“I’ve always had a “plan B,” but there are so many others who weren’t prepared for their lives to change in such a way [during the pandemic].”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: One of my biggest passions in life is helping others. I’m a licensed financial advisor. I love what I do simply because I’m able to educate my potential clients on ways to create generational wealth for themselves and their families.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in a very close-knit family. Education and religion were two things that were at the top list of importance. I’m grateful for all the lessons learned because it helped me to become a better person and who I am today.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: 2020 was a huge wake-up call for me, and I’m sure for a lot more families as well. I was laid off from my job of 15 years. Luckily for me, I’ve always had a “plan B,” but there are so many others who weren’t prepared for their lives to change in such a way. My advice would be to never solely depend on one stream of income. Keep multiple streams coming in in order to keep your family afloat.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Being a woman, I think, is about being strong. It’s about continuing to move forward in all of life’s endeavors. I definitely have to keep a positive mindset and stay 100% committed to making all my life dreams a reality. I have two daughters that look up to me, and I want them to grow up stronger and better than I am. I love to see my ladies succeed! There was once a time when women were told we couldn’t do certain jobs or we couldn’t make a certain amount of money, but look at us now! Kudos Ladies! Let’s keep it up! God Bless.
Thank you for reading!
Follow me on Insta here. I’d love to connect with you! 🙂
“I believe that if we let ourselves be paralyzed by our fears, we’ll never achieve our full potential.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about documentary filmmaking because of the ability to connect people through stories.
I’m currently touring the film festival circuit with a documentary about two elderly, married entomologists.
I’ve filmed digital content for clients like National Geographic, the BBC, the Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, NBC, and a host of others.
Steve Jobs famously said, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.”
The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation to come.’ I fully believe that!
Stories have such incredible power to inspire, to reveal our shared humanity, to bring about positive change, and to create empathy and emotion (humor being one of my favorites).
I’m also really passionate about helping female entrepreneurs acquire the skills to create their own video content from home.
With the development of the COVID-19 coronavirus, I think a lot of women [have been] working from home, doing more video conference calls, and trying to incorporate DIY video into their business to bring in clients.
I wanted to help other women continue to succeed with their businesses!
So, I recently began sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years from big-budget film shoots and digital storytelling content and modifying it to help women create high-quality DIY videos from home.
I’m really dedicated to helping them learn to make videoes and storytelling their business ally.
I’m passionate about showing them not only learn how to use gear but also how to map out the story arc, messaging, and branding in each of their videos and conference calls with clients; how to develop a strategy before they begin putting up videos; and how to map out the way in which each video plays into the larger story of their business.
Once they have that knowledge and skill set, they will have such incredible power to inspire and connect with clients!
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I was a major introvert as a child. I was very quiet and spent an enormous amount of time reading.
I loved stories, and I read everything from Roman mythology to the history of Dorothea Lange, to the latest science fiction novels.
At 15, I began taking summer school classes at Stanford, and I later received both my undergraduate and master’s degrees from Stanford.
My early fascination with storytelling influenced my decision to become a newspaper reporter after graduation.
After a time, I transitioned to telling stories through film and video and incorporated the skills of a print journalist into my approach to documentaries and digital content.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: When I first picked up a camera, I remember being very intimidated by the technical aspects of it.
And I remember being similarly daunted by all of the logistics and crafting of a story arc when I made my first film.
But I believe that if we let ourselves be paralyzed by our fears, we’ll never achieve our full potential.
I steadily acquired the storytelling and production skills and the knowledge of film gear, and I would love to help other women out with that—especially female entrepreneurs who are working at home and need to incorporate DIY video into their business.
I definitely empathize with how video can initially feel very formidable. My message is: Don’t let that fear paralyze you! There are so many ways to DIY it.
And I’m more than willing to help anyone out that needs advice.
There are many statistics about the power of videos and storytelling, but for me, it all comes down to the ability to connect with others, to inspire and motivate them, and to foster our shared humanity.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, being a modern feminist means supporting those who identify as women, lifting each other up, amplifying our voices, and having the right to personally choose how we live our lives.
I also think it’s crucial to consider feminism through an intersectional lens if we want the movement to be truly inclusive and representative of the voices of women of all races, classes, religions, abilities, and orientations.
Merry Christmas to all of our readers who celebrate the wonderful holiday of Christmas! And warm wishes and Happy Holidays to our readers around the world who may or may not celebrate other holidays. In the spirit of Christmas, we’ve collected 25 “gifts” for you. These “gifts” are 25 life “gifts” that cannot be bought with money, and they are “gifts” mentioned by our featured women on The Woman Wednesday Blog. Enjoy!
Family. They might not always be there, so appreciate the time you have with them. “Three years ago, I lost my Dad to cancer and that has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever been through. He was gone 3 months after his diagnosis. My family and I barely had time to process one piece of information before being hit with something new. It rocked my world losing someone so close to me.” ~Jessica M., Maryland
Friends. True friends are there for your ups and downs, successes and failures. They like you for the person you are, and they cannot be bought.
Love. True love is one of the most beautiful and magical aspects of life. Of course, it cannot be bought!
Positive mindset. You can make today a good day or a bad day. It’s all about your mindset.“I learned very early on that I could either be a victim of circumstance or I could take those challenges and grow from them. I try really hard to be a force of positivity and a problem solver.” ~Melissa, Utah
“If you don’t believe in yourself first, you will fail every time. So for me, first and foremost is get your mindset right in the beginning, and set the foundations to build an amazing life for yourself and stick at it! The only way you will stick at anything is self-reliance, discipline, and self-belief.” ~Carly, Melbourne, Australia
Moral support. Whether giving moral support or receiving it, being there for someone does not cost a thing.“He was so understanding of my situation and was like the perfect puzzle piece to the kids and I.” ~Lisa, Canada
Giving back. Giving our time to others is one of the greatest gifts we have to give, whether we are making dinner with our family, visiting a grandparent or old friend, or volunteering for a good cause.
Hard work. It feels good to know hard work.“I have learned that nothing comes easy that is worthwhile, and this is where hard work and grit comes in.” ~Sarah, Washington
Success. When you finally achieve what you set out to achieve, there is no other feeling like it!
Independence. “Be you, stay you, do you. There is no one like you and the moment you appreciate that about you, the rest of the world will!” ~Maria Tan, Philippines
Passion. “Passion is what makes you persevere through setbacks, unhappiness, and fear of failure to achieve your dreams. It is the core drive of your motivation.” ~Ashlee, Florida
Proving haters wrong. “People will judge you, try to change you, try to break you, and even try to stop you. But that is all in the process of getting to the top!” ~Felissa, Georgia
Health. We don’t have full control over our health, but what we do each day matters. If you are able to get out of bed right now, that is a gift. “The doctors told me I might never walk again. When you’re faced with that kind of news, you have a choice—accept what you’re being told or try and do something about it.” ~Kezia, England
Exercise. People would pay big money to live longer. Here is one FREE way to live longer: exercise! Though it may be difficult to get started, exercise has amazing benefits! The studies don’t lie; exercise can make you live longer! So, if you are able, find something you like that gets your body moving! If you have the ability to move your body, that is a gift.
Creating. Creating something with your own hands feels amazing. Create a story, a poem, a drawing, build something. “Don’t be afraid to put your work out there. It’s very daunting at first, but it’s so rewarding when people read your book and tell you how much they love it.” ~Dee J. Stone, Surname authors in USA
“Whenever you feel completely disappointed, desperate, and that life is completely pointless, turn to that color or canvas, pot or music, or whatever makes you feel joy.” ~Ioana, Romania
Patience. If it does not come easily to you, it can be learned.
Mindfulness. “I have to take care of myself by sleeping, eating healthy, exercising, spending time with God through prayer, and meditation as well as reading my Bible. I have to be intentional about making time for myself, family and friends, as well as work.” ~Ruby B. Johnson, West Africa
Curiosity. We can be curious and try new things and explore this beautiful planet. “Something I’d like others to know is that whatever you want to do is possible if you really want to make it happen. I make traveling and seeing the world a priority. This isn’t to say that I spend an extreme amount of money on it either. I budget it into my expenses just like groceries. I need to see the world. And while I love my job, I always feel a constant urge to know that the world and my life is bigger than sitting at a desk or on a train. It’s always worth it, and it is totally possible!” ~Justine S., New Jersey
Knowledge. You never know what you might learn next and how it may impact the rest of your life. “I signed up for one design class and absolutely loved it! I found that I not only had a passion for interior design, but I had a God-given gift to envision a space based off my clients’ wants and needs.” ~Ariel, Texas
Choice. Knowing you have choice to eat that sandwich, see that friend, to remove someone negative from your life. It’s your choice. “You are amazing! Take care and love yourself. You are worth loving! You have everything you need inside of yourself. You have the cognitive power to improve your life through your thoughts and emotions. If you’re stuck in a bad relationship or situation, know you have the power to change that.” ~Lisa, Canada
“In my point of view, during our lives, we have the chance to make positive impacts in our environment by understanding that life is full of good intent. I am passionate about people. Each of us has a story—something to tell the world. As human beings, we all deserve to be unique and to make mistakes in order to learn.” ~Idoia, Spain
Forgiveness. Forgiving someone doesn’t necessarily mean letting someone who is negative back in your life. You can forgive without compromising your happiness. Forgiving someone will most likely make you happier; you can forgive this person to their face or just in your heart.
Appreciation for the good and bad. Being able to appreciate not only the good but the bad. See the bad as opportunities to make you a better person, to learn, to experience the world fully. It is all a part of the ride.“What I’ve learned in my journey is that life is a journey full of hills and valleys. I used to believe that I was a victim to life’s circumstances, but what I had to be awakened to is that I also had choices in the decisions I was making in my life.” ~Amiee, Indiana
“I have learned to enjoy every moment. I wish I could go back to my 16-year-old self and tell her that nothing in life is as important as you think it is when you think about it. Everything in life moves on and changes, and everything is about different stages.” ~Leire, Spain
Nature. “My favorite quote is ‘There’s a sunrise and sunset in every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss any of them.'” ~Stacy, Florida
Senses. The smell of roses. The feel of cotton. The sight of flowers or clouds in the sky. The touch of a hug from a loved one. The taste of pizza. We derive a lot of happiness from our senses. They compromise the human experience! Having a bad day? Go pick yourself some flowers, eat your favorite food, take a warm shower, watch the sunset, or give someone a hug!
Ability to read. When you can read, the world is at your fingertips. You can learn anything, do anything. Anything is possible.“I learn from these stories and it’s important to me. They color the dreams of my reality and future and help me find the adventure in my life. Find your life’s adventures.” ~Lachelle, California
Being alive today.
You are alive today. While you have probably heard the saying, “Life is a precious gift,” a question you must ask yourself is…
Do you live each day as if it were a gift?
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stresses and activities and requirements we face each day. Requirements to go to work, to feed our family, to clean our apartment or house, to pick up this, do that, cancel this, and so on…
Maybe someone cut you off on the road, you got in a fight with your mother, or you got stuck in traffic for two hours…
Or worse, you are drowning in debt, you lost someone near and dear to you, or you are suffering from a health condition (physical, mental, you name it).
The fact is you are alive now. You may not be tomorrow.
It’s simply the truth that you just don’t know what tomorrow could bring.
We need to try our best to enjoy every single day that we are alive. And that may be hard sometimes, especially if you are suffering from a terminal disease in a hospital bed, or you lost someone who means the world to you, or you suffer from depression and you constantly feel it.
No one lives this life without suffering, and no one makes it out alive.
While we could be sad and harp on death, choose to harp on life. Because you are here now.
Make choices to live your life the best way you can. Choose to see the good. Choose to see life. Choose to live it the way you want.
At the end of the day, there is nothing greater than the gift of life.
You are alive.
So, what do you want to do today with your precious gift of today?
Do you want to say hello to a stranger and make their day? Do you want to go for a walk outside? Do you want to bake cookies with your mom or go to lunch with dad? Do you want to catch up with a sibling or an old friend? Do you want to snuggle with your cat? Do you want to finally take the first step toward following your dreams? Do you want to tell your family how much you love them? Do you want to watch the sunset? Do you want to go try the tacos at that new Mexican restaurant that just opened? Do you want to drive or fly to a place you have never been to before? Do you want to profess your love to someone you can’t get out of your mind? Whatever it is you have always wanted to do, ask yourself, “Why not do it today?”
Because today is a gift. Use it however you choose.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Wishing you health, happiness, and the power for you to create your day as you wish.
[Lychee is an alchemist, herbalist, and psychosomatic therapist at AINÚ holistic therapy, as well as a certified yoga instructor.]
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up in a separated household, I mostly looked up to my older brother, who has a beautiful mix of both masculine leadership and feminine radiance. He’s now married with two beautiful children and co-creating therapy with his wife, as they are both psychologists.
As a white female born in Brussels, I don’t think I was always aware of some of the luxury my parents gave me, until later in life.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I think one thing that I’ve learned is that whenever you think a story has ended, there is always a new beginning coming; it’s really just a matter of perspective. Sounds cliché? That’s because it is!
I also hid away a lot as a kid, could easily play, doodle, read, or listen to music and stories for hours on repetition. Not that those qualities are completely gone; but as an adult, I do value the sense of togetherness and sharing time a bit more.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism means many a thing, but to me, it represents freedom where in other ways softness, vulnerability, and adaptability have been mistaken for weakness and/or prone to only one gender.
As the copy dude in friends would say: we are the same, yet we are not. It’s in those different flavors that we can marinate life and in-joy ourselves.
All those different experiences and make-up is not what defines us, but it does allow for certain processes and patterns affecting our decisions. I think (self) respect has something to do with it too. And love. A LOT of self-love.
Q and A with Jennifer S. from Conway, South Carolina, USA
“Honesty goes a long way when dealing with clients, and honesty will get you more business because you build relationships and trust.”
Q: Tell us about yourself. What are you passionate about?
A:I am a seamstress and quilter. I began sewing when I was five or so. I would sew with my mom and gram. I went through high school and took all the home economics (home ec) classes I could and then became a home ec teacher. While I was teaching, I continued sewing for myself and others. I taught for 25 years and then quit my job in education and moved. When I couldn’t find a job that I truly was passionate about, I decided to do my business full time. I have been making quilts and doing alterations for people as a full-time job, along with my Etsy shop, where I have a quilt pattern for sale and I sometimes list quilts for sale.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up with one sibling. My mom was a nurse, and my dad a coal miner. We were a fairly frugal family, and I would make my clothes and prom dresses to get exactly what I wanted rather than buy what everyone else would have at the school. I learned how to do tile and carpet/flooring work from my dad because he also did that as a part-time job. It was helpful when I moved as I started a job in that field and was a top producer for the company but hated what I was doing after while, so I came back to what I love.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I was always taught that hard work and doing your best built good character. I never take on a job that I know I’m not able to do just to make some money. Honesty goes a long way when dealing with clients, and honesty will get you more business because you build relationships and trust.
Q:What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to me is having equality of the sexes. Feminism is a dynamic concept that is constantly adjusting to things in the world. I am able to many things men can do (carpeting a home, installing LVP/laminate, installing tile, changing a tire and oil, etc.). And sewing isn’t women’s work; many men make beautiful quilts and clothing, and people don’t always see that. I feel, if you really want to know how to do something, even if it considered a job not for your gender, you can learn it and be good at it and maybe even better than those who came before you. Work hard to be your best!
MORE ABOUT JENNIFER: I am a mother of three, and a wife of 27 years. I love the flexibility my career has given me to travel and visit my kids. I worked hard to get myself to where I am now, and I want others to know they can do the same.
