In Another Zone! By Wendy M. Reynolds, MS/P BCF Senior Managing Editor
Wendym.wordpress.com http://twitter.com/Wendymreynolds
One of the things I love about growning up in Michigan is watching the seasons change. Watching the beautiful Fall colors emerge is an especially amazing sight. However, Michigan has its own clock and calendar. The seasons seem to change when they feel like it and how they feel like it. We often find ourselves saying, "Will Winter ever end?!" or "How is it Fall already and we are still in early August?" or "Why is it thundering in December?" Life often appears to have seasons. I have found myself saying things like, "Ugh! Will this crazy season ever end?! Will the colors of my life ever change again? I'm tired of this dry season where everything looks dead! I've been in this season way too long!" I can't tell you the number of times I have danced through my house singing, "It's a new season, it's a new day (by Israel and New Breed)", only to find myself in the same old season! What's up with that?! I believe somewhere in November or December 2014, God impressed these words upon my heart: "At this time, don't talk in terms of seasons. Talk in terms of zones. You currently live in the EST zone but at any time you can get in your car or on a plane, train, bus... and travel to another time zone. You can be in Michigan but choose to travel to Australia, which is 14 hours ahead of Michigan and has a different climate than Michigan. Your choice of transportation, a plane. At this time in your life, so shall it be. You get to choose what zone you will reside in. Your vehicles are your mouth and your words. What zone will you choose to live and operate in? Will you choose to be in a mourning zone or a morning zone? Are you in a comfort zone or a power zone, a productive zone, a complacent zone, a joyful zone, a peaceful zone, a chaotic zone, a profitable zone, a creative zone, a broke zone, ...? Choose your zone. The season doesn't matter."
So when I get up in the morning, I challenge myself. I don't complain about how my life appears. I speak my zone. "Today my zone is joyful, healthy, and productive. God is on display in my life today. My relationships sharpen me. My business to be profitable. My work and my life stand out. My kids excel today. I expect to make a great impact. I have everything I need to do what I'm called to do. Folks are calling out my namewanting to connect with me, collaborate with me, invest in me and help me..." Then I align my attitude and my actions with my words and I stay in a state of expectancy. Whew, I can't even begin to tell you the huge difference it has made in my daily life. There is power in the words we speak! Listen, you do not have to be stuck or broken down in a horrible season. Your climate doesn't have to be dictated by the evening news or by circumstances. I challenge you this month to intentionally use your mouth and your words as vehicles to take you to another zone. Be sure to check your alignment (your attitude and actions) and stay in a state of expectation. Watch where you end up! Are you ready? Let's go! __________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 Rules of Forgiveness Thomas G Plante Ph.D., ABPP Do the Right Thing
7 Rules of Forgiveness It's mostly about letting go of anger, and that's a boon for your health. I gave a lecture on forgiveness this past week at Stanford University and noticed that basically everyone in the audience admitted that they struggled with trying to forgive someone. On a 10-point scale (where 1 = no forgiveness, and 10 = complete forgiveness) about half reported scores of 6 or lower regarding their ability to forgive someone in their life now. This isn’t surprising at all. We probably all have people in our life we would like to strangle! Think about it for a few moments. Can you list a few people whom you feel badly victimized by or who harmed you in some significant way? Or maybe you have harmed someone and now feel bad or perhaps even mortified by your behavior.
It is really hard to forgive, whether it is forgiving yourself or others. We all could likely use some help learning to do it better. But what we may not be aware of is that learning to forgive is good for both our mental and physical health. Quality empirical research has shown that when we are better at forgiveness we experience lower stress, tension, levels of depression, anxiety, and perhaps most important, anger. Anger is toxic to our mental and physical health, increasing our stress reactivity and our risk for illness such as heart disease. In fact, the
hostility and anger associated with Type A behavior is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. When we have trouble being able to forgive, we hold in anger, resentment, and bitterness that can harm us in multiple ways and at multiple levels.
Knowing that forgiveness is good for you doesn’t make it easy to put it in practice, though. While there are no simple solutions to be better at forgiveness there are several principles we all can keep in mind, including the following seven: 1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you have to forget, too. We don’t forgive and forget at all. People who have been terribly abused, neglected, and victimized don’t forget their traumas and they really don’t need to do so. They can learn to forgive, yet remember quite well. 2. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re minimizing your victimization experience. By engaging in forgiveness you aren’t saying “it’s okay…it wasn’t that bad.” Not at all! You can forgive yet still admit that the victimization and trauma was very real and very bad. 3. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you’re a chump. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, naivete, or foolishness. 4. Forgiveness doesn’t depend upon the other person apologizing and accepting your offer of forgiveness. Sadly, you cannot expect that the person who wronged you can fully understand or appreciate that what he or she did was wrong. They may never admit that they did anything problematic at all. That’s okay, because you can engage in forgiveness for your own benefit, not theirs. You don't need anything from them to forgive them. 5. Forgiveness is a process. Forgiveness isn’t an all-or-none, black-or-white kind of thing. It is a process. You may never be able to completely forgive another person but you can work to get closer to do so. You may never get to the 10 on my 10-point forgiveness scale, but you can turn a 6 into a 7 or to an 8. 6. Forgiveness is for your health and well being. Since research shows that holding onto anger is toxic for your health and well being, and since no one wants to be around those who are chronically angry, bitter, resentful, and unforgiving, then forgiveness is something that you do for you. It is in your best interest to forgive others for their transgressions, not necessarily theirs. You are not engaging in forgiveness to do them a favor, but to do one for .
7. The secret sauce in forgiveness is letting go of anger. In my clinical practice I have treated many people who have been terribly victimized and traumatized by physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse. I have also treated many who have been abused by those who should have treated them the most kindly, such as parents, siblings, close friends, and even clerics. Those who do well and cope best in life are those who have found some way to forgive themselves and others. They have worked hard to let go of the anger and resentment and moved on. They don't forget and they don't allow themselves to continue to be victimized. They let go of the anger and choose to forgive (deserved or not). So, what do you think? Can you forgive more? Can you try? Check out my web page at www.scu.edu/tplante (link is external) and follow me on Twitter @ThomasPlante (link is external) Copyright Thomas G. Plante, PhD, ABPP __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next Month from BEAUTY COME FORTH Online Magazine
10 Foods That Will Boost Your Brain and Make You Smarter By Traci D Mitchell Think fast. Name 10 foods that will boost your brain and make you smarter. When it comes to memory, focus, stress and cognition, the foods we eat have a tremendous impact on brain function. Here are 10 foods that will help keep you on your toes, ready to handle anything! 1) Walnuts Not only are walnuts full of antioxidants, copper and magnesium, they're also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating a diet that's inclusive of a serving of walnuts a day not only reduces inflammation in the central nervous system, but reverses cognitive deficits. TIP: The next time you have oatmeal or yogurt, go nuts with walnuts by adding a small handful for added health benefits. 2) Blueberries The blueberry's claim to fame in the brain power department is due to an abundance of anthocyanidins, compounds that have shown to be beneficial in protecting against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. You don't have to wait until your senior years to get the benefit of blueberries. Cognition and reasoning have been shown to improve in people of all ages, thanks to the blueberry. TIP: You don't have to be bashful when eating blueberries. One cup is a mere 85 calories. Enjoy.
3) Salmon Yet another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon fires up your brain by making the synapses stronger, allowing communication between cells to be faster. Need to work on your listening skills? The nutrients in salmon have been shown to improve focus and retention, too! TIP: The next time you make salmon for dinner, consider buying wild Alaskan, one of the cleanest, toxin-free varieties of this fish.
4) Coffee While too much coffee might give you the jitters, it looks like a good cup of Joe a day is just what your brain needs to help improve short term memory. In the elderly, research has shown coffee improves long term memory, too. TIP: One cup of coffee contains about 76mg of caffeine, just the amount our brain needs to improve function. Too much can leave you anxious and distracted. Go easy.
5) Flax Seeds If you've got the blues, or are predisposed to depression, take a teaspoon of flax seed oil every day. Research has shown that the oil from this omega-3 rich seed helps with mood, but also focus and memory. TIP: Your body can benefit from ground flax seeds, too! Just make sure you grind them fresh rather than buying them pre-ground. Freshly ground seeds are a more potent source of omega-3s.
6) Peppermint A sprig of mint might help with bloating and digestion, but when it comes to how it affects your brain, a cup of peppermint tea has been shown boost memory and focus. TIP: Make a big kettle of peppermint tea, then refrigerate it. Grab a cold cup of iced peppermint tea over the warm summer months for a caffeine-free boost.
7) Green Tea Green tea contains an amazing amino acid called L-theanine that has been shown to have a calming effect, especially when anxiety is high. Green tea also has the benefit of caffeine, just not as much. So if you're sensitive to coffee, but what the added memory-boosting effects of caffeine, have a cup of green tea instead. TIP: Always buy organic green tea. Conventionally-produced green teas tend to be much higher in fluoride, which can have a damaging effect on the brain. 8) Coconut Oil A hotbed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), coconut oil has been shown to have an immediate effect on the brain, boosting memory in those who have Alzheimer's disease. In a healthy brain, MCTs are an amazing source of fuel for the brain to use to help keep cognition high. Don't worry about this fat getting stored as fat. The MCTs in coconut oil have actually been shown to reduce belly fat. TIP: Add a little coconut oil to scrambled eggs in the morning or air-popped popcorn as an evening snack. 9) Eggs Whole eggs, including the yolk, contain a form of omega-3 fatty acids called DHA. Our brain is composed of about 40% DHA. Ample amounts of this particular fatty acid have been shown to improve mood and cognitive function especially in young children. Eating a few eggs a week will do your brain some good! TIP: Don't have time to make eggs in the morning? Hard boil and peel a few at the beginning of the week. Eat as an easy grab-n-go snack. 10) Holy Basil The next time you feel stressed, have a cup of holy basil tea. Holy basil is an Ayurvedic herb grown throughout southern Asia, but easily cultivated for home use anywhere.Holy basil has been increases blood flow to the brain, improving both mood and memory. This herb has also been shown to have a positive effect on stress. TIP: Most grocery stores carry Holy basil tea, also called Tulsi, in tea form. About Traci Traci D Mitchell is a nationally-recognized Chicago-based nutrition coach and personal trainer featured on the TODAY Show and Dr. Oz. As the trainer for Steve Harvey's Bridal Bootcamp, Traci keeps herself busy by challenging others to be the healthiest they can be. Traci is available for corporate speaking events and private coaching.
How To Harness The Power of
Momentum By Marshawn Evans I am so grateful that I get to work with a lot of very different kinds of entrepreneurs, visionaries and thought leaders. And that I get to watch some of them elevate and accelerate high and fast both in their lives and in the marketplace. Witnessing this helps me understand something incredibly valuable about how to become more successful. These people aren’t successful because they’re any smarter, more outgoing or more connected than their colleagues. They’re successful because they’ve harnessed what I call “The Power of Momentum.” When I work with my coaching clients – especially the ones in the Godfidence Business School’s Mastermind programs – I watch how they handle (the inevitable) setbacks and disappointments. I watch what happens to them when fear comes near. And, I also watch how they are experiencing awe-inspiring levels of abundance in all aspects of their lives. (Did you see the recent news about Yvette Pegues winning Ms. Wheelchair USA? Woo-hoo!) There are 3 things I see these rockstars do that others—the ones who are still stuck, broke, and overwhelmed—don’t do.
1. They Don’t Run from Fear, They Embrace It. I’ve got a secret for you–the fear never goes away. I’ve grown my business a ton this year and it was SCARY! Any time you take a step higher, the fear is going to start. But instead of letting it stop you or start you down a familiar path of worry and doubt… Welcome it. Praise it. Love it.
The very next time you feel afraid… about a difficult call you have to make, a speaking engagement, launching your new website… try this. Say, “Hello, Fear. Thanks for coming. I know you’re here because I’m stepping up in my life. And right now I’m much more interested in making this call, having this conversation, launching my website, etc. Watch that fear step aside–and watch yourself get it done. 2. They Eliminate All the Excuses. Excuses can be really slippery—and they steal so much of our time and energy. And we can get so used to them that we don’t really recognize them anymore. What I see in the movers and shakers in my mastermind groups is an attitude that looks more like this, “My success is a non-negotiable. I am going to do WHATEVER it takes to get there.” It’s important to know when you’re making excuses. Here are some very popular ones, just so you can better recognize yours: I don’t have enough time. I am way too busy. (Do you think Yvette may have felt “too busy” to take on a pageant… along with being a speaker, business owner and mom?) Oh, I can’t charge more because I love doing this work. I never went to coaching school–who am I to call myself a coach? I know I said I’d call that person who wanted me to speak, but my website really needed updating. I can’t start exercising because I don’t have the right sneakers…. I know you know what I’m talking about. We all have our own favorite reason why things aren’t working the way they could. The good news is there comes a time you can clearly see these excuses for what they are–and get back to doing what you’re meant and called to do. 3. They Invest in their Future. I love this saying because it is SO true: “To get something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.” And any major shift in growth (whether it’s increasing your income, improving your fitness, or finishing your book…) requires a major shift in action. Whether it’s for a trainer, an editor, a coach or a housekeeper, whenever you make an investment in yourself it signifies your decision to infuse MAJOR changes in your life AND your income. Investing in yourself is like placing a bet on your destiny with full expectation that you’re going win. The day I stretched to join my own mastermind group—and, believe me, it was a huge streeeeetch—was a life-changing, business-changing, mindset-changing day. And then I got to start spending time with like-minded entrepreneurs who were investing in their futures… and that was a whole new level of amazing. I know I will never in my life go without a mastermind and a coach ever again. They are that integral to my growth and purpose. Marshawn Evans is a Global Mentor and Catalyst for Women looking to Launch Their Dreams and Live Their Purpose. She equips others to AMPLIFY their lives, their leadership and their legacy by teaching the principles of
influence, branding, and divine purpose. Her weekly eZine goes out to thousands of subscribers. Are you ready to unleash your brilliance and align with your REAL destiny? Sign up for a FREE subscription at http://marshawnevans.com. _______________________________________________________________________________________
Tips To Help Make This A Successful School Year For All Involved- Students, Parents and School Staff By Dawn R.S. Beigler All parents want their children to be successful in school. Here are just a few tips to help make this school the best it can be for everyone. I’ve compiled the list from my own experience as well as asked for input from other teachers, school secretaries and parents. After all, it takes a village, right?? o Sit at the kitchen table and read a book while your kids are doing homework. This way you’re nearby to help them if needed and you’re setting an example for learning and showing it isn’t just something children do. It’s best if you make this a habit – every night around the same time and location, if possible. Make sure that all unnecessary technology is turned off (phones, televisions, etc…) to help avoid distractions. o Don’t change the routine all that much from the previous school year right away. For example, if your child normally does homework right after school but wants to start hanging out with his friends first and then get to his homework later or has found success taking medication for ADHD but wants to start his middle school years off of that medication, encourage them to stick with what worked last year for at least the first card marking. With all of the other changes going on in his life, it’s probably best not to add that to the mix as well – at least not right away. o Ask your kids open ended questions about school each day. These are the kind of questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes, no, or one word answer and hopefully show your child that you’re genuinely interested in the answer. Asking “How was school today?’ is equivalent to saying “How are you?” to someone – you don’t often hear anything but “Fine” as the reply. “Tell me about your favorite part of your day today?” would be better than “Did you learn anything today?” or “What did you learn today?” Sit down with them, listen without interruption and ask to look through their folders to see what they are working on and for any correspondence from school. o Plan ahead and teach your child to plan ahead as well. Instead of calling up the school secretary and asking them to remind your child to ride the bus home, remind your child in the morning. Instead of
bringing up a forgotten lunch or homework, let your child deal with the consequences of their actions. Of course emergencies happen - I’m not referring to those exceptions. Many children seem to make it a habit of forgetting things and will probably continue to do so if there is no consequence to their actions. You want your child to grow up to be a responsible, productive member of society. Let them start learning this important lesson when the stakes are just a zero for an assignment or having to eat the free PB&J sandwich the cafeteria offers for those without a lunch. o Keep the line of communication open. If your child is struggling with a subject, other kids in school or a teacher take the time and discuss the issue with your child. You are your child’s best advocate as you should be – just be careful to hear all sides of the story. For example, if your child says that their teacher doesn’t like them, hear them out but before you fire off a heated phone call or email, Keep in mind that there are three sides to every story – one side, the other side and the truth. As humans we often see OUR side as the only side and as a parent, you certainly want to protect your child. However, if you are quick to always come to their defense without getting the entire story, you’re teaching your child that they do no wrong even when they ARE wrong. I was a kid once and remember lying at times when I didn’t want to get in trouble, don’t you? That’s not to say your child is always being less than honest, but it is important to get all of the facts before you make the that decision. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of suggestions. I know that you’re a busy parent so I kept it short and sweet – no fluff, just honest tips. However, I believe that following these suggestions can set the tone for a successful school year for your child and speaking on behalf of all school staff, that truly is our goal. Dawn has 22 years of teaching experience – all in the L’Anse Creuse Public Schools in Macomb County, Michigan, where she attended school. Fortunately, fresh out of college, she was hired as special education teacher - Emotionally Impaired certification received from MSU - Go Green! She has had the pleasure of teaching middle schoolers, working with elementary students as their media specialist, and as an English teacher at the Macomb Juvenile Justice Center School.
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The Labor of LOVE Exactly what does it mean? By Myra Wallace By Merriam Webster dictionary- -a labor voluntarily undertaken or performed without consideration of any benefit or reward By Phrase finder--Work undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one. Origin-This phrase has a biblical origin and appears in Thessalonians and Hebrews Thessalonians 1:3:Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord I agree with the words from an old Dionne Warrick song “What the world needs now, is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of”. Amen Dionne, I couldn’t have said it better. I’ve always been a believer that the truest form of love is one’s ability to sacrifice their own comfort and convenience for the sake of another. That said the concept of a Labor of Love should be synonymous with the attributes of love itself. So often I’ve found myself in an environment that exudes a spirit of entitlement. This happens, in my opinion, to be the nemesis to the idea of a labor of love. I believe much of today’s entertainment has glorified a life full of stuff and vanity and has encouraged this concept of people attaining certain things or living such lifestyles that reflect success or wealth, should come by way of entitlement which has replaced the ole school thought of doing things and giving of oneself for the betterment of another out of a labor of love or unselfishness.
Perhaps we have the power to put some love back in the world, if we all make a point to put in some Labor of Love. History has shown the benefits of loving. It has been said that the greatest history book ever written is the Bible. I’d add to that credit that it is also the greatest love story ever written. If you are ever challenged by the question of what love is supposed to look like, go to the Bible. This one word is translated a number of ways: Agape, Phileo, and Eros. Agape love is the love God has shown all of his creation; it is modeled in John 3:16. It clearly defines love and adds to its explanation the ways in which we are to live a life that displays it. Phileo is the love of ardent affection and feeling; it is a brotherly or sisterly love. Hebrews 13:1 gives a wonderful example of Phileo love. And lastly, there is Eros, which represents an exotic, romantic love. It is the love you feel for your boyfriend, fiancé, or husband—the kind personified in the writings of King Solomon in Songs of Solomon. When it comes to Love, that is an everlasting, beautiful expression of love, and that is God’s love towards us.
2015 Rankings of Best Historically Black Colleges & Universities By College Choice
Rankings of Historically Black Colleges and Universities are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to the most recent nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA , these factors include academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost, and success of graduates in the post-college job market. Each of these factors were weighted equally in our ranking and data was derived from a variety of publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics , and PayScale.com .
10 Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans is the home to the only Catholic and Historically Black College or University in the nation, Xavier University of Louisiana. Grounded on the principles of service and leadership, Xavier has built a reputation for producing outstanding graduates in many academic programs, especially in the physical and health sciences. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Xavier ranks number one in the nation in awarding bachelor’s degrees to AfricanAmerican students in the biological and biomedical sciences, the physical sciences, and physics. Xavier balances academics with its Catholic faith tradition and offers ministry opportunities in social justice engagement, sacred dancing, gospel choir and Campus Ministry Leadership Council. In the fall of 2014, student enrollment reached nearly 3,000 students, making the student-to-faculty ratio a remarkable 14:1. Academic reputation score: 33 Average financial aid: $9,637 Average net price: $17,829 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
9 North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University is in Durham, smack-dab in the middle of one of the most advanced, research hubs in the state. The hub, known as the Research Triangle, is where the university advances its rigorous research endeavors, focusing on the biomedical, informational, computational, behavioral, and social and health science fields. NCCU has the proud distinction of being the first public, liberal arts institution in the nation for African-Americans. Its programs excel in other areas as well, such as the School of Library and Information Sciences which has helped produce more African-American librarians than any other institution. In the spirit of service and community engagement, students are required to complete 120 hours of service before they graduate. There are a little more than 6,300 undergraduate students enrolled at NCCU and popular majors include business administration, criminal justice and family and consumer science. Academic reputation score: 39 Average financial aid: $8,684 Average net price: $9,634 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
8 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City (North Carolina) State University is a small, public, research institution and belongs to the University of North Carolina system. Founded as a teaching school in 1891, ECSU aims to provide a first-rate education, promote cutting-edge research, and advance premier scholarship. The school’s 223-acre rural campus has seen a blitz of construction over the past ten years and has renovated or built more than 24 buildings, including a 52,500 square foot Pharmacy Complex. ECSU plays to its historic strength as a teacher training school, but also offers outstanding programs in other areas such as aviation, pharmaceutical science and business and economics. Nearly 2,000 students are enrolled at ECSU. Academic reputation score: 67 Average financial aid: $8,452 Average net price: $1,993 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
7 Howard University The nation’s capital is home to prestigious Howard University. Howard is a private, research university comprised of 13 schools and colleges with a total enrollment of 10,000 students. The University is situated two miles from the U.S. Capitol on an illustrious 256 acres of land. As a research university, Howard conducts innovative research in areas such as nanotechnology, human genome research and atmospheric science. Academic programs at Howard are second to none and do an exemplary job of preparing students for the future, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related fields. More minority doctoral graduates than any other university come from Howard. In addition, the National Science Foundation recently recognized Howard as a top producer of undergraduates who go on to earn science and engineering doctoral degrees. Challenged by the University’s motto of “Truth and Service,” Howard students contribute thousands of hours each year to both local and international service projects. Academic reputation score: 35 Average financial aid: $18,148 Average net price: $21,981 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
6 Morehouse College Legendary Morehouse College is the only African-American college exclusively for men in the United States. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school was established two years after the civil war, and has produced some of America’s most influential leaders and creative minds such as Martin Luther King Jr., Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Earl F. Hilliard, Samuel L. Jackson, and Shelton “Spike” Lee. Morehouse is a private, liberal arts school and is dedicated to shaping men who will “lead lives of leadership service”. Morehouse flexes its academic muscle by providing its undergraduates with a holistic, interdisciplinary, and challenging curriculum designed to prepare students for the labor market or postgraduation studies. Over the past decade, Morehouse has excelled in this area as it has consistently sent graduates on to top-tier professional and graduate schools. Academic reputation score: 45 Average financial aid: $16,592 Average net price: $28,859 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
5 Winston-Salem State University Founded in 1892, Winston-Salem (North Carolina) State University is a public, co-educational institution. It is a member of the University of North Carolina system and has an estimated total student enrollment of 6,000 students. WSSU offers top-notch academic programs through its four centers of excellence, which focus on teacher education, information technology, health sciences and financial services. Of the 40-plus degree programs offered at WSSU, arguably the most unique is its Bachelor of Science program in Motorsports Management, an experiential degree program designed to prepare students for one of the fastest growing spectator sports in the world. The Winston-Salem Division of Nursing offers baccalaureate, masters and doctoral level programs and is the third largest producer of nurses in North Carolina. Academic reputation score: 42 Average financial aid: $7,711 Average net price: $8,340 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
4 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a 140 yearold, land-grant institution offering students from Arkansas and those from the far reaches of the globe excellent degree programs, affordable tuition and an electrifying campus atmosphere. Applications to the university continue to rise, and this is in part due to the university’s efforts to make college more accessible. Many students are attracted to the increased number of academic scholarships available and the out-of-state tuition assistance available to those from nearby states. Over the past five years, the university’s most popular majors are biology, business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, psychology, computer sciences, human sciences, health and physical education, agricultural sciences and music. UAPB has more than 90 clubs and organizations, marching band, wind symphony and a competitive athletic program. Academic reputation score: 57 Average financial aid: $8,31 Average net price: $7,298 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
3 Bethune-Cookman University Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a small, private institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Just two miles away from relaxing beaches and sweeping views of the Atlantic, the university is located on an 82-acre campus consisting of more than 52 administrative and academic buildings, innovative technology centers and nine student residence halls. Guided by its core values to live out its deepest convictions and seek social justice, the university has cultivated faith, scholarship and service for more than 100 years. Undergraduate curriculum emphasizes learning opportunities that promote social responsibility and civic participation. The university offers a strenuous academic program enriched by incredible faculty, hands-on service activities and a plethora of extra-curricular opportunities. Popular majors include criminal justice, nursing, business administration, psychology, mass communication and biology. Academic reputation score: 61 Average financial aid: $10,481 Average net price: $16,518 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
2 Hampton University Hampton (Virginia) University originated from the efforts of several altruistic people, chief among them, Mary Peake, an African-American who taught liberated slaves how to read and write under a common oak tree. Today, that tree still stands, and is known as Emancipation Oak. It is revered by the more than 4,000 students who call Hampton University home. Located near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, this fiercely, independent university brilliantly balances the need for technical training and traditional, liberal arts academic programs. The university is comprised of seven schools – business, education and human development, engineering and technology, liberal arts, nursing, pharmacy, science, Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications and the University College. Popular majors include psychology, nursing, biology and business administration. The Pirates of Hampton belong to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and compete in several men’s and women’s sports including football, basketball, crosscountry, golf, tennis, track and volleyball. Academic reputation score: 67 Average financial aid: $11,176 Average net price: $21,191 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
1 Tuskegee University Tuskegee (Alabama) University draws students from all over the world because of its remarkable history and unparalleled commitment to providing world-class academic programs. Located 20 minutes outside of the state capital, the university has a storied legacy. It is home to the heroic Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of black men to be trained as military airmen. Tuskegee is also home to some of the finest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs in the country. Notable programs include science, engineering, and veterinary medicine. In fact, TU is the number one producer of African-American aerospace science engineers in the country and a leading producer of African-American engineering graduates in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. In Alabama, no other university graduates more students in math, science, and engineering than Tuskegee. In addition to stellar academic programs and a rigorous curriculum, Tuskegee offers an intimate learning environment with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, a 300,000-volume research library and a recently launched on-line degree program. Academic reputation score: 86 Average financial aid: $5,376 Average net price: $27,477 Average starting salary: Payscale.com Admissions website
Greek Getaway Traveling to Greece By Anna Goshua Each year Greece welcomes visitors from all over the world. In summer of course tourist movement soars as the Greek sun is synonymous with freedom and a carefree lifestyle, yet the country’s mild climate and many attractions, along with its excellent infrastructure, have made Greece a favourite destination in winter too. One can travel to Greece in many different ways: by road, plane, train or sea. Major roads link Greece with Europe and Asia. The country’s airports provide top-notch services. Rail connections with Europe allow for a lovely nostalgic journey. And last but not least, Greek ports welcome ocean-going ships and local ferries all year round. By plane, ship, train or car, or even a combination of transportation means, traveling to Greece is relatively simple and quick, even though it is situated at the southernmost corner of Europe and the Balkan Peninsula! “You’re going to Greece now? During the crisis?” was the incredulous refrain that I kept hearing as I was packing for my trip to Crete in July of this year. Having ignored it entirely, I went and came back (in one piece!) from my two-week trip, and am now here to tell you why you shouldn’t let the media or others dissuade you from doing the same. Economic Crisis Ironic, huh? In reality, as a tourist, you are not subject to any of the hassles that the locals have to deal with. Other benefits include decreased hotel prices and fewer tourists. All the while, you’ll be injecting much needed tourism dollars into the economy. Hospitality Greeks have always been known for their warmth and the economic crisis has done nothing but make them even more welcoming towards tourists. In my personal experience, hotel staff was more like family, restaurant servers were extremely courteous, and even strangers on the street would flash a beaming smile and gladly help you with directions. And speaking with locals yields fascinating discussion: they weave a tale of struggle, but never lose a tone of optimism. The Sights With its mountainous landscape and seemingly endless stretches of crystalline water, Greece boasts some of the most impressive sights in the world. The peaceful rallies have done nothing to mar these sights, not even in the heart of Athens. So you can stay in the capital or get away to Crete or one of the Cycladic islands, but no matter what you choose, you will undoubtedly find a place to settle down and spend an idyllic day looking at out remarkable views. History Greece’s historical landmarks extend beyond just the iconic Acropolis and its history is not solely contained within the Classical Period, during which democracy was invented. For instance, I had the pleasure of spending a great deal of time in the Cretan capital of Heraklion. Through the city’s famed Archaeological Museum, I learned a great deal about the progressive yet peaceful Minoan civilization. And, just as important, you can witness the history unfolding around you at that very moment as a country struggles and moves toward rebuilding itself. Speak with the locals and, by that, I don’t just mean the adults; the youth have some very valuable insight to offer.
Food Aside from tourism, the fact that agriculture is one of the largest industries in Greece is easily evident in the vast array of delicious, fresh ingredients. Greece has a reputation as one of the foremost gastronomic destinations in the world and this rings true as decadent, flavourful indulgences-from classic eggplant moussaka to snails- abound. And it doesn’t cost much either! So, whichever of these reasons calls out to you the most, pack up your bags and don’t you dare cancel that flight. An incredible experience in one of the world’s most culturally rich and beautiful countries awaits.
Myra’s Cool Greek Getaway
Athens Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm. A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape. At the Athens Museum
Santorini Santorini is often touted as a “must-visit destination” because, much like Venice or Socotra, there simply is no other place even remotely like in the entire universe. Unless you’re into the whole parallel universe theory or believe extraterrestrial life exists, which I’m not ruling out… but that’s so not relevant to this article. I’m sorry, I ate a chocolate bar three minutes ago, made some thoroughly unnecessary but extremely gratifying online purchases and now I can’t stop rambling. My view from Santorini
Mykonos Mykonos, part of the Cyclades island group in the Aegean Sea, is one of the most popular and glamorous Greek isles, known for its nonstop party atmosphere. Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise welcome a diverse crowd, with sandside bars that blare thumping music. Massive dance clubs attract worldrenowned DJs and typically stay open well past dawn.
Myra Shopping in Mykonos
Rhodes Rhodes, the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, is known for its beach resorts, ancient ruins and structural remnants of its crusadesera occupation by the Knights of St. John. Rhodes City features the medieval Street of the Knights and the castlelike Palace of the Grand Masters, once a Turkish prison and now a museum. The city’s bars, clubs and cafes bustle during high season. Myra on the streets of Rhodes
Crete (Heraklion) Crete, Greece's largest island, is known for its varied terrain, which ranges from finesand beaches at Elafonisi to the White Mountains. Mt. Ida, the tallest of the range, is home to the Ideon Cave, which was the birthplace of Zeus according to Greek mythology. The capital Heraklion is home to the Palace of Knossos, a mazelike hilltop ruin, and renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing Minoan artifacts Myra taking a dip in Mediterranean
Ancient Ephesus (Turkey) And while you’re cruising the Greek Isles why not make a stop in Kusadasi and visit the Ancient city Ephesus (Turkey). More history than your visit can cover. See the last known home of Mary (mother of Jesus). Walk the streets the Apostles walked, see the amazing ruins and theaters.
The BEAUTY DREAM TEAM Behind the Scenes with Karicean, Dez, Georgette & Drini Meet the Glam Squad that makes it happen all over the globe. This team of Beauty professionals were responsible for all the looks presented in my wedding. They deserve all the accolades for the incredible job they did and the responses they’ve received speaks for itself. This team was headed up by The Posh Studio stylist Karicean. For more details on their work you can reach them all on facebook by names listed below. ENJOY!
Glam Squad Lead Stylist Karicean Hair stylist Desmond Wooden
Bride’s Make-up By “Drini”
Bridal Party Make-up By Georgette Holmes
Designer of Bridal party dresses: Casonna Gibson
Isha Cogborn: Purpose, Passion and Power! By Wendy M. Reynolds, MS/P
In a day where many people are unfulfilled and collapsing under the pressues of life; where there's a self-proclaimed expert on every TV station and social media outlet waiting to sell you a bogus "3 quick steps" to ultimate success, happiness and the love of your life (we might as well throw that in), we need truth and authenticity. How refreshing it is when we finally connect with a voice of truth. In the midst of the noise and counterfeits emerges a distinctive voice declaring, "You don't get to quit because life becomes hard! Other people lose when you don't show up. You have purpose to fulfill! Let's go!" That voice is that of Isha Cogborn. A native of Michigan now living in Arizona, Isha always knew that her life was not meant to be "normal" or "ordinary". She knew from a very young age that she was supposed to help people. She learned to develop her gift of communication, her ability to counsel, her love for people and her passion to help others. What materialized was something powerful. Her journey hasn't been easy. She was voted Most Likely to Succeed in high school, but expectations others had of her soon diminished when she found out she was pregnant shortly after starting college. Throughout the years, Isha would have to deal with the murder of her brother, a chronic illness, and financial despair. Although her circumstances were often challenging, she flat-out refused to become a statistic. The dream that burned in Isha's heart never went away. Anchored in faith, she discovered she had a fight in her that would not only help her become a great mother, but to succeed in college, share a stage with Maya Angelou, broadcast live from the United Nations with Hilary Swank and climb the corporate ladder at The Dow Chemical Company and Waste Management. At the height of the country’s recession in 2009, Dow downsized a large portion of its employees, including Isha. The very next day, Isha launched Epiphany Institute, where she is walking in her purpose of helping others live their purpose, too. In fact, the company that laid her off became one of her clients. What?! Amazing. But understand this: The struggle was real. The fight to live the life she was destined to live was real. And at times, that fight was down right ugly. Isha is a force to be reckoned with. Her energy is contageous. She is woman of faith, entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, a highly sought after coach, and mother of an amazing adult son, Deon (her favorite and most fulfilling role). Isha inspires executives, entrepreneurs, students and others to move past fear, uncertainty and perceived obstacles in order to walk confidently in their purpose.
She can always be seen working and voluteering in her community and is a regular contributor to media outlets and publications around the globe.
I am honored to present Isha Cogborn. BCF: Thank you so much Isha for joining me this evening. Isha: Thank you for having me. I'm excited! BCF: Tell us about yourself… Isha: I was born and raised in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. As far as my family make-up, I've been everything in my family. By birth order, I'm the baby. I have two older brothers and an older sister who were out of the house while I was still in elementary school, leaving me as an only child for two years. When we adopted my nephew (My oldest brother's son) whose mom died when he was three, I became the oldest. When my dad remarried I gained two "bonus sisters" - three years older and three years younger, making me the middle child. So I've literally been the baby, the only, the oldest and the middle. I went to Central Michigan University where I majored in Broadcast Journalism. When I was in the 9th grade, I decided I wanted Donnie Simpson's job. You know, Donnie Simpson from "Video Soul". However, when I was coming up, those jobs were few and far between and online media didn’t exist. So you did news. BCF: Did you like doing news? Isha: I was good at it, but for me it was a bit dark and depressing. I was afraid that if I went into that industry, I would either be too emotionally connected to every story I covered or would become completely desensitized. I remember being in the newsroom in college the day of the shootings at Columbine High School and people were taking bets on the death toll. And as horrible as that sounds, I almost got caught up in it. BCF: Did you have another plan? Isha: Public Relations was always the Plan B. To go into Corporate PR and be in essence, an “internal reporter” where I'd get to write stories and do video, but within the confines of a good paycheck where I wasn’t missing my son’s school plays and basketball games or working on Christmas seemed ideal. And that's what I did. After graduating, I went to work for Dow Chemical as the Employee Communications Manager for their Texas Operations. I had a lot of fun doing that.When I moved on to other roles where I started to get away from the front lines- no longer touching people, learning their stories, celebrating them, I didn't enjoy in it anymore. I didn't realize it then, but that was part of my calling. Even though I was in Corporate America, I was still in my calling by showing people the purpose they played in the company and how it connected to the bottom line and overall success of the company. I enjoyed making them feel good about their contribution. BCF: How old were you when you recognized you had the gift of communication? Isha: It has always been there, but I didn't know it was anything special. When all the kids were crying because they had to get on stage and do an Easter speech, I would cry because my speech wasn't the longest. I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage, having a mic in my hand with the cameras rolling. I jumped at every opportunity to do that. It felt like second nature. I still get nervous sometimes, but it feels as natural as breathing. BCF: Were you the big talker in your household? Isha (Laughing): One of the things my oldest brother would complain to my parents about all the time was, "She's the littlest thing in the house and she has the biggest mouth!" And I did! I didn't bite my tongue. I said what I felt. I didn't care about how big you were or how bad you were. I'd speak my peace. I remember when my mom would be gone, I'd get to running my mouth and my brother would get sick of me and throw me in the top bunk bed and take away the ladder. But it didn't stop me! BCF: What about in school? Isha: I'd get in trouble in school for challenging authority, but when something didn't seem right with me I didn't care that you had a title or were the teacher. If you were wrong, you were
wrong and I was going to tell you.That probably wasn't the best thing to do, but I wasn't intimidated by titles or status when it came down to saying what I felt I needed to say. One of the things I love so much about my mom is she didn't crush my spirit. There were times she had to say, "Okay, you've said enough. I don't want to hear anything else." She tempered that part of my personality when it needed to be tempered. But she allowed me to express myself and be me. I rememeber one time, I had to be about 10 and my sister was 19, we had gotten into it about something and I kind of reared up on her. She wasn't going to hurt me, but she kept trying to get me out of her face. I just kept coming. She was literally dragging me around the floor and I'm still coming at her! When I think back over it, that is really who I am. No matter how much happens or how many times I get knocked down, I'm going to keep coming at you. I'm never at the point where I feel like I lost. As long as I can keep gettng up, I believe I can win. BCF: How do your siblings feel about what you do now? Isha: I believe once I begin to transition into the business – especially speaking full-time and writing the book – that's when the people closest to me begin to say, "Yep, now that's you." Even though I was a communicator in every career setting I've been in, Epiphany Institute allowed me to pull all of the elements of me together. BCF: Was it difficult to find "your fit"? Isha: I've always wanted to help people, but I didn't want to be a teacher, a psychologist, a therapist – you know, the typical roles when you tell someone you want to help people and they say,"Okay, this is the box you fit in." I never felt I fit into any of those boxes. I knew I wanted to help people, I was a communicator, I liked being in front of people and always liked the stage and camera, but I didn't know how all those pieces fit together until several years into my career. They were just random puzzle pieces. I didn't have the picture on the box to know what it looked like when it all came together. BCF: Was it frustating trying to figure it all out? Isha: Oh, it was very frustrating. I rememeber being in Corporate America looking around saying, "This isn't who I want to be when I grow up." Having all those random pieces, but in my mind, I was thinking, "What job will pay me to do that?" I didn’t naturally have an entrepreneurial mindset so I was still thinking in that framework of, "Who is going to give me a job doing all of these things?" BCF: When did it start to click? Isha: I started working with Author and Coach Valorie Burton, and then I started to make sense of it. I realized this wasn't something someone was going to give me. I had to go build it. BCF: Were you still at Dow? Isha: Yes. It was around 2005. I remember being so excited and thinking, "I want to do this now! Okay now God, You showed me the picture, now make it happen like yesterday!" But it didn't happen like that. BCF: How did you handle that? Isha: There is a scripture that says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." It is true because I remember getting up every day and being miserable. "Why do I have to do this? This isn't what I want to do anymore. God, you know what I want do do. Why aren't You opening up these doors for me?" I literally made myself sick. I was up at two in the morning working on a powerpoint presentation in so much pain that I had to drive myself to the emergency room. It took a couple of months for them to find out what was wrong with me and I was off work for four months. This may sound horrible, but I was a little glad to be off. It gave me time to think, plan and dream. I remember telling God, "You can have all of this. I don't need this house. I don't need this car. I don't need this money. I don't care. If You would just let me do what You put me here for, I will give all of this away." Be careful what you tell God you’re willing to do. Little did I know, I would have to make good on that promise. BCF: How did you overcome that spot where your heart was sick? Isha: I had to get to a place of acceptance – where I could say, "Okay, God's ways are not my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts. He must have a plan that looks diferent than the one I have." I had to finally get to a point where I could accept that – whatever His
plan was for my life right then. It took a lot – I didn't just wake up one morning and I was there. But once I got there, I had peace. They figured out what was medically wrong with me, but it was getting back to that place of peace that made the biggest difference. BCF: So, you returned to the job you no longer enjoyed. Isha: Since I was going to be there, I had to figure out how to make the best of it and still have a positive impact, although this was not what I ultimately wanted to do. How could I still use my talents, abilities, passions and experiences to do something significant? I literally created my own job. I went to my boss and said “This is what I want to do and this is why it will be good for the company.” He said yes. But before I could transition into the new role, I was asked to take a more critical position that opened up. It was a significant promotion and I felt like I couldn’t say no, but it was the wrong choice. Before long, I found myself getting back to that same place I was in two years earlier – those same paralyzing feelings. Feeling powerless – not like a victim, but no control over my schedule. When I sat down and devised a plan, I felt I had my power back. BCF: What kind of plan? Isha: How could I have the career I dreamed about? I had already started my coaching certification, but how much would I need to save to do it full-time? What bills did I need to pay off? I created my exit strategy. A week later, there was annoucement that layoffs were coming. I didn't know if I would be laid off, bu when I estimated my severance pay, it was the same amount in my exit strategy. On January 14, 2009, I got my pink slip. On January 15, I ordered new business cards and Epiphany Institute was born. BCF: Some could read your story say, "Wow, that's amazing." But where are the downsides? What was the struggle? Isha: It was hard. Oh, there were plenty of struggles. For years, if there were financial challenges, I could put my head down and work it out. Give me 12 to 24 hours and I would have it. Then I reached a point where I'd put my head down and work at it, but came up with nothing. My business wasn't bringing in the money I needed and I couldn't find a job. I had never interviewed for a job that I didn’t get, and now all of a sudden I couldn’t buy a job! Before I knew it, there as an eviction notice on my door. It goes back to that deal I made with God in 2005. I told Him, "You can have all of this – the car, the house, the money. I don't need any of it. I just want to do what You put me here for." Little by little, I lost all of those things. I lost my house. I lost my car. I went 16 months without a car and had to learn how to catch the bus. I was homeless off and on for two years, living in an extended stay hotel and bunking with girlfriends. There were lots of sacrifices and challenges on the journey. There would be times when I would help people – coaching someone with their business and they are doing well taking my advice, making money and I couldn't make those things happen for myself. That was frustrating. And at the same time, with the type of work I do, you have everyone else relying on your energy and strength. Some days you are like, "I don't have anything left to give'' but you know people need it, so you dig it out of somewhere and you give it to them anyway. BCF: How did you deal with that? Isha: I remember reaching that point of "nothing left to give" when I saw that my college friend's wife was dealing with her fourth bout of breast cancer in seven years. I remember following her Facebook posts while she as at Cancer Treatment Center of America encouraging other people. She was speaking life into other people while she was literally fighting for her own life. I remember thinking, “This little stuff I'm upset about is nothing. This lady is fighting for her life and still has something to pour into someone else. I'm not going to let material things prevent me from fulfilling my purpose because it's not about me anyway!” Very few people knew what I was going through and even those who did often forgot because I wasn't talking about it. Folks wo uld come to me complaining that they couldn't do certain things because, “I'm dealing with this and that" and I'm thinking, "If you only knew what I was dealing with." But at the same time when I caught myself ready to complain, I knew there was someone else who could turn around and say the same thing to me. BCF: What do you think is a big challenge in our society right now as far as people finding success and purpose? Isha: One of the biggest challenges we have right now in our society is that we want success in three easy steps. That is what everybody is selling. Just get online and that's all you'll see from all the gurus. And at some point in my career, I was probably one of them, too. It doesn't work like that. You have to learn to be flexible in life. There are things that life will throw at you – sometimes because you have messed up – because you didn't do what you were supposed to or because that plan you had was a horrible plan. Just because everything your hands touch isn't prospering, you don’t have to tuck tail and run. Try something else. If you believe God has called you to something, then you owe it to God and to the people you're here to serve to figure out how to make it work. Sit at the feet
of wisdom and surround yourself with people who can give you good counsel. But even with that, understand that everyone has their own perspective, which may or may not be for you. BCF: What frustrates you? Isha: One of my frustrations is we are not honest enough about our struggle. I have this challenge as well. I think it's because we think "they" can't handle it. You're going to look at me differently and not think that I have the same knowledge or anointing if I let you know I have some problems. So everyone walks around like everything is perfect – like they have it all together. So then the people who are looking at you, learning from you and trying to accomplish something thinks there’s something wrong with them because they are struggling and everyone around them has it all figured out. "Maybe I'm not who I thought God said I was. Maybe what He showed me really wasn't for me because why am I struggling and nobody else is?" Everybody struggles at some point. That's why we have to get around some folks we can be authentic with. You can't share everything with everybody, but you need to find a couple of folks who you can be transparent with who are also trying to accomplish something. BCF: Let's talk the Institute. Isha: Epiphany Institute is a personal development company forcused on teaching people how to live out their purpose. We started doing this through coaching, speaking, training and now we're adding on the media component. I started the company the day after I got laid off. I didn't do a lot of advertising. For me, the best advertisement is results. I got myself out there by helping people. I did guest blogs, articles, radio segments – not as a means of self –promoting, but with a sincere desire to help. BCF: What is your definition of "Purpose"? Isha: The thing that you are "uniquely created for that will make an impact in the life of someone else. BCF: What happens when I call Epiphany Institute and talk to you? Isha: I want to hear about your dream. I want to hear about what's burning on the inside of you that you can't let go of and then we'll figure out how to make that a reality. BCF: What about the Book? Isha: It's called Five Rules To Win Being You. I started and stopped writing a book three times. I would get excited, write for three days and be over it. In 2011, I was invited to speak at a symposium at The Dow Chemical Company, and received an invitation to come back the following yesr. I told the event organizer, "Next year when I come, I'll have my book." She said, "Oh, that's great! We'll buy copies for everyone.” The conference was in October. In June, I was like, "I told them I'd have a book when I came and I haven’t even started." But when I got there in October, I had my book in my hand. BCF: What is the goal of the book? What do you want people to walk away with? Isha: Lots of people had been inquiring about working with me but finances were a barrier. I had a hard time saying no to people, but I have to eat, too! I also recognized that when I was giving my services away, people didn’t appreciate the value because they had no personal investment in it. So I stopped doing that, but I wanted to make sure there were enough resources out there to meet people where they were. If you can't work with me, buy the book and do the coaching exercises at theend of each chapter and you'll walk away better. BCF: Isha, The book is awesome. One of the things I liked about it immediately was the fact that it wasn't a quick guide. It forces you to think and put in work or see that you are not serious about making changes your life. I will admit, I had to toss it across the room a couple times when it hit some umm... tender spots or spots that "called me out or located me. Ha!" Isha (laughing): Thanks for saying that Wendy. I wanted to make sure it was a book of substance that gave people something that could walk away with and produce change. BCF: A couple more questions and we will wrap it up. Where do you ultimately see yourself? Isha: I can't get away from media. It has chased me down my whole life. When I'm in my element, eveyone knows that's what I'm supposed to do. Now that I have more resources, I'm workng on a TV show. I've known since I was eight that this is my platform.
BCF: Since we are Beauty Come Forth Magazine, What is your definition of Beauty? Isha: Real beauty is rooted in purpose. We've all seen it on people... that light that surrounds them and draws everyone in. I've seen it in the woman cleaning the bathroom at the airport and teachers whose passion for the subject matter captivates her students. We all have the ability to share that type of beauty with the world and the world desperately needs it. BCF: Thank you so much. This has been so much fun and so much wisdom went forth. How am I going to take all of this and make one interview? Whew! I guess that's my challenge. Any closing words? Isha: Thank you for having me. I'm honored. I'll leave you with Romans 8:28 " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." That is the foundation of Epiphany Institute. That is the foundation of my life because I know at the end of the day, ALL things work together for good – in all of this – the good, the bad, the pain...to know that no matter what is going on, I win and there's nothing anyone can do about it...but me! I love it! Thank you Isha! Connect directly with Isha Cogborn by going to direcly to Epiphany Institute! Also, click on the book link to purchase the book. You'll be glad you did.
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Beauty Come Forth Webzine--- the New Beauty Paradigm….
VISION This BCF Online Magazine is a monthly magazine featuring articles that address the lifestyle of women in transition to greatness.
MISSION The mission of BCF Online magazine is to Inspire, Motivate and Transform women’s Beauty through; fashion, finance, fitness, food, health, environment, entertainment, relationship, charity and spirituality.
PURPOSE To “Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in”
BCF COPYRIGHT 2015