SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
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CONTENTS
On the Cover Photo by ŠVK Studio stock.adobe.com
SPRING 2020
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Self-Worth
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About In2ition
The Matriarchal Line
Is the Matriarchal Line a Myth. This article examines female leadership.
Sharing information on what content you can look forward to with In2ition
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The Voices of Women
Setting a course to promoting some of the most dynamic, diverse and influential Voices of Women
Pandemic
The Coronavirus has forced all of us into a new way of life.
Plus
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Mind & Body
The Corporate Ladder
Where are women after the nearly 100 YEARS
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Photo by concrete-block Designecologist
Photo By David Keochkerian
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Information Central begins
Submissions: For Articles, stories, photography, or art, contact submissions@in2itionmagazine.com or visit our website. Advertising: To advertise with us or any of our media, contact advertising@in2itionmagazine.com or visit our website. In2ition Magazine is published by Crystal City Media & Publishing, LLC producing premium content nationally and internationally. The views expressed are not necessarily the views of Crystal City Publishing nor the policies and should not be constructed as endorsements. All articles, content, products, services are strictly for the readers informational purposes only. These are not intended to be a substitute for professional Legal, financial, or medical advice. Always consult a professional to determine the best situation for you. Crystal City Publishing expressly denies liability for any decisions made based on information presented. Spring 2020. www.In2itionMagazine.com www.CrystalCityPublishing.com
Volume 1 Issue 1 Spring 2020
Publisher Crystal City Publishing, LLC
Editor in Chief
Deirdra Osborn-Lampkins
Managing Editor Beverly Taylor
Business Management The Crystal City Staff
Contributing Writers Kay Shores Toinne Leight Dr. Derah Brown Shonte Taylor Yahweh BYB Yahweh Sandra Boone Dr. Judy A. Garcia Chef Cheri Gilmore Vashti Brown
Editors
Olivia Jayden – Editing Annabelle M - Editing Kelianneka - Editing
Letter EDITOR From
Happy Spring. We are excited to bring you our first full issue of In2ition Magazine. Like you, the Coronavirus Pandemic came as a surprise to us also. It made us quickly adjust to the moment. Therefore, we wanted to bring information that expressed the season of spring, as well as the current conditions. I both admire and appreciate all those hearts and hands who went to work even under unbelievable conditions to make sure we got this issue published for our readers. You all are appreciated. In this Spring Issue, we bring you a magazine filled with new ideas, new concepts, and new ways of seeing things. There are two features. “The Pandemic” stories based on our current global condition, and “The Matriarchal Line,” sharing inspiring knowledge on the power of women. Additionally, we have articles on business and finance, empowerment, mind and body health, and much more.
We have outlined the magazine to highlight the sections, making it easy to find the articles that interest you. Writers have shared their passion in several areas in the hope to excite and empower you with their articles. It is always our hope to inspire you. Our Article, The Matriarchal Line says, “It is time that women control the narrative on how others see them.” In2ition will continue to do its part by publishing narratives that showcase women in bright and shining light. You can help by continuing to read In2ition, sharing it with others, and allowing us to be a platform for your writings and artistic expression. You can send your letters, comments, likes and dislikes, and your ideas to info@in2itionmagazine.com We look forward to you enjoying each issue of In2ition Magazine, as we grow. See You This Summer
Dr.Deirdra A. Osborn-Lampkins Editor-In-Chief
Design
Tyron Roshantha – Cover Design Md Rubel Howlader – Design Faxila – Design Niki Taroy – Logo Design Vince Slas - Marketing Tanisvo – Marketing M Alauddin – Layout
In this Spring Issue, we bring you a magazine filled with new ideas, new concepts, and new ways of seeing things.
About
In2ition
Welcome to In2ition Magazine
Our Vision for In2ition Magazine remains clear by creating platforms of media that will be used to encourage and motivate women, we are bringing women together. We are taking ideas and actions to transform the minds and hearts of women by giving them a voice, inspiring them through articles, and encouraging them to rise higher. We will fill our pages with information to advance you, the reader. In addition, we will give you information about investments, opportunities, and services that empower you.
Good things are on the way.
We hope you will look to In2ition and the information within it as subtle hints to empower you. These hints are meant to be a torch to light your way. All of the articles in business, politics, relationships, and family, education, the columns, and other departments are designed as tools for your mental, physical, spiritual, and financial well-being, and as a resource for your personal strength and self-help needs. Our purpose is to be a tool for the things essential and of interest to you as a woman. In2ition is the storehouse, a refuge to express the once hidden and repressed parts which now demand to be heard. We will be publishing articles told through the Voices of Women. Please send us your articles, short stories, and artist expressions. We invite you to become a part of our mission.
The Power of Color is inescapable, and its effects dominate our behavior, moods, and thoughts, it can be used for your personal and business empowerment.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF COLOR IS POWER In this issue, we will COLOR YOUR WORLD with Turquoise and Gold
Gold is the color that represents success, extravagance, wealth, and riches. Derived from orange and yellow, it shares some of the same attributes, such as joy, happiness, and enthusiasm. Gold is a color believed to increase personal wisdom and power, aid in your health and wellness, help you to create success and prosperity, and illuminate the path toward your goal. The knowledge of the color Gold is unlimited, which is precisely the attributes that it gives off. As the color of success, it helps you become an achiever in whatever you undertake. The energy and influence of the color, gold, will take you beyond your limitations if you open your mind to it.
The color turquoise is associated with meanings of refreshing, feminine, calming, sophisticated, energy, wisdom, serenity, wholeness, creativity, emotional balance, good luck, spiritual grounding, friendship, love, joy, tranquility, patience, intuition, and loyalty.
Turquoise has many strong powers. Its powerful ability to identify the way forward to success is incredibly appealing. It heightens levels of creativity and sensitivity. Turquoise is an excellent color to aid concentration and clarity. It helps to calm the nervous system, giving one control over her self-expression. Most excitedly, it builds confidence and self-esteem. It helps to clear your thinking, resulting in high-quality decision-making. It also assists you in the development of your organizational and management skills. Turquoise is a great color to embrace when starting a spiritual quest, life purposes, embarking on new beginnings in life, and seeking your destiny. Embrace your new knowledge of TURQUOISE, and it will not lead you wrong.
Thank You to All of the People on the Front Lines 5
“Color is a power which directly influences the soul. Color provokes a psychic vibration. Color hides a power still unknown but real, which acts on every part of the human body.� ~Wassily Kandinsky
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The Voices of Women W
omen are a unique brand of specialness. Hidden within our being is the power of creation. With both traditional and non-traditional education, they use their knowledge wisely. The true definition of superwomen, they hold full time jobs and take care of families full-time. These bosses are employed and self-employed. No matter their area, they always manage to shine. Often masterful creators and achievers, many of them withhold manifesting talents for fixing situations. There’s a prolific type of wonder that shows when a person can take the most distraught and meaningless case, then flip it into something great, such is often the case with women. Women make something out of nothing, a way when there seems to be no way at all. Only a woman can clean up, change, and raise herself and others with nothing but her sheer will and determination.
It has been a struggle for the mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, friends born as a female in a society controlled by men. To be seen and heard, women have patiently and sometimes impatiently stood in the background, when they should have been in the front. They’ve let their male counterparts take credit for their work for fear that it or we would never be accepted in a male-dominated society. Women have had doors slammed in their faces when we’ve tried to go it alone, they have been spoken for when they didn’t ask, and they have been controlled when they didn’t need it. Women have been abused, mistreated unfairly, and passed over. These actions were designed to make women seem somewhat smaller and weaker to shrink and belittle. Greatness, however, can never shrink nor be erased. It is only masked and covered until it decides to make its grand entrance again.
Our most powerful asset — Our Voices. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
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Finding your voice is the most essential action you can take as a woman. It means stopping to go inside to discover yourself, then bringing this new perception forward through your means of expression. Finding your voice helps you to become present, aware, and alert. It allows you to see yourself in the now and live a full and eventful life. Just like we come in different shapes and sizes, are from different nationalities and religions, and even have different liberal or conservative views and values, we realize that by bringing all of those differences together, we form a unique and special force as women of Power, Prestige, and Presence. Using our power and prestige allows our voice to become the mechanism by which we stand in our truth and make our presence known.
Togetherness is where real power exists for women. At In2ition, we agree with the artist – Georgia O’Keeffe – who said, “I feel there is something unexplored about women that only a woman can explore.” We believe that only a woman can truly know what another woman feels like in moments of strength, love, and happiness, as well as times of weakness, detest, and sadness. This message also rings forth from actress Manju Warrier, “Women should come forward to protect another woman, as only a woman can understand the problems of another one,” as well as the voices of many other women. Helping one another requires unity with a common goal of empowering one another. 7
Now is the time for women to stand in this power. Of the over 329 million people in the United States, almost 166 million are women. Yet it was just this month on January 15, 2020, that the 38th State finally ratified the Equal Rights Amendment to give women equal rights in the Constitution. Therefore, in this Year 2020, it calls for a great Coming Together. In2ition has named it “The Year of the Woman” because of the meaning of 2020 itself. The number 2020 reminds us that our only limits are the ones we place on ourselves. It is a very potent number infused with powerful energy, which can unlock significant opportunities. It is a sign of Great Change. The Year 2020 is the time for the Voices of Women to be heard loudly. Women who have found their voices are genuinely influential, they are standing in their truths, they are standing up for themselves and others, and they are standing for what’s right, even when they stand alone. It takes a particular type of strength to speak in the realms of a society where you are not 100% valued. Yet, the voices of many women are still ringing loudly and singing the songs of equality, equal pay, strength, endurance, power, prestige, and presence for us all. So, this year, we salute all women. As you move forward with grace, balance, positive enthusiasm, and harmonious pursuit of your goals and dreams, do so with confidence, strenght, and endurance. Know that we are here giving guidance, information, education, encouragement, empowerment, and expression to you with our magazine
In2ition - The Voices of Women By Kay Shores SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
POWER The ability to do or act. Capable of doing or accomplishing something.
Real Power comes from within. It is having inner control over your thoughts and feelings. Power is our capacity to make our own choices, and the strength to stand behind them. It is having the strength to admit when you are right and when you are wrong. There are times when power means standing firm, but other times it means choosing to step aside. Sometimes power means having our say, but sometimes it means choosing silence. Power is having the ability to stand for what’s right, even when you stand alone.
There are times when power means standing firm, but other times it means choosing to step aside.
PRESTIGE Having
widespread respect and admiration.
Prestige means to have feelings of respect and admiration directed towards you or that you feel for someone else. These feelings are based on a perception of achievements or quality. Prestige is to have a reputation or influence arising from your success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes. Prestige means building your character. Good character is most influential, especially when establishing your reputation, and reputation is immediately related to having prestige. Whatever your current situation, you possess the ability to change it right now by changing yourself. Chose to create the life you desire, remake yourself, and gain your level of Prestige.
PRESENCE
The state of existing or even more - being present. Existing simply means to survive, going through the motions of daily life without truly living. Presence means to understand the actual existence of your being and to become fully awake and aware of yourself and your life. Presence is choosing to live life to the fullest. It implies you do things intensely and with great purpose. Presence means to show up. We always show up for jobs, school, family, and friends, but being present first requires that you show up for yourself. This is when your life really changes, and you really start to be.
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2
It
Takes
The Power of the number “2” is an Energy Wise and Knowing. It is Energizing and Enlightening. Even in its subtle gentleness, “2” is still enduring and reigns supreme.
By Toinne Leight
C
onsidered the most feminine among all numbers, the number “2” is also the most underestimated when it comes to power and strength. It is the symbol of the ultimate survivor and an extremely resilient force. There is a lot more to her than meets the eye. Truth be told, “2” is often the real power behind the throne. She is observant, smart, and understands the underlying qualities that determine how and why people act the way they do. There is not much about the nature of people that escapes her. This understanding allows her to control the outcome of many events without others knowing it. The most intuitive of all single-digit numbers, “2” often understands the true motivations of others better than they do. Her clarity and her powers of observation help others to understand themselves better, and she uses it to help them.
She is sophisticated in her own right and enjoys the more beautiful things in life. As such, “2” has an inborn sense of music as her tones and sounds come from a higher realm. She is also creative and highly skilled in many arts. Although her powers come from an introverted sphere, she is social and fantastic in social settings. Her sense of humor is witty, never clowning, or
immature, as she is far too classy for that.
The number “2” represents intuitive creativity, knowledge, and power. It is the number of balance, unity, and peace between different entities. As the single-digit representation of togetherness, its uniformity is solidifying in nature. The number “2” is all about Teamwork, Pulling Together, and Building Relationships.
“Two is better than one because they have a good reward for their labor.” The masterful number “2” is the builder. She is the builder of and cherishes life, family, and relationships. She is calm and has unwavering loyalty unless provoked. She uses her building abilities to strengthen, empower, and enhance. She is the foundation on which new creations take place. It is through her force that kingdoms, nations, states, cities, businesses, families, and relationships are all made.
For these reasons and more, we have found it befitting to add the number “2” within our name, In2ition.
Two is better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. 9
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BUSINESS & FINANCE
DIVERSITY Includes Me The need for Diversity stems from the progression of the patterns of diversity placed within the workplaces since the 1960s. The original model for diversity was situated around race discrimination based on identity. The social justice model evolved and extended the idea that all individuals outside the dominant group should be given opportunities within the workplace. The model reasoned that diversity is essential not only because it was instituted as a law, but because it was the right thing to do. As we start to settle into the year 2020, sixty years after the initial diversity models, the need for diversity in the workplace as it relates to women is still an ongoing challenge. While women are present in many companies,
The original model for diversity was situated around race discrimination based on identity. 11
few escalate to management and executive positions, and even fewer hold board seats. In addition, the fight for rights and equal pay in those same workplaces continues.
The purpose of diversity should be clear to company owners but is often misconstrued. A leader of a corporate industry should find it easy to see what the diverse minds of women bring to their workplace. Women understand a company’s target market. After all, they represent that market because they are the market. Our diversity as women includes the underprivileged, the misrepresented, minorities, the educated, the skillful, the masterful, and the consumers. They understand the buying power of household, family, and business needs. Women bring a new range of skills, ideas, and perceptions to any corporate structure. Their big picture thinking is inclusive and focused. They often can read a room, situation, and a person in a business deal. They are planners, strategists, and go-getters. Many are, by nature, caretakers taking care of the business and taking care of the workforce. However, even with all these skills and talents, women are still overlooked.
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Diversity on Boards According to the Harvard Law School Report on Board Classification and Diversity in IPOs, despite the evidence that a more diverse board leads to stronger financial performance, recent IPO company boards included just 11.4% women on average, compared to 20.3% for other corporations. Also, nearly 40% of current IPO companies have no women on their boards at all. Many companies have come under fire for having a board of directors that Does Not include a single woman. These companies have made headlines. Understanding why this is happening with current companies is as simple as looking at a company’s investors, and their demands. But why this type of inequality is still happening in the US, in the year 2020, is somewhat mind-boggling.
States Getting Involved
A new California law went into effect in December 2019. This law mandates female representation on boards of directors in California. On September 30, 2018, Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed Senate Bill (SB) 826, mandating each publicly held company headquartered in California to have at least one female on its board of directors. The purpose of the law is to address the lack of representation of women on boards of directors, as one-fourth of California’s public companies did not have female directors. The SB 826 bill applies to both domestic California corporations and foreign corporations with a principal executive office in California. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Understanding why this is happening with current companies is as simple as looking at a company’s investors, and their demands. This new law caused quite an upset. Some even said it was unconstitutional. Yet women look eagerly for other states to step up with regulations like those made by California, which currently leads the way of states stepping up toward more gender diversity and equality.
Corporate Equality vs. Inequality
While we will showcase injustices when the need arises, we have decided to go in a different direction. It is easy to write articles about the inequality of women in Corporate America. We could fill pages each issue on corporations not treating women equally because there are many. However, we have decided to focus on, showcase, and bring attention to the ones that do value women in their organization. Therefore the – Diversity Includes Me – section will shine the light on those companies that understand the real Value of Women in the workplace, who have put this understanding into action in their businesses. ~In2ition Staff
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I Can and I Will 13
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Owning The CORPORATE
LADDER The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), the amendment to the U.S. Constitution designed to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, was first introduced in Congress in December of 1923. The needed 38th state finally signed the amendment on January 15, 2020. Think about this. It took nearly 100 YEARS for 38 states to decide that women should have equal rights. Then, as recent as January 2020, there are states which still do not want women to have equal rights. Hence, a whole century after the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment, women are still fighting for their rights.
So many women speak of not earning the same salary as their male counterparts, being passed over for promotions, and the overall struggle of trying to Climb the Corporate Ladder. Women say all of this is happening because of the alleged “broken rung.” This metaphorical break in the corporate ladder supposedly stops women from climbing into management and executive positions. This break is there intentionally and designed to keep women at the bottom, no matter how much they desire and how hard they work to get promoted. However, many women are waking up to a new perspective. This perspective says, “There are No Breaks in the corporate ladder when women own the ladder. The ladder soon evolves to stairs for all to climb.”
“There are No Breaks in the corporate ladder when women own the ladder. The ladder soon evolves to stairs for all to climb.” SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
THE NEED FOR NEW LADDERS “True leadership is when you create opportunities for others, including yourself.” —Shama Patel As women, we need to own the corporate ladder. Owning the corporate ladder allows women to take full control of their careers and dreams with purpose. The truth is, “women will never fully gain the power and prestige deserved until we grab the bull by the horns and start riding.”
• Out of the 500 Top Companies on the 2019 Fortune 500 list, 33 women carried the title of CEO. That is just 6.6% of these highranking companies. • When looking at how many women fully own Fortune 500 Companies, this number gets even smaller.
This leaves room to ask, “Where are all of the dynamic, leadership, driven corporate women?” Are they stuck trying to climb that “broken rung?”
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HERE ARE THE FACTS According to American Express, State of Women-Owned Business Report, “As of January 2019, there were an estimated 13 million womenowned businesses in the United States that employed nearly 9.4 million people and generated more than $1.9 trillion in revenues.”
“Almost all of the estimated 13 million women-owned businesses, 99.9%, are considered small businesses,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This means that less than 0.01% of women-owned businesses are considered big business. These 13 million women-owned businesses employ 9.2 million people. (This is just 8% of the total private-sector workforce.)
Women-owned businesses generate $1.9 trillion in revenue. (This is just 4.3% of the total private sector revenue.) The American Express Report goes on the say, “Over half of all women-owned businesses are concentrated in three industries:
• Other services (e.g., hair and nail salons and pet care businesses) accounted for 22% of all women-owned businesses (2.8 million firms).
• Healthcare and social assistance (including child daycare and home healthcare services) accounted for 15% of all women-owned businesses (1.9 million firms). • Professional/scientific/technical services (including lawyers, bookkeepers, architects, public relations firms, and consultants) accounted for 13% of all women-owned businesses (1.6 million firms). While These Industries Have the Most Women-Owned Businesses, They Do Not Produce the Most Revenue.
often find themselves jumping through incredible hoops. They work harder and more than their male counterparts, and sacrifice many things, even in the year 2020.
One female executive shared, “Women face many challenges when trying to climb the corporate ladder. They try to play ‘the game,’ an often-rigged corporate game of standards created by men, for men.” With all of these challenges, many believe that more women will continue to leave corporate America to create their opportunities. They are excited about the opportunity to take their talents where they can play on an even playing field. “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai
The Main Sectors of The Economy
1. Primary Sector – Extraction of Raw Materials a. This is mining (coal/iron), fishing, agriculture (crops/ animals), mineral extraction (oil), and forestry.
2. Secondary Sector – Manufacturing a. The production of finished goods, for example, factories making productions like toys, cars, food, and clothes. 3. Third Sector - Service a. This is the offering of intangible goods and services to consumers. This includes retail, real estate, tourism, banking, entertainment, healthcare, administrative and professional services, and I.T. services.
Within these sectors, women-owned businesses tend to dominate in the healthcare and administrative sectors. In contrast, maleowned companies tend to dominate in the real estate, professional, scientific, and technical sciences arenas. Utilities and retail trade are the only areas within the top where women-owned businesses do not appear in significant percentages. However, all these areas are open to women to make their mark by creating their own Corporate Ladders for all to climb.
Although women-owned businesses have grown over the years, they are growing in the small sectors. As work trends shift towards side hustles, many women-owned businesses are parttime entrepreneurship, often referred to as “sidepreneurship.” When it comes to million-dollar businesses -
Only 4.2% of all women-owned firms have revenues of 1 million or more. Most women don’t own big businesses. This might be one reason why women keep trying to climb a rigged ladder. The women seeking to grow and get promotions in big corporations, 15
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BUILDING YOUR
WEALTH HOUSE
The Women’s Guide to Investing 101
This section educates and gives tips to help you begin building or improving your process of Wealth Building.
Building wealth does not come by happenstance. It is an organized blueprint made by you to increase your financial status. This blueprint is the plan for your wealth house, which you must design and build. Once these plans are fully implemented, they will provide shelter and create a route to whatever extraordinary life you chose to live. To become a wealth builder, you must learn the secrets of Investing. People often hear the word investing and even have investments without knowing or understanding any thing about investments. Invest requires you to become educated and involved. When it comes to money and finances, the word invest means putting your money to work to get a – profit.
Once these plans are fully implemented, they will provide shelter and create a route to whatever extraordinary life you chose to live.
Focusing on Investment If you are familiar with Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, his key concepts in the book were based on four quadrants called the Cashflow Quadrant. Quadrant #4 is the Investor. This is the wealth quadrant. As an investor, you earn passive income. This is where you “make your money work for you.” 17
To Play the GAME - Master Financial Knowledge
Building wealth is a game. If you have not heard of it, you are probably not playing the game. If you are playing the game but do not know the rules and the language of the game, then you probably are just running up and down the court or field going nowhere.
Learning to play the financial game begins with learning the language. It requires you to become educated. Investors have the highest financial education of anyone building wealth. They are adept at finding assets that provide steady income or cash flow. The whole purpose of investing is to get a return, profit, or increase in your investment. In the world of wealth, this is called getting a Return on Your Investment. Building wealth means creating a Financial Portfolio. Your financial portfolio is a collection of financial assets that you own. It represents your financial health
Financial assets are assets that you own that add monetary value to your financial portfolio. These are real estate, checking/savings accounts, financial accounts, gold and jewelry, and life insurance policies, to name a few.
The rate of return is a profit on an investment. Investments can earn at a fixed rate or a variable (changing) rate. There are many types of fixed interest investments. These include savings accounts, money market, share accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and some types of annuities. They are also U.S Treasury bills, bonds, and notes. Return on your investment - means understanding what you are getting in return for what you are investing.
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If you usually only put all your money in a savings account, where you are getting 1% or less in interest on that savings. You can see that it will take 72 years for your savings account investment to double. This type of investment yields a slow return. When you are a focus-driven wealth builder, you want to get the highest return on your money so that it can double quickly. Therefore, your job, as a focus-driven wealth builder, is to improve the condition of your Financial House. By speaking to your bank, financial advisor, or other qualified financial experts, so you can learn how to get the highest return with low or no risk to your money.
When building wealth, it is easy to think of your portfolio as if it were a house. Your portfolio is a house – a financial house. You are the architect. Therefore, you must first create the blueprint of the image you would like to build.
Learning the Rule of 72.
Investing money is the process of giving your money to a financial product to be used by another to get a return on your initial investment. Investments with fixed rates allow you to use the Rule of 72 to estimate when your investment will double. The formula is useful for understanding the effect of compound interest. When wealth building, you must know the rate of return for all your investments and how fast or slow this investment is growing.
There will be rooms in this house, and each room represents income and investments. Investment is not just one room of the financial house. There should be many investments. Therefore, they should be all over the house. Wealth requires many rooms of growing investments. ~Toinne Leight
The Rule of 72 is a simple formula used to determine how long it will take for your investment to double on a fixed rate of interest. This rule says if you divide 72 by the rate of return or your interest rate, you can figure out how many years it will take for your initial investment to double. For example
• Let’s say you invest $5000 into a fixed annuity with a rate of 6%. If you divide 72 by 6, you get 12. Therefore, your $5000 will double and become $10,000 in 12 years. If you do not touch it and all things remain the same in the initial investment.
• You can use this with any fixed interest you receive. Another example would be if you invested $10,000 into a CD at 2 percent fixed interest. You divide 72 by 2, and you get 36. It will be 36 years before $10,000 will turn into $20,000 with this type of investment.
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THIS IS THE
PERFECT
TIME
- To learn a language - Write a book - Create a business - Improve your work skills - Focus on yourself
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EMPOWERMENT
STOP Multi-Tasking! Or Should I Say Stop Multi
Minding “Multi-minding” is detrimental to mental productivity. Multi-minding is multi-tasking at the mental level. When you multi-task, you are using up precious resources in the brain. It takes energy and resources to focus on mental tasks. If you are in a meeting and checking your email, you are splitting resources. Also, you are not fully engaged nor mentally present. When we do fully engage with others, people can feel it, and we miss out on the opportunity to optimize our relationships. We also miss out on the opportunities to fully grow and learn. This is because we are missing out on the signals of life that can show us how ideas, people, or information connects. Your brain wants to get better at perceiving and connecting the dots. If you give the brain a chance to work in an optimized condition, it will move towards accomplishing what you desire. Therefore, the multiple tasks that your CEO is working on decrease mental resources and compromise the quality of your relationships, learning opportunities, and mental growth overall. Another reason not to multi-mind is that your IQ decreases with each additional task that you focus your attention on. In other words, we get less smart. As a matter of fact, the results of one study showed that Harvard students SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
When you multi-task, you are using up precious resources in the brain. It takes energy and resources to focus on mental tasks. who multi-tasked decreased their IQ levels to that of 8-year-olds! Most people who say they can multi-task are deluding themselves. Multi-tasking is the ability to do multiple tasks without compromising the integrity of any task. What brain research tells us is that most of us can’t do it.
Excerpt from book
Gen X: A Manual for the Generation of Masterminds and Lost Minds
~The Potentialist www.ShontéJTaylor.com 20
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SUCCESS & Empowerment Every woman can take charge of their lives by becoming empowered and empowering others. As women, we have the right to be in authoritative positions and to legitimize our power. It starts with a belief in accomplishing what we set our minds to achieve and grows from there. Growth instinctively leads toward the direction of attaining the necessary wealth. Knowledge needed for this type of growth is achieved by learning and using these five Empowerment Keys: Cordiality, Pedagogic, Influence, Ethics, and Authority. 1. Cordiality – Cordiality means being cordial and developing relationships. Create relationships by making friends and acquaintances, both personal and in business. By being friendly and hospitable, you establish excellent communication skills. These communication skills lead to attracting the right people with agreeable minds, who look to join with you in endeavors. Exercising Cordiality is the first key to becoming empowered.
2. Pedagogy (Teaching) – Become an educator. Many people love to learn something new. In teaching others what you know, it sometimes sets up platforms and opportunities for you to distribute your knowledge and information to many people instead of one or SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
An introductory article on becoming EMPOWERED
two. Having the ability to present your experience, thoughts, and skills professionally and concisely will get others to take you seriously. Becoming Pedagogic is your empowered key number two.
3. Influence – Influence means having the ability to motivate, stimulate, and bring forth the support of people when you need it. Influence is the result of establishing the relationships you gained from being cordial and the camaraderie gained from teaching others. The very definition of influence is Power. By understanding and addressing your own needs as well as the needs of others, you become empowered. It also brings the support of the masses in understanding our greater needs and issues as women. So, the ability to Influence is empowerment key number three.
4. Ethics – Ethics mean to have righteous dealings when handling business transactions. The word ethics is seldom used, these days. Many people look at ethics
Growth instinctively leads toward the direction of attaining the necessary wealth.
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as old fashioned and outdated. This way of thinking is not correct. Truthfully, ethics, specifically in business, is the niche characteristic that sets you apart from others. Ethics establishes trust. Being worthy of trust and placing value on the fact that others trust you is a most needed principle for success. With so few companies practicing ethics today, becoming ethical helps to put you high above the rest. Therefore, Ethics is empowerment key number four.
5. Authority – Authority is much more than ruling over, bossing, and exercising control over others. Having authority over others is using your knowledge, skills, experience, and ideas to lead and guide others towards success. When you exercise your influence and ethical practices, you become worthy of respect in the sight of all people. Utilizing these skills when in authority, gives you the ability to see the value in everyone. A woman exercising authority can always find positivity in everything because she is always looking for the diamond in the rough. This is why Authority is empowerment key number five.
Most women want control of their destinies, and the freedoms promised. They want authority. However, these are things that are earned. It starts with women understanding that we need one another to achieve the things that will enhance our lives and lifestyles. As women, we are at the start of a powerful movement that will bring into existence, information that leads society towards thinking differently, especially about women. We
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have made many achievements over the years. Yet we are still often disrespected in our workplaces, deal with salary equality, and are usually not taken seriously as leaders in industry or government. By first finding value and respect in ourselves and one another, no matter what, we create an unbreakable bond. Then by establishing the mental economics needed to gain prosperity and empowerment, we excel. We must come to a mutual trust when it concerns, helping one another to grow. By supporting other women, we are helping ourselves. Then, as we implement the empowerment keys above as a guide, we grow together and achieve our goals. By Yahweh BYB Yahweh
Yahweh BYB Yahweh is a member of the organization PREEMINENT PRODUCERS, INC. Its mission and purpose is to promote excellence in behavior, education, and wealth. The members of this organization work to encourage themselves and others to create change in the conditions of the world. Preeminent Producers, Inc sees this as the personal task and part of the growing process that each person must embark on. They believe that by maturing, gaining the education needed, and improving oneself, a person can learn to become prosperous, successful, and empowered while encouraging others to do the same. Then, by taking positions of authority, people can make their voices heard. She and Preeminent Producers, Inc is always looking to collaborate with individuals and other organizations that have the common goal of thriving together. Contact via email: easygoingmembers@gmail.com
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The Matriarchal Line
Rise of Divine Feminine Energy and Power He who controls the narrative of history controls what people think of it. One of the most common contemporary phrases in business, politics, and life is “controlling the narrative.” This means telling a story your way before someone else gets to tell it. By telling the story your way, you control how a story is told, its characters, and how it is perceived. 25
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the portrayal of women. The knowledge, or lack of knowledge, about the power of women and divine female energy has been suppressed. No matter the race, creed, or color, women have held dominant authority as leaders,
rulers, queens, prime ministers, and presidents of lands. However, you would not know this given the current examples and portrayals of women.
In fact, very few of the accomplishments in the rulership of women are even mentioned in history books. Most history books tell a story of women neither seen nor heard. We asked several high school and college students what history books taught them about women rulers and their contributions in building the governments of the world. Their answers were an overwhelming, “nothing.” One prior student even said, “I don’t think women did that much in history. They weren’t allowed to do anything, right? Didn’t women just get rights in the late 1900s?” Such is the portrayal and story told of women—that women had
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very little to no contribution to building the society of the current world. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
are less likely to question it, and less likely to direct our energies to end it.” ~ Barbara Love and Elizabeth Shanklin
Is Matriarchy a Myth?
Although we hear the words “controlling the narrative” very often these days, it is not a phrase with a short-lived history. As a matter of fact, “controlling the narrative” is one tool used since the creation of history books. One only needs to look at history books to realize who controls their narrative. It seems that he who controls the narrative of history not only controls what people think of the past. They also control the vision that people have for the future.
It is all about vision. Where there is no vision, people perish. Vision gives one an image, idea, and perception. It fuels the imagination and expands your view. Therefore, the way women see themselves, their vision of themselves, is of all importance.
It seems that he who controls the narrative of history not only controls what people think of the past. They also control the vision that people have for the future.
Myth is an interesting word that comes from the Greek mythos. The dictionary defines myths as “speech, thought, word, discourse, conversation.” The dictionary also claims, “Myths include stories, sagas, tales, or anything delivered by word of mouth.”
By definition, matriarchy is a social system in which females hold primary power positions in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, economy, and property. Matriarchal comes from the Latin word māter, “mother,” and the Greek word ρχειν arkhein, “to rule” and “leadership and authority.”
“When we hear the word ‘matriarchy,’ we are conditioned to a number of responses: that matriarchy refers to the past and that matriarchies have never existed; that matriarchy is a hopeless fantasy of female domination, of mothers dominating children, of women being cruel to men. Conditioning us negatively to matriarchy is, of course, in the interests of patriarchs. We are made to feel that patriarchy is natural; we
Myths are “stories about divine beings, generally arranged in a coherent system; they are revered as true and sacred; they are endorsed by rulers and priests, and closely linked to religion. Once this link is broken, and the actors in the story are not regarded as gods, but as human heroes, giants, or fairies, it is no longer a myth but a folktale. Where the central actor is divine, but the story is trivial ... the result is religious legend, not myth.” [J. Simpson & S. Roud, “Dictionary of English Folklore,” Oxford, 2000, p.254] The dictionary also says, “myth did not change to an untrue story, rumor, imaginary or fictitious object or individual until 1840.” Therefore, any myth before 1840 was just an unwritten story told by mouth. The action of myths, once being stories told by word of mouth, then
The way women are portrayed has left and continues to leave an impression on how they view themselves and how others view them. Most of these impressions are to suppress and belittle women. Yet, women have a strong and rich history from our matriarchal lines. Often labeled as a myth, the matriarchal line comes from matriarchy. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
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the world. In Egypt, women such as Neith (also known as Net, Nit) ruled as a pharaoh as early as the First Dynasty, and Nitocris ruled the Sixth Dynasty as pharaoh. The line of Egyptian women’s pharaoh rulership continued with Nefertiti, Hatshepsut, Twosret, and Cleopatra VII. The queens who ruled the Kingdom of Kush bore the title Candace. The title of Candace lasted for 500 years. These 500 years showcase the sovereignty and length of the power they held.
Queen Zinga from the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms was a warrior queen who ruled in the seventeenth century. She had an army comprised mainly of women. As the governing authority, she reputedly assigned women to important political positions. Her council of advisers, as well as her army, included many women, two of whom were her sisters.
“Queen Elizabeth I’s reign is known as the Golden Age and is renowned as one of the most splendid ages.” changing to fictitious stories is reminiscent of the telephone game. In this game, a group of people sit in a circle. The first person whispers a story into the ear of the person next to them. The story is then whispered around the circle until it gets back to the original person. By the time the story gets back to the original person, it has only retained some elements of the truth. Just like the telephone game, all myths told by word of mouth contain some elements of truth. Both the history of female rulership and the knowledge of gender lead to the truth in gaining an 27
understanding of matriarchy.
History of Matriarchal Lines Lines are used as markings, and these marks are signs and tokens for something. The matriarchal line marks the characteristic and distinctive qualities of the matriarchy or female rulership. The matriarchal line links us to the women rulers of Ancient Africa to the present day.
Although Sobekneferu was the first recognized woman pharaoh, history shows women have always held rulership positions throughout
There were many female rulers from Nigeria, Angola, Congo, and other places. In the twentieth century, Empress Zaudifu ruled Ethiopia for thirteen years. These women rulers were not alone. In the 16th century, England, Scotland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Hungary were all at one point controlled by women. Whether as regent or queen regnant, these rulers were linked by a complex web of mothers and daughters, mentors, and proteges. Lessons were passed from Isabella of Castile to her daughter Catherine of Aragon and then to Mary I. Lessons were also passed from the French regent Anne de Beaujeu to Louise of Savoy, through Louise’s daughter Marguerite of Navarre to her daughter Jeanne d’Albret, to Marguerite’s admirer Anne Boleyn, and thus to Elizabeth I.
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Elizabeth I’s reign is known as the Golden Age in English history. The period is renowned as one of the most splendid ages. She inherited a virtually bankrupt land, introduced new policies that cleared the debt, and provided economic prosperity to the country. She led England into enlightenment and a period of peace and prosperity. Catherine the Great was the Empress of Russia for 67 years. As empress, she westernized Russia and led her country into the political and cultural life of Europe. Catherine is responsible for significantly expanding Russian territory. She was a patron of arts and a supporter of education. She reorganized the Russian law code. Her reforms led her to become one of the most influential rulers in Russian history.
All these women exercised independent power and prestige. They were the heads of governments, led armies, and performed all the prominent duties. They were the most empowered beings and changed their countries and lands forever. The matriarchal rulers are many more than those named in this article. The number of female rulers stretches far and wide. These rulers have set the standard for feminine power and rulership that continues today in countries. As of today, 29 countries currently have women serving as heads of government.
Masculine and Feminine Principles Gender is manifested in everything. Masculine and feminine principles are ever-present and active in all realms of life. The word “gender” comes from the Latin root meaning “to beget, create, or to produce.”
Ancient teachings identified the masculine principle of gender by calling it “positive,” and the feminine energy as “negative.” Science still uses these terms today, calling the proton positive and the electron negative in atoms. It is worth noting that the public mind has formed an entirely erroneous impression regarding the qualities of the socalled “negative” feminine charge. They look at the word positive to mean something real, good, and strong, as compared with negative meaning unreal, bad, or weak. However, this meaning is not what ancient scholars had in mind. On the
As of today, 29 countries currently have women serving as heads of government.
contrary, the actual act of positive and negative is shown in atomic phenomena.
In science, atoms are composed of a multitude of protons, electrons, and neutrons revolving around the nucleus and vibrating at a high degree and intensity. These emit charges or energies and thus “create” or “generate” an atom. The electron charge—the feminine energy—is where the generation and production of new forms and energies manifest. There is nothing “negative” about it. Electron actions are the path of generation—where creation starts. Electrons are feminine; science may say “they are composed of negative electricity”— we say they are made of feminine energy. When a feminine electron becomes detached from, or leaves an atom, being urged by the natural impulse
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to create new forms of matter or energy, it unites with a new masculine proton. The feminine particles vibrate rapidly and circle rapidly around the masculine. The result is the birth of a new atom. The process of feminine electrons detaching or separating from an atom is called “ionization.” This starts the creative processes.
The electron charge is the Mother Principle of Electrical Phenomena, and one of the most excellent forms of matter known to science. These electrons, the feminine energies, are the most active workers in nature’s field. Arising from their unions, or combinations, manifest the phenomena of light, heat, electricity, magnetism, attraction, repulsion, chemical affinity and the reverse, and similar phenomena.
The part of the masculine principle seems to be that of releasing specific inherent energy toward the feminine principle. Still, the feminine principle is the one always doing the active, creative work—and this is so on all planes.
Why is this relevant?
It is essential to know that both history and nature show that feminine energy has always played a significant role in the creation and the building of the world and society. Feminine power displays itself from the tiniest of atoms to some of the greatest kingdoms on Earth. It has always existed as co-power with the masculine. Individual players caused a change in the narrative. They desired to suppress and downplay the importance of feminine energy and the role of the female population. According to the book, Symbols are the Language of the Subconscious Mind,
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“There is a big misconception from a TRAUMA that has been placed upon the FEMALE population for thousands of years. The Sacred Feminine and women, in general, were far more respected in some of the ancient cultures. It is not until the patriarchs took over Egypt and other civilizations that the women suddenly became ‘lesser.’ Women were programmed into the public’s eye, as weak and inferior incapable of making decisions. The reason the Patriarchs, Egyptians, and others did this is because by suppressing and objectifying them, women became an object, and not equal. Today, whenever they want to sell a product, it’s a beautiful woman, half-naked, objectified as nothing more than this.” The information above shows that someone took control of the narrative 1000s of years ago, and it has shaped where we are today.
However, the divine feminine energy is rising. As women listen to their intuition, trust their inner instincts, and speak the truths of suppressed knowledge, they bring forth the demonstration of feminine power. Feminine energy is the rise of Mother Energy. It is the bringing forth of female consciousness. Women naturally tune in with this feminine side. It is their natural way of things. Remember the book, Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus? This book is a great example demonstrating how men and women think and view the world differently.
ideas. It supplies the power that is bold, entrepreneurial, creative, artistic, innovative, communicative, resourceful, faithful, nurturing, compassionate, empathetic, and organized.
It has nothing to do with the concepts of male versus female genders and everything to do with balance. In all real power, there is an equal balance of both masculine and feminine forces. Equal power is how it has always been and the way it is meant to be. Throughout history, this balance is seen in symbolism. In the yin and yang symbol, the yin is feminine power. The yin and yang symbol represents two halves that come together to complete a whole. The two come together as one. Both sides are dependent on each other.
The rise of divine feminine energy is about honoring the divine feminine wisdom that resides within. It is about gaining an understanding of feminine energy and using this knowledge and its power to better your personal life and the lives of others. By embracing and expressing the knowledge of divine feminine energy in our thoughts, words, and actions, we are choosing to change
the narrative. Divine feminine energy is the power and inspiration that brings about the revelation and shift needed to change the narrative. Whether done inadvertently or purposefully, the powerful leadership of ruling and governing women and their significant accomplishments in the world are no longer the standards. Images today subconsciously tell the story of women’s limitations and imprints a false narrative of women in general. These images narrow the world’s vision of women. They even lead us to think that women must begin to accomplish great things when the truth is, “we already have and continue to do so daily.”
We must embrace every aspect of feminine energy and step into our power as women. Women have a unique, intuitive, innovative, creative, and empathetic style of leadership. We held a tremendous role in the making of the current society. Therefore, it is up to us to change and control the narrative, as it relates to us. Our stories as women must be shared. These narratives give way to a new vision for the future—and that future is now. Controlling the narrative ensures that his-story includes her-story as well. ~Deirdra Lampkins
The rising of feminine consciousness awakens the power aligned with feminine energy. With it comes a higher thought where new ideas originate. The evolutionary, intuitive, and enlightening feminine energy shapes new structures and 29
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SOCIAL DISTANCING IS THIS THE NEW NORMAL?
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Pandemic
Not Our Normal Springtime Typically, spring represents many people’s favorite time of the year, mine included. We look forward to spring bursting in and pushing out the cold winter season. The sunshine and warmth spring brings almost make you forget those cold winter months even existed. In springtime, everyone begins to go outside. People are out in the sunshine enjoying parks, relaxing at beaches, shopping at malls, and having fun. The trees sprout, flowers blooms, and new life bursts upon the scene. Everywhere, people start to enjoy both the season and, most of all, each other. 31
We all crave that good feeling that only spring can bring. The warm and jubilant pleasures allude happiness. Long days and shorter nights emerge, and it seems like all is right with the world. However, this year is not our normal springtime.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
This spring, instead of going to work all week and looking forward to spending the weekends outside, things are different. Most people barely know what day it is because the stay-at-home orders have caused the days to blend into one another. No Friday and Saturday night hanging SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
This is what the Coronavirus has done. It has and will change all of us in some way before it is over. Before Coronavirus, I was always in a hurry and had very little time. As a corporate professional, I had one speed: fast. My life was always go, go, go. I never quite realized how life was quickly passing me by. Now, my weeks consist of teleworking, video chatting with family and friends, container gardening, reading, and even a little writing. I stay busy but in a different way. I have found time to do things that I never knew existed. I have friends and co-workers who feel the same way. They, too, have found time to do things they never had time to do before. Their 24-hour day also looks very different from what it looked like before the Coronavirus outbreak.
out with family or friends. No Saturday morning Farmer’s Market or Festivals. No weekend get-a-ways. Not even Sunday preparations for another work week. In place of these, we are looking out our windows at the sun-filled skies, going out to our yards and on balconies, taking short walks, or doing things that fall under the new and well-known term—social distancing. Each time we leave the house for groceries, supplies, and medication, instead of feeling the rush to go out and enjoy this beautiful and sunny springtime weather, we are in a hurry to go home where we feel safe. This is all to protect ourselves and others from this horrible Coronavirus, which has highjacked our springtime.
Unrelenting and overpowering, Coronavirus has forced all of us into a new way of life filled with stocking food, medicines, and supplies, and ordering groceries, takeout, and Amazon. Many people had never even heard of Instacart before all of this happened.
With most states under stay-at-home orders, we are all forced to slow down. Many friends with backyards have started yard clean-up and gardening—tasks they would typically pay a gardener to do. They have even convinced me to try my hand at gardening. Not having a yard, myself, I ordered some pots, soil, and seeds to create a container garden. The other day, I saw something green bursting through the soil that I hope will birth into tomatoes. Seeing this little bit of greenery was quite exciting, and I am thrilled to see it growing every day. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
I believe that everyone is starting to experience what we call the Slowdown Reality, which comes from not going so fast and so much. Maybe, this truly is the reset we needed to be and do better. None of us could have seen this coming. On February first, we would have all laughed if someone had even suggested that the country would be almost entirely shut down in the coming months. Such a thought would have been beyond our imaginations, yet here we all are, in this unbelievable new reality.
We cannot control everything that happens, but we can control how we respond to things. There is power in our response.
Stay safe. There is nothing we can do about what has happened this year. However, we can all choose the way we respond to these new changes. We have the power to choose to embrace the changes and the benefits of slowing down, as we move forward and go out again. The stay-at-home orders do not have to be a strain. The slowdown gives you time to reconsider everything. This time allows you to rebuild relationships with family, friends, and, most importantly, yourself. You can take the time to learn, grow, and figure out how to be even more productive after the pandemic is over. Or, you can choose to do nothing with this time and complain. But I say, embrace everything you can, because the reality is, there is a pandemic, and this is out of our control. We are all in this together, even if this is definitely not our normal springtime.
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ON THE
FRONT LINE In the Line of Medical Duty
Photo Tired Nurse by www.freepik.com
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heir mother, her sister, my cousin, our neighbors, and our friends all dress for battle, preparing to hit the front lines to fight this invisible yet formidable enemy. As I sat alone on March twenty-sixth under our current stay-at-home order, I cringed listening to my one-hour daily news update. The U.S. currently has over 82,000 cases of Coronavirus. We have passed both Italy and China in positive cases of COVID-19. At this time, there have been over 1,000 lives lost. State governments are urgently trying to do all they can to prepare for cases and protect their people. The Coronavirus has affected the entire country, yet experts are claiming we still have not seen its full effect. The U.S. economy is in disarray, spiraling downward, as people without income worry about how they will take care of their families in the coming months. During this traumatic time, the Federal Government is also working to help the U.S. population. However, all of this culminates into an even more shocking dilemma when I hear a gentleman on the news accuse the media overall of exaggerating the needs of medical professionals. They don’t have the supplies to stay safe when working with Coronavirus patients.
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Right then, I knew this gentleman had never felt the anxiety that my junior colleague, Jemma, feels over her mother, a nurse in New Jersey. Every day, she listened as her mother lamented the lack of supplies and how nurses feared for their safety. Then last week, healthcare professionals were told not to speak to the media or anyone about these shortages under penalty of termination. Now, her mother just shakes her head when Jemma asks. Jemma’s mother is very close to retirement, and she does not want to do or say anything to jeopardize her career.
I knew this gentleman didn’t have a sister like my friend’s sister, a medical professional in the south. She only a few days ago shared a story about a medical technician, who was found deceased from Coronavirus in her apartment. My friend shared the story of how her siblings went to work to help find protective gear for their sister, who also works at a hospital that has Coronavirus patients. The staff in this hospital do not have the necessary personal protective equipment needed to defend themselves against the threat of Coronavirus.
Nor could this guy have possibly heard the things shared with me in an intimate conversation, like the one I had SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
just a week ago with my cousin, Jillian, a doctor in New York. Jillian choked up while describing all the people that needed help, and how devastating it was to be at the hospital, watching and working through the death and surge of cases. She described the fear they all carried daily in the line of medical duty. My cousin explained how her entire medical unit looks like a scene from a horror movie—“people are literally everywhere, sick with coughing, fevers, and breathing problems.” She described the morbid feeling of checking on patients for one hour and seeing them succumb to the disease before they could check on them the next hour. Then she said, “Now imagine this happening over and over.” Her description rendered both her and me speechless. On top of it all, she explained that not having the necessary supplies causes constant fear and stress for her, her fellow doctors, and the other medical staff. They fear for their personal safety and the lives of their families. Even on video, I noticed the fixed, still, and distant look in her eyes as they filled with tears, and the cracking and shaking of her voice, as she concluded with, “It is like being on the battlefield without the weapons needed to protect yourself.”
STANDING WITH OUR SISTERS ON THE FRONT LINE Many people say the country is fighting a war against an invisible enemy. This being the case, we had to make sure people on the front lines were equipped to save lives and protect their own. During the 1918 Flu Pandemic, nurses, who were mainly women, were on the front lines of care. While thousands of patients with the classic symptoms of influenza, such as fever, aches, sore throat, and headaches got ill, nurses took care of them. The nurses became overwhelmed with the number of patients. Yet, they continued to do their job in the face of overwhelming numbers. With so many patients, it was difficult for them to obtain supplies, too. As a result, many lives were lost. Also, these women put themselves on the line, knowing they could contract the same illness. Still, the nurses remained professionals and continued to help as best as they could, even without the much-needed supplies. Arlene W. Keeling, RN, Ph.D., celebrated nurses in her article “Alert to the Necessities of the Emergency: U.S. Nursing During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic,” published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Public Health Journal. According to Dr. Keeling, “Excellent nursing care was the primary treatment for influenza.” Similar to the present pandemic, the disease was not very well understood. There were no medicines for it, and supplies were limited. They had no way to protect themselves while they took care of the sick. The article SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
also says, “During the course of the epidemic, hundreds of nurses became ill themselves, and many died.” We do not want this kind of result for our people on the medical battlefield; therefore, voices must be heard. “No one will quiet the voice of this need. We are all answering it.”
We all have mothers, sisters, cousins, friends, and neighbors who are in the healthcare field. We know these people are fighting for the health of the country, so it’s important to know what they are going through, and the supplies they need to keep fighting. We must remember they are the front lines fighting this invisible enemy.
Today, a little over one month from starting this article, things have gotten progressively worse. COVID-19 has caused almost 1,200,000 positive cases nationwide, and over 68,000 American lives have been lost to this pandemic. Unfortunately, these positive cases and deaths include healthcare professionals and their family members who’ve been infected by them.
However, now people in the media, businesses, and local communities have undertaken the mission to help those on the Front Lines. So, to all the suppliers, companies, volunteers, communities, and government agencies working to support them, we both salute you, and we thank you. We stand with the brave soldiers of the healthcare industry and all essential workers, who go to the battlefield fighting to save the lives of those with Coronavirus, risking their lives and their families’. We and others stand with you. We are all in this Together. Your VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD. By Kay Shores
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WHEN HOME IS NO LONGER YOUR
SAFE PLACE Why Stay Home Orders Have Become Dangerous for Some
Across the nation, the recent stay home order has become devastating for some. Not because of the Coronavirus, but because of another public health crisis – domestic violence. But nationally and globally, there has been a surge in domestic violence cases.
With families in lockdown, tension has become high, and so have the domestic violence calls. Domestic Abuse has risen worldwide, causing another crisis - this one for women. This crisis brings danger and violence into the home. In April, the United Nation’s Antonio Guterres tweeted,
“Many women under lockdown for COVID-19 face violence where they should be the safest: in their home. Today, I appeal for peace in homes around the world. I 35
urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic.”
Many cities in the U.S. are saying they have seen an increase in domestic violence calls. One city even said it had 200 plus domestic violence calls just within a 30day period. This disturbing behavior must be eradicated. Resources, such as The National Domestic Violence Hotline, provide lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait Call 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website at— www.thehotline.org
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A NEW SEASON
A NEW CHAPTER CORONAVIRUS HAS CAUSED MANY PEOPLE TO DISCOVER THE MEANING OF SUDDEN CHANGE QUICKLY. IN THIS INTERVIEW OF SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE, WE SHARE THE STORY OF SHERENA WILSON FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, WHO KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO GO THROUGH SUDDEN CHANGE AND WIN.
Sherena: I am headstrong, a curious person, ambitious, and maybe even a walking Rolodex, always looking to improve myself and others around me. I am a person who seeks to solve problems, helpful, and caring.
Tell us what you have been doing
I just recently graduated from Cal State Los Angeles, the College of Business and Economics in the Honor’s Program. I left a full-time job of over 15 years and became a full-time student. I knew returning to school full time would allow me to submerge myself into my education. It took me over 5 years to get my associate degree going part-time, and I didn’t want to do that obtaining my bachelor’s degree. Just before making the school decision, my mother received a preliminary diagnosis of an illness that affects the brain. She was still working at the time. I knew I needed to be there to help my mother through the process of retirement benefits and disbursements. Also, my mother was the conservator for my brother, and that was something else that I needed to tackle. Shortly after that, I took over my older brother’s conservatorship as well. That was all while going to school full time. Working full-time would have made this extremely difficult.
What does all this entail
For my mom, I am her brain. I do her scheduling, manage her appointments, and I am responsible for the financial aspects of her life. I also take care of all her important paperwork. There are advanced healthcare directives, durable power of attorney, financial power of attorney, etc. Those things are important if someone SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
is unable to think for themselves or handle their own business. I understood from my previous employer, the Trust and Estates department, how important it is to have certain documents in place. I am also my brother’s 36
representative, so I handle his finances, schedule and attend his appointments, and make sure he is alright.
At the same time of performing their duties, I had to maintain a certain GPA to remain in the Business Honor’s program. I could not allow my grades to slip, even though I was juggling and undertaking two people with challenges. It was a lot of work!
What was your first impression of your decision?
I had moved outside of my comfort zone, after over 15 years with my employer, where I had somewhat built a family, had a salary and great benefits. I was leaving for school and to help two individuals experiencing challenges. I was also challenging myself, both financially and with time constraints. Right up to the last day at work, I could not believe that I was making that decision. But I refused to turn back—it had to happen.
What has surprised you the most about yourself
It is my ability to identify and eliminate distractions. When life is going great, you entertain a level of distraction, but when you are focused and you need to focus on someone else, there is no time for distractions. Everything taking place in your life must be meaningful—a new season or a new chapter. Even still, you are in autopilot, and there is turbulence along the way in this process.
For school, there were a lot of moving parts. I was also a part of a Business Honor’s program campus club, where I was on the board member, an officer, and a founding member. It was challenging getting a new club off the ground like creating a startup business. So, I had no time for distractions. I needed to be very intentional during this time.
What would you say was the best and worst thing to happen since you took on these responsibilities
I would say the best thing is that I got the chance to spend a lot more time with my mother and brother than I did before. I am not saying that I didn’t spend time with my mother or brother before, but the time is more precious now. As far as school goes, I have been able to build relationships with people that I feel will be long-lasting. Diversity is
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important to the program. So, you are placed in a cohort with handpicked people from the start until graduation. The worst part is seeing my mom, a very smart, mentally, and physically strong woman, go through this transition and mental challenge. Secondly, time constraints, there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
What do you wish other people would know about you
There are two things. First, I am a humanitarian, but not in the traditional way. I started within my circle, my family, my community, and those around me. I want people to be informed. I share my knowledge. I genuinely want to see everybody succeed. The other thing is I like to know a little bit about a lot of things. Versatility is good. I am curious, so if something is said that I am not familiar with, I am going to go and look it up.
Who has influenced your decision to do what you have done
My mother. Obtaining her bachelor’s degree was always her goal and dreams. So, she went back to school during her 40’s and 50’s while working full time with a teenager and raising her grandson. She was also the conservator of my brother, in addition to helping many other family members. She definitely influenced me to go back to school and to look after my family.
What do you think has changed the most about your life during this time
I would say my faith has increased and that all things are possible in Christ. Going through all those different challenges and changes, I needed a solid foundation. There were times when I was mentally exhausted, physically exhausted, and just exhausted in general! Through this, you must have a foundation. You do not want to fall into depression or feel so drained that you give up.
If you had never done this, what would you be doing instead
I am sure I would still be at my previous employer in some capacity and regretting it because family is everything. There is a quote that says something along the lines of, “You have to let go of something good to get ahold of something better.” I would regret that I stayed in my comfort zone. ~ In2ition Staff Writer
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HOW DID YOUR RELATIONSHIP HANDLE THE CORONAVIRUS?
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POLITICS BUSINESS & FINANCE
I AM PURPLE Ratified in August 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Getting to this milestone was not easy. It was a lengthy and complicated struggle. This victory took decades of agitation and protest. This is why we encourage all women to vote.
Voting is one way to make sure women’s voices get heard through the ballot box. The vote means your opinion matters. Voting is power.
The Democratic and Republican parties both have levels of support among women in the U.S. We realize that just 39
like the states that carry the title - purple, readers of In2ition are purple. Therefore, our goal will be to focus on political issues that affect, help, and empower women and our role in society. Our readers look to candidates that represent issues personal to them. These are issues that deal with their personal lives, families, business, health, wealth, low taxes, and empowerment, among others. They look for candidates whose platforms match their views and needs.
THE FUTURE IS FEMALE
As women, it is crucial to understand the power of our vote. The Woman Vote and our Political Powers are consistently gaining momentum. Since 1980 when men and women voted in equal numbers, women have always outvoted men. It has been said that the growing power of women will remake America. Nowhere is our voice more significant than in our ability to vote. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
For those women who believe that talking negatively about another woman is fine, many suggest you take a long look at your own life. Psychology says that “Speaking negatively about others is a sure sign of one’s own insecurity, lack of achievement, low mindset or mental illness.” Directing this talk toward someone to shame them is the characteristic of a Verbal Abuser.
REAL WOMEN One thing this pandemic has done is force people to slow down, take account of their situations, and rethink life in general. Along with all of these, we would like to add little things that cause women to think. Each issue, we will share seeds for thought or a readers’ suggestions on how we, as women, can come closer together, support one another, and become empowered.
Real Women Don’t - Shame Other Women
Reader Suggestion: Before this viral crisis, another crisis affected many women. For reasons beyond us, women thought it was okay for them to shame other women. They thought it was acceptable for them to start rumors or jump on the bandwagon of stories from others where they shamed and tried to embarrass other women. In a world where women are already called names, belittled, and outright mistreated by men, women have joined in this movement. They have created a campaign where women are Slut-Shamed, Fat-Shamed, Image-Shamed, and others. Our readers shared some offensive comments from women addressed to other women on social media.
Seeking to embarrass another woman for any reason is so far beneath where we should be as women. Anyone who has passed the high school age should have matured from the “mean girl,” type “bullying” associated with shaming someone. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
This also refers to those who sit, listen, read, and laugh. Yes, you, too, are part of the “mean girl crew,” and as such, need to ask yourself why? Why are you not saying something to stop such banter? When women do this to other women, they inadvertently say it is okay for men to do the same. Over the years, women have quit jobs, political appointments, and hid themselves all because of shaming. They have been forced into seclusion, developed low self-esteem, and developed other psychological problems behind shaming.
You Want to be a BOSS?
Being a BOSS means taking leadership in all things, especially issues that affect women and girls. BOSS women do not just fall in line or go with the flow. While freedom of speech is a constitutional right, this does not mean women can or should be verbally abused.
The easiest thing we can do is use our voices to protect other women. If women stop shaming other women, stop listening to it, and call it out – change begins. This means standing up against this injustice.
“Seeking to embarrass another woman for any reason is so far beneath where we should be as women.”
We are smart and savvy women, not girls. Our voices are potent tool, whether use audibly or in written form. Do not allow yourself to fall into the manipulation of those who do not understand The Power We Have Together. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Our seed of influence for this issue
Real Women Don’t Shame Other Women. #Empowerment #SupportingWomen #UsingOurVoices For Good
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Whether you know it or not, or like it or not, every day you are reciting affirmations to your mind. These affirmations program your inner self, your subconscious, and shape your beliefs about you and your present life. Positive affirmations such as “I am great,” “I am healthy,” “I am wealthy,” can work wonders for your life. Unfortunately, the negative affirmations that we tell ourselves, such as “I am so tired,” “I am so fat,” “I am so broke,” “I am so stupid,” have the very same strong effect in our lives. It is the Universal Law of Attraction at work. It has been proven time and time again that we are, and attract into our lives, what we think, say and believe about ourselves and our perceived reality. I’m sure you’ve felt like you were going crazy at one time or another because things just weren’t or aren’t working out the way you want them to work. I know it is very frustrating. But there is one question you need to ask,
~ The Power of the I Am and the Law of Attraction Book
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MIND AND BODY
MENTAL Thermostat
Are You Looking Out for Your Mental Health? All Things in Moderation
Do all things in moderation. Keeping this in mind, it becomes essential to ask, are you looking out for your mental health when dealing with Coronavirus? While you need to stay updated on the Coronavirus for safety reasons, mental health experts say, “watching too much bad news can take a toll on your psyche.� The negative impact of watching such traumatic devastation on the news every day can cause mental anguish that leads to panic, anxiety, and stress. Mental anguish, such as stress, can even weaken the immune system. Visual experiences, seeing things with your eyes, are always more impactful than when you read or hear something. Hearing about something happening, versus watching it happen creates an impression. These impressions cause emotions. The visual experiences tied to these emotions impact memories and learning.
Add Some Laughter
Doing something as simple as adding laughter to your day, changes your emotional makeup. If you must watch television, why not add some comedies to your viewing? Watching a comedy has the same visual power, but the opposite of effect. Watching a comedy causes laughter. The emotion tied to laughter is happiness. Laughter changes your mood. It is also therapeutic and releases hormones that relieve stress and anxiety. Remember, you can also always add educational and informative visual entertainment, play games, and joke with friends. Maintaining your mental health is extremely important, especially during these trying times.
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The Art of
Relaxation OFTEN WHEN ONE BECOMES ANGRY, STRESSED, OR FILLED WITH ANXIETY, ONE BEGINS TO TAKE SHORT BREATHS. THESE SHORT BREATHS COME FROM THE CHEST. THEY ARE LIKE A PANTING. OVER TIME PEOPLE HAVE BECOME SO STRESSED AND FORGOT HOW TO BREATHE CORRECTLY. The Breath Your breath is a powerful instrument. During meditation, your breath is the tool that you use to fuel your instrument – your body. Your breath is your lifeline. This is why you would live only a few minutes if your breath were taken away. Therefore, it is essential to realize that our breath is our most important tool.
How to Use the Breath
I teach my clients that proper breathing is most important when learning the Art of Relaxation. Most people are what I call - chest breathers. This means they breathe with their chest. With every inhale and exhale, their chest and shoulders rise. But to adequately nourish the entire body, proper breathing techniques must be a part of your life.
Proper breathing comes from breathing through your abdomen area. When you breathe in through inhaling, your abdomen should expand and fill up, causing your stomach area to enlarge. When you exhale, your stomach and the abdominal area should pull in. This is proper breathing, and it is the only way to nourish your body with the oxygen that it needs. Often when one becomes angry, stressed, or filled with anxiety, one begins to take short breaths. These short breaths come from the chest. They are like a panting. Over time people have become so stressed and forgot how to breathe correctly. The abnormal breathing became their new normal breathing. If this is the case with you, you 43
must change the pattern. Proper breathing comes from the abdomen. Proper breathing leads to relaxation, less stress, focus, clarity, and healing.
Abdomen Breathing
Place your hand on your abdomen and take a deep breath in through your nose. You should feel your stomach area increase and expand. Then release that breath through your mouth. You should feel your stomach pull back into a normal position. If this is what you feel, remove your hand and continue breathing in this manner. Get to know your breath. Again remember, it is the tool that fuels your entire being. When dealing with stress, having control over your breathing can put you into a calm and even meditative state almost immediately. Stop right now. Take a moment to observe how you are feeling. Move and observe the feeling in your neck, shoulders, upper back, your lower back, your thighs, your legs, and your feet. Are they feeling at ease and relaxed? Or, are they tight and intense? Now close your eyes. Take 10 slow deep breaths. Observe both your inhale and your exhale. Make each breath more prolonged and more profound. Do this once or twice a day every day. This exercise will put you in a calmer, more relaxed state, and it is an easy tool that you can use any time and any place.
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The Season of Beginnings and Moving Forward
CHANGE YOUR BODY TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE Your Health journey for moving and changing your life and body should, could, or ought, to begin with the goal, objective, or aim for wholeness mentally, emotionally, AND physically. The season of spring is perfect for allowing yourself to move into its high vibrations, energy, and frequency to empower your new beginnings. You have the most powerful piece of machinery on the planet – YOUR BODY. You live with 100 trillion cells, 11 major systems, 7 major glands, 650 muscles, 206 bones designed to help take care of you. Your body has ways to communicate 24/7. It detects when there is something wrong or out of order and then sends out messages.
Your Body’s Messages
Are you paying attention to what it is saying? Understanding body messages is essential. These messages give information about the body’s overall health. Some tests and screenings help you find out what your body is saying. Some of the most popular are Iridology reading, Reflexology, Acupressure, Acupuncture, and Muscle Testing.
Stress
The brain is the master computer of the body. When it is excessively stressed and thrown out of balance, then the other glands, organs, and systems of the body are disrupted in their functionality also. Did you know each one of your organs houses a specific emotion? Emotional or mental disruptions send negative, harmful hormones and chemicals into the body organs that break down each affected organ and the immune system.
THE BIG QUESTION ASKED – Does the majority of the population know how to take care of their bodies properly?
This can be answered by taking a count of how many people have heart diseases, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, cancer, strokes, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders. Also, by how many are overweight or obese and experiencing chronic stress. Aside from stress, what else affects the body’s performance? You should look at what’s going on genetically, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, low energy, toxicity build-up, environmental factors, hormonal levels, eating habits, bowel habits and issues, unnatural dietary foods, and age brackets.
After the body’s messages are clear, the first step in your health correction should begin with a Cellular Body Detoxification Program. The major organs of elimination must be cleansed and working up to par. These will give you the healthy body you desire.
I am happy and honored to be a catalyst to walk with you for TRANSFORMATION. ~Dr. DERAH Dalene Brown Dr. Derah is a certified Naturopathic Doctor, Health Practitioner, Iridologist, and Herbalist. Specialties Ancient Herbal Medicine, Natural Health & Wellness, Body Systems, Crystal-Color Energy Balancing, Polarity, and Pranic Energy Healing, Reiki, Individual Spiritual Counseling, Neuro Design Reprogramming, DNA Body Rejuvenation, and Reflexology.
It has also been scientifically proven that 70% of many health challenges have their root in STRESS.
Dr. DERAH specializes in Cellular Body Detoxification and Cellular Body Rejuvenation.
We are living in a society that creates so many stressful situations. These situations throw us off balance. Each case is unique to each individual and affects each person’s health differently. Therefore SISTERS, MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, it is time for a SERIOUS CHANGE IN OUR HEALTH.
You can contact Dr. Derah for an in-person or phone appointment at her Los Angeles Office
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Phone (562) 394 3313 www.totalhealthbodycleansing.com email: 4derah@gmail.com 44
The Big Little Thing
CALLED WATER Water is involved in every metabolic process, electrical exchange, physical and mental actions in the body. Our muscles are 70% water; our blood, 82% water; our bones contain up to 25% water; our brain, 85% water; and our cells are about 71% water. Water is the most abundant of all essential nutrients in our body. Around 75% or more of our body is water. It enhances everything about us.
Water is involved in every metabolic process, electrical exchange, physical and mental actions in the body. Our muscles are 70% water; our blood, 82% water; our bones contain up to 25% water; our brain, 85% water; and our cells are about 71% water. You might be surprised to know that if your body does not get enough water, it will set up a recycling system and recycle the water it already
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has inside. This means it has to re-filter the water through the kidneys, placing an extra burden on them and the liver.
Water is necessary for life. 1. 2. 3. 4.
It shapes our cells. It regulates the body temperature It lubricates the joints and other areas It cushions specific body organs
Lack of Water is one of the leading causes of fatigue, toxemia, constipation, and premature aging.
Water contains vital minerals that we need to stay healthy and strong. Many people would be surprised to learn that the hydrating effects of water can help us lose weight, stay healthy, reduce disease, reduce the occurrence of many headaches, and improve our overall wellness. So, Drink Water and Lots of it.
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Woman in Coat on Stage with 47 Mask by Nappy”
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Woman with Balloon by Daria Shevtsova
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Woman Holding Flare by Wellington Cunha
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INFORMATION CENTRAL
from the Perspective of a Teacher
A Day in the Life Teachers, the main strength of society, are often underappreciated, underpaid, and emotionally drained individuals. While the expertise of teaching is essential in society, the profession itself can be both gratifying and perplexing for those who perform the tasks. As many parents have seen during this Coronavirus Pandemic, where they are placed in the role of teacher for their child, the aspects of working with young scholars every day can be challenging. Yet, the focus here is what happens as we address these tasks each day.
How many tasks can a teacher juggle? Let’s See.
It may be difficult for other professionals to understand the role of a teacher and what we do. But I will attempt to paint a picture here. Some might believe that teaching is easy. Others believe that this 8-4 teaching profession is like any other career, where professionals go to work and do their jobs. Yet, with teaching, this is simply not true. The role of a teacher is substantially much more. The job of a teacher is like the role of a manager, who micromanaging every aspect of every task, of every employee, every day. Teachers take care of themselves as well as 20 to 30 or more people, young scholars that we call students.
The teaching day begins by arriving early to prepare the lessons, and all materials for the day’s instruction. The bell rings with us stationed at the door, greeting each student as they come in. Next is the time it takes for doing roll call, settling, resettling, and resettling the students again. Instruction does not truly begin until the students are in the room, accounted for, settled in their seats, focused, and ready to work. Then from the time the class starts until the end of the day, we work to assure students are “actively and vigorously involved.”
Tasks include lesson plans. We teach different things with different lesson plans, and all require additional indepth thought. We read the text of subjects in advance of the students and do the assignments to ensure our knowledge in teaching them. Often, one of the hardest things is the ability to transmit knowledge. We formulate a system that works and works every time with information that reaches the students at their intellectual capacity so that they will engage in learning the subject being taught to them.
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Teachers maintain the class structure while instructing students, giving assignments and tests, grading the assignments and tests, and documenting progress. We set schedules for ourselves and the students. Prep time, if any was given, is a busy time for teachers. We are always planning, organizing, and prepping to get everything ready for the next subject or class. Additionally, the teacher’s day often includes a 30-minute lunch. Then 30-minutes of being on duty, where we watch out for the students to ensure they do not meet any foreseeable injuries or harm while they are at recess or free time.
Unlike most jobs, the role of teachers is one of the daily presenters. We stand in the limelight, the front of the classroom, our stage, performing for young minds. In this spotlight, every movement, every expression, and all the words we say matter. Because the students watch and hear everything, most are quick to make corrections, comment on your facial expressions, and even remind you about something you forgot to do. The students keep us on our toes. Therefore, 50
teachers are required to exhibit best practices in all areas daily.
Tired yet? There is more.
Teachers are in a permanent leadership role acting as educators, counselors, and in some cases where there are none – parents. Our classrooms become a relaxed, comfortable and secure environment for many students. They feel they know us, they trust us, and know we care. Feeling secure in our classrooms and seeing both teachers and peers as confidants, students share information on homelife and things that many might not even share with their parents. Sometimes, we make sure they are fed, provide clothes when needed, or become their go-to person in times of trouble. It’s the teacher’s job to exercise leadership with care and without prejudice or malice, always acting in the best interest of the student. Students depend on us to educate them, counsel them, and instruct them. We urge good behavior, all while motivat-
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ing and encouraging them on their paths towards becoming creative, free, and independent thinkers.
To maintain the leadership style needed to guide these young scholars, teachers attend meetings and training. Yes, those meetings mandated in corporate America, we have some too. Staff meetings, department meetings, the meeting after meeting, or a parent conference meeting. Many of these begin after the teaching day ends, and this is just one day. In addition to home and family life, the evenings for a teacher are filled by going home, grading papers, and preparing for lessons of the next day. Teachers work hard to stay prepared. We understand that for students, we are some of the most influential people in their lives. Therefore, while teaching is continually demanding, there is a no-more-rewarding profession. It is the gradual growth of individual students, both
mentally and academically, that make teachers proud. When a student with a seemingly insurmountable problem starts to blossom, you suddenly realize that you have made a difference. And, when that child comes back years later and says, “Thank you! You told me I could do it!” — Oh, how your Heart Swells! And it is this impact that makes all the other obstacles worthwhile. -Dr. Judy A. Garcia
To maintain the leadership style needed to guide these young scholars, teachers attend meetings and training.
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Mom’s Two Cents…
NOW WE HAVE TO HOMESCHOOL TOO? Because we are mothers too, we know how difficult life may have become for many mothers. Under the new Stay Home orders, in addition to everything else, you have become a homeschool teacher. To make matters more interesting, there may be no more classes this school year. This is unfamiliar, stressful, and daunting. Yikes!
• Science lessons offered by Mystery Science
• Scholastic learn-at-home offers free online resources during this corona crisis. • Audible offers free audiobooks
DON’T PANIC, THERE IS HELP
• Then there are your Public Library resources being offered.
First thing – Remember that Homeschool is not your child’s regular school and should be set up in a way that works for you and your child. You get to make the rules and even break them when necessary.
• Additionally, you can Google free age-appropriate worksheets with answer keys for all subjects.
There is no set schedule. You get to plan and reschedule as needed. If you are teleworking, this is especially important to remember. You need to set a schedule that works for you and your child. There are resources available.
• Your child’s school may have Zoom or Google Classroom for web classes, along with homework packages.
• Don’t forget that there are apps for everything, so check those out to see if they fit into your homeschool program. Taking advantage of these resources can help to make homeschooling a little easier. The critical thing to remember is you are in charge. Even though it’s new to you, don’t let homeschooling freak you out. Take a deep breath and create what works best for you and your child
• There are YouTube webinars for learning
• There is Khan Academy. A free resource for instructional videos on lots of topics • Ted-Ed has video lessons for kids
The Mom Squad
Write to us to share your questions, comments, thoughts, and tell us what you want to know. Put “The Mom Squad” in the Subject Line and email articles@in2itionmagazine.com. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
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~She Is~
She Is A dedication to the women of the world. She is a Queen She finds meaning in the seemingly unappealing She has faith complemented with works to do the deed.
Art is
She is kindhearted. She is amazing.
“Self-Worth” We all have many versions of our Selves on the shelf. Self-Worth
Self-worth is always an excellent characteristic to start with when you begin to focus on yourself as a person. This is because the dictionary defines self-worth as “the sense of one›s value or worth as a person.”
Self-worth is the view, attitude, and judgment you have about yourself and the value you place on yourself. An example of good self-worth is your belief that you are a good-hearted person who loves and deserves good things versus the idea that you are a terrible person who deserves bad things.
Our self-worth is the personal value that we place on ourselves. Only you can determine and quantify your self-worth. In other words, your self-worth is based on how much you value, appreciate, and like yourself.
Self-worth comes from a source deep within us. We produce it through Faith, by playing on the singular feeling that WE MATTER. Self-worth is the basis of our ability to trust in ourselves, and it is the foundation of believing in ourselves. You and only you hold the scales to measure this. I suggest that you measure well because your self-worth is the bridge to your other selves, the roles they play, and the power that hold on your life. You are deserving of love. You are deserving of happiness.
It is hard to bring a woman down who knows her self-worth. Know Your Worth 53
And because she is a queen, she will take the power she possesses And turn it into blessings that will bless the adolescents And to make sure that the children know the future lies in their hands
To assure the elders, she will always remember their presence, and that their lives are lived for reasons beyond what they might understand. She is the first that ever did it. Props to her because she helps who needs it.
She is the first, she is the last, she is a legend. She has strength, and despite her past, she still made it.
She has an idea, thinks it through, and then she acts on it. She has a dream, believes in it, and then she follows it.
The perfect example of pure greatness. She’s brave, and she’s courageous. The embodiment of pure excellence. She knows she’s God’s creation Perfectly molded into what she is What she was And what she will be. She is the light that, even when dimmed, still shines bright.
She is the presence of the shred of light in the dark blue skies. She is hope in hard times. She’s got the eye of the tiger and the roar of a lion. She is everything that she is She is God’s image By ~YBYBY
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SWEET POTATO NOODLES WITH CASHEW CREAM SAUCE I’m no vegan or vegetarian but, herbivores and omnivores alike will fall in love with this incredibly versatile and magic-like cashew cream. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, use it to make sour cream, ice cream, dressings, queso, sauces, or my favorite dish: Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Cream Sauce!
DIRECTIONS
1 cup cashews 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp white pepper 2 cloves garlic, pressed 1-2 tsp avocado oil 3 sweet potatoes, spiralized 1 cup baby arugula
• Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over high heat.
INGREDIENTS
• Cover the cashews with water in a bowl and let soak overnight. Then drain and rinse them thoroughly. • Place cashews in a blender with almond milk, salt, white pepper, and garlic. Puree until smooth and set aside.
• Add the sweet potatoes. Toss them in the pan for 6-7 minutes with tongs until tender crisp. • Remove the sweet potatoes from the heat and toss in the baby arugula. • Top this with the cashew cream and enjoy!
Cheri Gilmore, also known as Cheri the Chef, was born and raised in the Midwest with a serious love for food. She describes herself as an experienced photographer, a Pampered Chef consultant, an amateur chef, but a professional foodie. She is a 3-time semi-finalist as well as a first place and grand prize recipe contest winner. You can usually find her in the kitchen preparing a meal, trying out a new recipe, or demonstrating the latest Pampered Chef products. You may even find her shooting the latest episode for her self-titled YouTube Channel “Cheri the Chef,” where she shares her passions for cooking and for feeding others. To join her on her journey, and find out how you can help feed the hungry, check out one of her social media links below:
www.youtube.com/c/cherithechef | @cheri_the_chef | Contact Cheri via email - cherianngilmore@gmail.com SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
CheritheChef |
cherithechef
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Spilling The Tea Herbs were the first known medicines. The use of plants as herbs has been seen in all cultures. The long history of wild and cultivated herbs was recorded thousands of years ago. They are still a source of food and the primary medicinal source in many countries.
Herbs are mentioned throughout the text of the Bible. Egyptian schools of herbalists have existed since 3000 B.C. India, China, and Southeastern Asia are all known for using herbs and spices for medicine, cosmetics, and cooking. The Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian scroll, listed plants used as medicines, which dates to about 1550 B.C. Evidence of herb gardens date back to Europe in the Middle Ages.
Today, the business of producing fresh herbs for consumption has become one of the fastest-growing industries in agriculture. The United States produces about 200 billion pounds of herbs and spices per year. Their value, health benefits, and medicinal properties have been a leading source of trade for centuries and are recognized in every part of the world.
Respiratory Disorders
From the common cold to the flu - congestion in the nasal sinuses or lungs, runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue - respiratory disorders are always irritating and sometimes, even temporarily disabling.
Tea Wisdom
Since a healthy immune system is one of the keys to helping with viral infections, the teas, covered for you in this issue, 55
are based on herb teas for colds and coughs, as well as for building your immune system.
ECHINACEA – It has been an important medicinal herb for centuries. The roots are used in herbal medicine to stimulate the immune system and promote healing. It is a herbal tea commonly used to ward off the onset of the common cold and to alleviate the effects of a sore throat. ELDERBERRY - Known as one of the kings of herbs when it comes to cold and flu season, Elderberry has been used for years for respiratory healing. Studies have shown Elderberry to have strong anti-bacterial properties, stimulate the immune system, and is also effective in treating strep and various strands of the flu. PEPPERMINT – One of the oldest household remedies, Peppermint, is another herb used for many symptoms. Herbalists also prescribe it for colds and coughs. It is an excellent remedy for chills, fevers, and dizziness. Peppermint is a stimulant. A strong cup of peppermint tea will act powerfully on the system by quickly diffusing itself through your system, bringing your body back to its natural warmth. Peppermint can be combined with both Elderberry and Echinacea Teas for better performance.
Drink Tea Responsibly: Please seek the advice of your doctor before consuming any herbs or alternative medications. Many Herbal Teas fall under alternative medicines and should never take the place of your prescribed medications. SPRING ISSUE 2020 IN2ITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Super Food for Spring
GRAPES
This ancient superfood is a fruit that is outstanding for its versatility. It grows on a vine, and the fresh fruit can be eaten directly from it. It can be processed into raisins, juiced, and fermented into wine.
Though there are thousands of varieties of grapes, not all are only suitable for wine production. Some are only suited for drying, and others appropriate only as fresh fruit.
• Grapes are rich sources of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium. They have a high nutrient content and play a crucial role in ensuring a healthy and active life.
stones and infections, along with gastric conditions and lack of appetite. • Grapes are also known for their potent astringent effect, which promotes the elimination of toxins, germs, mucus, and fatty deposits on the walls and arteries. It relieves abdominal swelling and gas. They possibly relieve hemorrhoids and assist with constipation. Additionally, they are known to help fight migraines. • Grapes are known to assist in radiant complexions. They contain flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slow down aging and help with acne. • The antioxidants in grapes are said to be beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer. Some fascinating studies specifically show the purple variety, Concord grape juice, as an effective preventive measure against breast cancer. • Raisins appear to be beneficial for the internal organs, especially the lungs.
• Specific weight loss programs are created exclusively with grapes alone with claims that grapes provide all the nutrients the body needs.
• For women suffering from irregular menstrual cycles, kidney, or gallstones, drinking wine cooked in celery stocks is a suggestion to assist with these.
• Grapes, wine, and raisins are valuable nutritionally and medicinally. They are energizers. They strengthen the heart, intensify the brain activity, and sharpen the mind. Some say grapes help with anxiety, depression, and irritability.
• People, most especially women, cook the grape leaves and branches in milk to promote lactation.
• It has been said that grapes help with infections of the throat, stomach, and intestines. Cardiovascular disease, including clogged arteries and high blood pressure might be helped by eating grapes. They help with kidney
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• In general, grape wine is beneficial for the elderly because it helps them keep warm and promotes health. Wine also helps to improve eyesight and strengthens the memory. Overall, know that when you eat grapes, you get more than sweet juicy fruit. You get one of the healthiest foods on the planet. 56
THE MYSTERIES OF THE HIGH PRIESTESS Discovering the Knowledge of Your Divine Equilibrium In this issue, we will look at Tarot cards. They are used as a form of divination, which means “working with the divine or your higher self.” In looking at Tarots, we will show how Tarots are used to symbolize and explain life. Our focus for 2020 will be the High Priestess card.
The High Priestess represents Feminine Power. She is the symbol of the Pure Influence of the Higher Self of the Subconscious Mind. She also sits between the two pillars, demonstrating her state of equilibrium.
The High Priestess is the Major Arcana card reflecting the number “2”. Two is a dynamic number. Before there can be other numbers, there must first be two. The number “2” embodies the vibration and energy of balance, intuition, secret knowledge, peace, and emotion. The biggest takeaway I found is BALANCE. Balance is necessary for all things. With balance, anything
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Keeping both the High Priestess and the Yin-Yang symbols in mind, take time to retreat and reflect upon your situations. TRUST your inner intuition and let them guide you through. You have both the physical and spiritual forms within – the great balance. Let them teach you how to go within. Utilize both to become a form of your highest self. -Vashti M.
Vashti is a skilled student at mystical arts. She has been working in the Tarot industry for 4 years. Clients say that she is often spot on during readings and often predicts possible outcomes. They love the messages she shares with them, and the words of affirmation and guidance she leaves them with. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Personal Development Life Coach, and Host of Self Develop Fit Podcast. She loves helping people and invests her full attention and time to the betterment of the next person in the world.
The High Priestess is part of what is called the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana in the tarot deck represents life lessons and karmic influences that are influencing your life and soul’s journey to enlightenment. The Major Arcana have deep meanings and can be a bit complex. However, their interpretations are beautiful once understood. The High Priestess card is identified as the Female Presence of the Divine. She is seen sitting on a throne wearing a blue robe. She sits wisely with her hands and a scroll of the Torah, the law, upon her lap. These all show the level of royalty and prestige she holds. There’s a crescent moon at her feet, and she wears a horned diadem crown on her head with a sphere in the middle. She is the card of mystery, stillness, passivity, and in2ition or intuition.
The High Priestess is the Yin, the Feminine Symbol in the Yin-Yang symbol. The number “2,” a mystery, coupled with balance and truth. The Yin and Yang duality at its finest. Two is a number impossible to conquer. It requires study, deep reflection, and stillness to fulfill the real desire of its purest elements.
is possible. The perfect symbol for number “2” is found in the Tai-Chi-Tu, which is also commonly known as the YIN-YANG symbol. The small counter-colored dot or circle in each hemisphere is a symbolic reference that a bit of one is found in the other. This is a Perfect Balance – Equilibrium. Know that with this balance comes in2ition - intuition.
You can find more about the services Vashti provides, as well as learn more about SelfDevelopFit and Vashti through her website and social media: @Vashti.Maachah @SelfDevelopFit SelfDevelopFit www.SelfDevelopFit.com
Be sure to listen to my podcast at soundclound. com/SelfDevelopFit or Apple Podcast
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SPRINGTIME
STONES The use and power of stones date back to biblical times. It is believed that the 12 gemstones in the breastplate created by Aaron, represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The Chaldeans were the first to link gemstones with the 7 original planets or celestial bodies. They labeled them in this manner: The Sun - Diamond, Moon – Selenite, Mercury – Agate, Venus – Emerald, Mars – Ruby, Jupiter – Jacinth, Saturn – Sapphire. Then Josephus and St. Jerome began linking these gems with the signs of the zodiac, which later turned into the birthstones we often hear about. The knowledge, power, and stories of stones grew over time. Each stone presumably offered wearers special powers during the corresponding astrological period. Therefore, people tried to collect and wear all twelve gems throughout the year for their therapeutic benefits and as charms.
Which Stones Represent Springtime
Birthstones
APRIL – Diamond
Birthstones are gemstones that represent a person’s month of birth. Birthstones are a fun, popular, and colorful introduction to the world of gemstones. Over the years, the stones have changed, been added to the months, and even taken away. We will name and share a few stones that represent the months until we name all the stones for the months.
The gemstone of April symbolizes Radiance and Sovereignty. Diamonds are believed to provide victory, courage, faithfulness, purity, and enhancement of love. They help to bravely express one’s inner self.
MAY - Emerald
Gemstone of May symbolizes Love, Healing, and Abundance Emeralds link the heart to the energy of Divine Love. Emeralds are strong healers and help when dealing with recovering from imbalances and diseases.
JUNE – Moonstone
Gemstone of June symbolizes Self-Discovery, Intuition, and Mystery Moonstones are potent stones for awareness. These stones help to connect one to the energy and power of the moon. They teach patience and attuning to the right timing.
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