Wednesday Happenings + #NationalLipstickDay

I was ALL in my feelings this morning.  Crying, feeling overwhelmed by my to-do list and trying to fight back all of the 'what if' mental movies that started to play.  I had to listen to some positive Periscopes and read a few scriptures and quotes to get away from the panic attack that was creeping up.

No, not today! I had zero energy to be in that dark place.  It takes so much to feel down and worried, and I just was not going to.

I saw on Twitter that one of my fave bloggers, Mattie from Mattieologie, posted a pic saying that today was dubbed #NationalLipstickDay by Revlon.  I'm not an everyday makeup wearing kind of girl but, a little lipstick can sometimes turn my mood around immediately.

I  was not about to put on any foundation (as you can tell from my pic) but, I did put on some Girl Around Town by MAC .  To join in on the fun, post a pic on Twitter with the hashtags #LOVEISON and #NationalLipstickDay! Follow me on Twitter at @candicess. 

How is your Wednesday going? What is your favorite lipstick color?

10 Things I Do That Make My Life Easy

By Shanel Cooper-Sykes

www.shanelcoopersykes.com

LIFE is meant to be enjoyed. But you have to intentionally design your life to be able to experience that. Here are 10 things that I do that make my life super easy and enjoyable:

1. I spend the first hour of my day in peace and in prayer. Before I touch the phone or begin my day, I spend time with God, talking planning visualizing and praying for the things I want to manifest in that day. I get in alignment FIRST before anything or anyone has an opportunity to move me.

2. I keep my goals and plans in front of me. Directly next to my bed is a card with the current goals I am working towards and the plans that I have for myself. I read them and pray over them several times a day.

3.  I prepare my meals in advance. To prevent eating out or over indulging, I prep my meals for the week on Sunday. I cook, package and plan out what will go in my body for the week.

4.  I "reset" my mind nightly. I never go to bed with the day on my mind. I let go of my thoughts. I forgive moments that bothered or upset me. I send love and peace to those I love and to those who don't love me. I say to myself "Shanel you did a good job today!" And I rest in peace.

5.  I keep candles lit and fresh flowers all around me all day. Energy and environment shape your ability to be creative and to think on a higher level.

6.  I always look good. I make sure my clothes are well put together, clean and crisp. Even if I'm wearing sweats, I'm well put together. I never leave out disheveled or just thrown together. It speaks volumes to the way you value yourself.

7.  I don't force myself to follow a hard schedule. I let my days flow and let God move me. Because I've already written it and believe it... I trust my plans will manifest. No resistance. I go with the flow.

8. I talk to myself constantly. I am ALWAYS in intentional inner conversation with myself. I tell myself how capable, amazing, valuable and needed I am. If I pass a mirror I say "hey gorgeous" if I need motivation, I go to a mirror and give myself a pep talk. If I am mad, I discuss my feelings with myself. 

The parts of my body I don't like, I tell it "I love you and I'm going to make you better." If I don't get something, I ask the Holy Spirit to teach me. I make sure that I'm rehearsing in my mind what I want to see play out in my day.and I'm always SPEAKING OUT what I desire to see happen.

9.  I give A LOT. I over-give on a daily basis. If I stop to buy a juice or snack, I pay for two and leave the money at the register for the next customer. If I leave a tip at a restaurant I leave the full amount of what the bill is as a tip. If I get gas, I leave $20 extra for the next person. If someone asks me for a $1 on the street I give them $10. I send money to my family for no reason.

 I treat my friends to dinner and send them flowers and gifts. I believe HALF of your earnings should always be shared in someway with others. No matter how much you have. This principal has blessed ME in so many ways financially. I am never without because I give so freely. And it has PUSHED my financial limits and money mindset, so I don't have limits on how much I can RECEIVE. If you go above and beyond to GIVE financially, God will go above and beyond to BLESS you financially.

10. I rest frequently. If my body is tired, I listen to it and rejuvenate myself. When I feel stressed or overworked, I stop without worry. Scripture says REST IN GODS PEACE. The spirit of God is IN ME. So my physical body has to be fueled enough to carry it. If my body needs something I supply it, because it must be my spirit that is calling for something so that I can give something greater. REST!! Rest in Gods peace often. You will have more energy then you can imagine. 

Shanel Cooper-Sykes is a best-selling author, a successful online coach, and entrepreneur who empowers women to live confidently each day.  Also, check out her Facebook page for daily gems of inspiration and wisdom!

On the Shelf: The Power Of Now

A few months ago I was STRESSED. Waking up at all hours of the morning with my mind racing and always on the verge of tears throughout the day.

A pretty sucky feeling.

I have always been a planner of sorts.  Wanting to plan every single minute of my life out.  I had a complete timeline:

In the prime of my career by 28. 
Married by 26. 
Two kids by 30. 

The list went on and on. Needless to say, things did not turn out that way and it has been both scary and humbling.

Right after college and a drama-filled divorce, I started to get so burnt out and began to have serious bouts of deep depression.  I was unmotivated to do anything.  I isolated myself from friends and family whenever I could, and I just did not feel good about myself.

I became almost numb to feeling anything after awhile and I just started to go with the flow and try to take life as it came.  I made plans but, quickly learned to work on being resilient. If this person promised me they would do something and then decided at the very last second that they couldn't, I was just like, "Ok, that's fine."

If that dream job I interviewed for decided they would go with "more suitable candidates", I said, "Ok, that's fine.  It wasn't meant for me to be there."

I had began to learn how to just be okay with life as it came.  If I tried my hardest and it did not work out, I would still be fine.

And you know what? I was starting to feel much better!  I wasn't up late at night not being able to sleep or feeling a huge lump in my throat throughout random parts of the day because I was fighting back tears.

 I will admit, it was so hard some days! Over time though my bounce back game became so strong and it felt good not to be so fearful of what could, should, might happen next.

That was until a few months ago when those crazy feelings and emotions came rushing back in.  Life became so overwhelming for me that I entertained the idea of getting in my car and running away from everything and everyone.

I came across CurlyNikki's blog post about the book, "The Power Of Now" by Eckhart Tolle one day and downloaded it right away.  I'm about halfway through and it has proved to be a real game changer for me.

 Seriously.

One of my favorite quotes from the book :

 "As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease.  When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love-even the most simple action."

In layman's terms:

"Just concentrate on what's happening right now.  Only deal with NOW."

I've already started applying some of the principles in this book to my life and it has really opened my eyes up.  Of course, some days all of that goes out the window and I start to stress about wanting to be married by now or what to do about school or figuring out how to get my finances in order.  Then come the made up scenarios.  You know all of the ''woulda-shoulda-coulda's" that roll in one by one.

Just this morning I woke up around 5 am and lay there thinking about all of the above over and over again.  I was able to catch myself though and just breathe it all out. Deal with now. Just the here and now.  What is one thing that I can do right now?

Have you read "The Power of Now"?  What did you think? How has it changed your view on how you handle your everyday life?

Necole Bitchie Announces 'It's Time To Move On'

The popular blogger, Necole Bitchie, who has taken the celebrity gossip and entertainment world by storm over the past seven years shocked many by announcing on her blog that she was walking away from what she had become most known for.

This is probaby the most difficult thing I've ever had to do, and I will cry after I write this.  I am very saddened to announce that today is my last day as a 'celebrity gossip blogger'.  It's also my last day running the site as you know it, NecoleBitchie.com.

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She went on to talk about her difficult road to stardom in the blogging world and how she overcame personal loss and even homelessness to become a well-known figure in the entertainment world.  

Necole says over time though, she wanted to become known for more than what she could write about a celebrity's latest life events.  She really desired to live a more purpose-driven life and celebrity gossip just was not part of the legacy she wanted to leave behind one day.

I was really inspired by Necole's bold decision to step out on faith and walk courageously towards the life she really wants for herself despite the money, 'fame', and what others will say or think.  It is encouraging to see a woman aspire to want to live a more meaningful life and inspire others to do the same in the process.

Necole wrote:

As I transition into my next chapter over the next few months and hopefully launch something new and positive, I can only hope for your continued support. 

It's not a 'goodbye!' per say. It's a 'See you soon!'

I can not wait to see what is in store for Necole because I know whatever it is, it will make a true mark on our generation. Good luck Necole! Thanks for also encouraging me to continue to step out on faith and be okay with my decisions in life.   

Happy International Women's Day!

Hey, loves!  While doing my daily social media scroll, I saw that today is International Women's Day.  Since this blog is all about women and written by a woman, I could not let today end without wishing all of you beautiful women, girls, and young ladies a Happy International Women's Day!

My wish is that every woman and young girl can realize the beauty and power they possess.  As mothers, career women, wives, daughters, sisters, and friends we often wear so many hats and deal with a wide array of issues.  Make a conscious decision today to love your life, continue to work towards your dreams and realize your worth.

Tried a new lippie today!

Sunday Sage Smudging

Hey, loves!  Sundays are usually my day to do a little cooking, cleaning and some relaxation before the week starts.  This morning while packing for this move I'm about to make, I was feeling a little anxious and just uneasy.

 I have been reading about the benefits of burning sage, also called smudging, and decided to finally pull out the Shamans Market White Sage mini smudge stick I got in my Holbox a few months back.  I'm not one who is really into such practices, or rituals, if you want to call them that but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try this out after reading about the benefits.

• white sage has been traditionally used when one is feeling low on energy
• to create balance
• to cleanse and purify your home of bad/negative energy
• can have a cleansing effect on the air by increasing the oxygen supply to the brain 
• can relax muscle tension

I was unsure how exactly to burn the sage but, I looked online (Google is always my friend) and took the following steps so, that I didn't burn the house down.

1. Light the top of the sage stick bundle- I didn't have to blow it out to prevent the whole thing from catching on fire, the fire went out on its own.

2. I walked into every room and just let the smoke go up, watching it swirl up into amazing little circles that I have never seen before with regular smoke from candles and such.

3. I prayed in each room and just asked for love, clarity, and peace of mind to fill this space and everyone who resides here.

Have you ever tried 'smudging'?

My Version of Lent

Hey, loves!  I recently saw that it is Lent and many people are giving up something for forty days.  Some are staying away from social media, smoking, or alcohol.  Lent is supposed to be forty days of a renewal of sorts.  The idea is that through self-denial you will gain more discipline, focus and awaken your spiritual self.-- you know....like a fast.  I have never participated in Lent before but, I love the idea behind it. 

I did a food fast for 24 hours and the way I felt mentally and emotionally was something that I had never experienced before.  I have decided to take part in this forty days of renewal for the first time ever by not eating ANY candy (or sweets in general)!  You may have read my previous posts on my sugar addiction confessions but, for those who don't know....candy (sugar in general) is something that I have battled to stay away from for as long as I can remember.  So, this will be definitely be a challenge for me. 

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The best way to abstain from anything is to find healthier things to take its place.  I have stocked up on healthier snacks so that I am not tempted to reach for a bag of Skittles or a pack of Sour Patch Kids (two of my faves when I'm having a bad day).  

I had to be serious about this so, I threw out ALL of the candy I had in the house and in the car. I'm talkin' Skittles, Laffy Taffy's, and all manners of chocolate (although fruity candy is my weakness, a Twix or Snickers can get it too *wink*).  

Then, I purchased the following:

• dried fruit--dried mango and papaya are so good! (get the brands without any sugar added)
• nuts (the protein will help keep you full and keep blood sugar levels stable)
• Greek yogurt
• fresh fruit
• granola (organic kind)
• fresh veggies

I'll also make more fresh juices with my juicer and make some smoothies to quell my sugar cravings.  I drink these now and they really do help when I feel like eating some cake or Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  

By the end of this 40 days, I hope to gain clarity on a few decisions I've been mulling over, and to improve physically (all of that sugar is just not good for this summertime body I've been working on during this cold winter) and most of all, spiritually. 

Are you participating in Lent?  What is something you need to give up for 40 days?

Happy Love Day + A Lil' Survey

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Happy Valentine's Day, loves! Whether you're single, dating, married, divorced, or somewhere in between I want you to know that you are loved!  God loved you first and He always will.  You were put here for a special purpose and as long as you have breath in your body, there is a special plan for your life!

In this age of seemingly perfect images on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter it's easy to feel down about your own situation (if it's not what you would like it to be). Lord knows I found myself falling victim to it today.

No ring this time but, my roses though....

My story:

I do not want to be ungrateful for the things my beau has done for me or the sweet ways in which he loves me every day.  He really is a sweetheart and I know that I can be a lot to contend with (but, I'm worth it!).  However, we have been dating on and off for the past 6 years or so and I am not comfortable with just being the girlfriend anymore.

We're in our thirties, with no kids as yet and I know that I just want more.  It gets embarrassing answering questions about why we are STILL not married or, engaged.  I feel crazy thinking about the amount of time I have put in only to still be here--the "ride-or-die chick.  The sweet, sometimes crazy girl who will weather the storms.  Frankly, it's gotten old.

Sometimes, I think I'm overthinking it. But, how long should two people date before being engaged? How long does it take to know whether you two are ready to walk down the aisle?

I know everything happens as it should which leads me to believe that I need to do some serious reassessment. Life is too short to not be intentional about what you want!  I have decided to concentrate on the things  that make me happy.  God first, loving myself and pursuing my goals, and then everything will fall into place.

So, no engagement for me this Valentine's Day but I'm loving my life regardless because that's what today (and every day for the matter) is all about.

What's the maximum amount of time you would date someone before getting engaged?

A few months

1 to 2 years

3 to 5 years

Whenever it happens, it happens

I don't want to get married/engaged

Poll Maker

RIP Titi Branch

I scrolled through my Twitter and Facebook feeds yesterday on my lunch break and I could not believe what I was seeing.  Rest in Peace to the beautiful Titi Branch, 1/2 of the sister duo who founded the very popular natural hair care line, Miss Jessie's. It truly saddens me that she reportedly passed from an apparent suicide.

 People often think that beautiful, seemingly put together, successful people would be immune to things like this but, the reality is mental health issues are REAL.  It is past time that we become more educated about mental illness.  I think a lot of us still do not know what depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc. looks like.  We do not know the symptoms and once diagnosed we do not know how to deal with it (hence the denial oftentimes).  Those around individuals with mental health issues do not how to help that person either and sadly most of us do not understand the seriousness of it.

 I have battled with depression and still have bouts with it at times.  It was not until recently (like a few weeks ago) that I decided to look into getting help in the form of a therapist after others started bringing it to my attention.  I am a VERY private and reserved person. I do not cry easily in front of people or tell people everything that is going on with me so, my thoughts and emotions really threaten to get the best of me sometimes (You know that lump-in your- throat, I-just-want-to-get-in-my-car-and-run-away-type-of-feeling).

I have had some extremely dark days in the past few months.  I mean seriously dark.  Talking to those close to me is still hard because I do not feel like anyone understands what I'm going through.  It is the scariest feeling to be so down and feel as though there is nowhere to turn and that the set of current circumstances will never change.

I realized that this is not normal.  Everyone has bad days but, my bad days were starting to get so bad that I did not want go to work.  I did not want to live.  I wondered what my purpose for living was. I was crying for no reason and would always be angry. I still incorporate my natural methods- working out, prayer, writing, upping my vitamin D intake and doing yoga from time to time but, I now see that I need more.  And it's okay.

For a long time I was struggling with the idea of going to a therapist because I thought I just needed to pray and everything would be alright.  I am still a firm believer in prayer but, God also put resources here to help us if we would only reach out.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, please get help.  Talk to someone, check on someone, go out and take a walk.  Say no to a few things and people, and take time out for YOU.  You deserve to feel good about yourself and life in general. Too many are losing this battle.

Myleik, the CEO of Curlbox, recently did a podcast sharing her experiences with depression and therapy.  She discusses why she started seeking therapy and gives tips for those who are struggling with depression. love her podcasts and this one was right on time for me.  Listen here.

God can use this tragedy for good.  May her legacy live on and may this incident save someone else's life.

Sexual Abuse: It Is Not Ok, You Are Not Alone

Amidst the Bill Cosby sexual abuse scandal, I felt like this would be a good time to talk about something that is too often 'brushed under the rug'.  Like many other "80's babies",  I grew up watching the Cosby Show and admiring Bill Cosby's humor and family values on-screen.   The Cosby Show was one of those real classic family shows that depicted Black families in a good light.  The entire family could watch it without fear of the kids seeing sex scenes or violence.  It was just wholesome television.  Needless to say, this whole thing is very difficult for me to understand.

I will say that it is not my place to decide if he really did abuse these women or not but, I do believe that where there is smoke there is usually fire.  If this is all true, at the very least, these women deserve to be heard.  Too many victims of sexual abuse go around holding onto the pain and shame that comes along with suffering in silence.

In such a sexually charged society, it is strange to me that there is such difficulty in discussing sexual abuse and what can be done to help victims and prevent new ones. On the radio, music lyrics give graphic details of one night stands and while watching television you can now see more skin and hear more sexual innuendos than intended yet, talking about rape and molestation still makes most uncomfortable.

I have not been the victim of sexual abuse but, I am saddened by the seemingly "normalcy" of it all now.  I read, listen to, and hear about so many women and men who have be molested and/or raped in their lifetimes that it's unreal.   I can not imagine being victimized like that and then having to go on and live your life as if nothing happened, as so many attempt to do everyday.  These victims grow up, have children and oftentimes, they end up being victimized too.

Sexual abuse has plagued too many generations.  It is past time that we talk openly about sexual abuse with each other, lawmakers and most importantly our children.

One of my fave Youtubers, JazJackson shares a little bit about her story.

If you have experienced sexual abuse in the past or currently, know that you deserve to be heard and respected! Do not continue to let someone make you a victim and prevent you from living free from the guilt and shame.  You were created for so much more!

Talk to a friend or family member you can trust about what is going on.  If there is no such person in your life, there are resources you can turn to,  Call 1-800-656-HOPE to speak with someone today.  You deserve to be heard.

Websites dedicated to helping sexual abuse victims and identifying sexual abuse:

• RAINN
• Love Is Respect.  

Dear Love- I Deserve to be a Wife

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By Ashley of WriteLaughDream

“I deserve to be a wife.” It rang in my ears for some reason. In a conversation with a friend on marriage, this was a vulnerable moment. “I don’t get it,” she went on to explain how so many other women that seemingly aren’t as “qualified” have gotten married. She cooks, cleans, supports, and more and somehow it hasn’t quite happened for her yet. This set off a multitude of thoughts in my head of course!

I guess the first being, “how has being a wife become such a highly coveted position?” I mean here we are the working 21st Century women, with careers, cars, our own money, etc., yet we still hold being a wife as a source of validation. Now don’t get me wrong, I am all about marriage and I believe in the sanctity of it, but sometimes I hate how much it’s sought after. It often confuses me about my own motives to get married. Is it because that’s exactly what I want or because of the outside pressures of society telling me that at 28 I am somehow behind in this area?

My second thought was “what does make a man finally decide that it’s time?” I mean in today’s society, we give so much before getting married. Most often we live together, share finances, have sex before marriage and more, so there seems to be less motivation to actually do it. There is something to be said about the olden days where a little more mystery was there. Often you got married because there was so much you couldn’t really experience before you did. But in today’s world, what is really the motivator? Why would there be much urgency to make it all official?

Then there’s the third complexity in the statement. Well even with all the challenges of dating in 2014, some women still are getting married. What have they done differently than my friend? Have they set an expectation in the beginning of “Hey, I am only going to stick around but so long as a girlfriend?” Do they have tricks in the bedroom? (That’s a joke). But really, by no means is this friend perfect, but she does seemingly have a lot of qualities that at least the magazines tell you men are looking for in a wife. Is it possibly not being with the right one? Is she just impatient, even though she’s been in a serious relationship for quite some time?

I hope that you can see that I have more questions here than answers. It’s honestly something that boggles my mind. And these conversations come up way more often than I’d like to admit in your late 20s. Yes every time you sign on to Facebook a new friend is posting a picture of their shiny engagement ring or that they’re pregnant with their second baby. Meanwhile you’re sitting on the other side of the computer with your degree, career, affinity for good meals and long term boyfriend wondering where exactly you went wrong.

So what conclusions if any do I have about the whole thing?

• Sometimes it can seem like the “hoes” for lack of a better term are winning. Way too much reality TV and housewives shows making it seem as if women with no morals or self-control are getting husbands by the second.  
• There does seem to be a disconnect with this generation based on couples moving like we’re married before actually making it legit.
• I don’t think that certain things can be forced. As much as I am looking forward to marriage, I constantly remind myself that God’s timing is perfect. I want a marriage, not just a wedding to show off pictures and look up 5 years later and think, “What have I done?”
• Yes being a wife is an amazing role that I look forward to but I will continue to try not to let it validate me or my relationship.
• Lastly, I think my friend will make an amazing wife and if the current bf is not wise enough to get it, I know that she will be blessed with a man that will. Patience is something I’ve learned most of us don’t have. But ultimately, it’s best to wait, to be sure and to be led by God when it comes to marriage. He knows our desires, we should make them known to Him and listen for what else to do.

Have you felt pressure to be married? How do you handle it? Have you ever had to give an ultimatum? What do you think about the whole thing? Lol. I DON’T HAVE THE ANSWERS!

Ashley Coleman is a blogger, journalist and most recently an author, self publishing her first book, Dear Love: A Love Letter to You in March of 2014. She has contributed to From a Wildflower, JUMP Magazine, For Harriet andGRAMMY.com. She also curates her own blogs writelaughdream.com and boldbrownbeautiful.com. 

Practicing Mental Hygiene

It's a gray, cold day here in the ATL and I'm at home deep conditioning my hair for a (hopefully) cute, coil out.  Usually while I'm doing my hair, I will get caught up on my latest Youtube subscriptions or listen to some music.  This morning, I came across HeyFranHey's video and the title caught my attention right away.

In a day and age where we tend to pay a lot of attention to how we look physically and how well we are doing financially, we often forget to think about how our mental state is connected to our overall well-beings. When someone famous commits suicide or dies from an overdose, then we talk about all of the why's and how's for a few weeks.  After which it's back to focusing on Instagram pictures and what size our waist is.

In this video, HeyFranHey talks about how vital it is to pay as much attention to your mental/emotional health as you do to everything else. It could even be argued that this deserves priority over everything else.

As someone who has dealt with depression and toxic thoughts/emotions, I know firsthand how battling thoughts of worthlessness, suicide and just flat-out hoplessness can (and will) affect every other part of your life.  While I go to the gym a few times a week, work on my yoga techniques, try to reach healthy hair goals, work on my professional life, and make sure I go my bi-weekly facials, I know that it is a must that I take time out to examine and nurture my thoughts and emotions. Lord knows they get really out of control sometimes and I feel like giving up and running away!

Without  peace of mind, balance, emotional healing and positive thinking I will not be able to be the successful, well-rounded individual I am striving to be.

What do you do to practice mental hygiene?  

Sunday Ramblings

Hey, loves! What are ya'll doing today?  Me? I'm listening to T.D. Jakes, writing and sorting through bills.  I'm also trying to muster up the desire to do some semblance of a workout.  I haven't seriously worked out in about a week.  Ugh! One of the ways I try to motivate myself is by looking at older pics of myself at the gym (sounds vain or lame but, it works most times!)  The above pic was taken about two weeks ago.  

I'm probably one of a handful of people who finds it so hard to work out during stressful times.  I feel like the time at the gym is time I could be spending doing something to remedy whatever obstacle is at the forefront at the moment. 

I have had the most trying two weeks physically, financially and emotionally.  I literally feel like I'm in a serious battle with my thoughts and emotions.  I''m in such a dark place some days that it scares me.  A few events that have taken place really threw me for a loop and I'm having a harder time coping than I realized.  

I've been reading my Bible like crazy, upping my vitamin D daily intake (most people are deficient and it can directly affect your moods!), and forcing myself to write and combat the crazy thoughts with positive ones as much as I can right now. Although I have not had much luck with therapists in the past,  I may need to find someone's couch to lay on for a few sessions. 

I know this will pass soon.  

The Layers of Discovery Tour {A to Z}

My girl, GG Renee from All the Many Layers is doing it again!  A few weeks ago, I wrote about her #30Layers30Days challenge here and how it allowed me to take a second look at some issues I didn't realize I still had not dealt with. I shed a few tears, wrestled with my emotions, read, wrote and prayed every day for those 30 days.

At the end of the challenge, I gained a better understanding of myself and was able to refocus and readjust my goals going forward. It was just on time for me considered the slump I have been in--feeling just trapped, confused, and dejected.  It was a truly spiritual experience for me.  It also felt good to engage with women who were coming together to share ideas, encourage and uplift one another.

So fast forward to a few days ago when I am scrolling through Instagram and find out that GG Renee has started The Layers of Discovery Tour {A to Z}.  She has brilliantly created a series where 26 bloggers will each take a letter of the alphabet and choose a word to write about that relates to self-discovery. For each day from October 6th through October 31st, you have the opportunity to visit a different blog about a different topic from a different woman's perspective.

Today is Day 3, C is for Courage by Minnie G of Life in 100 Words.  Take a minute to check it out and continue to follow the tour by going to All the Many Layers.

You can follow along with the tour by following #LayersAtoZtour on Twitter and Instagram and by checking for updates on this page daily from October 6 - 31.  Gain some inspiration, get to know a lot of beautiful, down-to-earth women, or receive some emotional healing.  Whatever you take away from the tour, it will change you for the better!