Monday, December 24, 2012

Guest Post: Dreaming of a White Christmas

 

Join This Woman's Words in welcoming public relations expert Vannessa Wade as our guest today.  Please leave your comments below:


     There is something magical about this time of year. The air is cool. People hurry from store to store, strangers open the door for one another, people indulge in food and fun and if you listen closely you may even hear carolers.
      Kindness does not have to be a dirty word. Why limit reconnecting with family and friends to once a year? Why send a card once a year? The night before Christmas is the perfect time to think about the ultimate gifts we have. No, not the latest gadgets or shoes, but the gift of health, life and the ability to dream big and take a dream and make it a reality. Enjoy the gift of freedom and hope even in the face of uncertainty. We can dream of a White Christmas, but we can also dream of a better world.
        As 2013 arrives, aim to show kindness in all you do. As business owners we have our hands full with retaining business, meetings, ordering supplies and building relationships with those around us, yet we too have a reason to be filled with cheer. Our clients help us develop skills and help us follow our dream by helping them build theirs. We get to do what we love and enjoy. We get to build our vision and rest in knowing that we are making a difference. So embrace this day and every day as a day to bring joy to the world! 




Vannessa Wade is CEO and founder of Connect The DotsPR. She is a graduate of the University of Houston with a BA in Communications and has been featured in numerous newspapers, TV and radio segments. Her love of pr dates back to internships were she was able to improve the company’s bottom line, build relationships, and create memorable community events.  Her passion for community involvement landed her at a non profit where she spearheaded campaigns, maintained press relations, and built a strong community relations program. Vannessa has used her skills for  The American Cancer Society, Office of Presidential Correspondence, and UNICEF.  She is active in her community and volunteers with a variety of organizations.

Contact Vannessa at www.connectthedotspr.com
Follow her on twitter @PROCKSTAR

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas: What Does it Mean in 2012?




Christmas is five days away. There is so much going on in America right now that I haven’t really had the luxury of focusing on Christmas.  Democrats and Republicans are facing off at the edge of the fiscal cliff.  We’ve had two mass shootings within the past two weeks.  We have once again moved the challenge of fair and balanced gun laws to the forefront of our national conversations. The nation continues to struggle with high unemployment rates.

This year I am not caught up in the consumerism that has come to be synonymous with the holiday season.  This year I am firmly focused on the love and appreciation I have for my family. In the past year I have lost several loved ones.  Their absence will be felt this Christmas.

This holiday season more than any other I understand that the greatest gift of all is to love and be loved.

As I watch story after story on the news about shoppers crowding the malls I wonder “What does Christmas Mean in 2012?’ I’d love to read your answers to that simple question.

This Woman's Words welcomes you to leave your responses in the Comment Section below.

Call in to join the conversation on   This Woman's Words Radio

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Toll Free:  (714) 464-4854
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Friday, December 14, 2012

Elementary School Shooting: Where Does It End?




A group of parents are gathered in a firehouse near Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.  These same parents took the time to dress their children for the cold weather, they fed them breakfast, and they made sure that their children made it school safely.

There’s a group of parents gathered in a firehouse near Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.  They did everything they knew to do to protect their children.  Yet some of them are going to be told that their child is never coming come again.  

An unthinkable tragedy has occurred.  A gunman has allegedly committed matricide, killing his mother.  We are told he then opened fire on an elementary school full of students, teachers, administrators and support staff.  The media is reporting that the gunman turned his weapon on himself and committed suicide. 

Unfortunately this horrific nightmare doesn’t end with his death.  The American community is left to deal with this unimaginable loss.  Our hearts are broken.

How do we teach conflict resolution skills on a large scale? How do we teach coping skills on a large scale?  How do we address the problem of people with no criminal history (yet) purchasing and possessing guns? Have we reached a new low with the tragic death of so many innocent children? How do we address the issue of access to guns in a fair and balanced manner?

In an emotional address, President Obama shared the following words:

“While nothing can fill the space of a lost child or a loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need, to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for the ones they have lost will endure in their memories but also in ours.”

I welcome your feedback, reactions and comments.
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Oregon Mall Shooting




  

Today I’m concerned about the mass shooting that occurred in an Oregon mall.  These mass, senseless shootings continue to occur here in the United States.  I don’t know what the answer is to making it stop… but it has to stop.  Going to a public place and shooting innocent people is never the answer, no matter what the problem is that you are facing.


There are any number of reasons that a person can feel helpless and hopeless, the counselor in me understands that.  But I also know that there is usually a way to get out of your situation.  It may not happen instantly.  It may take commitment and work.  You may not be able to it alone.  You may need to reach out to one, two or even three people (or more) before you find that one person that can help you.


The investigation into the life of the shooter has only just begun. The most current reports are that he has no significant criminal history.  Families and a community have been changed forever.  The question of gun control is trending again all across America.  When will we find the right solution? How many people have to lose their lives before we find the right balance between gun control and the right to bear arms?


I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Is There Still a Black Community?




An Anglo professor at a Historically Black University (HBU) posed a question…Is there still a Black community? 
My initial reaction when I was told about this was multi-faceted.  I thought…Of course there is a Black community.  How dare he ask this question! I was a bit taken aback that he would ask such a question.  But upon further consideration I know that in order to find the answer to that question, I have to go to the Black community.
Gone are the days where anyone with dark skin considers themselves Black.  Gone are the days that all Black people consider themselves as African-American.  So the first question is “how do we define Black?”    
Next we need to tackle the question of “what is a community?”  When most people think of the Black community, they have visions of groups of people joined together for a common cause.  The Civil Rights struggle of the 50’s and 60’s comes to mind.  Voters rights issues  or the recent Trayvon Martin tragedy comes to mind.
If there is no current newsworthy local, state or national cause, does the community cease to exist?  Have we truly become a melting pot? Have we truly become woven into the fabric of America?  Is it time for the Black community to redefine itself? Have we  already redefined ourselves?

These are not questions that one single Black person can answer.  Just as with any race, we all have our own perceptions of who we are and how we define ourselves. 

This week on This Woman’s Words I ask the question… Is there still a Black community?

Call in to join the conversation on   This Woman's Words Radio
Sunday's at 5:30 CST

Toll Free: (714) 464-4854
www. blogtalkradio/thiswomanswords
 
This Woman's Words welcomes your comments.