It's Your Time ~ Go Get Your Blessing!!

So I got in my car after a LONG, frustrating and exhausting day at my 'day job' (yes.. I work full-time..and get my grind on when I can).  Although I am waiting patiently to move into my new season with Empower Her, Inc. and my other passions, it still gets hard when you know what you have been called to do but can't take that leap just yet.   As soon as I put my key in the ignition....these lyrics came blasting through my speakers (I forgot I was jamming to some songs on the way in to work..lol)!

It’s like you’re lookin through a telescope
You see where you gone be
Growin’ gettin’ better
You’re not the person they see
Can’t be mad at the things you’ve been through
‘Cuz they built your muscle
Now you’re stronger than you’ve ever been
They can’t stop your hustle

Yo’ faith ain’t never small
That’s what brought you this far
See you got your dreams and you got your prayers
And you got yo’ God, He’s gone take you there
See everybody has a season and I’ve believe this one’s yours
‘Coz you’ve been working, waiting
This is what you’ve been praying for

I almost ran into a pole in my parking garage by the time this verse was done, I was so blown away by the lyrics as if felt like God was saying to me..it is YOUR SEASON...but you STILL have to "Go Get It"..which was driven home even more as I start bobbing my head to these next verses...

Go get it
Go get it
Go get your blessing
Go get it
Go get it
Go get it
It’s your time (it’s your time)
It’s your time (it’s your time)
It’s your time

 

You were made to live a good life and that’s what i believe
so hit the floor say a prayer start working you got to do something

It’s alright to crawl before you walk
It’s alright to walk before you run
*But if you wanna get what you never got.. gotta do something that you never done*(love this lyric!!)

Go get it
Go get it
Go get your blessing
Go get it
Go get it
Go get it
It’s your time (it’s your time)
It’s your time (it’s your time)
It’s your time

You’ve been qualified
By this mercy multiplied
You cannot be denied
‘Coz you’re finally certified
It’s official
Go ahead and testify
He’s gone bless you
You gone bless me
Now God be glorified 

The song ends with more "Go Get It's" and me breaking it down behind the wheel some more!  On days when it's hard and you may not feel like things are moving forward sometimes we have to be reminded that it is our time and season..and that we have continue to GO GET IT!!

So Empowered Peeps..I don't know about you..but my 'hump day pity party' is over and I'm back on the grind and ready to GO GET MY BLESSING!!! 

Let's rock out the rest of the week! Here's the song by Mary Mary to get your started! I"m jamming to this song (with a little running man mixed in) as I write this..so please feel free to join me..IT TRULY IS OUR TIME!!

Click Link Below to Listen!

Remember:

The Power of Visualization..Dream in Detail!

Hello Empowered Peeps!

So this weekend 'Cloud 9' was my home after receiving the news that I was approved for non-profit status.  I was just so blown away and could not stop praising God for all the things He had brought me through and the places that He was going to take me.  I was sitting at my desk in my home office on Friday evening (I set up this space in January 2012 and told myself that one day, I would be getting up and sitting at my desk in my very own Empower Her, Inc. Resource Center) and I came across papers that I had created and taped to my mirror in October 2011. 

My Home Office for Empower Her, Inc. :-)

At the time I was in the early stages of putting my non-profit paperwork together and decided to look up what the official letter looked like that your receive when you are approved for tax exempt status. So I google searched it and found a copy of some one's declaration letter advising them that they had been approved for their non-profit status...whohoo! The letter read "We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code".

I remember looking at that letter and the organization that received it and began imagining what it would be like to hold that letter with my name on it and Empower, Her, Inc. across the top!! So I printed a copy of the letter and took whiteout and where it said date I wrote "March 2012" and then made it addressed to "Empower Her, Inc.".  I also put a message on top of the letter "Empower Her, Inc. Official 501 (c) (3) by March 2012..Determination letter will look like this and come via mail with my name!" I also put messages on the bottom talking about my Empower Her Resource center detailing things about it as well.  I taped it to my mirror and whenever I brushed my teeth, fixed my hair..or looked in the mirror, my eyes would catch that letter and I would imagine the day I would receive mine!

The declaration letter I printed and replaced with my information..its sitting above my PC now

On last Friday, I looked at the letter and I almost fell out of my chair when I realized that my dream/visualization had come true. I had received my status on March 13th, 2012! (Received the news via phone and waiting on my official letter to come in the mail..will update blog once I receive it!!) I was blown away and could not help but thank God once again for blessing me and showing me that there is power in your thoughts, what you visualize and focus on. I know that this and my journey is all orchestrated and has a divine design!

UPDATE:
Here's the letter that I pulled out of the mailbox, shortly after posting this earlier in the day!!

My Official Letter Received 3/21/2012...OMG!!!

I want to encourage everyone to dream big..and when you visualize your dreams taking shape to see it in every detail...down to how it will feel, taste, smell, look, and sound!!!! There is so much power in our minds, thoughts and when you add spiritual power behind it..there is no stopping your dreams becoming your reality. This manifestation actually scared me when I realized it had happened and now I am a dreaming fool over here ..writing down all kinds of stuff, putting new pics on my vision board, putting a key on my key ring to symbolize the key to my resource center...even found these large scissors in the dollar store this summer that I also have on my desk to symbolize scissors that I will use when I cut the ribbon on my center.  I actually practice cutting an imaginary ribbon from time to time and my youngest daughter loves doing it as well..never to early to get kids to realize the power of visualization for sure!

Large Scissors I found at the dollar store that I practice cutting my imaginary ribbon to my EH center with!

Always Remember...

Be Empowered and Celebrate Life Everyday!!!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

– Mark Twain

Empower Her, Inc. http://www.empowerherinc.com/

Make It A Lovely Day!!

Came across this beautiful new video and campaign that Jill Scott is doing! I love love love Jill Scott's rendition of "Lovely Day" and the that fact that she is launching the "Have A Lovely Day" Campaign to foster Random Acts of Kindness and Volunteerism.

Visit www.havealovelyday.org to learn more and to get involved. #HaveALovelyDay!! Had to share!! Super cute..love the kids! I can't seem to stop singing this song now!!!

Empower Her, Inc....My Dream Has Come True!



Super duper thrilled to receive the news that I have received my official 501(c) 3 status!!!So as many of you know I have had a dream to empower women and girls for the last 10 years.  Working with G.E.M.S and Jewels Empowerment group fulfilled a big part of my dream, but I always had a desire to empower women as well especially when it comes to their dreams.  I remember volunteering at a resource center for women in Virginia about 7 years ago and when we decided to move back to Atlanta, I contacted the non-profit director and told her how much I enjoyed volunteering there and asked her if she had ever considered having a center in Atlanta. The lady practically laughed in my face when I told her I didn't have my degree (that was the first question out of her mouth when she found out I was 'only' a volunteer).  My spirit was crushed that day as I had dropped out of college and gotten married and had a family and all I had was a passion to help women/girls.  So we returned to Atlanta and I enrolled back in school and finished my degree with a BS in Psychology and a concentration in women's studies. I graduated with honors while juggling family life. 

Me and My Girls After My Graduation in 2007 :-)

While in school I volunteered at the Atlanta Women's Foundation and found out that there were  organizations and funds out there for people who wanted to work with women and girls. It was the first time I realized what philanthropy meant. I was able to learn about women philanthropist (hope I will be one as well) who donated millions to causes for women and girls and about grants and resources. I was blown away!!!

I got a job after finishing school in recruiting and that is where I connected with the founder of G.E.M.S. & Jewels, Adriane Simmons. She had a passion for working with girls and I had a dream to help women with their dreams. It turned out that in helping her I realized that I too had a desires to help girls not go through the same things that I went through with low self esteem and other issues. We have been running the community based program for 5 years now and it has been so rewarding. 

G.E.M.S. & Jewels 5 Year Kickoff Celebration 2011

It didn't hit me until early last year that my desires to work with women were still there and I had an added passion with planning and designing events that would uplift and inspire.  I decided in the fall of 2011 after being the event planner at Kim Thomas' (founder of Afro Puffs & Pony Tails) 1st Professional Leaders of Women & Girls Conference that I wanted to do more and combine my many passions into one organization that I hoped would become my own 'empowerment center' (forget you lady in Virginia :-)! I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Vanessa Parker of Pink Boss and decided to use her business services to form my non-profit. Vanessa was amazing she took my vision and completed all of the paperwork within a matter of weeks!  I got the 1st draft on Christmas Eve and was in tears as that was the best present ever, having it on paper! I mailed my application the day after Martin Luther King's birthday, which was symbolic to me as this was always my dream to make a difference. 

Today I posted on facebook about how everyday since that day I run to the mailbox checking to see if I got my status. Shortly after posting I get a post by Camille Allen (another fabulous woman doing big things) that maybe I should call and see if it had been approved. So I picked up the phone and called. My hands were shaking as the IRS representative said...."Mrs. Norman, Empower Her, Inc. was granted tax exempt status two days ago, March 13th, 2012 (which is also VERY symbolic as March is WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH..my favorite month...making history for sure!) and the official letter went out in the mail yesterday."  I almost screamed in my cubicle but instead ran outside in tears!!! I called and texted my hubby, my family and friends who have supported me on this journey.

My friend who has been so instrumental in helping me walk in my new event design/planner passion, Elisha Akram of Kustom Kreation & Photography happened to be in the area and dropped me off a celebratory cupcake from Gigi's Cupcakes with a star on it (I was told years ago that God would turn my scars into STARS) to celebrate this special day! Once again I was in tears..Thank you Elisha!!

Celebration Cupcake from my friend Elisha!!

I came home and shared the news with my daughters and they were so happy.  My youngest daughter who is 8 ran to her bookbag and pulled out a mini report she had done on a woman in history that she thought was just like her mommy and shared the same dreams! What a coincidence that she did this the same day I got the news!

I had to record her sharing how Abigal Adams and her mommy rock..check her out below!! !

Empower Her, Inc..is about helping women like myself and girls like my daughters to celebrate and live an empowered life everyday
Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my dreams, this is only the beginning, I am so excited!! Please keep me, my family and my dreams in your prayers!! With God all things are possible!!

Hugs,


Kara
http://www.empowerherinc.com/

Empowerment Birthday Party- Leaving My Mark On Women's History

So this is my very 1st blog post! I'm new to the blogging arena so thanks for stopping by for a little empowerment.  I recently founded Empower Her, Inc. in October 2011! I am waiting on my official nonprofit status...which should be coming very soon! One of my visions for Empower Her, Inc. is to provide empowerment parties/celebrations.  As the co-founder and director of programs for G.E.M.S. and Jewels Empowerment Group for Girls I realize that girls and women especially face so many challenges and empowering them is so important. I also wanted to combine my passion for event design/planning and the programs that we provide for girls and offer empowerment parties and celebrations for women and girls.  I did my first empowerment party for my daughter's 8th birthday party in December 2011.  She loved taking my iphone and creating web shows of herself doing different things and also loves the icarly webshow so I came up with an iKennedy theme party, in which she and her friends were able to create their own web show during the party. She really enjoyed having her very own show and being the director! The girls and boys that attended had a blast!  Check out her party here by clicking on the video link!

So when my birthday rolled around in March which is Women's History Month, my favorite time of the year, I decided to incorporate a theme that would include honoring amazing women in history.  I also realized that through what we have done with G.E.M.S. and Jewels empowering girls and my vision with Empower Her, Inc. I too would be making my mark on women's history!  Women have contributed so much to women's history and until I took a women's studies class in college, I never knew that a whole month was dedicated to us! So the idea was born and I called up my dear friend, Elisha Akram the creative vision behind Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor and told her about my ideas and she came up with the amazing concept to put my face amongst phenomenal women both past and present in the picture below. At first when she sent me the design I had a hard time seeing my face right next to Oprah Winfrey's beautiful face.

 For so long I have struggled with self esteem and believing in myself so to see that image made me feel like I was not worthy of being next to these great women.  After a long conversation with Elisha I realized that I needed to embrace where I was and where I would be going.  I was no different than any of these women! I was blown away by the amazing items that she came up with and it truly brought my vision to reality!  I also contacted a beautiful young woman, Julene Fleurmond creator of Dreamfleur.com who writes beautiful poetry and designs lovely products that are so inspiring. She provided a wonderful poem that inspires all women to make history and reach for their dreams! Powerful women that are also making a huge difference in this world!

Poem Created by Julene Fleurmond

I had a few family members over for my birthday and really wanted to thank everyone for supporting me over the years and to ask for prayers and birthday wishes for my many dreams. It is so hard pursing your dreams especially as a mom, wife, full-time employee and woman.  The gathering turned out so beautiful and after it was done I realized that I had completed my second empowerment party!! I really would like to offer a creative spin to the traditional birthday parties and celebrations that are out there and have a real message behind them! So cheers to my birthday, the wonderful things to come and to women who have paved the way for me to make a difference.

I am reminded of this great poem by a powerful pioneer in women's history that talks about dreams and that we all can make a powerful difference..we just have to jump out there and give it a try!

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars, to change the world" -Harriet Tubman

Here are some pictures from my Empowerment Birthday Party!

Beautiful custom items from Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor: http://kustomkreations4u.blogspot.com/

Beautiful custom photo collage from Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor: http://kustomkreations4u.blogspot.com/

Love Rosie Riveter..found this at a thrift store..right up my alley!

Sadie Mossell Tanner Alexander-1st African American Woman to Receive her PhD in the US!

Wishes from my family placed on my Wishing Tree!

Wishing Tree..Great Personalized Touch To Any Special Event!

Plan to keep all the birthday wishes and notes of encouragement on my desk as reminders and support!

Beautiful Poem Written By: Julene Fleurmond! A young woman that will make history! http://dreamfleur.com/about-julene/

Event Details:
Event Planning/Design/Photography -Kara Norman, Empower Her Inc & Events By Kara

Event Decor: Kara Norman and Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor

Women's History Poem: Julene Fleurmond - Dreamfleur.com