Personal Perspective: How To Enjoy A Beach Photoshoot As A Thick Girl

 

D97AD74B-8D26-4A5E-AB64-BA23121A8098If you were a caped crusader what color would you wear?  Without a second thought my cape would be hot pink. But if that cape was in the cleaners, and I had to run and save a damsel in distress, I would choose the yellow one.  My secret power would be Positivity and I’d write my way through sticky situations.  Not unlike The Riddler, just without the jokes.

Seriously though, earlier this week when I  walked across the sand to have my photos taken in this bathing suit, I felt more confident and comfortable in my skin than I’ve ever felt. I was able to leap over second glances of lowered dark sunglasses and confused looks in a single bound.  I laughed out loud and let the wind carry my hearty giggles into the sea.  I flew like a real life superhero. 

Like so many of my less than confident sisters, I struggled with the beach for a long time. I loved the sound of the surf and waves. The afterglow of the sun’s kiss was beyond compare.  But I lived in the typical world of body hatred and I didn’t want to go.

Like so many of my less than confident sisters, I went anyway and suffered on the inside. I pretended it was fine, even though it was anything but fine. I was all smiles and laughter and simultaneously silently wanting it to be over. 

Like so many of my less than confident sisters I was losing time.  Have you lost time like this too?7AC9DC24-2654-494B-A96A-8D601DBC89E8

This is not an after picture. It’s not a story about losing weight and finding myself. It’s not even about learning to ignore the flaws and step out as a (BBW) big, beautiful, woman. Nope. It’s simply my story of letting go. 

AB1E90D0-3BD3-4D9D-B397-95DF3FAE72A6

If and when you finally let go of all the negativity and self doubt and overly critical thoughts and the wondering if you are good enough, you get to fly like Supergirl. You realize that the sun will still rise and set despite your cleavageless chest or your thick thighs with no gap.  The tide will come in and go out even if you don’t allow yourself the freedom to tease the shoreline with your bare feet. You understand that even if every single person on the beach takes a second look at the lines on your belly and indignantly wags their head at the size of your arms, they will probably forget by tomorrow. And if they don’t, that’s their problem.  They should try getting a life.

81B779D0-B0CC-4E52-BD40-232CE0ED61C9

 

7A0CA32E-1EDC-4ED1-AFC2-17482C3BA806Being You Is The New Black. It always matches. It always fits.  It’s a classic that never goes out of style. 

Time is not for wasting.  And neither are you.  Allow the bigness of your spirit to leave the deepest impact. 

Allow yourself to…

🗝 Be Authentic.

🗝 Be Brilliant.

🗝 Be The Catalyst.

(Photos of shoot Chatone by Daria Wright, Emmy award winning celebrity stylist and photographer.)  Contact:  Glamologistpro


Chatone Morrison. Certified Life & Health Coach. Gifted Writer Creating Print & Video Content that Raises Confidence, Positivity, & Energy in Corporate Women and Business Owners. Self-Talk Shifter. Motivation Elevator.  Catalyst.

Facetune_25-10-2018-21-14-10Specializing in content creation for women-owned small businesses, Chatone Morrison is the Princess of Positivity® a highly creative, high energy, heart-led, coach, consultant, mentor, leader and excellence enthusiast. Chatone is absolutely passionate about helping her clients to script their unique brand story, systematize their message so they can confidently sell their services on and off line. 

To Connect With Chatone on Social Media:

https://linktr.ee/realprincessofpositivity

What Is Your Sweet Spot?

macaroonTip #7:How can you create more confident content and tell your story with greater clarity?

Find your sweet spot. Knowing it and knowing it well will forever change how you position yourself in your life and business.  It’s like your own “best of” album.  Clearly interweaving the best of all of you is what makes your clients come back.  Not sure how to find yours? Think about this:

  • What is the core message that you can’t wait to share?
  • What is that topic that you can talk endlessly about no matter what?
  • What is that passion-filled conversation that you always want to have, even when you are exhausted?
  • Why did you start your business?

Your sweet spot is that “thing” that you are stoked to talk about, write about, present about, regardless of audience size.  Reaching even just one person gets you stoked, because you know it’s making difference.

Every business owner has a sweet spot.  Finding it and letting it shine as often as possible is the difference between a little confidence and a LOT.  Which would you rather have?

As a mompreneur, girlboss, super-wifey, example of all things powerful and positive energy for your family, you cannot just allow how you share your message to be flat!  And you definitely cannot allow comparing yourself with someone else to keep you from finding your best voice.  Your album is meant to be purchased, and even if the concert is small at first, there is a standing ovation on the way for your sweet spot – your greatest hit!

Do you feel that your content is boring, stale, and losing it’s edge? Do you just have plain old writer’s block?  Go on back to your sweet spot to regain your confidence.  This is the WHY behind your business and you audience is waiting for it!

Want to know my other top tips for clear and confident content regardless of your platform of choice?  Check out my Instagram feed:  instagram.com/realprincessofpositivity


EC3C179C-1207-49DC-98C2-7EA074039C3C

As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream?  Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video?  Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or  your “about me” page or bio?  No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice and letting your positivity reign, is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session.  Together we can do this. 

Take 5! How To Make A Good Day Great Without Even Trying

 

5BCF8A3D-9355-40BB-8100-38C86C7D5112

I’m happier when I take a few moments to focus on what’s good.

For the last few years I have been taking a moment to focus on something really small and really good every day. Yesterday this photo was taken during one of these moments. 

It’s more than just gratitude. Acknowledging the good stuff, however minor, and being thankful is an energy changer.  A mindset shifter.

In 2012 hubby and I decided it made sense for me to leave Corporate HR and Training communications behind. It was the right decision but the shift in routine and a series of illnesses threw me for a loop. Anything like that ever happen to you?  I was accustomed to feeling great and serving others and feeling relatively happy, then suddenly it was all gone. Even though I was busy concentrating on getting well, it was almost unbearable.  I had to think of something. Scaling back from trying to find my perfect life and instead working to embrace the present was a much better choice.

A little later I started keeping a list of 5 things each day that I loved or experienced or appreciated or enjoyed. The rule I set was I couldn’t make the list in advance (I cheated a few times) and I would take 1 minute to just reflect on each of the 5 things.  Guess what?  It was magical.

I put the list on my original blog with the goal of recording 3000 positive memories and experiences. I invited others to participate. It was beautiful how a few moments spent mining for gratefulness changed me and those around me.  That’s why I always hashtag “focus and take time”.

Daily we simply cannot “overcome” all the difficult people and encounters or inner feelings we meet. But we can use the law of substitution to shrink the present negative circumstances.  Just by creating this simple practice and teaching others how to do it got my is shift in gear. 5 little thoughts are amazing when you want to quickly move the energy in an otherwise negative room.  Or yourself.

Mining yesterday was easy. I took off my consultant hat and put down the laptop and toured a historic factory in upstate New York with my family. I found so many but here are just 5:

Construction workers waving hello

Huge red-orange Flowers

Meeting Matilde from France 9B2F09D8-D9ED-4F79-8BCF-6EBC533744AB

Groundhogs in the garden

Ice cream sandwiches by the fire truck

Try this. Focus and take time. Challenge your employees and teams and kids and spouse and self.  Who knows what might make tomorrow’s list? 

We pass treasures every single day. Be determined to see them. 

As a small biz owner, are you reluctant to tell your brand story on livestream?  Are you gripped with uncertainty at the suggestion of using IGTV, YouTube or creating edited video?  Do you get sweaty palmed when you think about scripting daily social media posts, your next blog, or  your “about me” page or bio?  No need. Helping you lose the negativity while finding your voice is what I do best. Get on my calendar for a free 20-minute catalyst session.  Together we can do this.  

Social Media

Connect With Chatone Morrison on Social Media

EC3C179C-1207-49DC-98C2-7EA074039C3C

What Moment Will You Cherish?

Saffron Lifestyle Puerto Plata Dominican  Republic

Cherishing My Moments. Because “one day it could be otherwise”.

For the last several days I’ve been in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic without my family. For someone else that might seem normal enough, but that just means they haven’t met me yet. Traveling? Check! Traveling internationally? Check! Traveling internationally without my husband? That would be an automatic no for me.

However we had an issue with our kids passports; I had no choice. I needed to come and welcome our family and guests, all the while praying hubby could get 24 hour passport renewal without me being in the room. DO NOT…I REPEAT…DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!

(I will save the details for another blog once I can find the humor in it. That hasn’t happened yet! But to whet your appetite It includes the following: nine school children who wouldn’t get out of the street, an irate customer care agent who should hand in her resignation NOW, a monsoon, 15 hours of hunger, struggling up a steep cobblestone hill on a golf cart with no windshield through the previously mentioned monsoon, 4 defunct Internet cafes, a lawyer who can no longer hold his own pen but has the notary stamp, holding back the traffic of 489 aggressive motorcycle drivers, to run through the traffic and that blasted monsoon and at least one donkey.)

Now that my family is here I am once again reminded why it’s so important to authentically focus and take time. To slow down and be present. To cherish the moment. To know that: “one day it could all be otherwise”. To learn more about this concept, check out the last episode of, The Sunday Corner™, on YouTube: bit.ly/ChatoneYT

Last night we celebrated with a special dinner. And while this is not a restaurant review it just might make you hungry to visit the DR and come to this fabulous spot.

Travel with me….

We dined at at “Saffron”, a private restaurant here in Puerto Plata. How it lived up to its name!!

Fresh healing herbs infused into every bite. Yes, the food was amazing. Mediterranean hot and spicy lentil and root vegetable soup, smooth hummus and eggplant purée in tiny white bowls served alongside pickled carrots and beets and thick pita bread straight from the oven. The tender roasted lamb chops the size of beef ribs, the chicken tangine arrived at the table atop pearl potatoes, tiny okra and in a sauce with the perfect bite. All of this feast paired with a delectable deep red wine, then finished with crispy phyllo stuffed with apricots and drizzled with warm honey. We were directly at the ocean in a evening so dark, we could hear the surf and waves and the song of night birds, but see nothing. Not even the sand. It was truly a gorgeous experience.

And yet it became pale because I was in the midst of cherishing that my “forever boyfriend” had finally arrived. Mark Morrison is better than the best dinner in the best location in the best part of the most beautiful island. I have cherished him since I was 14 years old. I want to continue.

When you stop to focus and take time, you notice all the tiny hints of moments to cherish and enjoy.

Your turn…

Chatone Morrison ©2017

FullSizeRender 11
Are you a make it happen woman in public, need who is hiding behind a facade of confidence? Could you benefit from support around your mindset, body image, motivation and self-talk in private?  Are you ready to ease your way into releasing your negativity so your positivity can reign?  I’d love to help you up level your game.

Complete the questionnaire to apply for a free 20-minute strategy session with me.  http://bit.ly/Ready-now

Social Media
https://linktr.ee/realprincessofpositivity

Coaching Website:  ChatoneMorrison.com

Facebook:
@chatonemorrisonconsulting
@princessofpositivity

Instagram:  @realprincessofpositivity

Periscope/Pinterest/Twitter:  ChatoneMorrison

Are You Setting Your Fire With Wet Wood?

IMG_2699

Do you have an autumn ritual?  Something that automatically makes your mind turn to red and gold leaves and the shedding of trees?  For our family that means camping.  Although  we won’t be able to fit it into our October schedule, we will no doubt spend time on our patio, enjoying a crisp, dusky evening, making s’mores around the fire pit, telling stories, watching the release of the beautiful, glowing energy.

Speaking of stories, which ones have you been telling yourself lately?  What renewal are you in the process of experiencing?  As I mentioned the other day in a blog post here, this time of year has become the new starting point for so many folks.  Autumn truly is the “New Black”.  For me, it’s all about writing more, meeting new people in both my coaching and Mary Kay business, and working a revised, more robust schedule for my Deaf ministry.   bulb idea riccardo-annandale-140624

Each of us has the unique privilege of having a dream, an idea, a mission, some specialness that we want to bring to fruition.  To do it well, you need to ignite a “fire” in your spirit to make it happen.  And no matter how excited you might be about your big idea, without the elements of fire behind you to make it happen, well it won’t happen.

Setting fire to your idea, your dream without the strength of the right elements is like setting a fire with wet wood.  It will smolder and smoke, but never get to a full burn.  The right stuff is missing; the dampness is killing the energy!   But how can you know what the right stuff is, and how do you get it?

In many ways it’s simple.  It’s all about strength.  The cool thing about this strength is that you can adopt it.  Grow it.  Develop it.  Evolve into it.  It’s not about pushing or prodding.  It’s about asking the right questions.fire timothy-meinberg-206976

My specialty is about helping women ask the right questions of themselves so they can learn how to release negativity, let positivity reign, and set a fire within to get things moving in the right direction.  Is that your journey?  Are you ready to start?  Be sure to check out this past week’s Sunday Corner™ video.  You can get so much done when you turn up your flame!

Chatone Morrison ©2017

Ready to get your positive energy in check?  Looking to clean up your self-talk, create a personal affirmation plan or ease your way into releasing your negativity so your positivity can reign?  Complete the questionnaire for a free coaching strategy session.

=======================================================================

Don’t Miss The Weekly Sunday Corner Show on YouTube:  Bit.ly/ChatoneYT

FullSizeRender 11Social Media

https://linktr.ee/realprincessofpositivity

Coaching Website:  ChatoneMorrison.com

Facebook:

@chatonemorrisonconsulting

@princessofpositivity

@chatonemorrisonMK

Instagram:  @realprincessofpositivity

Periscope/Pinterest/Twitter:  ChatoneMorrison

Interested in starting your own business?  Let’s set up a marketing chat. chatonemorrison@marykay.com

All photos courtesy of Unsplash.com

Vision Through Any Size Window

plane window_lian-jonkman-226400

Photo by Lian Jonkman on Unsplash

For many of us, Vision is a strength.  We see with wide eyes.  Positive eyes.  For others vision is a struggle because distractions of other people’s views get in the way.  How about you? How is your vision?

One of the reasons I love coaching and being coached, is the way it opens eyes.  Eyes without possibility suddenly see (pun intended) what could be.   So many times, right up until the time when you are ready to hit “Go”, vision is in place.  You are flying a private jet.  The view is wide open, the window is huge and clear.  Then one thing or another happens.  Clouded by fear, indecision or feeling cramped by too many other opinions, even if it’s the last thing you want to happen, the window shrinks and vision fades.

The irony is when starting something new, vision is possible through any size window.  Even when no one can see our big idea, it’s clear to us.  Adversity and fear shrinks the window.  As the size of the window shrinks, so does the vision.  In reality, if you have the nerve to start scared, but invincible you can finish the same way.   Here’s two quick ways to do it:

  1.  Find your tribe!  Who is your tribe?  Like-minded, similarly focused folks who “get you”.  It doesn’t mean they are into the exact same thing necessarily.  It just means they will allow you to have your vision.  They will refuse to allow you to shrink because the target is far away.  In the picture above the window is small.  Seeing anything is going to be hard.  But the realities outside are exactly the same size!  So find a tribe who will keep you accountable for looking straight ahead even when the distance between you and your goal is still far away.
  2. Be Authentic!  This is more than just a Princess of Positivity® platitude.  Being Authentic is real and it will keep your vision alive!  Along the way to reach what you want so much fear is involved. Couple that with the naysayers and dream-slayers, and the tendency to say everything is, “Fine” is simply to tempting and seems harmless.  Of course nothing could be farther from true.   It will keep you from moving forward.  Because when you lie about your progress, or tell the truth about your progress, and then lie about how you feel about it, your tribe cannot help you.  They won’t even know you need it.

If you are wanting a stronger and more positive vision, you can also write down your vision statement, keep it with you and recite it repeatedly until you are comfortable.  Or you can make a vision board and interact with it until you embrace it as truth.   It might take a moment to change your mindset, but once you do, you get to play a bigger game with your ultimate vision.  Deciding is more than half the battle!

dark window_izzy-gerosa-180911

Photo by Izzy Gerosa on Unsplash

Any Size Window – Poetry By Chatone Morrison

Super big vision.
Big ideas. Yet,
Packing big suitcases. 
Full of fear.

 

Shaking head silence.
Choices are few.
Thoughts seem distant, old and un-new.  

Shake them off?  

Pretend them away?  
Face them head on or they stay and stay and stay.
Where is the vision?  
Where did it go?  
Brought down with arrows, night clubs and bows? 
When with-in seems empty, and with-out is a shame.
When you give up or give out just “I” will be blamed.
When Perseverance is a memory of your distant days
Packed in the cases of your younger self’s ways
Go in again with
A different approach. 
Go in again with
A brand new way.
Step out on the field. 
And into the sun. 
Go for the run where giants play. 
Your vision is present
On the field and on the plane.  
Fear is a friend
A guidepost to glow.
You are more than enough
To play a huge game
And your vision is clear through any size window.

 

Chatone Morrison ©2017

Ready to get your positive energy in check?  Looking to clean up your self-talk, create a personal affirmation plan or ease your way into releasing your negativity so your positivity can reign?  Complete the questionnaire for a free coaching strategy session.

=======================================================================

Chatone old navy striped top princess

Don’t Miss The Weekly Sunday Corner Show on YouTube:  Bit.ly/ChatoneYT

Social Media

https://linktr.ee/realprincessofpositivity

Coaching Website:  ChatoneMorrison.com

Facebook:

@chatonemorrisonconsulting

@princessofpositivity

@chatonemorrisonMK

Instagram:  @realprincessofpositivity

Periscope/Pinterest/Twitter:  ChatoneMorrison

Interested in starting your own business?  Let’s set up a marketing chat. chatonemorrison@marykay.com

All photos courtesy of Unsplash.com

Revealing The Secret Life of Hands

 

cbm hands october 2017This morning my hands lovingly squeezed fresh lemons, making an attempt at distracting me from more senseless killing.  The fragrance lingered behind and I was reminded that a 5-minute act can still create joy.  There is still beauty created in simple acts.

The thing about our hands is that we use them every single day. All day. With our hands we smooth the skin on our face and body. We rouse awake. Wash our children. Hold our spouses.

With our hands we plant the garden. Cook the food. Make the coffee. Cook the breakfast. Pack the lunches. We sign the homework. Check the backpack. And then we sit them on our hips as a sign. A sign to move on with our day.

One month ago, today, my hands rose super early. They packed my bags. Brought my things to the truck. Drove 400 miles to my “big brother’s” funeral. My hands wiped my tears. His wife’s tears. My friend’s tears. My hands provided comfort.

These same hands held my 11 year old’s (when no one was looking) when he was a bit nervous on the first day of middle school.  They applauded when he could find his locker and got his first “A” of the semester.  And in their versatility, they wrung repeatedly when consecutive hurricanes hit and the worry was as deep as the falling rain.  Then, my hands became an essential oil diffuser and massaged my temples when I was sleepless.

When I was 18 months old, my right hand was badly burned.  The scar is a reminder of my mom and dad screaming through the house, taking care of me.  When the weather is cold the skin is ashen, tight, itchy and draws attention.  My hand holds this secret that spans my entire life and the memory never ceases to bless me.

Whether I’m in a place of curiosity and courage or gloom and grief, I ask my hands to be on a mission of service.  Days like today, I don a black leather “CLARITY” bracelet on my right hand.  It’s a nudge in the direction of understanding, gratitude and as much positivity as possible.

Focus and Take Time with your hands.  The secrets they tell need never be spoken.  Use them to do something simple yet powerful.  Change a moment.  Change an evening.  Change a year.  Change a life.

Chatone Morrison ©2017

Ready to get your positive energy in check?  Looking to clean up your self-talk, create a personal affirmation plan or ease your way into releasing your negativity so your positivity can reign?  Complete the questionnaire for a free coaching strategy session.

=======================================================================

CBM looking up pic dallas

Don’t Miss The Weekly Sunday Corner Show on YouTube:  Bit.ly/ChatoneYT

Social Media

https://linktr.ee/realprincessofpositivity

Coaching Website:  ChatoneMorrison.com

Facebook:

@chatonemorrisonconsulting

@princessofpositivity

@chatonemorrisonMK

Instagram:  @realprincessofpositivity

Periscope/Pinterest/Twitter:  ChatoneMorrison

Interested in starting your own business?  Let’s set up a marketing chat. chatonemorrison@marykay.com