Happy December/Spring cleaning!

December sweet December,  this is where most of us start our reflections, and new year planning. It's that happy sad time when we say goodbye but welcome newness, Christmas, celebrations, gifts, family and so much hot chocolate.

However, as we reflect let's  be thankful for everything that has happened this year, and let us not be quick to leave with a heart full of high expectations of a new year. Let our focus be one step at a time working on one goal at a time.

 I personally had a very tumultuous year as well as tiny blessings along the way. However one of the things I recently learned is the 'Daffodil Principle' a simple story with a very strong message. The story is about a woman who planted 50,000 bulbs of daffodils every spring until she had a whole hillside full of daffodil bulbs. One woman,  50,000 bulbs, two hands many years later reached her goal. This message fueled and awakened my thoughts, it gave me the realization that not every goal in life has to be immediate, some things take time to grow, they need to be carefully planned, well-timed and  properly developed.

This is a lesson of persistence, endurance and patience. Let's consider  realistic goals that we can take our time to develop, how  can we increase our opportunities and learn from the lost ones. Let us avail ourselves for abundance, growth, and self actualization that exemplifies our characters to be the best we can!

With love,
Camile

Quiet Time

As I was scrolling down my Facebook page something caught my eye and my mind, it was a status asking what your prayer life was like and if you fell asleep in the mid prayer, now this made me think about my own connection with God, myself, and overall quiet time.

I responded by saying I do fall asleep in mid prayer honestly, but because I am aware of this,  my solution is to pray in my bathroom. I know it sounds a little weird and you are only judging because you don't have needy people screaming your name in your house.  However It's my little space, my little Zen away from everyone and its where I feel most re-energized and alive.

  

I often sit in the bathroom if I'm not home alone and just literally sit there in silence and breathe nothing elaborate just silence and hearing my own breath. Now if I'm home alone I find a space (not my bed) to sit quietly and be thankful and reflect.

I find this extremely gratifying and successful,  oh how refreshing is a little quiet time. Sometimes we simply need to slow down and allow ourselves some amount of silence in order to reflect, regroup and reconnect these steps gives the  body the energy it needs to recharge in order to move forward.

One of my close friends who is a teacher once shared with me her own method of reflection and rejuvenation;  She reflects every night, thinking about all her classes and the day she had and how she could have done something differently to create growth. I honestly thought this was commendable and remarkable because I myself have never done that  and it made me think.

Overall whatever method we choose to use, it is important to find that space where there is stillness and peace, that allows us to let go and break down, finding that perfect time to reflect, speak to God and rejuvenate.

Camile Deans

My Business Inspiration...

Business Inspiration

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, I have been working since high school and have never looked back, therefore I know  how rewarding it is to have my own and be able to help my family. My first official job was at McDonald mobile in Port Antonio my hometown in Jamaica. However I never refused a job, from sweeping up the resource center in my community while I wait for my Aunt to take me home, to  helping kids with their homework for a small fee of course, no matter how small it was I would do it.

 When I came to the US for college, the harsh reality hit me that my student loan was not going to cover my total college expense only the first year now it was time to hustle or quit. I had to be resourceful to survive, and being the natural fighter that I am I did.  I had a choice either go back home to Jamaica with a $20,000 usd loan or survive. I sold clothes, cooked meals in my dorm for sale, did hair, sold books, did part time jobs, as long as I could pay the bills it was game on!

All my experiences and turbulence developed my drive and character it pushed me further giving me the courage to bring my business to life. I always wanted to own a business, and now I'm a proud owner and stylist at Stella and Dot, Taco Shack a catering company in Kingston Jamaica.

What inspires me

What doesn't inspire me? my whole life has been a blessing, some would say a curse but where there is life there is hope. From the very beginning  my mother had a very difficult delivery with me and my twin brother, he died and I was barely clinging to life. growing up wasn't easy either, I lost both parents and my youngest brother and when you thought life couldn't get any worst, it did!

I had influential people in my corner and I was always able to smile through it all. luckily my parents had nine of us, I got support and love from my siblings we had an unbreakable bond. I knew I didn't want to be another girl on the corner so I used my charisma and my passion for business to get jobs when I graduated high school. I got married , started a family and did my Associates degree.

After my marriage failed and my world started to collapse again I got the opportunity to study in NYC, so I pulled myself together , came to America where I finished my Bachelors and Masters degrees. 

 I am inspired daily by my kids, my family, friends and life. How it could have been, how I want it to be and how it will be. After all the negativity in my life, I have chosen to stay positive and keep trying!

my mother's favorite saying: " wah nuh dead, nuh dash it wey!" ~what's not dead don't throw away

Natanya Bradshaw

Stella and Dot

Independent Stylist

8622623936

http://www.stelladot.com/sites/natanyabradshaw/?lc=en_us

My Business Inspiration..

We agree that starting your own business and bringing an idea to light is not only scary but it takes courage and will Power, and when you finally do there is no one feeling, overall its amazing and Exciting!

My Business

I’ve taken my professional skills and “grace under pressure” to help create ease in other peoples live.

Having been an administrative assistant and a business coordinator for 15 years; I know being competent, reliable, trustworthy, proactive and resourceful are essential to running a successful event. This business is a support role, making you look good, and more importantly, creating ease.Therefore I know with these qualities I could start my own event coordination company with a mission to "ease your worries and anxiety"

If you are planning your own event, and need help, SOS Services is ready.  Don’t get stranded!

SOS Services is available for full event coordinating, month of coordination and day of coordination services

My Inspiration

My inspiration is drawn from my mother and my sister.

These two women made sacrifices that laid the foundation for the woman that I am today.  Their love and dedication to me made me the well rounded person I am today.

Like so many before her, my mother made the decision to migrate to the US and leave her youngest child behind.  This decision was not an easy one to make and she made it knowing that I would be well cared for by my eldest sister.  Once in the US she had to figure it out not only for herself but for her young daughter back in Jamaica.  Her determination and drive are something out of this world.  From her I know what good work ethics are.  My mother is my biggest supporter and because of that I am confident when facing this world.  My mother and I have a bond that goes beyond mother and daughter and that’s what I will cherish forever.  

My sister being a single mom with her own child, had the added responsibility of taking care of her baby sister.  Not for a single moment while growing up did my sister made me to feel less than anything but loved.  Now that I am older I look back at her struggle and I am amazed at how she/we were able to make it.  When the odds were against us my sister would make a way.  My sisters’ love is immeasurable to anything else I’ve felt.  She is the most thoughtful loving person I know.  I am blessed to have her play multiple roles in my life.  I can now call this wonderful lady my best friend. 

They inspire me to be my absolute best and to keep fighting.

Semone
Owner, SOS Services

What inspire me

My inspiration comes from the people around me and my experiences.

Oh the eagerness  I feel when I look ahead and I see the abundance that life has to offer, so many doors to open, so much more to achieve, oh how  far ahead I see.

Let's start with My Mom, my number one inspiration, a single mother who was always on time and never absent from work, A single mother who only rested when all was done, a woman who never went to high school yet has a master's degree, knowledge that far exceeds certification, encouraging words  abounding, flowing never tiring.  How can one not be inspired by such a beautiful soul.

Secondly I am encouraged and Inspired by my Friends, there is something comforting in knowing that I have a community of people I can rely on or emulate. There is a famous saying "show me your company and I tell you who you are" I can proudly show my company. Success is not only what you can show, but the ways in which you have touched someone and encouraged them along the way,  with that said, I'm thankful for my childhood friends who taught me the fundamentals of true friendships that has equipped me to be a good friend today.

lastly, My son not only inspires me he pressures me, I must do whatever it takes to provide and be an example for him, every day I try to be a better person just so he knows that change and growth is Imperative. he gives me vigor, liveliness, hope and perseverance.  

I appreciate my path and my experiences, I am a girl from Buff Bay Portland,  Jamaican,  New Yorker, Mother, Humanitarian, blogger, and so much more. I continue to draw my inspiration from all that I have been through and the people around me and I hope to inspire and keep inspiring.

Camile Deans~