Operation DECLUTTER: Let It Go

Welp, the moment is here. We are just hours away from 2011. In the last few days I have been emerged in a full fledged operation to DECLUTTER my space (and my mind).  I'm definetly not a hoarder, but I had to ask myself, "Self? why do you have all these papers? Do you need his cute little scribble-scrabblled picture from the first day of school? Did you know that those coupons you have been holding onto have actually expired? Do you really need all the supporting documents from your first graduate level research paper?"

What about the infamous JUNK DRAWER? Do we really need a junk draw if the stuff that is in it is considered junk?

And ladies, Lord knows we have a problem. Two feet and 222 pairs of shoes. Really? Why?

After a long woosigh, I decided that I was going to LET IT GO! Bye-bye to the junk drawer, see you later to the shoes that I haven't worn since undergrad, and you were cute while you were here, but all of you pre-school projects MUST GO!!!!! So being the nerd that I am (yes, I'm a nerd, a cool and fly nerd though) I took it to the net and began to research de-cluttering and home organization. I found several great articles and great Home Organization Blog with wonderful tips on how to create a organized environment.  Here are a few questions for you to ask yourself while you declutter:

•When is the last time you used this item and was it in the last year?

                            •Is it broken, damaged or the wrong size?

                            •Does it make you happy or have sentimental value?

                            •Do you really need this item? 
 

Once you get started, you'll be amazed at how much "stuff" you have that you don't use or need.  For me the process made me truly realize how blessed I am as I gathered bags and bags of clothing to donate to goodwill. Not only, that but as I cleared my space, I began to feel clarity in my mind. I could focus on my vision once I "LET GO" of the stuff.  The best part is, now that I have cleared my space (and my mind) I have positioned myself to receive.  Understand that we can never receive anything new, if we are holding on to something old. That not only goes for "stuff", but also people, relationships, and opportunities.

So now that my space is clear...2011, I receive you! Out with the old, in with the New!!!

 

Nia: Purpose

All day today I have been in the midst of a huge operation....OPERATION OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW! Cleaning, purging,, and preparing to receive all of the newness that a new year brings.  So as much as I wanted to blog, tweet, bbm, and fb today (and I admit, I did sneak a few in) I pledged to focus on my preparation. I was attacking my closet, cleaning out old receipts, gum, and lost lip gloss from my purses when I came across sermon notes from December 2009. :

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


I smiled and continued to read:

"Create a  blessing by living with purpose and on purpose"

I couldnt fight the urge anymore, I ran downstairs and grabbed my laptop to do what I had been thinking about all week. Blogging about Kwanzaa. I wanted to blog of course, but you know how it gets sometimes, especially when we don't get that fairytale 25th hour in the day. But today's Kwanzaa principle is special to me and definetly deserves a post. And that is why I know that finding the sermon notess was no coincidence. So hey, when he tells me to move I go.

Today is the 5th Day of Kwanzaa. The 5th principle is Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

I love this principle so much. Five is a great number of course but deeper than that, Nia..... I love the name Nia. I had a friend named Nia. We were 14 when she was murdered. I often think about the day that I learned of her death and how I felt knowing that I could've been "that girl named Nia who got killed". I often wonder, what was her purpose on Earth. Was it to inspire me to live on purpose everyday because a 14 year old girl named Nia didn't get the chance to live beyond 1996. It took me many years after her death to discover my purpose, but here I am. Here I am going into 2011 and I am "creating a blessing by livng with purpose and on purpose".

What's your purpose? Create a blessing by living in it everyday.

Rest In Peace Nia

W.E.A.L.T.H.y Wednesday

Welp! Here we are. It's the countdown to 2011. I have been spending a lot of time in preparation.  Not necessarily preparation for the new year per say, but preparation to receive everything that is coming to me.  As a part of my preparation I have been working with my Soror, Business Partner, Money Mentor, Coach Lynn Richardson.  Coach Lynn is the self-proclaimined Madea of money matters.  As a seasoned business women, author, Cheif Operating Officer for Russell Simmons foundatons, her resume speaks for itself. She constantly reminds me that, it's time to R.E.A.P!!!!

Redeeming, Excellence, Affirmations, and Power

R.E.A.P. MESSAGE:
"I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you." Jeremiah 29:11


R.E.A.P. MOVEMENT:
11 is the only number, in and of itself and without alteration, that gives you a visual of an open door.
A "1" on the left and a "1" on the right with open space in the middle . . . for you to fill in! The double nature of eleven means you have the opportunity to double your blessings, double your earnings, and double the impact of your gifts on the world. NOW IS THE TIME TO CLAIM YOUR DOUBLE PORTION!!!

R.E.A.P. MANIFESTATION:
Join me at a Power Event TODAY!!!
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 at 9:30 am est or 9:30 pm est

Click here to register

Mental Vacay

So we made it through Christmas! Whewww! Thank you Sweet Baby Jesus! I must admit, I checked out for a minute there. I definitely jumped on a flight (in my mind) and submerged in several days of mental vacationing. I needed it! I never realized how commercialized Christmas is until this year. Every corner you turned there was a bell jingling, a caroller carolling, and salesmen ready to get the plasma off the shelf and into your living room. All the print ads, radio/tv commercials, midnight shopping hours!!! Ugghhh! It was just way too much. So on my mental vacay, I spent a lot of time thinking, reflecting, and realizing the many many things that I have to be thankful for.  My original plan was to post a Christmas wish from "Savvy

Cherise" spreading Christmas cheer to all my readers.  I even had some great Christmas music to share via my favorite new girl group Heiress. But those plans changed as I shut myself off from the world and took a journey deep into my mind.  I definitely discovered and uncovered some unique treasures that will surely bless me in the new year. I'm excited about the future and ready to take whatever is coming my way. So as the sunsets on my mental vacay and as 2010 comes to an end, my flight has landed and......

I'M BACK & I'M READY!!!!

2011........Let's GET IT!

Christmas W.E.A.L.T.H.y Wednesday

A Christmas Message from Financial Coach Lynn Richardson and Yours Truly:

Twas the day after Christmas

And all through the house

Every creature was strapped

Even the mouse.

The toys were all broken

Their batteries dead

And Santa was passed out

With ice on his head.

Mom and Dad were sad

Cause no one was near

To see all of the holiday bills

They'd be paying all year.

No savings, no wealth,

Bad credit . . . Oh My!

Instead they should have picked

A financial future to buy.

Aren't you tired of debt

And substandard living

Don't you want a gift

That keeps on giving?

Do you know what to do

To get your finances revin???????

Enroll in W.E.A.L.T.H. University

In 2011!

Join us TONIGHT at 9:30 pm est to experience W.E.A.L.T.H.y Wednesday and to learn more about W.E.A.L.T.H. University. To Register for W.E.A.L.T.H.y Wednesday with Financial Coach Lynn Richardson click here

I am In!!! And looking forward to being a part of the inagural class of W.E.A.L.T.H. University!

Tis the season to be Savvy!

Tuesdays Tweet of the Day

This a prime example of my randomness.  I was sitting at my desk at work today scrolling through twitter on my berry.  As I came across a very timely tweet I thought "Tuesdays Tweet of the Day!"

So here you have it.... Tuesdays Tweet of the Day goes to *drum roll* @AngelaSimmons

  

RT @AngelaSimmons: Don't be afraid to walk away from people that you've out grown. ♥

Ain't that the truth! Follow me @SavvyCherise

An Ode to My Savvy-versary

What better song could do this day justice! I know it's not a husband, but I'm definetly in love ;-) It's my Savvy-versary!

http://www.savvycherise.com/ United On: December 18, 2008

Today is a special day, not just anyday! It's my Savvy-versary! http://www.savvycherise.com/

It's My Savvyversary!!!!

Two years ago today I started this blog with no plan and no idea what it would turn into. I started on December 18th, 2008 and had no clue what I was doing. As a matter of fact for the next six months I did nothing with it until tragedy struck Washington, D.C. in June of 2009.  Metro rail experienced the worst accident and its history and watching the news coverage was surreal.  I decided to JUST GO FOR IT!

As soon as I made that declaration my whole world changed. It seemed as if it happened within the blink of an eye. It was like I closed my eyes, opened them up, and I was standing in front of Taraji P. Henson preparing to interview her like just like I had done in my dreams. From there I went on to interview some of the biggest stars, including DC's own Y'anna Crawley, radio powerhouse Russ Parr, soulstress Ledisi, style maven Fonzworth Bentley, acrtess Kym Whitley, dancing machine Ne-Yo, music legend Johnny Gill, and many many more!

Although I'm drawn to the fabulosity of celebrity affairs, what I'm most proud of is being able to highlight the things my friends and family are doing to inspire other people.  From going back to school to starting business, everyone in my circle is doing big things!

There are so many people that I would like to thank. I hope I don't miss anyone but here goes.....(I feel like I'm about to except an award or something lol) First of all I want to thank God who is the head of  my life LOL Haaa! Ok seriously I have to thank all of my family, including my mom and the entire Union Temple Baptist Church especially my spiritual mentor Rev. Anika Wilson Brown and Aunty M. All of my sorors Oooo-ooop! Especially my Delta Momma Nykidra, and my front Mel Spears. All of my photographers Valerie, Wawa, and Jaction. TEAM FAB Joi, Chyronda, Kichelle, Toya, Tanisha, and Quay. My make-up artist Danielle Lewis. My seamstress T'Chana B. My mentees Daniella and Shereese. My dudes Black Boo, Mike Scott, and Kelbo.  All of my ladies doing big things, Chi-Chi, Nkonye, Lili Wilson, Jewell Parker, Octavia Parks, and Celebrity Chef Lauren Von Der Pool. And last but not least my two coaches Shelia Stewart, Radio One DC News Director and Coach Dee Marshall, Founder of  Girlfriends Pray.

Thank you all for believing in me and inspiring me to inspire you.

I only have one gift request. Share this blog on your facebook/twitter page. Help me inspire the world. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Love you!

Savvy Cherise

STRESS: Just Say No!

It's so easy to let stress seep into your world. Especially with the holiday season, the hustle and bustle of shopping, the pressure of getting gifts before Christmas day, the worry of not having enough money, even the parking lot battles you'll find yourself in.  All you wanted to do was run to the mall and buy a gift for your boo and now you're about to go toe to toe over a parking space. JUST SAY NO!!! NO! NO! NO!

I said NO to "traditional Christmas" this year. So you wont find me in ANY mall. That's what you wont do! Instead this year I'm giving home made hand crafted gifts, (i.e Pictures, Letters, Poem, Video Messages, ect) while working on my plan to become financially free. That might not work for you, but my charge to you is to SAY NO to whatever stresses you! My stressor is not having clarity. And without a financial plan I was unclear on my financial future. So I said NO to spending and decreased my stress level. In turn, I sought financial counsel and I am on the road to financial freedom. Woooo-sigh! And I feel soooooo much better. 

We've all experienced stress, and it definetly doesn't feel good, but.....

We're gonna make it, that for sure! If you're stressed than let it gooooooo!

If you're looking to eliminate a financial stressor, feel free to tweet me @SavvyCherise #NoStress #FinancialFreedom

Union Temple Christmas Celebration

Union Temple Baptist Church

Music and Arts Department Presents:

Christmas Celebration Benefit Concert 2010

"Our Finest Gifts We Bring"

Featuring Guest Artist:

Tawanda Rhinehart, Jermemiah Hicks,

& HEIRess

Also featuring: UTBC Combined Choirs, UTBC Praise & Worship Ministry, & Matari Kucheza

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

5:00pm

Union Temple Baptist Church

1225 W Street, SE

Washington, DC

FREE ADMISSION!!!!

Goal: To raise money to benefit the grant outreach programs of Union Temple Baptist Church:

• Harambee House Juvenille Justice Program
• AYA - TANF Home Visitng Program
• Village Keepers Homeless Ministry

*Side note* 3 Snaps and a twist to HEIRess! Their brand new CD "Once Upon an HEIRess Christmas" dropped today! Available at http://www.digstation.com/ (search Heiress)

Tis the season to be Savvy :-)

Savvy Interview with Darrin Henson

While attending The 19th Annual Golden Scissors Awards (Hair GaGa) I caught up with superstar, actor, and choreographer, Darrin Henson. You probably know Darrin best for his successful video "Darrin's Dance Grooves", and also for his role as Lem Van Adams on the hit Showtime series "Soul Food". Darrin served as one of the host of the Hair GaGa show and brought along his charm, cute smile, new fitness DVD, and some special motivational words just for you.....

"Be patient with yourself and other people and ask more of yourself than anybody else can ask of you, that way you'll always be prepared. Never stop going after what you want and don't take no for answer." -Darrin Henson

Ok, so did he really have to blow that kiss like that?? I'm just saying lol!

Check out Darrin's new DVD "Get Fit and Stay Fit" at http://www.darrinhenson.com/

Y'Anna Crawley & The Promise Foundation

Last week I caught up with our DMV songbird Y'anna (Yanni) Crawley of BET's Sunday BEST and her newly founded organization, The Promise Foundation. She teamed up with Radio One (Praise 104.1, Magic 102.3, and WKYS 93.9) and FOX 5 to support The Youth Enrichment Academy: FAMILY SKATE NIGHT. It was a fab event that would definetly make our First Lady Michelle Obama proud because we definetly got our "Lets Move" on! Kids and adults alike skated and praised to the sounds of Y'anna's Promise CD.

We chatted about the event and her plans for The Promise Foundation in 2011.

"Just stand on Gods promises and you'll be alright" -Y'anna Crawley

W.E.A.L.T.H.y Wednesday

If you agree with my declaration "The days of lack are over!". If you are tired of living check to check. If you don't want to spend the rest of your days as a slave to the Department of Education. If you want to break the cycle of Poverty in the African-American community, then it is time to get serious about developing a WEALTH PLAN! Join me tonight at 8pm est for a POWERFUL FINANCIAL discussion with my Soror and Financial Coach Lynn Richardson. Coach Lynn is beyond the bomb.com! She is not only a financial expert and founder of "Breaking the Check to Monday" coaching series, but she is also a best selling author, and COO of Russell Simmons Hip Hop Action Summit Network. Tonight Coach Lynn will be announcing the launch of W.E.A.L.T.H. University

You don't want to miss it! Dial in tonight at 8pm est (347) 850-1421 And then.....

Join myself and the Leaders of the Legacy Group for Lynn Richardson LIVE!!!!! Be prepared for a financial reality check BEFORE the holidays.

Thursday, December 9th @7pm, Greenbelt Marriott Hotel
Register @ http://lynnrichardsonlive.eventbrite.com


"Wealth education is the torch of freedom" Lynn Richardson