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The Swirl World

Celebrating and Elevating Black Women - mind, body, soul and spirit!


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How To Manage Your Mind After Divorce

September 7, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Wilma Jones-16

Author, Speaker and Award-winning Blogger Wilma Jones was a featured guest in Season 1 of our podcast.

Wilma is the Founder/Publisher of the Living Happier After blog and Founder/Leader of the Living Happier After Facebook Community.

She is also a speaker and author of the book, Living Happier After: 20 Women Talk About Life After Divorce. Her goal is motivating and empowering women to live better, not bitter, after divorce.

In this podcast episode, Wilma candidly shares how to manage your mind after going through a divorce.

We appreciate her transparency and believe you’ll benefit from the practical tips she provides.

Wilma also dishes about her newest venture – her new podcast.

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 listen to our previous episode with Wilma, click here.

To check out Wilma’s Facebook community, click here. Subscribe to her blog and visit her website by clicking here. You can find Wilma on Twitter at @LivingHappierAf.

In addition to her wonderful book, her FREE e-book – A Short Discourse To A Kick-ass Life is a great read!

 

The Shout Out! for this podcast episode goes to Siedah Mitchum of The Freedom Biz Podcast.

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Here’s what Siedah says about The Freedom Biz Community:

Siedah Mitchum“The Freedom Biz™ is a community of soulful heart-centered creative entrepreneurs. Those who listen into The Freedom Biz™ Podcast are in transition and are on a mission to create a biz and life they desire on their terms!”

The Freedom Biz™ Podcast shares the stories of brave women entrepreneurs who’ve ditched their 9 to 5 job for freedom.

Tune in for new episodes every Tuesday morning!

To follow Siedah on Twitter, click here. To visit or join The Freedom Biz Facebook Community, click 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. 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 Siedah Mitchum used with permission.

 

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Filed Under: Black Women Living Well, Business & Entrepreneurship, Natural Hair, Podcast, Special Guests, Uncategorized Tagged With: affirmations, Black women, bouncing back, confidence, divorce, encouragement, life, living well, moving forward, podcast

There IS Life After Divorce

July 17, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

60195_354774127946947_1480382695_nDivorced – or in the process of getting a divorce? Do you have a friend or relative who is facing divorce?

Well, there is LIFE after divorce!

I had the wonderful opportunity to converse with Wilma Jones, Founder/Publisher of the Living Happier After blog and Founder/Leader of the Living Happier After Facebook Community.

Jones is a speaker and author of the book, Living Happier After: 20 Women Talk About Life After Divorce. Her goal is motivating and empowering women to live better, not bitter, after divorce.

photo

The conversation treads into some deep waters – covering the themes of affairs, deceit, betrayal, change, forgiveness, healing, self care, moving forward and truly living happily after.

I’ve never been divorced, yet I have suffered the effects of a broken relationship. Wilma’s tips, pointers and insight is just as applicable to “break up” situations. Listen, learn and be inspired!

You can listen to the show on Sound Cloud:

To check out Wilma’s Facebook community, click here. Subscribe to her blog and visit her website by clicking here. You can find Wilma on Twitter at @LivingHappierAf.

In addition to her wonderful book, her FREE ebook – A Short Discourse To A Kick-ass Life is a great read!

————————

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 or listen to the show on Stitcher Radio!

Copyright © 2014  Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™,  All rights reserved. Post contains affiliate links. 

 

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Filed Under: Podcast, Uncategorized Tagged With: betrayal, Black women, Black. White, dating, deceit, divorce, divorced, focus, interracial, interracial dating, interracial marriage, interracial relationships, interracial romance, Living Happier After, refocus, swirl, swirling, unhappiness, Wilma Jones

How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? The Love Story Of Brad And Jamaica Miller – Part 2

April 23, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Jamaica and Brad Miller_Civilian clothesLast week we gave you Part 1 of the story of Brad and Jamaica Miller, an interracial couple who shared their photos with The Swirl World Facebook page.

We enjoy sharing beautiful photos of couples, yet we’re always aware there is a story behind the photo – what were the circumstances bringing this couple get together? Where did they meet? How did they manage to fall in love?

One thing about life and love: Sometimes it doesn’t come wrapped in a pretty package, all neatly tied with a bow.

Sometimes life is convoluted and conflicting, yet somehow it all seems to work out in the end.

Try to remain judgment free.

Jamaica continues: 

Who was on the line? My now-husband Brad trying get his Mack on!

He’d seen me at the mall and gotten my number from one of my friends. He proceeded to say, “Hey, didn’t I just see you at the mall?”

Not knowing who the man was, I replied, “No, I’m sure of it. There’s no way.”

He says, “Are you sure?”

When I said yes, he said, “You must have a twin as beautiful as you – she walked right past me in the mall!”

He sent me a friend request on Facebook and was honest about the fact that he was interested in me but my guard was up wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy high from all the hurt and pain I’d been through. I knew he was interested in more, but I told him that I was going through a divorce and could not move forward with anyone until and unless it was final.

Of course in the back of my head I wished I was completely free but I detached myself from Brad and told him we could never be anything more. Right after that, Brad was deployed to Korea.

During the midst of it all I prayed to God and asked, what is this??? Here’s this man who seems really nice and could be all a girl could ever want for a man and husband.

I said this can’t be your work because I’m still married and I know you forbid this behavior. I was seeing all of what Brad was and I prayed that my husband could be that type of man too.

So, even though I was confused as ever, I became even more determined to try to work things out with my husband. 

Three months pass by, and then I looked up and a more than a year had passed. In that time my marriage hadn’t gotten any better and my husband was still just going from woman to woman. I was still one foot out the door seeing no nope.

Orders come up that my husband is getting stationed back in Kentucky. I was sad to leave my church home, friends and my sisters. I wanted to stay right there, which I could have done, but my heart I believed God was saying, “Go; just trust me.”

It was then early December 2012, and we were back on the road to Kentucky. We stopped off to visit family in South Carolina.

On December 25 I was in bed crying about how unhappy I was. All I wanted was for my husband to love me – this was the story of my life. It was Christmas and all he had done was leave me behind at the house – again.

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. Someone rushed in to tell us my husband had been in a car accident. My heart was racing with mixed feelings – Lord . . . ?

We get to the scene and it was a sight to see: I had been crying about my husband leaving me at home, but if he’d taken me with him, that would’ve been me in the passenger seat – lifeless.

His best friend died on impact. My husband, who was driving, had broken ribs and head trauma. His cousin, who was in the back seat on the right side, had his face cut open.

We were now stuck in South Carolina and traveling back and forth to Fort Jackson. I’m praying, Lord why??? What are you telling me??? All I could hear was “Just trust me.” I instantly thought, ‘Till death do us part,’ and soldiered on.

I nursed my husband back to health, listening to his many cries to the doctors of “Where’s my wife? I need her here!” He was in ICU and the times were limited when I could visit.

One trying month passed. I thought the accident was a sign to keep working at my marriage, but nope. As soon as the doctor cleared him to take it slow and get back to living, he left me at his Mom’s house and took a flight back to Colorado to be with another woman – three days before my 26th birthday.

The texts and lies continued until finally a video of him in the act confirmed it all. I said, “Lord you told me to trust in you, but this can’t be it right?

March came and I couldn’t wait to get home to family. My sisters could tell something was wrong. They know Kentucky isn’t home for me. Even so, I kept saying I was fine.

April came and my husband was seeing yet another woman. I called my sisters in Christ and let them know nothing had changed; they reminded me of the Lord’s vision of marriage. I got what was to be my last phone call from one of my husband’s women and told that woman, “You can have him.” I filed for divorce again, and this time I meant it. 

Stay tuned for the final installment in Part 3.

 

Join In The Fray: Have you ever stayed too long in a dead-end relationship? What finally made you call it quits?

 Want to be profiled here on the blog and on our Facebook page? Contact us via inbox on Facebook or send an email to Profiles@TheSwirlWorld.com. 

Copyright © 2013 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, All rights reserved. Photos used with permission.

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Filed Under: BW/WM, OPEL, Series, Special, Uncategorized Tagged With: abuse, accident, affairs, Birthday, Black women, Black. White, car accident, Christ, Christmas, Colorado, December 25, deployed, deployment, divorce, Facebook, fatal, fatality, God, husband, interracial, interracial dating, interracial marriage, interracial relationships, interracial romance, Jamaica, Kentucky, mall, Marriage, pray, prayed, praying, sisters, South Carolina, swirl, swirling, wife

Will You Be Their Valentine? Meet Brandon And Brooklynn!

February 14, 2014 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 13 Comments

Here in The Swirl World we’ve been fortunate to have a number of men reach out to us. We receive nice emails and in boxes on our Facebook page from “Rainbeaus” and “Other Brothers” who kindly share their appreciation for our page and for lovely Black Women.

Navy man Brandon Welch, a divorced Dad who’s raising his little girl, is one of those gentlemen.

The Back Story

We first heard from Brandon in November 2012 when he shared a photo of him and his little daughter Brooklynn.

Brandon and Brooklynn 1

Now, Brooklynn is the bees-knees and puts the “A” in ADORABLE and the “C” in CUTENESS, and needless to say everyone fell in love with her at first sight.

(Her Dad is pretty gorgeous too, we might add. Just sayin’.)

Pictures of Brandon and Brooklynn quickly went viral on our Facebook page and other Swirl pages, and they became recurring favorites.

Brandon and Brooklynn 2

We’re so happy that Brandon, who gets deployed from time to time, checks in with us when he’s in port.

He’s extremely patient and very kindly answers our numerous questions.

He’s also a good sport, because he agreed to let us profile him on the blog and on our Facebook page – just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Some Info On Brandon:

Age: 24

Height: 6’1”

Military Branch: Navy

Marital status: Divorced

Brooklynn’s age: 2

Brandon’s parents take care of Brooklynn when he is away.

November 2013 Update

When we heard back from him in late November 2013, he said,

“I have been busy for the most part. We went on deployment a couple of months ago and I’m still not home as of yet. I’m still single and live in Florida. Brooklynn (my daughter) is two now and has been getting spoiled by her grandparents since I have been gone. Not too much has changed for me besides seeing the other side of the world, but it was definitely one for the books. Hope all is well!”

Brandon sent us these photographs of his return and reunion with his daughter. They rank as some of the most popular we’ve ever shared!

Brandon and Brooklynn 5

Oh, The Cuteness and The Sweetness!

Brandon and Brooklynn 6

January 2014 Update 

In January we asked Brandon to give us an update. He said:

“My past year has been full of ups and downs. Getting adjusted to raising my daughter with the help of my parents was something I had to get used to. Brooklynn stayed with them while I was on deployment, and I knew she would be taken care of without worry.

In 2014 I’m planning on spending mostly with Brooklynn since most of 2013 was spent with me being away. I missed seeing her personality and mind develop while I was gone. She’s very opinionated and working on becoming independent even though I tell her she’s not allowed to grow up anymore. Lol!”

Movie Night with Brandon & Brooklynn

Movie Night with Brandon & Brooklynn

Valentine’s Day Update

I’m still single. I would like to date; I’ve always wanted a family . . . .

So this year I definitely want to keep my daughter close and possibly find someone to start a relationship with. Brooklynn is my heart and the only thing I am scared of in this world is something happening to her. She’s my angel . . . .”

Stop The Presses!

Ladies, not only is Brandon single – he’s ready to start dating!

Brandon and Brooklynn 8

Woot Woot!

Of course, you have to know that we stepped up and told Brandon that we’d be happy to help him with his search because, well, we’re just good like that.

Cough, cough.

And of course, you have to know that we’re going to be his big sisters and try to screen the women who show an interest because, well, we’re just super protective like that.

Just sayin’.

We’re excited at the prospect of Brandon finding love and we’re going to do whatever we can to assist him in any way.

Which leads us to . . . .

A Big Announcement!

Remember we told you that we were going to start pod-casting? Well, Brandon has agreed to join us on the podcast!

He’ll be giving us updates on Brooklynn raising him raising Brooklynn, military life and life as a Swirler who is trying to find love.

Woot to the woot, woot, WOOT!

We haven’t hammered out all the details and logistics, so stay tuned.

If you haven’t subscribed to the blog, make sure you do so you don’t miss any updates or announcements concerning the start of the podcast.

*Whispering . . . Just so you know, Brandon has a deep, baritone voice . . . .*

Brandon and Brooklynn 4

Join in the Fray: So, will you be Brandon – and Brooklynn’s – Valentine?

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, Dallas, TX, USA. Photos used with permission.

ASG 191 x 200 ASwirlGirlWant to be profiled here on the blog and on our Facebook page? Contact us via inbox on Facebook or send an email to ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorld.com.

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Announcements, Brandon and Brooklynn, BW/WM Tagged With: Black women, Black. White, Brandon, Brandon Welch, Brooklynn, dating, divorce, divorced, Florida, interracial, interracial dating, interracial marriage, interracial relationships, interracial romance, love, Marriage, military, military family, Navy, parents, podcast, single dad, swirl, swirling, Valentine, Valentine's Day

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Welcome!

I’m Michelle Matthews-Calloway, and I’m A Swirl Girl! Greetings to you from The Swirl World. We encourage Black women to expand their relationship options by dating and marrying interracially. Our overarching mission is to see Black Women live their best life. Come Swirl with us in The Swirl World™, where we celebrate Black women and the diverse men who love us!™

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