FEEL GOOD: Put Yourself First

I was driving home one evening with my radio cranked to HOT 105 of course, when a song I've played on my radio show for years consumed me. It struck a nerve like Chicken Little dodging elimination on American Idol.

As I was singing along to Jaheim's "Put that Woman First," (hey what women doesn't want to sing at the top of her lungs...you better put that women first!) I had to ponder on the thought, when was the last time I did something for myself? Hummm… for a few hours on my birthday, about 10 minutes last night during my shower, right now during my ride home. Through my quick analysis, I discovered I had not put myself first in a long time.

You know ladies; we were born to be nurturers. We put everyone and everything in the forefront of our lives; our children, our men, our jobs, our friends, and our family. It is time ladies that we put ourselves on center stage in the production of our lives. And truly set the stage for truly living abundantly.

I thought living abundantly meant being a super-wife, super-mom, super-friend, super-daughter, super-radio host and skillfully multi-tasking everything on my to-do list. I was the actress, director, and producer of my one-woman show thinking I was doing it. I may have gotten everything completed by the end of the day, but I was run down and stressed out. That's no way for a Working Diva to conquer the world.

Now when the opening credits roll at the beginning of my day, I start with a shorter to-do list and less time giving of myself to everyone and everything. This gives me time to catch up with my sister friends, write in my journal after two years, or lay out on my balcony and just chill. There is nothing wrong with taking an intermission. ME TIME anyone?

Don't let another day go by without at least giving yourself time to energize or regroup. A restful mind is a productive mind. Don't let the curtain close on your day before you have had the chance to give to yourself.

So, that same day once I arrived home… I poured myself a glass of White Merlot, toasted to myself...and took center stage. Thanks Jaheim!

Now when the credits roll your day…what will you say you’ve done for yourself?

Five Minute Fix September 19th

Check out Mary's new Chevrolet Commercial. I LOVE this commercial! As Mary rolls in her new Chev Traverse she is accompanied by different versions of herself during her career. Let's just say, by the end of the commercial Mary has a breakthrough.

Let’s call it a come back. For the first time since “A Diff’rent World, Jada Pinkett Smith is set to star on the little screen. She will star in the new TNT drama Time Heals. She will represent working divas everywhere, playing a single mom who is the Director of Nursing at Charlotte Mercy Hospital in North Carolina. You can also check out Jada in the movie, The Women in theaters now.

Fashionistas listen Up…The Sex in the City movie sequel is a go! As you and your BFF’s gather this weekend to watch the movie on DVD, know that Michael Patrick King is off the write the next installment. More fashion, More Girl Chat, More Drama, More Passion…we can’t wait!

In more movie news. On the heels of Faith Evan's tell all book, Keeping the Faith...the movie on life of her late husband, the Notorious B.I.G. is in post-production. The movie Notorious, will be in theaters January 16, 2009. Angela Bassett will play Biggie’s mom, Volletta Wallace.

Oprah Winfrey the queen of media is taking on the world of animation. She will be one of the voices in the Disney animated film, The Princess and the Frog. Look for Disney's first black princess in theaters next year.

Karen Vaughn Book Club September 2008 Selection

She was the women who found herself in the middle of the East Coast/West Coast beef. She was Biggie's wife, and rumored lover of Tupac. If you ever wondered about the real story behind the glory days of Bad Boy, being Biggie’s wife, and the life of a single mom in the recording industry; Faith gives it to you straight with no chaser. Her life is full of twists and turns, ups and down, horror and happiness. After reading this memoir you will see how Faith has transcended into a balanced and fulfilled mother, wife, singer and now author. We can all find a little of ourselves in Faith's story.

Faith started her music career as a songwriter and session singer for Hi-Five, Christopher Williams, Al B. Sure, Usher, and Mary J. Blige. Her first meeting with Sean "Puffy" Combs in '94 turned into the beginning of her solo career which spawned her debut platinum album Faith. In the same year, she met and fell in love with label-mate The Notorious B.I.G. Their marriage marked the beginning of a turbulent relationship that would end in murder.