Black Girls Archives - Page 3 of 5

#221| Kiss Of Life

August 9, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Vedad and Keisha Vlahovljak have been married for six years and are expecting their little girl any day now.

The “kiss of life” is so sublime!

All the best to Vedad, Keisha and their soon-to-arrive bundle of joy.

“You gave me the kiss of life

Kiss of Life

You gave me the kiss that’s like

The kiss of life.”

From the lyrics to Kiss of Life, sung by Sade. Writers: Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, Peter Gabriel, Helen Adu, Paul Denman. Copyright: Real World Music Ltd., Angel Music Ltd.

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.

#207| Eyes Wide Open

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

Let’s teach our children to dream with their eyes wide open – and let us do the same!

Little Miss Chloe is a member of the same church I attend. Doesn’t she have the most gorgeous eyes??

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.

This Is My Confession: I Got In My Feelings

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

So yesterday, I got in my feelings – but not because of a guy.

(I mean, who gets in their feelings over a man, right???)

*_*

So, I did a Periscope yesterday, and I don’t mind admitting: I got in my feelings.

What’s Periscope, you ask?

Periscope is a new social media platform Twitter launched in March. ‘Scopers stream their broadcasts in real time and viewers can log on to watch via the web, Twitter notifications, or by using iOS and Android-based app on smart phones and tablets.

Just imagine Twitter and YouTube having a baby – and you have Periscope.

To learn more about this new platform, click here to check out this comprehensive, yet easy-to-read article written by Systems Expert Alaia Williams.

Anyway, got in my feelings yesterday.

Watch the replay, and I believe you’ll understand why.

Periscope video from July 23, 2015.

I’m on Periscope @ASwirlGirl. Feel free to follow me, and if you jump on one of my Scopes, be sure to holla at me in the comments. I’d love to follow you back!

#193| Your Sunday Best

July 12, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Do not let Sunday be taken from you.

If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan.

~Albert Schweitzer

Whatever you do to today, whether it’s going to church, relaxing with the Sunday paper or heading out to brunch, make sure to give it your Sunday best!

Today’s post features Little Miss Rylee Jones, who sits near me at church. She’s a beautiful little girl, and I’m privileged to interact with her and watch her grow up!

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.

#174| Determined To Be The Change

June 23, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

I strive to be a person who lights a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Seeing “the darkness” is easy – it’s all around us.

Thankfully, many of us strive to be forces of change in this dark world.

The desire to see – no, to effect – positive change is strong within us.

Yes, we get angry, and sometimes we even get discouraged.

Nevertheless, we continue to move forward, and we keep pushing.

We expect to see change, so we’re determined to be the change we want to see.

And you know what? We won’t stop until we see changes.

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.

#159| Self-Motivation

June 8, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

How do you start your day?

Do you begin with prayer or meditation? Read excerpts from an inspirational book?

Do you immediate head to the gym and “get your exercise on?” Drink some coffee, tea or a cold beverage?

Do you have to have breakfast – or are you inclined to skip it?

So, after you get your day started, how do you keep going?

Do you view your upcoming week with dread – or anticipation?

If your goal is to maintain your drive and even build your momentum, self-motivation is imperative.

Motivation is what gets you started – Habit is what keeps you going.

Keep going!

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.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

I’m A White Man – Raising A Black Daughter

June 1, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Rod, a White man married to a Black woman and living in Birmingham, AL, was a recent guest on the podcast in an episode entitled “Swirling, Southern Style.”

Today, Rod returns to the show with his wife Stephanie.

Stephanie discusses how much time she took to introduce Rod to her 12-year-old daughter (who has a Black father). She also shares the steps she took to ensure she was making the right relationship moves for her and her daughter.

Rod shares his thoughts on the process, and tells what it’s like to raise a Black daughter.

This powerful, enlightening conversation is a “must listen” for any Black woman with children desiring to date and marry interracially – and for any White man who wants to date and marry a Black woman who has children.

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 and listen to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or PlayerFM.

The shout out for this episode goes to Shimeka Williams of the Design The Life You Want Podcast.

Shimeka equips you with the tools to Design The Life You Want and escape cubicle captivity.

Download her Escape Plan by clicking here.

To listen to the podcast or learn more about the show, click here.

Follow Shimeka on Twitter @Shimekism.

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. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

Copyright © 2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo of interracial couple property of The Swirl World™. Photo of Shimeka Williams obtained from Twitter.

#143| Sisters From Another Mother

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

“One thing is clear to me: We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.”

~Barbara Jordan

We’ve been featuring UT-Austin 2015 graduate Valencia Campbell all weekend.

From a recent Facebook post Valencia wrote:

“When I came to college, I asked God for sisters. I’ve got two amazing big brothers, but no sisters. Because He’s that awesome, He gave me these @alli_stinnett & @blackswan______ . It’s so great to be connected to such amazing people who accept you for who you are and only make you better. I hope they’ve adjusted to me, because I love them too much to go anywhere! Lol”

With all the negative talk surrounding women – and Black women in particular – and our supposed inability to get along, we’re always grateful to see examples of “sisters from another mother” who defy the odds.

They love and appreciate each other. They’re not too proud to admit how much they need and rely on one another.

In essence, they tear down stereotypes, not each other!

These three young women met as freshmen at UT-Austin and became best friends. Each with their own individual stories, they accepted each others differences and leveraged what they had in common.

They saw one another through tough times, providing inspiration and encouragement whenever needed.

They gave each other tough love.

Through it all, they reached their goal. Yesterday, these young women graduated with Bachelor degrees.

Woot!

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.

#143| Get The Work Done!

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

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”

~Maya Angelou

Graduates, get out there and get the work done – the work of living and loving life!

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.

#141| What Are You Saying?

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

Our words are forerunners of the events in the future. Those that say they can, can. Those that say they can´t, can’t. ~Charles Capps

Today’s post features Valencia Campbell, a young lady I’ve watched grow up since she was a little girl.

Valencia’s father, Valentine Campbell, passed away suddenly when she was barely 12 years old.

Ten years later, Saturday, May 23, at age 22 she graduates with full honors from the University of Texas-Austin (and as the Black Valedictorian of the School of Social Works).

And that’s not all.

This is Valencia’s Facebook post from April 13:

“Sooooo…this came in the mail today, & while I already knew what it said, I still almost cried. I’ve been talking about law school since high school (at least), & now I’m finally in. Me? The girl who lost her dad @ 12? The one who watched other people say the same things she did & fail? The one who wondered if she could really make this happen? The one who had to fight & struggle to be the person everybody sees today? Me…admitted into LAW SCHOOL?!!! SMU LAW SCHOOL?!! AND I got a Dean’s scholarship?!!! WHAT?!!! This has been one of the best seasons of my life thus far, & I’m forever grateful to God that He helped me make it through that story and into this glory (dahhhhh!!! lol)…‪#‎mamaImadeit ‪#‎justgotreal ‪#‎lawschool”

Despite the multitude obstacles Valencia and her mother Linda faced after Valentine’s death, both women kept saying “I can. We can. We will – and we are.”

What are you saying in reference to your goals?

Are you saying, “I can” – or are you expending energy (and wasting words) talking about all the ~~excuses~~ reasons why you can’t?

In another post, Valencia says,

Do you see this face? This is the face of somebody that’s happy. This is the face of somebody that’s been blessed beyond her imagination (and is only 22). THIS is the face of somebody who JUST GOT INTO SMU LAW SCHOOL!!!! Thank you Jesus!! I’m so excited! One step closer to my dreams!! #mamaImadeit #allthingsworking #shessmart #lawschool #imcominghome

This weekend we celebrate Valencia and all 2015 college graduates, both on our Facebook page and here on the blog.

Congratulations!

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.

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#221| Kiss Of Life

From the lyrics to Kiss of Life, sung by Sade. Writers: Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, Peter Gabriel, Helen Adu, Paul Denman. Copyright: Real World Music Ltd., Angel Music Ltd.

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#207| Eyes Wide Open

Like this:

This Is My Confession: I Got In My Feelings

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#193| Your Sunday Best

Like this:

#159| Self-Motivation

Like this:

I’m A White Man – Raising A Black Daughter

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#143| Sisters From Another Mother

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#143| Get The Work Done!

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#141| What Are You Saying?

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From the lyrics to Kiss of Life, sung by Sade. Writers: Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, Peter Gabriel, Helen Adu, Paul Denman. Copyright: Real World Music Ltd., Angel Music Ltd.

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