myretroperspective

Every New Year brings about an opportunity to start out fresh and explore something new and different. As 2012 gets underway, I’ve discovered things that are moving me closer to a life that I had one only imagined. And thanks to some wonderful news and signs from the universe… things are well on their way to coming true. But the journey is the real story because just when you start to doubt, you change the course of your life. If you make a decision to stay positive and ride the wave, as my friend Crystal tells me… magic and miracles really do happen. As you move closer to your true self, you’ll discover that a lot of things and people that once occupied space in your life will suddenly be removed. There’s a season for everything and a reason for it all… if you pay attention you’ll understand why things move progressively in your favor once you open your heart. Just know that no matter what happens—you’re equipped to handle it. Starting today focus on your destination, listen to your i...

This morning a friend’s call got me out of bed… catching up can be good for the soul. But one thing that resonated with me was her observation about my life. I’ve known her for more than 20 years and she’s always been extremely honest. So it’s no surprise when she told me that she observed something about me that I never thought about… my ability to make laughter a staple in my life. She said, “I saw you in a photo with someone and the two of you were laughing!” And based on that fact alone… she concluded that we must have a great friendship. Well, it happened to be somebody that I had just met the day before and even though that photo was taken months ago during one of my trips… she’s right. As I’ve said before, travel opens up a unique opportunity for me to meet all kinds of people. Because I enjoy meeting people, I tend to draw like-minded people into my zone and if we click or vibe… we stay in touch! My friend also said that the next time she gets into a relationship; my photo remi...

When it’s time to escape, it’s time to get away to some place haute, but sometimes no matter where I am… I can’t escape what’s on my mind. When something weights heavily, I find that I’m forced to deal with it. I’m not the type to compartmentalize like some people. But when real emotions start to come out… I’m grateful that my friends lift my spirits to make me stronger and wiser. As a result, I can approach whatever is unpleasant or that lesson in progress with clarity. Their strength offers a shoulder and the understanding that I have to resist the temptation of trying to control something that I have no control over so I learn to let go and trust the process. I’m one of the lucky ones to have a friend who is half way around the world call me on a tropical island to say something that empowers me or laugh out loud at another friend who sends me text messages with jokes mixed with “real talk” to help me understand that my life is shifting in ways that I may not understand, but I’m bet...

There’s something about a man who tells me that I’m beautiful… he makes me smile. I’ve heard a lot of conversation lately about an article that expresses a particular take on whether black women are beautiful. I must be one of a few women who thought nothing of it. In fact, I had a conversation with a few girlfriends who had different opinions about it. I just really don’t get plugged into debates like that because it’s pointless. People can have the right to their own thoughts but at the end of the day that old saying rings true “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Well, over the course of my life I’ve had men tell me that I was attractive to them. I’ll never forget when some of them (who are fathers with daughters) would pay me the highest compliment… they told me that they wanted their girls to grow up and be just like me. When a man tells you that—it’s mind blowing because men are extremely protective of their baby girls. I often asked them why and generally it had to do with a ...

No matter where I travel in the world, I represent the women who are thicker than super models, but just as beautiful. My butt is bigger than most unless you live in the ATL... where thicker girls with hour glass figures rule! And that’s alright with me. I would often hide my assets with clothes that conceal but one day a man who made my heart smile asked, “Why do you hide it under a dress?” So when this guy who is super haute, sexy and smart encouraged me to let my curves out ― I did! I figured if he was cosigning… I’m all over it! Southern girls with killer curves, ample thighs, full lips and hips that sway know that the secret to being a confident woman starts with the mind. We also know that for those who walk behind us… we inspire curiosity and acceptance. But for those who can’t get past our apple bottoms (two words) don’t hate!   As I travel the globe, I’m rocking my curves… whether in New York City, London, Paris or the Caribbean. I hope to represent girls like me who once ...

I’ve come to the conclusion that some relationships must end, particularly when you put your heart and soul into a story and your work is taken for granted. It seems like the week has been extremely long but when the truth comes out the best thing to do is face it. As such, I’ve decided that I can no longer work with a publisher who doesn’t value my contribution, my work or my time. Recently, I noticed that I had not been paid for an article that I wrote nearly six months ago even though it had been published. Under my contract agreement, my check was about 20 days late and no one in accounts payable with the magazine would return my emails, acknowledge receipt of my invoice or give me any idea of when to expect payment. As an independent consultant and writer, I can’t operate my business or life in limbo. So I took a tougher approach and sent a letter outlining my intentions on collection. Well, that got the attention of the publisher who decided to defend his breach of contract actio...

When it comes to friendship it should be a two-way street, but lately I’m finding most people don’t get it. Since I’ve taken on a more visible role as a journalist by starting a blog and entering into the fascinating world of social media, I seem to attract people who think that they can extract my contacts and resources without giving something back. I find these people to be opportunists and incapable of being a true friend. So when the truth reveals itself… I take notes. I have learned to love or like people from a distance and rid myself of anything that’s toxic. I wouldn’t say these people are bad, but they have misguided intentions and may not value and protect friendship the same way that I do. They see my network and start adding up the net worth to figure out how they can benefit from it with no return on investment. As a result, I chose not to spend my time with them. It’s not always easy to draw such hard lines but it’s necessary to maintain my sanity. My tried and true frie...

I love the line from the movie, When in Rome , “The passion is in the risk!” The movie is about an ambitious New York woman who gives up on love until it finds her in Rome and follows her back to NYC! But that line really has different meanings for me. When I think of passion and risk, I also think of doing something that most people would never try... because most people are just not risk takers. But thanks to a certain someone who said, “I hope you do it.” The universe has given me everything that I need to make this amazing undertaking possible. I smile every time I think of my team from New York to Miami who love my ideas so much that they have not only brought in their own genius but their personal and professional contacts to help make this adventure one that we’ll all walk away feeling good about.   So if you’re thinking of taking a risk… “I hope you do it!” Great risks have the potential to yield great rewards. Once you take a step forward… everything that you need wil...

I’m PASSIONATE about travel, writing, life, ART, design, my loves, my friends and family. I DREAM bigger because I don’t know how not to. PASSION makes me crazy but there really isn’t any other way for me to LIVE. I attract those into my life who are on the same path of fulfillment, passion, DESTINY and giving. My IMAGINATION is my greatest teacher. My VISION for my life pales in comparison to the one the universe has for me. I take risks because that’s how I GROW. I learn from my mentors, life and career coaches that I am more POWERFUL than I know. I pass on my lessons to others because it’s the price I pay for SUCCESS. I know that the people who INSPIRE and motivate me to take risks are really offering me a clue as to what my DESTINY has in store. I am a friend of COURAGE so that I can live my own TRUTH. I believe that FATE is taking me where I’m suppose to be. I’m the peace and comfort that someone else seeks. When he CHALLENGED me to do something ambitious… I never hesitated; I...