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What’s Your Theme Word for 2024?

Peace & Gratitude to You & for You.

It’s Vision Board Time! Are you ready?

Have you given any thought to what your theme word or empowering phrase for 2024 will be?

I’ve settled on the word Authentic as a point of reference for my vision.

In part, my vision for 2024 is to show up authentically as myself in all aspects of my life. I envision making connections, closing deals, getting paid, and showing up for myself and others, authentically.

This might sound simple to you, but for me this is a BIG DEAL.       

For so many years, I’ve had to put on my hypothetical corporate hat in all of my dealings.

I’ve never truly felt free to show up authentically as me, which is why I chose Renewal as my theme word for 2023. I’m so glad that I had the foresight to do that because, I’ve been able to arrive at this new place of authenticity by allowing the renewal process to unfold in my life.

I’ve done the work to replace or repair every area that was worn out, run-down, or broken. 

I am now heading into the new year and into my new season with full expectancy that it is safe for me to be me…. authentically.

 

Today, I invite you to take out your journal and simply write down all the things that you are grateful for. Who are you grateful for and what are the things that bring joy to your heart?

Expressing gratitude is the first step in creating your new vision board with purpose and intention.

With Gratitude,

Melissa

 

 

 

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“No matter how strong or strong-willed you are, you cannot live a stressful, maxed-out life without that pace eventually biting you in the butt. It is necessary to take breaks, set parameters, and be kind to yourself if you want to continue making an impact in your little corner of the world.” ― Cynthia Mendenhall, author

 

Did you get your copy of The Timeout Newsletter?

If not, here’s a quick rundown of what you missed.

 

It’s not too late to have a copy sent to your inbox.

By taking these simple steps, you will receive special delivery on Friday November 17th at 8am.
The Timeout Newsletter goes great with a nice cup of tea. ☕

If you need Herbal Tea suggestions, we’ve got you!

Inquire about our Herbal Tea Blends:

Peaceful, Focus, Rejuvenate and Purify

#originsofpeace #timeout

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The Power of Voice

Join me this Friday, November 3rd at Central Piedmont Community College as I present, “Peace by Design, The Power of the Pivot”

I along with nine other amazing speakers will take the stage to talk about how we overcame numerous obstacles in our personal and professional lives AND we will provide the blueprint on how you can do it too.

Don’t hesitate, grab your ticket today.

I am sharing 3 Strategies from my Peace by Design process.

  • Identify areas of overwhelm, stress and low energy
  • Get Smart & Create Peace Goals  
  • Become the change that you desire to see

Peace by Design is the process of intentionally sharing your vulnerabilities to ease stress while gaining clarity and confidence. 

****This event will serve as the official launch of my Peace by Design Coaching & Consulting Program****

This is an event that you don’t want to miss. I hope to see you there, your invitation is below.

You are invited! 

On Friday, November 3, 2023, Charlotte’s premiere public speaking coaching platform, Your Signature Talk, is hosting its inaugural event entitled, The Power of Voice. This cutting-edge event will host professional speakers who will be presenting on a variety of topics that will educate, inspire, and empower each of its attendees.

The Power of Voice will cover topics including personal and business finance management, health and well-being, the power of our habits, peaceful and motivated living and more. The event is from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tate Theater at Central Piedmont Community College, located at 1201 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204.

One ticket includes general admission to the event, networking with speakers and fellow attendees, giveaways from each speaker, and lunch.

This motivational event is ideal for aspiring thought leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs who:

  • Are interested in transformative leadership development.
  • Are ready to share their message and be seen.
  • Have a story, book, or business to promote.

This small investment could provide a tremendous growth opportunity and make a profound impact on your personal and professional development. You can expect to leave feeling refreshed, invigorated, and ready to take your business to the next level.

For more information about the speaker line-up and to purchase your tickets, please visit: http://www.thepowerofvoicecharlotte.com

 

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Peace!

Labor Day unofficially ushers in the arrival of Fall, and with the arrival of new things, the ending of things that are no longer beneficial is often a companion.  What better time is there to be intentional about how you use your effort and where you direct your energy.

If lately you’ve felt like you’re going nowhere fast, use this time to explore new opportunities.

I know you’ve heard the cliche’, when one door closes, another door opens. It is time to be more intentional about those doors. Are there things in your life that no longer serve a purpose for you? Is it time to release them and try something new?

 

 What new ideas or opportunities are you interested in exploring?             

Are you ready to move past anything that has been holding you back?

 

Start the process by, taking time today to self-reflect and focus on how you want your week to go.

  • What are your intentions for the week?

  • Do you have clear expectations for positive, forward motion.

Next, set aside time to write down your intentions in the 4 areas below.

        • Faith

        • Love

        • Mindfulness

        • Self-Care

  • Why are your intentions important?

  • What will you do to make them happen?

After you’ve created your plan for the week, add another week and then keep the momentum going by creating a fully thought-out plan.

 

If you would like Coaching and Consulting assistance to help you set your intentions, use the link below to get started.

https://calendly.com/melissa_rivers/coaching-services

I pray you have a wonderful Labor Day Holiday.

Make Peace A Priority,

Melissa

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Peaceful Co-Working Lifestyle August Session

Join me on Sunday, August 27th for the next Peaceful Co-Working Lifestyle. We are talking about PEACE Goals and the 7 Building Blocks you need in order to make them sustainable.

I quoted the time incorrectly in the video, so please make note of the correct time: 4pm-5:30pm.
 
Here’s the link to join:
 
Here’s the link to the Peace Capability Assessment:
 
Make Peace a Priority,
Melissa Rivers
 
All Rights Reserved @2023
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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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Is the First Impression the Only Impression?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were judged based on a version of you that existed long ago?

If so, were you bothered by it?

As a continuously evolving individual, there are so many different versions of you that will exists, over the span of your life.

I’ve found myself in that situation, and I can truthfully say that it didn’t feel good at all.

As a youth, I dealt with so many insecurities which often left me feeling inadequate, unsure of myself and isolated in a huge world.

These feelings caused me to retreat in certain situations, and to avoid settings that felt uncomfortable.

As a forward-thinking adult, therapy and self-reflection played a huge part in my process of becoming whole.

When others decide to judge you, based on who they knew you to be, during your impressionable years, it can trigger a setback and cause feelings of inadequacy to become more profound. You can also simply acknowledge what was said, glean any lessons that you need to take with you, and continue to move forward.

This week, I challenge you to move forward and celebrate yourself for making progress.

The level of value placed on the thoughts and opinions that others have about you, is totally up to you.

If you decide not to allow those opinions to weigh too heavily on your mind, don’t.

We all know those people who like to remind you of your past or who they think you are in their mind, and it can be a detractor from your progress.

Don’t allow it to be.

If you are doing the best that you can at this moment in life, keeping going. If you are placing too much value on the thoughts and opinions of others, stop doing that.

The purpose that God has placed in you, can’t be measured by another human being. Your purpose is God given. 

Place people in the categories where they belong in your life and keep this scripture close to your heart….

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

Before you were born, I set you apart….. -Jeremiah 1:5

“You can’t find peace in a place that you do not trust. Trust yourself.”

Much Love,

Melissa

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Set A New Table

You deserve experiences that are uplifting, empowering, reciprocal and nourishing.

You deserve to be embraced, supported, celebrated and encouraged.

Is this your experience? Are you feeling the love? More importantly, are you feeling loved.

It is perfectly ok to dream a new dream and to create a new reality for yourself.

This goes for all aspects of life: relationships, career, health, etc…

If you are not feeling loved in all your wellness dimensions…create a new reality, set a new table but definitely let go of what no longer serves you.

Have you established expectations for what you would like to receive?

Here’s a tip: Start with love and work backwards.

If love is what you want to feel in all of your wellness dimensions, determine what’s necessary for you to achieve it?

 

Origins of Peace,
Melissa
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Create!

Do you have a 2023 Vision for Career Development or Personal Travel?

Do you have the resources to lead your team or family to make intentional decisions in the New Year?

Quick suggestion:

Make plans for Sunday Dinner & pull out your Vision Board Kit to get the conversation started.

I would love to curate a personalized Vision Board to fit your needs. Complete the form below & let’s chat.

 

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