Posts Tagged
‘personal growth’
I was recently asked if I was happy with my decision to leave my career. For 35 years, I dedicated my life, time, and money to an industry I loved. It was all about pure creativity, expression, and the joy of helping people see themselves in a new, beautiful way. From working with celebrities to nurses and global brands, I built not only my life but also contributed to the lives of others.
As time passed, I began to feel a deep calling that, while at the core of what I was doing, was bigger than I understood. When I was young, God spoke to me during a seemingly mundane moment at the shampoo bowl. It felt like I slipped into another portal, and I heard the voice loud and clear, calling me to preach. I brushed it off as a strange moment and went back to work.
Nearly 20 years later, the question arose: What’s next? I always asked myself if I was where I wanted to be in five years, and for the first time, the answer was no. It shook me to my core. Through deep prayer and meditation, I knew it was time to move on and elevate to the realm God called me into—the space of helping women heal and see their divinity within.
Honestly, I was scared. The pandemic shifted something inside of me, cracking the cloud of comfort I was in. One day, an interaction with a client—the first of its kind in 35 years—broke the bubble, and I knew it was time to move forward. I had no idea what I was going to do. Black Women Amplified was in its infant stage, and I was still refining its mission, but it spoke to my heart.
The thread running through my life is my advocacy for women, specifically Black women. From fighting against domestic violence to cancer and social justice, speaking for the voiceless has been at my core—not because I have a deep need to be a hero, but because I didn’t have someone to stand in the gap for me. Through abuse, low self-worth, poverty, and other traumas, I built a shell of protection to feel safe.
I knew that part of my new journey was to heal and unravel the programs of society, my inner thoughts, and family expectations. This version of self-discovery has been monumental. There were so many lies I believed about myself, many misconceptions from what the world told me I was as a fat, weird, female. Why weird? Because I see life through a unique lens, shaped by my specific experiences, and it’s on the fringe of societal norms. But it’s this point of view that draws people in.
People want to hear my perspective and advice on life’s issues. I have a magnet within that opens people up, and they share their realities with me. It can be daunting, but I’ve finally accepted it as my gift. I couldn’t have reached this point without taking the step forward that God had for me—the steps I avoided for decades because I didn’t believe I was worthy until now. Evidence of my life led me to believe it for so long.
In a trigger moment, my dear friend Susan called and recognized my mood. She talked me off the ledge, helping me see my truth along with the miracles and blessings God shared with me. Evidence of all the good surrounding my life. So, when my friend asked if I still felt good about my decision, the answer was a resounding yes. I am grateful for the opportunity to explore and create the dreams God has for my life and to build Black Women Amplified into a space where Black women can heal and see the divine gift they are.
We matter! Now it is time for us to know it fully in our hearts. God is calling us home to ourselves, but like me, it requires us to heal our hearts and shift our minds to fully see our purpose and hear our calling. Because we are tired, y’all. If you are ready to make that journey within, I created a great journal called Self-Love Renaissance, and you can purchase it on Amazon here.
Have a blessed day,
Monica Wisdom
Chief Mentor
Hello Family,
Chileeeeee… When I tell you, I never thought the comment section would lead to a court case, but here we are. Today, I had jury duty, and it was over a bad review. Yes, you read that right—a bad review! In this era of grievance, people love to unleash their emotionally charged opinions in the comment section and on online review sites. One bad review can be devastating for small businesses without a reputation management department.
This whole experience reminded me of one of the Four Agreements: “Be impeccable with your word.” Seriously, there are times when things go south, but it’s crucial to get clear on the facts before responding. The pause button is a powerful tool, my friends. I’ve had to learn how to use my pause button when it comes to my real-life responses. I used to be quick to snap back and cut someone down before I even thought about the consequences of my words. And let’s be real, that righteous fury was just a cover for the pain I was feeling.
What I learned is to take a pause, self-evaluate, and ask myself: “Why is this bothering me? Why am I triggered, and is it really that important?” We need to consider this more often because these quick responses are now landing people in courtrooms! The attempt to “get someone straight” has far-reaching repercussions.
I get it—we’ve all been hurt by someone. But we must find other ways to handle it. A phone call, a note, or even just walking away and letting the universe smooth out the situation can work wonders. One of my favorite movies is “Crash.” It came out years ago and changed how I viewed those moments of passionate rage. It shifted my level of empathy, helping me see situations through someone else’s eyes.
Which brings me back to the Four Agreements. Another agreement is “Don’t take anything personally.” Often, it’s not personal because people are seeing a situation through their pain, just like you. Words can be either a feather or a sword, and it’s our choice in how we use them. Before you react or respond, hold your heart and ask yourself, “Will this matter a year from now, and is it worth it beyond today?” Nine times out of twelve, the answer will be no. And like my grandmother always said, “Get ’em with kindness because you always have a choice.”
If you want to read the Four Agreements, you can check it out on Amazon. Have an impeccable day, and I’ll see you soon!
Monica Wisdom
Chief Mentor, Amplified Podcasting Academy
Host and Producer of the Black Women Amplified podcast
Good Day,
Today was eclipse day, and I trucked myself to see this great act of nature. I did not have any glasses, but while getting ready, a download from God helped me see something I never noticed.
I intended to head to the river, and while waiting for the big shadow, what opened up for me was the idea that my lists over the year have been incredibly focused on myself. It was like putting in a food order from the menu of life. I could not believe this information and wondered if this was the first time I heard it or if it was the first time I truly understood it.
Friday and Saturday, I spent in an online workshop called “Mastering your Money Story” with Bettie Spriull. And let me tell you, it was magical. I met Bettie over 20 years ago, and she is one of the premier coaches on the planet. Every time I learn from her, life shifts, which is appropriate given the epiphany I had today about how I was communicating with God.
There was a time when I was a super generous person, and over time, it began to feel like people were taking advantage of me. I began to shut down and keep my brilliance to myself. People were making thousands of dollars off my advice and ideas. What I received was a thank you, but in the beginning, I did not see my worth, so it was not a big deal. And I did not know you could make money from intellectual property. But instead of figuring out how to monetize my gift, I hid it away. The story that everyone was going to take advantage of me began to harden my heart and impact me in other ways.
Even when I was creating vision boards and praying, my perspective has been, what do I want and what do I get? The combination of the workshop and the eclipse shifted something and left an opening for an aha moment that changed everything. Even when I sat in my car to write out what I wanted from the universe changed. It changed with my new understanding. The download from God clearly said, “It is not about what you get, life is about what you contribute” – mind-blown emoji.
I am a big believer in generosity and gratitude, but this was a whole new level of understanding. Since I walked away from a 35-year career, I have been working on new ways to make money. I have made lots of mistakes throughout this year chasing shiny pennies. This download reminded me that life is as big as what you contribute. Money is the smallest part of the equation. Money is the byproduct. So what does that look like? Listen for the difference.
The old way: “God, I would like to create a program that will generate XYZ dollars. I calculate the number of people who it takes to meet that goal. So I am only focused on 20-30 people.” As opposed to, “God, I would like to help humanity elevate in a positive manner that will impact lives around the world.” You see how that feels different. One is about me, and the other is about contributing. WOWWWW.
So, the bigger and more important question is: What am I here to contribute, not what can I acquire in life? LIFE SHIFTS when you open up to new ideas and ingenuity.
Did you have any aha moments?
Love and Light,
Monica Wisdom,
Chief Coach, Monica Wisdom Coaching.
Hello Queens,
I hope you are well and thriving. Another memoir is heading our way and I wonder if I am interested in reading it.
Jada Pinkett Smith is a complex tapestry of experiences, a multi-layered persona that never fails to astound. Her recent revelation about her seven-year separation from Will Smith, while still being married, has ignited a flurry of discussions. Some may say, “Who cares?” as we’ve seemingly heard so much about their relationship. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s something that feels unspoken as if there’s more to the story.
At first glance, you might wonder why she’s sharing this deeply personal tale with the world. It’s a fair question. After all, what drives someone to reveal such intimate details? But let’s be honest; most of us haven’t yet delved into the pages of her book to find the answer.
Having briefly crossed paths with Will and Jada and knowing people who’ve worked with them, I can vouch for their character. They are good people. However, like many of us, their lives are not without complexities. The key difference is that they live under the constant scrutiny of the public eye, navigating their personal lives and careers on a grand stage.
When you observe their dynamic, you can’t help but notice a pattern. We often hear about their relationship from Jada’s perspective, while Will remains guarded. He rarely speaks about her outside of family or work contexts. There’s a protective shield he puts around her, and vice versa, well, most of the time.
This raises questions. Does Jada ever feel that her voice won’t be heard unless it’s intertwined with Will’s? It’s crucial to remember that she’s a talented actress. In the past, she was the “it girl.” She was the leading lady. But when she became Mrs. Will Smith, her career seemed to take a backseat. Is there an underlying resentment?
I’m not here to gossip, but I’m examining this situation from the perspective of countless women who have relinquished some of their autonomy in pursuit of a traditional marriage, driven by ideals rather than reality.
In the world of relationships, we find couples leading separate lives, inhabiting different corners of the house or even different cities. Some are best friends rather than romantic partners. Marriages are forged for reasons ranging from convenience, and security, to power. Love, while paramount, is not without its struggles. Even Michelle Obama once confessed that she couldn’t stand her husband for the first ten years of their marriage.
While I might still find myself in the midst of not caring, I believe that Jada is contributing to the broader conversation initiated by Michelle Obama. It’s a call for honesty in relationships. The romanticized notions of “couple goals” and “black love” have pushed us farther away from the raw, unfiltered truth of what marriage truly entails. It’s a pact, a promise shared by two people. Disney’s magic has painted it as a fairytale.
The truth is that relationships can be arduous when the chemistry is off. The question that lingers is whether Jada is contemplating her identity outside of the shadow of Will Smith. She sacrificed so much to be with him, to live within his concept of marriage. Perhaps this book marks her journey towards personal freedom, truth, and inner justice. It could be her way of feeling worthy enough to have her voice heard. And maybe, it’s her exploration of who she is when she’s not defined by someone else’s identity. Especially someone as powerful as a Hollywood icon. Somewhere along the way, the castle he built for her might have started to resemble a prison.
These thoughts are not merely gossip or idle musings; they reflect the broader reality that many of us lead dual lives. The one the world sees and the one that stares back at us in the mirror.
So, when I wonder why Jada is sharing her story, it’s not because I don’t care about her marriage stories. Instead, I’m genuinely curious about what she’s freeing as she unveils her truth and journey. I hope she wholeheartedly embraces herself and recognizes the audacity to be fully Jada Pinkett, without the Smith.”
If you are interested in reading Worthy by Jada you can check it out HERE.
Chat Soon,
Monica Wisdom
Hello Moguls,
As women entrepreneurs, we crave a life of freedom and ease. However, we’ve been conditioned to believe that we must grind endlessly until we reach a certain point when everything will miraculously become easier. We associate this with having more money, better credentials, and more experience.
But the harsh truth is that this relentless hustle-and-grind mentality is taking a severe toll on our lives, impacting us mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s time to reconsider this way of life, not our goals and aspirations, but how we go about achieving them. There is a path to success that doesn’t require us to do it all.
The concept of being a multi-passionate entrepreneur is fantastic, especially when you have a team and another income source supporting your business. However, we’ve shifted our focus from quality to quantity, and we’ve become trapped in a never-ending cycle of managing all our multiple entities, yearning to escape the reality we’ve created.
Let’s be clear; you’ve created your current situation. Yes, you’ve manifested it. Manifesting isn’t just about attracting new cars and parking spaces; it’s about the energy you claim as yours. This includes your complaints, fears, and challenges. All of it contributes to the way you operate in business.
Consider this: you’d operate entirely differently if you felt secure in your ecosystem. But when you have too many irons in the fire, you’re constantly anxious about neglecting something.
We often hear about work-life balance, but what if we aimed to become “un-busy”? It’s a concept I just coined, but it makes sense. What if we could achieve our goals and aspirations but simplify how we do it?
Is it possible to have just one offering instead of ten and still make the same income? Absolutely. It’s like the difference between a boutique and a department store. One offers high-quality products, while the other caters to everyone. The key is understanding what you have the capacity for. Do you have the income, revenue, space, and technology for a full-time staff like a department store, or do you have a desk, a computer, and Wi-Fi? Get clear about where you are before focusing on where you want to go.
In our last post, I mentioned that we’d discuss brainstorming. It’s a crucial part of any development process. All you need is a pen and some paper. Write down your chosen subject at the top of the page, ask yourself a question, and jot down all the answers without editing yourself.
As you strive to streamline your efforts to achieve your goals, increase your personal time, and attain the freedom you desire, ask yourself, “What else can I do to reach my goals?” When you answer these questions, you’ll begin your journey towards time freedom and release the pressure of trying to do it all.
The “all” is the part we need to streamline to start living our dream life now, rather than postponing it for later.
In our next post, we’ll delve into what streamlining could look like for you.
Best wishes,
Monica Wisdom
(shirt available in the SelfMade Shop)
