The Write Success: Rework Your Business

Hey #Just Write!! Have you ever heard the saying "less is more?" Or what about the phrase, "work smarter, not harder?" I use to hear the latter mantra a lot at the restaurant job I had upon my move to Atlanta in 2008. I was already dealing with a rough season of getting adjusted to a new city, graduating during a recession, and just life happening. The last thing I needed at the time was my "bread and butter" as my father would say being affected. A dear friend in college once said that God made everything easy, it's us as people that make things difficult. I still believe that today. When it comes to business, the concept of less is more is intertwined throughout the book "ReWork" by authors Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.

 

The book basically dives into concepts that many of us who never had examples of entrepreneurship before starting our own businesses. For example, the authors believe that what we were once taught is counterproductive to what is necessary for a successful business such as a need for a business plan, focus on competition, investors, increasing staff, and the need to be a workaholic. In all transparency, I followed no blueprint for my business. I spent years perfecting my craft and I saw a need which led to having clients. My previous clients, referrals, and partnerships were my marketing for me. No one really knew I was starting a business. I didn't even ask any close friends to invest in my business. The investors that I have encountered didn't put any money towards my business; they just deposited words of encouragement and knowledge for growth. I'm quite sure many of you who are reading this can also relate when it comes to business. Many of us were simply minding our busyness before God made a way for us to be about His business in the most unconventional way. I'm interested to know how this book "ReWork" speaks to this same unconventional definition of success. If you are interested as well, be sure to join us this month as we have Elder Craig Heath as our guest who will lead the conversation for our Book of the Month discussion. I pray that many of us have seen this pandemic as a blessing in disguise in terms of reworking our business plans and simply just thinking outside of the box. Don't forget to tune in to the discussion on April 27th at 6pm via Zoom (link will be posted in forthcoming Facebook event post within the Just Write group). 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley

The Write SOULution: Cultivating a Healthy Soul

Hey #JustWrite!! We are in March and I remember this time last year the world was getting use to lockdowns and mask mandates. I was preparing for my last semester in graduate school and enjoying the freedom to really be still and focused. As I witnessed many lose love ones to COVID and other ailments (I lost a cousin during the summer from a long-term illness), I couldn't help but wonder about their life, physically and spiritually. Usually people tend to think about their spiritual health when they are getting closer to older age. During this pandemic, many of us have been hardworking at obtaining healthy eating, living, finances, businesses, families, but what about a healthy soul? What does it mean for us to have a healthy soul? This month's featured discussion will be centered on the book, "Soul Care: 7 Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul" by Dr. Rob Reimer. 

These principles for a healthy soul include securing your identity, repentance, breaking family sin patterns, forgiving others, healing wounds, overcoming fears, and deliverance. As humans, we are composed of the body, soul, and spirit. In other words, "we are spiritual beings having a human experience." _Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. "God knew who we were before He formed us in our mother's womb." (Jeremiah 1:5) God created us and it is very important that we take the time to recharge our souls as much as we rest our bodies, minds, while incorporating other activities in our regime. Crosswalk.com provides the following 8 practical ways to care for one's soul: 

1. Schedule time for solitude 

2. Sit in silence. 

3. Abide in prayer 

4. Practice God's presence 

5. Institute 'Grace Breaks'

6. Express Gratitude 

7. Slow Down 

8. Journal

Feel free to read the article as these tips help to dive deeper into the principles Dr. Reimer discusses in his book. The last tip from the article, journaling, is a tip we as scribes know very well. It helps us to get before God and tap into what is being said while creating focus and building relationship. Join host Natolie Warren on March 30 as she leads the discussion on a journey of discovery within. The overall goal is a healthy soul, one principle at a time.

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley

The Write Enhancement: Repairing Love and Relationships

Hello #JustWrite and hello February!! I'm sure most of you reading this had an interesting January especially after reading the book Pivot that was featured in last month's blog and book club discussion. This month's topic is about love and relationships. As we know February is the month we celebrate Valentine's Day, a day set aside to celebrate and commemorate love in all forms from family, friends, and intimate relationships. This month's discussion will be centered around the book, "Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by author Dr. Sue Johnson. For over 30 years, Dr. Johnson has demonstrated success in her expertise of couples therapy and adult attachment. She has won numerous awards for her development of her acclaimed Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy (EFT). Her best-selling book speaks to her therapy which has helped many to repair their love and relationships. It has also been utilized in a workshop format. The following is a quote from Dr. Johnson: 

This quote speaks to how many of us have experienced love in this lifetime. Love has been a picture of bliss for some while for others, love appeared to be a false reality of hurt and shame. No matter where we are in life, we all desire love and relationships. As a matter of fact, we were all created to love and relate. No matter what life has brought us through, we all deserve to love and to be loved. Of course that love should be from a healthy place though. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks a similar message about love to his disciples in two verses. "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you", John 15:12. "These things I command you, that ye may love one another," John 15:17. These two verses speak to the overarching message of love according to the Gospel. We as believers are not only commanded to disciple each other but we are also commanded to love. Discipleship happens in singleness and marriage. Dr. Johnson's book mainly speaks about love and how it is important to find what disconnects many from their spouse and the tools that can be used to mend those relationships. Those same principles can be applied for everyday relationships with others and ourselves. We all deserve healthy and whole relationships. Join Just Write's book club discussion on 2/23 at 6pm with host Lynette Dandridge as she dives into these principles and connects the dots to the picture of repairing and enhancing love in relationships. 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley

The Write Shift: A Time to Pivot

 Happy 2021 #JustWrite!!

We all can admit that all of 2020 and the latter part of it set the tone for the shift that has taken place this year and it's only day 15. We've each experienced a shift, personally, professionally, spiritually, and most recently politically. I've witnessed with others and myself that the recent political shift has pushed a spiritual focus for many like no other. Many of us are on our face diligently praying and seeking God for revival and restoration. As always, the new year signifies new perspectives, new goals, and new projects. Also, most of us are seeking new business opportunities and new careers which leads to the following introduction for the January book of the month: Pivot: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One by author Jenny Blake. 

The word pivot means a turn, a rotation, or a shift. Jenny Blake is no stranger to a life's pivot as she "is a career and business strategist and international speaker who helps people move beyond burnout and create sustainable careers they love. She left her job in career development at Google in 2011 after five and a half years at the company to launch her first book, Life After College, and has since run her own consulting business in New York City" (Google Books, 2017). Her story resonates with many Generation Y individuals such as myself who have experienced constant changes within our careers and in some cases are left wondering what is next. Without giving much away, the book discusses four components when faced with a career change: Planting, Scanning, Piloting, and Launching. First, one plants by deciding that he or she needs to make a change by assessing their value and what they can bring to the table. Next, the scanning process includes the pursuit of new opportunities. A great network of mentors and advisors can assist with this process. Third, before any great launch there comes a moment of piloting one's opportunities. This means testing the waters and taking baby steps to reach the final goal. For example, before becoming the blogmaster for Just Write, I began blogging for myself and later as a freelancer. Once that previous season ended, I was confident to showcase my skills even further. The great thing about the pilot stage is that if something doesn't work, there is always the opportunity to receive feedback, adjust, and revisit the plan and scan stages.  Finally, there is the launching stage which is the moment one is enthused about new opportunities and ready to take the leap. It's like the saying goes, "don't reinvent the wheel." Find what works and continue on a journey of being fulfilled. Be sure to grab your copy of Pivot and look out for a discussion on January 26th. Remember future discussions for the books of the month are on the last Tuesday of each month. Whether you are a veteran writer or aspiring writer, continue to perfect your craft and work on those things that need improvement.

I leave you with the following quote from Dr. Martin Luther King: 

“Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” Here's to an amazing #2020Won!

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley

The Write Steps: A Time to Dance

 

Hey #JustWrite!! We have made it to the end of 2020!! If that's not enough to do a dance, I don't know what is. We all can agree that we are all very fortunate to still remain in God's good graces after all that we have endured and witnessed this year. I know for me the last month of the year always reminds me to get things in order for the following year and just for the sake of sanity and peace. December is the 12th month and the number 12 represents God's order and government and soon after we will be getting into step for 2021. Speaking of getting into steps, when we all think of the word "dance", music comes to mind as well as a rhythm. When music and rhythm combine, we begin to move in step to the synchronicity of the two elements. Sometimes we can flow with the rhythm and in some cases, we become out of step and our dance changes. The important thing to remember is to remain in tune to where we don't miss a beat. Within the Bible the word dance is captured within several stories in the Old Testament. According to a post by Abandon Ministries, "The first mention of movement in the Bible, however, is in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God was “hovering” (rachaph, to hover, tremble, shake, flutter) over the waters. This points to the fact that God actually uses movement in the act of creation. It is his movement that ushers in the creation of the next several days. While dance in itself is otherwise typically used as an act of victory and celebration, seeing dance as prophetic decree or enactment deepens its significance to one of a mighty weapon of war." Another significant story was the story of Miriam's "machola" or circle dance. This dance symbolized "the power of dance not only as a victory dance, but as prophetic enactment and paving the way for the Lord’s continued movement in our lives." This last line reminds me of the many praise dances most of us are accustomed to through our places of worship or in the comfort of our homes. Dances naturally evoke excitement and fun. When a person praise dances, it allows him or her to partake in worship while in the presence of God. Throughout this last holiday season of 2020, most of us will be with family sharing in memories, laughter, and an occasional dance or two. There's nothing much to say after that so I close with these last few words: let us all govern ourselves accordingly and continue to get in step with what is coming forth. As the song says, "I hope you dance."

Happy holidays and see you in 2021!!

The Write Assembling: A Time to Gather

Hello #JustWrite!! Once again it's November and it seems like we were just ending another year not too long ago. As we know November begins the holiday season where we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. For some, it's the only time to gather with loved ones to create memories and moments. When we gather, we are 'coming together' or 'assembling' and from a technical standpoint, we 'collect' or 'accumulate'. As our political climate continues to evolve, it's very imperative to remember the importance of gathering. There is unity in gathering, a unity that is so needed during these times of division. The irony is that even though the pandemic created division with the lockdown and social distancing, we all have managed to become more unified than before. From a writing perspective, before we complete a project, it's imperative that we 'gather' all of our ideas and resources needed to create and finalize the end result. The Bible speaks on gathering in many ways through the following: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matt. 18:20 "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Cor. 14:26 "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 1 Peter 3:8.

Let's revisit gathering from a writing perspective. Most of us can recall the first written paper we had to submit for school. We can also remember the first time we had to seek assistance in finding resources and understanding how to use those resources to complete one's project. As writers, we classify resources as primary and secondary. Primary resources are more direct resources while secondary resources analyze and are reworked byproducts of primary resources. After identifying primary and secondary resources, writers research relevant print and electronic using various strategies. Depending on the goal of the project, writers should then identify if they need to utilize personal interviews and testimonies. After compiling resources, writers heighten their research even more by assessing whether each resource is relevant to their purpose and reliable. Relevancy includes developing the ability to read through each resource to see if it fits. Reliability of a source calls for the methods of critical thinking of the type, purpose, audience, quality, and current status. Of course, after gathering and assessing resources, the task of recording the information comes next.

Whether gathering happens from a social or written perspective, the goal for both situations is ultimately a composed project or an intentional fellowship. In almost two weeks, the majority of us will be gathering socially with our families to express our thankfulness. In other cases, some may be working on final projects for the year as new ideas are gathered for the upcoming year. Whatever the case may be, we all should use this time wisely and enjoy the processes along the way. I end with this quote, 

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. "_Leonardo di Vinci. 

Let's finish strong!!

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley

The Write Contentment: A Time for Peace

 Hello #JustWrite!! We have made it to the last quarter of 2020 and it seems like the year just began. We all can agree that this year alone brought a lot of turmoil, discord, confusion, distress, unrest, and lack of order. When I saw that this month's theme was about peace, my spirit quickened as I was reminded of how much peace is needed in the world after all that we have experienced and will continue to experience. October 10th was World Mental Health day, a day set aside to acknowledge and share resources/encouragement for those who suffer with mental illness. All of us are or have suffered with a mental infirmity to some degree. After all that we have witnessed thus far, I know I'm not the only one who feels that the current events has triggered occasional moments of anxiety, depression, and other mental struggles. In some cases those struggles are a result of imbalances in the body that can be worked through with counseling, medicine, and alternative methods. The good news is that peace is present when we learn to find contentment in our present state despite adversity and other stressors. The word "peace" has many meanings but in this context, "peace" is defined as a freedom from disturbance; a state of which a war has ended. The subject of peace was discussed briefly in the December 2019 blog as we were closing out the year and preparing for 2020. I wrote on the subject of solace and loneliness as it related to the holiday season and life in general. I never imagined that it was preparing us for what we have experienced this year. Remember, as believers in Christ, we are in this world, not of this world. The Bible speaks on peace that only Christ can give, not what the world can give. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." The scripture commands us to not give in to fear and weariness. Fear has crippled many of us during this time as each day consists of so many different reports. But as always, whose report will we believe? The world is exactly what is presented to us; a flawed mass of mess that should not be a surprise to anyone because it is not our home. I read the following Facebook post from Carine Lewis, a Bible teacher I connected with about 2 years ago at a women's conference: "I don’t think the average Christian in America has a clue to how intentional the god of this world, Satan, is in his schemes. Our ignorance, prayerlessness, addictions, and propensity to walk in division with one another makes his work incredibly easy when in reality, God has given us the kind of authority through Jesus Christ that should make his labor arduous. The Body of Christ should have barriers, but instead we have open doors to who the scriptures call a LION.😩 God, have mercy on your people. Have mercy on me." Whew!! What a powerful plea!! As we exit out of 2020 in the next 2 months, let's stay the course and pray a prayer of peace not only for ourselves but for the world. Also, let's pray that our hearts are content and prepared for what's to come. Philippians 4:6 says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

In His service,

Lequvia Ousley