The dash is the time between the year you were born (sun rise) and the year that you move on to a higher plane (sun set).  Your dash should be lived in style. Find your purpose, your passion and mission in life, your soul mate, the career of your  choice, and a lifestyle that compliments who you are among other things.

Live your dash with great self-love by exhibiting a  high level of self-esteem, defining your identity, taking pride in who you are as a woman of color, and respecting yourself. Your  dash says a lot about you, so take as much time as you need to determine what you will accomplish next, where you will go, and how you plan to arrive at your destination in style.

So, how are you living your dash? Make it meaningful and leave a mark that lets the world know that you lived a significant life.

Source: Culbreth, D. (2014). Living Life Fabulous at Fifty: Affirmations for Women of Color.

We are interested in speaking with girls/women of color who have formed friendships, etc. with other girls/women of color who possess either a lighter or darker skin color. We are hosting a show on the Dynamics of Colorism Talk Radio on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 8pm EST on the topic and would like to show the world that girls/women of color can and do form bonds/friendships with other girls/women of color who may possess either lighter or darker skin. The purpose of the show is to defy the negativity being portrayed by the media that girls/women of color continue to fight, dislike, and treat each other disparately because of skin color (lighter or darker skin).

If you or someone than you know meet the guest criteria (either light, medium, or dark skinned and is friends with another girl/woman of color with skin color that is lighter/darker), please ask them to contact us at  talkradio@colorismproject.com. We would like to speak with them about being a guest on the show. If they cannot be guests, they can submit their story to us via the above e-mail address and we will read and discuss live on the air. The show is going to be the marker for a positive movement focusing on relationship building for girls/women of color.

As many of you know, our mission and goal is to bring together women of color from all walks of life in unity. Our focus is on girls/women of color celebrating and embracing each other, setting the record straight for those who continue to send the message that girls/women of color constantly fight, argue, treat each other disparately, are jealous of each other, and participate in colorism acts on a regular basis. If we do not take a stand, we will continue to see reality television shows, documentaries, magazines, etc. displaying women of color in a negative light and at odds with each other. We are so much more than we are portrayed as being and in 2015, we intend to make sure that the world is enlightened as we move to embrace and celebrate each other in all that we do.

This is a new year and time for movements that are grounded in positivity with a focus on positive ideas, positive relationship building, positive energy, positive thoughts, and positive action. This is the year for women of color to break down the barriers of negativity that we are so often associated with.

Thank you for your help and for sharing this posting.

Living Life Beautiful!
Dr. Culbreth & Dr. Jung-Kim

The Dynamics of Colorism Talk Radio is two years old. Join us as we celebrate!

Join Dr. Culbreth and Dr. Jung-Kim for an introduction to the National Girls and Women of Color  Council, Inc.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm EST

The Dynamics of Colorism Talk Radio

Call in to ask questions or comment: Listener Line: 914-338-1308

Topics:

• NGWCC (Mission, Vision and Core Values)
• Purpose
• In the NGWCC News
• Moving Forward
• Moving  Onward
• Moving Upward
• Team NGWCC
• Invitation to join NGWCC
• New books for Girls and  Women of Color: Live Life Beautiful and Live Life Fabulous

Link to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dynamicsofcolorism/2014/11/14/girls-women-of-color-moving-forward-onward-and-upward-1

Join Dr. Culbreth as she explains the Principles to Live Life Fabulous for women of color and shares excerpts from her new book: Live Life Fabulous.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

8:00  PM EST

The Dynamics of Colorism Talk Radio

Principle One:  Fabulously Fifty Self-Love

Topics

• The Principles to Live Life Fabulous
• Colorism and stereotypes
• Relationships
• Time for you
• Standards of beauty
• Health and nutrition
• Break free from Psychic Prisons
• Validate yourself
• A woman of distinction
• Reaching Destination Fabulous

Okay, you have lived for half of a century or more and have experienced good, bad and ugly times. Through it all, did any experience lead to the discovery of your passion and purpose in life? Take time to think about the dreams that you did not pursue or the plans that you started and had to put on the side, the things that you were passionate about but did not pursue. Is the passion still there or did you discover a new passion? Through deep reflection, you will be able to identify your passion. If you discover that you are passionate about a new career, writing, developing a new product line, invention, drawing, gardening, starting a non-profit organization, a support group, or learning a new language, then pursue your passion with vigor and do not let anyone, any situation, or anything keep you from it.

What is your purpose? It is possible that you are the change needed in society, or that you will discover or invent something that will leave your mark on the world, teach, preach or mentor? Discover your purpose and pursue it with every fiber of your being. Once you have discovered your passion and identified your purpose, you will realize your mission, and focus on your vision for the future. Just remember to believe and think positive about everything that you are doing. Believe with the passion and intensity that you felt with your first love. (Ah ha, that jumped started you, or at least I hope it did). Set realistic goals, dream big, and dream in color because you are about to embark on a journey to Destination Fabulous. Your next step is to board the Fabulously Fifty 747 train, Destination Fabulous!  By the way, I do mean train.

 As you begin preparing for your journey, it is important for you to have balance and peace of mind. Focus on balancing you by taking care of the important and priority matters, of course time for family, friends and work, and last, but not least, time to think about your journey. You are busy planning, organizing, researching, and believing in you and your ability to let your passion fuel your purpose, which will motivate you to stay focused on your mission, as your vision becomes clearer and clearer by the minute. WOW! This is so awesome, so refreshing, and so darn rewarding because you are on your way to Destination Fabulous!

  Now that you have discovered your passion, identified your purpose, realized your mission, embraced your vision, and set realistic goals to reach Destination Fabulous, know that change is just beyond the horizon.You have developed a plan (and of course one or two back-up plans, just in case there is a just in case moment, by your own doing) to get you there and have your itinerary imprinted in your mind. You are on your way to living your dreams and being truly happy. You are on your way to Destination Fabulous, the point in your life where you can honestly say that you are in a good place psychologically, emotionally, physically and socially. Destination Fabulous is the place where women of color live life fabulous!  You will not allow any negativity to accompany you on your journey because there will not be any room, time or place for it. Therefore, you may have to make a few changes so be prepared.

Before you board the Fabulously Fifty 747 train, seriously evaluate the people you surround yourself with, the people in your inner circle, the company that you keep. Ask yourself if they are bringing too much negative energy to your life. If you are trying to reach higher ground, trying to improve or enhance the quality of your life, ask yourself if the people in your inner circle, etc. have grown significantly over the past five years. Are they trying to reach higher ground or enhance the quality of their lives?  Do they respond negatively to your dreams, goals, etc.? Have they embraced your new purpose, mission, and vision for your life? Can they support and respect your journey?  Are they bringing too much negativity into your world? If the people within your inner circle are holding you back and stagnating your growth, then it is time to make a decision.

You have a few choices so choose carefully and let the decision be the one that is in your best interest. Choice number one: tolerate their nonsense and allow them to hold you back (but of course, you would never allow anyone or anything to hold you back). You can always consider going to counseling together. Choice number two: put them on notice that you will not tolerate negativity and be firm with them. Choice number three: invite them to exit your life and when you do so, make sure that they exit to the left. Sometimes people do not realize that they are stagnating you and keeping you from reaching your full potential. They may stick pins in your bubbles just as you are ready to fly away with them. In all fairness, sometimes people stagnate you unconsciously and it is important that you tell them about the issue and be honest about your feelings. For those who consciously, intentionally, and deliberately stagnate your growth, open the door. Remember that conscious and unconscious issues can be caused by other people’s insecurities. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, you must decide who is worthy of being a part of your life and whether they are an asset or a liability. This is your life that you will live fabulous by your standards and your terms. Take a stand, be firm and mean it!  If you are ready, climb on board!

   You will be riding on the Fabulously Fifty 747 train that “will not make any unnecessary stops for any reason” (I cannot remember who stated the quoted content). Unnecessary stops are the stops that you must make in your life to deal with OPD (other people’s drama), negative people, and those who cannot or will not embrace or understand that you are on a journey to Destination Fabulous.

One more point before the train leaves the station, put people on notice that you are not getting off the Fabulously Fifty 747 train unless you are compelled to do so of your own volition. This is your time to enjoy who you are, where you are going, and the journey that you will take to get there. Ride in style being balanced and with peace of mind!  I will see you when you get there!

By the way, do not forget to check this off on your Fabulously Fifty Bucket List.

Have a fabulous week!

The fall is my favorite time of the year, a time when I enjoy the real beauty of nature from the leaves turning awesome colors that take your breath away, to the beautiful warm colors of the mums in my garden. I really revel in decorating the house with warm colors of burnt orange, olive green, gold, burgundy, and chocolate brown. Of course, the scent of pumpkin or spice candles set the mood. The cool crisp evenings coupled with a cup of tea with lemon, a good book, a nice warm throw, and of course, my glasses really make fall evenings on a private deck ideal.

I really wanted to do something totally different this year so I decided to make a wreath for my front door that included the beautiful colors of fall. I brought the flowers, fall colored ribbon, and heavy-duty wire (my husband’s idea) to shape the wreath into a large circle. On a cool evening, I set up a workstation on my deck and began working on what I now call the masterpiece of all masterpieces. I turned on Watercolors and while I enjoyed the soothing music, I discovered a hidden talent.  My masterpiece is now something that I can mark as accomplished on my Fabulous Fifties’ Bucket List. Who would have guessed? Wonders will never cease to amaze me!

I decided to create a Fabulously Fifty Memoirs album that will contain memoirs of my creations. I covered an album with beautiful print cloth and left over dried flowers. On the inside, each addition will include comments along with the date and a photograph.

How creative are you? It is amazing when you discover your hidden talents by chance. As the fall slowly creeps in, take the time to discover your hidden talents. You may just create a masterpiece, begin writing a best-selling novel, a poem or two about the beautiful fall weather, or a short story that rocks with suspense.

What will you fabulously create to celebrate the beautiful fall? Whatever you create, enjoy the time spent on your fabulously fall project and then take a picture and add it to your Fabulously Fifty Memoirs.

Discover your hidden talents as you live life fabulous!

During a conversation with a friend last year, we began talking about our ages and when she learned that I was turning fifty in a few weeks, she commented, “damn that is old, things just start going downhill at fifty.” Downhill? Was she actually serious? A woman who would not turn fifty for another ten years was entirely too negative about life so I quickly distanced myself from her. I was actually excited about turning fifty and could not wait to receive my AARP membership card. During the next few weeks, I reflected on my life, my accomplishments, good times, bad times, and dreams for the future.

I celebrated my fiftieth birthday with my husband and my best friend (who is actually the male version of me). As we sat in a quaint little restaurant enjoying great food and a great conversation, my best friend marveled at my accomplishments, noted that I was at the what next stage in life, and inquired about my plans for my fifties. Another thought-provoking moment that led me on a journey of deep reflection. 

One year later as I continue the transition into my fifties, I am in love with my life. I am in a good place personally, psychologically, emotionally, physically, and socially. I love being a woman of color who is transitioning into her fifties fabulously. Actually, I am better now than I was in my 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s. I have successfully accomplished each goal that I set out to achieve and continue to amaze myself every day.

 As I continue this fabulous transition, I set new personal and professional goals to accomplish during my fabulous fifties. To add a sparkle and a dash of flavor, I also created a fabulous bucket list that contains some awesome things that I will accomplish during my fifties. Notice that I wrote “I will accomplish.” The word “want” was not used because I do not “want” to accomplish items on my bucket list, I WILL accomplish them. Words are powerful and this is positive thinking at its best. This blog is one item on my bucket list that I have marked as accomplished.

To all of the fabulously fifty women of color around the world, this blog is for you. As you transition into your fabulous fifties, rebalance your PPEPS (personal, psychological, emotional, physical, and social) status. This is a time to celebrate you! This is also a time for enhancement, rejuvenation, and empowering yourself. Try setting new goals and plans to achieve them, create a bucket list for your fifties, discover a new hobby, embrace the beauty of nature, begin an exercise routine, schedule your general and women’s wellness exams, begin or continue eating healthy, begin writing your memoirs, and most importantly, make time for you to truly enjoy your fifties. During this fabulous transition, focus on your self-esteem, self-love, self-identity, self-respect, and self-pride. You radiate positive energy! You sparkle like a diamond! You are indeed fabulously fifty!

I love the following quote and often post it as birthday wishes to friends. “A birthday is the beginning of another 365 day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.” (Author unknown). Transitioning into your 50’s is the beginning of another 3,650-day journey of living life fabulous! Revel in the awesomeness of being fabulously fifty.

Enjoy being fabulously fifty, live this time in your dash in style, and most importantly, live life fabulous. You deserve it!