Thanks-Giving

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Hello Darling,

So, once again it’s the holiday season. It is Thanksgiving, and I am definitely ready to eat some amazing food!

But we need to think of more than just the good food and such. When you break down the word Thanksgiving you have two very meaningful and powerful words: Thanks and Giving.

Two words that can make a difference to those who we encounter!

Thanks:

Many times so many of us are so consumed in our busy days that we forget to show gratitude to those who we love or those who have helped us. This one word can go such a long way. By showing your appreciation to others it not only encourages them to continue helping other people, but it also shows them that their kind actions are not taken for granted!

I challenge you to do the following:

1. Send someone who wouldn’t expect it a text message today thanking him/ her—express how much you appreciate them! 
2. Don’t forget to say thank you to those who hold a door for you, press your floor button in an elevator, or whatever—doing these things are not mandatory so if someone does it for you remember it was a kind action!

Giving:

Now to the final word, Giving. In a society that teaches people to continuously do for and worry about oneself to succeed, we sometimes get caught up and forget about the importance of helping another individual. Whether it’s giving someone a cheerful smile on a rainy day or buying a friend a coffee, our kind actions to others may be what a person needs in his or her day. You never know how you can make an impact on someone’s day.

I challenge you to do the following: 

1. Volunteer somewhere—giving doesn’t always mean spending money, giving your time is important as well! 
2.  Give someone a compliment—nice words to an individual can be the starting point in helping someone realize their talents and skills

I wish all of you beauties an amazing Thanksgiving. Thanks and Giving!

And remember, ladies, Stay C.L.A.S.S.Y ;)

--Alyssa Louise McCall

Embrace your Flaws

Hello Darling, 

Today's C.L.A.S.S.Y advice is about embracing your flaws! We all have them, so why not? 

The best ways to embrace your flaws is to first figure out what they are. I know, it might sound depressing but the best part is...it'll also bring light to many of your talents. 

I recommend making a list of your strengths and weaknesses. It's helpful for updating you on your progress and letting you know what you need to work on. 

I can remember an interviewer asking that question to me during my junior year of high school and let's just say I wasn't totally prepared for an answer. 

After recognizing your flaws, it's time to embrace them and work it. Make your not so great qualities work to your benefit. Your flaws confirm that you're human, but how you embrace them shows your true beauty!

And remember, ladies, Stay C.L.A.S.S.Y ;)

--Jelicia Diggs

Forgiveness

Hello Darling,

"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free."

 - Katherine Pond

Today’s message will be about forgiveness and moving on. One of the greatest lessons I’ve experienced in life thus far.

I remember as a child I would go to family gatherings on my father’s side of the family and realize there was always one person missing…… My grandfather! I was at the curious age where I wondered about things. I wondered why I had a grandfather on my mom’s side but not my dad’s side. 

One day I built up enough courage and confidence and asked my father, “Where’s your dad, my grandfather?” He stared at me with disbelief that I asked that question and he responded “He’s dead!” 

From that point on I never asked about my grandfather again. I was hurt I never met him and puzzled as to how no one mentioned this to me. 

Two weeks before my High school graduation I received a message on Facebook from this unfamiliar person. She explained to me that she is my aunt and we have to meet up. I was skeptical at first because it sounded sketchy. That same week we met up and she told me that she’s my father eldest sister and that she has some people for me to meet.

We went to Applebee’s and a few people came in greeted me and explained how we were related. The next person who walked in was very strange. He was about 5’7, curly hair, pretty brown complexion, wrinkles around his eyes and he had a pearly white smile. He walked up and said, “Wow you’re all grown up.” I was puzzled by that statement, and I asked him to elaborate.

He smiled and said, “I’m your grandfather!” Apparently my father didn’t accept him in his life because he was never around. So to my father he was dead to him. I was heartbroken, confused and shocked. For 18 years I didn’t know who my grandfather was all because my dad couldn’t forgive and move on. 

So I challenge you all today, if there is something minor going on in your life please look over it and forgive that person. Don’t hold grudges because you never how that will impact someone’s life. 

Remember you only have one life why not forgive people?

And remember, ladies, Stay C.L.A.S.S.Y ;)

--Keyana Browning 

“Speak over yourself, encourage yourself, in the Lord.”

Hello Darling,

“Speak over yourself, encourage yourself, in the Lord.”

This is a line in one of my favorite gospel songs entitled Encourage Yourself.

Recently, I have been feeling extremely discouraged. From not getting accepted into certain organizations here on campus to not passing certain assignments I felt like a failure. I began to question if I was good enough. Little did I know, all I needed to do was do was speak over myself and encourage myself in the Lord. I will share with you how to use that line from the song to deal with my discouraged state in hopes that I can encourage you.

Speak over yourself.

This statement reminds me of one of my favorite quotes “speak your dreams into existence”.

To me that means in order to reach success you must talk about what you want to succeed in and believe that it will come true. To “speak over myself” I created a vision board! I taped eight pieces of paper to my wall and wrote a question at the top of each one.

 Some examples of those questions are, “what makes you happy” and “what do hope to accomplish in the next four years?” Next, in different colored markers, I began answering the questions. Now on my wall, in vibrant colors, I have who I want to be not for everyone to see but more importantly for myself to see.

Encourage yourself.

 After claiming my future I then began to implement positive things in my life for encouragement. The first thing I did was make a positive playlist. I personally LOVE music so having a positive playlist was a necessity. As I created my vision board I had songs playing like “Video” by India Arie and “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. Also for encouragement, I downloaded the “daily bible verse” and the “daily inspirational quote” apps. As you can probably guess by the titles these apps send me a bible verse and a positive quote every day.

The apps give me daily boosts of encouragement.

In the Lord.

This last part of the line in the song is probably the most important. Although I created a board of what I want my future to look like I really don’t have control, and trust me I don’t want it. I would rather give control of my life to someone who knows me better than I know myself. To someone who knows every move I have made and will make and knows exactly where I need to be.

 God is the only being that fits that description. When I was in my discouraged state I was overwhelmed with everything that was going on in my life. To stop the madness all I had to do was hand over the reins to God because he knows what’s best for me.

Let me quote a section from an inspirational poem that I read recently “The Road of Life” to illustrate what I mean.” This poem describes life as a bike ride with Jesus.

It states, “When Jesus Christ took the lead, he knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. All I could do was hang on! Even though it looked like madness, he said, “pedal!” I was worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn't answer, and I began to learn to trust him. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I’d say “I’m scared”, he’d lean back and touch my hand. I gained Love, Peace, Patience, Understanding, Knowledge, Wisdom, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Grace, and Joy; all free gifts to take on the journey, My Lord’s and mines. “

1. Get through whatever you are going through and know that you will be successful.
2. Encourage yourself by implementing positive thoughts and actions into your life.
3. Remember that God is willing to be in control of your life if you let him. Once you let God steer your life he will never leave you or forsake you. I would like to encourage you all to attend some form of church service and if you don’t have a church home and you live in DC feel free to visit me at my church 13^th NW and Irving street NW. (Street Church of Christ on the corner of 13^th)

I hope this post has encouraged you!

Oh,

And Remember Ladies, Stay C.L.A.S.S.Y.!

-Admiria Cooper