BW/WM Archives - Page 9 of 23

#253| It’s Better To Stay At Home

September 10, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 5 Comments

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home. –James Michener

I love to travel.

If you say, “Let’s g—,” I’m saying, “When?!” before you even get the sentence out of your mouth.

Though I’m big on advocating the advantages of traveling, even I can think of a time when it’s better to stay at home.

I agree with James Michener – if you’re going to go somewhere and reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.

In other words, if you’re going to be negative, fearful, critical and insensitive, keep all of that to yourself and Just. Stay. At. Home.

And you know what? Michener’s sentiment holds true if you hold those kinds of feelings concerning people of a different ethnicity or culture than you.

We live in a global society, which means we’re all interconnected – whether we like it or not.

I love living in a global society – how about you?

Today’s photo features the Smiths on vacation in Stockholm, Sweden.

Join in the Fray: How do you feel about living in a global society?

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.

Mental Illness Did NOT Stop Me!

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

In this podcast episode, New York-based Actor Mia Raye Smith dishes about acting career. She also discusses how she overcame personal challenges with mental health issues.

Guess what??

Mia is about to debut the World Premiere of her 1-woman show!

From the Broadway World website:

Mia’s solo show, I Am Hope, will have its World Premiere at the United Solo Theatre Festival on September 23rd. The play was developed in Matt Hovermen’s Go-Solo Workshop.

A shorter version of the play was produced at Emerging Artists New Work Series in the Fall of 2014. The production is directed by Mary Catherine Donnelly whose recent directing credits include Jay-Z & Me (Edinburgh Fringe, Amsterdam Fringe, 59E59).

Mia can be anybody she wants to be without a drink in her hand. Her soul is as old as Detroit’s Motown records. Mia was revving up to travel the world, until it became the size of her studio apartment. Can she overcome her biggest fear that grandpa can’t help her shake?

Get To The Show

Performances take place at Theatre Row/Studio Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues), New York, NY 10036.

Subways: A/C/E to 42nd Street.

Tickets are $19.25 and are available at the Theatre Row box office, or at 212-239-6200 – www.unitedsolo.org/us/iamhope-2015

Show Date:

Wednesday, September 23rd @ 3:30 pm

Running time: 60 minutes

Mia is funny and vibrant, and Adrienne and me enjoyed her so much! I also “got in Mia’s business” to get the details on her Swirl relationship.

Woot!

If you can’t see the podcast player, click here or here.

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.

To visit and “Like” Mia’s Facebook page, click here.

Follow Mia on Twitter @MiaRayeSmith

Shout Out!

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!

#249| So Happy Together

September 6, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 14 Comments

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, you can still be happy.

Be happy with you.

You and someone else . . . or you and you.

So happy together . . . . .

Join in the Fray: Can you truthfully say you enjoy your own company? Why or why not?

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.

Lyrics to “So Happy Together,” written by Alan Gordon, Allan Gordon, and Garry Bonner. Copyright: Alley Music Corp., Trio Music Company.

#247| What Else Do You Need?

September 4, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Hmmm . . . I believe Einstein was onto something.

Now, feel free to substitute the words table, chair, fruit and violin for the things that make you happy and bring you joy.

For me, the table would be exchanged for a book and the fruit for some chocolate or ice cream, yet for the most part Einstein is pretty spot on.

For our featured couple, Daniel and Niki Jarzynika, it looks like a beautiful natural setting and each other’s company is the ticket.

How about you?

Join in the Fray: With the exception of the basics of life (food, clothing and shelter), what else do you need?

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.

#246| A Fantastic Find

September 3, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

When we think of a “fantastic find,” a fabulous pair of shoes or a gorgeous dress we found on a shopping expedition may come to mind.

A bibliophile thinks of a good book; a music fan covets an album or cd; a foodie drools over the perfect restaurant.

Whatever floats your boat, on this Travel Thursday we want you to consider Ed O’Brien’s assertion that it’s fantastic to be found in a foreign country – not only for the sake of travel, but also for the sake of helping others.

Today’s featured couple, Alida Wright Sharp and her husband Tom, formerly lived in Russia with their two sons. Alida and Tom now live in Belize as missionaries and volunteers for CDF Belize, an organization focused on assisting sexually exploited women and children.

To learn more about Alida and Tom’s life in Belize, click here.

Join in the Fray: What foreign country would you love to be found in?

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.

#242| Family Is Everything

August 30, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 11 Comments

Whether by blood or by affinity, family is everything.

We trust you will have the opportunity to spend quality time with your family this weekend.

And for those family members living in other places, thank goodness for Skype, Face Time, Google Hangouts – and good ole telephones!

Join in the Fray: Which family member or friend will you spend time with (or contact) this weekend?

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.

#241| Make It Amazing!

August 29, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 7 Comments

I’m ready for the weekend – how about you?

Whatever you do today, enjoy.

Make it amazing!

Join in the Fray: What constitutes “an amazing day” for you?

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.

#240| This Is How We Do It

August 28, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 7 Comments

“How do you guys do it?”

Those of us who date and marry interracially often hear this question.

Many people wonder how individuals of different ethnicities and cultures meet, become attracted to each other, date, marry and have children.

(or some variation of the above)

Some people believe interracial relationships are complicated, dangerous, not worth the time or trouble, undesirable ____________________.

(fill in the blank)

For those of us who are undeterred by the seeming negatives, this is how we do it:

We simply view interracial relationships as an opportunity to expand our dating and marriage options.

We discover the similarities and common ground – the shared values and worldviews.

As we grow in our mutual discoveries, we include another key component:

We respect each others’ differences.

And in the grand scheme of things, isn’t that what we have to do to build a relationship with anyone?

Yeah, it really is that simple.

Join in the Fray: Interracial relationships: How do you “do it?”

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.

You Give Good Music!

August 26, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

I tell you, Swirl Nation is filled to the brim with cute with wonderful people – singles and couples alike.

Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and her musician husband Ben are no exception.

They share life, songs and their love for making good music!

Wanna hear Tenia sing? Feast your eyes on this:

https://youtu.be/NIvd-Fj7zn0

You can find a number of videos on Teneia’s YouTube channel, Teneia Music, by clicking here.

In this podcast episode, Tenia and Ben reveal their favorite videos.

(Mine is Rest of My Life, which features a stunning array of interracial couples!)

Teneia and Ben share how they met and fell in love. They each provide their own personal words of wisdom for men and women interested in dating and marrying interracially.

Enjoy!

If you can’t see the podcast player, click here or here.

If you can’t see the Sound Cloud player, click here.

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.

Visit Teneia’s website by clicking here. To “Like” Teneia’s Facebook page, click here. Follow Teneia on Twitter @Teneiamusic.

The Shout Out! for this episode goes to Natalie Loo of BaggageReclaim.com.

Natalie is the author of Mr. Unavailable and the Fallback Girl, and offers tried-and-true courses on building self-esteem and getting rid of the emotional baggage (and toxic people) in your life.

Be sure to check her out!

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 Natalie Loo obtained from BaggageReclaim.com. Black and white Photo of Tenia and Ben Copyright © Thabi Moyo.

#238| Sing A Song

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

Ella Fitzgerald, iconic jazz singer extraordinaire and known as “The First Lady of Song,” once said, The only thing better than singing is more singing.

I couldn’t agree more!

Even if you can’t carry a tune and won’t sing for anyone or anything other than the soap in your shower, singing is great because doing so makes you feel good.

(I can carry a tune, but I can’t sing).

Don’t feel like singing?

I’m reminded of this line from a classic song written by Al McKay and Maurice White and sung by Earth, Wind & Fire:

When you feel down and out, sing a song

It’ll make your day, yeah, yeah.

If you want to hear some great singing, check out today’s podcast episode featuring Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and her guitarist husband Ben Eichelberger.

That girl can sang!

Join in the Fray: What’s your favorite song?

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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#253| It’s Better To Stay At Home

Today’s photo features the Smiths on vacation in Stockholm, Sweden.

Like this:

Mental Illness Did NOT Stop Me!

Get To The Show

Shout Out!

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#249| So Happy Together

Lyrics to “So Happy Together,” written by Alan Gordon, Allan Gordon, and Garry Bonner. Copyright: Alley Music Corp., Trio Music Company.

Like this:

#247| What Else Do You Need?

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#246| A Fantastic Find

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#242| Family Is Everything

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#241| Make It Amazing!

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#240| This Is How We Do It

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You Give Good Music!

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#238| Sing A Song

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Today’s photo features the Smiths on vacation in Stockholm, Sweden.

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