter is studying to be a nurse and I told him I wanted to be a Doctor when I was younger but life sort of 'veered me off course'.

For a very brief moment I did feel #SwitchersRemorse. I know I would have been a phenomenal Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, I am a good listener, I am compassionate and I am a problem solver and lover of 'puzzles', I could see me being a fantastic diagnostician and physician!

MY TAKE:

And while random moments have often made me wonder what my life would be like now had I pursued my original goal of Medicine, I do know that Communications changed my life in ways I am eternally grateful for. My creative writing found it's way to the light, and in the writing community I have found my tribe. In managing Social Media campaigns I have utilized every single thing I learned in Mass Media Communications courses. I sometimes have pangs of #Switchers Remorse, but I have absolutely no regrets, I am doing what I was meant to do, coach, inspire and help people, just in a very different way than I originally intended.

There are tons of quotes out there on the topic of Remorse:

Have YOU experienced #SwitchersRemorse? Have you often wondered what your life would be like now if you had done just one thing differently in the past? If so, what was it? Would you change your path and go back and change something if you could?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a paid post for Verizon's #SwitchersRemorse campaign. If you switched away from Verizon and are regretting it, don't worry. They're making it easy for customers to come back. For more information, click here or head over to your local Verizon Store, all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} Are butterflies worth a thousand words? {#Video}

If Monday isn't exactly your favorite day of the week, let this You Tube Video Montage on Inspirational Butterfly Quotes help you start your week on a positive note, if a picture is worth a thousand words, how much are butterflies worth?

Credit: Video Courtesy of User: Beautiful Life T2

Stay Motivated My Friends!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#MotivationMonday} #Butterflies we are FOUR days away from the first day of SPRING!

Fellow East Coast Peeps, soon we will have LESS of this:

And more of THIS:

In just four days, it's bye bye old man winter and HELLO Spring! Who is with me?

I hope this put the motivation in your Monday!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

{#MotivationMonday} In this case you have BOTH! Make this the week YOU change your life! {Todays' #inspiration"}

Today you have BOTH! A Monday AND a Brand New Year to start those changes! Get working on those resolutions, it's never too late or too soon, just start! (Did you check out our new Facebook Cover Photo? It reads for a New Year to Bring You Something New, Make A Move Like A Butterfly Tearing Its Cocoon! Make A Move! - What do you think of it? What new move will YOU make this week?)

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

All you need is a Monday! #MotivationMonday

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with much to be grateful for and are entering the month of December with a hope and gratitude filled heart!

Bless and Be Blessed today Butterflies!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

Opening up my can of FTC be gone: This is NOT a Sponsored Post! :)

Great Haircut by @angelodavidhair – I cut off 13 inches to donate to @pantene #beautifullengths for women battling #Cancer

I recently met an amazing Stylist from Angelo David Salon in New York City at a recent Getting Gorgeous Event. They were offering Hair Touch Ups and my stylist Ivy listened to me about me wanting to make a real change to my hair and my style. She made a few recommendations, the first being cutting a bit of length to bring back the bounce to my hair. (You can check out a recap of Getting Gorgeous HERE in case you missed it).

I finally made the summer chop! It was LONG overdue and quite frankly it felt symbolically like I shed a ton of dead weight as she cut!

I tend to cut my hair shorter in summer, and this summer I decided to make a super huge cut, way shorter than I would normally cut my hair (my motto is 'always leave enough for a ponytail'), and I did it for a good cause!

The Big 'C' has definitely hit my family hard so Cancer Charities have always held a very special place in my heart and with my own recent Hospital Nightmare even more so. So I asked my stylist to measure my ponytail to see if I had enough to donate and I was pleasantly surprised that I had more than I even needed!

So my hair was cut in a ponytail which is the way it needs to be cut if you are going to donate it.

Above: Check with where you plan to donate, but I am donating mine to Pantene's Great Lengths and they ask for 8 inches, as you can see mine is about 13 inches!

About Angelo David Salon:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Over 20 years and located in the heart of midtown Manhattan

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They offer Manhattan's Couture Hair Extensions and Hair Color customized to enhance your skin tone and eye color, hair texture and hair type. (I am thinking of opting for Hair Color next, I told you I'm ready for a change!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They also offer full custom human-hair wigs

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They also sell Angelo David Brushes, Combs, Hair Care and Hair Detox (doctor-formulated herbal supplements for both men and women that promotes hair growth and healthy skin) as well.

About Pantene Beautiful Lengths Donation Requirements:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - They require at minimum 8 inches

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hair needs to be free of dyes, bleaches or chemicals

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The hair needs to be no more than 5% grey

My Before and After:

Above: BEFORE: Ivy from the Angelo David Salon giving me a hair styling touch up during Getting Gorgeous

Above: This is still the before, this is after the style touch up during Getting Gorgeous, but this is the length my hair was before she cut it. (and remember, in this photo she curled it, so it's actually longer than it appears!)

Above: Here is the AFTER! This is shortest than I've ever gone but I can't begin to tell you just how liberating going shorter has made me feel, and being able to put the hair to such a good cause was very much the icing on the cake for me.

My Take:

Finding a stylist I am comfortable with is hard enough for me, nevertheless actually uttering the words "Do whatever you want", but Ivy really made me feel at ease during my hairstyling session and impromptu consultation during Getting Gorgeous. I feel super blessed to have met her there and have had the opportunity to have her transform me at the Angelo David Salon. I highly recommend both Ivy and the Angelo David Salon.

Even though they are in the heart of midtown, once you arrive at the Salon you instantly feel at ease, they offer you a warm greeting and a moment to just settle before your appointment which is great. They are right off Grand Central which can be a hectic area so I definitely appreciated just sitting for a moment and having something to drink.

It's super fun attending local blogger events and having some people not recognize me since my signature long ponytail is now gone! I'm thinking it may just stay gone for awhile as I am totally digging the new me!

Butterflies, do you have a favorite stylist or salon, If so, which one? 

Do something for yourself today butterfly that will keep you in high spirits for the rest of the week. 

Happy Motivation Monday!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: While this is NOT a Sponsored or Compensated Post, Angelo David Salon did provide my cut to facilitate my review for editorial purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.