Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs & Pauline McKenzie Day, aka the Dynamic Duo Doula Team, led us in a series of exercises that allowed us to connect with our sisters, reflect on the things we took in throughout the weekend and share the visions we had for ourselves once we left the conference– all taking place in the sister circle.

The first exercise we did was choose a partner, sit across from her and stare into her eyes for one minute (which, admittedly, was difficult for me to do). Most of us had an emotional experience with that, and a few people shared what it was like.

Next, we shared, with our same partner, our visions for how we want our lives to be after attending the conference. Then, we created a haiku for our partner, to affirm them and their visions.

The Dynamic Duo then had us ask each other how we felt after those activities, and we created a dance that embodied that feeling. Finally, they asked us to think of a sound we’d want a baby to hear as she came into the world.

Overall, it was a beautiful, transformational, empowering and inspiring experience, as was the Black Women Life Balance and Wellness Conference itself.

Plans for the 2013 conference are underway, so be sure you don’t miss out! Sign up for the mailing list to the right!

She explained what the day you were born means, which is the inner child. The day you were born gives understanding to your youthful natural gifts, character strengths and weaknesses when you’re under 30-years-old. They help your Life’s Path Purpose after maturity as well. So, for example if you were born July 21, your inner child number would be (2+1=3). 

Men-Na’a went on to discuss what your total date of birth means, which identifies character strengths, weaknesses and talents to develop and use for your work during maturity past 30-years-old. So, for instance, if your birthday is July 20, 1985, your number is (7+2+0+1+9+8+5=32 = 3+2=5).

Additionally, she discussed the foods one should eat, depending on their numbers.

To learn more about mathematical code and L’dia Men-Na’a's work, visit her website, HealthWealthandRomance.com.

“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” ~ James Baraz

“What brought you here (to this session and to the conference)?” asked Stephanie P. Jones, on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at the Black Women’s Life Balance Conference.  ”What are you leaving with that you didn’t have when you arrived?”

It was a morning of reflection, a time to consider possibilities to move within oneself and consider all that was learned.  To embrace the changes that took place over the weekend after attending so many sessions.  Participants, after sharing their prior experiences with journaling were faced with a point to face themselves with two small questions from Jones.  It is those questions that set the intention of the session.

Being aware of the fullness of an experience and expressing it in the way it manifests itself is the object of being mindful.  Jones used this idea to expand the current view of what a journal could be.  It could be for ranting and raving raving, morning pages (as described by Julia Cameron) or T.I. style (Jones’ phrase “whatever you like”).  She also encouraged participants to reconsider the journal having to take place in a book.  Jones mentions, “Being mindful means doing what you feel like in that present moment and with no apologies.”

The journal options for the session included Journal spilling – mixed media techniques (Diana Trout), post it journals, poetry journals and  so many more.  ”Try something different,” Jones said.

For more information on mindful journalling, contact Stephanie Jones at spatricejones@gmail.com, www.truthmob.wordpress.com.   The link to the conference presentation is http://portal.sliderocket.com/CBGFF/Journal-Writing

On Sunday, July 15, 2012 during the Black Women’s Life Balance Conference, Melissa “Nubian Sun” Green, LMSW conducted an inspirational and transformational workshop on the power and healing of dance.  Dance was utilized as a stress relieving technique, a spiritual centering resource and venue to just BE.

“DANCE AS THOUGH NO IS WATCHING!” Blindfolded, participants were encouraged to move according to the natural flow of their bodies.  Jazz, African, R & B, Funk, and so much more were used to challenge participants to move through stages of freedom, strength and wholeness.

During the post-dance dialogue, participants expressed feelings of elation, joy and gratitude for such an opportunity to move and to create a stronger sense of connection with self.  This transformative dance workshop created a platform for rebirth, renewal and restoration as women felt layers of stress, negativity and burdens shed from their spiritual selves. Melissa encouraged participants to use dance for prayer, cleansing, mediation, spiritual balance, and, of course, fun.

Dr. John Lipman is a nationally recognized fibroid expert who has made it his life’s goal to educate and treat women who suffer from uterine fibroids. He is most known for his pioneering work in the non-surgical UFE procedure, Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. A couple of statistics: One in three women have uterine fibroids, and up to 80 percent of African-American women have them.

Most women with uterine fibroids have no symptoms, but those who do may experience heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle, gushing, flooding and soiling clothing during their menstrual cycle, anemia, pelvic pain and the need to urinate frequently.

Although a common procedure, according to many researchers, at least 75 percent of hysterectomies are unnecessary. Additionally:

• Hysterectomies are the second most common surgeries in the U.S.
• One in five women have lost their uterus by age 40.
• The average age a woman receives a hysterectomy is 40.
• The number one reason women receive hysterectomies is to get rid of fibroids.

A few reasons gynecologists should not be so quick to suggest taking a woman’s uterus out are: surgical complications, potential post-surgery effects, including psychological, castration (sexual – loss of libido) and urinary incontinence (leaking); importance of uterus outside of childbearing (protection against osteoporosis, cardioprotection — without the uterus, you’re at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke); causes a great deal of morbidity and mortality.

Options to treat uterine fibroids include:

• If you have no symptoms, no treatment is necessary.
• Dietary/herbal
• Certain medications
• Ablation (performed by gynecologist in the office)
• UFE
• Surgical hysterectomy or myomectomy

Although UFE is a proven effective method for treating uterine fibroids, women don’t receive the treatment for several reasons: They don’t hear about it from their gynecologists, and gynecologists need to step up and inform patients of all treatment options. Over one million women suffer from fibroids because they believe a hysterectomy is their only option, and they don’t want surgery.

Dr. Lipman shared the differences between hysterectomies and UFE:

Hysterectomies

• Spend one to three days in the hospital
• Receive general anesthesia
• It’s a major abdominal surgical procedure
• Six to eight week recovery time
• Lose your uterus

UFE

• Outpatient, non-surgical procedure
• Local anesthesia and IV sedation
• Go home with just a band-aid
• Four to five day recovery (can return to work in a week)
• Keep your uterus

Also, generally, the results of UFE are:

• More than 90 percent experience less or no more symptoms
• Treats all fibroids in the uterus
• Very effective in treating menorrhagia (heavy and prolonged menstrual period)
• Minimally invasive
• One-time procedure
• No adhesion/scar formation
• No surgical wound
• No blood loss
• No general anesthesia
• You keep your uterus!

To learn more about Dr. Lipman’s work, UFE and other treatments, visit AtlantaFibroidClinic.com.

A very powerful and inspirational talk, which included her sharing her personal story, Williams gave us several nuggets to take away and apply to our own lives so that we may live free and balanced:

• Take off your masks, even those you forgot you had on.
• When interacting with others, remember, you don’t know their personal stories.
• When we don’t deal with our stuff, we self-medicate with drugs, alcohol, food, etc.
• The disease to please will take you out. If you love yourself, you won’t take crap from certain people.
• Being strong means being able to ask for help and being able to let the tears flow.
• If you’re child asks you, “Are you angry?” or “Are you sad?,” and you lie to them, saying “no,” you’re teaching them to lie and hide how they feel. You’re setting them up to not deal with their emotions properly.
• You have to be in the right frame of mind to achieve your goals.
• Take off your mask and share with others.
• Step out of your comfort zone.
• Give yourself permission to say “no.”
• Share who you are and your struggles with the younger generation.

To learn more about Terrie Williams and her work, visit her online at http://www.terriewilliams.com/.

Dr. Miller discussed some of the reasons women face difficulties and inequalities in the workplace, which are:

• Challenges
• Glass ceiling
• Stereotypes
• Double bind
• Tokenism
• Political Skill
• Impression Management

Dr. Jordan discussed her research, which entailed interviewing Black women in corporate America who had higher positions and how they resisted gender racism in the workforce. A few of the ways were:

• Confronting for others on issues related to gender racism
• Performing
• Promoting and creating identity
• Using positional power
• Self-Advocating
• Spiritualizing

The ladies also provided tips on creating a better work environment and moving ahead to where you want to be in your career:

• Be aware of the perceptions inherent in the workplace.
• Support one another.
• Be yourself.
• Have your own board of directors (aka mentors).
• Build your network.

The session ended with all attendees sharing one thing they would start doing to get on the journey to where they want to be.

To learn about Dr. Stacy, visit her at www.MillerCascade.com; and to learn more about Dr. Jordan, visit her at www.cheryljordanphd.com.

“Keep your attention on your intention.” Anonymous

2 years ago, Lakia Brandenburg was having lunch with a friend, who recommended she write a book about her marriage process (pre-counseling to post wedding).  Brandenburg had been a freelance writer but never considered penning a longer manuscript.  Today she owns a printing press, has her book, Picture Perfect, available at Barnes and Noble and speaks at difference conferences and events.  Brandenburg owes her success to focusing on her dreams by using a Vision Board. On Saturday, July 14, 2012, she shared her story at the Black Women’s Life Balance and Wellness Conference.

A Vision Board is a collection of words and images chosen and strategically placed to encourage a visual of a specific goals.  For Brandenberg, it was absolutely essential to living our her dream.  She first tore out pages from magazines, paying close attention to which words and clipping spoke to hear. She then placed the clippings on the floor, in a place she called “her sanctuary” and prayed over the pages to refine her subject. “I had to rearrange what wasn’t in line,” said Brandenburg, “The vision didn’t become smaller, it became clearer.”  She then pasted things onto the board, then placed it in an area that she could see it every day, including the contents in her prayers.   She feels this was the catalyst for her new career, and later expanded it to include total balance in her life in the areas of: Relationship/Love, Health/Wellness, Business/Finances, Spirituality/Faith

Brandenburg then gave an exercise to the women, challenging them to start creating a Vision Board in that very session.  She has three steps

Dream!

• Identify goals for each chapter of your story
• Identify purpose through passions and gift.  What is it that you want to do deep down in your core?

Create!

• Peruse and study magazine images and word
• Align magazine images and words to your dreams and goals.
• Clip magazine images to your board.

Frame!

• Create a headline for your dream or chapters
• Create a system of clarity (e.g compartments for each chapter or section)
• Paste the clippings to your board

The women in the session were so inspired they wanted to continue the boards during the next session, lunch.  Brandenberg spoke one on one with different attendees and encouraged everyone to continue their vision boards after leaving the conference.  For more information on her book or vision boards, contact her at author@lakiabrandenburg.com, www.lakiabrandenberg.com, and Twitter: @authorLakiaB

 ”You are just one clipping away from getting what you want in your life.” Lakia Brandenberg

Cutts presented first a list of assumptions to make about creating the visions.  ”Living your vision may not sound right to others, but will for you.”  Cutts further stated,  ”Follow as much as you do know; take the risk, trust.”

The participants then contextualized their individual visions by answering 8 questions through a Purpose and Vision inventory.  Designed to identify what drives them, what make them feel vital, what they are good at, and to Clarify their Vision of Career Success, the reflections became a launch pad for plotting the next steps.  These ideas, for many, were now the road map to build a path to success.

Actively connecting with their dreams turned to discussions of true career goals, and the participating visionaries were able to consider embracing their current space as a starting point.  The challenge for each person now becomes working on a Vision and Mission statement, developing an ideal job situation and concrete goals based on the ideal job to ensure the vision comes to fruition.

Nicole Cutts, Ph.D can be reached for consultations at http://www.cuttsconsulting.com.  For more information about Vision Quest Retreats, see http://visionquestretreats.com/

Bedford shared her personal testimony of how, at one point in her life, she was homeless (while in seminary), had been laid off from her job and was unemployed for four years. She says it was nothing but God’s grace that got her through the situation and that the circumstances showed her how strong she really was.

Attendees did an “I have a dream” exercise, writing down the dreams we had when we were younger and who or what held us back from reaching those dreams. She also gave us a “clean slate” paper to write down our current dreams and goals and how we would get on the path to achieving them. A few inspirational tidbits from her talk:

• At some point, you have to stand in your own shoes.
• When God made you, He was showing off.
• Be vulnerable with yourself. If someone said something that hurt you years ago, and you’re still affected by it, ask yourself, “Why does this thing keep bothering me?” And be honest with yourself.
• The outside noise (people’s opinions, negative thoughts, etc.) keep us from living our purpose. It’s a matter of you deciding who you will and will not listen to.
• “When life hits hard, punch back!”

Check out and follow Veronica’s Bedford’s blog, The Bedford Files.