New Year. Same Journey. A New Way to THRIVE by Arlean Timmons
My journey started in January 2014. All I had was a vision( literally). At the time I was working full time with no real direction. I had just finished Grad School and I was not really sure what I wanted to do in life. I was just going through the motions of working, being a single mother and just trying to figure this thing out called life.
My vision at the time was to host a conference to bring women together. It was something I had never done before and I had what seemed like a million questions. I did not have any experience in event planning nor did I have the funds to pay anyone. I was basically“ THUGGIN IT OUT”, I was taking a huge risk but believing and trusting God at the same time. I knew if he gave me the vision he would see it come to pass. Low and behold my first annual YES! Women on the Rise Empowerment Conference was a huge success in 2014, the theme was“ Journey to Success”. Each year the conference has gotten bigger and better. I have amazing speakers, partners, Brand Ambassadors, a PR team, vendors, sponsors and a group of women supporting the vision. I was one ticket sale away from having a sold out conference this year and we are looking forward to hosting our 4th Annual Conference in Atlanta in September 2017.
No matter where you are right now in life, no matter how many obstacles you have had to overcome, even if you feel you are in the pit of despair right now, I challenge you to learn how to be THRIVE in your current season. When we learn to THRIVE we learn to VIBRATE higher. When you say YES to THRIVING it means you’ re not worried about others and what they have to say. THRIVING means being thankful for what is, what isn’ t, and what’ s to come. As you begin to THRIVE it means when someone asks how you are doing instead of complaining you say“ All is well.” Go in peace... Are you motivated to THRIVE in 2017?
Here’ s how to THRIVE in 2017: Do: Celebrate small successes, goals, and victories.
Don’ t: Forget the people who have helped you along the way. Those people who lended you a helping hand or provided you with the missing link to your business FREE of charge.
Do: Support other single mother’ s visions, events, ideas, dreams, and goals. Remember we are all in it together. There’ s enough room at the table for all of us to eat.
Don’ t: Tell someone you are going to do something and then don’ t. At the end of the day all you have is your word.
Start this day and affirm your year! Choose to THRIVE; in spite of, because of and despite of.
If we can all be honest with ourselves, we’ ll know that life will never stop happening to any of us. There will always be obstacles, challenges, roadblocks, and adversity that we will have to overcome. Even when you feel like it’ s you against the world( because as single mothers we always feel as if no one understands us and every day we are fighting battles). Everyday wake up with a positive attitude even when you can’ t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Smile even when you don’ t have a reason too. Be kind even when the world isn’ t being kind back. Pray without ceasing. Believe in miracles, in fact be a miracle.
Together we can THRIVE!
THRIVE MAGAZINE 7