Inspiration Daily 2015 Archives - Page 18 of 35

#188| Just Have Fun

July 7, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”

~Michael Jordan

Who needs to be told twice to just have fun??!!

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 property of The Swirl World™.

A Conversation With Demita Usher – Part 1

July 6, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Demita Usher, aka “Brown Betty,” was a champion of Black women’s causes.

Demita and I recorded a podcast on May 10 in anticipation of the website launch of her business centering on providing teaching and training on etiquette and manners.

Sadly, she passed away the morning of June 14.

It was with utter astonishment and dismay that I returned from church that Sunday morning to the incredible news.

My understanding is that the doctors discovered a blood clot on her lungs and she experienced heart failure.

Demita was only 42.

Ready To Launch

I’d enjoyed a lively phone conversation with Demita on May 10 – we recorded a podcast concerning her business and upcoming website launch.

A week or so prior to her death, she had officially launched her new website. Many of her friends in the interracial blogging space, in addition to others, gathered on her page to offer congratulations and virtual high-fives.

Demita and I conversed via inbox and made plans concerning the timing of posting the podcast episode, featuring her on The Swirl World Facebook page, in a blog post and in our Inspiration Daily email blast.

We made those plans, had a conversation for the podcast – and yet a month later Demita slipped from time into eternity.

I’m Sad – Yet Happy

My heart is heavy, and my prayers and condolences go out to Demita’s family. Her death was sudden and totally unexpected, and her family and close friends are left with the task of trying to make sense of the tragedy and contend with their grief.

My life has been touched by so many people in the interracial blogging, Facebook, Twitter and podcasting spaces. I am continually inspired, encouraged, challenged and motivated to live my best life and help others to do the same.

Demita was passionate about Black women living well, being respected and treated with dignity. In a previous podcast we discussed the power of Black women’s images, both negative and positive.

Demita was an author, entrepreneur and champion of Black women’s causes. She shared inspirational and thought-provoking posts on her Facebook page and wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

I am blessed beyond measure that our paths have crossed and I know my life is the better because of it.

We love you, Demita, and we’re grateful that your legacy shines on.

This is Part 1 of my conversation; Part 2 will follow.

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.

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!

#187| No Regrets

July 6, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

This weekend I uploaded Part 1 of my conversation with Demita Usher, aka “Brown Betty.”

She suddenly passed away on June 14 at the age of 42.

Demita’s death really shook up many of us in the interracial blogging space.

She was passionate and vibrant, and believed in living life to the fullest.

With everything happening in the world, I’ve deepened my resolve to do the same.

I intend to live my life with no excuses, which for me, guarantees that I will enjoy a life with no regrets.

I pray you’re doing the same.

You can listen to Part 1 of my final conversation with Demita on Sound Cloud, iTunes, Stitcher Radio or PlayerFM. Part 2 will be posted Wednesday.

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.

#186| Become The Moment

July 5, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Don’t just “live in the moment” – become the moment!

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.

#185| Celebrating Freedom

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

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.

~Albert Camus

Today we are celebrating freedom, because it’s a chance to be better – and to do better.

Happy 4^th of July, America.

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.

#184| Time Is Power

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

I’m sure we’ve all heard “time is money,” but did you also know “time is power?”

Time is power because when we use and leverage it properly, we’re able to maximize our efforts and get things done.

Here in the United States many of us will enjoy a 3-4 day 4^th of July holiday weekend.

How do you plan to spend your time?

Of course you want to relax, kick back and enjoy your family and friends.

(I plan to get in some good sleep!)

Even with the increase in leisure time, I fully intend to work on some projects this weekend.

Why?

Because time is power, and I don’t want to carelessly waste mine.

What about you?

Want to learn how to find 20+ hours a week to work on your goals? Rosetta Thurman of the Happy Black Woman website and blog shares some excellent tips.

I tried the tips – and they work!

To view Rosetta’s video and read the post, click here. To join the Happy Black Woman Facebook Community, 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.

#183| Here’s Some Destination Inspiration

July 2, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

It’s Travel Thursday! Time for some destination inspiration.

Today’s photo came from the celebrations for St. Devota, patron saint of Monaco that took place on January 26-27, 2015.

The Visit Monaco website provides the following information about the tradition behind the celebrations:

“According to legend, Devota (Dévote in French) a young Christian woman and native of Corsica, was martyred by the Prefect Barbarus under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian at a date that we can estimate at between 303 or 304 AD.

During the night, her body was stolen by believers, put in a boat and transported to Monaco, where it was buried in a chapel in a valley known as the “Gaumates,” near the port, on 27 January of the same year.

Under Honoré II, in the 17^thcentury, Saint Devota became patron saint of Monaco.

The tradition has been perpetuated each year since 1874 – a boat is burned on a pyre in the presence of the Sovereign and the Princely Family, accompanied by Monegasque dignitaries.

Once the boat has been burned, fireworks are let off on Port Hercule.

On January 27, the Feast Day, a Mass is celebrated in the Cathedral by the Archbishop of the Diocese, in the presence of the Prince’s Government and numerous elected representatives. The ceremony is followed by a procession, in which the penitents of the Brotherhood of Mercy take part.”

I’ve been to Monaco, and it’s fabulous!

To find out more about St. Devota and these special celebrations, visit StDevoteMonaco.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.

#182| Halfway There!

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

Today is July 1, which means half of 2015 is behind us.

So, where are you on this year’s goals? Ahead of the game – or behind?

Effective “time management” is an aspect of life I would love to master.

Today’s quote from John Maxwell provides a different – and quite helpful – perspective. Instead of focusing on time management, I need to switch gears and focus on priority management.

Places goal setting and accomplishment in a different light, does it not?

If you’re not where you want to be on your goals, don’t despair.

We’re only halfway there – we have six more months to go!

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.

#181| Discomfort Is Good!

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

“Discomfort is always a necessary part of enlightenment.”

―Pearl Cleage

That statement resonates with me and I wholeheartedly embrace it as truth.

Getting out of one’s comfort zone and experiencing discomfort is beneficial, because it stretches you and makes you grow.

Discomfort also causes us to reflect, look within, and come face to face with areas in our lives we need to change.

We can’t do or be better than we know to do or be – and that’s why enlightenment is so important.

Discomfort? Discomfort is good!

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.

#180| You’ve Got To Know When To Hold ‘Em

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

Most of us have heard (and even know the lyrics to) the song “The Gambler” recorded by Kenny Rogers. Written by Don Schlitz, the most famous line from the song says,

You’ve got to know when to hold ’em

Know when to fold ’em

Know when to walk away

And know when to run.

I believe these lines speak to just about any meaningful area of life, and relationships in particular.

When a relationship no longer serves us, it’s time to fold ’em. It’s important to be honest, and have the courage to walk away when we know it’s time.

Conversely, we have to know when to know when to hold ’em

No, it doesn’t mean everything in your relationship will go right all the time.

What it does mean is you recognize when a relationship works, it’s worth fighting for and holding on to.

Today’s featured couple, Harrieta and Rob, have been in hold ’em mode for a decade – they just celebrated their 10^th wedding anniversary. 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.

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#188| Just Have Fun

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