Managing Self

Moms Experiencing Radical Change With Melinda Rae

The Girls in Power “programs” have touched the lives of many young girls, women and parents.

Struggling as a teen, I desired to “feel heard and matter” to the world and others around me. I desired to change my negative thinking, worry, and regret, feelings of shame and worthlessness; after so many years of poor decision making, failed relationships, afflictions and internal struggles.

My quest of re-programming my negative thinking, calming my spirit and desiring to love myself, accept myself and to connect to my purpose was the path that lead me to delivering the Girls in Power workshop series to young girls. Young girls have had success with finding a “new confidence, inner peace, emotional stability and the desire to pursue passions; as well to be able to handle the stress of everyday life; incluMom and Daughterding their bullies.”

Even with this success, I thought about long term success. The idea of adding “Mothers” to this picture filled me with more hope; as I believe if Mothers were to experience the Girls in Power workshops; then true and permanent transformation would take place and new and strong bonds would be formed.

This past spring, that is exactly what happened. Moms experienced radical change; transforming the way they handled life and how they experienced their loving and supportive bond with their daughters.

Mom’s completed the program with saying, “I had a major transformation; I feel equipped now, happy to start my day with joy and excitement as well as beginning to see new possibilities.” Mom’s stated, “My relationship with my daughter blossomed and we share a new special bond.”Talking Stick

Additionally, parents felt, relief and a new sense of confidence in their daughters and of their own ability to parent with love, faith and positive solutions.” We have witnessed changed attitudes and grateful hearts filled with peace and contentment.

Wow, isn’t this refreshing news?

I think so, and guess what I did next? I started AskMelindaRae.com  and I am delivering a life-changing coaching program to women. I have taken all the success and knowledge I have learned from the Girls in Power programs for tweens and teens and Mother’s and Daughter’s which I am now providing ALL women the opportunity to find inner peace, freedom to live with joy and contentment, as well as new skills to handle the stress, fear and worry. Women are reaching success in their life with applying valuable tools that I teach them to use, and women are ignited to change the way they manage and look at life.

Grab my Secret 3 Step Formula Here to help reduce Stress, Fear, and Worry

 

Joint Venture Empowers Community Members in Conejo Valley

What a difference a year makes.

A year ago I was getting ready to launch Girls in Power workshops at the Conejo Valley YMCA. Our success with equipping girls and mothers with self-value, self-respect and empowerment was possible because of that partnership. YMCA helped Girls in Power lay a strong foundation in 2012 by allowing us to use their facility to operate our flagship “Program” for girls’ ages 8-16 years old.

Today, I rejoice with announcing the partnership between YogaWorks of Westlake Village, CA and Girls in Power.

mike-yogaworksAfter sitting down with the President/CEO Phil Swain and RVP Mike Leonard and sharing the Girls in Power vision and mission it became apparent we would be able to expand our reach by offering more workshops per week and have the ability to serve more girls and families.

Many women have asked me when I will have a program for the “big girls?” GIP recognizes the need for all people to have access to the Girls in Power programming. My wish has always been to have the ability to provide more services to our community with the possibility of national expansion. YogaWorks has made that possible. YogaWorks has provided the space to run girl’s workshops, women workshops and parent workshops. We are excited to announce on March 17, Girls in Power will launch tween workshops for girls ages 9-12 and parent workshops; open to parents of pre-teen and teen-aged daughters. In April, Girls in Power for Women will launch “Let’s Talk: Inspire the Girl Inside” skill-building workshops to help women connect with their hearts and find inner strength to develop their own identity, inspirations, and passions.”

Melinda Soroptimist

YogaWorks, built on a strong business foundation of “never compromising quality and integrity; the cornerstone of their company, teacher training, and programs” is “nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains just a few minutes from Malibu’s beaches, Westlake Village is an outdoorsy community with cycling paths, miles of hiking and nature trails, golf courses and even a lake for small boats.”

We have locked arms with YogaWorks who has a similar mission to the GIP Foundation, Inc. which is “to honor and embrace each student’s search for personal growth, wellbeing, and fulfillment by offering the highest quality yoga programs to people of all ages and from all walks of life.” GIP Foundation has the mission “to uplift, empower, teach, and support at risk female adults, teens, and children so that they can become emotionally, physically, and financially self-reliant in order to become mindful contributors to their communities and to promote these activities of the corporation throughout the communities where it will operate.”

YogaWorks exemplifies their corporate responsibility by using an approach which is “safe, compassionate and skillful teaching.”
One thing you will hear me saying is “with the support of others we will be “powerful” collectively; to provide more programs and impact our teens to increase self-confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem. A perfect match has been made with YogaWorks who believes, “the power of many is greater than the power of one.”

gip-logo

People have high expectations that companies should act responsibly. A business must satisfy the first rule which is “to do no harm” and if this is not done then no amount of stewardship, giving or employee volunteerism will make a difference or even matter. Girls in Power believes YogaWorks is perfectly lined up with a successful track record for ensuring customers have fun, learn from well-trained teachers, leading from honesty, integrity and respect and as well as they desire to continue to create an environment where everyone grows.

Tweens Meet-Up GIP Club @ Yogaworks Westlake Village

Begins March 19th
(9-10-11-12 years of age)
Tuesday 4:30-6:30pm
Parent Information March 12th 6pm-7pm
Dates Biweekly GIP Club meetings for GIRLS: Tuesday’s @ 4:30-6:30pm–Mar 19, Apr 2, Apr 16, Apr 30, May 14
Dates Biweekly GIP Chat Time for GIRLS: Tuesday’s @ 5:30-6:30pm–March 26, April 9, April 23, May 7

LIVE Event 1 – Sunday, March 17, 1pm – 5:30pm
Kick-Off Moms/Daughters skill-building workshops

LIVE Event 2 – Sunday, April 14, 1pm – 5:30pm
Girls (only) skill-building workshops/bonding/Peer Role Models-

LIVE Event 3 – Saturday May 18, 11am – 4pm Moms/Daughters skill-building workshops & graduation

NEW GIP Leadership and Empowerment Teen Workshops – Meet at Yogaworks Westlake Village
GIP assisted by the TO Youth Commission
Location: Yogaworks
2475 Townsgate Road Westlake Village
(13-16 years)
Limited to 10 girls
Monday 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Parent Information Meeting April 18
Dates: (April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16 (Special event: Civic Arts Plaza), and May 23, May 30, June 6)
Graduation June 6

Finding Joy and Satisfaction in Daily Living

Finding joy and satisfaction in daily living helps me feel fulfilled, peace and zest each day. You are promised a full and satisfied life.

In my book, Empower Your Girl, I share tips and tools on how to find satisfaction and joy in your daily life.

Do you find yourself thinking, “I am not satisfied, I missed an opportunity, I lost my dream or my dreams have passed me by?”

“If you are not happy, and have feelings overwhelming you; distracted, unfulfilled then consider the options you have. It is your choice and you can make the change; it is your choice on how you create more time, more space, more fulfillment, more focus, more energy, and more peace. Taking back control of your calendar or agenda, creating space and margins to rest and be still will all lead you to feeling more energy and engaged with things which make you feel alive and at peace” (Crown, 2012).

Empower Your Girl shares one tool I use to find my joy and satisfaction, daily, by evaluating and reviewing my life priorities, using a “Wheel of Life.”

Wheel2

“This is a template used by many as is a model, which helps me stay in the moment by knowing what my priorities are; ultimately helping me live with intention in everything I do. I found it gave me a quick and easy way to graphically identify the areas in my life to of which I want to devote more energy to, and help me understand where I might want to cut back. My wheel of life empowers me to stay focused and not get “off balance,” continue to develop awareness of important areas, reduce stress and frustration. The wheel of life gave me a “helicopter view” of my life helping me when the road got BUMPY and I know it can help you too” (Crown, 2012).  **Download Empower Your Girl here

You ultimately have to have a reason to get out of bed every morning. You need to have dreams, visions and hopes. By taking the time to evaluate your life as it is, reviewing how you spend your time daily will illuminate if your priorities are congruent with your goals and dreams.

Staying productive is good, but what you do, is more important and a key element to finding joy. Keeping active is great, but ensuring your on track to achieving your goals is crucial and vital to you finding joy and satisfaction.

Melinda’s “Top Secret” No. 1

Each morning, before I start worrying about my day and my “to do list” or looking at my phone and computer I grab my cup of coffee and grab my devotionals.

I use Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling and Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life each morning.

Starting my day with being still, filling my mind with positive ideas, refreshing wise words, and faith of possibilities, help me at a foundational level.

Sometimes the devotion gives me the focus I need or a reminder that God is with me. Sometimes I connect with scripture or a call to action of thankfulness and gratefulness. Whatever the message for the day is…I am stepping out in the world with a positive frame of mind, a positive spirit and a hope for my future.