Some Thoughts

Sometimes it takes something drastic to make you realize where you really are mentally and physically in life. Something serious has to happen to snap us back into the reality that is our truth.

However there are other things where the realization is very subtle. We didn't see it coming and with the softest "touch" it impacted us with a bang. I'd like to say I believe that is what has happened to me.

I will be honest that I don't know which way  this road is going and what the journey will be like but what I am sure of is the outcome! I am sure that I will motivate and inspire millions in this year and I hope that I can start with those of you that are reading this right now!

I appreciate and #love you so please stay tuned!! Please #FollowUs on all social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and now we are happy to announce NEW BOARDS ON PINTEREST!!!

Sincerely

Pages Of Vision

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Phenomenal Woman

The first poem I ever wrote was entitled "Sistas United." Very vividly I remember my inspiration when my mother, for what reason I don't remember, recited "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou. She smiled and swayed her hips as she recited each line with pride as if she had written the words herself. As she recited the line "I'm not cute or built to suit to a fashion model size" then playfully tapped me on my nose as I sat on her bed watching in awe. I wanted my words to make someone feel that type of pride and confidence. It was like my first high and I never put my pen down after that. 

As a human being I am naturally sad when anyone leaves this earth but there was something about this news that just shook me. Over the years I have read and paid attention to any article written by or about the writing genius. This isn't one of those long entries where I can do anything but pour out my admiration for the legacy she has left in words and feelings. I am so thankful for all that I am today because of the advice and quotes that Maya shared with the world. Her voice could be recognized in the dark and her words can be felt in the midst of the darkest days. Just being who she was with no fillers I see all that is phenomenal inside me and again I am grateful. 

I truly believe that all I need to achieve everything I want to achieve as a writer and a woman is already inside of me just waiting on me to tap into it. There will be days when the light seems so dark that you just can't go on...this will happen for both you and I but we must rise up from those things. Les Brown once said "if you fall down try and land on your back because if you can see up you can get up." We would not be here right now together had we not constantly landed on our backs. Not everyone will get me and that is fine. Not everyone will feel my words and thats fine too. As long as I stay true to the craft that I love I feel I do myself some honor and over and over I say THANK YOU!! Thank you for sharing your gift so freely and so openly. 

Tag #TeamPagesOfVision with your favorite Maya Angelou quotes and we'll be sure to hit you back!!! 

#LikeUs, #Follow, and Tell Your Friends about Pages of Vision...Motivating and Inspiring Your Inner You!!

5 Ways To Get Proactive!!!

Each day I start out with my "to do" list. Complete with errands to run, emails to return, and bills to pay. I make sure each activity has a specific timeline and clear duration requirements to help me stay on track. As I make this list I feel the determination inside me to make sure I complete all the things on the list because in my heart I know that everything on my list is something I'm capable to complete with little effort or time.

So I sit down at the computer with bills and debit card in hand. The next thing I know it's two hours later YouTube is showing how to do it for the Vine and the debit card is sitting on the same stack of bills untouched. Naturally it wasn't on purpose and I try to get myself back on track. Deciding to get things done I walk to the kitchen for a glass of water hoping to jolt my motivation to finish the tasks at hand but along the way the new edition of Ebony magazine catches my eye. Next thing I know another two hours has passed, my tea is cold (which was supposed to be a glass of water but I made tea instead), Ebony is telling me about the best jeans for my body shape and the debit card is sitting on the same stack of bills untouched. Trying to bring myself back to the task at hand I walk back to the computer and think to myself "I can look up the website Ebony listed for those fabu bracelets" and well you know what comes next!

Over the years I've really battled with making sure I stay on task and avoiding the ever so appealing action of procrastination. Here are some techniques I've learned that aide me in staying away from Ebony and YouTube when my "to do" list is overflowing and in need of attention.

• Shorten the "To Do" List - This may seem like just another form of procrastination and I see your raised brow but hear me out. With 10 things on the "to do" list it's easier to pick the least important most tolerable "fun" thing to do instead of handling whats priority. So "cleaning out the junk drawer" should never take president over "pay the light bill." By shortening the list to approximately 3-5 things that are absolutely high priority we'll be more productive and save the mundane tasks that are actually only serving as supporters to our procrastination for the next "to do" list or a weekend project. 

• Broadcast It - I have found that when I know others are depending on me I'm more likely to accomplish whatever the task maybe. Something as simple as a post to social media can conjure up support that you may not have even known you had. If you know that a friend is going to check in to see how the doctors appointment went, to inquire about your day at the gym or in my case, ask when the next blog entry is coming, you're more likely to stick to your commitments because you want to have something great to report (we all like to boast from time to time). Utilize email, Facebook, and even Twitter...a mass text could be helpful in holding you accountable.

• Grab A Partner - I'm not sure about you but I hate to be stood up. It's because of that it's not likely I'll stand anyone else up. Invite a friend to ride with you while you run errands around town. Lunch with the bestie is always a great incentive for me to get out and about. There have been times when the sun beams through my window and my mattress seems to have my body in a pillowy (is that a word lol) choke hold I think "maybe I'll just do it tomorrow" but when the text or phone call comes through to see if I'm still going or what time we are going to meet up I'm jolted back into proactive mode and I hit the ground running. Before I know it I've ran errands and am enjoying my mid day mojito!!

• Don't be So Hard On Yourself - Get done all that you can and at the end of the day write a "Done" list. Write all the things that you have accomplished in the day even the little things. Let that be the last thing you focus on when it comes to errands, chores, and household responsibilities. If you must write a "to do" list for the following day do so before writing your "Done" list and add "wrote "to do" list for tomorrow" to the "Done" list. Accomplishing something is always better than accomplishing nothing. 

As an aide to the above listed suggestions I have found meditation to be a great help. Many people believe that meditation is simply being in deep thought but in fact it's more than that. Through meditation you allow your mind to still and silence and instead you are able to sit, without thinking, with only your feelings. Yes, sometimes I sit with my feelings of procrastination. I visualize and feel my sense of accomplishment when my errands and business is handled. I channel my overwhelming feelings of motivation and I simply sit in all those feelings and emotions without thinking and simply feeling...just being!!

No matter what road you choose choose the proactive road. Just remind yourself that "the sooner you start the sooner you'll be done" as my G-Ma used to say! 

We'd love to hear your ideas and tips on staying focused and proactive. In the comments section below leave your comments, suggestions, and tips. You can find more Pages Of Vision if you #LikeUs, #Follow, and check us out on Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest and as always Peace, Love, and Motivation!! #TeamPagesOfVision

Practice What You Preach!!

First, I have to say thanks to everyone for all the emails, comments, and support. You all definitely motivate me!!

As I was preparing my next blog entry and posting on other social media I began to realize something. While I am doing what I love to do, which is write and motivate others, I began to wonder what the next step would be for me. How can I step this up a notch in the same way that I encourage others to do each day?

I began to make a list of the things I wanted to do. A quick reference bucket list if you will. After I listed aspiration after aspiration until my mind drew a blank I looked back over the list. There was one task that stood out and made my heart and insides burn with desire. Being the emotional bird I am tears came to my eyes and I circled that aspiration with a red pen several times.

My internal voices said to write it in my planner as something to do for tomorrow but my desire over ruled and I decided right then was the only way to practice what I had been preaching. To put an end to constant procrastination. You know the whole "why put off for tomorrow what you can do today" line of thinking. So I picked up my phone and headed directly to the University of Alabama at Birmingham website and began filling out my admission application!!

There is nothing that can't be done or accomplished but first we have to realize it comes from our desire. My overwhelming desire to further my education pulled me to action and now just like in a game of tag...YOUR IT!!

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Back To Basics!!

I wanted to start this blog off with some big bang. You know the type of words that start movements and make people rethink everything they thought was right. 

I wanted to make Pages Of Vision a household name with one entry and so I began to type and jot down my thoughts. Crumpled pieces of paper and scratch outs littered my floor and it just seemed as if the words were failing me. It used to come to me so easy but it seems as if today...this entry just was just to hard for me to get together. 

Deep breaths started to help calm my shaky hands. Hands that hadn't touched a keyboard other than to send a quick text or do a google search but nothing close to putting my real self down on a blank canvas for others to gain any type of insight into my world. Inside I felt worry bubble up until it felt like acid in my throat. Worry not caused my lack of confidence if I could do it but worry from not knowing what my reception would be. Would Pages Of Vision be welcomed and would I do what I set out to do and motivate others to go after their dreams and live their best lives? I was once told that fear comes from unknowing and I guess that is true because I was definitely in fear of what I didn't know. 

This Diva had to get back to the basics. I had to ask myself why even got started with this and why did I want to begin such a project to begin with. The answer was simple. I wanted to be able to give others the joy I felt when I first came up with this concept. I wanted the world to know that no matter what is going on with you or how short your means and knowledge you can accomplish anything. But why was it so hard for me to convey these feelings and why did I struggle to share? I can only attribute it to fear. 

Again with the deep breaths and this time a few sips...okay maybe a gulp...of Moscato and I started to shake the liar that is fear off my back. My fingers relaxed and the keys on the keyboard started to feel like home again and before I knew it two pages were down and I was still overflowing with motivation and encouragment that I wanted to share and give to others. It's what Pages Of Vision is all about. 

There is absolutely nothing that I can not do because all I need to accomplish what ever it is I set out to do is already inside of me. I am so thankful for those of you that will take this ride with me. Pages Of Vision kicks into high gear right NOW!!!