What Legacy Will YOU Leave Behind? Why these words of tribute to #DavidBowie resonated with me so strongly

Of all the social media posts about David Bowie's Passing, this one, by astrologer Jonathan Cainer, is the one that resonated with me most:

David Bowie receiving his Star on the Hollywood Wak of Fame, Getty Images

"I was 15 year when I went to a concert, in Bradford, expecting David Bowie - and got Ziggy Stardust! This versatile genius embodied the old astrological adage: 'In each full personal birth chart is the potential to express every sign.' He had the drive of an Aries, the voice of a Taurean, the wit of a Gemini, The empathy of a Cancerian, the swagger of a Leo, the observant eye of a Virgo, the charm of a Libran, the certainty of a Scorpio, the aim of a Sagittarian, the integrity of an Aquarian and the fluidity of a Piscean. This Capricorn reached within, found every hidden talent and became a starman." ~Jonathan Cainer

David Bowie and his wife Iman at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards in New York City 2002, Photo Credit: Suzanne Plunkett/Associated Press

He was a musician, artist, husband, and father who influenced, art and fashion as well as music. This is an amazing tribute to him, and makes you think:

What will be said or written about YOU when the time comes? What legacy will you leave behind?

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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.

{Now Playing} Is @JoyMangano a Cicada? I ended my year with JOY, @JoyTheMovie that is! #JoyMovie #Movies #Cinema

The last movie I got to see in 2015 was a SAG Screening for JOY The Movie, so I like to say I ended my year with JOY!

Happy New Year Butterflies! While I did post to social over New Year's Eve, this is my first official Blog Post of 2016. And being the Ascending Butterfly that I am, I wanted to start with something inspirational that focuses on an Entrepreneur whose products are probably already in your home.

Joy (the Movie) which was released on Christmas day, is based on the true story of Joy Mangano, the Miracle Mop Inventor and entrepreneur.

The weird question I open this post with - Is Joy Mangano a Cicada? - is actually based on one of the most poignant moments in the movie. In the scene, Joy is reading to her daughter about Cicada's, which live and mature underground anywhere from 13 - 17 years in total before they emerge. - She painfully realizes that is exactly how she feels and where her life is at. (This butterfly can certainly relate to sometimes feeling like I am still very much trapped in the cocoon and ready to bust out!)

At this point in her life, her ex-husband is still living in her home, her mother who was an almost recluse hiding from life in her bedroom since her husband left her, Joy's children and then her philandering Father who comes back to home to live with her (brought to her door by the mistress he left his wife/her mother for by the way) and her job opts to change her shift to nights as they are making 'cut backs' - needless to say at this point she is under a tremendous amount of pressure. That kind of intense pressure and *ish* that makes you re-think every choice you've ever made, wonder where are you going and how much longer you can go on with circumstances the way they are. You know, 'the little stuff''.

ABOUT:

JOY is the wild story of a family across four generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and human comedy about becoming a true boss of family and enterprise facing a world of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy's inner life and fierce imagination carry her through the storm she faces. Jennifer Lawrence stars, with Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Elisabeth Rohm and Dascha Palanco. Like David O. Russell's previous films, JOY defies genre to tell a story of family, loyalty and love.

"I want you to remember something, because a lot of times people get nice things and they start to think differently, we got here from hard work, patience and humility, so I want to tell you, Don't ever think that the world owes you anything, because it doesn't. The world doesn't owe you a thing." ~ Joy Mangano, JOY The Movie

TRAILER:

MY TAKE:

I am curious as to why this bio-pic was released while the real subject is still very much alive and well. Bio-pics are tricky enough when the subject has passed, nevertheless when they are still alive.

It is not the most flattering depiction of her family that's for sure with a few exceptions - her grandmother (played by Diane Ladd), and surprisingly her ex-husband (played by Edgar Ramirez) prove to be her truest allies as well as Neil Walker of QVC who gave Joy her first shot in the home shopping television retail experience (played by Bradley Cooper) . But her mom (played by Virginia Madsen), dad (played by Robert De Niro), half sister (played by Elizabeth Rohm) and Dad's Girlfriend (played by Isabella Rossellini) were more of a hindrance than a help and there is one scene in particular that made me want to smack her Dad AND his girlfriend;s teeth out their face! (So I guess they were playing the part quite well! LOL)

A surprise stand-out was Melissa Rivers who played her mom Joan in the QVC scenes, it was so spot on it was almost eerie! And I have no doubt her mom would be proud.

But while the story was compelling, I am sad to say that I don't feel this was Jennifer Lawrence's best work. You would think 'Katniss' could pull off playing a strong woman who overcomes the odds against her to build her own empire (I mean really right, sound familiar?), but she doesn't. Jennifer didn't do the role any justice in my opinion. It felt like she was 'walking through it' and I wasn't quite sure if it just didn't resonate with her, but she kind of has this vapid, valley of the dolls type of expression on her face most of the movie that didn't really fit what was happening to the character. Joy went through some deep lows to get to her ultimate high, a high that from what we see at the end is a bit bittersweet, and Jennifer just didn't convey what was happening in a way that hit home.

As this is a bio-pic, even in my 'pro film critic' days (have I mentioned how that was one of my favorite times ever as a professional writer?), I can't comfortably give a review on this movie - this isn't a ticket or skip it type of movie - this is a true story that is still un-folding, I can only comment on the acting and how the family on the whole is portrayed in the film. I wish Jennifer would have put the life she puts into her performances in the Hunger Games movie franchise into this movie. Katniss isn't real, Joy Mangano is - and in many ways she is just as tough as Katniss - but Jennifer just doesn't give you that.

The movie is an inspiration to all entrepreneurs, Joy overcomes tremendous odds - both from the outside world and her inner own circle and fights hard to achieve her success. And even in the face of financial ruin, picks herself up and goes to bat again, while the movie was released over Christmas it is such an empowering story that it's perfect to catch this first week of the New Year when you are pumped up, armed with your list of goals and resolutions and raring to go! (I may be singing along to Mary Mary's Go Get Your Blessing Right Now!)

What female entrepreneur do you most admire and why? Do you own a Joy Mangano Product? (I love her huggable hangers and I haven't yet tried the Miracle Mop but I would like to!)

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated/sponsored Post, All opinions are 100% my own! Advanced/Press Screening Passes Provided for Editorial Consideration. 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.

{Todays #Inspiration} What Compliment Has Truly Resonated With You? A #MotivationMonday inspired by @BuzzFeed

This is NOT a Sponsored Post, just food for your spirit!

Happy Monday Morning Butterflies! How was your Christmas? Did Santa treat you nice?

I got to feed my soul with traditions that I enjoy (like opening a present before midnight, usually PJ's!) and surprisingly didn't put up a tree this year, I just plain didn't feel like it, some years I go through this - and I just go with it. 

I needed to take a 'pause from the cause' and go back to some retro Ascending Butterfly 'Today's Words of Inspiration' - you know, how this blog started with daily inspirational food for your soul - back to our empowerment roots. I need that. (and I have a strong feeling many of you do too!)

It's been so long since I have done a Today's Inspiration that I really wanted to delve deep and bring you 'one to grow on' for today!

I rarely do 're-posts' and 're-shares' on my blog pages, I post original content and that's the way I like it, but today two amazing women in my Facebook Feed shared this video from BuzzFeed on their timeline and it really got me thinking, so I re-shared it on my personal and blog facebook page.

Check out the video here:

I went hunting for the original post that accompanies the video too! The post itself can be found HERE, it mostly posts the video and then the comments on the post are a goldmine in their own way. And a powder keg to a degree - but social media comes with it's share of good and bad.

Compliments are a funny thing aren't they? We don't give them out nearly as often as we should, and we rarely take one gracefully. ~Ascending Butterfly

For women most Compliments center around our looks, on a physical attribute. But I'll bet the compliments that have stuck with you were the ones that had absolutely nothing to do with your looks.

Compliments that have NOTHING to do with 'looks' that have resonated most with me:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I always come to you when a need good sounding board because I know you will be honest.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You are an amazing friend.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You are a talented writer. (and before I began writing for a living, the compliment that resonated with me most was 'you should be a writer' - it took a LONG time for me to take this compliment to heart and actually MOVE on it.)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Your perserverance never ceases to astound/amaze me. (Secretly this may be my favorite - I have had many bosses give me that one!).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You are the most loyal person I know.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You inspire me.

So today Butterfly share with me: What is the BEST Compliment you ever received that had NOTHING to do with your looks? (Men I would love your feedback on this question as well as the ladies!)

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated/sponsored Post, All opinions are 100% my own! Tickets were provided for Editorial Consideration. 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?

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

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.

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

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.

{Todays #Inspiration} Add me to the ranks of the 'consciously un-coupled' #MotivationMonday

Ah, Butterflies, my very highly imitated (down to my color scheme and font, really folks?), is back by popular demand. You asked for "Todays Inspiration" back - you GOT it. I think I mostly got tired of the second rate imitations of this column and thought I should get back to doing what I do best, INSPIRE.

Point taken butterflies, you wanted something 'from the heart' back, and you wanted a break from 'blog commercials' - duly noted dear ones, just remember a butterfly gotta eat, but I promise I will strike a better balance from now on. (Although in all fairness, most event recaps are NOT sponsored posts by the way! I just happen to attend a lot of events particularly in summer!)

Not sure if it will be totally daily again with inspirational posts or if it will be a strictly Motivation Monday deal until I get my 'groove back', but I know you wanted this feature and our monthly handbag in the spotlight back and I thought I'd get started on resuscitating this feature FIRST, and yes I am working on bringing the Monthly Featured Handbag in the Spotlight back for Fall so please stay tuned.

For Today's Inspiration I am joining the ranks of the 'consciously un-coupled', perhaps Gwenyth Paltrow's speech at the BlogHer15 Conference (are we still calling this a conference, or should we call it a phenomenon unto itself which it always is) is still playing in my head, but this conscious un-coupling thing is making the rounds. It's even taken Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner (perhaps there was a reason for her never switching to Jennifer Affleck, smart!) and now even Kermit and Miss Piggy are 'un-coupling'.

However in my case it's a MINDSET I want to 'consciously un-couple' with.

Just like we can outgrow a lover or any type of relationship to be frank, we can outgrow a mindset that sneakily permeates itself into our core and slowly and subtly makes us think of ourselves in ways that no longer serve a higher purpose in our life.

Remember when I told you that at Getting Gorgeous there was both a Psychic Reading a 'Face Reader'? (refresh your memory HERE) I had mentioned I wanted to re-visit the Face Reading a bit in another post, here it is. Something entirely dis-concerting happened which I left out of the Getting Gorgeous recap as it was certainly more fodder for this column than it was for an event recap!

For some reason she kept emphasizing that she saw that I was 'quite well off'. She literally peppered this into the conversation at least a dozen times. Mentally I found myself screaming 'what the hell are you talking about? I am FAR from well off Lady!' - this must surely be FAKE. Then I thought maybe I was being punked. At no point did she ask me my name, not my first or my last so this couldn't be some typical association with my last name being Iglesias and the singer Julio that I have had to dodge my whole life right? For the record, as far as I know I am NOT directly related to singer Julio Iglesias.

I wanted to find every reason to interrupt her, to interrupt the session or at least ask her how the heck did she figure me to be 'well-off''?

But somehow I didn't. Something kept stopping me. I thought if I listened on and didn't interrupt her train of though, somehow she would get to the HOW I get to this 'well-off' life that she perceived me to have.

So I listened.

My face got 'read' and I wouldn't be surprised if it got 'red' too. She revealed quite a bit about me that she had no way of guessing. I was surprised that face reading can tell you so much. But if people can read our 'palms' can it be that far off for them to read our faces as well?

If you are thinking 'Butterfly what on earth does this have to do with you consciously un-coupling? I realized during my Face Reading that somehow it felt like an affront to my person to be accused of being wealthy.

I am NOT even sure why that is.

MY TAKE:

I made the decision that night as the days events played in my head that I MUST for my own good, consciously un-couple with thoughts of 'lack' in all its forms. Those thoughts obviously clawed into my brain and dug root there somehow. Maybe it's living in the city that never sleeps where everyone's 'hustle' has to have a 'side-hustle' to survive. But a 'make ends meet' and not look much beyond that mentality somehow took root in my soul and I have consciously decided to un-couple with it.

I think I look awesome on the $100 Bill

WILL YOU JOIN ME? Will you release lack and affirm prosperity into YOUR life? What mindset do YOU wish  to 'consciously un-couple' with?

˙·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} 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!

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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.

{#WordlessWednesday} My wish for you Butterfly!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. And I really do wish you Happiness in Your Life, Today and Every Day!

{#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?)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

January 1, 2015 - A New Years Prayer!

Wishing all my butterflies a new year filled with abundance in all its many forms, opportunities to keep you challenged not just busy, love, health and happiness!

If you set resolutions for this year, what are they?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored Post!

Weekly Moment of Gratitude! - Come sound off, What are YOU most grateful for this week?

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy

Good and Grateful For Stuff:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Developing a case of the 'wanderlust' again and it means it's time to pick a place on the planet I haven't yet seen and book a ticket! I have a feeling a getaway would do me a world of good!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - It's been snowing lately, so hopefully a 'white' Christmas is on it's way for those of us here in the Northeast. Maybe the cold weather and some snow will create a blanket of stillness and peace. With all the insanity right now in New York City, some holiday cheer would be a welcome thing!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I am also always excited by this time of year. Much like snakes shed their old skin and develop new skin it's place, that is what the ending of one year and the beginning of a new one feel like for me. A time to shed my old skin and make the changes I need for overall renewal. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 'renewal' period as you transition into a new year!

Ask yourself at the end of each day: What am I grateful for Today?

My Take:

I always miss this feature when I have to skip it to play catch up or find myself so tired on Sundays that I am just too pooped to write! I love reading what you are grateful for, so please share something good that this week gave you to be grateful for!

My old gratitude journals are my favorite ones to read. I like spending time on New Years Eve reading over old journals - it helps me see how far I have come and re-evaluate the things that both are and the things that are no longer important to me anymore.

What are you most grateful for this week Butterfly? What changes are you going to make for 2015?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received. Nor are there any affiliate links in this post. As always, all 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.

{#WordlessWednesday} @jengroover inspires the crowd at the @ActivateMovmt #Activate2K14 #Conference

I thought this picture of Jen Groover (tagged by Success Magazine as a 'one woman brand') inspiring attendees at the Activate 2K14 Conference would be a perfect empowerment photo for Wordless Wednesday!

"We have control of one thing only in this world ... Our Perspective. Choose a positive one." ~ Jen Groover

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies, feel free to comment with a link to your Wordless Wednesday Photos as well so we can check them out and leave you some comment love! (No Giveaway Links please!)

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FTC Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Activate 2K14 Conference as a member of the Digital Media, this is NOT a sponsored post, it is an event recap of my experience. 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. This post may contain affiliate links.

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!

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

{#Empowerment} Recap of Day Two of @Cosmopolitan @funfearlesslife #FunFearlessLife Weekend!

Cosmopolitan Magazine's Fun Fearless Life Weekend was an empowerment experience so big I knew it would take two posts to recap it properly! If you missed our coverage of Day One, click HERE!

Day two started with an Express Core Performance by the Fordham U Cheerleaders and we transitioned straight into "Morning Fitness" with Cosmo Body hosted by Adam Rosante and Tara Stiles:

Left: Adam Rosante, Right: Tara Stiles

Considering the small space between chairs Adam definitely got everyone's blood pumping and watching Tara do her Yoga Poses in those sky high stilettos and not miss a beat was amazing to watch! I got to do Yoga at Tara's studio Strala in New York which was a great experience and her workouts are included in FitFusion which I got to try in my last Fab Fit Fun Box! (You can check out the review of that box which includes FitFusion HERE)

The first panel of Day Two, "Love Your Body" included Cosmopolitan Editor Joanna Coles as the moderator, Kelly Osbourne, Jillian Michaels and Jennifer Ashton. While all the panelists were wonderful, I have to admit I was refreshingly surprised by Kelly's candor. She was an open book and her fashion line Stories not only runs in plus sizing, but the prices are the SAME regardless of the size, KUDOS to Kelly! Loving your own body with it's scars, cellulite, dimples or fat is where it's at butterflies!

The next panel was called "Invest in You" moderated by Joanna Coles, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine US and featuring LearnVest's Founder, Alexa Von Tobel. Zuckerberg isn't the only Harvard Drop Out that went on to great success. From avoiding impulse purchases, asking for the raise you deserve (and the right way to do it!). Financial empowerment certainly helps everything else fall into place! Get control of your finances butterflies!

"At LearnVest, we're working to make financial planning both accessible and affordable so that everyone has the opportunity to get on track financially." ~ Alexa Von Tobel (Left), Right: Joanna Coles

The next panel was "Find Your Voice, Express Yourself", moderated by Laura Brounstein (Special Projects Director Cosmopolitan Magazine) and included Liz Crystal (Chief Marketing Officer at Express), Christene Barberich (Editor-in-Chief Refinery 29), and Katherine Vargas (Director of Hispanic Media, White House). Now this panel was a bit of a disappointment because so much time was spent focusing on what these powerhouses wear, don't get me wrong I get Fashion is important but there is so much more I would have liked to see Cosmo ask these powerful women! They were awesome, the questions asked, not so much. But then again I'm at a different stage in my life than the average age of the conference attendees for this particular event.

Left to Right: Laura Brounstein (Special Projects Director Cosmopolitan Magazine) - Far Left (Moderator), Katherine Vargas (Director of Hispanic Media, White House), Christene Barberich (Editor-in-Chief Refinery 29), Liz Crystal (Chief Marketing Officer at Express)

Gabrielle Union was interviewed solo by Joanna Coles and she was also refreshingly honest and straight-forward, and nothing was off limits. Gabrielle was one of the victims of the celebrity nude photo leak when apple was hacked. Not an easy thing to go through. She then joined the panel "Change the World", with Beverly Bond (Founder of Black Girls Rock), Nina Vaca (CEO and Founder of The Pinnacle Group), and Michelle Mulligan (Editor-in-Chief Cosmopolitan for Latinas).

Left: Gabrielle Union, Right: Joanna Coles

Far Left: Joanna Coles (Moderator), Michelle Mulligan (Editor-in-Chief Cosmopolitan for Latinas). Nina Vaca (CEO and Founder of The Pinnacle Group), Beverly Bond (Founder of Black Girls Rock), Far Right: Actress Gabrielle Union

There certainly isn't one formula for 'changing the world', but collectively each of these women are certainly doing their part!

"The Authentic You" was the focus of Gabrielle Bernstein's talk (pictured above), she is a Motivational Speaker, Life Coach and Author. She is the Author of "Miracles Now 108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose" which you can purchase for a low price at Amazon by the pressing on the banner below. (Which helps Ascending Butterfly too! :)

The Empowerment Extravaganza ended with a live concert by Elle King! (Pictured Below)

MY TAKE:

Fun Fearless Life was an amazing opportunity to get inspired and empowered by women at the top who weren't afraid to share their failures as well as their successes. Every speaker was candid, raw and powerful and un-afraid to claim their gifts and put them to use. That's exactly what I want for myself and each and every single one of you, claim your gifts butterflies and as you fly upwards take a moment to stop and look around and enjoy exactly where you are NOW - you won't get this moment back, you can only make a new one.

Which speaker would you most like to have heard for yourself butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: I was provided Press Access to Fun Fearless Life Weekend as Digital Press.  All opinions are 100% my own. There are affiliate links in this post. 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

{#MotivationMonday} Recap of Day One of @Cosmopolitan @funfearlesslife #FunFearlessLife Weekend!

This past month has been filled with 20 hour days clear through the weekend. They have been exhausting, over-whelming and incredibly transformative all at once.

But on my only day off in a very long time I couldn't help but question despite doing so much, expelling so much energy and going to so many events, what have I accomplished? How much closer am I to my goals (both personal and professional)? Some weeks I feel much like a hamster on a wheel, burning energy but not moving forward. (OK, technically I am moving forward, but I am not sure it's as fast as I would like it to be.)

In early November in New York City, the leaves began to change color and The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center is where 1,700 'change seekers' spent an intense weekend that offered 'crash courses on life' and how to live it bigger and better via a series of inspirational and practical panels by speakers across a wide range of industries (and quite a few 'celebs' too!). Cosmopolitan Magazine hosted Fun Fearless Life Weekend, a two-day empowerment event sponsored by Express and Maybelline and I had the chance to be a part of it, which certainly falls under my weekly gratitude category as well as Motivation Monday for sure!

I thought I'd share photos, most re-tweeted quotes from each panelist and some of my takeaways from Day One and next week for Motivational Monday I will share what went down on Day Two:

Center: Joanna Coles, Editor-in-Chief  of US Cosmopolitan Magazine onstage with Male Models at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weeekend powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center

Spanx’s Sara Blakely onstage at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weeekend powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center (Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

“Real change doesn’t happen when you just do things the way other people told you to do them.” –Sara Blakely, CEO of  @SPANX

“I didn’t have the most experience, I didn’t have the most money, but I cared the most.” –Sara Blakely

"Put Your Ass on the Line" was an incredibly informative panel led by Spanx Founder Sara Blakely, on everything from her inspiration for starting the line (which was literally her own butt!) to how she selected the name, Sara held nothing back! She was raw, straight-forward and honest. This is actually the second time this year I got to hear her speak (the first was at the Activate2K Conference). Her quest to find something that would help her body look better under her new white jeans literally led her to build an empire! They always say something that solves a problem and fills a need is always worth pursuing, obviously she wasn't the only person who wanted to look better and feel better in her clothing, BINGO! And butterflies before you say , 'It isn't always that easy', I will say you are right, it isn't, but the persistence to follow your passion and dreams will always steer you in the right direction. There are enough successful people out there that are willing to share how they got there and dollars to donuts persistence and drive for their passion was a HUGE part of their success!

From Left to Right : Leslie Yazel (Moderator), Sallie Krawcheck, Julie Greenwald, Megyn Kelly

“If you work in a male-dominated industry, don’t waste time worrying about the fact that you work in a male-dominated industry.” –Fox News anchor @MegynKelly

“Your next business connection is much more likely to come from a loose connection than a friend.” – @SallieKrawcheck

The "Find Your Power" panel moderated by Leslie Yazel, Executive Editor, Cosmo Magazine included powerhouses Sallie Krawcheck, Financial Services Industry Expert (with Ellevate Network and Ellevate Asset Management), Julie Greenwald, Atlantic Records and Megyn Kelly of FOX News Channel's The Kelly Files. This YouTube Video of News Anchor Megyn Kelly telling off Erick Erickson was shown during the panel and it definitely got the room fired up!

Dr. Meg Jay onstage at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weeekend powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center (Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

Dr. Meg Jay led the panel "Weak Ties Matter". Her 2013 TED talk "Why 30 is Not the New 20" has been viewed over 6 million times to date, she is also the author of "The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now" (which you can purchase directly at Amazon using the link below);

“Your best friends can’t open new doors for you, because you’re all in the same room.” –@DrMegJay, author of The Defining Decade

She discussed utilizing your 'weak ties' which are NOT your friends but for the most part are people you may never have met who can open those doors for you, doors you can't seem to open yourself. She ended with us making stickers with our spirit animals on multi-colored post its, and during the break out session for us to find someone with the same color post it, interesting way for 1,700 people to find a 'weak tie' that could potentially change your life!

"Don't fake it until you make it; fake it until you become it." ~ @AmyJCCuddy

Amy Cuddy, Body Language Expert, led the "Power Poses" session and taught us all the importance of Power Posing. Power Poses are known to increase testosterone and decrease cortisol. These poses help us optimize our brain before situations that make us feel powerless or stressed out like job interviews! (BTW, 85% of yoga is high power poses!) Stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart with hands on hips (kind of like 'wonder woman'), with both arms in the air and hold it for two minutes, this actually changes our brain chemistry and causes us to feel confident and relaxed! I plan to 'power pose' before every conference call from now on!

Left: Bella Weems, Founder of Origami Owl Right: Joanna Coles, Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan Magazine, US

Bella Weems, co-Founder of Origami Owl, shared a story much like Sara's from Spanx. While Sara wanted to look confident in her new white jeans and founded the empire we all know now as Spanx, Bella wanted a car and her parents told her 'no', her desire for her own wheels is what eventually led her to create Origami Owl, a company she co-founded at age 14! Proof that desire, drive and determination can help us to overcome any obstacle!

Dick Costolo - CEO of Twitter at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weeekend powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center (Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images)

The "Building Your Brand" panel included Amy Odell (moderator) - Editor of Cosmopolitan.com, Grace Helbig, Comedian, Actress and Vlogger, and Dick Costolo - CEO of Twitter. (You all know Twitter is my all time favorite Social Media Channel, I was a pretty early adopter and can't wait to see what the future brings! Hosting Twitter Parties and Tweet chats are two of my favorite things.)

“You do a disservice to yourself when you start apologizing for things. Utilize your imperfections to build your brand.” –@GraceHelbig, vlogger and author of Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending To Be A Grown Up

Sophia Amoruso - Founder and CEO of Nasty Gal

The "Create Your Future" panel was moderated by Elizabeth Holmes - Senior Style Reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and included Sophia Amoruso - Founder and CEO of Nasty Gal and author of the book #GIRLBOSS, Christina Tosi - Chef, Owner and Founder of Milk Bar, and Windsor Hanger, Co-Founder, President and Publisher of Her Campus Media.

"Bad Bitches are Taking Over the World" ~ Sophia Amoruso

"There are a lot of opportunities out there, but they're not going to fall into your lap. Be relentless." ~ Windsor Hanger

Model Chrissy Teigen at Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weeekend powered by WME Live at The David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center

From Left to Right: Chrissy Teigen, Logan Hill, Matthew Hussey and Jordan Carlos

The "Manthropology" panel was moderated by Chrissy Teigen (needless to say her super short shorts in Fall in NYC definitely caused a stir! LOL) and included Matthew Hussey Author and founder of how to get the guy who teaches women how to find the guy, attract the guy and keep the guy, Logan Hill - he launched Vulture and is now the Senior Editor at GQ, (he also writes the monthly "Ask Him Anything" print and weekly online "Ask Logan" columns for Cosmopolitan and Jordan Carlos, Comedian who is currently appearing on MTV's Girl Code and Guy Code series. A no holds barred discussion on the inner workings of men's minds including 'Dick pics' (While Chrissy finds them fascinating, I for one wish men would NEVER send those!), 'defining the relationship' and how it differs for men and women, 'validation' (how to use it and to remember to make men still feel like the protector), and 'women making the first move'. Let's just say in a room full of 1,700 twenty somethings, mostly female, many still looking for love and single and ready to mingle, this panel could have gone on for way longer because it definitely got things perked up!

Cosmo and Maybelline presented Kisses for the Troops for each kiss collected, Cosmo and Maybelline New York will donate $1 to the USO! #kissesforthetroops

From Left to Right: Aliza Licht - SVP Global Communications of Donna Karan, Alicia Quarles - E! News Correspondent, Shay Mitchell - Actress/Blogger, Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle - VP Marketing, Maybelline New York

"Make Your Mark" was another heavily tweeted panel moderated by Aliza Licht - SVP Global Communications, Donna Karan, and included Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle - Vice President of Marketing for Maybelline New York, Shay Mitchell - portrays Emily Fields on ABC Family's Hit Show 'Pretty Little Liars', and Alicia Quarles - New York Based Correspondent for E! News.

You can find more inspirational quotes from Fun Fearless Life on Cosmopolitan's Career Channel.

We ended Day one with Tara Mohr's session "Lesson: Visualize Your Mentor" which was a guided visualization excercise to help introduce yourself to the person you want to be in 20 years, we were asked to envision ourselves approaching a home and having ourself in 20 years open that door and to take notice of the details, and then coming out of it, to then figure out the steps you need to take to get yourself there. I personally haven't been very successful with visualization so I use Vision Boards instead. There is a great piece on Cosmo's website with Tara Mohr's 10 Tips for Success and Confidence that you should definitely check out! And you can purchase her book Playing Big directly by pressing the banner below:

MY TAKE:

We were greeted by Maybelline reps handing out free lipsticks, I am not sure life gets much better! There were also makeover stations, an Express Pop up Shop, Photo Station (you know I avoid those!) although I will admit I thought it was a cute idea to put yourself on the cover of Cosmo at this station and there were great gifts too like a charging clutch from Express that I am in LOVE with! (Pictures of my clutch to come!) Between the amazing speakers, the super charged energy in the room, and great sponsors this spa weekend for the spirit offered a wealth of information, inspiration and empowerment tools and resources, it was definitely motivating and I came away with some concrete ideas that I have already begun to implement. Stay tuned for the highlights from Day Two on next week's Motivation Monday post.

Which speaker would you most like to have heard for yourself butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: I was provided Press Access to Fun Fearless Life Weekend as Digital Press. I received 'swag'. 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 visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.