Category: Outreach

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Don’t Lose Your Melody

From the desk of Melissa Rivers

Most people who are experiencing conflict withdraw from doing the things that add peace and enjoyment to their lives. On top of the already solemn mood that is being displayed, a decision is made to stop doing things that are enjoyable, in order to sit in the conflict and ride the wave of emotions.

When it comes to conflict, I often think of the quote by Mahatma Gandhi that says, “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” 

Nice quote, but how often does this truly happen? How frequently are your thoughts, words and actions completely aligned? Most of the time, one of these three elements isn’t showing up for the party, or ready to play nicely. The words you speak proclaim your intention of doing great things, but your mind tends to disrupt things by ushering in fear or overthinking.

To be real, life is absolutely happening, and we are the benefactors of what happens, good, bad or indifferent.

You have every right to feel sad when you want to or to take a break for as long as you need to, but in doing so, don’t give up doing the things that add peace and joy to your life.

Don’t retreat.  In times like this, you have to remember your melody.

I like to think of my “happiness triggers” as my personal melody.

My melody consists of painting, writing, long walks, beautiful bodies of water and of course music! These are the tools that I depend on to get through my challenging moments. These are the gifts that help me overcome when I feel defeated or less than my best. These are the same gifts that I turn to when I am celebrating a win.

When you find yourself feeling stuck, remember your melody and push Play!

Now there are things that knock the very breath from our lungs when we experience them. I know this feeling all too well. These are the things that leave us speechless or constantly guessing how, why, and what happened! Yet and still, you are an overcomer.

I want to share three things that you can do to realign your thoughts and breathe again when you are left feeling depleted.

  1. Start each day with an expression of gratitude. Ask yourself, “what am I grateful for today,” When you start thinking about things to be grateful for, you allow your mind the opportunity to reflect on your melody.
  2. Celebrate previous wins. Remind yourself of all that you’ve accomplished. If you are reading this right now, you’ve overcome 100% of the things that have been sent to challenge you. Celebrate that!
  3. Find something to focus on.  You need a reason, a purpose or a person to get you over the hump. If making pancakes gives you joy, focus on that!

Your melody is your personal song. No one has the same song. The elements might be the same, but the style and vibe belong to you.

If you resonate with anything in this post, I invite you to join my next Peace by Design Academy or sign up for a CREATE! Empowerment Session.

Both offerings are a great way to extract lessons from past experiences in order to move forward with integrity and a detailed map of what’s next!

You have work to do in this world, and you cannot do it if you do not show up for the opportunity. Grab your melody and let’s go!

Peace,

Melissa

 

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Mention My Name

It’s a celebration, and I could not have did it without you!

Today marks our 4-year anniversary. In true transparency, Origins of Peace has existed in many forms since 2011, but today marks four years of being intentional about our purpose, our name, and of course, our brand.

We’ve definitely come a long way by beginning as an online blog, repositioning as a community needs trainer in the back of Breakfast Time Restaurant and now transitioning into the corporate arena.

 

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3-4 NKJV

Thank you to everyone that has mentioned my name and offered a word of reference on my behalf.

I am grateful!

Origins of Peace,
Melissa

 

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Happy Valentine’s Day to You!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you from Origins of Peace!
Valentine’s Day means so much more when you truly love who you are inclusive of the challenges, scars and tears that have been shed.
Valentine’s Day is an expression of true love with a whole-hearted understanding of the person whom you’ve decided to commit to.
 Origins of Peace, LLC sends the biggest hug and warmest wishes for genuine love of self to you on this day.
May your day be full of magic!
Peace & Love,
Melissa
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Draw A Circle Around The Things You Love

What do you love and how do you keep it sacred?
Anyone or anything that is near and dear to my heart has a specific prayer strategy attached to it.
This is important to me now more than ever because the world is different, people are different and the expectations that are placed upon us can be quite daunting.
It can be A lot!
No matter how challenging times may seem, if I hold something sacred to my heart, I tend to protect it…sometimes more than I should.
                                                                           I can be guilty of protecting relationships that I have no business entertaining.
With this being the case, I place everything that is near to me in a prayer circle. I identify it as something special and then I create specific prayers around it.
My prayers include guidance to know if I should protect it, nurture it or eliminate it.
It is extremely important to classify accordingly. My circle includes family, friends, acquaintances, career & business and anything else that is significant to me.
I am definitely not a “good vibe” only type of person. I believe in genuine interactions and meaningful connections, however; when I’m done, I am done for real.
                           BUT TRULEY, I tell you, if anything that is within my circle allows outside influences to deteriorate what we have, a realignment is in order.
                As we prepare for Love & Culture Month (February), let’s get clear about what is important. If it is important to you, you should be important as well.
                                                                                                   What’s in your circle and do you have a prayer strategy for it?
On February 1st I will begin re-reading the book Draw the Circle The 40 Day Prayer Challenge.
Want to join me?  
We can check in with one another every 8 days or so to see how things are going and to discuss the revelations that are being shown to us.
Will you join me? Grab your copy here.
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3 Day Vision Board Challenge!

This morning, I kicked off my annual Vision Board Workshop. This is a three-day experience where you will gain the tools you need in order to do the following:
1. Perform a Mindset & Wellness Analysis
2. Create a usable Vision Board
3. Identify your opportunities for growth, that will help make your vision a reality!
 
If you haven’t already created your Vision Board for 2023, I invite you to join me.
Copy and paste the link below in your browser to gain access.
 
 
I hope to see you in the group.
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The Wellbeing Summit

“We are intentionally designing a convening that will capitalize on the fact that we have all of you — the experts — in one room. At the Summit we’ll connect across boundaries to ignite dual sparks of creativity and purpose. We will spend our time learning from one another and actively designing solutions for how we tackle some of our communities’ largest challenges, together”.

Last month, the Wellbeing Summit was held in Charlotte, NC. I had the honor of being invited as a local maker, to showcase my business and share my products with some of the nation’s most recognized thought leaders and change managers. It was an honor to be invited, since this was an invitation only event and it highlighted the fact that when one suffers, we all suffer, and when one has a well thought out solution……it should be shared!

Today as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., take a moment and check on your neighbor, your friend, you family member…..and get a better understanding of what they currently need. It could be as simple as an encouraging word or as detrimental as a nice hot meal.

Whatever it is, let’s do our part to bring the world a little closer together today.

Happy MLK Jr. Day and may his spirit live on forever.

 

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Intentional Gatherings by Origins of Peace, LLC

There’s something new and exciting happening at Origins of Peace, LLC.
We’re introducing Intentional Gatherings by Origins of Peace, in an effort to unite small groups of like-minded people with the intention of building community and friendship while supporting a worth-while cause.
Our first event takes place on Sunday, February 12th with a trip to the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte and Brunch at a local restaurant. If you are a lover of art and food, this event is perfect for you.
Our purpose is to raise funds for our non-profit sector, Heal, Recover, Grow Inc., where we support survivors of divorce, chronic unemployment and breast cancer by providing tools and resources to live a confident and empowered life after tragedy.
The cost of this gathering is $40, which includes admission to the Mint, including a timed visit to the Picasso Exhibit ($25), donation to Heal, Recover Grow Inc. ($15) and the collective company of a great group of soon to be friends. Tickets will be sent from Origins of Peace, upon purchase.
The cost of brunch is not included. 
Secure your space asap, tickets are going fast.
This Intentional Gathering is limited to 10 people.
Secure your space and make your contribution by clicking the link below.
Peace
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New Year…New Office Hours

Does your New Year come with more in-person office hours on a more regular basis?

If so, remember to add kindness into your daily rotation. There are so many professional ways to express appreciation to your fellow co-workers.

Review the list below provided by @HackingHR and implement as you see fit.

Remember, people have been at home for years now, working remotely or on a hybrid rotation. All small, random acts of kindness are welcomed and appreciated.

Origins of Peace,
Melissa
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Let Go to Reconnect!

Of course, you are a fierce superpower, making the most strategic personal and professional moves for yourself and your family. Of course, you have it all together, there’s nothing missing, and nothing broken and yes yes to #goodvibesonly!……but as the new year rapidly approaches, what if you adopt a new method of operation…. what if….

you reconnected with the softer side of life while still remaining impactful.

As for me, I’ve spent most of my adult life as a mom, a caretaker, a business owner and devoted family member, which means I’ve had to be a leader, teacher, mentor, and supporter among many other things.

It’s easy to activate a super focused mindset and get into the mode of doing, doing, doing.

If this sounds like you, I challenge you to get back to being, being, being.

Being loved, being heard, being valued, and being seen for who you are, and not for what you can do.

In all honesty, I too look forward to reconnecting with gentleness toward self. I’ve heard after a few adjustments; the experience is quite invigorating.

Next week I am kicking off the 7 Day Purify Challenge. It’s the perfect time to release the old and create a welcoming space for gentleness and compassion.

I only have space for 5 participants to take the challenge with me. If you would like to join me, click the link below to learn more.

https://linktr.ee/melissa_a_rivers

Origins of Peace,
Melissa