Introducing The Say Yes Challenge

MySavvySisters.Com is the world's leading empowerment website for women. We provide the resources, information and inspiration you need to survive and thrive in life.

Our women's empowerment outreaches will shake you at your core, providing challenging exercises which provoke extreme moments of self awareness which will stir you toward your path to enlightenment.

On September 1, 2011, MySavvySisters will begin yet another empowerment outreach to women- The Say YES Challenge: 30 Days of Non Resistance.
During the Say YES Challenge you can follow me, the publisher of MySavvySisters.Com as I attempt to say YES to everything life has to offer.

This challenge will help you in many different ways. You will learn to:

• Release anxiety about not being in control.
• Explore new opportunities that present themselves.
• Make peace with 'what is'.
• Learn to look forward to your next adventure.
• See obstacles as opportunities for growth.

From September 1st through September 30th I will post videos on our youtube channel and write detailed accounts of things that I have to say YES to.

I will Say YES to things like:

1. New experiences
2. New people who want to be a part of my life
3. Obstacles (I will accept them and try to see the beauty in them)
4. New opportunities that present themselves
5. People who no longer want to be a part of my life
6. New ideas

The Say YES Challenge is not about being a doormat. You will know which things to Say YES to. Say YES to those things that push you out of your comfort zone and force you to try a new approach. Say YES to people who are kind to you but are not ordinarily your type of friend. Say YES to situations and opportunities that seem to be ending.

Whatever happens- accept it and try to focus on how it could benefit you. Say YES!

Please do share your journey with the rest of My Savvy Sisters in comments on this blog or our youtube channel.

Learn to Say YES and see what happens when you begin to understand that life is a GIFT and not a curse and everything that happens, is a gift to you.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honored Among Nation's History Makers

By Te-Erika Patterson

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Monument is being officially dedicated this coming Sunday as astonished historians and a new generation of admirers make their trek across the country to Washington DC’s National Mall to witness the dedication ceremony celebrating the slain civil rights leader that has been 25 years in the making. President Obama is slated to be the keynote speaker at the event.

The monument is built on four acres next to the Jefferson Memorial’s Tidal Basin. It is the first monument on the Mall honoring an African-American and only the second in history alongside Booker T. Washington. It is also the only national monument in Washington that does not memorialize a president or a war. National monuments are designated as living memorials of change, progress and significant losses in our nation's history.

Visitors can walk through a symbolic “mountain of despair” that the sculptor Lei Yixin, an artist from the People's Republic of China said represented the civil rights struggle of African Americans. The front of yet another stone which boasts the 30-foot sculpture of Dr. King, is described by the sculptor as the “stone of hope”.

Incidentally this past Monday, one day after the unofficial opening of Dr. King’s monument, an earthquake registering 5.8 on the Richter scale pulsed through the Washington DC area causing no damage to the monument. The Washington area is also preparing for Hurricane Irene which is predicted to blow through the area on the day of the official dedication ceremony.

We shall not be moved.

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It's Not A Sin To Masturbate

An excerpt from Chapter 9 of the self help book It's Not A Sin To Be Single

By Te-Erika Patterson

Despite popular opinion, I believe that one of the few things we have dominion over is our bodies and how we perceive them. We can’t control others, we can’t always please them but we can sure please ourselves. Since we are single and not interested in mingling with just any old body, we can decide to learn to pleasure ourselves.

Who says we have to settle for emotionless lack luster one night stands during our season of singleness? Since we already love ourselves why can’t we make sweet love to ourselves? If sexual gratification is on your mind and you have no one to call to help satisfy that desire then by all means, go ahead and touch yourself.

Before you take out a pen and paper to take copious notes, be aware that the following suggestions are merely that, suggestions. You have to decide whether your beliefs line up with the idea of self induced physical pleasure. If you feel that it is wrong then it is probably wrong for you. I caution you to never engage in an activity that you will regret later, on the other hand, I believe there is no sin in exploring the pleasure zones of your body at your leisure. It’s your body.

The concept of pleasuring ourselves physically, or masturbation, is not a new subject in any society. From the time we are babies we may explore our bodies and hit the right spot and realize that something feels good down there. When we purposely stimulate our sexual organs for the sake of pleasure we are masturbating. The practice extends far into adulthood where we can enjoy it more because we have more knowledge of what it takes to make us feel good.

Masturbation is one of the best ways to fulfill your sexual desires while safely giving yourself pleasure. Most people admit to masturbating on a regular basis. It is nothing to be ashamed of because it is a natural fact of life and everyone has done it at one point or another. Although it’s not a dinner table topic, the act is just as normal as washing your hair.

Some masturbation techniques can involve another person but most people think of it as a private activity. Masturbation allows us a healthy way to explore our bodies and to release sexual tension without having to pay an escort during our time of singleness.

No one masturbates the same way every single time. Everyone has developed a unique technique that suits their body and their lifestyle. Regardless of the method, the goal is always the same, we all want to have an orgasm. An orgasm is a powerful explosion that occurs when we are at the peak of our sexual experience. I can’t be quite accurate in describing the way it feels except to say that it is much like the fulfillment of a long awaited promise.

Weigh Your Options

There are thousands of toys, pills, movies, creams and other aids that will help you to reach your climax. How do you decide which method is right for you? Well, that’s the fun part, you can try them all.

If you have had sex before try to remember which parts of your experience turned you on the most. Was it the ability to watch your partner penetrate you? Was it the feeling of the penetration? Was it the sound of your lover experiencing immense pleasure?

If you were more aroused by the sight of the sexual act you may want to try renting or buying a pornographic video. There are so many options to choose from that your head will spin on your next visit to the sex toy store. Explore and find a video that is similar to what you have experienced.

If you were more turned on by the feeling of penetration you may want to explore buying a toy like a vibrator or for men, a masturbation sleeve. I won’t recommend a particular product here because no one is paying me for advertising.

If you were more aroused by the sounds of your lover then you have the option to rent a soft core porn movie and listen to the animated love scenes.

Set The Scene

Even though there are a variety of options for visual and physically stimulating aids all you really need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down and your own hand.

If this is one of your first experiences try to choose a time when you are home alone and you will not be disturbed. Turn off your phone and close your blinds, you don’t want to end up on Youtube.

It may be a good idea to have a hand towel nearby just in case things go well. Take out your toy/aid, if you chose one, and place it nearby. Undress yourself, there is no need for shyness. No one is around to judge you.

Relax And Enjoy

Successful masturbation is about concentration and your imagination. Your orgasm begins in your imagination first and then your body takes the cue and reacts.

Give yourself time to get used to the sexually stimulating ideas that are floating around in your mind. Enjoy them. Relish each one. Linger over the visions of your fantasy. When you’re smiling and biting your lip because of the beauty of the image in your mind you can begin to use your hand to fondle yourself.

For men this is demonstrated by making a fist around your penis and sliding your hand up and down the length of it in a firm yet gentle motion. You can increase the speed and the tightness of your grip to suit your personal tastes.

For women this could take some exploring because there are various erogenous zones in your private areas. You could try to position your hand like a karate chop and begin by gliding the base of your hand over your labia and clitoris until you feel a tingle.

Once that tingle is located, usually around the area of the clitoris, play around a little more until you can feel the intensity of the tingle begin to increase. Use the base of your hand or your entire hand to cause friction.

Be sure to get your hips and your body into the groove. The combination of the mental stimulation and the physical stimulation will have you at your sexual peak in no time. Enjoy what is happening to your body, it is the safest form of sex known to man and there is nothing wrong with it.

Of course there are other tips, tricks and methods but I’ll leave the more creative techniques to your imagination. As long as you feel positive about what you are doing, be open to trying different techniques as you explore what makes your body feel best.

It’s your body. You own the rights. Enjoy yourself.

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How To Kick A Drug Habit

My Savvy Sisters don't do drugs. Why should we? We are leaders. We understand that leaders need to keep a sober mind to influence and shape our lives and the lives of those around us. Fools and followers indulge in drug habits because they feel that they have no control over their world and they seek to escape in any way they can.

In the past, we may have been influenced by peers who taught us that getting high was the best kind of pleasure and that may have been true as we indulged in mediocre lifestyles, numb to the possibilities that surrounded us.

To kick a drug habit (or any habit that does harm to our bodies and doesn't allow us to focus in on creating the best world around us) we should follow these simple tips:

1. Figure out other ways to cope with stress. You can try drinking a cup of tea. Teas have natural herbs and flavors that induce relaxation. The fun part will be trying different flavors and mixtures of teas to see which ones affect your body the best. Replace your bad habit with a cup of tea instead.

2. Try to find a new high. We all get high on something and those successful people can attest to that. Getting high does not have to mean running to your local dealer to get a dime bag. Finding your new high means trying new activities and figuring out which activity ignites your soul. There is something out there for you to do that makes you feel like you are soaring with the clouds. For some women it's running or other physical activities. For others, it's goal setting and watching as each goal is achieved. Yet for others, it's being on the dance floor totally oblivious to those around you, sweating out all of the stress. What makes you feel so good that you feel as though you could do it FOREVER all day, everyday? That will be your new high. Become obsessive about it and get rid of that old disgusting habit.

3. Use your drug habit to benefit you. Very often drug users do not recognize how their drug habit has equipped them with skills that could benefit them in life. If you are a drug user, you have learned certain code words and drug etiquette that has allowed you to indulge without getting caught in your illegal activity. You're smarter than most. You have a savvy nature about you. You're quick on your feet. You think quickly to avoid danger. You can recognize a good drug bomb from a bomb that could kill you. Why not use these skills in a job like police detective or athletic coach. You could take your skills to the streets and become a master salesman. You learned something from your drug use that goes beyond relaxing in la la land. Assess those skills and see how they could work for you.

4. Find something (or someone) that means more to you than your high. We often take drugs for recreation because we feel lonely or useless or we are surrounded by other lonely and useless people. You are useful. You have a purpose. Someone needs you to be coherent to add value to their life. You have to make a decision that you have something good going for you, even if it's your freedom. You have to decide that the life you want can not happen while you are high. You have to decide between the two and move forward maintaining the life you want instead of what you don't want.

5. Take stock of where you are right now. What is your mental state like? Who are your friends? What are you doing for fun? How do you feel about yourself? How does this benefit you? Now, take a quantum leap into your future. Imagine what your life will be like if you continue on the same path. Do you like where you imagine you will end up? If not, take another quantum leap by imagining what your life would be like if you stopped taking the drugs right now? Do you like that image better? It's all a decision, my sister. You can do this.

To stop taking drugs right now:

Detox: This may take a drastic measure that you have no control over like going to jail, overdosing or going to a drug treatment center. However you end up getting the drugs out of your system you should go ahead and embrace it. Once you rid yourself of the drug habit, you have to replace it with a new habit. It is not unusual for a drug addict to be an obsessive person. You can use this personality trait to your benefit. All genius' are obsessive. All leaders are obsessed about their work. Become obsessive about something that will benefit you. There is nothing wrong with you, you just have directed your energy into the wrong direction.

You can make a change TODAY.

It is simply a decision and completely within your power.

You have all the power.

Turn your life into what you WANT.

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Your World News Report - August 24, 2011

By Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Sexual Charges Dropped

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is officially a free man--New York District Attorney has dropped all sexual assault charges against the former IMF officer. Ms. Diallo a hotel maid accused Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her when she came into clean his room--Strauss-Kahn denied all charges against him. Even though Strauss-Kahn clung to his innocence he resigned as the International Monetary Fund Director. Ms. Diallo early this month filed a civil law suit against the former IMF Officer. Many gathered in front of the courthouse in protest against the ruling.

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Rebels Seized Gadhafi’s Compound, Gadhafi Not Backing Down

Rebel forces gained control of Moammar Gadhafi’s compound in Libya. Rebels were celebrating in victory of pushing Gadhafi’s and his military out of the compound. Many set parts of his compound on fire and took artillery and weapons off the compound. Gadhafi released recording in Libya’s airways after rebels took control of his compound announcing victory in his tactical plan on moving off his compound. Gadhafi is stern about not relinquishing power to NATO or the rebels—Gadhafi has vowed death or victory in the battle.

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Earthquake Shook the East

5.8 Earthquake rocks East Coastline of the U.S. many felt the tremors from Atlanta, Georgia to Boston Massachusetts. Around the early Tuesday afternoon Mineral, Virginia experienced unusual seismic activity. Many took to the streets not knowing what had just occurred only fearing the worse another attack since the anniversary of 911 is around the corner—many were shock to know an earthquake shook the east. No deaths or major injuries were reported many reported minor damages on their property. The Virginia Dominion Power Plant was shut down once the tremors were felt as precaution and safety reason. The Washington Monument shutdown and will remain closed until repairs from the damages cause by the earthquake is repaired. Governmental building were evacuated, but gave clearance for employees to return to work. Residents in Virginia continue to feel aftershock tremors ranging from 2.2 and 2.8 magnitudes--Virginia last earthquake was 100 years ago. Many of the East Coast is preparing for Hurricane Irene as the path is yet to be confirmed. Early Tuesday morning an Earthquake shook the State of Colorado.

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Japan Debt Rating Downgrade

Moody downgrades Japan’s debt rating from Aa3 to Aa2--after Japan slow recovery since an Earthquake and Tsunami affected the country. Japan is currently facing a recession and its economy decreased by 1.3% in three months. Japan’s public and private sector have been affected and many fear Japan may never recover.

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How To Survive- Working For A Bi Polar Boss

Every one of us has had to work with a manager or supervisor who was difficult to deal with. There are those overbearing micro managers who don't trust us to do the jobs they hired us to do, there are those miserable managers who have no love at home and take out their frustrations on us and there are those managers who view their department as their own private army and treat us like insignificant subordinates as they claw their way to the top of the corporate heap.

Of course, there are those managers whose moods swing so forcefully that we are left standing with our mouths wide open, afraid to utter a word not knowing if they'll throw something at us or offer us a hand shake.
So often when we have managers who have mood swings we like to call them bi polar. The clinical definition for bi polar according to the DSM IV can be found by following this link but we all know what we're talking about here.

How do we survive working for a bi polar boss? The key is in understanding their perspective and stepping back from our own emotions.

Understanding Your Bi Polar Boss

Your boss could be bi polar, but there are other explanations for their erratic behavior.

1. You are annoying and so are the other 12 people in your department. Can you imagine being the ONE person that 22 grown ups run to for every little problem? They tattle on each other for every little thing and seem to forget simple rules and procedures that they were taught on their first day of employment. Your boss is dealing with at least a dozen personalities that are all as unique as hers and she has to change the way she speaks and explains things every single time a new face pops into her office with a question.

2. Your boss is human. Every human experiences differences in their range of emotions. If your boss shows up day in and day out with the same plastic smile on her face and speaks calmly and rationally every time, you can assume that she is a) newly in love and she's not really paying any of you any attention or b) high on drugs.

What can you do?

Let her have her moments of despair or extreme jubilation. If you do not allow your boss's moods to affect yours then you will have a better relationship with her. If she shows up screaming and crying over a mistake you made, its safe to assume that she recently made a mistake that she regrets and the negative energy that she is feeling about that is transferring over to your work.

Do not ever take anything she says personally. Your work performance does not define you as a person. Even if she tries to make you think it does, you do not have to defend yourself, just KNOW on the inside that it doesn't and give her a blank look. Learn to say, "No problem." to anything she asks you or tells you to do and she will come to respect you.

You are not at work to prove to your boss that you are equals. You are there to follow instructions and complete a task. Allow your boss to be the boss and do what she says the way she says it. You don't have to be completely submissive but don't try to buck the system to show off your smarts. A SMART employee knows how to be a good follower, without being a kiss-up.

Remember:

She isn't anyone special and neither are you. The company will still run and make money whether or not she is there or whether or not you are there. Your life doesn't hinge on the success of this one position. Even though she may want you to believe it does, it really doesn't. Just do your best and accept criticism with an open heart. Your financial stability does not come from this job. Your financial provision is a divine gift. This job is just ONE of the many ways that you can be taken care of in this lifetime. You have to trust that.

Relax. No job lasts forever. No situation is permanent. The more erratic your boss's behavior is the more you know that she is unhappy in her personal life or feeling pressured by the demands of the company. Feel sorry for her. Help her out in extra ways if you can. Do something nice for the office or for her or give her ONE DAY where you don't bother her with questions or annoy her with complaints. She needs a break and will surely appreciate it.

You can handle this situation once you realize that your boss is not a machine, she is a person and she is allowed the same ups and downs that you are. Give her space and give yourself time to separate your frustration with her from your frustration with your job. Chances are you LOVE your job but you dislike your boss. Let her go crazy everyday while you smile and say, "I'm glad I'm the employee and I don't have her problems."

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EDITORIAL: Places

By Christina Fermin

Politics & Society Columnist

I have done quit a bit of traveling in the past few years. Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love to travel. As the opportunity arises, I am off. One thing I enjoy about traveling is the scenery, and how beautiful mother nature can be. I also enjoy seeing and feeling how places flow and work. Everyplace and every city is unique in its own way, some are beautiful and flow well with the area, while others falter in the flow and become ugly. One thing I have noticed is the vibrations different places hold, and how these vibrations affect me. With that being said, it makes sense on how some places people are more friendly than others, or how crime is higher in cities rather than rural areas.

I live in South Florida, where we are ranked 8th in population and most of the population is smushed together in area 110 miles long by 20 miles wide. The vibration I get as soon as I land here is one of anxiety, high maintenance, stress and on the go. Now granted, New York is the city that never sleeps, but South Florida is the city that is trying to catch up. Cities like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco flow very nicely, people are friendly and things are more relaxed, not as tense as they are here or New York. You have enough hours in a day to do things. Within every city there is a bit of anxiety, but it’s all different. Some places are fun, while others are sophisticated, or simple. One will find more fear in a big city more so than a small town. People tend not to know their neighbors, or avoid them. I find it easier to isolate yourself in a city.

Rural areas are so very different. The pace is so much slower, things are so much simpler and they can be peaceful. I grew up in the Florida Keys and am very familiar with life away from the city. Key West is very laid back and care free, while places like Alabama and Georgia are more simple, religious, slow, but peaceful. Montana is very western, relaxed, peaceful, and fun. Rural small town places are more intimate and community driven, people know each other and help one another. Anxieties don’t run high 24/7 like a big city. It becomes easier to enjoy the smaller things in life, like the stars that fill the sky on a clear summer night, or the music played like an orchestra by frogs, crickets and other animals and insects.

I love getting away from the city. Time slows, life slows and I feel happiness all around. Things like style, status and money don’t matter. One of my favorite ways of getting away is camping, its cheap, fun and a good way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It is also a good way of seeing other parts of the state that you usually don’t get to see. I love sitting by a camp fire with friends and family, telling stories and jokes under the night sky. It brings joy to me and always brings things into perspective. Life is not all about working toward a “goal,” it is about enjoying the moment and living in the present without worrying about the future or past. I find those are the moments that really matter, those are the moments that are never forgotten.

If you are like me and find the stresses of city life getting to you, when it feels like life is just zipping by, it is. Different cities carry different vibrations, depending on those vibrations of the collective consciousness will determine on how they directly affect you, just like someone being negative sometimes rubs onto you. If you are naturally a high stressed person, maybe moving to the country might be a good thing. If things are too boring and slow for you maybe you should move to a big city like New York, Los Angeles or Miami. One thing is for sure, living in the big city you get lost, and it’s good to take that trip out of your normal “element” and slow down, take it all in and never forget to live in the moment, bask in it because it’s happening right now and right now will never happen again.

Peace & Harmony,

Christina

About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

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