Forward

Do we ever stop getting tears in our eyes when we stub a toe?

Do we ever stop missing our parents when they are dead? I read a quote once that said, “No matter how your parents treated you, you’ll miss them when they are gone.” 

Do we ever stop pining for our first true love?

Do we ever stop feeling so overwhelmed with joy that sometimes it, too, drips out of our eyes?

Emotions are like children, often allowed to run wild and rampant and free. As long as no one gets hurt, all is well.

It is great to be happy, to keep a smile on our face, especially when there is so much going on that is out of our control. Have faith that it will work itself out.

It usually does.

When you are sad, be sad. Sometimes overnight. Sometimes for days. Weeks can be dangerous. If it stretches into weeks, seek consolation in a friend, partner or therapist.

In the passing of friends, remember the good times.

In the debilitation of health, be grateful for what you can still do.

In the loss of a relationship, remember that your heart won’t really break.

If you are grieving, get a hug from somebody. Anybody.

If you are just feeling a little out of sorts, often a smile or a laugh can make it better.

When you don’t feel like smiling, take a nap.

Or go to the park and sit on a bench and watch the children play.

Or go to the beach and sit on the sand and watch the waves.

Or go to the mountains and bask in their majesty.

Or just take a walk around your neighborhood. Movement is good for the soul. 

Any movement. All movement.

And remember, as long as you wake up, get up; 

and as long as you can get up, keep moving. 

It’s forward from here.

Why Network Marketing Attracts Seniors

By Dr. Victoria Boyd

Why was Network Marketing (NM) the right choice for me? I had no intention of becoming a My Daily Choice/Hempworx affiliate – I just did what came naturally and authentically. After using it I talked about my experience and positive results from the CBD product. I had an inflammation problem and it solved it. And if you know anything about marketing, one of the most effective strategies is word of mouth recommendations – a testimonial of sorts. From there it snowballed into buying products for my friends and family, and me recognizing that this might be a good opportunity. But – that is not really what got me on board.

My passion was training or teaching others, to serve and help them get to another level. My initial thought was I wanted to help others relieve pain as it had done for me. Then I read a Forbes article* that spoke to me. It summed up perfectly why the NM industry and in particular why Hempworx had been like a magnet attracting me and ultimately a perfect fit. The article made me aware of needs I didn’t even know I had. Maybe you are in the same situation.

Let’s Talk Retirement: Taking financial considerations out of the retirement equation there are several additional gaps we as retirees experience which include feeling unfulfilled, bored or irrelevant. I didn’t know it at the time but NM filled those gaps for me. It not only fostered a positive attitude and atmosphere, but also a lot of structure and activity. My company offers weekly calls, tons of interaction, and an annual conference. All of which gets me and other members out of the house, building knowledge and developing new skills, while offering me the opportunity to meet new people and deepen existing connections.

The Forbes article also pointed out how many retirees former life revolved around their work relationships and when that is gone they are often left lost and struggling to make the transition. Specifically, they struggle to jump start their health goals, to connect with new people, to learn new things, yet yearn to be a part of a community. As quoted from the article, “the average retiree is at least 25 pounds overweight, feels tired for some part of the day, may be moderately depressed about something, has low self-esteem in one or two areas of life, acknowledges they only kind of have a best friend, and overall lead pretty plain lives.”

Now this is not to say, network marketing can solve all your problems, and that every company in the industry is worth joining. What I am telling you is that the network marketing model is a low cost, widely available way to replace some of the psychological gaps you lose, and may not be able to develop on your own. The team building format of NM’s can play a vital role in supplementing a person’s social network which is impacted by retirement.

As a baby boomer, you also may feel like I did. As I was transitioning from a 30+ year career I knew I wasn’t ready to ‘retire’ but looked upon it as an opportunity to do things I had a passion for – on my own terms. I didn’t want a job – I wanted a mission. So my journey began creating my retired life. When I entered the network marketing industry, I gained a new perspective.
Personally speaking, I love talking with people who are in this industry because they are always reading, posting, and sharing something inspirational. They have goals and are using the products that they sell to improve their life. This fosters a positive attitude and atmosphere, adds structure and activity, gets members out of the house, builds knowledge and develops new skills while offering them the opportunity to meet new people and deepen existing connections.

Health and Wellness based companies, in particular, are well positioned for retirees to enter with greater ease and success for two reasons. First, as we get older our own health becomes a focal point. We can speak from experience. Good health creates positive momentum. When people start to lose weight, have more energy, feel better and perhaps even get compliments, this all builds momentum. They see, feel, and hear the benefits of their efforts paying off which encourages them to stick with the changes they are making. We also talk about it, well I did. Hmmm, does that sound like a testimonial?

Second, there is the community group effect. For example, many seniors struggle to develop and stick with a new health, diet, and/or exercise program on their own. But when they do it in a supportive community with others, it’s much easier to get through the tough days and stay on track. Furthermore, by taking care of yourself, you are in a position to leave a better legacy than money could ever provide.

Now here’s the perk I haven’t even mentioned. You can earn commissions – MONEY
– while living a fulfilling life, helping others, being engaged, and for me – having fun!
My involvement with MDC/Hempworx has filled many of my mind, body, spirit and even some financial needs. It can do the same for you. Reach out and let’s have a chat. We would love to have you join Rock’s Tribe.

Explore the full line of products for People & Pets:
www.Hempworx.com/RocksPlace

Moon Rise over Tecopa

In October, my friend was hosting a retail booth at the Grape Stomp at the Pahrump Valley Winery. It's an annual affair and people said it would be great fun. I hadn't been to the winery since I first moved to Las Vegas and we had their wines as part of our Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame Dinner Dance and Golf Tournament. I wanted to support her and I wanted to visit the Winery.

As I was driving along the highway I saw a sign pointing to the left that read 'Tecopa'. Now, I am very familiar with the name Tecopa as it is synonymous with the hot springs I've heard so much about. I did not believe that this was where the sign was pointing, though, because Tecopa is in California and this is Nevada, right?

I had a great time at the Winery and as I was driving home, I saw the sign again and it intrigued me. California is the Bay Area or the beach to me, not out here in the middle of Nevada. 
Somebody get me a map! 

To my delight, I discovered the entire western coastline of Nevada is California. Well, duh!

The next weekend I emailed the folks at Tecopa and asked if I could visit and tour. We emailed back and forth, confirmed a visit, and I drove out to the Hot Springs.

A delightful woman runs the facility with her assistant. We toured the facility, talked about the different spaces, and then climbed the hill to the labyrinth. The view was spectacular. At that moment I decided that I would hold my first retreat here.

I walked the labyrinth that day and I felt the seven cycles seep into my soul and my chakras as they are meant to do. On the way back down the hill, she asked if I wanted to soak. I was afraid that because of the level of my consciousness at that point, I would melt away in the pools, so I declined.

Leaving the hot springs, I felt energized. I was incredibly excited and motivated. I came home and set off to creating a way to make this retreat happen! I hired a VA. I spoke to several friends about the program, the cost, the timing. I emailed the Hot Springs back and forth for the next month. I decided I needed to go out there again. I needed to meet with the restaurant owners in person to negotiate some food deals and I wanted to be immersed in that energy again.

It turns out that I had no time to hang out as I had to meet with various restaurateurs. Negotiated a great deal with the Bistro and I determined that the guy who runs Steaks and Beer and his partner are the best for dinner. Great spaces, great vibe. Both small and intimate indoors, beautiful surroundings outdoors. Secure in the knowledge that I had food for all my meals, breakfasts at the Bistro, dinners at Steaks and Beers, I would be on my way back home.

I realized that it was going to be dark soon. It was the night of the largest full moon of the year and I had planned to go to the Sophia Center Full Moon Gathering. As I said my good byes and got on the road, the sun was setting quickly. In a matter of minutes, I found myself surrounded by almost pitch darkness except beneath the streetlights, few and far between. Miles of darkness. Nothing in any direction. Nothing.

As I drove, I saw a light in the sky over the mountain. At first, I thought it might have been the light bouncing off the city of Pahrump. As it rose into the sky as a ball I realized that it was the moon! It was so bright and so intense I was almost instantly overwhelmed. I tried to keep my eyes on the road. This moon was HUGE, incredibly distracting, and rising RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES! I had never witnessed a moon rise. I have seen the sun rise and set, yet I had not ever seen the moon do the same.

And in a moment she shifted and bathed me in total luminescence. I could feel her energy boring through my windshield. There were points along the way where I had to put my sun visor down to be able to stay focused and on track to see where I was going. There were waves of energy passing over and through my body at intervals. I turned off my book, my radio. I was riding in silence. I could feel the stillness.

Occasionally, I had to make a conscious effort to keep my eyes on the road. She was mesmerizing. I would not fall under the spell of her intensity. I could not take my eyes off the road. I could feel her, though. Wave after wave of energy pulsing through my body. My body would shiver, my organs would vibrate. Her energy was powerful. The moon affects the tides and the ocean. Humans are 98% water. It is she, Mother Moon, who has her way with us.

As I finally approached the lights of the city, I breathed a sigh of relief. The intensity had subsided. The light was less intense. I could make it the rest of the way.

When I got home, I got out of my car and looked up at the moon for the last time that evening. We shared a moment. I thanked her for her energy. I was grateful to get home safe and sound. 

And I knew that I would forever regard the moon differently.

How will I know when I’m dead?

I remember when my Mother died and I was devastated. I wandered around for about two years before I got conscious again. Moved to the West Coast and started a new life. Fast forward 40 years and I have had a tremendous amount of adventures traveling the country and the world.

I have worked with some great people and I have rubbed shoulders with many of the world’s finest artists.

I have three sons, four grands and a slew of cousins. Most of the generation that preceded us is gone, so we are the elders of our generation.

I often think of that moment when I found out that my Mother died. As I pondered the meaning, with my still adolescent mind (although I was 21) I just cried. I knew I would miss her terribly and I just cried.

As an adult, I started to compare it to moving away and not seeing someone ever again. How is it different? I still feel the same way about the people I left when our family relocated from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.  I was 7 years old. There are several whom I have not seen since.  Have they died?

And when we break-up with a lover, often, except for traveling in the same circles, we cease to see that person ever again. We will or we won’t miss them, have they died?

How is it different?

Is it expectation?  When a person dies, a lot of people are devastated because they won’t physically see that person again. When a person leaves, or moves, or is somehow permanently separated, in our mind we know that person still goes on. If it was any situation other than death, in our brain holds some belief that there’s a chance that we might ever see them again…regardless of the circumstances. In death, that belief is terminated.

Is it true?

How will I know if I am dead? Only man is conscious of thinking about what he is thinking about. Will I stop thinking? If I stop thinking, I won’t know that I’m not thinking and I won’t be aware that I am gone. What if my consciousness goes on? What if I just start thinking about other things instead? Maybe instead of how to pay that bill or get a new job, it's about how to get somebody’s energy higher using whatever my skills and talents are ‘on the other side.’ What if I become part of the greater consciousness of the earth – if you believe that there IS a greater consciousness? What if I become part of the Divine Energy of the planet – just the good stuff?

I have no answers, it is just a question that came to me this morning. 

I offer you this poem:

The Ship

I am standing on the seashore
A ship sails and spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
She is an object of beauty and I stand ther watching her till at last she fades on the horizon
And someone at my side says, ‘She is gone’
Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all.
She is just as large in the masts, hull and spurs as she was when I saw her
And just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination
The diminished size, the total loss of sight is in me, not in her,
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, ‘She is gone’
There are others who are watching her coming and other voices take up the glad shout
'Here she comes'

And that is DYING.

BISHOP BRENT

African American Aging

I teach skin care and cosmetic application. There are times when I’m at a pampering session with my beautiful African American Sistahs and begin talking about anti-aging, someone will inevitably blurt out, “Girl, you know black don’t crack.” At which time the entire table co-signs and says, “Girl, you know that’s right.” Followed by high five’s and that look that says, “So why do I need your products?”

They are correct. I’m proud to say that “Black don’t crack.” This is because of the amount of melanin our skin produces. Melanin is a sticky pigment produced by your skin that works like sunscreen, protecting the skin from UV rays. We have a natural protection. It’s like an ozone layer of our skin.” The lighter the skin, the less protection.

Another reason black skin ages so well is because we typically have a higher oil content and the sebaceous activity in our skin—meaning we have a natural skin hydration system that makes black skin look hydrated, smoother, and plumper.

Collagen is another factor. Black people don’t produce more, but the type of collagen black skin produces is less prone to the sun damage. “This might be one of the reasons signs of aging, like wrinkles, are delayed in darker skin,” This does NOT imply that sunscreen is NOT needed.

Black don’t crack, but signs of aging manifests in other ways: Darker skin is prone to discoloration, dark spots, and pigmentation such as melasma  from sun exposure and hormonal effects; Keloid Scarring  (scar tissue build up forming a lump); Hyper-pigmentation is very common in people with darker skin where many have the “Raccoon Effect” of dark under eye circles.

Our skin doesn’t crack, but the texture changes. That baby smooth soft skin becomes rough and bumpy especially on sun exposed areas (hence sunscreen). This is why exfoliation either with topical agents, chemical peels or microdermabrasion is key.

Black don’t crack, but it does eventually sag. As with everything in our body, as we age, our skin cells reproduce at a slower rate. New fresh skin doesn’t come to the surface as quickly. Collagen cells deplete and you lose volume. The face becomes hollow and sags. It’s most noticeable on the cheeks just under the cheek bone. It’s most prominent in the area between the nose and the outer corner of the mouth and in the neck and jawline.

So, why do you need my products, or any good skin care system other than Dove and Vaseline? You want a cleanser that will cleanse the impurities that your skin accumulated during the day. A sunscreen that will protect your skin from the harmful sun rays. An exfoliation that will remove the rough dry patches and restore your smooth baby soft skin. A serum/cream that will lighten the dark patches, and a good moisturizer for your specific skin type.

Nope. Black may not crack, but with the proper care we will forever bring sexy back.

Yes, I said that.

I AM LOVE

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." — Anäïs Nin

After one traumatic day where I drank myself into a stupor and literally passed out on my bathroom floor, and a second day in which I literally sobbed, wailed and cried for hours, I knew it was time. But to do it, I had to go back. Not so far back as to re-live past traumas, only far enough for me to see a pattern. And I found it. I have spent most of my entire adult life claiming lack and limitation. There it was. The Source - Abandonment - Lack of Love.

When my Mother died, emotionally I also lost my Dad and both of my sisters.  That was my initial entry into Lack of Love. But I had rebuilt that support system and I was thriving, things were going well and then, the unthinkable, I had to move away from the system that it had taken me so long to rebuild. Since I hadn’t dealt with the initial abandonment issue, it reared its ugly head again. And that’s when it began to manifest in all of my subsequent experiences. It manifested itself as lack of Money, lack of Support, lack of Job, lack of Self-worth and lack of Faith - all stemming from the original declaration of Abandonment - the lack of Love.

I knew I had issues. I made a list. I wrote how I interpreted each one with their own singular issue of Abandonment. Each one was post-mortem of my Mother and an unresolved event in my life.  I went back.  I re-examined my part and decided that none of the situations had anything to do with me personally.  I did not leave them, they left me. I am alright. I am perfect, whole and complete. I lack for nothing. Then I finally realized…

The Universe is my Source. I know that there is no Lack.  There is no Abandonment. I know that there is only Peace and only Love. I claim Peace and Love. I know that there is no Fear, only Faith and only Joy. I claim Faith and Joy. I know that there is none other than Divine Spirit as the One Source of All. I now claim that I am One with that Source of All. 

There can only be One.

I now claim Joy, Faith, Peace, Abundance and Love in my life.

Where? Right here.

When? Right now.

And so it is.

Love gives your courage

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength;

 loving someone deeply gives you courage." 

Lao Tzu

There was a time in my life that I was sure that everybody loved me. I was supported. Everything I did and everywhere I went I felt light as a feather, confident, secure, almost arrogant. Then something changed. I had to move to an unfamiliar town with my two little baby boys. I had no friends. No family. No support. I started to fall. It wasn’t until I read this prompt that I realize what has been wrong with me all this time. I don’t feel loved. At least, not the close-up, hold me, hug me; make me feel good, kind of love.

And I can barely remember the last time I did feel that way because it’s been so long. And whom do I love?  

I love my children... 

But I don’t know anyone who makes me feel the deep-inside-makes-me-wanna-holler can’t-wait-to-jump-your-bones – kind of lust and attraction at ALL. With anyone. And I think everyone needs that – even if it’s just on birthdays and holidays…lol. I need a lover…