THE KEYS TO THE KEYS TO THE KEYS TO HAPPINESS HAPPINESS HAPPINESS

Webster’s Dictionary defines happiness as “ a state of wellbeing and contentment” and as a “pleasurable or satisfying experience ” I have come to understand in my 51 years of life that one’s definition of happiness and one’s requirements to experience happiness are ever-evolving based on where one is in their life

One thing that must be examined is our current mindset. This should be a constant process We should be intentional about checking in with ourselves We should always be working on ourselves It is important to ask ourselves some things:

Where am I?

How am I feeling?

Why am I feeling what I am feeling?

What am I thinking?

Why am I thinking what I am thinking?

What changes do I need to make?

When we honestly answer these questions, I believe we realize some keys to our happiness as well as our perspective on happiness I encourage my clients to set aside time to reflect at least once a month

So much happens, and many things impact us mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually We must be intentional in showing up and doing the work daily.

I would like to share some keys to happiness that will give each of us a fresh perspective and something to contemplate going forward.

You Are Responsible For Your Own Happiness

Now I know this may be a shocker to many, but at the end of the day, it is no one else’s responsibility to make you happy, nor are you responsible for someone else’s happiness We often say things like, “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” and that may not always be the case.

As women, we are taught to be agreeable and congenial We should commit to always being true to ourselves and never feel as though we have to compromise where it puts us at a disadvantage or depletes us

In that same vein, we should never pressure an individual to give us something that we cannot and do not give ourselves We should never ask someone to fill a cup we are unwilling to pour into ourselves. Happiness starts with YOU!

IF IT DOES NOT BRING YOU A STATE OF CONTENTMENT OR IS A SATISFYING EXPERIENCE, STOP DOING IT This is a habit that must be broken. We do not have to do things that do not fulfill us or bring us a level of satisfaction or pleasure. We can say no to things and say yes to new things broaden our horizons and pique our interest in learning about ourselves and our evolution as a woman. This is checking in with ourselves is so important and asking the questions

FIND HAPPINESS IN THE LITTLE THINGS. Stop exp happiness in material things, money, the number of foll and likes, positions, titles, physical appearance, etc It is true that happiness comes from WITHIN If we do no what is on the inside of us, do the work to change it be nothing we do to the outside will allow us to experience term and sustainable happiness Changing our appearance, our purse, or our car will give us a temporary level of satisfaction, but ultimately, we will see something else and find ourselves comparing ourselves and competing with others who couldn’t care less about us, our happine state of mind We will bankrupt ourselves financ emotionally, trying to meet the expectations of ot were never important in the first place. Check your check your motives

As a Certified Life Coach, I encourage my clients accountability partner who will be honest, keep us and hold us to a standard that helps us grow, blos flourish Never be afraid to be transparent and Showing up in this way allows others to see what it and the freedom it affords, giving them permission same This is how we let our light shine This is how we empower and enlighten others This is how we are truly our sister’s keeper.

Keep showing up and keep doing your work.

I’m rooting for you!

-Coach V

P R E T T Y W O M E N H U S T L E C O V E R S T O R Y

DeShanda T Carter, age 48, was born in Harlem, NY, and was raised in the Bronx, NY She is the product of the NYC school system She is an only child and a divorced mother with two adult sons, one who is a budding trap artist (@bcf ko) and one granddaughter, who currently resides in Orange County, NY

DeShanda is a noted actress and member of The Screen Actors Guild – AFTRA. She has appeared in one major motion picture, Dangerous Minds, and several other stage and television appearances. She enjoys writing and singing.

DeShanda is a retired New York City Department of Correction Captain. She served her city for 20 years in this field before taking on the role of full-time entrepreneur. As a child, she watched her mother hustle jobs to ensure she was well taken care of. She, too, is a NYC dept of corrections retiree I would have to say hustle and drive runs through the veins

DeShanda owns and operates Simply Carter Corp, Carter’s Diva Glam Mobile Party, Simply Carter Events, Simply Carter’s Tees and Things, and Carter’s Caring Hands Inc In addition, she is a noted author and radio show host on totalentradio com and has a YouTube channel, Simply Carter Corp, where her show “When the Blue Comes Off” is aired If that wasn’t enough DeShanda is a licensed life insurance agent and financial advisor

She created the first ever Diva Glam Future Boss Pageant, where young girls ages 5 to 12 competed by presenting their business in different forms

She has one dog and an amazing boyfriend of 5 years who is her #1 supporter and the backbone of her business

Her goal is to build a brand that will empower girls t into becoming the correct entrepreneur and be financially free

Outside of Business and Entrepreneurship, who is DeShanda T. Carter?

DeShanda is a God-fearing woman who loves to write, act and would love to get back to singing one day She also loves to listen to music and dance

You grew up in the inner city of New York. Can you share how your environment impacted who you are today as a leader in your industry?

I feel blessed to have grown up in New York City It truly is the melting pot I experienced the arts at an early age, which helped me develop my love for the arts, especially musical theater You never know what celebrities you may run into in New York I can’t say anything bad I actually had a great childhood I just wish the kids of today could have those same experiences, like playing outside and interacting with different types of people in person

Along with being an entrepreneur, you are a mother and grandmother. Can you share how you navigate having a balance and being able to pour into your family and their dreams?

Wow! The one thing I have always prided myself on is the introduction of new experiences, places, and things Exposure is the key I have supported every idea that my children had because life is a learning experience, and you never stop learning. Although my children are grown, they know I will always be here to support them.

As for my granddaughter, she is still a bit young, but, baby, as soon as I can, I will show her the world.

What inspired your start in the entertainment industry? When did you realize you had a passion for acting?

Being raised as an only child (I just found out I have two sisters), I had a lot of time on my hands So, my mother put me in dance and musical theater programs like New York Kids on Stage I was in talent shows, fashion shows, you name it I just knew entertaining was something I wanted to do My grandmother sang in church and had an angelic voice She kept me in church and in the choir I even sang with Maharold Peebles and the worship and praise choir My mother’s godmother was Linda Hopkins, a renowned Broadway in Paris phenom She was very inspiring to me

I realized I had a passion for acting at an early age when I was able to use my skill to get out of trouble

You spent many years in the workforce. Can you share how your time in the workforce prepared you for where you are now in your career?

For most of my adult life, I worked in law enforcement, which allowed me to develop many different skills, such as negotiating, being empathetic, and working as a team, not to mention having great leadership skills It’s either you love me or hate me, but I am going to be real I learned to be careful of who to trust, and I learned to trust, and, most importantly, not to be afraid

Tell us about your brand. What message do you hope women take away from your platform?

Simply Carter Corp is all about empowering and helping girls and women find their passion How can you convince someone to love or do something if you are not walking the walk or talking the talk? I want them to know that dreams don’t age and that they can do anything they put their minds to

Tell us about The Diva Glam Future Boss Pageant. How can mothers involve their daughters?

The Diva Glam Future Boss Pageant was a pageant for kid entrepreneurs to show off their stuff They had to do a presentation, write an essay, do a mock commercial, and do their best diva walk We only had one pageant, unfortunately. We took some time off to do some restructuring and see if this would be a project we continue. The truth is we didn’t get the response and support we were looking for, but we will see what 2024 brings.

What advice do you have for upcoming entrepreneurs? My advice for upcoming entrepreneurs would be don’t be afraid Success is not going to happen overnight You will have to be prepared to invest in yourself Everyone’s success happens on their own time Just be true to yourself

What can your supporters expect from you next? Who knows? I like a challenge I love to learn new things I am now also a licensed life insurance agent, financial planner, and radio show host on totalentradio com So, I guess I will just have to say continue to watch me elevate and grow because Simply Carter Corp is here to stay

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?

If I had to define a pretty woman who hustles, it would be a woman whose spirit lights up a room when she enters She has an infectious energy and a style all her own She respects and understands the hustle She knows that every experience is a Learning lesson and is not scared to fail www simplycartercorp com