CHOOSE WELLNESS, EMBRACE STRENGTH AND LIVE YOUR LEGACY

Every journey has voices that kept you standing when your knees were shaking.  For me, it began at home.  My parents were my first believers, the ones who prayed louder than the doubt, who taught strength through sacrifice, and love through action.  They never questioned my dreams.  There was another person in my life who believed in me.  The year was 1974, and I was a junior in high school.  I excelled in the Business Program, typing 100 words per minute and mastering Gregg Shorthand at 120 words per minute.  My dream was to become an executive secretary to a CEO.  But my business teacher, Mrs. Dinkins, saw something more in me.   She noticed the girl who always raised her hand first, volunteered to work in the front office at school, served as a homeroom assistant on the attendance committee, and leaned into every opportunity to learn and lead.   Mrs. Dinkins got me my first part-time job after school at Schering-Plough Corpo...

We have all done it, replayed the meeting, the moment, the mistake.  That's what they call being a Monday morning quarterback. But in life, we don't need more critics.  We need coaches, starting with ourselves. Reflection Without Regret Putting your mind on rewind isn't bad.  Staying stuck there is.  Don't use reflection to punish yourself.  Use it to prepare yourself. Ask: What did I learn about myself? What will I do differently next time? What went right that I may have missed? Growth doesn't require a total rewrite, just a few intentional edits. Rewriting the Playbook Every misstep gives us insight.  Every setback builds strength.  Leaders don't wait for permission to adjust.  They learn, they adapt, and they move forward. You don't need approval to try again.  You are the approval. The Next Play Courage isn't perfection.  It's showing up again after the loss: wiser, calmer, and still believing in yourself. So, skip the self-critique...

  Let's be clear, 60+ isn't slowing down, it's leveling up. This is grown-woman territory, confidence that doesn't need an introduction, wisdom that doesn't need validation, and beauty that doesn't ask permission to exist. She is secure, smart, sexy, energized, creative, and engaging , a walking reminder that evolution doesn't expire.  She's the conversation, not the echo.  Her laughter still fills rooms, her ideas still spark change, and her presence still turns heads without even trying. She's not competing with anyone.  She's protecting her peace, her passion, her next chapter.  Because when you've lived, loved, lost, and learned, you move differently.  She doesn't have to fake it; she's keeping it real. Her energy is softer, yet stronger.  Her joy is quieter, yet deeper.  Her purpose unfolds beautifully, intentionally, and on her terms.   Reflection: If you are that woman, 60+, secure, smart, sexy, energized, and creative, le...

Sometimes, divorce isn't about walking away from a marriage.  It's about walking away from what's holding you back: old expectations, unfulfilling commitments, or versions of yourself that no longer fit who you are becoming.  It's about realizing that to fully live your purpose, you must let go of what's holding you back.  That kind of divorce is an act of courage. We stay in situations, relationships, jobs, habits, or roles far longer than we should because they're familiar.  But there comes a moment when peace starts calling louder than pressure.  When your spirit whispers, "This isn't working for me anymore."  That whisper is not rebellion, it's direction. Moving on isn't quitting.  It's alignment.  It's honoring the voice inside you that says, "I am better than this." Divorcing the Distractions Sometimes the divorce you need is from: The fear of disappointing others. The constant busyness that keeps you from brea...

Families are watching.  They see who listens, who follows through, and who truly understands the weight of what they carry. Every day, families navigate systems that were designed to help but often feel too complicated to reach.  They are not asking for perfection; they are asking for appropriate support and services that meet their unique needs with dignity and respect. Families don't expect every organization to have all the answers.  What they hope for is to be seen, heard, and connected to care that makes sense for their situation. What Families Need Families need service providers and systems that work together, not separately.  They need care that is coordinated, consistent communication, and support that respects their voice in every decision. They need people who show up, not just in meetings, but in moments.  There are moments when a parent feels overwhelmed, a caregiver is exhausted, or a child is misunderstood.  That's when presence matters the...

There was a time when traveling felt like freedom, a chance to breathe, recharge, and step outside the noise of everyday life. Now, before you even reach your gate, you're doing mental math: baggage fees, seat fees, Wi-Fi fee, maybe even a charge to speak to an airline representative on the phone.  By the time you sit down, you realize the flight may not be the most expensive part; it's the stress that comes with it. The Promise of Travel: Escape, Renewal, Perspective Travel gives us space to reset.  It can pull us out of routine, expand our view of the world, and quiet the constant pressure to do more.  Sometimes all it takes is a few days away to remember who we are outside of the roles we play.  However, lately, that reset has begun to come at a higher cost, both financially and emotionally. The Stress Before the Seatbelt Clicks Packing used to mean excitement.  Now, it feels like preparation for a test.  Is your carry-on small enough?  Is my c...

I am a woman who lives anchored in authenticity, not image. I am a mother who has walked through storms and still chooses faith. I am a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, and friend, grounded in unconditional love and connection. I am a woman who is comfortable in her skin. I am a leader who believes that service is greater than status. I am a voice for families who have had their voices silenced, for women rediscovering their power, and for anyone who forget that strength still lives inside them. I am not perfect, but I am purposeful. I am grateful for every chapter that brought me here. I speak unapologetically from a place of purpose, power, and peace. I am walking in divine alignment, grounded in purpose, guided by faith, and committed to transforming lives through conversation, connection, and grounded wisdom. That's who I am, and every day, I am still becoming. REFLECTION:   Who Are You? When roles fall away and the noise fades, who remains? The answe...

There is something special about a fall afternoon filled with music, laughter, and the aroma of good food.  The Fall Jazz Food Truck Rally in Lakeland, FL, was the perfect backdrop for what became more than a casual encounter; it turned into a divine alignment. Amid the rhythm of jazz, old school music, and the hum of conversation, I met two remarkable women entrepreneurs whose stories reminded me why I do what I do. Ashley Rollins, owner of Harmonious Triumph , is a mother of two daughters and one son.  Ashley disclosed that her youngest daughter has special needs.  Ashley is a living example of grace under fire.  Her business name says it all.  She embodies what it means to turn life's tests into testimony, leading with heart and purpose.  As we shared our stories, we had an instant connection.  Ashley's attitude, faith, and strength are a testament to her strength.   Then there's Dulche Stewart, the dynamic woman behind Dare U2 Bling ....

A woman's strength is not measured by how much she can endure, but by how deeply she can rise. We are not built to carry everything.  We are built to transform everything.   Strength is not silent suffering.  It is not smiling through pain or pretending you are fine when your world is falling apart.  True strength is a quiet decision to rise again after life has knocked you down. The Power in Her Rising The strength of a woman lives in her laughter after loss, her hope after heartbreak, her ability to create light in places where there once was none.  It lives in her prayers when she is weary, in her boundaries when she's tired, in her courage to say, "I need help" and in her power to still show up for herself.   She leads with compassion even when the world has been unkind.  She nurtures others but still learns to pour back into herself.  She carries stories of struggle with grace, not as armor, but as evidence of how far she has come...

Life will be life.  There is no escaping that truth, the unexpected moments, the heavy days, the constant responsibilities that come with caring, supporting, and advocating for someone you love.  But one thing I have learned is this:  When you keep pushing through everything, something eventually pushes back. Stress doesn't just live in your mind; it settles in your body.  It shows up in ways you cannot always see: in fatigue, headaches, sleepless nights, or the quiet ache that never quite goes away.  I learned this lesson the hard way. Years ago, stress almost took me out. At the time, I was working at the Superior Court of New Jersey in Trenton, raising my teenage daughter and my son, who was experiencing a mental and behavioral health need.  I was trying to hold it all together, being everything for everyone, everywhere, all the time. One day, during a court hearing, I began feeling a strange tightness in my chest.  I quietly left the courtroom, som...

Let's be honest, some people are not misunderstood, they are draining on purpose.  They know exactly what they are doing:  taking up your time, your energy, your kindness, and your peace, and then acting like you are the problem when you finally say, "Enough." Toxic people don't just create chaos; they thrive on it.  They will twist your words, question your worth, and guilt-trip you into staying connected.  And for what?  Another round of disrespect dressed up as "I like you or loyalty"?  No, thank you. At some point, you stop explaining.  You stop defending your boundaries.  You stop apologizing for choosing peace over people who profit from your pain. You do not owe anyone unlimited access to you.  Not friends, family, or coworkers.  Your peace deserves protection.  Access to you is a privilege, not a right. However, there is a difference between protecting your peace and cutting people off.  In healthy relationships, especi...

Self-love is not a luxury; it is an act of survival.  It is waking up each day and choosing yourself, again and again, even when the world tells you that you are too much or not enough. We live in a culture that glorifies doing and often forgets being.  Yet self-love begins in stillness.  It is the moment you decide that peace is your new measure of success.  Your worth isn't attached to productivity, but presence. Self-love doesn't mean perfection.  It means giving yourself grace as you grow, heal, and rebuild.  It is giving yourself the grace you so easily give to others.  It is setting healthy boundaries that honor your well-being and protecting your energy as fiercely as you protect your dreams. When you choose self-love, you give the world a stronger, more authentic version of you, and that is the greatest gift you can give. REFLECTION:   What would it look like to love yourself unconditionally?  Start there.

For too long, families caring for or advocating on behalf of a loved one with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis have been offered crumbs, the bare minimum of support, resources, and respect.  We are told, "This is all we have to offer," as if that should be enough.  But when you are a parent/caregiver navigating systems, appointments, and constant uncertainty, crumbs do not sustain you.  Crumbs suffocate the spirit of families who keep fighting for appropriate support and services for their loved ones. I have been there.  I know what it feels like to hear "no" when all you are asking for is fairness.  I have observed systems minimize families' voices, choosing policies over people.  I have seen too many parents and caregivers walk away believing that what is offered is all there will ever be.   However, I learned something important:  advocacy is not about emotion; it is about action.  It is about coming to the table informed, prep...

How many parents or caregivers raising a child with an emotional, behavioral, or mental health need have ever been told at an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting:  "This is all we have to offer your child." - or - "We don't have the budget to provide that level of support." If you have been there, you know that moment.  That deep sigh.  That mix of frustration, helplessness, and disbelief. I was one of those parents. In the beginning, I accepted what I was told.  I trusted the professionals sitting around the table; after all, they were the experts.  When they said there was no funding in the budget to send my child out-of-district to a specialized school, I believed them.  The only option, they said, was to keep him in-district in a self-contained class. Well, it did not take long to realize that in-district was not the answer for my child.  He proved it every single day. Meeting after meeting, I listened to the same jargon, the same circula...

Uncertainty has a way of sneaking into every part of life: your schedule, your finances, even your faith in what is ahead.  It is easy to get caught in the noise of "what ifs" and lose sight of what truly matters.  It is your peace that matters. The truth is, we cannot control what comes next, but we can control how we show up for it.  That begins with one powerful word:  BALANCE. Balance Is Not About Perfection Many people think balance means keeping everything under control.  But balance is about adjusting, like a tightrope walker who never stops moving, shifting, and focusing forward. When life pulls you in one direction, pause.  Breathe.  Ask yourself, "What needs my attention right now and what can wait?" Sometimes balance means doing less.  Sometimes it means asking for help.  Sometimes, it means taking five quiet minutes with your favorite cup of tea before facing the day again. Small Habits That Protect Your Peace Protecting your peac...

Every time I stand behind a microphone or in front of an audience, I am reminded that words carry weight.  Not the kind that crushes, the kind that turns pain into purpose. Speaking, for me, has never been about performance.  It is about connection.  It is the space between stories and silence, that sacred moment when someone hears something that reaches the part of them they stopped showing the world.  That moment when you can see a person exhale, because they finally feel understood. When I share, I am not offering answers.  I am offering a mirror, a moment, a reminder that they can make it through, too. Speaking keeps me grateful and grounded.  Each story I share becomes a bridge between pain and possibility.  Between fear and faith.  Between giving up and trying again. My calling is truly about using my voice to remind people of their own. Speaking, sharing, helping, it all flows from the same place: PURPOSE. Courage To Be is not a slogan, it ...

In a world filled with noise, distractions, and constant demands, the ability to focus is both calming and empowering.  Focus is not about doing more; it is about doing what matters most. The Battle Between Noise and Purpose Every day, something tries to pull you off course: notifications, expectations, and the opinion of others.  Distractions rarely arrive as chaos; they often come disguised as opportunities.  They sound good, look promising, and seem urgent.  But not everything that captures your attention deserves your energy. Focus means saying no   to the unnecessary so you can say yes   to what truly matters.  It is about protecting your peace, your priorities, and your purpose. Clarity Before Commitment Before focus can take root, clarity must come first.  Ask yourself: What truly deserves my attention right now? Is this aligned with who I am becoming, or just who I used to be? Will this bring peace or pressure? When you have clarity, focus...

  In every season of leadership, whether in advocacy, business, or personal growth, one truth remains: your purpose cannot prosper without your peace. We often talk about sustainability in terms of funding, partnerships, or strategic plans.  But real sustainability starts within.  It begins with how you care for yourself, because you are the foundation of your vision. I have helped families, organizations, and leaders build programs and partnerships that make a difference.  However, along the way, I learned that lasting strength does not come from strategy alone.  It comes from balance.  It comes from courage. Strength is the Foundation of Leadership Strength is more than endurance.  It is the quiet power of showing up with clarity, conviction, and compassion.  When we lead with strength, we make decisions rooted in purpose, not pressure. Just as organizations diversify their funding streams to remain secure, we must also diversify how we nourish ...

Before the rush of checking your email, deadlines, and day-to-day responsibilities takes over, pause for a moment and ask yourself:  "How do I feel today?" It sounds simple, but this one question is a powerful act of courage.  It is an invitation to honor your truth before the world makes demands on you. When you ask, "How do I feel today?", you are not judging yourself; you are creating space to notice.  Am I carrying stress or peace? Am I hopeful or heavy-hearted? Do I need connection or quiet? By connecting to someone you trust.  Someone who can hold space for you without judgment.  It could be a quick phone call, a heartfelt conversation, or even a simple text that says, "I need to hear your voice."  True connection restores us because it reminds us we do not have to carry everything alone. Quiet, on the other hand, is choosing "me time."  It is not isolation; it is intentional space to recharge.  Quiet might look like resting, taking a walk,...

What I have discovered is your skin doesn't need perfection; it needs kindness.  The more you give yourself permission to rest, set boundaries, and release what you cannot control, the more your body reflects that freedom.   So the next time you find yourself frowning in the mirror, pause ... and smile.  Embrace your smile lines; they tell your story. At age 68,  I am often asked about my skincare routine. That's why I will be sharing a dedicated page on my blog with the exact products I love to use.  Simple, affordable, and stress-friendly.   STAY TUNED - I want you to have the same tools that help me protect my peace and my glow.