Women of Color Understanding "A Time for Change in Politics"

   

     While some consider the presidential election a big loss for women and particularly Black women, who polls suggest overwhelming supported Hillary Clinton, we experienced some big wins for women of color in major local, state and national elections.

     In federal elections, three women of color were elected to the US Senate, Tammy Duckworth in Illinois who is Asian-American and a former U.S. Army pilot who lost both legs in combat, Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada, the nation’s first female Latina Senator and Kamala Harris, an African-Indian American who won with the help of 48% Latino voters from the state of California. 

     Three women were elected to the House including Pramila Jayapal in Minnesota, the first Indian-American women to serve in the House of Representatives and Stephanie Murphy, the first Vietnamese-American female. The state of Delaware is sending its first woman ever to Congress, Lisa Blount Rochester who is African-American.  In January, 15 women have been sworn in to the 115th Congress, 12 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Of the 104 women in Congress, 38 are Women of Color. 

     Women of Color also made strides with local elections. In Jefferson County Alabama, the county seat of Birmingham and the most populous city in the state, nine Black female judges were historically elected in district and circuit courts. Another Jefferson County located in Beaumont, Texas elected a Black woman, Zena Stephens to the office of Sheriff.  The county overwhelmingly voted Republican, but elected Zena who is a Democrat in a landslide vote. Orlando, Florida also elected its first Black Female Chief of Police, Val Demings.

     All of the mentioned elected officials won on initiatives that significantly affect women including quality healthcare, equal pay, economic disparity, immigration reform, gun control and racial equality. These wins resulted in voters choosing who they felt were the best candidates, which happened to be deserving women of color. 

     The value in getting involved in the political system can be of significant importance for women, our children and our future. We can start at the community level by being heard and seen in a positive manner. As newly elected sheriff, Zena Stephens says, “I credit my win to my long history in the community and building relationships across political lines.”

     We must look beyond what many women see as a defeat and if history has anything to do with our rise from adversity, we will prevail in breaking the Glass Ceiling.

What God Expects us to Resolve in 2017

Over the years, I have gone through various transitions when it comes to making new year resolutions. Years ago, I made resolutions mentally because it was a year-end tradition I thought I should follow even though having no clear understanding of the concept.  As I grew older, I began to look at my new year resolutions more seriously and wrote down goals I felt most important for each coming year. Eventually realizing I was writing the same goals each year and seemingly not accomplishing significant results, I turned to my spiritual life and focused on what God would want and approve for my life.

After significant research on the origin of making new year resolutions, I was encouraged to become more grounded in preparing my goals. Once knowing the religious origins and practices of starting the new year on the right foot had its beginnings over 4000 years ago, I understood God is the reason to make resolutions for the coming year as opposed to relying solely on my self-centered needs and limited actions.

The opportunity to make a fresh start is very exciting.  Like most people, I eagerly await what God has planned for me in 2017. I believe phenomenal things will happen and I understand there will also be challenges. I am at peace with new year resolutions because I know at the beginning and throughout the year I rely on God to guide me to actions that would serve him, my family and my community. My goals now have a higher purpose than as a very young adult. As I take time to reflect on 2016, the accomplishments and the challenges, I know without a doubt that resolving to have a better relationship with God has exceeded everything I could never have done on my own.

Happy New Year and May Your Relationship with God increase in 2017

RISING ABOVE ADVERSITY TO FIND SUCCESS

Follow @SheilaAgnew

7 Ways To Fall In Love With Your Body Again

If you are beyond the first seventeen days in the New Year and in a slump, with little or no movement or progress towards your fitness and health goals, don’t feel alone.  Millions are struggling right about now and need a boost to continue or ever get started.  Consider this, “Are you in the same place now as you were last year or even years before?”  If the answer is yes, you may be a prime candidate for a “triathlon awakening”, a renewal of the mind, body and soul. 

Athletically, a triathlon is a contest of strength and endurance in three levels often associated with swimming, cycling and long-distant running.  Whether an athletic or not, our minds and bodies need similar types of endurance disciplines to navigate successfully through our challenges, and focus on creating a healthy lifestyle.  This is the race of life.  How we care for our bodies has a direct result on whether we will go a short or long distance.

We all have an opportunity to experience a healthy lifestyle.  All we need do is carefully prepare and train with exercise, fitness and proper nutrition.   The analogy of implementing disciplines similar to an athletics’ training, is to highlight their passion and dedication to whatever their desired goals and the measures it takes to achieve them. The healthy development of one’s body will create a direct flow of energy to the mind for a soul-satisfying experience.

Even though we are pass the beginning of 2016; you can still experience the excitement of achieving success in your health and fitness goals.   Here are a few tips triathlon athletics incorporate that can be useful for anyone desiring a transformation lifestyle.

Set Goals - Goals are important to provide a road map to guide you on your journey. Your goals must be clear, precise and realistic. Write down your goals in journals or create a vision board.

Periodization - Refers to a process in which athletics divide time into manageable blocks designed to produce specific fitness and performance results.  Set your goals so they will be manageable within the time frame you have on a day-to-day basis.  A desire for fast results may soon become discouraging.  If you assign specific blocks of time for each life change objective and pace yourself, results will be more long-standing.

Motivation - Make it personal.  Why do you want to have a transformation lifestyle?  Do you want to shed pounds for a specific event? Do you have a physical challenge or want to look and feel better for a lifetime?  Consider things that will fuel your motivation for achieving your goal.  We should all strive for a lifetime lifestyle.

Measure - How will you measure your results? Give yourself specific parameters such as losing inches, reducing body fat, quit smoking.... Remember, a healthy lifestyle is more than losing weight.

Time Frame - Give yourself a defined period of time to achieve your goals.  If you wish to lose 30 pounds, determine how and when you will achieve the goal.  For example, I will lose 5 pounds a month over the next 6 months by planning my meals and implemented a workout regimen suitable to to help me reach my goals.  Each time you meet your goal, you will get excited about the next interval. Don't set a goal to lose 30 pounds in one month. It may be too much too soon.  Be realistic.

Challenge - Goals should be challenging.  Keep your meals interesting by trying new, healthy recipes. Get your family and friends involved in sharing healthy dishes.  Diversify your fitness routine by experiencing different workouts.  The same workout everyday will eventually bore you. Register for marathon races, run/walk events for charity, or join group fitness classes.  You can also start your own challenge among family, friends and colleagues, which helps to motivate you and others by making it fun.  Be creative.

Envision - Can you see the pounds dropping off, the positive doctor's report, the beautiful outfit in your closet fitting you or crossing the finish line? How would that make you feel? The wonderful thing about vision, it helps you to see what the future can look like.  As mentioned before, create a vision board or simply create a vision where your goals are firmly planted in your mind.

    

     Don’t give up because you have not begun the program or reached the goals you so eagerly resolved to do in 2016.  You can always start anew at any time realizing each day is a new beginning.  Once you start, if you fall short, pick up where you left off and begin again.  We are all in the race and everyone has an opportunity to cross the finish line. Love yourself enough to care about your health.

Sheila L. Agnew McCoy is a author, entrepreneur, speaker and personal trainer @2016

A Celebration of Freedom

Follow @SheilaAgnew

c. Sheila L. Agnew McCoy 2015

Follow @SheilaAgnew

Follow @SheilaAgnew  


Ms. MoBetter Fitness after 40. You must start somewhere.

A Lesson on Focus from President Barack Obama

     “One of the most difficult challenges in pursuing or living your calling is to remain focused.  At times, life itself may be filled with diversions that distract your focus from your goals. You may encounter many obstacles in starting and finishing even a simple household or work project.  Imagine the difficulty in remaining focused with a project as large as your calling!  It is difficult, but certainly not impossible.  In fact, remaining focused to achieve your life purpose is imperative.”

     While watching President Barack Obama delivery the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, I was reminded that chapter four of my book, Dear ____, Are You Missing Your Calling? was inspired by his unique ability to remain focused in the midst of challenge and adversity. During his two campaigns, I was most intrigued by President Obama’s self-control and capacity to stay centered on the issues, which eventually won him the presidency twice. “We can only imagine the complexity of how God placed the vision in his mind that he could run for President of the United States of America and even succeed against unimaginable odds.”

     While most of us will not likely run for President of the United States, we are all in a race to pursue our callings and purposes. Each of our gifts, skills and talents are unique. In order to reach our God-given potential, we must remain focused.  Focus is not a gift or calling, it is a discipline designed to guide us on a clear path by setting priorities to vigorously pursue and reach your goals.

     We have come to know a few things about President Obama in the eight years he has been President, but we know less of the intimate twenty-two-year journey that he walked while pursing the directive of his vision. It took patience, endurance and confidence to believe he could achieve a position larger than himself and create a legacy.

     It is possible for all of us to reach success with our individual callings. There is a roadmap for each one of our journeys. In order remain focused, we must place priority over the things that are most important and have the most value to our purpose. Essentially, focus requires consistency and diligence in cultivating your vision. Focus is not an easy task. I often remind myself to keep a focused attitude by following some of the suggestions I shared in the book.

• Stay spiritually inspired.
• Reduce or eliminate things and people that distract you.
• Boost your energy with healthy foods and exercise to remain mentally alert.
• Make a commitment to limit distractions (phone, social media..) to 1-2 hours a day.
• Pray and meditate day and night.

     "If you continue to find yourself having difficulty remaining focused, ask God to reveal your path, look for the signs and pursue them passionately. If your are committed to doing your part to remain focused and willing to obey the voice of God, he will fulfill your requests. Divine order contributes to right outcome."

Dear ____, Are You Missing Your Calling? is on Amazon Kindle and Paperback. Check out a sample chapter free at CLICK HERE

      

    

Mirror, Mirror Please Tell Me The Truth!

Follow @SheilaAgnew

While walking down the street a few years ago in my hometown of Chicago, I noticed a man coming towards me with a decorative wall mirror in his hands. As we approached each other, he stopped and asked, “Do you want to buy a mirror?” I replied “no” as I continued to walk past the man. To my surprise he shouted to me, “You are vain.” I chuckled to myself and without any preconceived thought, slightly turned my head (while continuing to walk) and spoke back, “You need to take a look into that mirror.” Thankfully, he did not reply and I kept walking until I was a block away realizing I had stepped out of my comfort zone and made a comment to a strange man who had the appearance of being addicted to something, quite possibly drugs.

     I was slightly agitated that a complete stranger had the nerve to call me vain, but more hopeful that he took my advice and looked in the mirror. Mirrors come in all sizes, shapes and forms. Some are plain with no distinct features and others are quite elaborate with decorative finishes. Regardless of the outward garnishes, mirrors have one thing in common. They tell a story. Some stories are youthful where others show signs of aging. A mirror will show a transformation of our bodies over the years and when we decide to make significant changes, the same mirror will reverse the transformation. We can depend on mirrors to cut, style and curl our hair, put on make-up or sashay in front of with a fancy new outfit.  Businesses rely on mirrors to help us make decisions about making purchases and mirrors are installed in cars with front, sides and back views to guide us while driving, which helps to save our lives. Yes, mirrors tell lots of stories, but most of all mirrors tell the Truth.

     The truth is we all need to look in the mirror of our lives at some point on the journey. We can learn a lot by studying and examining our life experiences. Each day we look into the mirror of life, we may discover something new. Imagine when looking in the mirror if a line reveals you are on a journey. A bump says you have overcome the blocks on the road. Grey hair is an indication of wisdom and loss of hair means you have shredded those heavy loads.  Mirrors can be encouraging and at times discouraging. You can make the mirror your friend or your enemy. My point in the analogies is some things we see in the mirror we cannot change and others we can by making a commitment to transformation.

     Now days when I think about the man walking down the street selling a mirror, I consider if he looked in the mirror and made a life change, but I also take my own advice. Each day I look in the mirror of life and encourage myself with the thought, “You can do better.” As a life coach, I encourage you to look in your mirror of truth and move past the things that time won’t change to focus on the things that really matter, the things you can change.

If I Could Have, Would Have, Should Have

Follow @SheilaAgnew

There are many variations of this title. The late jazz and R&B singer Lou Rawls used lyrics in his popular song with the title, “If I Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” The guest evangelist speaking at a church service titled her sermon, “When I Could, I Wouldn’t; now I Want to and I Can’t.” Anyway you say it; the intent is to suggest regrets.

If you are reading this article and have never spoken these words or something similar, you can stop reading now. You are perfect! For the rest of us, there have been times in life, perhaps even now, that you have considered, what if? What if I had continued in school, not had children, married the other person, stayed on my job, took the position in another town, did as the doctor told me………and the list goes on. You can place your own if(s) in the dots and if you are like me, could possible fill most of this page. We all have times when we reflect on the past and believe things would be different if we had taken another direction or made another choice whether personal, family, relationships, careers, or business.

You are absolutely correct; things would be different, but not necessarily for the better. We typically make decisions based on circumstances that dictate our choices. Sometimes we have full knowledge and other times we make decisions based on our emotions. Even decisions made with significant thought, research and educated calculations may not bring us the results we seek. Most significant is the experiences and lessons learned.  If we carefully review are past choices and move forward, we elevate our thought process to a “now focus.”

You may have regrets, but you do not have to remain in that cloud. I understand some choices have been extreme like drug and alcohol addictions, committing crimes, staying in abusive situations or being abusive. However, if you have humbled yourself and submitted to a better life, you have made an incredibly important choice. Regardless of your regret or situation, it is now time to take a living forward position and keep going in that direction no matter what. You Could, if only you Would!

For more on Sheila Agnew visit her on the web at http://www.sheilaagnew.com

What to Do with 2013 Leftovers?

Follow @SheilaAgnew

Moving into the New Year is an exciting time for many. It represents a new beginning, time to set and accomplish new goals, and a time to start over. Some may want better financial and career opportunities and others are on a mission to start or enhance businesses.   We become more motivated to improve our health and incorporating fitness routines into our lifestyles is a major focus.

Considering some of the same goals myself, I pondered how I would move into the New Year with some of my 2013 goals still lingering. What was good? What was bad? What do I need to take into 2014 and what do I need to leave behind. Realistically, how can we truly transition into the future with unwanted leftovers attached to our past?  Similar to food stored in the refrigerator, some leftovers taste better when the seasoning has settled, which enhances the flavor. Old, stale and molded leftovers that have remained in the refrigerator far too long need to be removed and dumped in the garbage.  The key is doing what should to be done to move forward.

While there may not be a magical prescription that works for everyone, we must be willing and open to take steps to eliminate the things we no longer want to remain in our lives. Personally, I have found success in creating a Do and Don’t list entitled, Self-Preservation (or you can replace with your own title). It begins with taking a blank canvas, which can be a piece of paper or your preferred technical device, creating two columns and incorporating your title at the top of each column.  In the Do column, write down all the things you want to accomplish in 2014, which can include good things from 2013 that remain a work-in-progress. On the Don’t column, place all the things you do not want to take into 2014, to include hardships, depression, debt, poor health, relationships, or anything that is holding you back. Once you have completed the lists, eliminate the Don’t by focusing only what you have placed on the Do list for the next twelve months. Let’s call this the, Do You Resolution.

For this process to be successful, you have to be realistic about what you really need and don’t need. After all, we are striving to accomplish goals that assist us in moving to a better place in our lives in both the natural and spiritual. Remember, when leftovers are good and tasty, eat them. When leftovers are old and stale, throw them away.  Happy New Year, Happy New You!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON SHEILA

I'm So Excited!

Follow @SheilaAgnew

Coming Out the Closet!

Follow @SheilaAgnew

I was inspired listening to Judy Goss, founder and CEO of Over 40 Females on a recent TeleSeminar where she chronicled her journey of going from "Foreclosure to Finding Success." Judy literally went from having a budding career as an editor and national TV correspondent for a major magazine to the brink of losing her home after she was laid off and her husband's business went bankrupt.  

Judy referred to this discussion as "Coming out of the Closet." Giving thought to her conversation, I considered how many of us (okay, most) need to come out the closet on things we have been holding onto for days, months and even years. These situations, whether big or small are blocking us from moving forward and elevating our positions. Often our closet situations can be painful and we believe we can cover the pain with a bandage. This is only a temporary relief. When you remove the bandage, the scar remains. In Judy's case, she had one short-term disaster public relations job and a unfulfilling part-time position before she pulled the bandages off and founded Over 40 Females (over40females.com).

We have all gone through painful situations whether financial, loss of a loved one, relationships, careers, business or health. I remember a few years ago walking in downtown Chicago with my cell phone glued to my ear, trying unsuccessfully to get the cell phone provider to restore service when I could not pay the bill on time. The tears that had rolled down my cheeks froze and I felt as if I was the only person walking down the street. I had lost a two-year contract that was my bread and butter after the new president of the organization became increasingly insecure with my presence. With no significant clients to replace the income loss, I had to humble myself (or get over myself)and take a few temporary jobs. One day while on an assignment, a co-worker questioned why I was there. She said, "You remind me of someone that should own the company." Honestly, that was the last day I took an assignment. Someone else saw more in me than I was seeing in myself.

Through faith and prayers, I was able to get over the pain of losing this important contract. I returned to school and obtained my MBA degree, received a more fruitful and rewarding contract, got married to a really great man, and recently released my second book, Dear_____Are You Missing Your Calling?

From this experience, I learned in spite of popular belief, you can go without your cell phone for two weeks, removing the bandages helps the scar to heal faster and we should celebrate our "Coming out of the Closet" experiences. 

Freedom is Good!

Sheila is Chapter Director for Over 40 Females Atlanta, Author, Peer Coach and Entrepreneur http://www.sheilaagnew.com
 

Follow @SheilaAgnew

Do You Believe?

Follow @SheilaAgnew

Regardless of your age, keep believing there is something more.  Society may tell you different, but you have to drown out the voices of the world if you want to manifest the life you believe you should have.

Once you decide there is something beyond what you can see, create a vision of what you can be, hold on to your vision and believe in yourself. This is your heart calling telling you to pay attention to the life you are living now. As a believer, you will be directed to determine exactly what it is that is prompting you to do and be more.

Don’t allow limitations to stifle you. Your potential is greater than your limitations and your potential has to be revealed in order for you to move forward. You are the fullest expression of who you are meant to be. With God, you are limitless.

BOLD MOVES

     It's the end of one year and the beginning of another. Many people are talking about resolutions, making plans and having great expectations for the New Year.  That is a beautiful thing, but personally, I stopped making New Year resolutions several years ago upon realizing I was not resolving anything. I had many of the same issues at the end of every year and my great plans seem to drift further and further away before the first quarter of the year was over.

      Don’t get me wrong! I absolutely believe in making resolutions. I just had to start thinking and doing things a little different in order to accomplish my goals and objectives with success.  Thus, the New You Resolution was born.  This concept consisted of working to resolve issues year round.  When the New Year began, my focus was leaving the garbage and trash behind, including negative news, situations and people, making it easier to move into more positive experiences.  This process of resolving my issues over a period of time positioned me to move forward with a commitment to change.  Realistically, you have to move some old things out before you put new things in place.  In other words, delete before you complete.

     Now that I am in what some may refer to as the “third quarter” of my life, I think about making Bold Moves.  My pace may be a bit slower, but I am making moves to position myself to live joyful golden years.  The other night while envisioning my Bold Moves for 2013, I mentally reviewed my past personal and business experiences, successes and failures. The older I get, the more clearly I can see what worked, what did not work, and why. This realistic overview was a great revelation about my life.  While I still have some things to resolve, I am more focused on reconnecting, reinventing, rejuvenating, relaxing and moving to a place where my positive experiences overshadow the negative ones.   

     One new thing I am doing for 2013 is releasing my second book entitled, Dear________, Are You Missing Your Calling? The title for chapter two is Being Bold.  This chapter was written to encourage people to step beyond any obstacles that may prevent them from their calling and purpose.  The chapter ends with the following affirmations.

Being Bold is stepping out on Faith.

Being Bold is having Courage.

Being Bold is doing something you have not done before.

Being Bold is doing something no one has done before.

Being Bold is securing your Freedom in search of the unknown.

Being Bold helps you get your message across.

Being Bold is making a Confident affirmation.

     When making your resolutions for 2013, resolve to make Bold Moves and commitments that help you to reach your goals successfully.