Archives for April 2015

#120| Home On The Range

April 30, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

California Conservation Corps Manager John Griffith (who is also a Swirler, by the way) loves nature and the environment.

Though a vacation to European cities is my personal preference, much can be said for trips allowing you to get “up close and personal” with nature.

In today’s photo, John’s on the job doing his thing and loving every minute.

Those animals you see in to background?

Elk.

If nature is your thing, I heartily encourage you to visit California and other states where animals are still “home on the range!”

John is one of the best dancers you’d ever want to meet. To check out his YouTube channel, click here.

To read more about John and listen to our podcast featuring him, click here and here.

The Swirl World Team is committed to sharing 365 days of inspiration in 2015. Our goal is to help you stay motivated and inspired by bringing you positive, uplifting images and corresponding thoughts.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Copyright ©2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo Copyright ©2015 John Griffith.

#119| Seize The Moments

April 29, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

With all the turmoil and unrest throughout the world, happiness is something you sometimes have to strive to attain – or maintain.

Whatever you do and no matter what happens, seize the moments – love, and be loved.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#118| No Matter How Slow You Go

April 28, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

So yesterday we talked about the importance of taking one step at a time when we want to reach our goals.

I recently got back in the gym and my desire is to get back into my regular workout routine.

Sure, I have to move some things around in my schedule to “make it work,” but I’m determined.

Hopefully you’re just as determined as I am to become more fit and healthy – whatever that means for you.

Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others who seem to have already reached the weight you want to be.

Take things one day at a time, and one step at a time. Over time, each positive step you take will bring you to your desired goal.

And are you worried that things are proceeding too slowly as it relates to your exercise and workout efforts?

Don’t be! Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

Not only that, take heart in this fact:

No matter how slow you go, you’re still beating everyone who’s sitting on the couch doing nothing!

For more tips and encouragement on weight loss and healthy eating habits, check out Erika Nicole Kendall’s weight loss blog, “A Black Girl’s Guide To Weight Loss,” where she shares everything she learned to go from a 330 lb couch potato to a certified personal trainer.

Want some vegetarian inspiration – recipes, how-to’s and great information? Check out my friend Michelle Minvielle’s blog over at ElleVeg.com!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

How To Swirl With Rock Stars

April 27, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Brenda Thompson is a “Seasoned Swirler” – she’s been Swirling like a Rock Star – and with Rock Stars since the early 70’s!

Friend and confidante to members of Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night, The Who and other rock bands, in this podcast episode Brenda shares some interesting stories – and important advice – for Black women who want to get out of their comfort zone and Swirl.

Brenda Thompson and an old friend, circa the 1970s.

Want to learn how to swirl with Rock Stars? Listen and learn . . . listen and learn.

If you can’t see the podcast player, click here for the direct download or here for the show’s permanent link.

You can also listen to this and other episodes on Sound Cloud.

If you can’t see the Sound Cloud player, click here. You can also head over to iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

A former university professor and public relations professional, Brenda is also an accomplished writer. Look for upcoming posts featuring her short stories.

To visit Brenda’s blog, click here.

The Shout Out! for this episode goes to Nancy Gathecha of the Live By Design – Inspiration Radio Podcast.

Nancy’s weekly show features inspiring stories and informative interviews with business strategists, lifestyle experts and thought leaders on various topics. Each show will leave you motivated and ready, to take action in the direction of the life and business of your dreams.

To listen to Nancy’s show, click here. Follow her on Twitter @NancyGathecha. Find Nancy on Facebook here.

Want to be a guest on the podcast, or know someone who should? Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com. Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio!

#117| One Step At A Time

April 27, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Confession:

I used to have a major problem with impatience.

Life seemed to move much too slowly, and at every turn the term “Hurry up and wait!” was the order of the day.

Thankfully I’ve grown and matured enough to recognize the value of allowing many things to take their natural course, recognizing that some of those things do get better with time.

Realizing goals is like that.

I learned that in order to attain what I wanted and get where I wanted to go, I had to be willing to put in the time – and in many instances, to wait.

I didn’t have to become impatient or worry. As long as I was consistent and “did the work,” I would achieve my goals.

So, take a deep breath, plan your work, and then work your plan.

There’s no limit to what we can achieve when we take things one step at a time.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#116| No Plans

April 26, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

“Sunday, for me, is all about being home with the family with no plans.”

~John Lasseter

Here’s to having no plans!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#115| The Golden Rule

April 25, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Girls play by the golden rule . . .

We won the gold! We Rule!

~Author Unknown

Let the little girls in your life know . . . we rule!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#114| The Best Revenge

April 24, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Boy, I tell you, a whole lot of shade (disparaging remarks or expressions, often made on the sly) gets directed at people who make a conscious decision to go against what some people have determined is “the grain,” particularly concerning relationships.

Those who strive to keep others in their self-imposed boxes go to great lengths to get their points across.

They create negative, stereotypical and generalizing memes, and videos, and what not, all with the intent to control other people’s behavior.

And you know what? The shade takes a number of other forms and isn’t limited to relationships.

When you share your ideas, dreams and goals, and a supposedly well-meaning friend, family member or coworker says,

“Oh, really? You want to do what?”

“You want to go where?

“You think that’s a good idea?”

And here’s the big one:

You???

The shade is epic, yet despite all the negativity, those of us who dare to make our own choices and decisions must continue to press forward.

The shade? The negativity? The doubts of others?

Honey, just shake it off, and live.

Because living well is the best revenge.

When you see the silly videos and the disparaging memes, and when you hear the negative comments, don’t fret.

Give them your best mysterious smile, and keep it moving.

You can smile, because you know where you’re headed and you know what you’re going to do:

Succeed.

Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”

― Mandy Hale

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#113| Capital City

April 23, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

So tell me, do you recognize that skyline?

Many of us can recognize the skylines of at least one capital city in the United States, but what about capital cities abroad?

Figured it out yet – or did you recognize it on the spot?

This is a photo of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.

Surprised?

Businessman and philanthropist Kenneth Young is a member of Swirl Nation who describes himself as someone with “Irish blood and a Scottish heart.”

He not only expresses his love for Black women, but also for Nairobi and the Kenyan people.

To learn more about Kenny’s philanthropic efforts in Kenya (and hear about his love for Black women!) click here.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#112| You Rock!

April 22, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Whether your administrative job is your side gig or your main gig, whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or enjoying yourself right where you are, if you’re making it work – YOU ROCK!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Need some Inspiration and Motivation for the Perspiration associated with being a Woman Entrepreneur? Check out the Her Power Hustle website by clicking here!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Archives for April 2015

#120| Home On The Range

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#119| Seize The Moments

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#118| No Matter How Slow You Go

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How To Swirl With Rock Stars

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#117| One Step At A Time

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#116| No Plans

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#115| The Golden Rule

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#114| The Best Revenge

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#113| Capital City

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#112| You Rock!

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Archives for April 2015

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