History, Civility & Signs of Hope

With 62 days left in our countdown to May and Civility Awareness Month, we're also nearing the end of Black History Month.

Take a moment to think about this month and the chronicles of the great leaders from our past; then ask yourself...

Did I learn anything from them?

Remember their stories of challenges and afflictions; then ask yourself...

Am I looking into their triumphant hearts, or am I seeing only their afflictions and pain?

And as you recount their stories of survival, ask yourself...

Do I also hear their message for us to live a better life together
and to thrive?

History shows us that a better world was desired for future generations of all races and all stations in life. Those before us knew that the world could be better by connecting and understanding each other.

I choose to focus on this direction that leads to the world they wanted, and I relish in the possibilities.

Unfortunately, I know we still have a long way to go. For example, look at what happened to young Zendaya Coleman on Oscar Night.
Click here for Zendaya on Oscar night


Now see here how she handled it:

Zendaya's BLISSFUL response

My granddaughter sent this link to me because she knows how much I admire Zendaya (and I still believe she was the real winner of Season 16's Dancing With the Stars...ok, I'm over it...well, almost).

Yes, I've always admired her and you can see why. She knows herself and what it takes to remain poised and confident in the face of blatant disrespect. I admire the amount of class that's packed into such a young lady and the way she uses her fame as a platform for positive behavior. She is someone for young kids to model; greatly respected by her peers and adults. She is a symbol of hope for the future.

So here, at the close of Black History Month, think about the past four weeks of discussions of triumph and understanding.

Think about Zendaya's story and how we're still treating each other with disrespect and widespread criticism.

Think of all this and then ask yourself one last thing...

What am I doing to build upon the foundations created for us?

And then make sure it's something positive!  
  
~What did you learn during Black History Month? Please share in the comments below. 

 

            City of Hampton's
          Administrative Professionals 
                    Support Group

                            April 26, 2012 

Author & Keynote Speaker,
TAMMY THOMAS HOPSON

                                          
                             
                            Getting Ready...                           

Setting Up

My Hype-man makes sure
everything's Just Right!

Final Inspection...Everything's A-Go!

A Blissfully Full House!

Mmmm...the food was
DELICIOUS!

Robert & Me

Bliss Book  Event 

                for the

First Fuits of Praise

                   
                           Women's Day 
                                               Hosted by 
                     The Women's Ministry
                                         April 21, 2012

Speaker Tammy & Hostess Lisa

Mary, My Blissful Associate

     

Pastor & Brother Rick taking care
of the set-up

Vendors Getting Ready

IDCC Featured at Local Bank

Old Point National Bank has begun featuring my business, Image Design Consulting Company along with my newly-released book, “Creating Bliss ~ Better Living In Seven Steps”. The business, the book, and I will be on display at this local bank for 2 weeks and right from the beginning (even during set-up) it has attracted a great deal of interest and attention. 

The bank is located at 24 Wine Street in Downtown Hampton, Virginia, and I hope that those of you who are in the area will stop by and give your support. Of course I’ll be back with pictures.

THE MAGIC OF SPRING

March has come and with it has emerged the beginning of spring, the season that represents new life, balance, and growth. Open up to this newness by tossing away the sleepy remnants of winter and embracing the magic of spring.

 

The following actions can produce value in your life at any time of the year; but doing so at springtime creates a greater impact as you are balancing life at the same time Mother Earth naturally balances hers.

Spring in your life:

Add spring to your life: Think clean, fresh, thoughts. Eat well – lots of seasonal fruits and veggies – natural cleaners for your physical body. Prepare colorful casseroles and most importantly, eat your entire meal with reverence, acknowledging beyond pre-meal prayer, the blessings in which it was provided to you.

Spring in your home:

Nothing says freshness like a clean, fresh-smelling home. Citrus fruit set out in bowls create bursts of visual and olfactory stimulation. Flowers from your garden or from that of a family member or friend produce both beauty and a sense of connection as loving energies are shared.

No access to a garden? No problem. The next time you’re shopping for groceries, purchase a convenient and inexpensive bouquet from your local store. And why not create a garden of life for next year? Fill it with pleasure-giving herbs and flowers. If you can’t do it yourself, begin making plans now to have it done by someone else.

Spring in your step:

Add spring to your step by exercising first thing in the morning, outside if possible. Take a short walk before you begin your day. Have your breakfast beverage of coffee, tea, fruit juice, or even better – water, outside on the porch or patio where you can enjoy early morning fresh air before it is polluted by the general toxins of the day. 

Small actions such as these can boost your level of vitality in a big way, providing you with abundant strength and energy.

Until next time, enjoy the springtime and Continued BLISS!!!

Tammy

Celebrate NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY

on March 6

Last week I talked about teaching our children good sportsmanship and all the positive characteristics that could be learned along with them.

Although Tuesday, March 6th is the 21st annual National Sportsmanship Day (NSD), the Hopson Household celebrated it a little early this year, along with our grandchildren.

You see this past weekend was NBA All-Star Weekend. We’re big fans of basketball, including the children, so it’s become a tradition for us to spend the weekend enjoying the events together.

Michael and I let the grandkids (ages 12 and 14) decide on all the fun stuff we’d do. While letting them know that we were there if they needed assistance, we also managed to ease in some valuable lessons and help them work on the following skills:  

How to Plan and Make Decisions for a group

They planned the entire weekend; including menus, ingredients for special recipes, grocery lists and activities to serve as time-fillers between NBA TV events.

How to Design Schedules, Establish Deadlines (and stick to them)

Final plans were set for the week before (with adult approval, of course). The kids used calendars and scheduled programming to coordinate events with other necessary activities, like yard work, housework, trips to the barber shop, etc.  

How to Encourage Teamwork

The kids determined the necessary tasks and were prepared to assign them; but due to their enthusiasm and encouragement, we all just volunteered.  

How to Let Go of Status Quo

By making this year better than last year, the kids dodged complacency and are already stretching themselves by thinking of ways to make next year even better. This develops a great habit for life in general.

How to be Competitive and Keep Fun in the Mix

Since all four of us have different NBA favorites in players and teams, there was a lot of cheering, taunting, and trash-talking. It’s important that children learn how to balance competitive behavior with considerate action, so while viewing the events (and sometimes after the event) Michael and I prompted many discussions in this area, such as:

·  The kids’ perceptions of the teamwork (or lack of) that was displayed

·  Their perception of individual and team characteristics (confidence, encouragement, determination, competitiveness, selfish/unselfish plays, etc).

·  Trash-talking and how it can inspire either inner-determination or create negative reactions.

 "Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly." ~~Shaquille O'Neal

There are so many strong character traits that can be taught to enhance and inspire our youth just by interacting with them. Use mutual interests and look for subtle ways to teach them through fun and games. Encourage them to not only play as a good sport, but to live their lives as good sports, too. 

Learn more about National Sportsmanship Day here

LIVE YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED


With the tragic death of singer and actress Whitney Houston, people are split when thinking about her life. Some focus on her talents and pay tribute to all that she gave to the world while others focus just on the turmoil that seemed to plague her life.

While the things being said about Whitney may or may not be true, you can’t help but believe that given the choice, Whitney would want only her artistic life to be remembered by her loving fans. Sadly, that’s not the reality of things.

Although tragic, this event can bring about an opportunity to others; an opportunity to self-reflect. Ask yourself:

• Are you living your life in a way that you’d like to be remembered?
• Does your life merit the kind of tribute you’d be proud to have spoken about you after you’re gone?

If you answered NO, then the next question to ask yourself is “Why not?” If you want an honestly good tribute and not a generic one – you know, the kind that you hear at most funerals when people sugar-coat the life of the deceased so they won’t disgrace the family with facts of a messy life – then do something about it now. It’s not too late. You can still create the kind of life you want.

If you’re not living your truth from within, you’re living dishonestly. If you don’t want to live a dishonest life, then STOP. You’re not being true to anyone unless you do; not even to yourself. You have the power to change your life for the better. 

Live your happiness. Live your true Bliss. Devote your time, energy and focus on the things you care about and your life will go on forever through the love and positive memories you will leave behind.

APPLAUD YOURSELF

In the past, I've pointed out to clients their worth, their importance, and their value. And usually after hearing just a few of what I call their "positive perpetuations", most of them could then take over and recognize their light, themselves.

That’s what I want you to do, too.

I want you to climb to the next level and see yourself in a bigger way – in a brighter light – in a stronger chain that’s linked by human connections. I want you to discover your own reasons to applaud the remarkable person you’ve been to yourself and to others. I give you praise and now it’s time you praised yourself too.

Take notice of yourself right now. What are you doing? Don’t think you’re doing much? Well, you are. You’re reading this. Applaud yourself! At this point in time, you chose to read something that adds bliss to your life, no matter how good your life is at this time. You’re aspiring to be more than who you are and by doing so; you’re contributing to the world.

So don’t just go through your actions as if they were nothing. See them for all they really are. Then applaud yourself! It’s that easy. Applaud yourself and really feel the praise you’re giving you. Consciously think more about what you do and how you perform on a regular basis. Recognize the way you add to the world; maybe in little ways, but in ways that could make big differences. You see, it’s not about finding the cure for a life-threatening disease. Nor is it about running a mega-company. It doesn’t have to be on a grand scale to be a grand stand.

Look for the many reasons you already have to applaud yourself and know in your heart that it’s not about how large you contribute, but how well.

Include Everyone in Your Holiday Celebrations
Want to start a new tradition this year? How about making your Holiday Season a diverse one? 

Some people have family members who choose to follow a different religion than the rest of the family. Some may adopt the cultural habits of others. Embrace those differences. Find out more about them. Celebrate the uniqueness of all during this holiday season.

After all, this is the time of year to express peace and good will toward all, right?

Listed below are a few things you can do with and for family members, friends, and anyone else within your circle of acquaintances whose values, beliefs, cultures, or traditions are different from what you are accustomed to.

• Invite your friend to a dinner/celebration and ask them to bring their favorite dessert or a dish that represents their culture or tradition.  
• Involve the kids. Have them research a culture or religion different from your own and share an interesting fact during dinner. The family can vote for the most interesting fact learned.
• Understand that a need is a need in any walk of life. Combine your efforts and give to a charity in the name of both your religions.

Opening up to the differences of others will not minimize the importance of our beliefs or values in any way. Instead, it creates deeper connections through the sharing of ourselves. It gives us another way to grow and learn from each other. Remember, to share is to care. (Excerpt from my book, "Creating Bliss ~ Better Living In Seven Steps"

Remember, it’s not about your way or mine. It’s not about traveling in only one direction in life. It’s about inclusion, involvement, and support; and sometimes even adaptation. It’s about connecting to expand in all directions of life.

So introduce some new traditions into your family celebrations. Bring family and friends closer through the respect and acceptance of all. Do this and give the gift of love to all; the gift that’s understood and accepted in any culture or religion.

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What is your favorite family tradition? Leave a comment below.

Include Our Veterans in Your Holiday Celebrations

Since the holiday season officially kicks off on November 25th of this month, and Veteran’s Day is Friday, November 11th, why not combine them and plan a holiday tribute to all the brave people who have kept and continue to keep our great country safe. A businessman from Maine, Morrill Worcester and his family did just that in 1992 when they turned their gesture of allegiance into an annual holiday event that now includes all of America. With the support of volunteers, this event embodies elements of loyalty, honor, celebration, gratitude, and education. Check out their inspirational beginnings  and consider helping out in your area .

Explore Several Techniques to Maintain Inner Balance

There is no one method to maintain balance in life so it’s wise to use whatever works to maintain yours. 

There are definite practices that afford me the positive feelings that come from being centered and balanced; like meditation, sacred walks, journaling, etc. For the most part, those daily practices work. But then there’re those days when I find I need an extra dose of “letting go” of thoughts and feelings that threaten to rattle my spirit to the core.

In my new book, “Creating B.L.I.S.S. – Better Living In Seven Steps”  , I have outlined various ways to get to that wonderful state of balance and the benefits that come from knowing when to use them; techniques that include prayer, meditation, yoga, walking, breathing, playing, and many others as they all tend to place the spirit in harmony.

What really works is whatever works for you. Explore different methods but know that it’s not necessary to do them all. Only when you understand how you benefit from each, will you know what to do to benefit yourself the most.

For example, an early morning walk can be an energizing start to a great day. And if your day later takes a hectic turn, try meditation to stay focused on the actions needed to get you through the remainder of your day. And if meditation’s not possible at the time, focus on your breathing; that always works. You’re breathing anyway, why not be mindful of it and expel all stress with each exhale. Get the idea?

Know which techniques work best when your spirit needs them the most. And remember; don’t wear yourself out trying every technique you’ve ever heard of. Simply do what’s necessary to boost your spirit when the need arises and you will lessen all threats of imbalance. 


~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

How do you maintain balance in your life? 

Who Are You?

Have you ever asked yourself this very basic question? If you have, did you listen to your answer? Notice I said your answer and not the answer. What comes to mind may not be your true answer; not what's really inside of you. It may come from you and it may come from others who know you; or think they know you. Worse yet, it may come from those who knew you in the past, even though you're not that person now.

So who are you? Did you think of an answer yet? Were they your thoughts or someone else's? We get so caught up in what's going on outside of ourselves...family, work, duties, obligations...yadda, yadda, yadda...that we tend to bury our true selves.

Sound familiar? Recognize yourself yet? Don't feel bad if you do. This has been the case for all of us at some point in our lives. But it doesn't have to continue that way for the rest of our lives. So what do you do? You silence the outside noise and calm yourself to:

• Get to know yourself
• Distinguish between your own ideas and those influenced by others

Then, just as you love, trust and believe in a close friend, you will learn to love, trust and believe in your inner voice...your true self.

~-This post is an Excerpt from my soon-to-be released book 
“Creating B.L.I.S.S. ~ Better Living in Seven Steps”

For a sneak peek, read a sample chapter from the book HERE