I recently book a HomeAway apartment in NYC and lo and behold I end up staying with a jazz singer, Ms. Pucci Amanda Jhones. Pucci Amanda Jhones has traveled the world but now calls Harlem, New York home. Her story of success is one you don’t want to miss #moveoutofyourway
Show Notes: https://www.elliman.com/real-estate-agent/sale/amanda-jhones/1501
Are you from Alaska? We need your help. Listen to find out why!
Anna Blue is the Co-Executive Director of Girl Up, a leadership
development organization that mobilizes and trains influential teen girl
leaders through community organizing, advocacy and global
networking, creating an powerful generation of changemakers.
Anna is an innovative leader in program and policy development, with
nearly two decades of experience implementing education and
activism-based programs. Prior to Girl Up, Anna managed fundraising
and communications campaigns for nonprofits, and served as a multi-
state organizer during the 2008 presidential election. A committed
advocate for global gender equality, Anna proudly serves on the board
of directors of Elizabeth Seton High School and Girls Health Ed.
Today I offer you a transformation in thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. My December 2014 self in comparison to my September 2018 self. The words flowed as easily today as they did back then…but with a much different perspective on the energy I choose to bring into the world.
I have made seemingly small, insignificant choices over the last 1,400 days that has brought me to a new place…one that is sustainable and deeply rooted. A place that is more comfortable and equally (if not more) productive and fulfilling. A place that still takes pride in a job well done or a smile across someone’s face…but does not require me to sacrifice my mind, body, and soul to achieve it…In fact, I am more me than I have ever been before.
I share this with you as a source of hope…that maybe you are not as trapped as you think you are…maybe with some journaling sessions, meaningful conversations with loved ones or bosses and a possible therapy session…small adjustments can begin to be made over time. Sure some chaos may ensue, but the dust will settle and everyone will adjust around your new normal. You deserve a life that you don’t NEED to take a vacation from!
Alicja Carter, MHR, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for over ten years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Coordinator/Coach for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Alicja is passionate about pursuing a well life and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.
This conversation with Shirin is one you do not want to miss. We talk about everything from her book and life to running an organization with her husband and how they balance success together.
Shirin Taber is an Iranian-American and the author of Muslims Next Door (Zondervan/Harper Collins). She was raised by an Iranian Muslim father and an American Christian mother, and has lived in the United States, Iran, Turkey and France. Today she directs two women’s media networks: Middle East Women’s Leadership Network and Empower Women Media. With a background in media, ministry, and cross-cultural training, Shirin assists multiple organizations in media-based initiatives. Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, New York Times.com, Fox News and Christianity Today have featured her work among Muslims and Christians alike. Today she serves with United Nations partners, NGOs and faith-based organizations. She helped produce the Magdalena film, which has been viewed by millions in the MENA region. Additionally, she partners with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation as a media strategist and producer. Together with the George Bush Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, she mentors women from the MENA region. With the United Nations Office for Genocide Prevention, Shirin produced films for the Plan of Action (to prevent religious based violence). She has a BA in Literature from the University of Washington and is completing a MA in Intercultural Studies from Columbia International University. She is fluent in English, French and Farsi. She is married to Clyde Taber (Visual Story Network, Director) and has three children.
Show Notes:
Interested in contacting Shirin?
In the research I did for my book, I interviewed my friend Teresa. One statement she made to me was that the best way to be an example to other women is to actually enjoy your success and allow others to see that you do so. For example, love your success, love your work and love your responsibility. There is no greater motivation than seeing others enjoy doing what we think we may want to do one day.
And now lets take her approach and suggestion to the world of politics. In the recent midterm election over 100 women were elected to Congress! And we say them celebrate and laugh and enjoy this all-time, historic high for women.
Women of all ages, races, and backgrounds decided that enough was enough, and that 19.3% of U.S. House of Representatives being female was not enough—so they ran for office to upset the good ole boy apple cart. They ran hard, and they ran well, and over a hundred of those brave and courageous women won seats at the table. #SpeakofLeanIn
Many of the wins were historic, and all of those wins will play an important role in the minds of young girls all across the United States for generations to come. Take, for example:
The list of historic wins for women goes on and on as the glass ceiling of Capitol Hill begins to crack a little bit more, and the future for young girls become a little brighter.
All of these historic wins for women are also historic wins for the young girls who dream of being President someday; historic wins for young women who wish to be #girlbosses; and historic wins for girls all around the world who want to be successful in the workforce, and not apologize for it.
When young girls see and hear stories of successful women, they see a picture of what could be—what they could be. They see new dreams within reach.
So, my successful friends, smile, laugh, love, and keep pursuing your version of success. Do so in a way that demonstrates how much you enjoy success in YOUR way, the #girlboss way. Ladies, don’t hide that you are respected, esteemed, and recognized for your success for young ladies are watching you. They are taking cues from how you handle your success. Women everywhere, young and old, are watching you and your success. Whether President of the United States, President of your company, or your home – you are a #girlboss and you love your role of leadership and success.
My girlfriends and I took a road trip to Kansas City over the Labor Day Weekend for some R&R and to spend time with my family. Late Saturday night, we were sprawled out on the bed and floor, talking, reading, and looking up new recipes. I had found a box of papers from my childhood and was curiously reconnecting with my younger self. I discovered various journal entries that expressed my love for pizza, sheet music and lyrics that warned of acid rain and global warming, and a remixed poem of people at a mall working together to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. My favorite was a letter than we were asked to write in the 4th grade (I think) to our parents regarding what they could expect when they attended parent-teacher conferences the next day.
So, what was my take away from all of this?
Sometimes, life feels very big to me. I can get overloaded with information and overwhelmed with decisions about who I am supposed to be or what I am supposed to do at any given moment. These readings reminded me that I have cared about certain things and operated in certain ways for my entire life. These are the characteristics that make me…me. Of course, I want to stay open-minded to how other people experience this life. However, I have the tendency to lose myself in the land of infinite possibilities (podcasts, Pinterest, social media, recommended readings, etc.) At the end of the day, I have to connect with and contend with the passions, quirks, ideas, expressions, obstacles, family systems, geographical settings, and culture that I embody. My experiences are no more important nor insignificant when compared to my fellow human.
As my friend Aja Owens proclaims so wholeheartedly, it is our right and responsibility on this earth to, “Rock What You Got!”
Take time this week to think about the characteristics that make you – you! u.
Write down 30 facts about yourself and see what surfaces.
Ask friends to describe you in one word. I wonder what sticks out to others that you are not giving yourself credit for. It is easy to dismiss the attributes that come most naturally because we don’t have to work for them. We have trouble recognizing our strengths because they come easy to us and we just assume they come easy to others as well…and therefore are not deserving of a pat on the back.
Wouldn’t it be wild if we took a month off of self-improvement and spent that time just noticing how freaking unbelievable we already are?!?
Ya’ll are amazing and are positive forces for good in this world. Even on your worst day, we all benefit from your presence.
Alicja Carter, MHR, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for over ten years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Coordinator/Coach for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Alicja is passionate about pursuing a well life and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.
