goals Archives - Page 10 of 10

#92| Dream On!

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

It’s Travel Thursday, and we want to ask: Got plans, goals and dreams?

Of course you do!

We encourage you to “dream on,” because we know if you keep pursuing your dream, that dream will take you where you want to go – and even farther than you could have imagined.

Here’s what The Swirl World fan John Jontez Montes posted on his Facebook page a few days ago:

“Just had too good of a time here in Hong Kong. Whoever tells you not to follow your dreams tell them to shut up and sit down somewhere! I’m a country boy who raised cows, chickens, horses, and pigs on a farm and for whatever reason, God sees fit to send me around the world “doing” what I’ve always known I would be doing. I’m not surprised, but I am extremely grateful every day I wake up. Stay focused and DO NOT GIVE UP!”

John’s dream took him to Hong Kong. Where will your dream take you?

PS–Want to learn more about Swirling with Latin men? Click here for the scoop!

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.

#53| Keep Hope Alive

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

So, what are you hoping for?

What are you anticipating?

What captivates your sense of expectation?

No matter the current state of situations or circumstances in your life, keep hope alive.

Refuse to give up on your dreams and goals, and instead of allowing setbacks to derail you, use them to fuel a steady movement forward.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12 NLT

—

We’re featuring photos of Swirling Singles the entire month of February!

If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

Copyright ©2015 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, All rights reserved. Photo Copyright ©2015 Carmen Bourque and used with permission.

#41| Only The Best Will Do

February 10, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I often wonder why people content themselves with settling for second best.

Do they choose this option because they feel they can’t get anything else – or do they become tired of “waiting?”

When only the best will do, not only do you active purse it, you refuse to be satisfied with less.

In what area of your life are you tempted to settle – and in essence, to give up?

Don’t do it!

You deserve the best – and only the best will do.

—

We’re featuring photos of Swirling Singles the entire month of February!

If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

#26 | Success: How Much Do You Want It?

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

It’s Monday, and today many of us return to full-time jobs outside the home. Others are entrepreneurs who are running their own business, or passionpreneurs striving to do the work they love.

Regardless of your work status, motivation is paramount.

What’s driving you in the direction of success – and how badly do you want it?

—

If you’d like to share your photos, please send them to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

Inspiration Daily #7 – Show Me The Money!

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

Have you set some financial goals for 2015? How much money do you plan to save? Remember, it’s never a good idea to spend more than you earn!

—

If you’d like to share your photos, please send them to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

Inspiration Daily – Day Five

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

Are you an Entrepreneur, or maybe a small business owner? Many of you take proactive steps by setting goals, and then making the sacrifices necessary to reach them.

Shun Jackson-Shell was on our podcast last year discussing her journey to launching her own business, and this year, she LAUNCHED!

Woot!

In today’s inspiration, Shun shares a valuable lesson she learned on her journey. No excuses – fight that fear!

Look to hear more from Shun in an upcoming podcast episode.

—

If you’d like to share your photos, please send them to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. We’d love to feature YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts!

New Month – New Goals!

July 31, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Why? Because August is coming in with a bang.

A New Month = New Goals and new activities the entire month.

I’m taking Rosetta Thurman’s Powerful Goal Setting class.
I’m starting a new eating plan ~~in earnest~~ – at least 1 green smoothie a day; meals that are 80% vegan/vegetarian and 20% “regular.”
I’m attending a festival every weekend!

There’s no time like the present to enjoy life.

Woot Woot!

Join in the Fray: What are your goals for August?

I blogged every day in the month of July in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading – Whew!

Swirling With Latin Men: What to Expect

May 3, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 26 Comments

I’ve received some queries in the inbox concerning Swirling with Latin men.

Shucks, I wanna know more about that myself!

Guest blogger Miranda Santiago gives us the inside scoop:

Oh yes. You’ve seen them on TV or in the movies or on stage. Latinos!

Who can blame you for being love struck? With their perfect complexion, dark hair and irresistible accent no woman in her right mind would want to pass on such a man. Besides, you’ve heard they are very family oriented and hold to strong traditional values.

Well, before you race off to corral one of your own, let this Latina fill you in on what to expect.

Latinos come from a culture that places a lot of emphasis on the man taking the lead in a relationship where the woman is dependent on him. This is not always the case but it is the culturally handed down norm. Let me fill you in on some of the specifics.

What frightens them

Latinos are often intimidated by successful women. The men feel they must be the breadwinner. It is a cultural expectation, a generations old custom instilled in boys from a young age. All of their traditional role models are of men that make the money and of women that stay home and cook the dinner.

If you are a successful woman who has the earning power to take care of yourself, watch out. Your Latino beau may at first seem indifferent to your earning power, but later in the relationship it may become an issue. However, thankfully in this country that stereotype is being broken down one successful woman at a time.

This is not to say that all Latin men are machistas. That is, not all of them buy into the custom of being tough and in control. However, masculinity is important to them. But thankfully, as time passes men are becoming less bound to those old expectations.

What they like

Before you take the initiative and make the first move – Stop. That Latin eye candy you’re fixating on will prefer being the one to make the first move. However, don’t let that stop you from dropping those flirtatious signals.

Very likely, your Latino man grew up with women who were very supportive of him, sometimes passionately so. He will expect the same from you. When he talks to you about something in his life, he expects your support and not necessarily your advice.

He will like someone who reminds him of his mother. Being family oriented on your part is a big plus. If you want this relationship to move to the next level, you should want children, because he will.

Family matters

That Latino man you have your eye on was likely raised in a large extended family where he has plenty of female relatives which he will compare you too. Family is very important, so if you are dating a Latino man expect to be around his family as well. His relationship with his mother is very close. It would be to your advantage to get on her good side. But also remember that he will very likely compare you to his mother.

Latinas are very supportive of their sons and brothers; so cultivating a close relationship with the women in the family is important. You can expect to spend a lot of family time together.

There you go. This is what you can expect from dating a Latino. Enjoy!

Miranda Santiago has a degree in Psychology from Boston College and is now a freelance writer who covers dating topics, specifically Latin dating. Apart from writing, Miranda enjoys windsurfing, playing the piano and cheering on her favorite baseball teams.

Join in the Fray: Latin men: Hot, or not?

My BIG, HUGE Announcement: I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

April 30, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 11 Comments

Remember back on April 1st when I told you that I would have a special announcement to make at the end of the month?

Well, my BIG, HUGE announcement is:

I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

*Beaming with pride*

Just kidding. Sort of.

(I am shrieking with laughter, because even when I’m totally serious, I play too much).

I don’t have THAT kind of new baby!

No, I have THIS kind:

You’re looking at the brand new face of my upcoming blog and website:

For Church Girls

Traditional . . . .Yet Contemporary Women

That’s right, I’m launching a new blog designed specifically for women of faith. The Proverbs 31 woman in the Old Testament and the businesswoman Lydia of the New Testament serve as the inspirations for the blog. Both were traditional women in that they were women of faith – yet they were contemporary for their time.

The purpose of For Church Girls is to serve as the go-to blog for women of faith. The blog will focus on spiritual things including inspiration, empowerment, and personal enrichment, as well as natural things that are also of interest and concern, including health, wellness, hair, fashion, and beauty. Moving forward, we will also hold monthly empowerment calls featuring guests who will lead discussions on a variety of topics.

This has been a particularly exciting week for me, not just because I’m undertaking this new venture, but because other bloggers like Christelyn Karazin of Beyond Black & White are forming networks and coalitions, and launching new websites.

This is a win-win situation for women seeking quality content.

I recently completed a Blogging School conducted by Rosetta Thurman, Blog Mistress of the Happy Black Woman. The class was filled with women who are starting new blogs and launching websites.

Writer and social commentator Angela Gatlin Keys is working on a new website. Celebrity stylist Kaye Flewellen of Just Ask Kaye is working on a new book and companion website, as is blogger Toni M, Blog Mistress of Petals.

Just this Monday, blogger LC Coleman of Colored Girl Confidential launched a new online networking and accountability group called The Colored Water Fountain.

And as for A Swirl Girl? Well, she’s going to Keep Calm And Swirl On!

No worries; this blog will continue. I’ve got more good stuff coming up, including a special guest post from dating advice specialist and freelance writer Miranda Santiago, who will share some juicy tidbits about interracial dating and Latin men. Look for more profiles of interracial romance writers, and stories and photos from interracial couples.

And, of course, news and updates regarding my Swirling activity.

Back to the matter at hand:

Isn’t it wonderful that bloggers and writers are pursuing and fulfilling their dreams? And that’s the beauty of dreams: Everyone can have a dream, a goal, a vision – and everyone can realize their dreams.

The vision I foresee in For Church Girls is a website that serves as a safe haven for women of faith. Far too often these days, “Church Girls” are portrayed in a negative light, and viewed as thirsty, man hungry, gullible hypocrites who are silly and vapid. Yes, the Bible aptly describes such women; they do exist. Their egregious behavior needs to be challenged! Even though For Church Girls will project a nurturing environment, we won’t coddle anybody: Stinkin’ thinkin’ and behavior will be called out and addressed!

Our launch is set for May 11, 2013.

Till then, head on over and sign up for our updates to ensure you don’t miss a bit of the action!

Join in the Fray: What’s your opinion of modern-day “Church Girls?”

I have blogged every day in the month of April for BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading and do leave a comment!

How to Make Your Dreams Come True

January 26, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I believe that statement . . . do you?

Today in Southwest Louisiana we are treated to clear skies and a delightful 74 degree temperature. I’d like nothing better than to be sitting outside sipping a white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. Instead, I’m cooped up inside, trying to stay on task so that I can get some work done on my dissertation.

Earning a PhD is but one of my many dreams, and this one is well within my grasp. Two – three more months of hard work, and I’m there. Then, it will be on to the next milestone in fulfillment of another dream.

What are you dreaming about today? What will it take for you to live your best life? I believe the best way to make that dream a reality is to pursue it.

Now, of course I’m not talking about engaging in any activities that undermine your values or cause you to compromise your sense of personhood. That kind of behavior only leaves you open for exploitation, abuse, and disappointment.

Set Your Vision

Visualize what you want to attain, and see yourself achieving it. Visualizing “Michelle Matthews-Calloway, PhD” goes a long way towards helping me to press forward. I imagine the sense of accomplishment and gratification I’ll feel when I cross the stage and go through the hooding ceremony.

If a mate is what you’re dreaming of, picture yourself walking down the aisle (or picture your bride walking toward you). See yourself in the corner office, directing a division within your company of choice. If you’re dreaming of retirement, visualize yourself on the beach or relaxing at the pool, cold drink in hand.

Do What it Takes

Just as we have to “put legs on our prayers,” we also have to put legs on our dreams. Determine what you need to do to make your dream come true, then make positive steps in that direction. Do what it takes to make things happen – even if it means you have to pass up a sunny day.

Join in the Fray: What are you dreaming of?

I’m blogging every day in the month of January in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

« Previous Page

#92| Dream On!

Like this:

#53| Keep Hope Alive

Like this:

#41| Only The Best Will Do

Like this:

#26 | Success: How Much Do You Want It?

Like this:

Inspiration Daily #7 – Show Me The Money!

Like this:

Inspiration Daily – Day Five

Like this:

New Month – New Goals!

Like this:

Swirling With Latin Men: What to Expect

Like this:

My BIG, HUGE Announcement: I Have A New Baby-And It’s A Girl!!!!

Like this:

How to Make Your Dreams Come True

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Be Sociable! Share this:

Like this:

Are You In?

Thank you!