Verse: Gratefully

Words by Te-Erika


Loving me
Is like
Summer breezes
Like
Mango season
So
Pleasantly
I never thought
That I
Would gaze upon
My
Own brown eyes
And like
What I see
It took a while
But I
Like my smile
So nice
Like my style
So fly
It’s all me
You wonder why
My
Head is high
Just
Give love a try
And
You will see
Your perfect days
In
Most perfect ways
Try
Start everyday
Rise
Gratefully

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FREE Your Mind- Gone Exploring

Words By Te-Erika

One of the most important steps toward celebrating yourself is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Once you acknowledge them, embrace them and never be ashamed of who you truly are.

Every person on this planet has qualities or traits within themselves that they don’t find desirable. Why? We are all human.

Do you really think that the struggles you endure or the quirks you have are specific to only you? I bet you think you’re the only one who has those weird fears or who is motivated by those seemingly shameful factors. Guess what? You’re not.

As you continue to explore who you are and why you should celebrate yourself, I invite you to take a simple blog things quiz. It may seem silly but this personality quiz may be the beginning of your road to self discovery and self acceptance.

Take a moment and google the results of the quiz and see if the definition actually represents who you are. I am an INFP and the personality portrait is astoundingly accurate.

Once you’re done with that reading, try researching other tools of self discovery like The Enneagram or do a Numerology reading of your name. Most people toss these findings off as fluff but I consider every opportunity to read up on scientific studies of human nature to be of great benefit to me. Nothing I am introduced to becomes law but everything I read is judged against my personal belief system. What doesn’t fit is disregarded and what rings true enhances my character.

Occasionally challenging my beliefs by exposing myself to different trains of thought not only helps me to accept and appreciate who I am, it also provides a greater insight into the psyche of those I love. As I become more aware of the fact that MY personal truths are not blanket truths for the entire world I become more tolerant of others, less judgemental and I trust myself to live a righteous life according to my own convictions.

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Celebrate Yourself With Whitney Houston

Reviewed By Te-Erika

If you're over 25 years old, you've either wanted to be Whitney Houston or marry Whitney Houston at one point in your life. At the beginning of her career she burst onto the scene and stole our hearts as we were moved by her beauty and captivating voice.

These days Whitney is breaking free from a troubled past, allowing herself room to grow and move forward. There's no need for a comeback, those of us who recognize her spirit know that she never left us.

More than 20 years after she recorded the smash hit, The Greatest Love Of All, we can still receive its message loud and strong---

The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

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TV Land: From Sidekick to Superstar

Words by Mwabi Murdock

Share My Dream Television Writer

It seems as though the role of the sidekick or best friend is a TV show and movie constant. What is good TV and movie entertainment without the sidekick or best friend giving advice and being the partner in crime? These actors play the role of sidekick or best friend but often times steal the show. When you are a star there is no denying you. You can be put in a supporting role and they can dress you down but your true potential will always shine through! These actors are proof positive of it! Be like them and step out of the shadows and believe in your ability to shine. Celebrate yourself by believing that you ARE the star!

Chandra Wilson
Dr. Miranda Bailey is always a scene stealer on Grey’s Anatomy. Her character is supposed to be hard as nails but every now and then you see her heart. Wouldn’t it be a delight to see Dr. Bailey’s home life and some hot and heavy action with Mr. Bailey? It is no surprise that Chandra Wilson was nominated for an Emmy last week while the star of the show was not. I always thought Bailey’s Anatomy has a better ring to it, don’t you?

Terrance Howard
We all know Terrance Howard now as a bona fide Hollywood actor with his widely praised role in Hustle & Flow but back in 1999 brotha-man stole the show in The Best Man starring Taye Diggs and Nia Long. He even won the NAACP award for the role. Terrance played one of the best men who was willing and ready to start trouble for his buddies. It was a small supporting role but many viewers left the theater with Terrance’s name on their lips instead of Taye Diggs'. It is no surprise that Terrance is receiving the accolades now. Taye continues to work in TV but his last two shows have failed to connect with audiences. Terrance’s movie career has taken off and includes stellar performances in Ray, Lackawanna Blues, Crash, Four Brothers, and Hustle & Flow. And of course he will forever be known as Academy Award Nominee Terrance Howard for being nominated for Hustle & Flow.

Vanessa Bell Calloway
Many loved Vanessa Bell Calloway as the ‘do whatever you say’ bride in Coming to America. Does "bark like a dog" ring any bells? But it was her role as Jackie, Tina Turner’s friend in What’s Love Got To Do With It that earns her a place on this list. Jackie was not afraid to stand up to Ike Turner and helped her friend Tina find peace in an otherwise crazy situation by introducing her to Buddhism. Vanessa’s role was small, but also unforgettable.

Jennifer Hudson
By now we are all on Jennifer Hudson overload with all the awards and accolades she has received for her talent, but you have to admit, she deserves it. Jennifer came from out of nowhere to become a finalist on American Idol. She didn’t win but she was not discouraged. She got the role of Effie in the movie Dreamgirls and the rest is history. Even with mega superstars like Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, and Beyonce sharing the screen, Jennifer still managed to steal the movie.

Yes it was the hit song And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, which showcased her voice but the girl acted like she was born to do it. No one would have predicted an Oscar win years ago when Jennifer was voted off Idol but Jennifer stayed true to herself and said it best when she accepted her Academy Award, “Look what God can do.”

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The Power of Projection

Words by Te-Erika

There was once a young woman who had a habit of putting herself down. She would tear apart her self image by being critical about her weight, her height and her style. She consistently compared herself to everyone else and in her eyes she always fell short.

These feelings of self hatred transferred into other areas of her life. Her work suffered, her friendships suffered and she became known as the mean lady who never smiled. As a result, no one ever smiled at her.

Her poor self image had taken root and multiplied its negativity into all of her life’s affairs. Her heart desperately wanted a change, but her mind told her that it was impossible. Though she wanted to be seen as charming, beautiful and sociable, she did not believe that she could shake the reputation that she had earned.

One day she was at the market and saw a piece of paper float down by her feet. When it fluttered to a rest, she picked it up and read the simple message: Celebrate Yourself.

She took this as a sign that today would be a new day for her. Instead of picking up the TV dinners and orange juice that she normally purchased, she decided to buy a bottle of wine, fresh vegetables and pasta. A change in routine would be just the thing for her celebration.

As she checked out with the groceries, she smiled at the cashier whom she had seen many times before. “Bless you,” she said as she grabbed her packages. “Thank you for your help,” she continued sincerely. The cashier, who had been in her own dreary world, suddenly perked up and returned the blessing with a grin.

As she walked to her car she began to feel better. She recognized a certain exhilaration in giving positivity to others and she wanted to experience it again.

By the time she got home to her apartment, she was floating on air. She had waved at everyone she saw on the street and they returned her eager greetings with warm smiles and waves.

She decided to test out her new attitude by calling up her closest girlfriend whom she had not spoken to in months due to her own reclusiveness. The girlfriend greeted her hesitantly at first, but upon hearing the genuine jubilation in her friend’s voice, she rushed over to see for herself what had happened.

There was no physical difference in her appearance. There was no financial tide that had come in. Her friend eyed her closely, but the only difference she could see was the sparkle in her eyes.
“All of this time I thought the world hated me but it was because I hated myself. No one smiled at me and it was because I never smiled first. Today I decided to be the giver. Today I decided to be the initiator. Today I decided that I will show people how I want to be treated by treating myself well and then of course, treating them well.”

From that day her life was transferred by a firm decision to always give what she wants to receive and to love herself in the way that she desires to be loved.

The principle at work: What a person gives, even to herself, will be doubly returned.

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Top 5 Hinderances To Celebrating Yourself

Don't lose that spark by allowing the world and its issues to bring you down. Sometimes we sabotage our own self love by losing focus on the prize we are within. Avoid these top 5 hinderances to celebrating the beauty of you and reap the benefits of your most precious love you could ever experience.

Relax. You deserve it.



Focusing too much on other’s opinions of who you are

It’s great to have people in your life who can give an honest assessment of your development however, their opinion is just that, an opinion. It should never be considered to be more important than your opinion of yourself. If you know that you are living righteously and doing the best you can with what you have been given, their judgments should mean nothing to you. A person can only give you advice based on their personal experiences and ideals, but each individual is unique and should operate autonomously according to their belief system.

Your vision for your life is what matters most. Trust yourself to make the best decisions for your life and hold yourself in high esteem. If you dare to look in the mirror and decide that you are great, just the way you are, you will find the peace you seek. Dare to be fearless in your decision making and trust yourself to do the right thing. By accomplishing this you will begin to wash away the smudges on your spirit left there by years of people speaking into your life and you will see clearly who you are and how brightly your star shines.


Marinating in the messy situations

Life does have its moments where the days seem dark and gray. It is important to remember that those times are not the defining moments of your life. It is the character that you present during these moments that define who you are.

Will you wallow in self pity, negating every good thing that has happened to you? Will you stand up and remind yourself of the sunny days, appreciating all of the other times where you stood firm and got over the hump? It’s important to see through the negative circumstances and focus on your bright future. The things you meditate on consistently will continue to manifest themselves in your life. Brood over a difficult circumstance and it will multiply. Choose to move forward and leave the garbage behind.


Comparing yourself to others

Richard bought a house. Anna’s wedding is next month. Todd received a promotion on his job and a fat raise but I’m still here doing the same old thing.

Makes life seem kind of pathetic doesn’t it? Of course it does. But here’s the secret to maintaining your satisfaction when everyone else seems to be progressing.

You must first understand that just as everyone has a unique DNA everyone’s lives will progress differently. Your footsteps will not match anyone else’s exactly and your life should never be measured by how quickly or broadly they take their steps. When you begin to recognize that life is not a race against the neighbors and that your life is divinely guided into its proper place, you will receive peace about where you are.

It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to think differently. It’s okay to receive your gifts and blessings at different times. No man or woman is greater than the next. Desiring those things that belong to someone else will only bring unhappiness to your life. It's okay to recognize the progress of others but it's not okay to condemn yourself for not being where they are. You don't get to see what it took for them to get there because you only see the end result.

They may have the pleasures and riches that you want, but are you ready to make the sacrifices that it took for them to reap those blessings? Do you even know what they have to go through to maintain those "luxuries"? Don't envy the next person when you can't see the whole picture. Create your own vision and focus on that goal. If you're busy about your own business, you won't have time to look to the side to compare and contrast.

Neglecting your own health and happiness

Loving and appreciating others is a wonderful thing. We enjoy nurturing our loved ones and showering them with affection, bringing a much needed boost into their lives. We must be wary not to neglect showering ourselves with the same amount of love. We can’t wait for others to do it, it’s best to show ourselves appreciation by taking care of our bodies and doing things that make us feel good like laughing or simply…doing nothing at all.


Putting too much weight on your goals and not appreciating the process

Your goals are your life’s map toward your personal success and as you move forward each step is as important as the last.

When we focus too much on where we want to be, we will never experience the joy of where we are today. Life isn’t about the end result, it’s about enjoying the process that brings us to our ultimate fantasy. Trust in the completion of your lifelong dream. Visualize the process being easy and smooth. Your imagination leads your life. Relax, appreciate today, rejoice in anticipation of tomorrow and enjoy the diamond encrusted escalator to your ultimate achievement.

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Appreciating The Little Things

Winning the lottery or getting a promotion are great reasons to celebrate yourself, but you shouldn’t have to wait for those major milestones to shake that thang in appreciation of your wonderful life.

You have my permission to pop a bottle if any of the following statements apply to you:


You made it to work on time.

You paid your bills this month.

You boiled that rice just right.

You didn’t cuss your co worker out today.

Your favorite parking spot was open.

There was no line when you checked out at Walmart.

You bought those shoes half off.

You found gas for $2.75.

MODERN DAY MIRACLES!

Now add your own______________________________.

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A Sweet Love Letter For You

I found this letter in my mailbox. It was addressed to you. I don’t know who wrote it but it sure smells nice. Here you go…

Hey Love,

I know it hasn’t been that long since I’ve seen you but the minutes morph into millenniums when I’m not in your presence. Even in the span of an hour’s time, my heart seems to ache knowing you’re not in my intimate space.

I try to be so hard core but the radiance of your being blasts away the bricks surrounding my heart leaving me vulnerable and afraid.

I’ve never experienced anything quite like this. It’s as though who you are perfectly complements who I am. All of those things about me that others pointed out as being “wrong” weren’t wrong after all. All of those quirks and personality traits that I thought were undesirable were designed specifically to meet your heart’s desire. I could never have satisfied any of them because I was made for you.

Knowing you proves that dreams do come true. You are much more magnificent than I could have ever imagined and everyday, in every way, I celebrate the gift God gave when He aligned our paths.

Do you know what it feels like to experience love at first sight? Can you imagine being embraced by an angel? Do you understand that if I never see you again I can go on, happily fulfilled knowing that God loves me so much that He allowed me to meet you?

I’ve spent a lifetime fantasizing about true love and the moment I met you I knew my fantasy had been fulfilled. You don’t have to change your hair. You don’t have to change your style. You don’t have to lose a pound. You don’t have to change a thing baby because the more I get to know you, the more amazing and perfect you are to me.

I want to hold you and kiss you, grow old with you and laugh with you. I want to be by your side as you achieve greatness. From your scent, to your laugh, to the way you hold your fork, I can’t imagine anyone else being more divine.

And the best part is…you’re mine.

Thank you for the gift of you.

All My Love,

Your Perfect Match

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Celebrate Who You Are With R. Kelly

Reviewed by Te-Erika

R. Kelly has had his fair share of public hits and misses in his often tumultuous personal life. But as far as music is concerned, he's all gold.

R. Kelly is the only artist that can star in an explicit sex video and then turn around and make you want to give your life to God with his next album. The genius of his music stems from the perfect expression of inner conflict between his strong desire to be in right standing with God and an equally strong desire to feel on your booty.

We battle with those feelings everyday but most of us would never dare to admit it. He exemplifies a true renaissance artist in that he shows us different sides of who he is, both imaginative and realistic, as well as freaky and inspirational. I applaud his efforts to give his gift honestly according to where he is emotionally in life. His albums are records of his transition and a celebration of each step in his evolution.

I appreciate him for giving us I Believe I Can Fly as well as I Am Your Angel with Celine Dione, but it's his single, The World's Greatest, that I listen to when I need a reminder of how great I really am.

Thanks R. Kelly.

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From The Editor- July 2007 Celebrating Yourself

Dear Dreamers,

It’s been a long time coming for this website. Everything that I am and ever hoped to be will be put into this vision. Everything that I have experienced and learned throughout my professional journey has all pointed me toward piecing together Share My Dream.

My purpose behind this website is to fulfill my dream of empowering others to achieve their wildest fantasies. I know it sounds all corny and melodramatic, but it’s really the truth from my heart.

I have always wanted to meet someone who would stick by me and guide me into my fantasy life. I never found that person, but I want to give the very gift of guidance that I always hoped to receive.

As I fumbled and fell and tried and tried again, I have learned so many lessons about the importance of righteous living and the divine plan for my life. I hope to encourage you to believe in the fantasies that dance around in your mind. Those thoughts aren't insignificant, unreachable or silly. Those fantasies are mere glimpses into your divine future if you dare to believe and take action.

The only thing holding you back from stepping boldly into your dream world is you.

This month we’re exploring the fantasy of being able to celebrate yourself. We tend to focus so much on the things we need to improve about ourselves that our strengths are often overlooked. In my case, I’m so busy running the race of life that I never take time to celebrate the small victories.

Whatever the reason for your lack of self applause, take a moment to list 10 great things about yourself. Post the list on your mirror and read them everyday. Develop a habit of reminding yourself that you are wonderful and unique.

Be a magnet for appreciation by appreciating yourself first.

In Love,
Te-Erika

READ ALL POSTS IN THIS SERIES

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Brilliant Minds- Not Just A Nerd

Every child goes through that awkward period where they really don’t know who they are or how to express themselves. Ken experienced that phase throughout elementary school where he was teased a lot for being smart. Add the fact that Ken’s Mom was a teacher at his school and you have a recipe for guaranteed social disaster.

“As a kid when that happens you begin to isolate yourself,” Ken said “If you’re not accepted for who you are invariably you have to find ways to gain that love and acceptance.”

Ken was unable to find acceptance because he couldn’t understand his feelings himself. He describes himself as “smart and goofy” however none of his classmates could see that because they were so focused on how intelligent he was. “If people think you’re just a nerd, you might say to yourself, ‘Maybe that’s all I am,’” Ken expressed. “You may not ever get a chance to find out what other talents you have.”

Around 8th grade Ken decided to break out of his shell. He joined his school’s academic team. It was with this team that Ken found a fertile ground for friendships. “When I started surrounding myself with other people who were as smart as me, I found others who were willing to accept me for who I was,” Ken said.

Ken believes that exposing himself to new people taught him a lot about who he was. As he developed faith that he was more than just a nerd, he was able to relax more in social environments, eventually drawing others who shared his same sense of humor and integrity.

“My self esteem comes from the fact that God has blessed me with so many talents and He has blessed me to be alive,” Ken affirmed. “Appreciating life itself is important.”

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Celebrate Yourself Like A Celebrity

You don’t have to wait until your birthday to celebrate who you are. Celebrities celebrate themselves in style and so should you! Try these tips for at-home glitz and glam and watch as your star meter goes through the roof.

Host a movie premiere- When actors and actresses complete a movie project, their promotions team go all out to celebrate their success. Turn an average movie night with your friends into a night of glitz and glam.

Invite your friends over and ask them to come dressed in their hottest outfits. Purchase a red floor runner from a wedding supply shop and place it on the entrance to your home. Have two of your friends take pictures of your guests as they arrive.

Be sure to provide comfortable seating, have the latest movie picked out for your guest’s viewing pleasure and offer a variety of movie theatre snacks. After the premiere offer your guests a chance to act out their favorite scenes from their favorite movies and then party like a rockstar by playing a selection of your favorite movie soundtracks.

Write Your Love Story- When Angela Bassett married her college friend Courtney Vance, they celebrated their love by writing a book about how their friendship set a firm foundation for their marriage. Celebrate your true love by writing your romance story or contact me and I will write it for you!

Build A Gift Bag- We’ve all heard about the pricey gift bags that celebrities receive when they attend parties and events. Create a list of things that make you feel good. These things don’t have to be new, they can be items from around your house that you use everyday or even things that you were waiting to use on a special occasion.

Place these treasures in a fancy gift bag and ask your friends to do the same. Have a social at your home to share what’s in your bag and why these things are special to you.

Get Away- Maybe you can’t fly away to Monaco for a weekend retreat but you can get away buy booking a hotel room in another part of town. Plan an itinerary of things you’ve never done in your own city, bring a good friend, a camera, sport your sunglasses or wear a disguise while you discover the fun things your town has to offer.

Don't forget to do wild and crazy things like hang your underwear on the balcony of your hotel room or demand a new set of fresh towels every hour. Everyone in the hotel will wonder who you are!

Pamper Yourself- If you can’t afford an afternoon at the spa, substitute that experience for a few hours at the beauty salon or barber shop. Get a manicure, spa pedicure, and a new haircut. Imitate the 'do' of your favorite superstar and don't forget to leave a BIG TIP!

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FREE Your Mind- Living In a Big Girl's World

Words by Suezette Robotham

I’m Declaring My Independence from Society’s Construct of Beauty. Being a six foot-one inch, full-figured and loving it woman isn’t easy, but somebody’s gotta do it. I’ve decided that in 2007, that somebody will be me.

I’m bombarded on a daily basis by Eurocentric images of beauty. Svelte women with long flowing hair, none of which reflect the afrolicious beauty that I am. If we can’t hold the media accountable for representing all forms of womanhood, then it is up to us to show the world exactly what we’re working with.

It is truly the year of the B.I.G. Girl. Bold, Intriguing, and Gorgeous™, we represent a beauty that can only be found in fullness. True supermodels, size 14 is no longer the average woman…she’s the above average woman that respects every single curve and loves every blessed inch.

Let us ratify the BIG GIRL Bill Of Rights:

We have the right to refuse to diet unless it has direct implications for our health and well-being; We have the right to be loved for who we are and not what we look like;
We have the right to have BIG girl moments as we indulge ourselves in terms such as beautiful, gorgeous, seductive, voluptuous, vixen, diva, etc;
We have the right to demand that clothing stores provide us with style and versatility;
We have the right to be seen and we have the right to be heard;
We have the right to pay homage to Lycra and to reject spandex;
We have the right to be BIG…and proud of it!

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Faith Builders- I Love Who I Am

Affirmations by Te-Erika

REPEAT AFTER ME!

I’m so fly and I’m so great, if you disagree then you’re just HATIN’!

Everything within me is God’s gift to me. I celebrate myself just as much as I celebrate Him.

This skin that I’m in is the perfect match for the beautiful person I am inside.

I woke up. Today is definitely going to be a good day!

I can not sincerely cheer others on, if I do not first learn to applaud myself.

My underwear are the perfect size. If they weren’t there wouldn’t be so many at the store!

My Mama told me I’m cute and she has never lied to me.

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Get High...On Literature- Fabulosity

Reviewed by Te-Erika

From the reigning Queen of 'Don't Hate Me Cuz You Ain't Me' comes every woman's how-to guide for exposing your inner diva.

With detailed chapters like Self Belief & Confidence, Independence, Image & Body and Romance & Lifestyle, Kimora Lee Simmons leave no stone unturned in her quest to ensure that you know how to tap into the power of your uniqueness.

This book was amazingly refreshing in its use of colloquial language and straight forwardness. It was written in the tone of an older big sister sharing her secrets to success and every word is written with authority and purpose.

Through sharing her life story and personal examples of successes and failures, Kimora allows a peek into her world, unapologetically paying homage to the environment that groomed her personality and the personality that pushes her toward excellence.

You wouldn't expect such a fashion concious icon to be so well versed in the matters of bringing about business success, but this book proves that there's a business behind showcasing beauty & power. Kimora Lee Simmons is just the siren to ring the alarm, calling all future superstars to take stock in their personal arsenal and take aim at their most brilliant success.

If you are fabulous, you will love this book!

Buy it now!

AWARDED: The "Get It Right, Get It Tight" Award

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