
Focus on Fabulous
By michelle bryant

Focus on FabulousNov 14, 2021

Life: It's in the bag
“Is all that we leave behind what is ultimately left of us?” Things that once held meaning to us are now reduced to whatever price someone is willing to pay. Why do we put so much emphasis on material things, the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the labels we display? Instead, we should build our emphasis on the relationships we build, the stories, memories, and legacies we leave behind, on mending fences and giving whenever possible.

my sixty
yes, it’s true, sixty is a number. but i can’t believe it’s my number. my sixty on the inside doesn’t feel much different from thirty. yes, there are some days i feel 18 while others i feel 80. in fact, i remember when my mother was 60.

paint your mood
Feeling blue? Paint yourself a different color. But give yourself permission to deal with whatever you're going through and then focus on the good that is among you each and every day.

Write your own headline
As I was sitting with my friends chatting about what is going on in our world, about what some are choosing to call the “new normal it occurred to me that there has always been something. Something to fear, something to hate, something to worry over. But I want to take time to stop; to write my own headline.

Are you a cheetah or a snail?

distance makes the heart grow..
Life will always provide challenges, but I find that our viewpoint and perspective can keep us from feeling defeated. Yes, some people are glued to the media, destroyed by the new normal and may even be entangled in the unwelcome effects that are occurring, but the truth is, there IS help. There is hope. There is love amidst the distress. People are reaching out; businesses are extending assistance wherever possible. It seems we actually miss the human connection.

Why Worry?
Is there something you can change or control to ease the situation, stress or worry? If you can then what is the need for worrying? Just fix it. If you cannot solve it then what is the use of worrying? You read that right. If you CAN solve the problem, then why worry and if you can’t then why worry? It’s simple really.

Katryna Johnson- Mirelli Entrepreneur training for Women
Katryna joins us from Charleston, SC during the CoronaVid-19 quarantine with tips, tricks, and advice on keeping your small business alive during these tough times.

What will you do with your extra day? (a leap year segment)
If you're like me, you are constantly needing more time. Saying things like, "If only I had an extra day." or "I need more time in my day." and so forth. Leap year gives us the gift of having that extra day. Embrace it!

Things are not as they appear
Many works of art (in this case, needlework) are beautiful to the eyes that gaze upon them. But, rarely does the viewer consider the efforts endured, the mess it took or the flaws that may be covered in creating that beauty.

Because I said so
I think every child at some point feels like they know all the answers and their parents are too old to really “get it.” And in the debate of logic and reasoning, we plead our case with words like “Why not?” “Why do I have to?” or “So and So’s parents let them” and so forth only to hear “because I said so.” At the moment those words hit our ears we knew there was no more need for discussion let alone trying to persuade anything else. We knew we had made a great argument but had been overruled.

What is your green eggs and ham?
Remember Sam, I am from the classic Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham? After reading this to my grandson it occurred to me that we all have a green eggs and ham list. A list of things we will not do no matter what. Not here nor there nor anywhere.
For many of us, it may be something we refuse to eat. For others, it could be more complicated, such as public speaking. Think about it. What is YOUR green eggs and ham?

Stand up straight. Stop slouching.
Helen Keller is quoted as saying, “Always hold your head high. Look the world straight in the eye.” We need to have an elegance in our posture, to define to the world not just how we walk but how we walk through life. Slouching will always send the wrong message. You have everything you need to confidently walk your path.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
photo by focus on fabulous creative photography

Expose yourSELF-IE
Many artists have their self-portraits among their works. Back then, self-portraits were about status and importance and in effect, today they still are. Nothing has changed. Self-portraits have merely transformed into selfies, and filters and photo effects have become the artists' mediums. Although it is easy to get caught up in the celebrity culture that says unless you’re being noticed, you’re no one, that’s the crucial difference between 15th-century self-portraits and 21st-century selfies.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by OrnaW pixabay

Life is not posed
What would my children do if they had to make a video of my life? My memory? My legacy? Where are the pictures of my life? Especially of my life with my children. I have lived quite the life. I’ve been blessed with quite the personality and yet stayed hidden due to pride or vanity or some other silly reason.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support

Never stop learning- the art of being teachable
But if we’re being totally truthful, would we consider ourselves teachable? Are we willing to sit back and embrace setbacks that may hold lessons we need to know? Are we able to be quiet long enough to grasp when something is being portrayed to us or someone is attempting to educate us?
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by The Pixelman at Pixabay

be you..& let the world catch up
how could anyone truly know the real us? We are born to give, to care, to sacrifice ourselves for the needs of others. If you’re like me though this leads to you feeling like a square peg in a round hole.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Photo by Greyerbaby/Pixabay

family forgiveness
“The truth about family is that we don’t get really get to pick and choose who’s in and who’s out. It’s not a club.” I believe we all have our share of dysfunctional in our families. We have those soap opera situations or Maury Povich moments we’d rather tuck away safely in a locked box on the shelf. Truth is there are people in most families that we love but don’t like, that if they weren’t family we wouldn’t tolerate.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by Pixabay

mercy and grace…
If mercy is the act of not giving to someone that which they probably deserve, then how often are we really offering that to others? When was the last time you forgave someone without being asked? Or turned the other cheek?
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

reactions for actions…
There are many times in our lives where someone hurts our feelings, says or does the wrong thing or simply rubs us the wrong way. We tend to be selfish creatures and dwell on the impact these have on us personally with little or no regard to how they are to others. But I like to think that our attitude and overall reaction plays a significant role in how we handle those situations and how it all ends.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by CSchmidt- Pixabay

be right or be happy...
There are often moments in our lives where confrontation, situations, and circumstances will stretch us to our limits. People are people and they rarely think like us, react like we do or approach a scenario the same way.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by Victor Benard- Unsplash

pressing through pain & finding your purpose
The poet known as Ovid once said, “Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.” I hope you make those words your mantra during the difficult times...
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

patience and perseverance go hand in hand
I think patience and perseverance go hand in hand. Through the exhaustion of the race, we discover that we are strong; stronger than we thought but also as strong as we allow ourselves to be. We must do whatever it takes to avoid discouragement and not give up our tenacity to reach the finish line because that consistency and dedication is the key to our success.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/

so, you made a mistake. now what?
People are human. We will make mistakes. What we take away from those mistakes is where the power lies.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by olafpictures on Pixabay

you get to choose...
We examined some previous moments in my life where I felt I had no voice, say or control and discovered perhaps I had adapted this trait as a means of survival, of being accepted, heard and so forth. It wasn’t until nearly twenty years later that it occurred to me that where some may consider it control, others might view it as leadership. Some may see flaws, other’s quirks.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by Letizia Bordoni Unsplash

embrace obstacles
Obstacles, especially unexpected ones can really pour havoc on our lives. But what if I told you that your struggle today is proving your story, your strength for tomorrow. Obstacles are the path. We simply need to alter the way we view them.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by darksouls1 on pixabay

Gather in the gratitude
It is so easy to be happy and oblivious in our contentment. We often take for granted or overlook the goodness in our lives. I encourage you to take time, no MAKE the time, to tell those in your life what they mean to you.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by focus on fabulous creative photography

fighting the demon of comparison
It wasn’t until my singleness in my late forties, due to the termination of a twenty-five-year marriage relationship that I discovered and embraced my true unique self and qualities.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by: maarten Deckers on Unsplash

Stop complaining… start creating
I was going through the motions and unintentionally playing small in my divine purpose. I realized that although giving and living a life for others may not necessarily be a bad thing when you lose sight of who you are and your purpose on this planet it can ultimately be destructive.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by: oltre creative on pixabay

Live by example (with purpose & intention)
We live in a world where offenses sit on the surface and hearts harden too easily. But what if we started to be the change we wanted to see? What if we actually lived our lives by our examples? What if we decided to see people by their intentions instead of their actions?
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
photo by focus on fabulous creative photography

Ladies of Justice with Robin Nazon
In a matter of minutes RIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE, you can make money while attending your child's football games, recitals, school functions & more. Worry Less. Live More.
Robin Nazon 843.471.6056

Patience (small steps-lasting results)
When it comes to difficult tasks I think patience is on the top of the list. Why is waiting so hard for us?
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

the truth about criticism
If we are honest with ourselves and take a moment to examine a few things pertained to the reproach we may come to the realization that maybe a small nugget of truth is lying in there after all.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Photo by Marcelo Chagas from Pexels

the paradox of being bossy
Whether bossy or a leader you can confidently say, "I am tough, ambitious, and self-assured in what I need and what I want. I am tenacious and sure that I can get the task done. I don't just have dreams, I have goals and the gumption to make them a reality.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

be a rainbow in someone’s cloud
Picture your day, your life or even that moment, filled with glorious hues and an arch of hope. Notice the beam of sunshine on the other side that casts this fabulous arrangement of color. How wonderful the knowledge that it takes both sunshine and rain to make that glorious arch.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
image by focus on fabulous creative photography

A nugget of blessing
During hardships and potential disasters, when we are the most frightened, we rightfully reach out in prayer and petition for strength through the storm and safety in its wrath.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image courtsey of Pickpic

You are pretty...
This morning when you looked in the mirror what did you see? Ever wonder how we can require so much beauty sleep and wake up looking like a troll? Truth is, we need to stop that way of thinking. It is that mindset that makes it difficult for us to start the day motivated and ready to tackle the world.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by: Mbragion-Pixabay

Positive journey toward growth
During a storm, it may be difficult to see the good, the “reason”, the lesson that will eventually arrive in due time but if we have a positive attitude the negativity we experience will become better.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by George Becker- Pexels

Get close to the fire
“If you hang out with chickens you’re going to peck but if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to soar.” Even lately I’ve learned that apparently, we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by free photos Pixabay

Finding peace – through the storms
We are confident we WILL have adversity in our lives. It is inevitable. But how awesome it is to know that with the troubles, no matter what, you can have peace.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Photo by Keenan Constance from Pexels

Be a little ‘Boulder'
I was reminded of the powerful message this story holds and since it is the beginning of a new week I felt the need to tell it again as many of us may approach Monday as our boulder.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

The fight of perfection
As women, I believe we set our standards high unintentionally... Yet still, we women try to “do it all” to “be it all”. We aim for the crown of perfection.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by Lloorraa on Pixabay

Be so genuine and real, others want what you have
Every day we all wake up with a brand-new start and hope for the best. But I think, we know that we are imperfect beings doing the best we can with what we have. So, as you listen to the media (tainted and biased as you think it may be), and you watch news and hear all the promises and lies and hopes and hoaxes think about character, think about faith.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

Be beautiful..and let the world catch up!
"Be beautiful, and let the world catch up."
Just thinking of those eight words even now - makes my heart flutter. What a wonderful way to say "do not be afraid to be yourself."
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by Focus on fabulous Creative Photography

Seek the beauty over bombarded negativity
In a world bombarded with and catering to negativity, I believe we can make the choice to see things in a positive light or at least recognize the good in even the worst situations.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by:JennaHamra Pexels

Your motivational mantra
No matter what the tiny voice in your head, the haters or the naysayers tell you, you CAN obtain the life you desire.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com

Return the gift. Really!
Think about what would happen if you woke up today with only what you were grateful for yesterday. But beyond being grateful, give back. Return the gift. Share something.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/

Look at me. What do you see?
I once asked someone "look at me and tell me what you see." They said, I see a woman, a pretty smile, your colored dress." If you ask most people to look at the person next to them and tell what they see, often they will say a physical feature.
amongthefabulous@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/Girlitstimetofocusonthesparkle/
https://anchor.fm/michelle-bryant/support
Image by KaiqueRocha on Pexels

Living your life with purpose
Our unique purpose explains what we should be doing in our lives. When our passions and purpose are greater than our fears, excuses, and entanglements, our lives become rich and overflowing. The purpose of life is not merely to be happy, provide happiness and share happiness but to be useful and honorable, compassionate and passionate, to share our stories that others may be inspired and encouraged, to make a difference and leave a legacy for others displaying that we have lived a happy, blessed, well and purposeful life. If you have a story youd like to share email amongthefabulous@gmail.com
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