Woman Wednesday: Miriam

*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.

 

Q and A with Miriam, San Diego, California

“Believe you are valuable. Invest in yourself. Work toward your goals, and be proud when you accomplish something.”

 

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m currently an independent team leader with Color Street. I’m also a mother of two and happily married to a United States Marine. I moved to Maryland back in 2015, and I’m originally from California. Moving to the east coast was a huge change for me. After having my second baby, working full-time at my pharmacy career wasn’t realistic with having to look into childcare for the very first time. Having the only option to stay mostly at home was very devastating to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but I went to school for a full-time career and working full-time was the only thing I ever have known to do.

 

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Miriam and her husband, United States Marine

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Miriam is proud to show off her Color Street!
I started looking into what I could possibly do at home to make a stay at home income for myself. I came across direct sales companies. I had never previously known about them. After a lot of time spent looking into them, I jumped right in!

 

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To date, I have been with Color Street for about a year now, and I can’t even fully express my emotions on how much this company means to me. Not only have I accomplished replacing my full-time income from what I was making working in a pharmacy, but I have found what I love doing!

 

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Photography Courtesy of Faith Nicole Photography

 

I couldn’t ask for any greater reward than helping so many ladies conquer their goals and fears! My goal for myself is to continue leading and helping those who have the same passion as me. I strongly believe that anyone could do what they set their mind to and accomplish it for themselves.

 

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I grew up really fast. I had my daughter when I was 17. It wasn’t easy, but I strongly believe that I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. She taught me so many things about myself along the way. Even though times were not easy, you get through them and become stronger.

 

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Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like other to know?

A: Something valuable I’ve learned is to believe I am valuable.

Believe you are valuable. Invest in yourself. Work toward your goals, and be proud when you accomplish something. Like the known quote, “No one is you, and that is your super power.”

 

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Q: What would you like others to learn from your story?
A: I hope that whether you are a stay at home mom, a wife, a college student, that you know that anyone as an individual can accomplish anything. It depends on whether or not you believe you can. I hope that you don’t settle. Create a life you really enjoy.

 

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Women can do anything! I stay at home with my kids, work part-time nights, be a wife, and work my business full-time. I make it work, and that’s why I believe others can do it too. Who doesn’t like being their own boss?!

 

Get in touch with Miriam:

 

Instagram : beautykissednails_

Website: www.beautykissednails.com

https://m.facebook.com/groups/406348223133111

 

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Woman Wednesday: Christen

 *Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.

 

Q and A with Christen, Baltimore City, Maryland

“I have dealt with so much, but I am so happy, because I have chosen to surround myself with positive, amazing people. Know that there is always good even with the bad.”

 

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: There are only a few small things that I am passionate about. One is education. Specifically, the education of students of low-socioeconomic households. Unfortunately, students of low-income households usually come from a minority background. Students who go to Title 1 schools are faced with disadvantages that come from their circumstances. It takes more funding to teach a student who attends a Title 1 school than it does a for a student who attends a more affluent school, but the funding is not there. For example, the school that I currently teach at feeds children breakfast and lunch for free, we offer free clinical services to aide in mental health, there is a weekend food pantry, and we wash some of our students’ clothes to name a few things. All this has to come out of the school and district funds. We have to meet the basic needs of these students as well as educate them. What ends up happening is the teachers have to raise money for their own supplies or buy a lot themselves. I hope to one day teach in a country that fairly funds ALL students.

 

On a lighter note, my other passion is family. I have a wonderful son and husband whom I love more than anything. They bring light to my life and happiness to my soul. I could talk about them for hours so I’m going to cut myself off here.

 

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Q: What were your younger years like?

My past is a hard thing to talk about, but it gets easier as I learn to process it. My biological father was not and is not a part of my life due to choices that he made. My mother got married to her ex-husband when I was five years old, and that is when everything changed.

For the next ten years, I kept the secret of sexual assault from everyone, including my mother. When I was thirteen, the assault became more aggressive, and the violence increased. I again kept this a secret from every person. I was scared and ashamed. Finally, when I was 16, I decided enough was enough and told a good friend who would not let me stay in that situation. He literally saved my life. I have beautiful memories of my childhood involving my mother, sisters, cousins, etc, but what happened to me in my past definitely helped shaped how I live my life and who I am as a mother.

 

Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like other to know?

A: To quote Drake, “Know yourself, know your worth.” It is cheesy, but it is true. When you learn who you are and love yourself, life becomes beautiful.

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Q: What would you like other to learn from your story?
A: I would hope they learn to speak up and speak out. Advocate for yourself and your beliefs. Know that there is always good even with the bad. I have dealt with so much, but I am so happy, because I have chosen to surround myself with positive, amazing people.

 

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Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Equality! It does not mean that women are better than men. It does not mean seizing “their power.” To me, it means shared power. It means to judge men and women fairly in the work field. It means do not treat me different because I am a woman. Instead, judge me by what I bring to the table. A stereotype that has always bothered me is the assumption that feminists are man-eating, overly aggressive females. We are not. Feminists are strong women and men who want to be treated as such.

 

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Woman Wednesday: Corrie

*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below. 

 


 

Q and A with Corrie, Baltimore County, Maryland

Teacher, Animal Lover, Towson University Alumni

“I wasn’t a failure or a quitter for changing my major. I was making myself happy. I also learned that it is very hard to stick with something when people are against you, but in the end, it is worth it.” 

 

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My passions include teaching, animals, and conservation.
I am currently a 4th grade teacher. I absolutely love teaching. I feel at home in a classroom surrounded by students. My students bring out the best in me, and my goal is that I can do the same for them.

 

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I didn’t always want to be a teacher. When I was younger, I saw myself working with animals. My first job was being a kennel technician at an animal hospital. I eventually moved on to be a veterinary technician, which I continued to do all throughout college. While working at the animal hospital, I started being a nanny for a doctor that I worked with. I instantly fell in love with being around the kids. I really enjoyed helping them with their homework. I started to rethink my entire life path, and I became a teacher.
My love and compassion for animals never went away. Being a teacher allows me to teach my students about animals and conservation. I enjoy telling my students about all my pets- most of them are rescues. We talk often about the impact we have on our environment and the animals we share our environment with. I constantly let them know that they can be an advocate for animals and our environment in many ways.

 

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Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My family has had the biggest impact on my life. I was raised by my father. He was a single parent raising myself and my brothers. My dad worked hard to give us a great life. Every day, I strive to make him proud. Growing up in a family of all men wasn’t always easy. Let’s face it; girls and boys are different. I didn’t have a lot of confidence around other girls and women. I wasn’t used to being around them. My dad is amazing and always encouraged me to be a strong woman. He even bought me books about how to be a strong woman when I was in middle school. He knew how important it was for me to feel comfortable in my own skin.

 

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When I was in college, I started as a biology major. I was almost finished with my degree when I decided to pursue teaching. Most people were very supportive, but of course, some were not. People thought I was crazy when I told them I was switching majors. They questioned my motives. They often brought up my love for animals, and they brought up the cost of education. There were a few times when I almost decided not to switch majors and to just stick with what I started. I’m glad I didn’t. I learned a few valuable lessons from that experience. One thing I learned is that change isn’t a bad thing. I wasn’t a failure or a quitter for changing my major. I was making myself happy. I also learned that it is very hard to stick with something when people are against you, but in the end, it is worth it. The last thing I learned was that a great support system is so important. My husband, Tony, who was my fiancé at the time, supported me in my decision to no end. He was my biggest advocate and supporter. I would like others to learn that change can be a good thing, to always stick with what your mind and heart are telling you, and to keep positive people in your life.

 

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Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: What does feminism mean to me? That used to be a very hard question for me. I honestly used to believe that feminism was a negative word. I thought it was a word that was used to describe women who hated men. I was raised by my father and brothers, so, of course I didn’t hate men. It took me a while to realize that feminism doesn’t have to be negative. To me, feminism means believing in yourself as a woman. It means knowing that you can do anything and everything you put your mind to. Feminism means wanting the best for all women. It means wanting to see women succeed in their careers and life.

 

 

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Woman Wednesday: Kerry

*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below. 

 


 

Q and A with Kerry, Baltimore County, Maryland

YouTuber, Towson University Senior, and Journalist

 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT KERRY’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Don’t forget to subscribe!

 

“I want others to know that it’s okay to be different; it’s okay to not fit into traditional molds. Your story is still just as important, and people will most definitely listen to it. You just have to believe in yourself enough to share it.”

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am extremely passionate about self-expression. I think that everyone should be able to have a platform in which they can truly be themselves and celebrate their identities while broadcasting it for the world to embrace!
Growing up, I loved any form of expression I could partake in. I love writing poetry, especially when I’m in a bad mood, because it helps me let off steam. I was highly involved in performing arts growing up, from dancing to theatre to orchestra; my YouTube channel is my baby! I love being able to create content and interact with others on topics that interest me.
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Self-expression is also why I’m obsessed with makeup and work as both a beauty influencer and makeup artist. Makeup allows for so much to be said without any words at all! I think expressing myself is my own form of therapy. It allows me to be more aware and accepting of myself, others, and just life in general. I think all of these things are what ultimately led me to wanting to be a blogger and journalist. With that as my career, I get to use my voice while also lifting and highlighting the voices of others, and it’s the coolest thing ever.
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Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Oh gosh, young Kerry Ingram was something else! I grew up in a suburban setting with two older sisters and fantastic parents, but my sense of identity was something I sort of struggled with for the longest time.
My mother is Puerto Rican, and my dad is African American. Having two parents with completely different backgrounds exposed me to diversity within my home, but in school, that wasn’t quite the case. I went to schools where the majority of students were either 100% black or 100% white, with very few mixed or Latino children, so it was confusing for me growing up and not knowing who to identify with. I dealt with the classic mixed-kid scenario: not being “black enough” or being “too black” or just “odd” in general. I was still able to make friends in elementary school, but middle school is where it got rough. I definitely dealt with some bullying, but I think that it shaped me into who I am today. It taught me the importance of self-confidence and speaking up. It drove me to want to learn more about myself so that I could be there for myself.
I was totally still an insecure and lost teen when I started my YouTube channel, and I started it with the sole purpose of me being able to feel more comfortable with myself. It ended up turning into a large part of my identity. I’ve learned so much about myself throughout my time blogging. I couldn’t image how my life would be without it now!
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Q: What would you like others to learn from you?
A: The main thing I always try to communicate to others is to love yourself. Honestly. Loving yourself doesn’t equate to arrogance, it just means being able to be real with yourself, own up to your mistakes and flaws, while also embracing them, and being able to live your best life. Treat yourself the same way you would treat your significant other, your best friend, or your mother. Be nice to yourself. Do fun things. Find peace in doing things alone. Spoil yourself rotten. You deserve it.
I want others to know that it’s okay to be different; it’s okay to not fit into traditional molds. Your story is still just as important, and people will most definitely listen to it. You just have to believe in yourself enough to share it. 🙂
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Mindset, ready, go!

Have you ever wondered, “How can I be happier?” Have you ever Googled ‘How to be happy’? Or have you ever purchased a self-help book on how to find happiness? Keep on reading, and you will learn tips and tricks on how to be truly happy.

 

One of the things many happy people and successful people have in common is a positive mindset.

Think positively.

Have confidence in yourself.
We all know it’s easier said than done.
As someone who grew up with little self-confidence and lots of self-doubt, I know what it’s like to struggle with confidence.
Being verbally harassed in middle school and high school (by some of the people closest to me) certainly took a large toll on my confidence.

Here’s the thing: There’s always going to be someone who’s trying bring you down. So while everyone is trying to diminish your happiness, what can you do to make yourself happy?

First, the secret…that is not such a secret, but rather a true fact we need to internalize.

Here it is:

The worst enemy of all is not those trying to tear you down, the worst enemy of all is yourself.

Who was my worst enemy? My peers? My friends? My family?

No.

My worst enemy was myself.

I was the one who believed what they said. I consumed their insults and took their words to heart. I chose to care about their opinions of me.
By believing in their words, I chose to not think very highly of myself.
I said the worst things imaginable to myself.

I found myself very unhappy and wanting to change that.

Did it happen overnight?

No.
Confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but like many wise people say, “You gotta fake it till you make it!” Over time, you won’t be just ‘faking it’ anymore. You will realize how truly amazing and special you are.

So, how did I fake it?

Keep on reading, and I will tell you.
It will take effort and small changes each and every day, but start now, and it will pay off for you if you’re consistent and driven.

 

You can do it! I have confidence in you.

 

Here are a few strategies that have worked for me. 
1. Tell yourself 3 positive things about yourself each day. You can say them aloud, to yourself in the mirror, write them down, or just say them in your mind. I prefer to do this in the morning as my “self-love” routine–that way I don’t forget!

 


2. Remind yourself that no one is superior to you. Everyone is human–it is as simple as that. Others may have accomplished more, but who is saying you cannot accomplish what they have or more than what they have?

 


3. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your goals. What do you want to improve on? Write them down and hang them up somewhere you can see each day. Create steps to achieve those goals! Each step you take will feel like little successes helping you get to your end goal. In addition to this, pursue what you are passionate about. You only live once…(unless you believe in reincarnation)…so get moving!

 


4. Spread the love! Go up to at least one person a day and let them know you appreciate them.  It can be as simple as a genuine compliment. This will spread positivity, and you will feel its effects.

 


5. Take care of yourself. Gym? A hearty breakfast? Music to get you in the mood? I start my day with a workout and dancing to some music—even just five minutes of movement has a large positive impact on my entire day.

 


6. Smile with reckless abandon! Forcing yourself to smile more, to others, and in the mirror, will actually make you start to smile for real.

 


7. Help others. You can volunteer or it can be something small. For example, you can start by holding the door for someone, giving someone some spare change, give someone some good advice, or help a friend move into their new home. It will make you feel a sense of purpose.

 


8. Make changes. Are you too comfortable in your current job or position in life? Maybe you need to make a change and get out of your comfort zone. Maybe you want to try something new? Only you can make that decision!

 


9. Talk it out. Make connections with others. Sometimes, we need to just talk with someone else. Talk with a friend or family member. If there is not one who will willingly listen to you, seek other people or other outlets. Look up local events in your area, join an online chatroom, or just strike up a conversation with a stranger. There are many people in the world you can reach out to.

 


10. Recreate your favorite memory in your mind. Get in that mental happy place. Remember that happy memory, and keep it in storage for a rainy day! If it helps, think about it every day.

 


11. Going forward, what made your favorite memory your favorite memory? Are there aspects of it that you can bring into your current life? Make the changes in your life yourself. No one else is going to make them for you.

 



 

 

Most important of all:

When you are focused on yourself, accomplishing your goals, and working towards your dream, you will find that you are more happier than ever. 

When will you be your happiest? When you accomplish your dream.

So, do not give up! Have a positive mindset, and work towards everything you want!

You’ll notice that just by making these changes and taking steps to achieve your passions, you will be a lot happier.

When you are happy, it will pour into all facets of your life.

So, what are you waiting for?

Follow these steps, and go be happy! 🙂

 

We’d love to hear about you, your experiences, and your story! Please~ we encourage you~ to comment down below.