The first relationship a Woman should have is with herself. If you “date” yourself or focus on self, you will connect with your spirit and there you will discover how to treat/love yourself. The foundation of self-love is about how you treat yourself. Now, some of us don’t like to go to the doctor or dentist, not good. Some of us put bad food in our stomachs, not good. Some of us do not keep our bodies strong/youthful by exercising, not good. Some of us don’t get facials or massages, not good. Some of us don’t take “star” time to curl up with a good book and a cup or your favorite beverage, again not good. What is “star” time, we are all part of this Universe and every star in the galaxy should shine brightly even you. But in order to shine you have to take the time to recharge regularly whether it’s an hour or a day.

I know some of the self-proclaimed work alcoholics might be thinking I don’t have time for this, well, I say make the time because there is only one of you and the Universe wants you here for a very long time. Remember this, if you want others to treat you well, you should start by treating yourself well.

This is Relationship Diva signing off; I have places to explore and people to meet. Until next time, may your days be filled with peace, passion, pleasure and purpose.

In Hebrews 11, the Bible talks about great heros of faith. If you haven’t read this chapter, take time to do so. You will be inspired at who God uses to do good. Let’s just say he didn’t always use the strong and powerful either.

Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” WOW!! That’s exciting! That means with faith…I can have the assurance and the certainty that God is working for me in my life and my hopes in dreams will come to pass. If you’re not jumping up in down right now…you’ve got to check your pulse!

Do you remember how you felt when you were younger and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew  you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combined assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God’s new and fresh surprises will surely be ours.

Two words describe our faith…confidence and certainty. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character…He is who He says he is. The end point is believing in God’s promises…He will do what He says he will do. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even though we don’t see those promises materializing now, that my friend is true faith!

So the next time you hear “keep the faith”, remember that God is Almighty and can do all things…it’s up to you to believe in His promises that He will do what you hope for.

I hope that you are inspired today and will Keep the Faith!  God desires a loving relationship with you…have you talked with Him today? If you’re needing prayer or have a praise report that you would like to share, please do so in the comments section below or join us over at Divas that Pray on Facebook. (http://facebook.com/DivasThatPray)

Always remember…I believe in YOU!

Be Blessed,

Now, I don’t believe in going under the sheets without a commitment because it does not serve my best interest regardless of a Man’s statue, muscles or bank account balance. But, today a lot of Women feel that they have needs that need to be met, so for some it’s become a sort of Power Struggle. But who REALLY has the POWER? And should Women be giving theirs away?

The answer to the last question lies in a few places, a woman’s self esteem, self worth and her ability to deal with the aftermath if it doesn’t turn out the way she wants it to. Some women want to be all things, do all things and expect all things to go there way; but there are consequences to doing too much and they don’t raise their heads until you are in the middle of it. Some of us want to be equal but we want men to do this and not do that, some of us want to be equal by being both the man and the woman this is until we are spending too many nights alone.

Are you confused right now? I am, just imagine how men must feel, it’s really quite overwhelming so a lot of them just try to go with flow for as long as they can take it. Now, don’t get me wrong men have a lot of issues but I’m not talking about them right now.

Power, Influence, Control all means basically the same thing and when two people are about to engage in an intimate act they start out on the same level. The question is do they finish on the same level? This is a question you must ask yourself before you decide to go up against that man, you know the man I’m talking about because you’ve been wanting him for a long time and now an opportunity just opened up. Do you take control over your needs/emotions or do you dive in head first and hope for the best? The choice is and always will be yours to make. Remember this: a woman’s life is equal to the sum of her choices.

This is Relationship Diva signing off; I have things to learn, places to explore and people to meet. Until next time, may your days be filled with peace, passion, pleasure and purpose.

I’ve learned through the past year that even though she at difficulty communicating her wants and needs, she still can feel her emotions. She enjoys it when I hold her hand. She loves it when I hug her and squeeze  her tight. She gets a big smile on her face when I tell her that I love her. These are the times that I cherish…I just wish I could read her mind!

I love you Momma!

I left crying & knocked on the door of my friend nearby. Her mother, whom I had never met, immediately embraced me as I sobbed to her what had happened. She murmured comforting words, & my heart eased. When my friend appeared, her mother released me & bent to tug gently on her daughter’s braids, saying “You be a good girl!” She kissed her daughter, and we left. I was heartsick, wanting to stay behind in that woman’s embrace.

Years later, I described to a therapist a childhood fantasy that soothed me: “I am on a swing. It’s a beautiful day; I feel safe, happy. A woman sits on the ground near a tree, smiling at me.” Asked if this was my mother, I answered, “No. Just some anonymous woman I made up. She is plump & pretty. She wears a brown dress with sleeves rolled up.” The therapist helped me realize that the woman in my fantasy was my friend’s mother. It was she who inspired me to create a loving, inviting home for my own child. Because of her, I loved every moment of my pregnancy, knowing I would be a good mother.

I feel blessed to have been embraced by her, however briefly. Thank you, my fantasy mother…Happy Mother’s Day!

Submitted by:
Linda Rieschel
www.ninisniche.etsy.com
www.ninisniche.com
Blog: http://headwrapguru.blogspot.com/
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/ninisniche

By the time you hit 40, we believe and hope, you have become aware of a few things about yourself and life in general. Some women get these things earlier, some later and some… not at all. If you haven’t discovered the following yet, that’s okay. Sometimes just introducing it into your awareness will bring things to light.

GURL KNOW’S List of What you Ought to KNOW by you’re 40th…..

1. When your body doesn’t feel the way it used to or just doesn’t feel “right”. That’s usually a signal something is out of whack and needs to change such as better eating habits, needing more sleep or coming up with a new exercise routine.
2. What your body needs and what you need to do to manage stress such as walking, taking a relaxing bath, reading a good book or watching a funny movie. Screaming is a good one too.
3. When a Man is not right for you ( immature, selfish, lacks ambition, boring). Trustworthy friends and family usually have good sensors where this is concerned. We women get our own warning signs but we tend to ignore them.
4. When it’s time for a change such as career, relationship, living environment, personal style, etc. Learning to read, acknowledge and act on the signals for change is sometimes challenging because we don’t like to admit to what we’re seeing, hearing or experiencing.
5. When it’s time to say “Adios!” to old beliefs, values and mindsets that are no longer serving you. These include feelings and beliefs about money, dating outside your race and dating younger men.
6. That it’s time to love yourself in spite of being alone or never being married. This one is huge for many women. We have got to treat ourselves well regardless of our relationship status. Having a healthy self-esteem and self-worth becomes a built-in monitor for keeping us safe and out of drama.
7. When you realize you still have a lot to learn about yourself and your life and that it’s okay to seek help ( therapist, life coach, mentor).
8. When it’s time for a new attitude about the way you feel about your body, your changing looks and getting the most out of your life.
9. When to take extra special care of your skin, especially the skin on your face to help you manage the increasing years and sun/environmental exposure. This includes seeing a dermatologist when necessary and scheduling regular facials.
10. When it’s time to find new dreams or new goals to pursue now that you have some of your emotional baggage under control or eliminated. Also a good time to start checking off items on your Bucket List.
11. When to compassionately let go of a relationship regardless of how long you’ve been in it, especially if it’s no longer in your best interest and it’s keeping one or both of you from growing and evolving.
12. When its time to release some emotions down on paper (Journal) so that your body can feel like itself again. Our bodies hold on to emotions for years, causing any number of health problems and blockages. Journaling helps you to get those emotions out and to give you insight to the situation.
13. When it’s time to experience something new because your life has become too routine and too boring. Maybe it’s time to take a trip, go on retreat or actually check off a dream on your Bucket List.
14. When it’s time to reorganize your home, your thoughts, your emotions and your life into manageable compartments. If your life is out of control, then it’s time to rein it in and get things in order. If its time to throw things out, throw them out, including old thoughts, mindsets and emotional baggage.
15. When it’s time to go into business for yourself. This doesn’t have to be some über elaborate scheme. It can be a simple home-based business to start you off.
16. When you are living out of alignment with your values, beliefs and passions. You’ll know in your heart when you’re doing this because you will begin to feel like a fraud. You just won’t FEEL RIGHT and you may begin to experience a kind of disappointment and disillusionment with your life.
17. When it’s time to have more and better sex. No further explanation needed.
Maturing in the 21st is nothing like previous years or decades. Women of all ages are having vibrant careers, sex lives, learning new things and experiencing new things that our foremothers couldn’t possibly have dreamed about.

It’s a AWESOME time to be alive, so if you’re letting turning 40 depress you, it’s really time to take tilt your head and create a different perspective. You made it to 40, many women did not so CELEBRATE and REJOICE at making it to this milestone in your life.

This is Relationship Diva signing off; I have things to learn, places to explore and people to meet. Until next time, may your days be filled with peace, passion, pleasure and purpose.

As he was talking, he pulled the throw blanket over his head & down towards his stomach with a big smile on his face. Finally… I realized he wanted me to hide under the covers with him & for his Daddy to come find us. I pulled the blanket high up over both our heads & whispered, “We’re hiding from Daddy.” With the biggest smile on his face & so much joy in his heart my son exclaimed, “Exactly!” He was so thrilled that mommy finally understood him & was playing the game with him. Of course I was overjoyed as well. That was my son’s first three syllable word. He said it as clear as a bell, & I actually understood it! Then my husband came sneaking up, pulled the cover off of us & sang, “I found you!’ My son laughed & pulled the cover back up over our heads again. We played the game over & over.

I’ll never forget that Mother’s Day or my son’s first 3 syllable word. Every time I look at my son, he brings joy into my life & I realize how blessed I am. I know in my heart, that God’s greatest gifts to me were his son & mine.

Story submitted by:
Elaine Stephen is a Christian work at home mom who sells Christian gifts from her Inspirational Gift Gallery web site at http://storesonline.com/site/inspirationalgift and personalized gifts from InspirationalSympathyGifts.com at http://www.inspirationalsympathygifts.com. Elaine also writes true stories & original poems on her Inspirational Christian Stories, Poems, Gifts blog at http://inspirationalgifts.blogspot.com.

Why? Who gave it to me?

The truth is, I gave it to myself in 1988–my first Mother’s Day as a single parent. My divorce was final, my children were with their dad for the weekend & I was a mom utterly alone till 3 pm. I lived in a tiny apartment with blank white walls & I would have loved a kitchen with blue & mauve wallpaper & a grapevine wreath, but I settled for an affordable three dollar mug instead. It was a gift to me! From me! For being my own woman and to celebrate my single mothering. My little mug is a monument to the struggles and joys of being a single mom. It is as important to me today as a remarried mom with grown kids as it was then because it marks in history the day I recognized my own importance on Mothers Day…and everyday!

Story submitted by:
Chris Moss
Www.spirituallysinglewives.com

Have you traveled to another city or country only to find yourself locked into typical tourist traps and postcard settings and wondered to yourself “how can I experience the true culture of this country or flavor of this city?”  These are symptoms suffered by today’s tourists who haven’t learned to escape their comfort zone. On the next episode of DivaTalkRadio, Kelli will be talking with Raquel Segural about the fun women can have with travel, especially traveling with girlfriends.
Next Show: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. EST on http://DivaTalkRadio.com/live

Raquel is planning a Paris excursion for women. Oh I so want to go! This 8-day tailor-made luxury extravaganza for the discerning woman who wishes to experience the authenticity, flair, culture and dazzling splendors that the City of Lights has to offer. Our guides will immerse you in the best of fashion, gastronomy, wine, art, history and joie de vivre that Paris has to offers. An unforgettable experience you will treasure for years to come.

“In the mayhem of today’s life, as women we often forget how to slow down and take in everything that life has to offer. Je Suis. PARIS will deeply enrich women’s lives by engaging all their senses in a fun manner with opulent influences, including fashion, art, music, culinary trends and every day musings. And what can be better than rediscovering a new you in Paris?” — Raquel Segura

Je Suis. PARIS is the debut tour of a new line of ‘I AM. Tours‘ catering to the tasteful and discerning woman who seeks to experience the most luxurious and authentic savoir faire of any city.

These guided tours offers a myriad of unique services based upon unparalleled local knowledge and unprecedented access throughout the city.  Luxury is at the forefront of each tour, delivering an enriching foray into Paris’ most sought after establishments and environments, often overlooked by even the savviest traveler.

Whether traveling solo or with friends, Je Suis. PARIS was designed for the chic woman who craves to Celebrate Herself in the City that Celebrates Women through an illustrious travel experiences.

About Raquel:

After nearly 20 years in Corporate America, Raquel decided to walk away from the rat race of the 9 to 5 world and follow her passion for travel. AiresLibre Travel was born from her vision and eagerness to provide the best personalized service, and passionate experience for her clients that she creates for herself in every trip she plans.  Her attention to every detail of an itinerary and unwavering desire to see the world through the eyes of the local culture is the driving force behind the company.

Raquel is the mother of her favorite travel partners (Daniel 14 & Savannah 11).   She is an avid reader and writer.  A culture aficionado who enjoys learning new languages, tasting wines from around the world and experiencing all different cuisines.   She currently resides in South Florida and when she’s not traveling, can often be found riding around town on her Vespa lovingly named “Valentina.”

Join Kelli Claypool as she chats with S.E. Gregg regarding her new book, The Christian Olympics: Going for the Gold Crowns, on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. EST at http://DivaTalkRadio.com/live

S.E. Gregg Bio:

A marathon runner in the Christian Olympics for several decades, S. E. Gregg is a Bible school graduate and the founder of Sound Doctrine Christian Ministries. An award winning author, gifted Bible teacher and Bible curriculum writer, Gregg has authored   the best-selling books,”Evangelism Counseling- How to Counsel People About Salvation”,”The Christian Olympics-Going for the Gold Crowns” and the salvation tract,”God Became A Man”. The salvation tract has been translated into the Burmese language and over 100,000 have been printed.  Gregg lives in the Philadelphia,PA area.