Hello everyone! Today I am excited to bring to you an interview that I was blessed to conduct with the amazing Briana Conner. She is a decorated news anchor and reporter that has had an amazing career trajectory. As a result of this, she has lots of great advice and inspiring stories. I highly recommend that you give this a read and take the time to be inspired by it. Without further ado, here is the interview!

*The Interview Below Was Conducted Via Podcast; The Words Below Are A Manual Transcription*

Can You Tell Us A Bit About Yourself?

Sure! I am currently a news anchor and reporter with ABC13. I anchor our three o’clock newscast, and I report for our 10:00 o’clock newscast. I’ve been in that role for about a year. Before that I was in North Carolina doing the same thing for about six years, and before that I was in Paducah, Kentucky and I actually started my career in South Texas in Victoria. I’m from the Houston area, so it means the world to me to be back living and working in this town. And I am so thrilled to, as mentioned, be able to have this conversation. 

Who Inspires You And Why?

That’s really funny to think about. I was actually working on a back to school story a couple of days ago and got an opportunity to go back to my high school and they asked if I had ever won any superlatives through Hightower high school back in the early 2000s.  I was actually voted most likely to be a millionaire. I’m far from that, but the reason why is interesting. As a kid, I was telling everyone who would listen I was going to be the next Oprah Winfrey. Oprah has had an incredible career, she has her own network. She has done so much to advance Journalism. She made the mold of what a successful talk show is. And so I aspired to be like her and have the type of  influence that she had at that time, the, you know, late 90s/early 2000s. I was definitely that kid that would rush home and put on the TV at 4:00pm so I could catch the Oprah  Winfrey Show. She was really a strong influence on me when I was an adult and also my mom. My mom was a television news journalist in the 70s and I was never able to watch any of her work. But I grew up knowing that my mom and I were so similar that I thought anything that she did would be a good match for me as well. It was really neat to grow up and see how her talents made room for her in her career and how she explored her industry and so, I try to copycat some of those things in my life. 

You’ve Had An Amazing Career Trajectory. Can You Tell Us Some Of The Most Memorable or Impactful Moments?

My first big story that I always end up talking about is when I was in my first market, it was a small market, it was in Victoria, Texas. There was a lot of good that happened in that town. I remember one of the most impactful stories I ever got to cover was for a veteran who returned home from either Iraq or Afghanistan. He had a wife and two little girls and they were just having a hard time. There was a little furniture store in town, it wasn’t a chain, it was a mom and pop owned store. The store decided to collaborate with myself and the man’s family and arranged to  have the family away on a little vacation for a few days. I was able to document the process of people going on a completely redoing his home to fit the needs for him and give each one of his girls their own bedroom and beds complete with nice furniture. When they came back to town I was able to be there and catch the surprise on his face and the gratitude they had for what the community and the furniture store had done for them. It was one of the best moments that I have ever been able to be apart of.  It felt so good to be able to cover that story and tell that story.  Whenever journalism gets really hard,  and I have to tell stories that don’t have that hope element I think of what I was able to cover in Victoria. It really helps me remember that there are a lot of good things that happen in the world despite the crime and the terror and the war and the things that we typically have to talk about. So that is super memorable for me.

I’ve also been able to cover a few big events like floods and hurricanes. Of course, I wasn’t here for Hurricane Harvey, but I covered Hurricane Florence along the North Carolina coast. It was one that acts that happened just a few years ago and we actually got stranded. In a part of North Carolina that was cut off from the rest of the state by the flood because it was so intense.  So that was a lot hard work to cover that.  We got cut off on the coast from the entire rest of the state. And so that was a big challenge because they literally had to have the Air Force start flying in food and supplies so that we could continue our work and other people living there could continue to eat and be fed.  That is an experience I’ll never forget. I spent some time in South Carolina covering the Mother Emmanuel church shooting and then after that the funeral service for the Reverend Clemente who was killed, and then after that the lowering of the confederate flag over the South Caroline state house, that was an event that I’ll never forget.  Since then I have covered two more mass shootings in my career. Lots of big events that felt very big at the time and that I still reflect on as time goes on to pull meaning from them because many of those things are still extremely relevant even now so I’ve had quite a few milestone stories. It is definitely not a career for the faint of heart. It’s one where first responders including journalists run towards the scene of danger to keep the public informed. 

How Did Your Career Begin? How Did You Make Your Dream A Reality?

So when I went to the University of Texas in Austin. I knew I wanted to study journalism, but I wasn’t actually accepted into the journalism school. I went in as a freshman and was defaulted into the liberal arts school, so after about a year on campus I had to apply for an internal transfer to get to the communications school. From that point I had to start taking fundamental journalism classes, it was called J101.  As I started getting a feeling for what that coursework was like, I was able to apply, maybe as a junior, for what was called my upper division track. That’s when I was able to select “Broadcast” out of a few different options like newspaper, magazine, television broadcast, and radio. That’s when I started doing foundation basic work that could help me understand and learn what the profession was about. They gave us cameras and tripods and we had to pitch stories and put on a newscast as a class, I think it was either a weekly or bi-weekly newscast that I worked on during my senior year.  Anyone interested in this career should definitely do an internship with a news station during their junior or senior year. I ended up getting one with a woman that had a private broadcasting company that she was trying to get off of the ground with a focus on politics in Austin at the time.

I never got to do an internship with ABC or CBS, but that would have been very helpful for my career, many of my friends did.  After the experience that I had with the small business owner/broadcast blog maker and in school, I graduated with what we call a “demo reel”. A  demo reel, at that time, was a dvd of our work put together. I remember making copies of that and making copies of my resume and my headshot and going to like kinkos and putting everything in mailers and sending them out to news stations and news directors all across the country that had openings. I think that the only place I got a call back from was Victoria, Texas. So I went down there, fortunately it was only a few hours south of Houston. After interviewing with the director, I was able to start my first position as a sports reporter and anchor. I worked down the crossroads for about a year and a half doing that. I also tried news, and I really enjoyed that area of television broadcasting and then really just continued in news with some sports here and there.  I was able to cover the Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers. However, the main focus has been news reporting and anchoring since I was able to land that first job in Victoria.   

Were You Ever Afraid That You Could Not Achieve Your Dream/Career Goals?

Absolutely. Many times in this industry people tell you no. Television news is still a performance based industry. It’s about how you look on air, it’s how you deliver your stories, a lot of it is still your talent behind the scenes and your doggedness to ask questions and get answers. It’s also about how you present that information. Many times people will tell you no, but all you really need is one yes. So, I knew that I always wanted to come back, live and work in Houston. That was my big goal. That was my big dream. And I got a lot of Nos before I finally got a news director to say yes. Before they said: “ I want to give you the opportunity, Briana. I want to bring you home. I want to let you live and work and the place where you always dreamed.”  With the way the industry has changed, even since I got into it in 2010, I was concerned for sure about whether I fit the direction the industry was going, whether I’d be able to keep up and ultimately whether I would ever get the opportunity to do what I loved back in the city, as they say, the city that raised me.  So, I am very grateful that at the end of the day I achieved my goal. It was definitely a long journey for me it took 11 years on the road working on the journey to get me back home.

I thought about leaving the industry several times. Especially with broadcast news in particular, a lot of things have to line up for you to be able to work where you want.  There has to be an opening first of all, then that opening has to line up with the timing of when your contract is up. We’re contract-based workers.  So if you sign for two years then at the end of those two years, there hopefully has to be a position open in a place where you want to work and then they have to have a need for somebody like you. Someone who does what you do, somebody who looks like you do. So for all of that to line up and for me to be ready took over a decade. I wanted to give up many times, but I am so grateful that I did not.  

Your Career Is Very Public Facing. How Do You Maintain A Good Work-Life Balance And Do You Have Any Tips?

 You know, that is probably an area where I still really struggle.  I keep my cell phone on me at all times because you never know when breaking news  is going to happen, and I happen to be a breaking news lever. I dedicate a lot of my time to my career. I have worked really hard for it and sacrificed a lot for it.  This is an area where I know I can use some work and fine-tuning in. Now I want to have more of a balance so that I can spend some time with my family and spend time with friends that I’ve had since high school and still do those career aspirations that I still have. So that is definitely a delicate dance and I’m kind of learning as I go. My number one thing up until this point has been to always say yes. Saying yes has afforded me a lot of opportunities to cover some really cool, interesting stories. My news directors would always come to me because they knew that I was always going to say yes. And at the time, early in my career, it wasn’t a problem. I didn’t have a family, I didn’t really have other obligations  so it was fine for me to always say yes. It helped me to get the experience and the wraps and the chops that I needed to work in a market like Houston. But now that I’m here, I’m learning to say no sometimes. It’s still not often, but I am learning that sometimes I have to put other things first. My career comes first certainly often, but now it’s not always. I have had to learn when it’s important to say no. That’s the advice that I would give; take stock of your own life, think about what’s important to you, and think about what you want and what it will take to get what you want. After you’ve done that, figure out when it’s appropriate for you to say no sometimes.  

Who Would You Recommend Your Career To? What Kind Of Person/Kind Of Interests?

I recommend this career to anybody who is naturally curious, to anyone who believes in the American ideal of democracy, because we know that journalism is the fourth estate. None of this works without an informed electorate and an informed public. So, anyone who believes in what this country stands for and that it can still work is a good candidate. It’s also good for anyone that’s willing to work hard and sacrifice. I think the benefit truly is being able to come home on a daily basis and be assured that what you do every day and how you are contributing to society means something and that you have the potential every day to make a difference.  

What Are Some Challenges That You Have Experienced In Your Career?

I think that being a young woman, and of course being a young woman of color, there is definitely a challenge in leaving home and moving to these small American towns to work without knowing anyone or having necessarily a support system there. Truly, going out on your own to a new and foreign place and all that you have is your job. So, that definitely presents challenges that I have had to face and overcome. You have to work to find a community wherever you are if it is someplace far from home. So, I had to brush up on those friend-making skills in every new market that I worked in where I didn’t know anyone or even know necessarily if it was safe for me there at first. So that was one of the more difficult things involved in this career that I can think of off the top of my head.  

Has Anyone Ever Discouraged You From Pursuing Your Career? How Did You Find The Motivation To Continue?

I wouldn’t say discouraged, but I definitely had friends, mentors, people familiar with business and in the business who said: “Is this what you really want to do?” It’s not that they were trying to be negative, it was that they wanted to tell me the truth of what this career field requires. Allowing me to do some really deep thinking and make my own decisions. One thing that I haven’t mentioned is that this is not a career where you’re able to make a decent living at first. Things have gotten a little better but no one does this to get rich. That’s a challenge in and of itself and a lot of people once you speak with them will say: “You can do a lot of other things, you have a lot of skills, and you can do a lot of things that don’t involve working nights, weekends, and holidays for very little pay.” Most of the time when I’ve considered leaving the industry, it has been along those terms. Thinking: “What else can I do that will provide me a better life?” I like to say that journalism/broadcast news is kind of like a virus and I haven’t been able to shut it down yet. (laughs) It’s still in me. It’s like an infection, I can’t shake it! If you’re someone that wants to be on television and that’s the only reason that you get into broadcast news, you won’t last very long, you’ll find out that there are not a lot of benefits to just being on TV.  

What Advice Would You Give To Girls And Women That Want to Achieve Their Goals, But Are Afraid Of Failure?

Failure is not necessarily a bad thing! I think we have to try to eliminate the negative connotation from the word for a second to look at every mistake and every backtrack as an opportunity to learn. I don’t like being wrong; I don’t like failure, but I think that if we give ourselves a second to digest what has happened and find out how to learn from it, there is a lot of power in that. I have made some mistakes in my career, but I am one that I will not make the same mistake twice. You take that failure, you learn from it, and you don’t do it again.  

I Think We Have To Try To Eliminate The Negative Connotation From The Word [Failure] To Look At Every Mistake And Every Backtrack As An Opportunity To Learn.

Briana Conner

What Advice Would You Give To Those That Are Entering College For The First Time?

This is what my mom told me when I got ready to go to school. It served her well when she was in college, and it served me well when I was in school. It is: “work hard and play hard.” That’s the balance. I had an amazing time in Austin; I had a great time while I was in school, but I always made sure that I showed up to class the next day. I did not miss a party and I did not miss class. That advice and attitude really carried me through college and helped me to have an incredible experience and to graduate with honors. I think that if you can show up to the party on Thursday night, you can show up to your 8:00 AM class on Friday morning.  

Thank You for taking the time to read or listen to this interview. I hope that you found it as impactful as I did! Briana Conner is a woman with a mission making her goals and dreams a reality. Don’t be afraid to join her and start working towards your goals too. Like she said, it’s a journey. Hers took time and yours may too, but don’t lose hope! The future is yours. Share this interview with a friend today that might like it using the links below. Until next time, as always…

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The post Briana Conner Interview: Every Experience Is A Growth Opportunity appeared first on Live Life The Girl Way.

Hello everyone, long time no see! I’m back with a new and interesting perspective to hopefully inspire you to pursue your dreams at any age. Recently, I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak with Kaylynn Martin, the 16-year-old founder of the successful Michigan-based popcorn company “Kakes The Great Popcorn Co.” She’s definitely well on her way to taking the popcorn world by storm and I can’t wait to see where she goes! I encourage to read this interview or listen to the podcast version and be inspired. Like Kaylynn says, your dreams are never truly out of reach “Do It Scared”-Kaylynn Martin.

Do It Scared

Kaylynn Martin, Kakes The Great Popcorn Co.

1. Would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Hey my name is Kaylynn Martin and I am the 16 year old owner and founder of
Kakes the Great Popcorn Company. Besides owning and running a company, I
also work for my mom at her spa. I would say I am a pretty normal teen. I like
hanging out with my twin brother and making tiktoks.

2. How did you start your business?

In 2019 I was told I needed braces. My mom began saving for them. Braces are
expensive! Especially when you have other dental work that needs to be done. I
decided I would try and help her out. I began making kettle corn and asked family
and friends if they would like to buy my treats and they loved them so much I sold
out every time. Kakes the Great Popcorn Co. became real in January 2021 when
my mom formed my company legally as a birthday present to me and my
brother.

3. Were there any challenges with starting your business as a teenage female entrepreneur? How did you overcome them?

Yes lol! My first challenge when I first started was that I didn’t actually know how
to make kettle corn. It definitely was a learning process in the beginning. My
second challenge was to prove to adults that I deserve to be here too. I’m not
going to lie, it was very hard for me to open my mouth and talk about my
business. I took a big leap and decided to do a pitch competition to get my name
out there. Learning to speak up about my business took time and lots of
coaching. I was extremely nervous but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from
pitching my dream. I was proud about my vision for my company. I competed
with all adults who had established companies. I not only won my first pitch
competition I also won crowd favorite.

4. Who inspires you and why?

My mom is my biggest inspiration. From a very young age, I’ve always known
my mom as a hard worker and dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to. My
mom always pushes everyone to never quit. She has come a long way herself
and I’ve seen how hard she works all the time. So when I started my business
I knew my mom would be my biggest supporter and would always tell me to
never quit even if it gets hard. That’s why she is my biggest inspiration and my
biggest motivation.

5. Were you ever afraid to start your business “Kakes The Great Popcorn Company”? How did you convince yourself to continue?

Yesss and its okay to be afraid. When I started Kakes the Great I was always
afraid. I felt like I wasn’t going to get the same opportunities that a boy or a man
might get. I was also afraid of making the wrong business choices, or creating
flavors no one would like. Heck, I was even afraid to tell people who I was or
what I did. I am definitely still afraid but I wouldn’t change anything for the world.
My motto is: DO IT SCARED

6. How do you balance school, business, and life responsibilities?

I have to stay organized and manage my time or I will get behind. It’s not easy. I
do (home) school in the mornings and work for my mom 3 days a week in the
afternoons. Daily I check how many orders I have to fill and weekly I restock my
mom’s spa (her clients love my kettle corn). I make everything fresh in small
batches and pack and ship within hours of filling the order. My mom does all the
admin and web stuff so I have the rest of the time to be a typical teenage girl.

7. What are the hardest parts of being a teenage entrepreneur?

Learning that losing is a part of winning. I have participated in events with great
turnouts and events that no one showed up to. It takes a lot to keep your chin up
and keep doing it when you get discouraged.

8. What are your most popular popcorn flavors and where can people order?

My number one seller is “Black Girl Magic” it has my signature kettle corn, rich
chocolate, crunchy toffee, salted pecans, and sprinkled with gold (edible of
course) Next, I would have to say is Myrtle Turtle which has candied pecans,
dried cranberries, drizzled with white and milk chocolate. You can order them
both on kakesthegreat.com where prices range from 7 to 14 dollars.

8. What’s your favorite part of the popcorn making and selling process?

My favorite part is coming up with new flavors that you wouldn’t even think of and
the smell of the kettle is so amazing!! My favorite part about selling is seeing
people faces when they taste it or even when I tell them the flavors; it is so
amazing and I love it.

9. What advice would you give to girls that want to begin working towards their goals and dreams but don’t think they have what it takes to succeed?

To definitely go for it! There will be some rocky parts and lots of ups and downs.
You might even be afraid but definitely just go for it. Bet on yourself, and like my
motto says “DO IT SCARED!

10. Have you ever experienced moments of self-doubt whilst making “Kakes The Great Popcorn Company” the success that it is? What did you do to ease/eliminate those worries?

I don’t think that I’ve ever had self-doubt. I’ve always grown up knowing even if it
gets hard you shouldn’t quit.  I love being my own boss and a female
entrepreneur.

Losing Is a Part of Winning

Kaylynn Martin, kakes The Great Popcorn Co.

11. Is there a story behind the name of your company? If so, please share!

Well, my nickname is Kakes. When we were thinking of what to name my
company, I definitely wanted to be unique but still cute so one day me and my
mom were  sitting at the computer and my mom was like “what do you think
about Kakes the Great?” I was like that is so awesome! I love that name and thus
Kakes the Great was born.

12. What advice would you give to aspiring teenage female entrepreneurs?

Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it because you can! You can make the
impossible possible.

I hope that you really enjoyed that interview and found it as inspiring as I did. Remember that you have the power to positively impact your community and the world as well. Share this interview with others to share the motivation and inspiration! Kaylynn’s taking the popcorn world by storm and I cannot wait to see where she goes! As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

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The post Taking The Popcorn World By Storm: Meet Kaylynn Martin The Amazing 16-Year-Old Entrepreneur appeared first on Live Life The Girl Way.

One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it’s worth watching

-Gerard Way

Hello everyone, long time no talk! Today I have some podcast episodes that I recorded and think that you would enjoy. We talk about the excitement/ fear for the future after high school. We talk about missing what’s comfortable and routine. Also, we address newfound independence and opportunities in college, and speak about trying out to give the commencement address at my high school graduation.

Be sure to listen in!

High School: Nostalgia, The Final Stretch, and Leaving My Comfort Zone

Graduation Speech Class of 2022

Thanks For Coming!

Hey! Thanks for coming to my website, I hope that you enjoyed these episodes! Make sure to come back frequently so that you don’t miss any amazing content. As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

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The post Nostalgia, The Final Stretch, and Leaving My Comfort Zone appeared first on Live Life The Girl Way.

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.

Oprah Winfrey

The Situation at Hand

Hello beautiful people! Long time no talk. I’ve been away for some time and as I was thinking about my “comeback post” I realized that the best post would be on a topic that I’ve had on my mind for some time, self-care (making self-care priority #1). You see, my new year’s resolution this year is self-care, and I believe that after the past few years that we’ve all had with the world experiencing global crises, it’s a resolution that we all ought to share.

As a senior in high school I have found a new appreciation for self-care being under the awkward balance of joy and stress that senior year brings. From studying hard, to connecting with old and new friends, applying to colleges, expanding my artistic creativity, and spending time with all of you on this website, I have definitely been trying new things and learning how to juggle them all. Today, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite things to incorporate on self-care days that I think you’ll love to add to yours. Let’s get into it!

The Case For Self-Care

I know I sound like a broken record, but for old time’s sake I’ll say it again, self-care is so important. As girls and women it’s easy to pile more and more things on until eventually we reach a breaking point. We can really benefit from restructuring our priorities to make self-care priority #1. Having a set self-care routine can combat that and reduce mental overwhelm. Good self-care leads to boosted confidence and productivity, relieves stress, and allows life to be enjoyed more. Everyone’s self-care routine is different, but getting started is what matters, so don’t stress when you see elaborate social-media routines.

6 Simple Ideas

1. Explore Nature

I love technology as much as the next person, but I’ll be the first to tell you that sometimes I really do need to unplug to center myself. Taking some time to touch some grass and feel the wind on your face sans technology can be one of the best things to happen to you. Set up a hammock and chill!

2. Make Rest Time Intentional

It’s easy to claim that we’re resting when we watch YouTube and try to fit in “rest” at random intervals of the day, but I found that it can be more draining than restful. I’ve been trying to carve out time in my busy days lately to relax by reading books and being mindful while drinking tea. Taking joy in the little things in life like looking out the window, reading a favorite book, and enjoying times to rest while I eat have worked wonders for me. From one busy human to another, I highly recommend this!

3. Rest Your Eyes

Like my statement from before, it’s so easy for me to claim that I am resting and then find myself chilling in bed snug as a bug in a rug watching my favorite show. Hours later, I feel more tired than rested. Lately I’ve been embracing nap times (P.s. they’re not just for little kids!). Sleep is our best friend, let’s not push it away. Who doesn’t love sleep?

4. Hang Out With Friends…Or Don’t

Depending on your schedule and personality, you might be someone that spends lots of time with friends and hardly has any time to themselves, or you might be the opposite tied to a busy schedule and hardly making the time for a fun outing with friends. If you relate more to the former situation, I recommend spending a night in and doing things that you enjoy, or better yet, sleeping! If the latter sounds more like you (join the club!), try to schedule a fun day with your friends for a couple of hours. Recently, I had a fun girls’ day picnic with my friends! (10/10 would recommend)

5. Arts and Crafts

I love coloring books, and the internet definitely agrees with me that coloring can be a very relaxing activity. Trust me, you’re never too old to grab a coloring book and make it come to life. Also, try some needle arts like crocheting and cross-stitching; they’re great for coordination and since they don’t always require the most attention they can be pretty relaxing (p.s. you’re not old just because you like them ). Take these activities outside and enjoy the great outdoors for extra fun!

6. Have Skin-care Days and Relaxing Ambience

Trust me, you’re never too old for a good girls’ night in. With or without friends it’s fun to reach for your favorite face mask and light your room with your favorite lamps. Lately I have been loving listening to light academia playlists and running my essential oil diffuser. If you’re a student, you already know what I’m talking about! (lol)

Thanks For Coming!

Hey! Thanks for coming to my website, I hope that you try some of these self-care ideas and love them. Make sure to come back frequently so that you don’t miss any amazing content and stay tuned for an exciting interview. I can’t tell you who it is yet (that’s a surprise ), but I know that you’ll be very inspired! As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

Don’t Miss Out, Stay In The Loop

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The post Making Self-Care Priority #1 : 6 Simple Ideas appeared first on Live Life The Girl Way.

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

Don’t Miss Out, Stay In The Loop

Subscribe To This organization Today!  HERE.

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Hello Everyone! I hope you are having a good day. I thought that for today’s post we could take some time to stop and smell the flowers. In other words, I will “wax poetic” (speak in a flowery or poetical fashion) about my journey to and through my senior year (as I am currently a senior in high school) and the roller coaster of feelings and experiences that come along with it. Perhaps I shall write a poem to begin this post. Without further ado…we begin!

A Poem About Senior Year

Smiling, Laughing, Touching, Restructuring, Beholding

Senior Year

She walks alongside old, familiar paths pulling my heartstrings as she goes

Things I’ve seen a hundred times make fresh my eyes with tears

Happy tears, for Senior Year

My chest swells with emotion as the ancient film plays in my head

Clicking, clicking, clicking through the slides

Pausing to reflect on the old, the new, and the familiar

she goes

she walks

she skips

she jumps

she stops…

Realization enters and smiles up at her

Filling her with a feeling unfamiliar

Not quite warm and not quite cold

This feeling impresses on the atmosphere

Leaving its mark and eventually drifting away

This uncertain ambiance, this weight, this thickness in the air identifies itself

It is the breeze of change gently rustling through the green meadows

Slipping through the rustling reeds and peeking around the rolling hills she goes

Change is strange but not unwelcome

She’s different from the others, senior year

She’s gentler than freshman year

Kinder than sophomore year

And less unpredictable than junior year

But, she’s not all together innocent

She challenges in a different way

Ambivalence is her noun

She gently reminds me of the past while simultaneously pulling me towards the future

It’s strange this conflicting sensation

But it’s not in vain

It seems that Senior Year intends to help me learn and grow

Not unlike a baby bird that must eventually leave the nest of all things familiar

I too must be willing to hold fond memories in my heart and test the waters of the future

Braving the unknown isn’t always easy, but perhaps easy isn’t the goal

Challenge

Strength

Curiosity

And the Quest For Knowledge

Pull me forward as I approach the edge of the meadow

Now she’s smiling wide, grinning from ear to ear as I peer over the edge at the rolling hills of adventure

Perhaps Senior Year is what I need to finally step away from the doors of the familiar

And into the doors of the unknown

My future and philosophical journey have finally begun

The rays of sunshine are pouring in, it’s a personal kaleidoscope

These beautiful moments of growth are her…

These happy, twinkling times are senior year.

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Thank you everyone for taking the time to reflect with me on this amazing journey in life that I classify as my senior year. I have resolved to take some time to identify life’s multitude of beauties and to find the positives in every day. It seems that senior year is an emotional journey designed to facilitate personal growth and transition from resting in the familiar to venturing into the unfamiliar. I’m slowly but surely turning the pages in my storybook called life and taking the time to recline and feel the warm rays of the sun on my face. I guess it truly is a year full of sunshine. I hope this poem inspires you to embrace the seasons of change in your life and to make time to positively reflect on them (also I hope this inspires you to write poetry, haha). Come back again soon to make sure you don’t miss any fun content, empowerment, and general musings about the wonderful journey that is life! As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

(Musings about life from Lilynator (Lily))

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Hello Everyone! I hope that you are doing well. Today I am elated to share with you this wonderfully insightful interview from Ylaska Tejeda, the Global Brigades Honduran Program Coordinator. I am so blessed to have gotten this inspiring interview from a woman so dedicated and determined to positively impact the communities in Honduras. Please Without further ado, here is the interview! 

1. Could you give us a brief introduction of yourself?

My name is Ylaska Tejeda and I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in international relations at Universidad Católica de Honduras. I began volunteer work at age fifteen where I served rural communities, then worked for a Baptist Organization handling the same duties. In May 2015 I began working for Global Brigades as a translator and coordinator, while also attending classes full time. During the pandemic, I completed an internship at the National Department of Consular and Migratory Affairs which was quite an enriching experience.

2. How do you help the communities in Honduras?

All my jobs and volunteer work have revolved around serving rural communities. My job with Global Brigades has allowed me to join volunteers from different countries with a wide variety of assistance programs such as Water, Engineering, Public Health, Legal Empowerment, Dental, and Medical. I have been able to help with translation between Spanish and English speakers, to coordinate logistics resources (such as staff, schedules, transportation), support other staff members to perform baseline data surveys, participate in Women’s Empowerment and Community Health Workers Conferences. In my personal life, I have tried my best to raise awareness regarding information on the reality of rural communities and resources to help. I am currently facilitating Medical Tele brigades where I have the opportunity to share information with volunteers about the healthcare system of Honduras. 

3. What inspired you to help Honduran communities?

I grew up in the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, where my family went through the common economic hardships as those around me. In Honduras, there is no solid concept of “middle class” so hardship is a common occurrence among typical households. The first time I was able to volunteer was through a friend who invited me to join her and the experience was eye-opening. People in the rural areas lacked a lot of resources but they were still resilient and welcoming with warmth and love. While I did not feel luckier than those around me, I did feel blessed to have the opportunity to be part of something way bigger than me. Since the moment of my first community, I knew my heart belonged to the people I was helping and I did not want to approach the volunteer work in the wrong way. I wanted to learn more about the proper ways to help and if it was possible, to even make a career of it! I decided to study international relations to learn more about international cooperation projects so I could have a professional approach in volunteer work. Since I first started, I have not stopped learning new things from people in the communities and it is my honor to say that I work for them. It has shaped my entire personality and strengthened my character.

4. What do you think are the most common obstacles for teen girls striving for education in Honduras? 

I think life for teen girls in underdeveloped countries comes with a lot of obstacles. In the context of Honduras, there are social patterns that need to stop such as the male domineering behavior known as “machismo”, which results in many negative outcomes. Teen girls are either expected to stay at home from an early age or need to find jobs and quit school to support their families. cleaning homes or babysitting for others is the most common job for these women. Lots of teens have to move to the city to seek jobs where they are not guaranteed legal protection, consistent pay, or benefits. Another problem is the high rate of teen pregnancy due to the lack of education regarding basic women’s health and birth control methods, resulting in school desertion. Honduras is hard for everyone, not just girls, to further education, having been made only worse by the pandemic. The public education system has slowed since the pandemic began in early 2020 due to most kids/teens not having easy access to internet services where they would otherwise be able to take online classes.

5. What can other countries and individuals do to help girls in Honduras succeed and overcome these obstacles? 

I think the best way is to get engaged in aid projects that focus on that specifically. Nowadays, you can find all kinds of resources on the internet. There are all types of organizations and projects but not enough people are interested. The essential thing to keep in mind is to make sure any resource we find is transparent and professional about their methods with staff that clearly outline their objectives and impact.

6. How fulfilling is community service for you as a career? 

It is very fulfilling and it is what drives my professional life. I personally would love to work for the International Committee of the Red Cross and for that, I have a long road to travel. There are a lot of misconceptions about volunteering, international aide, humanitarian relief and what it all involves. This field requires people to be academically prepared to properly manage projects and direct others regarding respect for other cultures and their beliefs. I want to be able to serve others professionally and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had so far!

7. What is your advice for young women striving to positively impact their communities but aren’t sure how to begin? 

To continue doing as much as you can and do not stop just because you can’t see results right away. Effort and determination take people to places they never imagined. Sometimes, in order to help others, you have to focus on working as much as you can on yourself while always keeping your head in the game, knowing where you want to get will eventually pay off. Always keep a good heart! I personally believe in God, so trusting Him in every step I take has helped me to positively impact the people around me!

8. What is your advice for overcoming self-doubts in your life and journey to achieving your goals and dreams? 

This question is really deep! I have gone through a lot of difficult situations in my life and it is normal to experience fear, pain, sadness, etc. One thing I have never allowed is to let things affect my capacity to continue growing. I have strong confidence in who I am and the things I can achieve. I sometimes do not know how I will achieve them, but I know I will and I will do it along with the values I was taught by my family. There are a lot of things we can not control but we can control how much we are willing to fight for what we want. God has a purpose for everyone and I won’t let self-doubt keep me from fulfilling it. Everyone needs to find something to keep them steady and going even when things get too hard.

I hope that you really enjoyed that interview and found it as inspiring as I did. Remember that you have the power to positively impact your community and the world as well. Share this interview with others to share the motivation and inspiration! As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

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Again, I cannot thank you enough for all of your kindness and generosity with your support of the Fuel Her Dreams fundraiser. I ask that you help the Fuel Her Dreams fundraiser going strong by sharing the link below with your friends and family, or by continuing to donate to this fundraiser. Your donations make a difference! https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/fuel-her-dreams1

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(Shirley Chisholm pictured above; Image Credit: The Washington Post)

Hello Everyone and welcome to Live Life The Girl Way! Today is the first post in the Amazing Women Series. This is a series where I share an amazing woman in history with all of you every week. It is so important for us to celebrate the women in history that have made important differences in our world. I encourage you to read and share this post and make time to come back every week to learn about a new amazing woman. This week’s amazing woman is Shirley Chisholm, read on to find out all about her! 

• Shirley Chisholm was the First African American Woman To Run For President

To run for president is an amazing feat any day, but in the year that Shirley Chisholm decided to run for president made it a historic action. As an African American woman, deciding to run for president was a statement. It was a statement that Shirley Chisholm was not afraid to go where no one had gone before. She did this not just for her own chance to become president, but to inspire all of the girls and women that came after her to forgo any limitations and to go after their goals. This was a huge step in the course of history and still something that deserves to be celebrated today. This single action removed any doubt from the minds of young female minorities that they could not run for president, a feat that had not been attempted before.

• She Campaigned For Brooklyn’s First Black Judge

Shirley Chisholm was a woman determined to make and support positive change. Not only did she make the changes herself, but she also helped others to break barriers and make positive changes in society. This inspires me to strive to help others to make positive change because society only moves forward when we all support each other in our efforts to make the world the best place possible. Many people in history worked to make changes, but the successful ones worked not only for themselves but with others to make the most impact possible. This attitude of support and collaboration that Shirley Chisholm carried was an amazing trait that greatly contributed to her success.

• She Served in the NY State Assembly

Serving in the NY State Assembly was a great honor and a large step in Shirley Chisholm’s career. Chisholm’s career was not an easy one that was full of predictable steps, instead, it was a historic one in which almost every step was a historic moment that America and the world watched. Chisholm maintained her steady trajectory to achievement with grace; she never gave up or stopped when challenged, instead, she embraced the challenges and decided to move forward. From this observation, I learned that I too should never walk away from my goals due to challenges that I have to face, instead, I should move forward and strive to achieve in all that I do. I think this mindset of determination is one that we should all employ in our everyday lives.

• She was the First Black Woman Elected To Congress

Have I mentioned that Shirley Chisholm had a historic career? Well, If I haven’t mentioned it, I will mention it now! Chisholm made waves in Congress, not only with her presence as the first Black woman to be elected to Congress, but also in her initiatives that she successfully carried out while she was there (see the next two facts). She did not enter Congress and then slow the stream of achievements, on the contrary, when she entered Congress she began to make more change than ever. Let me just say, if this doesn’t encourage you to never settle for “good enough” I really do not know what will!

• She Fought For Racial and Gender Equity

Shirley Chisholm had already reached a level of achievement that most other humans never reach, but instead of stopping when she was in the best position possible, she decided to work to help others to also gain the rights that they deserved. This is something that is just amazing because many people are not selfless enough to help others, but Shirley Chisholm was. She carried this selflessness with her throughout her career, and she helped so many people because of it.

• She Worked to Increase the Minimum Wage

To notice people suffering and to remark about “what a pity it is” happens to be a common occurrence, but for someone to take it upon themselves to do what they can to lessen or eliminate the suffering is hard to find. Shirley Chisholm was someone that chose to make things happen. If she saw a problem she was ready to implement a solution, and that is exactly what she did with minimum wage. I find this to be very inspiring and I hope to also be the kind of person that finds and implements solutions to the world’s problems. I think that if we all transition from the “what a pity” mindset to the “how can I help” mindset, we can all follow in Chisholm’s footsteps to make the world a brighter place.

• She Co-founded The National Congress of Black Women

Shirley Chisholm never gave up. She never stopped finding ways to unify people and to encourage others to use their minds and voices to make positive change. In Co-founding The National Congress of Black Women she did just that. Her drive to empower and encourage others to achieve was evident in all that she did, and in founding institutions such as this one, she helped to inspire a lot of progress and positive change.

• She was Nominated by President Bill Clinton to Serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica in 1993

Shirley Chisholm was given the great honor of being nominated by a U.S. president to serve as a United States Ambassador in another country. Because of her flow of achievements and historical career, Chisholm was recognized for all that she had done. We too should recognize her achievements and celebrate her historic career. Her career is one that inspires women globally every day to strive for the absolute best in all that they do and to inspire positive change in their societies and the surrounding world.

• Chisholm’s famous quotes:
• “I want to be remembered as a woman … who dared to be a catalyst of change.”

• “I’m a revolutionary at heart now and I’ve got to run, even though it might be the downfall of my career.”
• “This is fighting Shirley Chisholm coming through.”
• “Just wait, there may be some fireworks.”
• campaign slogan: “Unbought and unbossed”
• “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman and I am equally proud of that…I am the candidate of the people of America, and my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history.”

Thank you everyone for reading about this week’s amazing woman, Shirley Chisholm. Be inspired and help to celebrate her achievements and keep her memory alive by sharing this post with your friends and family. Come back next week for the next amazing woman in the “Amazing Women Series”! As always…

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

Want to learn more about Shirley Chisholm? Click on my sources below to find out more! 

  Facts Taken From History.com

Quotes Taken From Mentalfloss.com

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Hello Everyone! Today I wanted to share some of my favorite motivational music playlists for productivity from YouTube. These playlists never fail to motivate me to get work done and to complete it with a smile on my face. With this amazing music, I’m sure that you will feel like work (either for school or your career) is a party! There is music for everyone: chill music, drawing music, studying music, upbeat music, work music, etc.  (None of these playlists are mine, see channel titles for more information)

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

Thank you for visiting my organization today and hanging out with me! I hope that you enjoy these motivational music playlists for productivity and share them with your friends! See you soon! As always….

Dream-Succeed-Achieve,

Live Life The Girl Way

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