I waited until Christmas Day to post my message for this month. I wanted to wait until I could put into words or select pictures to talk about what 2008 meant to me. Smart LifeStyles is a product of my year in review. It has always been my dream and goal to write on a regular basis, but I lacked consistency and commitment to this goal. This year, however, I achieved something that I am very proud; my personal transformation into the person who I really am very comfortable being. The process has not been a very easy one; and it is still in progress. This month's blog reflects what I have experienced during the past year. One thing that has come out of it is, that I do have a mind-set of a mentor and the heart of a counselor. I enjoy sharing with others, while trying to maintain humility. I hope and pray that what I share with you and others will help to motivate you and them to achieve your personal goals in 2009.
I have to begin with November 2007 when I was certified as a Group Leader for Tahitian Trim Plan 40. It's the first women's weight loss program designed for women over 40. Below I'm shown with Arlene Olsen, Founder of the Trim Plan 40 product line.
In December, I was asked to read to ten young children at a group home around the holidays. In 2004, I had created a personality that I called, Mrs. K, The Book Shepherd with hopes of creating programs that I could market to schools throughout the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. So, I resurrected the book shepherd, but because we could not bring a religious character into the group home, I dubbed myself Ms. Deborah, The Book Publisher. I read one of the five books that I had published, "Aunt Debra and My Favorite Things Poster" by Debra A. Pedrow. It was a great success and each child was given a copy as a holiday present.
It was a wonderful experience for me. Although we couldn't speak about Jesus, the children knew that we were from a church, and only they were allowed to bring the subject up. I tried to get them to talk about what they wanted to do when they grew up; or if they ever thought about writing their own stories. One of the boys said he wanted to become a preacher; another told us about a story that he had written about tornadoes. They were all precious and my heart went out to them. It was the holidays...some were Christian, one I believe was Jewish and another Muslim. But the one thing they all had in common, was that they were away from their families. This experience helped me reconcile that I needed to continue my work with children.
During the year, I also worked with the Camden Police's MALL Program. It was an after-school program designed to give young boys and girls, who were non-violent offenders, a place to come and learn after-school activities; as opposed to doing jail time. I offered reading and writing projects. I volunteered Friday afternoons for two hours. Out of this program came a program entitled, "Nibbles and Bites." I designed other activities that gave the students opportunities to not only read, but to discuss and write about their experiences.
In December, I also completed my two year program to become a Certified Biblical Counselor. Through this program my spiritual growth took off exponentially. My graduation was set for June 2008.
In January 2008, I didn't set any resolutions, because like every other year, I knew that I would not keep them. So I just became more focused each day on obtaining my goals for my various business ventures and my personal happiness.
In February, I went in search of my bridal gown, the wedding was set for August 3rd and time was marching on. I knew that a Cinderella wedding was out; nevertheless, I wanted to be a "beautiful" bride. Even though according to the media, at 57 I was a senior citizen, I didn't feel like one. I also didn't want to act older than I felt. I was in love and happy and everything that came along with being engaged. I felt really young again.
During the year, I also worked with the Camden Police's MALL Program. It was an after-school program designed to give young boys and girls, who were non-violent offenders, a place to come and learn after-school activities; as opposed to doing jail time. I offered reading and writing projects. I volunteered Friday afternoons for two hours. Out of this program came a program entitled, "Nibbles and Bites." I designed other activities that gave the students opportunities to not only read, but to discuss and write about their experiences.
In December, I also completed my two year program to become a Certified Biblical Counselor. Through this program my spiritual growth took off exponentially. My graduation was set for June 2008.
In January 2008, I didn't set any resolutions, because like every other year, I knew that I would not keep them. So I just became more focused each day on obtaining my goals for my various business ventures and my personal happiness.
In February, I went in search of my bridal gown, the wedding was set for August 3rd and time was marching on. I knew that a Cinderella wedding was out; nevertheless, I wanted to be a "beautiful" bride. Even though according to the media, at 57 I was a senior citizen, I didn't feel like one. I also didn't want to act older than I felt. I was in love and happy and everything that came along with being engaged. I felt really young again.
I found a beautiful gown. But, in spite of how young I felt, I knew I needed to work on my weight and my hair. I began to earnestly follow the Trim Plan 40 program and set out to lose 20 pounds. I turned the transformation of my hair over to Wendy Williams at OhDrama and Glamour Studio in Clementon, New Jersey.
February also brought a business trip. We flew to Orlando for the 2008 Tahitian Noni International Regional Meeting. Below is a picture of our business partners, Brenda Njoku, Faith Simmons, Heather Isham, that's me next to Willie Smart, and Terence Reddick. Brian Battle is manning the camera.
This business venture is an experience that has shown me that my father
was right. He told me many years ago, "You cannot make it in
business by yourself." He knew personally because he had a business
for over 20 years, and by the sweat of his brow and back he kept it
running; while working full-time at Merck. My father
and my grandfather worked hard all of their lives and died in their
early 60s. This is not what I want for myself, especially since I am two years shy of my 60th birthday.
I believe that network marketing is the key to building a viable and long-lasting business, without the undue stress of carrying the burden of business building on your shoulders alone. Three-gets three-gets three and so on. It's a way for folks like myself to build financial stability and leave a legacy for those who follow. Some people think that "network marketing" is synonymous with pyramid schemes. In most cases it's not. Before entering into a network marketing venture, take a look at the company structure and its track record. In the past year and a half, I have personally witnessed the growth of several individual businesses.
Tahitian Noni International has an eleven year track record; paying out over 2.5 billion dollars in commissions and five major product lines. Tahitian Noni Juice, Healthy Beverage Hiro Drinks, Tepoema and Moea Hair and Skin Care, Trim Plan 40 and our new NatureBorn Super Vitamin.
I believe that network marketing is the key to building a viable and long-lasting business, without the undue stress of carrying the burden of business building on your shoulders alone. Three-gets three-gets three and so on. It's a way for folks like myself to build financial stability and leave a legacy for those who follow. Some people think that "network marketing" is synonymous with pyramid schemes. In most cases it's not. Before entering into a network marketing venture, take a look at the company structure and its track record. In the past year and a half, I have personally witnessed the growth of several individual businesses.
Tahitian Noni International has an eleven year track record; paying out over 2.5 billion dollars in commissions and five major product lines. Tahitian Noni Juice, Healthy Beverage Hiro Drinks, Tepoema and Moea Hair and Skin Care, Trim Plan 40 and our new NatureBorn Super Vitamin.
The business is built on consumption and product sales. The TNI business is very rewarding, not only financially, but the relationships that are formed and developed over time are lasting.
In April, Faith and I did a program for some of the men and women from Back On My Feet. "Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." http://www.backonmyfeet.org
In April, Faith and I did a program for some of the men and women from Back On My Feet. "Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem." http://www.backonmyfeet.org
Because of my involvement with Tahitian Noni products and my strong
belief that whatever I do I do for the Lord and for His purpose, I created
a program called, The SPA Hour...Seeking Peace in Abundance. The
coordinators of BOMF heard about our SPA program and asked if we would
participate in a Stop Smoking Program. If individuals stopped smoking
for a specified period of time, they would be allowed to have a free
facial. It was a wonderful experience and everyone including the organizers enjoyed themselves.
In March I was back in Camden working with the PAL organization. We had a five week, Creative Writing Program with ten young people. From it I have a book project that I must complete. Because of my focus on the wedding and subsequent marriage, this project along with a couple of others have been pushed back. I have put together an action plan to get these projects published, and will report their progress in LifeStyles.
In July, just a few weeks before the wedding, we participated in a multi-cultural festival at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. In the picture below we have our products on display and we met quite a few people who didn't realized that Tahitian Noni had more than just the juice to offer. In the picture are Faith Simmons, Beverly Lucas, Eric Wilson and my fiance Willie Smart.
In March I was back in Camden working with the PAL organization. We had a five week, Creative Writing Program with ten young people. From it I have a book project that I must complete. Because of my focus on the wedding and subsequent marriage, this project along with a couple of others have been pushed back. I have put together an action plan to get these projects published, and will report their progress in LifeStyles.
In July, just a few weeks before the wedding, we participated in a multi-cultural festival at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. In the picture below we have our products on display and we met quite a few people who didn't realized that Tahitian Noni had more than just the juice to offer. In the picture are Faith Simmons, Beverly Lucas, Eric Wilson and my fiance Willie Smart.
In September, I took a part-time position at Lea Community Elementary School in Philadelphia as an After-School Instructor. I truly found my home. I thoroughly enjoy working with my ladies as I call them. They are third and fourth grade scholars. They remind me the importance of paying attention to our children...not to wait until they are in High School, but to start when they are young. They have the capacity to love and be loved. They can learn how to respect others; as well as themselves. It's not too late to build strong relationships and keep them through out their lives. This I learned from my husband. We have been approached many times by young adults who at one time came to him as troubled teens or considered damaged goods by others. But, because of his love and respect for who they were; not who people labeled them as, they were able to survive to go on to lead productive lives.
At last...not only has my love come along in the person of Willie Smart; but my love for life and children is growing everyday. I look forward to continuing my story in 2009.
May you and your family have a wondrous adventure in 2009. May the Lord bless you and yours. Good night.
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