::5 Ways to Help Empower Women::

Empowerment has nothing to do with jealously or competition and everything to do with genuine support and encouragement. 

It's what I was left with after an amazing event Wednesday morning. Yes. It's been months since I post on this blog, you can find me regularly on Momma of Dos. And, coincidentally enough the last post on this blog was a guest blogger by the name of Angelica Gonzalez of Latina Entrepreneur Empowerment Circle or LEEC. Today's post is about Angelica's group and the great community she is building. 

The group that morning was a small intimate size but the power and empowerment was far too big for the room we were in! Imagine Communication Coaches, Authors, Leaders, Innovators, Creators, and Women who are taking charge of their lives and redefining not only who they are but their direction. 

Women who don't take NO for an answer. Women who are waking up everyday and literally punching fear in the throat. Women who have decided that enough is enough, or that TODAY is the day. Women who may feel doubt but proceed none-the-less. 

Do you feel a tingle in your soul and a tug in your gut? 

Are you curious to know more about this group of women and how you can join them? 

Well you should! 

The ladies attending the LEEC empowerment and networking sessions are real women, Latinas and non-Latinas alike, from our community. We all live here in Houston and we want to create not only a sense of empowerment for the women we meet but a place of growth for all women in our community! 

I believe that Angelica the creator and Mastermind behind LEEC is doing just that, one session at a time, one Latina Entrepreneur at each session! 

Now 5 Ways that I feel we help Empower other Women in our community:

1. Encourage- Provide words of encouragement to those women around you and in your community. Words are so important and can mean so much. Something as simple as "You can do this!" May go a long way.... 

2. Support- As a Blogger the best support you can give me is by sharing my posts on your social media channels- sharing is caring. In the same way find out what the women around you need and support them in any way possible. 

3. Share- Share our known resources and/or information about events/workshops that other women can use to learn and grow. Like the LEEC meetings. Below is a flyer for their upcoming events!! 

4. Feedback- Provide positive, good feedback that they can use to help them improve and define what they want to do and the goals they want to reach. 

5. Network- Finally, help build their network. Invite them to events or workshops that will allow them to obtain new resources and contacts. Networking events help connect people and their talents. 

How will you help empower the women in your community? 

::Self-Love:: Guest Blogger

I rarely meet people by accident, I have never thought that people come into my life by accident. I always meet these people with purpose. I place myself in places and groups or social events that I know will allow me not only to meet the type of people who I want  in my life but to reach more people with my words both spoken and written. 

A couple of months ago Angelica reached out to me about talking business. I naturally said yes! We have connected and I know her and I have something big to come not sure what it is just yet. We did though discuss self-love. Since the month of February is not over and I have claimed it to be the LOVE month, here is a little of her thoughts on self-love and her commitment to it. 

She will also be hosting a launch event next week, really hope you can join her! You can also request to join her Facebook group so you too can connect and be involved: Latina Entrepreneurs Empowerment Circle 

Here is my interview with her on the topic of the ::Commitment of Self-love::

Her focus and drive really inspire me... She is most definitely a woman on a mission... 

Tell us a little about yourself~
I’m a mother of two wonderful children, an entrepreneur, a coach and most of all a Lover of Life. I am passionate about serving Women especially within the Latina Community.

What do you do for a living?
I am an Empowerment Coach where my mission is to Empower the Latina Community with personal growth, entrepreneurship, and Financial education. I do all of this through various platforms – workshops, 1 on 1 coaching, classes.

What is your definition of self-love?
Self-Love is the empowering feeling to love oneself without guilt, shame, embarrassment, limitations and allowing to freely nurture your mind, body, soul and soul.

How have you committed to self-love? 
I love to read so I read every day. My fifth pillar to Self-love is Education. Education = Empowerment. Knowledge is the one thing that no one can take away from you. This is my commitment to self-love. I educate myself to better serve my community plus I enrich my soul and spirit with knowledge so it becomes a win-win situation.

What plan of action do you have in 2015 that will help you establish or maintain your “self-love” commitment? 
This year my projects have increased so Self-love is more important than ever. Just knowing that I need to keep my energy up motivates me to Self-love. In fact, the projects that I am working on are aligned with my mission in life. Anything else I kindly say no. This way nothing is draining my energy.

What motivates you to keep a positive self-image and self-love when times become difficult and you feel like you can't do this anymore?
My Faith in God and the Belief in myself keeps me going when time become difficult.

What advice do you have for others to remain positive about self-love? 
Be easy on yourself! Self-love should never be a stressful activity. Start off with something small like meditating for ten minutes a day or exercise for 15 minutes and then increase your activity as days go by. Sooner or later you find that Self-love becomes a way of life not just a habit.

We all struggle daily with so many issues of self-esteem, depression, etc; what has been your favorite quote, book, movie, item, or website that has helped you keep strong and move forward?
My favorite quote is from Marianne Williamson -

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson. (excerpted from http://www.marianne.com/) 

You can reach Angelica for more information on her projects at links below:

You can find me on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/powerofloveinstitute 
My website is http://www.powerofloveinstitute.com/
or email me at angelica@powerofloveinstitute.com.

::Vision of Love:: 2015 #VisionBoard

::Latina Momma Disclosure:: { This is a compensated post. I received a complimentary pass for myself & a special discount for my readers in collaboration with  Empire Marketing & Consulting . All opinions and statements expressed below are my own and true and honest. }

We all have a passion in life. Something that really moves us and propels us towards our purpose and yes towards our goals. But sometimes our vision dies, not because we don't want it but because we can't see it. Imagine how much greater your vision could come to life if you had a perfect visual of what you wanted to do. That's where the vision board is born. 

When you have certain dreams for your life and set goals, then you place it out into the universe so that others can help you be accountable it makes for an easy method to attain those dreams! 

A Vision Board gives you:

Direction- If you give yourself a well planned out vision, you will have a great sense of direction. Most plans fail because we don't have a clear direction of what we want to do to reach our goals. We need to write it down, give ourselves goals to reach,a time frame and be able to visualize what we want. 

Focus- When you create your goals and write them down, it will help you focus on those ideas. You will not be easily distracted if you have a visual that you can go by to help you know how far you have come and how much more you have to accomplish to reach those goals. 

Visual to Reach your Goals- Sometimes writing those goals are not enough, we need a real map or "vision board" to help us see what our goals are. A clear and focused reminder of what we want to obtain in the year to come. 

This year, I want to create the perfect vision for my life, career, family, and especially my Marriage. 

Will you join me on this years adventures and journey?

I invite you and your friends to come to the Vision of Love ::Vision Board Party:: This event will focus on relationships and love. Whether you are in a relationship or still seeking the right person you will want to join us! We have a special partnership with the event and if you buy your tickets now you will receive a extra Momma of Dos discount on your early bird ticket, TODAY only {01/31/2015} and regular tickets until they run out! ::use the promo-code--MOD2015:: http://VBP2015.EVENTBRITE.COM It will be a gratifying event that will help you gain new perspective into what is to come to you in 2015.

The Vision of Love will focus on Love, Relationships providing an amazing group of expert panelist and famous guest speakers such as Jamie Rose Millionaire Matchmaker, Michael Garofola of The Bachelorette, and Crystal Wall of the American Heart Association:

JOIN US!!! 

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE THERE & CREATE THE VISION OF LOVE THAT MY MARRIAGE DESERVES..... 

::Meet the Hostesses::

Sarni J. & Arnaecia A.

Your event hostesses are Sarni J and Arnaecia A. Sarni is a PR/Branding specialist who helps clients brand themselves and share that brand to the world through powerful media strategy and connections. Arnaecia A, in leadership at Empire Marketing & Consulting, helps clients boost their businesses to new heights through innovative ideas specializing in events, partnerships and distribution. Both are joined by the knowledge that anything is possible with the powerful combination of vision, belief and action!

::30 Days:: 2015

Last year, I started a challenge. 30 days of Affirmation on Instagram. This year I want to kick off a new challenge to help us begin the year with purpose and strength. 

I will post on Instagram and Facebook; follow us! 

::As women we should be reminded to be strong and brave, because we are and we endure so much. To be courageous and bold, because we can obtain much more and reach all of our goals. This year reach your goals with strength and courage.::