The Honeybee's Lifestyle

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  • I Think I Can

    Hello Honeybees,

    Last week I attended the Association of Women Attorneys annual banquet.  The attorney that was honored, Maureen Holland, gave a very moving and memorable speech. She talked about the people and causes that were important to her.  She talked about growing up in small towns in Vermont and how she taught herself to read.  She realized when she started first grade that she couldn’t read, so she went home, got a book and taught herself to read.  The book that she used was The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper. 

    Book Cover

    I know that most if not all of us have read The Little Engine That Could as a child.  Despite its size the determined little engine pulls a train full of toys to waiting children on the other side of a mountain. His mantra “I Think I Can, I Think I Can” is something that we learn to say at a very young age but guess what…as we grow older it’s something that we need to revisit.

    As Maureen went thru her presentation she talked about things in her life where she didn’t know if she would be successful but she tried anyway and things worked out……I Think I Can!! 

    There will ALWAYS be situations in life where we don’t know the outcome but we have to try anyway.  If we don’t try then we stay stuck where we are. I don’t know about you but I like moving forward…  I Think I Can!!!

    I think I can

    No matter the size of your obstacle big or small….. I Think I Can!

    It seems simple but it’s true….. You Can Do IT! No matter what IT might be. 

    I Think I Can!

    Belinda Bee pic

    What obstacles or challenges leave you saying ….. I Think I Can?

    Beewisdom- “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”- Henry Ford

  • A Day Of Sisterhood

    Hello Honeybees,

    On Friday January 15th, 2016 I had the privilege of celebrating the 108th Founders’ day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.  I use the word privilege because it is indeed a privilege to be a member of the FIRST black Greek letter sorority.  The day I became a member of AKA will always be one of the best days of my life.

    Legacy

    2016 was one of the best founders day ever for me.

    I started the celebration by wearing pink and green and pearls all week.  On Friday a coworker asked how much pink & green did I own?  It was so funny because I’m sure that the question has been asked of every AKA at some point.  My response was…when you see pink & green that you like & it works for you…..you buy it because you will always need it.

    On Friday I shared afternoon tea at the historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis with a diverse group of sorority sisters (Sorors).  There were “seasoned” Sorors, Sorors celebrating their first founders day, Sorors that were new to Memphis, Sorors that were returning to Memphis. Sorors that were initiated   undergrad and Soros that were initiated in grad. Some of us were renewing friendships and some of us were meeting for the first time.  The beauty of it all was we each got to share WHY we became Alpha Kappa Alpha women.  The sharing brought tears and laughter.

    Pinky Peabody

    For some it started in elementary school with a teacher, for some it was their mothers legacy, others is was just a deep, deep feeling in their heart.  The one theme that was true for everyone was SISTERHOOD. You could feel the strength of our bond in the room. I will never forget that feeling.

    Friday night I attended a Mix & Mingle.  A room full of beautiful women enjoying our great sisterhood.

    IMG_1932 IMG_1943

    Sororities are not for everyone and everyone should not be in a sorority. I compare sororities to families. No family is perfect.  Not all family members are perfect. Think about your last family reunion.  There are family members that you don’t get along with BUT if someone attacks your family you put all that aside and fight together. As a family!!!

    That’s how I feel about my sorority sisters…… We help each other for we know there’s no other like our sisterhood.  As an only child I must say that having over 280,000 sisters is pretty awesome.

    Belinda Bee pic

    Are you in a Sorority?  If so let me know which one.

    Beewisdom-  “From the outside looking in, you can never understand it.  From the inside looking out you can never explain it.” ~ Unknown

  • My YEAR of YES

    Hello Honeybees,

    If you haven’t picked up a copy of Shonda Rhimes latest book…. Year of Yes, How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person….. then what are you waiting for? 

    Year of Yes book cover

    We always hear people say that we should learn how to say NO and that NO is a complete sentence.  So I was VERY curious as to why Shonda would start saying YES.  Doesn’t that mean that I would be adding even more to my already full plate?

    What I learned during the reading of Year of Yes is that I too need to start saying YES!!

    I’m not going to give away all of the book but I will share why after reading Year of Yes, I have declared 2016 as MY YEAR OF YES!!! 

    Shonda is saying YES to things that don’t come easy, things that move her out of her comfort zone.  At first I was like what the heck does THE SHONDA RHIMES have to be scared of? What could possibly be out of her comfort zone? I mean really she created Olivia Pope….whatever it is just handle it!  Guess what ?? THE SHONDA RHIMES is human like the rest of us. She is a mother, sister, daughter and friend,  she works full time, and truly has the same everyday obstacles like the rest of us.  As a matter of fact   she & I share some of the exact same fears. 
    Description of Year of Yes

    I am what you call and introverted extrovert.  I love the concept of being around people & going places but the actual practicing of it can be a bit overwhelming.  So this year I am going to say YES to going places AND I will actually show up and be present in the moment.  I’m going to go to the Bass Pro Shop on the mighty Mississippi and ride the elevator to the top.  I might even go out on the observation deck.  I am saying YES to difficult situations and conversations.

    This year I’m going to say Thank You when someone pays me a compliment and leave it at that. No more downplaying my accomplishments. I’m going to embrace my Badassery.

    Saying YES to things that scare you takes courage…. As Shonda says: “I can experience life or I can give up on it”.

    So if you see me strike the Wonder Woman pose in 2016 just know that I am saying YES to ME!!

    Wonder Woman

    Belinda Bee pic

    What will you say YES to?

     

    Beewisdom- You must do the things you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt