It’s so hard to say, ‘Goodbye,’ again

Lywanda Lynn Barnes Brown was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, cousin, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, University of Alabama graduate and friend. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

Lywanda Lynn Barnes Brown was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, cousin, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, University of Alabama graduate and friend. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

 

By Chanda Temple 

My sorority sisters and I recently gathered to celebrate our membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., which we joined 25 years ago while students at the University of Alabama.

It was good to see so many sorors and recall our time when we became “sisters” in DST.  But one thing missing during our reunion was our No. 21, our tail dog, Lywanda Lynn Brown Barnes. She died in 2010, shortly after giving birth to her third child. Her death was a shock to us all. We loved her so.

As we planned our reunion earlier this year, there were discussions on how we’d remember Lynn. Would we release balloons, put flowers on her grave, include a tribute on our T-shirts, something else? It was decided that one of the things we’d do would be to put flowers on her grave. Sorors ordered a beautiful bouquet of red roses and violets, taking them to every event we attended that weekend. On the last day of our reunion, I volunteered to place the arrangement on her grave.

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Hello, October!

OK, folks. We are at the start of a new month. In fact, this is the last quarter of 2016. For all those times you said, "2016 is gonna be my year because I'm gonna ...," did you really do what you promised yourself you would do? Well, it's not too late. I challenge you to dust off those ideas or revisit whatever it is you want to do and go for it - now. There's still time. The only thing stopping you is you. And when you get to a point when you feel like quitting or nothing is working out, remember this: "Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end." Here's to your happy ending.

OK, folks. We are at the start of a new month. In fact, this is the last quarter of 2016. For all those times you said, “2016 is gonna be my year because I’m gonna …,” did you really do what you promised yourself you would do? Well, it’s not too late. I challenge you to dust off those ideas or revisit whatever it is you want to do and go for it – now. There’s still time. The only thing stopping you is you. And when you get to a point when you feel like quitting or nothing is working out, remember this: “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” Here’s to your happy ending.

 

 

Birmingham’s Best Bites cookbook is the perfect wedding gift

While out running errands in August, I saw the Birmingham's Best Bites cookbook on a table set up for a wedding reception. I thought, "Hmmm. That's interesting." Turns out the couple had planned to use it as their guest book. If you get folks to sign a keeper of a book like this, you will have one of the best wedding gifts, ever!. Love this idea. If you haven't gotten your copy of the cookbook, which has 80 recipes from 60 restaurants in and around Birmingham, what's stopping you? It's a pretty tasty guide to the city's food scene.

While out running errands in August, I saw the Birmingham’s Best Bites cookbook on a table set up for a wedding reception. I thought, “Hmmm. That’s interesting.” Turns out the couple had planned to use it as their guest book. If you get folks to sign a keeper of a book like this, you will have one of the best wedding gifts, ever!. Love this idea. If you haven’t gotten your copy of the cookbook, which has 80 recipes from 60 restaurants in and around Birmingham, what’s stopping you? It’s a pretty tasty guide to the city’s food scene.

Fear less and be fearless

Are there things you REALLY want to do in life, but you put them off because you are scared? How much longer are you going to be a prisoner to fear? At some point, you have to break the chains of fear and just jump. Your destiny awaits. Remember this: You can do it if you stop being afraid.

Are there things you REALLY want to do in life, but you have put them off because you are scared? How much longer are you going to be a prisoner to fear? At some point, you have to break the chains of fear and just jump. Your destiny awaits. Remember this: You can do it if you stop being afraid.

 

 

Let your work, not your words, speak for you.

There are people always interested in what you do and ready to criticize you for working long hours or so much. It happens to me - a lot. When they ask me about my work, I keep it moving. I say, "Yes, I work long hours. Yes, I work hard. Yes, I love what I do.'' Then, I get back to work. I know my goals and what I want to accomplish in life. Those naysayers are not on my list, so I don't let their comments take me off course. So, if you are getting feedback that you work too hard, ignore the naysayers. They are not going where you are and that's to the top.

There are people always interested in what you do and ready to criticize you for working long hours or so much. It happens to me – a lot. When they ask me about my work, I keep it moving. I say, “Yes, I work long hours. Yes, I work hard. Yes, I love what I do.” Then, I get back to work. I know my goals and what I want to accomplish in life. Those naysayers are not on my list, so I don’t let their comments take me off course. So, if you are getting feedback that you work too hard, ignore the naysayers. They are not going where you are and that’s to the top.

You can have it all. It all starts with whether you believe it.

So many times, folks believe they have to have this or that to feel as though they've "made it.'' But that's where they get it wrong. If you feel like you already are the brightest Crayon in the box or the baddest chick on the block, go with it. It's all about what you think. You are what you believe. As long as you believe it, you can achieve it. Go with what you have in your heart and make it work for you on your journey to be great.

So many times, folks believe they have to have this or that to feel as though they’ve “made it.” But that’s where they get it wrong. If you feel like you already are the brightest Crayon in the box or the baddest chick on the block, go with it. It’s all about what you think. You are what you believe. As long as you believe it, you can achieve it. Go with what you have in your heart and make it work for you on your journey to be great.

Being bold is the best payoff

Being bold is what gets you noticed. But you know what? It's hard to step out, stand up and get noticed. It's easier to take the road of the less resistance and just sit back in the cut for things to happen. But "sitting back'' is the lazy way out. Nothing happens. Things remain the same. Action is what brings about change. So, if you've been thinking about doing something to bri

Being bold is what gets you noticed. But you know what? It’s hard to take that first step to get to your next, especially if you are shy. It’s much easier to just sit back in the cut for things to happen. But “sitting back” is not an option. Nothing happens. And when nothing happens, your drive remains dormant and will eventually die. Action is what brings about change. So, if you’ve been thinking about doing something, anything, just do it. Be bold and go for it. The worse that can happen is that someone tells you no or you fail. But that’s OK. You just get up and keep going until someone says, “Yes.” Because, one day, someone will. 

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