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AVAILABILITY
Could you imagine people being this direct? Even though this is their intent, most people will use a more indirect approach by asking “Are you available?” Regardless of the approach, your initial response is probably “available for what…use me for what”. What follows is usually an explanation as to why your help is needed and maybe some other theatrics depending on how dramatic the person is and how much coercing you need. You ultimately assess your availability by determining how much of yourself and/or your resources you are willing to give. Several years ago one of our readers contacted us about a portion of our first book, Our Story. The reader referenced a portion of the book on friendship, puzzled as to how a woman could seemingly go out of her way to do some of the things mentioned and not have the fear of being used. She mentioned that as she thought about the scenarios in the book, she eventually realized that had the person she was helping been one of her girlfriends, and not a man, she would have done the acts of service without hesitation. Our response to her about being used was the same that we share with anyone – WE WERE EXPECTING TO BE USED. Most people fear or hate being used because they feel a lack of control. We can deal with not always being able to control everything, but we don’t like for our time, resources or well-being to be tampered with for too long. Actually, tolerance levels in these three areas run really thin really quickly. During the course of developing our friendship, we learned a lesson about possession, ownership, that catapulted our growth in so many areas. Perhaps our reader, along with others, learned it as well. Those prized possessions of time, resources, and well-being that we hold so dearly DO NOT BELONG TO US. At some point, we reach a place of maturity where we realize that everything that we have or have the ability to do does not belong to us, but to God. There are appointed times when people may ask “Are you available,” and it is actually God asking “Can I use you”? Be mindful the gift of wisdom is a necessary safeguard for foolishness…go ahead, chuckle. Not doing so will cause you to loose the possessions that you do have. Also note things that could hinder your availability like frustration, disappointment, selfishness, laziness, jealousy, conceit and many others that all steam from fear. Instead, operate from a place of love and take joy in knowing that your availability (relinquishing your will) gives God the full capacity to use you for something great!
IN THIS ISSUE
In this issue of LOVE, MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW, be inspired to focus intimately on the gifts and service that are unique to you and how you communicate them. Here’s a list of features to be highlighted, and set the expectation of things to come. COUPLES IN PARTNERSHIP: This feature is the heart of the publication, so become acquainted with phenomenal couples from all over that are building businesses and serving their communities through a loving partnership.
This time of year is blanketed with affectionate expectations, and spreads across all demographics. Affection is really a place of thought that must be delicately carried, so consider your communication flow as you enjoy this issue. With hopes to inspire beyond the moments of entertainment, the underlying message in all of the work presented is to define, develop, and devote to a greater work in you.
12 DREAM DATES: Whether single or a couple, be thrusted to a new and exciting dimension where vision and intimacy unite. See what Mr and Mrs Roach are serving this year to help you create an intimate experience that will foster your inner visions and dreams. DATE NIGHT IDEAS: Do more than flirt with the idea of Date Nights, make a commitment. These sweet notions will spark dedication for that much desired QT whether you’re single, just having fun, or in a committed relationship. RELATIONSHIP CONVERSATIONS: Join us as we handle the delicate issue of communication. Understanding can become so much greater when we learn how to apply the right filters, which ultimately leads to successful results.
Love, Marriage & Partnership - The Review is a monthly publication sponsored by M & M R Marketing, LLC that focuses on married couples that are in partnership with each other through service and/or business to their communities and abroad. The goal of the Love, Marriage & Partnership – the Review is to inspire readers to look at the essence of partnership in marriage as shared by exemplary couples, ultimately moving readers to actively define, develop, and devote to their purpose as a couple.
WHO ARE YOU AS A COUPLE? We are known by our family and friends as serial entrepreneurs, kingdom builders & The Global Power Couple. At the end of the day we are world impacters making a difference in the world through Gods love and showing individuals they too can live a life of abundance and be the best version of them selves.
MR & MRS
DREW & MIMI
JOHNSON Drew and Mimi Johnson is a couple on a mission to truly make a total positive impact in the lives of 1 billion worldwide. From very early ages, both individually knew that they would be destined to do something huge, and that people would remember it long after their lives would end, but when they untied as one the passion for people improvement grew into a unquenchable fire. Both Miami natives, they are teenage sweethearts who beat the odds of remaining together though out those young years. Drew & Mimi are not only partners in marriage and family, raising their young prince Branden to become a righteous King but they also are partners in business. They are serial entrepreneurs owning and operating many businesses including an Event Planning business, a Catering Company, a Health & Nutrition business just to name a few. They also are in full time Ministry preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen with their church home in Palm Beach, Florida. Philanthropy is also a big aspect of their lives, so they created the Drew & Mimi Johnson Foundation to assist and equip all people to live a life of Power & Purpose through specific principles and practices. These two truly understand the importance of service to all and display their willingness to help anyone that enters their space. No matter where their travels take them, you can always see their hearts displayed by serving the greater good of whatever they are doing. But through the ups and downs, the great times and the not so great, one thing always remains the same….their foundation for life, Matthew 6:33 “ Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THINGS shall be added to you”
WHAT THINGS DO YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE? MIMI: One of the major things that I admire about Drew is the Anointing on his life. Being able to see how God is using him daily is a blessing for me. He is also an amazing leader. He has the ability to shift a room with his presence and his voice from the moment he steps in. Last but not least, I will have to also say is his ability to help others elevate in life and to live according g to their God given purpose. DREW: Her ability to genuinely love and care for anybody that enters her atmosphere. The willingness to help anybody in need and also empathize in their times of need. HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOURSELF TO FUNCTION AS YOUR BEST SELF IN YOUR ROLE AS A SPOUSE? The best way we continue to be our best selves is based around our personal development regimen. The way to function best for our spouse is to remain in the best working order we can be. Constant personal development.
HOW DO YOU UTILIZE YOUR DIFFERENCES INDIVIDUALLY AS ASSETS TO YOU AS A COUPLE? Great question. We heard this saying before: Stay in your Lane. At a very early point in our relationship we realized we were different. After all, that’s what brought us together. There was something different about each of us that we admired! Differences in your relationship should not limit you but serve you greatly. It should actually add value to your relationship when you allow it too. You must first identify those differences and put them to use in an advantage to your relationship. As we grew in our relationship we understood that we both have a role to play. Your differences shouldn’t make your relationship weak but stronger. Understand that if you take what you are great at & put it together with what your spouse is great it no one can ever stop you . The sky is not even the limit. WHAT DOES PARTNERSHIP IN MARRIAGE MEAN TO YOU? Wholeness! Partnership is probably summed up best by having nothing lacking. Full and complete. This must be in all areas as well. Trust, care, commitment, & long suffering. Unity towards our common purpose of building a great life for our family. AS PARTNERS IN MARRIAGE, WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL? WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE TO OBTAIN IT? To truly make a positive impact on 1 billion people’s lives by the way we operate, how we treat inspire & motivate people to live beyond the norms of society. We truly believe God placed us here to fulfill our mission here on earth, and to be examples of what Godly Love & relationship is. We are willing to sacrifice ALL to fulfill and achieve our life’s Goal, to make a positive impact on 1 billion lives.
LOVE MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW
WHO IS THE MR AND MRS THAT PEOPLE DON’T GET TO SEE? We love to laugh. Most people who know us or follow on social Understand we love to have a great time together. But might not know how much we love to laugh. Laugh with each other, laugh at each other, laugh at us laughing. Just all around fun. WHAT IS A SCRIPTURE THAT YOU BOTH USE AS YOU FUNCTION IN A PARTNERSHIP? “Seek first the Kingdom Of God and His righteousness and all other things shall be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 This is our foundation of all our Successes and every future Success
TH3RD
FEBRUARY 2016 - FAEBRUARY 2019
Anniversary Thank you to everyone who has graced the pages of
over the past 3 years. Each of you have made every issue memorable and special. We are looking forward to many more featured couples in partnership and positive people doing great things around the world.
LOVE MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW
always
WATER HIM
James and I have been having this particular conversation for some time now. I feel it’s a subset of a greater ongoing conversation that we’ve engaged in for about five years. We always find ourselves discussing some area of growth, individually or as a couple, where a common principle is present- as one grows, both of us grows. Of course there are the inevitable quiet moments where I find myself watching him from a distance as a farmer. Preparing for the day, I peer through the kitchen window and watch the sunrise over the field of seeds that have been planted. With my morning coffee in one hand, and my gloves softly clinched under the other hand as I rest it on the counter for balance, I quietly exhale with a pleasant smirk. Picturing a bountiful harvest, I take the final sip of my coffee, roll up my sleeves, and brush my hands over my soft, slightly wrinkle denim shirt. My field is fresh, full of promising seeds; however this one seed is set apart and requires the upmost of care. This one seed, guaranteed to produce, is sure to bring me great joy and fulfillment. This one seed is my husband. Seasons are a necessary part of life. In order to reap a harvest, you must work through a seed season. The seeds require the right kind and amount of conditioning in order to produce. Also, understand that reaping the harvest requires work as well. The discussion mentioned earlier between James and I has been about me watering him. Though the phrase, “watering him” is fairly new, the action of it has been a principle exercise since the beginning of our friendship. When I told him that it was my job to water him, he understood it as me encouraging him, supporting him, always filling him with positivity, and the like. While he was correct in his understanding, I’ve grown to a greater awareness as a wife in regard to my role and duty in watering him.
WATER HIM always – I TRUST GOD IN HIM. This trust allows me to truly be submissive- submissive to the vision and work that we are to complete. Trusting God in him allows me to have confidence in his character, and when he mismanages something, I trust God to correct and guide him, not me. – I PRAY FOR HIM. Praying for him is asking for God’s grace and favor to cover every area of James and his life- areas that I don’t see, areas that he protects us from, areas that he’s afraid to show me, areas that only God can see. I have to intentionally pray for him more than I do for myself and our son. The results are in him. When the head is right, everything else will fall in order. – I LISTEN TO HIM, WHICH ENCOMPASSES QUITE A BIT. Listening has two parts- reception and reciprocity. James doesn’t share his feelings too often, but he does give me his thoughts. No matter the case, I work on understanding what he’s saying and why, instead of thinking to myself, “that’s not how I would look at it.” (I’m working on getting better at this.) My responses and actions indicate that I listen. It shows that I respect him, and that I’m doing more than just supporting him, I’m working with him. – I’M CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I PUT ON HIM. My goal is to focus on developing and strengthening me first. Building my relationship with God and ensuring that I’m spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally stable allows me to be more efficient and effective in my role. I want to get better so that I can better help him- the better I am, the better we will be. I only want to give him the positive things that I see within and feel about myself. This means killing even the small things like complaining about how I look or not regarding his compliments, expressing my disappointment with the meal I prepared, and discussing negative or empty comments and events. Quite simply, your seed will yield you what you’ve given to it. – I CATER TO HIM. This was much easier to do before our son arrived. With our 18 month old, it’s challenging, but my Mom reminded me very early on that, “I have a husband.” In our house, Daddy comes first. From fixing their plates to teaching TJ that “Daddy needs rest right now, or he’s working.” James doesn’t mind at all, but I want our house to respects his space. On a more comedic note, being cute and sexy at home has to be intentional. My attire has to be a cross between something that’s baby-friendly (washes and moves easily) and something that I don’t look in the mirror while passing and think, “what the heck was I thinking?” I’m jokingly serious, but I see our home as a place where my husband finds joy, peace, respect, and creativity. There are many more things that are interwoven in the manner of which I water my husband. I’m also sure that there are a number of ways to be more efficient, more diligent, and more graceful at what I do, but I’m confident in knowing that I’m good where I am, and that I’ll grow to where I need to be. I am the only one responsible for fulfilling this task, and I do it with love and enthusiasm. Because out of my obedience to watering the seed, comes a great harvest.
Dismiss every misconception that you have about Dating, be open-minded, and expect to have fun! Who says that Dating has to be anything other than what you want it to be? No one- it’s up to you how creative you want your predetermined moment of eminence to be! It is also important to note that Dating is for anyone: married, engaged, and yes, SINGLE.
dating IDEAS BY: MR & MRS ROACH
RECREATE THE FIRST DATE YOU EVER HAD TOGETHER: If you went to a movie, rent the same movie. If you went out for dinner, go back to the same restaurant or make the dish that you ate at home. RENT YOU OR YOUR DATE’S “DREAM CAR.”: Take your date and your dream car you’ve rented on a weekend adventure, even if it’s just driving and exploring. HAVE A FIVE COURSE DINNER AT DIFFERENT PLACES: Instead of going to one restaurant, pick a bunch of different restaurants to enjoy various courses of your dinner date. PLAY TOURIST: Decide to play tourist for the day in your hometown. Going everywhere from the museum, to the major landmark, to the most famous restaurant in town.
LOVE MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW
Whether single or a couple, be thrusted to a new and exciting dimension where vision and intimacy unite. See what Mr and Mrs Roach are serving this year to help you create an intimate experience that will foster your inner visions and dreams.
C H A L L E N G E Relationship SUCCESSFUL
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It may come as a surprise to some that merely talking, the exchange of words and thoughts between two or more people, does not equate to communication - effective communication that is. CONSIDER THESE SEVEN HABITS AS YOU ESTABLISH AND/OR GROW YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.
LISTEN WITHOUT CONDEMNATION: Whenever you are engaging in a conversation, remember that the other person trusts you enough to share with you with no fear of judgement. Even if you don’t say anything that is viewed as judgmental during the conversation, guard your thoughts against judgement. Not doing so could impact your thoughts, feelings, or actions towards them later on. USE WORDS WITH NO COATING: At times, you may feel as if you cannot be completely truthful because you fear that you will hurt them. When this happens, you may find yourself sprinkling sugar over your words to avoid telling the whole truth. Coating your words can be misleading for them and restricting for you. There is a way to use your words wisely, and still be completely truthful. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS: Being that opportunities wrapped in a particular set of circumstances do not present themselves more than once, you must choose your words wisely. Justifying what you say using, “I just have to speak my mind…” is acceptable only when you are choosing to allow your spirit to control your mind. Too often, when we “speak our mind”, we are really speaking from a place where we choose to allow our emotions to control our thoughts. AVOID CRAFTINESS: If you find yourself letting a conversation brew well before it actually takes place, where you craft the other person’s responses, you are unnecessarily tampering with your emotions. Avoid being emotionally disturbed and viewing the other person inappropriately because of comments you’ve developed in your own mind. Allow the other person to communicate with you in their own truth. TALK WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS: It is not a comfortable feeling to genuinely engage in a conversation only to be met with words that are dripping with thirst. Refrain from abusing someone’s listening ear with words and thoughts that stem from longing and desiring what someone else has. DODGE THE COPOUT: The copout is that opportune, yet evasive moment where you find yourself using phrases like whatever, that’s okay, or I don’t care. The irony is that it is not whatever, it is not okay, and you do care. We often find ourselves using these elementary colloquialisms, not because we don’t feel like talking at that particular time, but because we have not learned how to communicate beyond our feelings. Depending on the value of the relationship, you have three options: say nothing (some comments and behaviors don’t deserve your response), agree to talk at a better time, talk through whatever the problem is. TAKE CONTROL: Taking control is not about dominating the conversation or dictating the other person’s thoughts or feelings. Honestly, that type of behavior and thinking typically yields an unfavorable outcome. Instead, being responsible and taking control of your thoughts, words, and actions places you in a much more effective position for communicating. Maintaining positivity while truthfully sharing what you think and feel will have a greater impact beyond the conversation. LOVE MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP | THE REVIEW
AUTHOR
Sharetha
NICOLE GUEST WRITER
PERSPECTIVE
When is the last time you took a minute to nurture yourself? Do you feel you have to be around a group of friends or in a relationship? Do you dedicate so much of your time to helping others with their problems and needs that you’re drained all the time? New Flash! It’s time for a reality check. Take a step back and get to know – YOU. Your self-worth is the core to your identity. The nurturing of your beliefs, aspirations, and dreams should start at home base. If you never take the time to tap into who are you are, you will never add an important ingredient to your foundation – thus it can affect you later in life. Understanding yourself allows you to become more observant before hanging with the wrong crowd. It allows you to have a clear picture of what you desire and deserve when dating or being in a relationship. It allows you to make better life choices considering your decisions may not just affect you. More importantly, it teaches you how to adapt without the feeling you have to be like other people. OK, maybe you didn’t grow up under the best circumstances, had a child at a young age, or feel the support you need is just not there. Did you know some friends or acquaintances are only meant to be there for a season, not a lifetime? Did you know - you may fall “head over hills” for someone that was only meant to teach you a lesson, and not marry them? Did you know - you deserve to take a minute to “woosah”, treat yourself, and spend some time alone without explanation? Furthermore, did you know, the stumbling blocks you encounter really equips to tackle obstacles later in life? In order for you to be at your best in any situation, you have to take care of yourself first! Whether you believe it or not, when you don’t, everyone attached to you can suffer. Your patience becomes thin, attitude becomes short, and perception of what should be concise and clear become very distorted. Knowing your worth decreases your chances of getting so caught up in the world and viewing yourself from the eyes of others. Yes, many people’s perception comes from what they see on the outside (your physique, clothes, make-up, and hair). But God’s perception comes from what’s in the inside (values, character, heart, and soul). We can’t spend so much time doing things to impress them, because in essence, we become unhappy, even miserable - and it slowly dims the inner light that represents Him!
COMING SOON
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Boutique Reign is a women boutique in Pembroke Pines Fl where women of Royalty are welcome to embrace their classy, sophisticated, elegant yet sassy side. We cater to the sophisticated CEO, the classy entrepreneur, the elegant prophetess, and the sassy mogul woman inside of each of you! Boutique Reign , designed to cater to your fashion needs on a royal level, providing unique, elegant pieces and styling services, including personal styling, image consultant, special events,closet redesign, color coordination fit for the regal queen that you are! Our goal is to allow every woman’s shopping experience to be one of TRANSFORMATION!!!
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