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Disrupt Your Resistance to Change!

Affirmation: I am open to change……I easily adapt to change……I create change……I am a Change Leader

Many people are resistant to changing their traditional ways of doing things. Traditions that have become the go to method of operation, no matter how inefficient or unproductive are sometimes hard to let go of.

This is an emotional response, not a logical one. In some cases, people, more specifically women, fear change due to shaking things up and disrupting the normal operation of how things are done at home and in the workplace.

Many fear they will lose things that are important to them, such as a relationship or work status if they ask for change.

Truth be told, the longer you fulfill a need or role either personally or professionally, the harder it is to change or require something new for yourself.

If you are considered the errand runner, dinner maker or grocery store extraordinaire in your family, letting go of these time-consuming responsibilities, or asking for help could be a huge ask.

If you are the coffee runner, note taker and calendar manager at work, these too might be tasks that you cannot easily allow someone else to fulfill or assist with.

Although it might feel hard to ask or even want change from your everyday norm, it is possible.

Today’s post is meant to inspire you to take action this week to shake things up, disrupt the norm and take risks to try something new. I am sharing 3 steps that you can take to help you disrupt your resistance to change.

In the corporate world, the practice of Lean Six Sigma involves finding more efficient ways to conduct business. It involves identifying and eliminating areas of waste in order to perform work more efficiently. In our daily lives, work life balance and mindfulness techniques can be used to create intentionality and to manage everyday life responsibilities.

In both areas, those who are the front-line workers and task performers often resist change because of comfortability. 

I challenge you both personally and professionally to utilize Movement to disrupt your resistance to change.

Movement is a common but less thought about method for creating momentum to activate change. As professional women with work and family responsibilities it is easy to create a routine of taking care of everyone else’s needs before tending to your own. Additionally, women of color are more prone to fulfill nurturing and supportive roles in our communities, churches and even at work. Use movement to shift the norm!

Your body is the first gift you are given in this life. The gift of your lungs allowed you to take your first breath. The gift of your mouth allowed your first cries to be heard. The gift of your muscles allowed you to make your first movements. Though you may have gained and lost many things along your journey, your body has stayed with you. It is time to allow your body the full range of expression that it desires and the gratitude that it deserves (Find Your Peace, A Workbook for A More Mindful Life by Kiki Ely)

Professionally, get out and socialize. Attend networking events or invite a colleague to lunch. Personally, ask a neighbor to accompany you on a walk through the neighborhood. These are just two examples of how to implement small acts of movement in your life. Small activities of movement can activate your willingness to change.

1.Start by reflecting on areas in your life that need to be disrupted. Where should you begin?

2. Build on the awareness that you’ve created by embracing your desire for change. What will change look like for you? 

3. Take one step toward your desire. What activity can you complete in the next 14 days to get started?

Do you need to disrupt your resistance to change? Are you willing to make a move toward your desires?

If you would like support as you navigate change in your life, contact me directly at melissa_rivers@orginsofpeace.com.

I offer personal and professional coaching, and I would love to help set you up for success.

Share with me your thoughts about the information that has been shared in this post. Comment below and let me know if this information is helpful to you. 

Make Peace A Priority,
Melissa
Origins of Peace, LLC
704-388-5276
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The Magic of Connecting with Others

Affirmation:
“I welcome opportunities to shine. I will tap into my magic and show up in irresistible ways personally and professionally.”

The magic that was available to you as a child is still available to you as an adult.

You likely were raised to believe that all things were possible to you as a child and that you could be, have, or do anything that your heart desired.

Somewhere between adolesence and adulthood, perspectives begin to change.

Everything that once felt like a miracle, begins to feel like a challenge to overcome, or an unreachable goal. As an adult you’ve some how forgotten the magic that you have, and the miracle that is you.

No matter how old you are, the magic still exists. Personally and Professionally, you have the ability to make magic happen in your life.

Ask yourself the following questions to help you tap into your magic:
What can you do to make deeper connections at work and in your social settings?

Are you scheduling networking opportunities with colleagues and engagement appointments with associates to build commaradere?

Does your schedule allow time for you to feel relaxed and at ease, instead of feeling hurried and anxious?

If you are disappointed with the answers to these questions, it is time to make a change.

Start by making a list of opportunities to connect. Brunch, after work activities or weekend Food Truck events are a few ideas to help you get started.

Next, decide who you want to connect with. Are there at least three work colleagues that you would like to get to know better?

Do you want to build your relationships with a few of your associates? After you have worked out those details, now comes the most challenging part.

You have to make time in your schedule to build those connections.

Get inspired to unlock your magic by viewing this short video:
https://youtu.be/X7s0sI2JLeI

Peace, Love & Reciprocity,
Melissa

Today is the final day to grab our CREATE! Empowerment Workshop for 50% off.

Visit https://originsofpeace.com/product/create-empowerment-session/ to get started!

Email:success@originsofpeace.com
Text: 704-388-5276

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What is Really Happening?

Affirmation:
“I am progressively moving forward in life to experience great wellbeing and receive the promises that I hold true. I am worth the effort.”

Not so long ago I experienced an extremely challenging time. As things began to escalate, I could not pinpoint exactly what was happening to me. Things felt extremely hard, and weird at the same damn time! Work was hard, relationships were weird and finding time to decompress was non-existent.
I felt like I had to move heaven and earth to make the smallest bit of progress in my work, and in my relationships. I felt more like an observer than a participant. To be clear, I felt helpless in both areas.

The constant drive to be disciplined and to be consistently “on”, left me feeling like I could not keep up. I felt like my performance occupationally and personally did not measure up to my self-imposed expectations.
I was raised to believe in the promises of purpose, meaningful relationships, safety and acceptance. At that point in my life, I felt stuck in the belief of those promises, with no concrete method of how to move them forward.
I’ve had enough life experience to know that those promises are often challenged by people, situations and circumstances, self included.

It is easy to get in your head and allow your insecurities and imposter syndrome to cripple you into thinking that you are not progressing in life.

After seeing a post online that said, “Black women don’t often recognize that they are struggling with depression or anxiety, instead they think they are failing,” I began to take a more in-depth look into the emotions that I was experiencing.

I was anxious, mentally exhausted, and totally burned out! Purpose, safety, and acceptance are basic life necessities. When those necessities are compromised, it will cause you to act outside of your norm and to go into survival mode.

Now that I am moving past those hard and weird feelings, I am able to identify anxiety as the root cause. Anxiety absolutely got the best of me in the form of overcommitment and blurred boundaries.

The 2023 State of Workforce Mental Health Report, states that 86% of workers experienced at least one mental health challenge over the past year, with only 36% of those surveyed workers received mental health care.

In order to start dealing with my feelings, I had to realign my thoughts and perspectives around those basic necessities and understand that I wasn’t failing. I was experiencing a personal crisis that needed to be addressed.

My first course of action was to take some much-needed time off from everything. No work, no deadlines, no commitments, nothing outside of what I had in the present moment.

By sharing this information with you, I hope that it helps you to become more compassionate with yourself, and your needs. If you are experiencing challenges in areas that usually align easily for you, take some time to investigate those feelings. You could likely be experienciencg some anxiety.

A Peace Map is the perfect way to get back on track. To create your custom Peace Map, we will evaluate your wellness areas, set goals to experience more peace in those areas, and then create a blueprint to make it happen.

I’ve helped many of my clients create maps in specific areas of life.

From now until July 2nd our CREATE! Empowerment Workshops are 50% off. During this session we will cover the topics above, and you will have a custom Peace Map in the end. Sessions are available online only.

Use the link provided above to secure your session. One of our team members will contact you to schedule your session.

Any questions about this offer should be directed to: success@originsofpeace.com.

Peace, Love & Reciprocity!
Melissa

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Good Vibes for Managing Worklife & Summer-fine Goals

Affirmation: I am intentionally making time for self-care this summer. I will soak up the sun, release compressed emotions and spend quality time with people who make me feel good.

It is possible to enjoy summer to the fullest while maintaining a full work schedule.

You can have a productive summer and find time to recharge by managing your time between summer-fine goals and your professional aspirations.

Manage your time and prioritize self-care so that you can actively and intentionally take care of yourself. Preparing for work the night before, beginning your day earlier and being productive at work allows you to not feel guilty for clocking out as soon as your shift ends, in order to still enjoy the day.

One very important thing that you can do to ensure you have time for self-care this summer is to put yourself first. Prioritize things that are important to you and be sure to make room for those things. If beach trips are important, plan them. If fitness is important, make time for it. If romance is a priority, make room for it.

Be consistent with things that are important to you and keep them close!

Enjoy this short video where I list some of the resources that I am utilizing this summer to manage self-care and create more balance.

If you find it challenging to manage work-life and summer-fine goals, email success@orignsofpeace.com and allow us to help you create a time management plan.

Remember: Commitment is what turns a promise into reality. Commit to your own personal self-care.

Peace,

Melissa

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Thank you!

Thank you for allowing Origins of Peace to serve you in 2022!

This year we’ve had a wonderful time making new connections, saying yes to new opportunities and becoming more intentional about the clients we serve and how we show up for them.

Each encounter has been amazing, and we expect greater in 2023.

In whatever way you are connected to Origins of Peace, we hope that we have made it easier for you to understand how creativity can bridge the gap to resolve a multitude of conflicts. 

As we wind down for 2023, I would like to extend an offer for you to enhance your toolkit to resolve conflict in a more creative and wholistic way.

As you know our core focus areas are mental clarity, self-preservation, rejuvenation and service to others, that’s why I am offering you 25% off the following sessions through December 31st. All you need to do is text the word GRATITUDE to 704-388-5276.

Discounted services include Create! Resolve! and Socialize!

My calendar is closed through the end of this year but grab your discounted service now and you and I will work together to schedule the best date and time for you in 2023.

As an additional gift, you will receive weekly affirmations to help you stay focused and on task for the year.

Visit www.originsofpeace.com to check out these services and all we have to offer.

Happy Holidays to you and everyone that you love.

With Gratitude,

Melissa A. Rivers- Origins of Peace

 

 

 

 

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Peace by Design

Sharing a few highlights of what I’ve been up to over the past few weeks. This is definitely the season of yes for me.

Answering the call to show up as a presenter and to share my custom program Socialize to over 70 corporate professionals was definitely a faith move on my part.
I am ecstatic to report that my out-of-the box style of solutioning was well received and met with great reviews.

“Leaders can’t afford to just think inside the box. Sometimes they need to reinvent the box…”
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

https://lnkd.in/gmtCc4uR

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the absolute pleasure of serving with these amazing women on Sunday, October 2nd as we educated, inspired and empowered our community about breast cancer awareness.
We creatively designed an impactful program that sparked hope and excitement within the attendees.
We are Survivors, Thrivers, and Caregivers who are determined to make a difference in our community.
We are, “The Women of Delta Place”
Origins of Peace, LLC

#breastcancerawarenessmonth

I use creativity to solution problems. Email melissa_rivers@originsofpeace.com for more information.

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Black Women Making A Difference

October is packed with purposeful causes to support. Here are two opportunities for you to get involved.

 

Join me on 09/18 for a Tea & Tell. You sip while I tell you all about the activities that I have planned for breast cancer Awareness Month.

Let’s join forces to make a difference in the lives of those who are experiencing this terrible disease.

Click here to register.

 

Are You Ready For Another Brisk Morning Run?

On Saturday October 22, 2022, at 7:30am we are excited to welcome our Charlotte Community together for our inaugural A Princess’s Closet 5K Race Edition. Whether you are a seasoned runner, someone that is just getting started or someone that prefers walking; we invite you to register for a brisk morning run. 

This race is geared for families to come together and cultivate community, contribute to their health and wellness and fellowship with other families in the Charlotte Metro area. All are welcome on this fun, fast and flat course on October 22, 2022. Register using the link below.

https://chantelgrier.com/lets-run-apc-5k

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Timeout Episode 1 – Daily Devotionals

Hey Hey! You are tuned in to the first Episode of Timeout!

Today I’m talking about Daily Devotionals. As a woman who decided to take a Timeout from the constant chaos, and the daily duties of life in order to focus more on things that add peace, joy & delight to my existence, please accept this as your personal invitation to join me in my quest.

I hope you will listen in and gain inspiration on how to jazz up your reflective time.

When you’re finished, leave me a comment and let me know if this Episode has been helpful for you.

We’re now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe!

Peace,

Melissa

Timeout Episode 1

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12 Week Transformation Course

A season of transformation is here!

Seasons change and people can to. I remember one of my most prominent transformation journeys occured during the Springtime. I was experiencing an extended time of sadness and frustration, stuck in what I thought was an admirable life but I could never shake the feelings of  inadequacy, unhappiness and consistent anxiety.

From personal experience, I can tell you that having faith the size of a mustard seed is all you need to pivot and then transform.  Tough things happen to some of the best peo

ple in the world and often they cannot find the motivation or strength to overcome those

 challenges.

I’m here to tell you that Transformation is possible with the right plan of action!

I want to help you realize the change that you need and to come face to face with the conflicts that are keeping you from showing up as your best self.

Heal…Recover…Grow is a 12 Week Transformation Program that will help you create a new mindset, create a new path forward and motivate you to take action for improvement. I personally invite you to take this guided journey with me.

You can expect a comprehensive program that will equip you with the tools you need to realize real change in your life.

If no one has told you, allow me to be the first, “You have creative freedom over your life and it’s time to write your next Chapter”.

Are you ready?

Let’s go!

Register today by click the link here:

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I had A Phonebook and He had a Shotgun

In my mid-twenties, struggling financially, I decided to get a part-time job to help make ends meet. I signed on to be a part-time delivery person who delivered telephone books. My instructions were to deliver the phonebook to local residents. If no one was home, the directive was to place the phonebook on the front porch.

My second day on the job, I arrived at a residence, got out of my car with phonebook and identification in hand. As I walked down the driveway to place the phonebook on the front porch, a white gentleman came around the house from the back yard with a shot gun in his hand. As I tried to identify myself and state my purpose for being at his home, he yelled obscenities at me, held up his shotgun and told me to get off of his property.

I retreated to my car, phonebook and identification in hand and I drove away crying.

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I will never forget my feelings from that day and I can’t help but think I was greeted in such a way because of the color of my skin. I was a small-framed, 24 year old single-mother to an infant baby girl. I had a phonebook and he had a shotgun.

At Origins of Peace, LLC, my mission is to create an all-inclusive space welcoming all who’ve experienced hardship, conflict and turmoil. My goal is to help you create a new way forward. We are founded on Romans 12:18 NIV – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

In this season, I am focusing my intentions on promoting the health, safety and well-being of Black Americans. Our struggle is real and it deserves extra attention. My experience occurred over 20 years ago and to still live in a society were we are judged, disrespected and in many cases killed because of the color of our skin is awful and heartbreaking.

I am outraged over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and all the other murders that have occurred because of racism and police brutality. These people had families, careers, hopes and dreams. It’s terrible to have it all taken away simply because of someone else’s opinion of who they think you are.

There are so many changes that need to occur but let’s start with informed, intentional voting. Can we please demand more from our government leaders? We need healing, justice, and a progressive way forward.

There is an initiative called #8cantwait. were you can demand change right now.

1.Visit8cantwait.org

2. Find your city

3. Call your mayor

4. Demand change

8cantwait

Peace.