Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Stacy Emeri "Personal Development Expert"

She just finished Graduate School. She has one of the most motivational blog talk radio shows on the web. She’s a single mother. She’s a personal development coach. She’s being mentored by the best. She’s also one of the administrators for the Winning Woman's Page on facebook. We’re talking about the one and only Stacy Emeri. We finally caught up with her in Atlanta. As busy as she is with pursuing her vision and goals, you’d think she would look exhausted. However, she stands at 5’3”, with a smile on her face that will scare off any negativity. As she makes time for herself sipping on a Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks, we couldn’t wait to pick her brain.

WW: Stacy Emeri, we are excited to have you featured on the Winning Woman Profile. You are truly a symbol for what a Winning Woman is. What makes Stacy Emeri a Winning Woman?

STACY: What makes me a Winning Woman is my ability and willingness to endure every challenge that is presented before me. Although I have stumbled and even fallen several times in my life, I refuse to give up and continue to press towards the mark because I acknowledge and yield to the assignment and calling on my life- that is to transform the hearts and minds of others. Many times we become overwhelmed, frustrated, and even depressed with of our experiences and circumstances, and we’re unable to fully understand why we’re going through such challenging times. It has been through my most difficult experiences that I’ve been able to discover my strength, gifts, talents and abilities. Instead of trying to figure out all of the “why’s” and “how’s” of life, I’ve decided to trust God and allow Him to direct my path. I once read that it is not our responsibility to determine our destiny as our life’s paths are already destined; however, it is our responsibility to discover what that destiny actually is and to fulfill it. With that being said, our primary responsibility is to walk by faith, operate in love, be deliberate in our actions and live our lives on purpose; that is, the purpose that God has ordained for our lives. There is no need to worry about every detail as long as you trust in God and believe the promises He’s made for your life. Every woman that comes to this realization is indeed a Winning Woman and I salute those of you that are willing to yield to His plan while staying committed to pursuing your goals, living out your dreams, and fulfilling your purpose.

WW: Wow, this is one of the main reasons why we chose you for this interview - for answers like that. Your very presence is filled with inspiration and motivation. Stacy, you are also known as the 'Personal Development Expert'. How did you get that title?

STACY: Honestly, I'm not sure how or when I was given the title of 'Personal Development Expert', but it sure does sound good, LOL! I believe the title stems from the fact that I am very committed to personal development and the mental uplifting of others. Like most, I have struggled with various issues such as low self esteem, insecurity and lack of confidence in the past, while still desiring to grow beyond my circumstances. It's very conflicting to feel like you are being bound by your circumstances and experiences, yet still feel like you're not capable or powerful enough to transcend your own self defeating thoughts and emotions that prevent you from living the life you desire. As a result of my own frustration, depression, and perceived lack of success, I started to devote myself to reading motivational articles, self help books, metaphysical novels, and the utilization of positive affirmations to improve my level of confidence. To be honest with you, overcoming low self esteem and confidence issues is no easy feat. One must be diligent in overcoming this giant, and committed to incorporating those activities and exercises that promote a positive mental image of oneself. Over time, these activities became a part of my daily habits and life, and I found myself uplifting others as I grew throughout the process. My lifestyle has become one that consists of success habits and activities that promote mental growth, clarity, and success consciousness.

WW: Wow! We love your energy. What keeps you so motivated?

STACY: What keeps me motivated is my faith and desire to help others grow and succeed in every area of their lives. Whether it's spiritual, mental, financial or physical growth, I believe that a positive attitude, faith and confidence in self can empower an individual to break through barriers and experience victories on every level. I'm motivated by the thought that I can make a difference in someone's life. I'm encouraged by the fact that God can use me to be a blessing to others despite all my flaws and imperfections. Whether it's through my writing or speaking, I believe that my testimony as well as my passion to see others succeed equips me with the strength and determination I need to purposely pursue my vision and fulfill the assignment for my life. We all have different assignments and callings on our lives; however, a lack of faith, lack of confidence and the unwillingness to yield to the plan for our lives leads to frustration, negativity and even a feeling of worthlessness.Faith allows us to realize our greatest potential and achieve our greatest victories.

I’m also motivated and inspired by those that have been brought into my life by divine connection. As your way of thinking evolves, so will your circle of influence. As I’ve continued to grow over the years, I have seen my sphere of influence evolve into one that is dynamic and powerful beyond measure. I am so thankful to individuals like Billie Miller, Dr. Ayo Kedar, Nicole S. Cooper, LaShae Primus, Jackie Hernandez and my best friend Chris Gloss "The Possibilitarian" for keeping me encouraged, motivated, and determined to win by feeding into my vision and lifting me up when necessary. Each of them (in addition to several others) have been instrumental in both my personal and professional growth and have contributed to my many successes. Once we make the decision to embrace God’s plan for our lives, He will align us with those individuals necessary to stretch our vision, strengthen our resolve and keep us grounded in order that His will be manifested in our lives.

WW: You mentioned that you devoted yourself to reading books and other helpful resources. Can you share with us some of your favorite books and/or other resources that have changed your life? (ex. CD's, DVD's, Articles, etc.).

STACY: Sure! When I first started my journey in the area of self development I knew it was important for me to take “baby steps” and choose books that I could understand. It’s important not to overwhelm yourself by beginning your personal development program with books and material that will overwhelm or totally confuse you. This approach will be ineffective as you will not be able to comprehend or retain the information your reading. I started off with a very small, yet powerful novel- the abridged version of “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen, entitled “As a Woman Thinketh”, transcribed for women by Dorothy Hulst. This book changed my life as it introduced me to the whole concept of “success consciousness” and the power of thought.

I also started to listen to different CD’s on the power of words and how to use positive affirmations to obtain desired results in your life.
Once affirmations became an integral part of my daily activities, I was introduced to “The Complete Works of H. Emily Cady”. Her first book, “Lessons in Truth” helped me to understand how our thoughts can either give us liberty or keep us in bondage. I also learned how imperative it is to seek spiritual guidance and direction as you embark upon this journey of self discovery and personal development.
Some of my other favorites are “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker, and “The Power of Awareness” by Neville. I would also encourage everyone to subscribe to different websites to obtain daily/weekly/monthly newsletters in the areas of positive thinking and spiritual growth.

WW: There are some women who are reading this interview who may feel discouraged. They're facing many challenges and they're ready to quit. They're ready to throw in the towel and just give up. What do you have to say to them?

STACY: I would first tell them that I understand and can empathize with them. Just like most, I have suffered times of great depression, set back and hurt; however, I made it through those dark times and overcame every trial that presented itself in my life. As cliché as it sounds, we just need to know when to "let go and let GOD". As challenging as it has been for me, I have had to learn to submit and yield to God’s will instead of trying to create my own. Many may say this is much easier said than done, and I would agree that they are right. Despite how difficult it may be, it can and must be done. The weight of the world is too much for any one individual to carry on his/her own shoulders, but we can thank God that our Savior did it for us…the hard part is already done. Once we recognize this, we understand that the victory is already ours. It doesn’t matter how bad our situation may seem, the battle has already been won! I encourage anyone that is going through a difficult time right now to release your sense of control over the situation, and line your will up with the will of God. Fasting and meditation has worked for me in times of confusion or just when I needed some answers. Whichever path you choose, just make the commitment to choose the path of Victory and allow Christ to be your Guide. Trust Him…He will deliver you from your circumstance.

WW: You are the host and creator of the popular blog talk radio show called "Mindshift Talk Radio". But for those who have never heard of the show, share with us how you came up with the idea and the purpose for the show?

STACY: With the support and encouragement of Billie Miller and Dr. Ayo Kedar, I decided to create "Mindshift Talk Radio" after I realized the positive impact that was being made on the hearts and minds of my listeners on my previous project, "Heart to Heart w/ Stacy Emeri. Through that project I learned that there are many that desire a forum that allows them to express their thoughts and concerns in a constructive manner, while providing them with the insight, inspiration and motivation they needed to overcome life’s trials and win in every arena. The purpose of this show is to empower, motivate and inspire our listeners to renew their minds, elevate their way of thinking, and win in every area of their lives. We encourage open and honest communication about real issues affecting real people on a daily basis while sharing our various perspectives. The versatility and depth of this cast allows for well rounded and solution-based discussions that will positively impact our listeners. Our mission is to educate our listeners and sow seeds of encouragement, confidence and hope in their lives while sharpening their vision of success and victory.

WW: 5 years from now...Who is Stacy Emeri? Describe her.

STACY: You know, most people would ask in an interview, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?", but this question speaks directly to who I AM in 5 years... I love it!

In 5 years, Stacy Emeri is a successful, influential, confident, and virtuous woman of character and integrity. She works tirelessly to bless the hearts, lives and minds of many as she yields to and submits to the divine plan and purpose for her life, all for the Glory of God. She operates in holy boldness, transparency, and humility while encouraging, motivating and inspiring others to live a purposeful life of love, victory and success. She leads by example, is determined to win in every area of her life, trusting in God for her guidance and direction and continually striving to live a blessed life, equally measurable to that of the Proverbs 31 woman. Stacy Emeri is living a life of peace, operating in love, experiencing great joy and victories, and excited about the opportunities and lessons that each day holds. She truly is enjoying her title as a Winning Woman!

~ Stacy Emeri is a "Personal Development Expert" whose passion is encouraging and empowering others to reach new heights of success in every area of their lives! You can reach Stacy on facebook or email her at StacyEmeri@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

COMPETITION or MISSION?

Do you ever look at other women and compare yourself to them – compare what you have to what they have, or what you do to what they accomplish? I know I sometimes do, and every time I make that comparison I come up short. Either I’m not as pretty or not as smart, not as rich or not as popular, not as energetic or not as organized, not as creative or not as productive.

If you can relate, if you too often feel inadequate, then let me let you in on a freeing truth. God didn’t create us to live someone else’s life. He gave us each our own mission, and He’s gifted us uniquely for it.

When I keep my eyes on the Lord and His plans for my life, what others are doing or how well they are doing it becomes irrelevant. I don’t have to compete because there is no competition for the role of Rachel Olsen on this earth or in the Father’s heart.

There is no true competition for your role, either. You were specifically knitted together in your mother’s womb by God Himself with purpose and care (see Psalm 139:13). No one else has the exact same combination of personality traits, spiritual gifts, and life experiences as you. You are a one of a kind, and you have a mission only you can fulfill. Ephesians 2:10 says it this way:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

I can say with confidence that no one else can be your parents’ daughter or your siblings’ sister. No one else can be your husband’s wife or your children’s mother. I believe there are specific roles for you to play in your church and in your community. You were destined for these roles – nobody can fill them like you!

While I don’t know the specific designs God has on your life, I know they are good and worth pursuing wholeheartedly. But you won’t discover them by envying other women or accepting their mission in place of your own. Ignore the competition. Better yet, be happy for their success! They are no threat to you. Just keep your eyes on the Lord and keep asking Him to bring about His good plans for you.

“Dear Lord, I believe You have satisfying plans for my life and You’ve gifted me to accomplish them. I ask You to reveal them to me and bring them closer to completion. Convict me, Holy Spirit, when I begin to experience envy or feel the need to compete. Remind me not to compete with others, but to love them. In Jesus’ name. Amen."

APPLICATION STEPS

Next time you find yourself feeling competitive or envious of another woman, march right up to her and compliment her with all the gracious sincerity you can gather. When you walk away, whisper thanks to God that you don’t have to compete with anyone to have or be all that He intends for you.

~ Rachel Olsen is a National Women's Speaker and Author of "IT'S NO SECRET: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know". For more information visit www.RachelOlsen.com

Sunday, February 27, 2011

"You CAN!"

I’ve been reading Joyce Meyer’s NEW book “Power Thoughts". I think it’s a really great book. Many have joined me as I’ve been sharing principles in my Billie Reads" BLOG. I’m up to Chapter 5 in the book which talks about Power Thought #1. Let me share with you some nuggets that you can chew on.
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13 AMP

You can do whatever you need to do in Life through Christ. You must believe this regardless of what comes at you. The moment you say, “I could never do that!" that’s when satan says, “I got you!" But according to the above Scripture, you CAN win. You CAN live. God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say you’ll reach a destination. He never promised that you’ll enjoy the process, but He promised that you’ll enjoy Life. He never guaranteed that you wouldn’t fall, but He guarantees us strength to keep going.
“Nothing is too difficult for you if God is leading you to do it. God will not call you to do anything He will not enable and empower you to do.” ~ Joyce Meyer

God will not lead you to ‘impossibility’. It may be impossible before you get there. But once you arrive, God makes it possible.
Jesus replied, "Why do you say `if you can'? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" Mark 9:23 CEV

Joyce Meyer goes on to say, “Miracles Come in Cans." Let me explain what she means by that. Many people are used to hearing others repeatedly tell them “You can't." People always tell you what you cannot do. Therefore, many people grow up thinking, “I can't" when that’s the farthest thing from the truth.
“No matter how many times you have heard someone say to you, ‘You can’t,’ I want to say to you, ‘Oh, yes, you can!’ I believe that miracles come in cans – our belief that we can do whatever we need to do through Christ Who is our strength.”
~ Joyce Meyer

God believes that you CAN. I believe that you CAN. Now it’s time for you to start believing in yourself. Today is your day. Come into agreement and say, “I CAN!"

~ Article By Billie Miller To sign up to receive more of these inspirational articles please visit www.TheWordisYourLife.com

To Get Your Personal Copy of 'Power Thoughts' By Joyce Meyer, GET IT BELOW FOR 41% OFF!



580366: Power Thoughts: 12 Strategies to Win the Battle of the Mind Power Thoughts: 12 Strategies to Win the Battle of the Mind

By Joyce Meyer / FaithWords


Do you want to improve your life? Change your mind, says Meyer! Sharing 12 "power thoughts" to help retrain your brain, she shows how to achieve success by getting your mind to work for you, not against you. Focus on "God loves me unconditionally," "I am disciplined," and other life changing phrases to experience the life you've always wanted!


A followup to her bestselling book, Battlefield of the Mind, Power Thoughts is a practical, workbook-style program that compels readers to actively choose positive, empowering thoughts through written exercises, thought prompts, and targeted scriptural "Power Packs" for week-by-week progress. Along the way, readers will learn how to renew their minds and achieve personal goals through the diligent study of God's Word and careful, guided reflection of the 12 Power Thoughts detailed in this book.


Sunday, February 20, 2011

We FALL DOWN...But We GET UP

How to Bounce Back after a Setback

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When I first became a Christian, I thought all of my worldly sorrows would be over. Because I was new in the faith, I didn’t know that God allows adversity in our lives so we can grow and develop in Christ. In my naivete, I thought that any negative experience came from the devil. The truth is, sometimes it’s our own fault. Bad decisions, poor judgment, ignorance, or plain old selfishness will land us in a heap of trouble. I also learned that what satan intends for evil, God will use for good (Gen. 50:20).

The year 1993 was a bad one for our family. Our home went into foreclosure, our car was repossessed, and we were burdened financially. My husband’s business folded and my salary wasn’t enough to keep everything going, so we made the decision to let the house go. We had hit rock bottom, and it was a terrible feeling.

I dreaded going back to work, fearing questions about what had happened. Worse yet, because my job was so deadline oriented, I feared not being able to concentrate. But actually, work was a pleasant distraction – it kept my mind off what was going on at home. I wasn’t given the luxury of wallowing in self-pity or woulda-coulda-shouldas. I had two little boys depending on me for support. I had to get up, get dressed, and go to work every day.

What I learned during that time is that God is bigger than even the biggest troubles. The house and car were just material things, and although we were inconvenienced and uncomfortable, we got over those losses in time. We bought another house a few years later and have had a few cars since then. But I had changed spiritually. One of the Scriptures that resonated with me during that time was Matthew 5:45:

“For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (KJV).

Christians aren’t exempt from hardship. There’s always going to be heartbreak, tragedy, or disappointment in this life. But we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is there for us through the pain and suffering.

POWER MOVE
Just because you’re down doesn’t mean you’re out, and best of all, it doesn’t mean that your situation will last forever. If you’ve experienced a loss of any kind – material possessions, a relationship, or a job – know that God will be there to comfort you through the process of healing. He is a Replenisher, and whatever you’ve lost, He can restore. It’s His pleasure to bless us, and it’s our job to have faith.

MY CONFESSION
“My God is bigger than any setback or problem I have. I will trust Him to deliver me from any painful situation.”

~ Carol Mackey is the author of Sistagirl Devotions which is a GREAT book for Winning Women. For More Information about Carol visit www.CarolMackeyOnline.com.

Monday, February 14, 2011

What's Your Love Level?

What is your Love Level? You don’t know? Let me help you figure it out. Do you determine your value by what you get on Valentine’s Day? Do you feel unloved because nobody says, “I Love you”? Do you wish that someone would just appreciate you? Then I can tell you that your Love Level is ‘low’. But then again, it could be ‘medium’. Maybe it’s ‘high’. Actually it could be anywhere on the radar because you only received ‘conditional’ Love. When your Love Level is based on condition, it will always fluctuate. It will always move based on what you feel, see, or hear.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is Love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of Love. Observe how Christ Loved us. His Love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't Love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG

It’s not until you receive ‘unconditional’ Love from God that you’ll be able to give ‘unconditional’ Love to others. You can’t give what you don’t have. Max Lucado said, “Instructing people to Love without telling them they are Loved is like telling them to write a check without our making a deposit in their accounts. No wonder so many relationships are overdrawn. Hearts have insufficient Love.” It’s unconditional Love that keeps your Love Level high and makes it stay there. Why? Unconditional Love is not based on conditions. It’s based on a promise. Unconditional Love says, “I’ll Love you no matter the conditions.” Although we all like to hear “I Love you", unconditional Love is to be demonstrated rather than dictated (Romans 5:8). It is to be put into action rather than put into words.
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we Love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
1 John 3:18 NLT
Can we Love like this? With God’s help we can. Can our Love Level remain ‘high’? With God’s help we can. Can our Love make a difference? With God’s help, sure we can.


~ Article By Billie Miller
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Not them...YOU!

"You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words." Proverbs 18:21 Good News Translation

What you say and believe about yourself will determine how far you go in life. What others say and believe about you does not effect you...unless you receive it. If your success depended on what others believe and say about you, you would never accomplish anything. Quit making decisions based on what other people think - their opinions, their judments, their desires. Do what's in your heart regardless of how others feel.
"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That's what makes you a winner."
~ Venus Williams, Professional Tennis Champion

You need to understand the 18/40/60 Rule. Let me share it with you.

18/40/60 RULE:

At age 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you.
At age 40, you don't care what anybody thinks of you.
At age 60, you realize nobody's been thinking about you at all.
"Most of the time, nobody's thinking about you at all! They are too busy worrying about their own lives, and if they are thinking about you at all, they are wondering what you are thinking about them. People think about themselves, not you. Think about it - all the time you are wasting worrying about what other people think about your ideas, your goals, your clothes, your hair, and your home could all be better spent on thinking about and doing the things that will achieve your goals."
~ Jack Canfield

~ Article By Billie Miller
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Sunday, November 28, 2010

YOU CAN'T QUIT NOW!

Imagine yourself walking down the street. Now imagine after walking for some time, you decided to stop walking. Where would you be at? Right where you stopped right? That’s what it’s like spiritually when you decide to quit. To quit is to make a decision to stay in the same position. To quit is to say “Yes” to where you’re at. The worst place that you want to quit or stop at is where you're facing the most challenges. Why stop in the very place that you don't want to be. You’re going after your dream. You’re fulfilling your God-Given vision. You’re striving to win. Don’t think that the devil is going to let you by easy. Don’t think that he’s going to give you a free pass just because you decided to be somebody. Storms will come. Challenges will come. Troubles will come. Jesus said in the Bible,
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NLT

Just because trouble comes doesn’t mean that it has to trouble you. Just because the storm comes doesn’t mean that it has to tear up your house (Luke 6:47-49). Use your ‘situation’ to make you ‘stronger’. Turn what’s meant to ‘break you’ into a ‘breakthrough’. But you can’t do this if you give up. You can’t quit now, because wherever you ‘stop’ at is where you ‘stay’ at.
“Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” ~ Conrad Hilton

You must keep moving. You must press forward. You must keep winning…
so keep winning.

~ Article By Billie Miller
To sign up to receive more of these inspirational articles please visit www.TheWordisYourLife.com