Which would you rather have?

I am reading a book on leadership that was assigned to me by my manager. I was very reluctant to it initially but gave into the concept. There are some interesting scenarios that arise in the book. The title is called the Servant by James C Hunter.

The one thought that struck me as interesting is Power vs. Authority. Which would you rather have? The definition of power is having the ability or to force someone to do your will. The definition they provide for authority is having the skill to get someone to do what you want; to influence.

This made me think about what type of leader I am and what would I want to be. I think that many of us ride in the middle line. I believe that there has to be some order to get things done but you must also be able to listen and allow people to grow into what you need them to do.

This principle can be used in your everyday life as well. When it comes to your family, children and relationships, what type of leader would you want to be? Remember the steps you take today will help to shape those in your life tomorrow.

Take some time today and ponder on this thought and share some feedback.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July!!

Stiletto,

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

PPP's Tip of the Week

8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat
By Joe Decker For Active.com

Summer is the perfect time to go outside and have fun. Everything is more fun outside, whether you're swimming, running or cycling. But the summer heat can be a problem if you're not careful, particularly in areas with extreme heat and humidity.

You may not be racing in the desert, but there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to exercising in the heat:

1. The time of day is important. Unless you are training for an event that takes place in the daytime heat, avoid exercising from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's the hottest part of day. Generally, the early morning is the best time to workout, especially if it's going to be scorcher that day.

2. Wear loose, light-colored. The lighter color will help reflect heat, and cotton material will help the evaporation of sweat. You may also want to try specially designed, "hi-tech" running shirts and shorts. They are often made from material meant to keep you cool.

3. Sunscreen is a must. I use SPF 45 just to be safe. It's important to protect your skin. You can get burned and suffer sun damage to your skin even on cloudy days.

4. Stay hydrated. Before you go out, drink a glass or two of water. Carry a bottle of water or even a hydration pack such as the CamelBak. Take a drink every 15 minutes, even when you're not thirsty. When you're done with your workout, have a few more glasses of water.

5. Replenish your electrolyte and salt intake while exercising. I like to use SUCCEED capsules--small, simple packs of sodium and electrolytes that keep my system in check.

6. If you can, choose shaded trails or pathways that keep you out of the sun.

7. Check the weather forecast before you start your workout. If there's a heat advisory, meaning high ozone and air pollution, you might want to take your workout indoors. These pollutants can damage your lungs.

8. Most importantly, listen to your body. Stop immediately if you're feeling dizzy, faint or nauseous.

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Enjoy your summer fitness routine and be safe!!

Pumps, Purses & Positivity

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Second Chances

I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance. We all make mistakes. Big ones, small ones, some silly and some that truly seemed like the right thing to do at that particular time. Who are we to judge the mistakes of others? Especially when it doesn't have an effect on us personally.

As I sat in the doctor's office today, I listened to a group of women talk about Chris Brown's performance on the 2010 BET Awards. One woman made the comment that she felt that his breakdown in the middle of his otherwise AMAZING Michael Jackson tribute, made her see a forgiving and innocent side of the young singer. She said that all was forgiven with her and that she would no longer judge him because of his situation with Rihanna. Immediately, the other 4 women in the office joined forces and began verbal mob action against this poor woman. None of them felt as if he could ever be forgiven for what he had done to Rihanna, though not one commented on the fact that he nailed every dance step in the performance. Please understand that I DO NOT condone violence of any kind. However, I thought to myself; who are we to judge this child for his mistake. None of us were there and we really have no idea what happened. I agree that there's a lesson to be learned from this situation and it can definitely be used as an example to teach young girls about domestic violence and self love. However, enough is enough. We have all made mistakes and have hopefully learned a valuable lesson from them. Let's move on to bigger battles and hope that the mistakes of these children help them to become better adults. We all deserve a second chance!

Here's to second chances....and maybe third or fourth.

Happy Friday,

Clutch

Real Talk. Real Life. Real Women.

God Speak To Me.......

The man whispered, "God, speak to me." And a meadowlark sang.
But....the man did not hear.

Then the man yelled "God, speak to me." Thunder rolled across the sky.
But.....the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you." And the stars shined brightly.
But.....the man did not notice.

And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle." And a life was born.
But.....the man did not know.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here. "Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But.....the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

So remember, don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect. Take notice of the blessings around you!!

~Author unknown

Pumps, Purses & Positivity
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women