Category: Blog

“Worry Bout Yourself” There can be so much going on during the holiday season that can easily distract us. We’ve got shopping. We’ve got food buying. Don’t forget the food preparation and eating. There is personal time with family and friends. We have parties and festivities.  We attend faith-based and remembrance services and share moments where we honor our ancestors. And during this special time, how often are you taking a moment to focus on yourself? Taking time to Worry Bout Yourself or focus on yourself can easily take a backseat when so much needs to be done, especially during the holiday season. But too much focus on other people, places, and things can pull you out of balance and keep you far away from fulfilling your own needs. It’s essential to recognize that if we worry so much about others, we can blur the lines that define what we have to do and what we really don’t have to do or worry about. Please recognize that focusing on yourself does not make you a selfish person. In fact, it makes you a brilliant person focusing on being able to be a better person to not only yourself but others. We have all heard the quote about pouring from an empty cup. But there is also such a thing as pouring from a toxic cup. So, ensure that what you’re pouring into yourself and others is of good nature, love, hope, patience, compassion, and generosity. Here are a few ways to “Worry Bout Yourself” during this holiday season… And any other season, for real! 1. Stop talking bad about my best friend, You! You wouldn’t allow your best friend to talk bad about themselves, so why do you talk so bad about yourself? I don’t care if their negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, or taking on the opinions of others. A simple rule is to not say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be gentle to yourself. Use positive phrases and affirmations to yourself while looking in the mirror. You are a child of God; remember that! Begin to speak love and light into and over your life. Holiday Cheer is a real thing, and it starts with yourself. 2. Remember to Just Breathe We often work ourselves up over things that we have absolutely no control over. For example, there’s often worry about forgetting someone’s gift, not being able to attend an event with the in-laws, or the unrecognized fear of what the holidays will be like after a significant change. Just breathe… Take a few moments to be still. During the season, I’m often reminded of Psalms 46:10, “Be Still, and know that I am GOD .” We do not have to do everything. We do not have to be everyone. We do not have to go everywhere. But we can be confident and assured that no matter what happens, God’s got us. With that protection, it makes it a little bit easier to simply just breathe. 3. Take Advantage of the opportunities I love all the holiday sales that pop up during this time. Now it is important to be mindful of senseless spending. But it can be easy to include yourself in some of the deals. For example, some of my favorite restaurants are offering bonus gift cards with purchases. This creates opportunities to take me to lunch or happy hour! I am a great bargain shopper, and while finding great deals for others, I may purchase something small too. Or while the family is visiting and they offer assistance, you allow them help and remove critics about how it’s done. So take some pressure off and take advantage of the gifts around you. 4. Check out the Three Wise Women Now we all know the story of the Three Wise Men and their journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. But have you heard the story of the Three Wise Women who are combating holiday stress? Join Rita Ricks, Angela Lightfoot, and Celia Powell on November 12th at 10 a.m. for The Naughty List: Combating Holiday Stress. This workshop will help you set clear boundaries, manage your finances, and show you successful ways to create your best holiday ever. Save the Date The Naughty List 2.0 Join us as we share recommendations for navigating, overcoming, and enjoying your holidays. REGISTER TODAY! Learn More! ACHIEVING YOUR GREATNESS Coaching session for Young Adults Are you ready to support your young adult in their healing, contact me today! Learn More!

CONSIDER YOURSELF A SURVIVOR The definition of a survivor is one who copes or manages to live thru a bad situation or affliction that might even cause death. A survivor is a person regarded as resilient or courageous enough to overcome hardship, misfortune, or some other life-changing incident. Is that you? Are you here today, despite some challenges that could have, should have taken you down? Then you are a Survivor! And before you say, “I don’t feel like a survivor,” THINK AGAIN. Don’t downplay what you’ve been thru. It was tough, but you are still here. Thinking from the place of Being a survivor is the opposite of thinking from a place of Being a victim. And let me Be clear, though you may have been a victim during the crisis, you must not allow it to define you. You are bigger than your situation. You got thru it when others didn’t, for whatever reason, and you know it was God who pulled you thru. Remember, “as a man Thinketh, so he becomes.” How do you want to see yourself? How do you want to be known? Victims want sympathy. They choose to stay in that dark place…… Being angry, blaming others, miserable. But survivors pull themselves up and make the decision to heal and then share their story in order to heal others. Whatever your struggle…… domestic violence, breast cancer, COVID, loss from death, loss of income – whatever the struggle. It is a part of your journey; only you can decide how it will impact you. I am a 20+ year breast cancer survivor, and that experience has made my life so much better. When I was told the spot was malignant, I decided that day that I was going to take responsibility for my body. I’ve learned that everything that goes in my mouth sends a message to my body. I know that dis-ease around me can lead to disease in me. I know that my spirit is healthiest when I spend intentional time in prayer and meditation. I am a Survivor. As a Survivor, I encourage you to incorporate the following 10 actions in your life. 1. Celebrate that you lived thru it 2. Be grateful for another chance 3. Create quality time for you 4. Envision yourself as whole 5. Share your testimony with someone 6. Continue learning who you are 7. Use your courage to elevate victims 8. Appreciate and honor other Survivors 9. Find a Coach to assist you in moving forward 10. BE better as a result of your experience My prayer is that this Message has helped you see how very unique you are. You survived when others didn’t, and NO, it’s not always easy. But as long as you trust and believe that God has got your back –As long as you trust and believe that He is working on your behalf –As long as you believe that not only must you pray, but you must listen for the answers — you will be fine. I’m telling you what I know.We are on this planet for such a short time, and there is so much good to experience. Be intentional about identifying the good. And spend your quiet time BEING in the GOOD space. Rita’s Recommended Action Steps: Hover over the difficult experience(s) and look at the bigger picture to see what you’ve learned about you. Begin to think, talk and walk like a SURVIVOR. Write about how your experiences have made you stronger. Re-purpose those thoughts into a book, blog, podcast, or movie script. Remember…today is an unrepeatable day. I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit Save the Date Join us as we share recommendations for navigating, overcoming, and enjoying your holidays. REGISTER TODAY! Learn More!

The Crisis of Self-Love What if I told you there was a self-love crisis going on worldwide? When people are asked if they love themselves, there is often a pause and a moment of deep thinking before responding with an unsure, unmotivated answer of “Yes,” “For the most part,” or “Not as much as I should.” When you love yourself, you open the door to all kinds of positive possibilities in your life. When you feel good about who you are, it shows in everything you do. You carry yourself with confidence and assurance, and people respond to that. They can see that you’re happy with who you are, that there is joy in your heart, and that they want to be around you. We have all heard about the law of attraction. What you send out, you get back. So be mindful of what you send out into the world if you notice a lot of negativities in your life. Loving yourself also means being kind to yourself. It means treating yourself like you would a best friend. Think of how you treat your best friend with kindness, grace, respect, and, most importantly, unconditional love. Think for a moment how it makes you feel when your friend or a close loved one talks negatively about themselves. Most good friends correct them and turn the negative into a supportive positive. We sometimes have to do the same thing for ourselves. Loving ourselves requires being kind and supportive of our decisions and actions regardless of the outcome. It means listening to your body and taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. The physical is more than just working out. It is how much sleep you are getting. How you wear your clothes to flatter your body and make you feel confident. Emotionally loving yourself is giving yourself permission to feel what you need to feel but being able to cope and move forward. Mentally is acknowledging past traumas, focusing on your needs, and setting healthy boundaries. It means giving yourself permission to relax and do things that make you happy. Treating yourself well shows in your skin, hair, and eyes – all the things you first notice when you look at yourself in the mirror. Of course, it is easy to point out the flaws; we all have them. But being able to embrace all of you and become grateful for the body you are in allows loving yourself to grow. “We all have our flaws. But we overcome them. And sometimes, it’s our flaws that make us who we are.”— Erin Hunter. And when you love yourself, you attract other people who love themselves too. You find friends and partners who appreciate you for who you are. You create a circle of positivity and support that enhances your life in every way. So, remember that Law of Attraction! Become a magnet for the type of people you really want and need in this life journey. So, what are you waiting for if you’re not loving yourself yet? Start today! Treat yourself with kindness and respect, listen to your body and needs, and give yourself permission to be happy. It’s time to start enjoying life – because when you love yourself, you believe in yourself. And when you believe in yourself, anything is possible. Save the Date Take time to regroup before the fall activities move into full swing and lead you right into the holidays. REGISTER TODAY! Learn More! ACHIEVING YOUR GREATNESS Coaching session for Young Adults Are you ready to support your young adult in their healing, contact me today! Learn More!

Valuing 86,400 Seconds 86,400 seconds is the number of seconds you receive every single day because of God’s Grace. It is His gift to you and you must begin today to increase your respect and use of each second. Each second is UNREPEATABLE…You cannot get it back…it’s gone! Do you use your time productively? – do you waste it? – Do you spend any of it BEING silent – Do you even stop to realize just where you are at any given point in time? Carl Sandburg wrote, “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” In order to value the 86,400 seconds, you receive DAILY, you must LIVE in them. You must Be present in them. You must open your Spiritual eyes and ears in order to raise your consciousness above the mundane occurrences happening all around you. In other words, situations come and go…DAILY! You cannot reach back to get the time you wasted by trying to fix something that now is in the past. Living in time and being present in time allows you to truly experience time. You live and experience the different seasons, you live in the rain and the sun and the snow and shorter days, blue skies, cloudy skies, and various smells that come with the seasons. LIVE in the 86,400 seconds rather than complain about them. You watch children grow, you watch yourself grow – you experience new and different, and you evolve based on how you spend your 86,400 seconds.   Respond to the following 5 questions in your journal. Take time to really reflect on your answers. What answer surprises you the most? 1. What do you spend the majority of your day doing? 2. In what ways do your choices represent how you want to live your day? 3. How do you regularly make time to do those things that are truly important to you? 4. If money were not an issue, what would you spend your daily 86,400 seconds doing? 5. How would you live your life if you were told you only had 6 months to live? Someone once said, “If you continue to do what you’ve always done, you will continue to get what you’ve always gotten.”   It is now TIME – to use your 86,400 seconds to make decisions and plan how to do things differently. So, I suggest you create a vision board – and here’s how: 1. Spend 3-5 minutes writing down everything you still want to do in your life – don’t waste time thinking why you shouldn’t want it…just write. 2. Spend a few days modifying the list by adding to it, taking from it, consolidating, and praying over it. 3. Find pictures that represent each of the items on your list and paste them on the inside of a manila folder. The label of that folder should read MY VISION BOARD. 4. Put dates next to each item as to when you will begin working on the item and approximately the time you will accomplish your goal. This Vision Board may encompass a few years. 5. Finally, study your board and embrace it. It is the roadmap to spending your daily 86,400 days as God created you to live. Alan Chapman wrote “The key to successful time management is planning and then protecting the planned time. This involves conditioning or re-conditioning your environment rather than allowing your environment to condition you.” It’s your time and your decision whether to use your time–to its fullest or–waste it. You have no idea how much more time you will Be gifted, so I encourage you to begin today to live your 86,400 seconds. Rita’s Recommended Action Steps: 1. Think about where you spend the majority of your 86,400 coins on a daily basis. 2. Today, hold on to some of your coins that you typically allow others to spend 3. Be fully present and aware, by identifying one thing daily, that you’ve never really paid attention before 4. Begin to collect pictures for your vision board 5. Today is the first day of the rest of your life…Spend it wisely I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit Save the Date Take time to regroup before the fall activities move into full swing and lead you right into the holidays. REGISTER TODAY! Learn More! Looking for a group of women who share wisdom, knowledge, and experience? Leadership in Life is a 6 month Mastermind session, created to give you time to delve deeper and gain clarity! Join the Conversation

Are you Unmotivated because of your Environment? What if I told you that what you surround yourself with impacts your environment more than you may imagine?  Your environment can significantly affect your motivation and willingness to do just about anything. If you’re consistently surrounded by clutter and chaos, staying focused and motivated on your goals and dreams can be tough. But making some simple changes to your environment can make a big difference. Take a moment in some of your favorite places and really look around. These may be your bedroom, bathroom, home office, or if you’re like me, your She-shed/man cave/ prayer closet, whatever you want to call it. Take in everything. The clutter on the floor or the drawers that are so full they won’t close. The massive pile of unfolded clothes and dead plants in the corner. The stack of bills or overflowing makeup all over the counter. Maybe you don’t have things this bad, but perhaps your space is just drab or has looked the same since you were younger. (Still have the Boyz-2-Men and Backstreet Boy’s posters on your wall?) Take some time to clear out your space. Get rid of anything that’s just taking up room and not serving a purpose. And if you can’t bear to part with something, at least ensure it’s organized. Having an organized space can help you feel more in control and motivated. At the very least, it will cut down on the time it takes to find essential items like your keys or that business card of that corporate executive who wants to talk to you! Another great tip is adding some life to your space to improve your motivation. Get a plant or two to add some color and freshness to your environment. We all remember learning in grade school that plants are essential to our livelihood. It has not changed.  Plants produce oxygen, help reduce stress, and can help increase productivity in your life. And yes, it is because you have to water it! But a faux plant is an excellent substitute if you don’t have a green thumb. And if you can, add some natural light to the mix. Being in a bright, cheerful space will help you feel more positive and motivated. And surprise, your plants need the sunshine too! Recognize that distractions and all external forces easily sway our minds. So, it is important to place things around you that improve your mood and motivate your spirit. For example, on my nightstand, I have a picture of my family and a journal with a series of my favorite bible scriptures. I have a plant in most of the rooms of my house, and I recently did an inexpensive facelift to my bathroom with a new backsplash. These small changes motivate me to be more creative and inspired in my work and personal life. I am proud of my space and feel more focused and attentive to my own needs. What in your environment can you change, get a ride, or update? Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment that supports your dreams and makes you feel good. By making some simple changes, you can set the stage for a more productive and motivated lifestyle. Are you ready to support your young adult in their healing, contact me today! Save the Date Take time to regroup before the fall activities move into full swing and lead you right into the holidays. REGISTER TODAY! Learn More! ACHIEVING YOUR GREATNESS Coaching session for Young Adults Learn More!