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TABLE OF CONTENT Editors Note |
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Deborah Risper
Athlete Of The Month | It’s Never Too Late |
Christina Marie
The Expansion Of Happiness |
Roc Shabazz
Back To School… Excited Vs Scary | The Healing Power Of Art |
Nyla Wright
Georgette Huston
Brown Beauty Of The Month |
Decarah Myers
Robin Newsome
Deborah’s Fall Favorites |
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Brandi Readus
Back To School Prayer |
Sickle Cell Anemia |
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Zena🐝 Palmer
Deborah Risper
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EDITORS NOTE Deborah Risper
Ohhhhh Heyyyyy September!!!
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e have made it to month nine of 2021! I would say can you believe it, but we’ve LITERALLY enjoyed making up for time last year that we have great memories to match these last nine months. If you are into Biblical numbering you’d know this month is birthing month. This month is the month that whatever your goals or dreams are, it’s time to activate them. The season is getting ready to change and this is the last month to the third quarter. Let’s make it count! On another note……..our kids have returned to school after spending a year e-learning. Although I’m sure it’s mixed emotions for many, my constant prayer is that our children, educators, bus drivers and parents remain safe during this time of transition. While we want to fully return back to normal, a gentle reminder that the pandemic STILL exists. Please do your part to continue to be safe and create safety for others. Let birth great energy, crush some goals annnnddddd get ready for fall! XoXo, Deborah Editor-In-Chief
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Zena🐝 Palmer
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ello! My name is Zena Palmer. I am 12 years old. I love being active. My favorite sport is basketball 🏀 although I have played other sports (soccer and softball) basketball has my heart. I love to win games and to work on becoming a better player. My brother Deuce inspired me to play basketball at an early age. When I was 3 years old I always watched him practice and went to all his games. He would let me shoot on his basketball goal in his room. Once I got my own for my room we would shot and play together. My parents placed me on a team at the YMCA when I turned 4 years old. I was excited and determined to be the best player I can be!!!! Then they placed me on an AAU team “Krush Queens”. I loved playing with my teammates. We’re like a family and sisterhood. We couldn’t be beaten. We won several championships. 3 of the championships we got rings for. That was so cool! I still can’t fit the rings LOL… but I love to watch my favorite WNBA teams the LA Sparks and the Las Vegas Aces. My parents took me to a game this year for making Principal’s Honor all year. That was an amazing Game and Day!!! I love Basketball and you never know you may see me on TV playing for the WNBA. Most recently I have been selected to play in my basketball division All-Star game with the WBNA present. I cannot wait to give my all and display my amazing talent to the WNBA. Zena🐝 #BeautyBrainsBaller #GirlPOWER
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE Brandi Readus
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e have all seen the story of
high school, and it matched me with being
someone who says, “I knew I
a veterinarian. I liked animals and science,
wanted to be a doctor since
and it looked interesting, so why not? When
I was a child”, or “I have always known I
I went to college, I was an Animal Science
wanted to be a teacher”. They were blessed
major for about a month. Let’s just say Animal
to know their passion and purpose at a young
Science 101 has a GREAT way of weeding out
age to pursue it as an adult. It’s such a feel-
those who aren’t serious about the subject.
good story. Well, that wasn’t me! As a child,
I switched to a Psychology major because
I wasn’t drawn to any specific profession. I
I’d get to take classes with my friends. (My
took one of those career personality tests in
mother is rolling her eyes reading this.) I
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WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE finished that year at Iowa State but then came
insecurity I had. I didn’t have the money to
home to give birth to my first child.
pursue the two degrees required to become
When it was time for me to go back to school, I decided to work towards a Computer Science degree because computer programmers made good money. I did well in the classes, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t
a licensed therapist. I was too old to make this drastic career change due to the additional education I needed. I can’t talk about our experience
because
people
will
think
differently of us. But God!
a career I was actually interested in. I stuck it
A year from now, I will have my Bachelor’s
out for a while but ended up withdrawing and
degree in Applied Behavioral Science. But
just focused on working full-time. I’ve been
get this. I am pursuing that degree through a
very blessed that my lack of a degree hasn’t
company program where I do not come out
affected my ability to not only stay employed
of pocket at all. Why is a technology company
but build a solid career at a successful
paying for me to get a Behavioral Science
technology company. However, I know that I
degree?! Listen, I don’t know! Ask God! As far
am not walking in my purpose.
as being “too old”, I’d rather walk in my purpose
It took my life being turned upside down by my child’s battle with mental health for everything to become crystal clear. While my husband and I worked through getting her the treatment she needed, we quickly realized how unsupported we were to help her. We were caught completely off guard by how much this would affect our marriage and
for a short time than never walk in it at all. God will still get the glory. The worry about what others may think of our story is surpassed by knowing that families will be helped by knowing they aren’t alone in this fight. I will no longer listen to the nagging whispers rooted in fear and insecurity. I will walk boldly in faith and confidence in my future.
even our own mental health. How in the world
Have you let fear snatch your purpose from
were we supposed to help her when we were
you? Do you think it’s “too late” for you to walk
drowning ourselves? That’s when my calling
in your purpose? It’s not. It’s never too late. I
began to be revealed to me. I wanted to help
bounced around doing my own thing for a
families like us who have been affected by
very long time before I consulted God. And
mental illness. But how? Remember, I said
life still had to knock me flat on my face for
I work in technology, and that’s not exactly
me to truly listen AND trust. Ask God to reveal
transferable experience to a career in mental
His plan for your life to you and trust Him. He
health. I began to push away these thoughts,
only wants the best for you and is waiting for
and I even told myself I had “heard” wrong
you to be obedient so that He can give it to
purely out of fear. That fear spoke to every
you.
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BACK TO SCHOOL PRAYER Christina Marie
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ord, please bless child’s name______________________. We ask in this back-to-school prayer that You give them strength and courage to be away from mommy and daddy — and that You sustain and guide them as they learn and grow. We ask that You protect and be with child’s name____________________________this school year and that You equip us as parents to help guide them. In Jesus’ name, Amen. God, as we start a new school year, this prayer for back-toschool time is focused on my request for Your help. Please help me as a parent of a small child with a young and developing mind. Please guide me to help my child learn. And I also pray for the child’s name’s new teacher — please grant them wisdom and protect my child, Lord. Thank You for Your love and guidance. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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THE EXPANSION OF HAPPINESS Roc Shabazz
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he essence of life is about your expansion of happiness. There is nothing more fulfilling and satisfying than the love of family. As a father and a husband, I pride myself on supporting and loving my family. We have to look at the broader picture, have a depth of vision. There are so many men that are missing out on the purest love and appreciation. This world is so demanding, and can consume you easily. There has to be a rest, a place that grounds you and brings you peace. Imagine walking through the door after a long ten-hour work weekday and hearing a little voice scream with joy to see you. This is the ultimate bliss. In terms of generational wealth, a family is necessary. Who will carry on the torch and legacy, if there is no family? It is so much value for our sons and daughters to see their mother being loved properly. This instills morale and loving core values for the child to carry on throughout life. Fredrick Douglass said, “ It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”. A family that prays together and plays together, stays together. Date nights are essential. Family vacations are essential. Random gifts and favorite snacks are essential.
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BACK TO SCHOOL… EXCITED VS SCARY Nyla Wright
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can remember as a kid how excited I would be for the first day of school. Going back to school is an exciting time for many children, for some, it’s their first time in school, some are going to a new school and for some children, they will graduate this school year. Going back to school this year will be especially exciting and scary at the same time. Due to COVID 19, many children have not attended school in person for over a year. School is where many children learn new things daily, socialize with their peers, and learn how to apply what they have learned by testing their knowledge. This year will be challenging for many families to send their children back to school with more cases of children being infected with COVID 19. Many children suffer from ADD, ADHD, anxiety, stress, and behavioral disorders. The number of mental health disorders will rise for children returning to school this year due to the adversities of COVID 19. Some children may have experienced having COVID 19, family members being hospitalized, or have a family member that passed away from complications due to COVID 19. We all have been learning how important it is to practice the safety precautions to prevent COVID 19. I would highly recommend that you reinforce these practices daily with your children so that they can enjoy returning back to school with less stress and anxiety. Parents
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should limit their children from watching the news because this can heighten their anxiety and stress more. Some children will now experience being unorganized due to fear of catching COVID 19. Hiring a professional organizer can help you and your children by setting up organizational systems to reduce some of their stress and anxiety. I would love to help families get on track with creating organization systems and maintaining them all year round, all while having fun. TOP 5 WAYS TO GET CHILDREN ORGANIZED • ● Morning/night routines • ● Accountability • ● Rewards • ● Whole family organizing together • ● Hire a Professional Organizer (Eye For It Organizing) Reach out to me, I have an AAS degree in Advanced Behavioral Health and also provide services as a Professional Organizer specialized to help people with mental health disorders. My contact info is listed below. Website: www.eyeforitorganizing.com Email:nyla@eyeforitorganizing.com Facebook: Eye For It Organizing Instagram: eyeforitorganizing 14
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THE HEALING POWER OF ART Georgette Huston
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uestion…Have you ever found yourself lost in a daze while admiring a group of colors combined together for your viewing pleasure? Have you ever felt the joy and/or pain in one of your favorite songs? Have you ever cheered on the protagonist of your favorite book? If so, you’ve experienced pieces of the wonderful world of art. Art is such a versatile subject that branches out into so many different mediums, and what I love most about is the Healing Powers that one obtains from using art as a form of therapy. As a therapy, art helps one properly process their feelings, it relieves stress, and it also helps with anxiety. With all that is going on in the world, art is definitely needed….especially right now. Ever since the first onset of Covid back in 2019, many people have developed certain fears and anxieties as the death till was on the rise. As an artist, this affected me heavily. So, I decided to do some research on ways art can help others heal. Processing One’s feelings is often easier said than done. Many do not know how to properly express their emotions. Drawing, coloring, and painting are just a few creative devices people use to release their emotions. Writing and playing music are also thought to be cathartic exercises to help one release whatever emotion one is having trouble expressing. Another way that art acts as a healing agent is that it helps one Relieve Stress. When one engages in releasing any pint up emotions they have through an art related task, dopamine, a neurotransmitter compound found in the body is activated. Dopamine affects the flow of the blood pressure, and we all know how stressful having high blood pressure can be. Something as simple as walking through an art gallery can help relieve stress. Studies also show that the higher the dopamine levels are as people become more engaged in art, the better the chances of them feeling and acting happier. Different hands on crafts can be used to achieve such bliss.
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Ever been so ticked off on a job, that you wanted to scream…but you couldn’t, because you’d more than likely be told to take the proverbial “time off”? Well, indulging in something creative could keep you from flipping your lid. Yep, you guessed it…art helps heal ANXIETY ISSUES too. Instead of exercising that scream on the outside, jot those emotions down on a sticky not and throw it away. Use your favorite pen and scribble little smiley faces all over a page or two. Try this simple exercise for a good 5 minutes, and I guarantee you’ll feel ten pounds lighter and so much better. Writing is my second favorite go-to medium of art, and from experience…Journaling helps. The idea for this article is for the reader to gain insight on the benefits of using art as a healing device. Painting saved my life when my blood pressure was at an all time e high. Even with the medication I was taking, I just couldn’t seem to get that number normal for nothing. I’m really glad I was able to find my way back to creating. I take my rest and reset days when needed. I have a created a regular writing routine and I’m dabbling in different color techniques to stay in alignment with everything. Suffice to say, my dopamine levels are on fleek. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of art check out the article below https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/
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BROWN BEAUTY OF THE MONTH Decarah Myers
Life at this age can be pretty difficult and sometimes just down right confusing. Ways I’ve managed to keep my anxieties low and my spirits high is simply; living. Not living in the aspect of being crazy, unhinged and completely irresponsible, but just taking everything and everyone (especially) for what they are. I believe the main stressors in life come from us trying to control things. When you let go and understand success is also failure and vice versa, peace will be your portion. Hi, I’m Decarah. I’m 21, soon to be 22 and I’m here to let you know you don’t need to have it together whether you’re my age or far from it. What is having it together anyway? I could be coming from a place of mere privilege or carelessness but just let life be. You will also win if you believe you will win. Life unfolds how we genuinely desire it to. If our wants are aligned with the Universe, there’s nothing too out of our reach. Accept all bad and good things life throws at you. Just remember: you’re going through things and growing through them too. Literally. Trouble doesn’t always last. Live abundantly today and grasp that there is no such thing as a life that’s better than yours!
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SICKLE CELL ANEMIA Robin Newsome
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ickle cell anemia is one of a group of disorders known as sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
Normally, the flexible, round red blood cells move easily through blood vessels. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These rigid, sticky cells can get stuck in small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of the body. What Are The Signs? Signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia usually appear around 5 months of age. They vary from person to person and change over time. Signs and symptoms can include: Anemia. Sickle cells break apart easily and die, leaving you with too few red blood cells. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells usually die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Without enough red blood cells, your body can’t get enough oxygen, causing fatigue. Episodes of pain. Periodic episodes of pain, called pain crises, are a major symptom of sickle cell anemia. Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. Pain can also occur in your bones. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few weeks. Some people have only a few pain crises a year. Others have a dozen or more pain crises a year. A severe pain crisis requires a hospital stay.
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Some adolescents and adults with sickle cell anemia also have chronic pain, which can result from bone and joint damage, ulcers, and other causes. Swelling of hands and feet. The swelling is caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow to the hands and feet. Frequent infections. Sickle cells can damage your spleen, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Doctors commonly give infants and children with sickle cell anemia vaccinations and antibiotics to prevent potentially life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia. Delayed growth or puberty. Red blood cells provide your body with the oxygen and nutrients needed for growth. A shortage of healthy red blood cells can slow growth in infants and children and delay puberty in teenagers. Vision problems. Tiny blood vessels that supply your eyes can become plugged with sickle cells. This can damage the retina — the portion of the eye that processes visual images — and lead to vision problems. source:mayoclinic.org Meet Robin Newsome Robin is a strong, talented and gorgeous fighter of sickle cell anemia. Robin has become a voice for the American Red Cross to educate on sickle cell anemia. She is a proud Mother and business owner of Thrifted Candle. Robin has a unique style that is a sure head turner with sass to match! Robin, W.O.E magazine is proud to feature you. Your daily achievements make women and fighters of sickle cell anemia worth highlighting! Keep fighting the good fight and being the dope winning woman that you are!
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DEBORAH’S FALL FAVORITES Deborah Risper Hellllloooo Fall!! If fall is your favorite, raise your hand!! LISTEN………after summer(yeah I know crazy) fall is my next favorite season. Why?! Welllllll let me tell you……..change! Yes, I LOVE change and fall change comes with some of my FAVORITE colors. There’s olive, dark brown, tan, burnt orange, maroon,mustard,plum and the list goes on. That makes me excited to have brown skin that matches these earth tones perfectly. I love to see the leaves change and as a child nostalgic, feel the leaves crunch under my boot. Speaking of boots, who doesn’t love a cute fashionable pair of boots and cozy sweater?! Let’s just say fall fashion is dope….lol. It gives me great pleasure to share my fall favorites of 2021 with you guys. My hope is that you’ll enjoy these amazing products just as much as I do!
Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato From Starbucks
Entenmann’s Apple Cider Donuts
Matte Royal Deep Blue Lipstick by M.A.C
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Martinelli Organic Apple Cider
Buttah Skin Vitamin C Serum
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DANYELLA BOUTIQUE
What’s New? Danyella Boutique new line up of merchandise includes: Flavored lip glosses, 4oz handmade candles, 1 oz. Body oils and body scrubs; all products are Vegan and Cruelty free. These amazing products will be available to order online 24/7. Linktr.ee/ErynnDanyell Please follow Danyella Boutique on social media to stay updated on new releases: Facebook: danyellaboutique IG: Danyella_Boutique Snap Chat: danyella_boutiq
ACCESSORIES • COSMETICS
Email: danyellaboutique@outlook.com
Contact Info
415-890-3111
Disorganization can cause stress, anxiety and a feeling of being out of control. Many mental health disorders such as depression, ADD, ADHD and hoarders etc, would benefit from the services of a professional organizer
Call us today to set up your consultation
833 695-2917 ext. 3 www.eyeforitorganizing.com
nyla@eyeforitorganizing.com Eye For It Organizing eyeforitorganizing
Thank You September Writers
Decarah Myers Christina Marie Zena Palmer Roc Shabazz Brandi Readus Robin Newsome Nyla Wright Georgette Huston
Thank You
Advertisers Eye For It Organizing-Nyla Wright The Sparkle Specialist-Brandi Readus Make It Mines-Jessica Rankins-Williams Danyella Boutique-Erynn Stewart Deborah Risper Inc
Thank You Designers Cover Photo-Perfect Capture Photography Cover Makeup-Decarah Myers Hair-Arrogant Dame (Mz.CeCe) Front & Back Cover Design-TA Media Co Informational Credit: mayoclinic.org/sicklecellanemia
Favorite Photos: Google Photos
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