The Ultimate Marketing Plan

Greetings Readers!

I know it has been a long time, but I am back and hopefully a lot more frequently. As always, I like to share with you things that touch my heart, and I hope that my words encourage, enlighten, and inspire you!

Because of the world we live in today...everything is all about selling yourself and your abilities. Often times we find ourselves trying so hard to prove ourselves to others in our own strength and we fail to realize that we are false in our attempts. The world tells us to pay our dues...to start from the bottom and work our way to the top...prove your worthiness for promotion...to step on others so that you can get to the top. But as Believers we can't fall into this trap because it is nothing but a trick of the enemy.

God has a special Marketing Plan that doesn't involve any of those things that I just listed. God advertises us in the way He sees us, and not how we see ourselves. For instance, if I were to go into an interview and "sell myself" to the employer I would list all of my strengths and possibly a few weaknesses, I would list all of my previous work experience along with a few professional references, then I would really knock their socks off with my entire education background, naming all of my degrees and the various colleges and universities that I had attended. But more importantly I would make reference to the person that I am right now and not the person that I will become.

God knows the end from the beginning and he sees us in that same light- which is how he puts together our Marketing Plan. For those that know anything about goods and services you know that there are benefits and features to everything. Well God not only is in the business of telling us whose we are and who we are, but he truly wants others to see our lights shine as well. As Believers, some of our features consist of being righteous, His beloved, made in His image and Sooo many more but I will let you find out more of those in the word for yourself. Sometimes it is hard for us to acknowledge and to even own these features when we think about ourselves. However, we must realize that God sees us through the blood of Jesus and not by our mistakes and shortcomings. Gods love is so powerful that it covers a multitude of our sins so we are able to stand firm and walk in who He says we are.

As I was reading the story of Ruth and Naomi, the scriptures spoke to me. I will give you a little background- at this time Ruth's husband had died and she was left with her sister in law as well as her elderly mother in law. The mother in law Naomi begged and pleaded that the girls leave and go back to there family to remarry and start there lives over. One of the daughters left, however Ruth was burdened with staying. How many of you know that God will put a burden or a deep desire in our hearts that can be just too hard to shake sometimes - could be the passion for a particular career, a cause, or even a hobby. So, because Ruth had this deep desire to stay and care for her mother in law she could not see herself just walking off and leaving her side, and God blessed her faith for holding onto to this desire. The bible tells us in Psalms 37:4 that when we delight ourselves in the Lord that He will give us the desires of our hearts. (Just a sidebar because I'm getting excited- when God puts the desire or burden in our hearts he has to bring it to past! The key is that we can't faint and we can't grow weary...we must stay in faith until we reach the end).

So, anyway were getting to the good part. We have to stop with all the proving ourselves and promoting ourselves, because as Joyce Meyers says we just aren't smart enough to run our own lives we have to let God do it! So when we let God market and advertise us he is showcasing our abilities through Him. How amazing is this! Things that we know we aren't good at, God thinks otherwise....because we can do all things through Him. Paul put it so eloquently when he said in Ephesians 3:8 "I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities." I so love this scripture!

Back to Ruth, so because she was trying to do the right thing by staying and caring for her elderly mother in law, God saw to it, to show her favor everywhere she went. Often times when we are pushed to step out on faith we allow fear to make us forget how faithful God is in the favor department. So, here Ruth is no husband no children and no legacy, left to take care of her mother in law. She goes out to find work to make a living and I like to say...favor bumped into her and not the other way around! She meets Boaz, and before she can start marketing or selling herself in order for this man to show her favor. God has already done it for her. Need I mention she has no idea who this man is.

Ruth 2:11
"Boaz answered her, "I've heard all about you-heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers."

Long story short, let God promote you. The key is, your heart must be right and you must completely lean on, rely in, and trust Him in everything you do- because -Phil 4:13 says "I can do all things through the one who makes me who I am"

~Na'TashaNicole

Somethings to Ponder....

Hello Readers!!!

I know it has been a while since my last posting. However, I have been a little preoccupied with life..But anyway, in todays posting I am including all of the encouraging and inspiring words that I have collected along the way. Take time to read them and I hope they make an impact on your life as well.

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Encouraging Words/Food for Thought


We need to get out of the hall of mirrors and have the courage to be ourselves -- fully and authentically

If we fail to define ourselves, we will live by other peoples definitions of us.

Wise commitments do not bind us; they free us. To the spiritually immature, "commitment" is a very scary word because it is internalized as bondage. But to the spiritually mature, commitment is the equivalent of freedom because it bestows authentic happiness that cannot be taken away.

In relationships- True power lies in our ability to create,  to make something out of nothing, to invent a way where there was no way, and to build what others had only envisioned. That ability is potential, and it's worth waiting for.

Always go for Potential vs status. Potential is an individual’s capacity to grow, to get, and to go the distance chasing his or her dreams.

Find a way to keep your life balanced and to still embrace the very best that life has to offer. Do more than just Exist: Live. Do more than hope for happiness: Go out and claim it. What man wouldn't want a woman like that?

The wonderful thing about choice is that it gives us the power to take it or leave it

Patience is a secret weapon that forces deception to reveal itself

What you fail to confront you...can't defeat

Dating is only about collecting information and getting to know one another...do not romanticize just be a friend

The woman who doubts herself is unstable in everything she does, feels, and decides. However, a confident woman is not afraid of being wrong! She realizes she can recover from making a mistake and doesn't allow the fear of making one to imprison her or tie her up in self doubt

When you change the way you look at things  the things you look at change...perception is the ultimate reality but not necessarily the ultimate truth

When we compliment others, we begin to see ourselves in a better light also

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for

Singleness means to be separate unique and whole. Singleness is a state to be pursued, not avoided. To be single should be the goal of every married person

How much we trust others is directly proportionate to how much we trust ourselves and our ability to handle there imperfections

What is your tolerance level for imperfections?

We can't learn anything new until we can admit that we don’t already know everything

We must constantly maintain a beginners mindset in order to stay teachable

Whatever the case, everything we gain in life comes as a result of sacrificing something else. We must give up to go up

Treat people with respect and dignity whether they deserve it or not

It takes two to tango...but to have happier, more productive relationships, you've got to stop dancing

Next time someone comes into your life...
-try accepting them unconditionally, with absolutely no judgement
-expect nothing from them
-take 100% responsibility for the relationship
-act as if your life depends upon it
* you will give then the gift of acceptance and who knows what you'll receive in return!

No one can make you happy, happiness is a response that you choose

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit

In order to be successful we have to know what is and what was so you can strategize and be prepared for what is to come

Bad days make the good ones better

You must remain true to your own heart, or else you will never be happy.

When your in something you have to give it everything you have...or else what are you doing

Great leaders never forget the past they lead in the moment

Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, and then you must forget the rules and play from your heart. Unknown

A setback is a setup for a comeback

Be kinder than necessary you don't know what struggles people are going through

The best revenge is success

Persistence - "If your walking down the right path and your willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress"
President Obama

Change your thoughts and you change the world ~ Norman Vincent Peale

The secret to discovering your destiny is to find something you enjoy doing so much that you would be willing to do it for free. Then, become so good at it that people are willing to pay you to do it


Love is a decision not a feeling. Forgiveness is a decision not a feeling

If you wanted to be counted as wise and to build a reputation for wisdom you must: live well, live wisely, and live humbly - it's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts
-mean spirited ambition isn't wisdom
-boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom
*whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things always fall apart


You need a dream to keep you focused and disciplined

Don't be lukewarm

It's what we trust in but don't see that keeps us going- don't let a few obstacles and bumps in the road stop you!

I win when it's easy!
I win when it's difficult!!
I win even when it seems impossible!!!!

God will always strengthen those who are willing to look their weaknesses in the face and say, "You cannot stop me."


Self management is a full time job I am the CEO of NaTasha all I can control is me...

Say Good-bye to Giving Up

"Success is like a ladder and no one has ever climbed a ladder with their hands in their pockets"- Lao Tzu

Why is it that as soon as a little opposition is presented we are so quick to just give up cave in and quit. Where is the fight? Where is the passion? So many people in history could have given up when things looked like they wouldn't go according to plan. I read a story about Truett Cathy, founder of chick-fila read below:

"Truett Cathy founded the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain, which started with one small diner and has grown to more than one thousand restaurants, making it the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain. Three weeks after he opened his first store, it burned to the ground. When he finally got his second store built, his brothers, who were his partners, were killed in an airplane crash."

How amazing is that? After evaluating my life thus far I have learned the missing piece... The essential element...are you ready?!?!?

Consistency...very simply put...no frills...no thrills...and no bells or whistles

It's not what you do one time that matters it what you do consistently with passion that will cause you to succeed even when things look bleak.

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible"-St. Francis of Assisi

Just like Mr. Cathy, his challenges and near failures were not too much of a handicap for him, and his business has employed thousands and fed millions!

How you continually think and what you believe to be true is a sum total of how successful you will be throughout your individual life.

We have to ignite our inner warrior that person that is relentless.

The definition of relentless is so powerful check it out:
- steady and persistent; unyielding in severity; unrelenting

If you think and believe that you are a failure... You are

If you think and believe that there just isn't the right mate out there for you...there isn't

Sidebar: single ladies stop saying that there aren't good guys out there and that all men are dogs... This is completely false!!!!

Please if you don't listen to anything that I say get this: things can change in a year...a month...a week...a day...an hour... and even minutes

Nothing is every set in stone. Rules can be bent and even reversed.

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong"- Ella Fitzgerald.

Now that you have been Enlightened..go and Enlighten someone else!


Na'Tasha Nicole

Appreciation Starts Today...

Hello Readers!

What a week! This weeks message is all about appreciation. Ever since I was a child my mother always made every holiday special, especially my birthday. However, now that I am an adult, I still feel very passionate about holidays as well because of what was instilled in me at a young age. For instance, if I never ever received anything from any of my peers on Valentine's Day, I knew that my mom would always make me feel special. Thanks Mom!



Often times when our loved ones pass away.. we are left feeling all of the "shoulda" "coulda" "would-as"- Therefore today I am encouraging you to get excited while people are still living. Whether it is your immediate family, co-workers or a Stranger, making a difference in someones life is a precious gift. It can be as small as a smile or a kind word on there birthday. You will be amazed at how people feel appreciated by the smallest gestures. I guess I have always been a big picture kind of person because I am always concerned with impact. By impact I mean the type of impression or memory that I left on a person. Whether good or bad people will hold on to the memory that was created. So every chance I get I want to leave people with good memories.



For instance, my mother will be turning 50 this year and it felt so good to be able to surprise her with an all expense paid trip on a cruise to the Bahamas...exactly where she wanted to go. It made me proud at the fact that I was finally able to show my mom how much I loved and appreciated her. At the time when I was paying for everything I had the biggest headache because of all the money that was spent but hearing the gratitude and appreciation in her voice when I told her weighed in much heavier than the price tag. This is the feeling that makes you want to keep doing more and more for people.


On another note, it can get difficult trying to appreciate everyone in your inner circle as well as co workers and strangers, however you have to start somewhere. When you get in the habit of just doing the basic things like a card or a hug...just the fact that you actually remembered someones birthday says a lot...it's hard enough just keeping up with my own birthday let alone everyone else's


So I challenge you this week to go the extra mile and remember someones birthday or anniversary and acknowledge them or even tell someone that you appreciate them in some form or fashion, just so that you can make them feel special...



Now that you have been Enlightened...Go and Enlighten Someone else!!!




~Na'Tasha Nicole

Its Time for a Confrontation.....With Yourself

Hello readers! It gives me such joy to be able to write to you each week. Typically my topics are based on challenges that I've faced throughout the week as well as ways that I have been inspired and this week is no different.
Let's Go!

Believing in yourself is vital.

This week I want to talk to you about self confidence and believing in yourself. Can I get real with you guys today? I as well as many others have struggled with this concept for years, and I'm at the point where enough is enough. I am an avid reader and I am always looking for information that can not only help myself but others as well. However, this time a book or quote couldn't help me. Not to say that books aren't helpful and encouraging because they are trust me I have several books about believing in yourself and the whole confidence bit as well. But like I said, this go round was a lot different. I had to literally fight with myself. Now readers this isn't a bad thing there comes a time when you start to get on your own nerves about things that you need to change or develop in your life and enough is enough, and a confrontation with yourself is long over due. So as I sat in my car in the walmart parking lot I was literally telling myself a thing or two. Now I am not crazy or insane but I will say that, that confrontation woke me up inside. Let me explain, its one thing to know something, and to know how to carry it out but it's a whole other ball game when you have to put some action to your words and when the rubber hits the road will you sink or swim? I felt like I had been sinking for too long...living with too many insecurities and baggage from the past. So I tell you today that you don't have to be in bondage to people and there views because you will then become a people pleaser. Anyway, like I said it's one thing to know something...but action is a different ball game. I know all about this stuff I read about it everyday I talk to people about it everyday but why is that the sting of other peoples comments and perceptions still leave us wounded? Why is it that rejection in any form still leaves us bruised? I heard somewhere that if we are "touchy" other peoples comments and reactions and perceptions can be taken to the highest degree. What I mean by touchy is that a person's skin is sun burned severely and any response contrary to what that individual wants to hear is like someone poking your sun burned skin...ouchhhhhh hence the word "touchy" was born. But anyway, I will go into more detail on this subject in later blogs.

Believing in yourself means that you can look at yourself in the mirror and you can honestly say that you are ok with who you are flaws and all. This goes for outward as well as the inward appearance because it is two fold. You can not be satisfied with your outer appearance and not be satisfied with your inner appearance there is no balance here. I'm sure plenty of you out there myself included can attest to feeling out of balance in this area at various points in our lives. With that being said it's quote time!!!! I read the following excerpt in the book called "Believe that You Can" I have made mention of this book in previous blogs.. Here it is:

"Right before you were created there was one little sperm among millions of them all racing to become YOU. Millions of them were swimming trying to get to that egg, and YOU won. This makes you one in a million! You're a winner, not an accident"

How awesome is that! I got so excited when I read that for the first time it almost brought tears to my eyes because it was so simple yet so profound to know that I was a winner before I could even walk or talk. So, that just made my confidence level shoot through the roof. Sometimes you have to confront yourself and say "Who cares what people think, do, and say" you don't have to impress anyone. Be ok with who you are accept yourself flaws and all because you are a winner!

Please know and understand how important and valuable you are. You are truly special and unique. Whether you choose to believe it or not someone is counting on you to be the best that you can be. Think about the legacy that you will leave behind. What kind of person do you want to be known as? Someone who was always afraid to take chances and risk and stuck in bondage to the opinions of others, or someone that was always fearless, courageous and bold. This last quote opened my eyes to the true definition of what courage means:

"Courage is being the only one who knows that you are afraid"

To me this quote says that feeling fear is a natural part of life, however choosing to step out and take risks and doing things that are deemed unpopular means that your courageous enough to do it afraid!

So I challenge you today, what is it that has been holding you back from achieving your dreams and goals? Take the necessary action and step out and do the things that you want to do and don't worry about what other people may think or say. Don't forget to use balance and plain old common sense now : )

As always it has been a pleasure!

Now that you have been enlightened...go and enlighten someone else!

Can I Accept Your Imperfections?

Hello Readers!!!

It is always a pleasure to enlighten you all. This weeks message is about giving people permission to make mistakes.

All week I have been hearing people speak on this topic. I am a huge fan of Dr. Phil and he has a segment on his show called Dr. Phil's Real Housewives, and all of the women have different issues. Really very interesting and quite entertaining as well. The thing on one of his past episodes that caught my eye was the following quote (you may have to read it twice just so that it can sink in)

"How much we trust others is directly proportionate to how much we trust ourselves and our ability to handle there imperfections" - Dr. Phil

Why is that when we make mistakes it's just water under the bridge...and we tend to say things like "I'm only human" and "it is what it is". Yet when are loved ones or those that we come in contact with make a mistake sometimes it turns into World War 3. I'm going to be honest, that quote makes alot of sense because for me trusting others was always a hard concept for me to grasp. I truly believe that your level of trust is the root cause of a lot of  issues that people face. Sometimes we don't trust the people we should and more often than not we aren't trusting ourselves when we should. I'm going to stay on that topic for a minute. When you trust yourself you begin to develop confidence in who you are and what you stand for.

Too many people are walking around easily influenced because they don't trust themselves enough to develop their own opinion. I was always the type that would rather agree with others just so that I could avoid confrontation, and I was willing to sacrifice my opinion because of that. I did this for quite some time until I started to trust myself more and trust my ability to stand up for something that I believed in. Now I don't throw my opinion around because I like to always remain neutral and objective to a degree, however when the opportunity presents itself you better believe I'm going to speak my mind about the things that I care about.

Moving on, trusting others is not any easy task either because...oh no here it comes the "v" word.......when you trust others there is a level of vulnerability that must be displayed. To me being vulnerable always meant that you were weak. I grew up around very strong women. Women so strong I never thought that anything could penetrate there tough exterior. But as I grow older I realized that vulnerablilty is also a sign of humility, which in turn is the kryptonite for pride - we will discuss the topic of pride in a later blog. This is a big topic to tackle.

So in order to bring us back to the topic at hand, I ask this question:

What is your tolerance level for imperfection? What will it take for you to be able to give others permission to be imperfect... to be human..to have flaws...to have a bad day...think about it.

We have to put less focus on what others do and more focus on how we respond. Here are some steps that can help you out with your relationships, whether it be loved ones or co-workers, from one of my favorite books entitled: The 100/0 Principle By: Al Ritter.

Step 1: Determine what you can do to make the relationship work...then do it. Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not.

Step 2: Do not expect anything in return, Zero, zip, nada.



Step 3: Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying!) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait.

Step 4: Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return.

Now that you have been Enlightened... Go and Enlighten some one else!

~Na'Tasha Nicole

To Complain or Not to Complain...That is the Question

Where has complaining every gotten anyone?

I was thinking and thinking about what I should blog about this week and oddly enough people all around me have been murmuring and complaining about things that they can not change and things that are out of their control.

For instance, the gas prices have been continuing to escalate and people have begun to voice their opinions. Ok first of all I say this in love... But there is a big difference in venting about something and just flat out complaining about it. So, for those people that get sooo frustrated about these high gas price I'm going to say what my mother told me...either start riding a bike or go protest at the White House or just be patient and pump your gas. At the end of the day you have to get to work. Instead of complaining about it, I just found an alternative way to get to work. I work downtown so the traffic is always congested when I drive in...so I started to ride the commuter bus. It is perfect the park and ride location is not very far from my house and the parking lot is patrolled 24hrs a day by the county police department. I get to work including the stops in roughly 35mins. Thank God for the HOV lane!!!!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"


The point that I am trying to make in this blog is that why should we spend energy working ourselves up over things that we can not control. Instead of complaining, vent so that you can get it out of your system..to one person by the way you should not be venting to whoever will listen and your friends probably need a break anyway : ) So, now that you have vented and got it out of your system now it's time to evaluate your situation and strategize, although you can't change people or circumstances in some cases...this is an opportunity for you to figure out what you can do on your end. If you can't figure it out on your own google it! The Internet is a wealth of knowledge, however talking to people about your situation can help as well....but only to seek advice this is not your chance to vent again...we did that already remember. Come on guys stay with me...I just don't want you to be the one people like to avoid when they see you coming. Complaining people are sooo draining trust me I know I have been on the receiving side as well as the giving side. I had my fair share of murmuring and complaining, and I'm not going to lie and say that I won't do it again. But I will say that I try really hard to make sure that I watch the things that I say and try not to keep repeating the same stuff over and over again because as I have learned here lately, it doesn't get you anywhere.

There was a situation that I had recently that really bothered me I mean it really rubbed me the wrong way and I kept talking about and talking about it and I didn't realize that everytime I talked about it, I was continuing to give that situation life. The more I talked about it...the more frustrated I got it. Until finally I said enough is enough I don't want to think about this or talk about this anymore because that situation was taking me away from my everyday life it began to consume my thoughts and I needed to be released...so once I decided that I was thru talking about old news from the past that had nothing to do with my future I started to replace those old thoughts with new thoughts until that thing was truly a figment of my imagination. Try it, it really works.

I will end with a quote:

"No one can make you happy, happiness is a response that you choose"

When your complaining you can't be happy at the same time, your brain can't function that way. Your body is not equipped to handle both of those emotions. So, I beg all of my readers to make the choice to be happy. Don't wait on someone else to make you happy. Don't wait on your job to make you happy. Like the quote says happiness is a decision.

Choose wisely my dear readers, please please choose wisely.
Challenge: Try your best to eliminate negative thinking.

Na'Tasha Nicole~

Smile As If Your Life Depends On It

Smiling is a very vital aspect to your daily life. People don't realize how important smiling is and most take it for granted. A simple smile can brighten the darkest of days. Quote time!!!


"A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside." ~Denis Waitely

You never know what other people maybe going through, they maybe smiling on the outside but crying on the inside.

I think as human beings, it is our civic duty to care more than we do. I know that life can get really hard sometimes and it may become difficult to see through the fog of our daily cares ie: family, work, school, bills etc. However, we have to make the extra effort to listen a little harder, hug a little longer and most importantly smile as often as possible. Smiling doesn't only benefit the receiver it also makes you feel good. I know when I am doing my most genuine smile it feels like my heart is smiling too and I stop and think about how much harder other peoples lives are. There are so many people in this world that are less fortunate than others. We can't be so focused on our on world and our own problems that we fail to just be thankful for where we are in life.

When life gives you that swift kick in the butt...and for some it may feel like a black eye and some bruised ribs...it gets like that sometimes lol, but when those days come you have to smile to keep from crying sometimes. Trust me it works. They say that laughter is good for the soul and I truly believe that. On my down days I love to watch comedic movies and sitcoms just to take my mind off of that dark rain cloud that sometimes lingers over my head. As soon as I start smiling and laughing at the funny show or movie, I begin to forget what I was complaining or sad about. Works like a charm : )


Moving right along, according to Mark Stibich, Ph.D.' s article on About.com, they list the top 10 reasons why smiling is so powerful. So, if you don't want to take my word for it, check out what the experts have to say:

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in (avoid these smile aging habits to keep your smile looking great).

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm

"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available." ~ Jim Beggs

My ultimate goal is always to Enlighten, to Inspire, and to Encourage my readers. I truly hope that this posting has awakened an A-HA Epiphany Eureka moment within you. Smiling may seem trivial, but as you can see in this Top 10 list it is very powerful.

Challenge: Smile as often as you can. It may feel a little weird if this is a little unusual for you, but as people start to smile back, it will become contagious!

As I always say, Now that you have been Enlightened...go and Enlighten someone else!!




Na'Tasha Nicole

Allow Me to Re-Introduce My Name is...Na'Tasha Nicole

Hello Internet World!

I am super excited to be starting my very 1st Blog!!! Whooo-hoo!!!

The goal of Enlighten Me, Inc. is to Inspire, to Motivate and to Encourage readers to be the best individuals that they can be by looking at life through a different lens. I don't claim to know everything and alot of my postings will be based on information that you may have already heard either from a parent, a teacher, a pastor, a mentor, talk show host etc. However, I firmly believe that not everyone's light bulb comes on at the exact time that it should. Therefore, I hope that my blogs will enlighten you in a way that ignites that A-HA Epiphany Eureka type moment that will cause you to re-evaluate yourselves, life situations, and those you come in contact with on a new level. Just as an FYI - I absolutely love quotes and anything that I hear that is inspiring. So, I must warn you... after reading my blogs you may feel the undeniable urge to smile, to be confident in who you are, and you may even start inspiring, motivating, and encouraging people that you come in contact with....its contagious : )

Now that you have been Enlightened...go Enlighten someone else!

Over and Out

Na'Tasha Nicole

A New Year...A New Day...A New You: It's Time for Change: The Skinny on Resolutions and Tips for Success.

Ok ok ok... I know we are half way through February and on our way to March, however, this posting is for those that are having a hard time jump starting there year. 2011 can and will be a great year we just have to get in the habit of making some adjustments. Like the old saying goes,

 "If you do what you've always done...your going to get what you've always got"

So with that being said let's just dive right in.

I know at the start of every new year everyone has many different goals and resolutions that are often unrealistic and become to overwhelming to attain. The key to change is starting with your mindset. I firmly believe that a person can't do better if they don't know better. Everything starts in the mind. I know this is often easier said then done sometimes...I get that. However, sometimes we have to stop feeding bad habits and old ways of doing things and start creating positive new ways of doings things. For instance, statistics show that the #1 New Years resolution from all walks of life is weight loss. So, if your goal or resolution is to lose weight, first you must check your motives...is this something that you want to do for yourself or is someone else suggesting that you lose weight? Are you losing weight for a specific purpose ie- wedding or other important life event, etc. If these or any other rationals like these are your main motivation for attaining this goal then you may not be satisfied with your end results.

Then on the other hand you may like your results, however they will be short lived and will quickly leave you unsatisfied. Change has to become apart of your lifestyle, and in this case instead of going on the "emotional diet roller coaster", how about creating some new eating habits that you can use long term- ie: reducing your portion sizes and curbing your appetite with glasses of water or increase or start an exercise regiment. Because this is a lifestyle change you want to gradually ease into it...so that you don't become overwhelmed and give up to quickly. This way you will be able to see the results and keep the weight off permanently. Also, this is another opportunity to check your motives especially where your relationship with food is concerned. Are your poor eating habits a result of stress, anxiety, generational habits, or even just for comfort. It is very important that we evaluate ourselves on a daily basis just to make sure we know what are motives are and in doing so we are able to get to the root or the heart of hidden issues.

Getting real and honest with yourself on a daily basis is very vital where change is concerned. Honesty helps you become vulnerable enough to see the change happen in your life. Being vulnerable means that you have humbled yourself and that you are not allowing your pride to defeat you before you even begin. Pride is an evil villain to change. We will discuss this arch nemesis in later postings.

Although, the example was about weitght loss, this new found way of thinking can transcend to any area that you want to see change. The key is to recognize the area where you need to change, understand why you do what you do, and then create new habits and alternative ways of doing things so that you are no longer feeding into your old habits. If you don't think about it you wont be tempted.  I'm going to end with a quote I read in a book entitled: Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin you guys should pick it up:

  "You need a dream to keep you focused and disciplined"


You have to already see yourself changed, and once you can see yourself changed in your specific area, that essentially becomes your dream or vision... The new and improved you. Once you get that dream on the inside of you, you will then be empowered to resist all the temptations to revert back to your old ways because you want that dream to become your reality. Whatever it is, you can do it! I believe in you... All you have to do is start believing in yourself!

Challenge: Evaluate yourself and find an area that can use some improvement. Then apply some of the tips suggested in this posting and watch and see your results.Now that you have been Enlightened...go Enlighten someone else!

Over and out!

Na'Tasha Nicole