I'm taking a quick break from the #21insights4nights to insert another #iAmHer360 feature. The timing is right as the Obama's prepare to leave the White House after eight years of service as Commander-In-Chief and First Lady.
​
​# iAmHer360 speaks to seeing other women as yourself and the celebration of every way that any woman chooses to express herself.  If you've missed any of them click this link for the playlist: #iAmHer360.

The first time I ever heard Michelle Obama speak in an interview, something stuck with me; that she got up every morning at four am to workout and to see to HER needs first before it was time to take care of everyone else. Being someone who rises before the sunrise myself, I was impressed and sensed a next level solidity to her that I respected. She also happens to remind me of my own mother . . . so there's that too.

In this feature, I share some my favorite of the first lady's many inspirational ideas over the years.

Think, Feel & Act Like A First Lady

M  R  S .     O  B  A  M  A '  S     G  E  M   S 
​
To Young Girls About Boys: Cute, Interesting & Otherwise
"There's no boy at this age that is cute enough or
interesting enough to stop you from getting your education.
If I had worried about who liked me and who was cute when I was your age
I wouldn't be married to the President of The United States." 

. : .
"Words matter." 
. : .

On Enduring Insults & Slights
"All of this used to really get to me.
Eventually I realized that if I wanted to keep my sanity and not let others define me,
there was only one thing I could do and that was to have faith in God's plan for me.
I had to ignore all the noise and be true to myself and the rest would work itself out." 

. : .
On Modeling What You Want
"If we want maturity, we have to be mature.
If we want a nation that's hopeful, we have to speak in hopeful terms.
We have to show love and empathy,
If we want smart leaders we have to be smart voters.
We cannot vote from a place of fear, but from a place of openness.
We have to model what we want."

. : .
On Your Challenges, Disadvantages & Disappointments
"Never view your challenges as a disadvantage,
this experience of overcoming is one of your
biggest advantages. You'll be equipped to deal with
further disappointments and discouragement.
You'll have the maturity and wisdom
to keep moving forward." 

. : .
On Authenticity . . .
"There are no surprises, no tricks up our sleeve.
We are authentic, came in that way and will leave that way.
The office amplifies who you are. It doesn't change who you are, it reveals who you are.
I follow my own moral compass. That's the only thing I have to live up to."

. : .
On Being Complacent
"The work always continues. We're never done.
Never be complacent thinking you've arrived.
We've seen how quickly things can be taken away if we aren't vigilant,
if you don't know your history. What are you gonna do?
How are you going to be better?
What are you going to change in your family dynamic?
We can't afford to be ignorant or complacent. 
Continue to do the work. 
 
. : .
On Balance & Having It All
"Don't beat yourself up about not being able to have it all. 
No one gets everything. You don't always get your way all the time. 
You learn that when you're a child. It's about managing expectations.
You're living your life through phases. You're compromising for certain phases, then later you may have more of what you thought you wanted. If you're not having it all right now, you're not failing.
Take care of yourself so you'll live long enough to make it happen later. 

. : .

On Mastering Your Schedule
"If I'm going to leave my house and leave my girls
I need to know how is this going to have an impact."

. : .

A Word To The Men
"Be better.
Be better at everything. 
Fathers, who love your daughters and are providing a solid example,
that is the greatest gift the men in my life gave me. 
I've never experienced abuse by the hands of any man in my life.

Be a better husband. Be part of your family's life. 
Don't babysit your children. Be engaged.

Be a better employer. Diversify.

. : .
On Service & Happiness
"I left the practice of law and went into public service for selfish reasons.
It makes me happy and feel good every single day. 
​I wanted to wake up and be inspired to do something greater than myself. 
That's what serving and giving means to so many.
Get out of the isolation and looking down at your phones. 
That's not enough, you need people in your lives that you're connecting with and helping. 
There's nothing better than knowing you're helping to change people's lives.
The haters and the doubters?  None of that matters because
you're getting so much out of the work you're doing. 

. : .
On Bravery
"Tips on bravery? I don't know if I ever view it as bravery. 
I just viewed it as I'm not going to be taken advantage of.
I knew my value. And that goes back to knowing who you are. 
As women and young girls, we have to invest that time
into getting to understanding and liking who we are. 
But you've gotta work to get to that place and if you're going out into the world
as a professional not knowing who you are, don't know what you want and 
you don't know how much you're worth then you have to be brave.
Then you have to count on the kindness and goodness of others to bestow it upon you." 

. : .
On Living Without Apology
"I"m going work so hard that my actions speak and I don't have to say anything. 
Let me live my life outloud so people can then see and judge for themselves.
Don't dial it back, don't dilute it. Don't apologize for it, it speaks for itself." 

. : .
On Knowing Yourself & Owning Your Space. 
"Stand inside yourself and own your space.
Our first job in life as women is to get to know ourselves 
and a lot of times we spend our time pleasing, satisfying and 
looking out into the world to define who we are. 

It takes taking the time to know who you are to be able to deal 
with the negative onslaught of the messages you're bound to get. 
I came into this with a pretty clear sense of self. 
And some of this comes with age, experience, being fortunate 
enough to be raised by a loving strong, focused mother and father who loved me dearly.
So I fortunately came into this situation with a really clear sense of who I was, 
It was easy to brush that stuff off because I know who I am." 
​

Two Designers + An Energy Healer +  A Biz Coach + A Celebrity Makeup Artist + A Perfumier
​
​I hope you had a chance to delve into the precious gems and gold of these women featured in my #iAmHer360 series. If you've missed any of them click this link for the playlist: #iAmHer360.

"I take life as it's given to me and I think that
​has made me a really happy person." 
​S H A R M I L A   V A R A D A R A J A N

#iAmHer360 speaks to seeing other women as yourself and the celebration of every way that any woman chooses to express herself. Today we continue with another chat in the #iAmHer360: SuperWomen & Goddesses Series with Indian-born Sharmila Varadarajan. Across the seas from Chicago to India while she's on holiday.

After an arranged marriage by her parents in her homeland, Sharmila came to America twenty years ago with an education in Cardiac Rehabilitation & Exercise Science. Although she looks twenty-five, she's actually been happily married to her perfect man for twenty-five years.
I'm suspecting she may be a vampire. ;o)

We met at a mutual friend's women's luncheon where pretty much all the women in attendance were married . . . happily for decades.  I was inspired and excited that this was even possible in this day and age. Like-minded women who come together on a regular basis to bond.

Love . . . Indian Style

T  H  E     C  H  A  T     H  I  G  H  L  I  G  H  T  S 
​
On Life's Rough Patches
"Life is just beautiful. It's taken such a nice path...
it's given me a lot of mental strength, even though certain patches were rough I think that gave strength. 
​So I took the strength instead of the negativity from that."

No Children but . . .
"I accept that this is how my life is so I'm going to take it as it's given to me and I think that has made me a really happy person." 

On Getting Outside Your Circle
"I try to read, try to listen to people, see the world and their outlook.
This has changed me quite a bit. I see if you only stay in a circle you only know that, but if you move outside or travel and see the world, the people out there, you learn so much.
There's so much out there which we hardly know. We just know a bit of it."

Her Motto On Caring For Self First
"I take care of myself first. The "inner me" is what I think the beauty for every woman is and we need to take care of that part. If that's taken care of I think the outside beauty comes automatically and I truly believe in that. It's inside first. Working in cardiac rehabilitation, I believe in prevention. Whatever is in store for us, that will be there, whatever God has given us. But our duty is to take care of this body. We need to cherish that first and everything else will just follow.

Her Advice For Women To Be In Relationships Where They Feel Cherished & Appreciated
"First of all any marriage at the beginning needs a lot of work,
understanding, love, care - all that has to be done.

"You just have to stand up for each other's likings or give respect, space. I truly, truly believe in that. If my husband wants to do something I don't discourage him, I say "Please go for it!" 
That way, he has his space and I have my space. I believe that's truly the success of the marriage.
I have not stopped him and then we have our time. There's his time, my time and our time. It can't just be our time, all the time. It's just not possible. I think everybody needs a space where you have to think how do you evolve as a person all along and not be there in the person's face all the time.
I think that's one of the best things I've found in our relationship which has worked just magically.
I tell my husband to "go enjoy and then you can come back and we'll be together. Whatever you want to do, go for it!"  He gives me my space and I give him his space and then we do a lot of things together. We travel a lot, we talk about everything pretty much, our day-today things. That's probably what has kept our marriage going from my end, but if you ask my husband he would probably say a different thing."

On Resolving Conflicts, Confrontations, Confusion
"If there is anything that bothers us, we would talk and settle it right then and there that night and not carry it over and spoil the next day because today is today and tomorrow is tomorrow. If in this moment it didn't work, clarify it and get it over with, like today, not carry it over tomorrow and feel bad for it, argue about it, fight about it, nag about it. I just can't do that."

On The Benefits Of Arranged Marriage
"The difference about our gathering of friends is that it is a group of culturally like-minded
women coming together. The roots of it are important, that's where we all come from, where
the roots are much more stronger. That's probably where we're all coming from. We're all educated. It was an arranged marriage for us, as it was with my parents and grandparents.  
You kind of accept the person completely, there's no choice after all. You have to adjust, forgive...that's what we've been taught. It goes both ways. We all have good men in our life
and that is a blessing. It's all give and take, that's what they taught us.
We are happy with what we have and we try to make what we have  better all the time." 

On Respect, Support & Hardship
"There's a lot of closeness because we are away from home and we like to hang onto each other because it's the only family you've got. When you're away from home you kind of understand the person more because you've gone through hardship a lot more without anybody's support. Because you're away from home the only support you have is your husband, or your wife. So you start building respect for each other over a period of time is what I've found. We've encouraged each other during hardships. We've seen in and out of each other without anybody else being there so I think that creates a very strong bond." 

​Thanks for reading and listening. 

♡ ☆ ♀
Akua

​Day 8 of 12/13 Moons 
Waxing Gibbous

In this series I ask some of my most beautiful, creative, wealthy, entrepreneur "girl crushes" how they create a life where they are cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their genius in their respective areas of talent and mastery. 

The #iAmHer360 series is an affirmation and celebration that the beauty, brilliance and benevolence in other women is also within us as well as having compassion for aspects of ourselves that give us the experience of various levels of pain, fear and isolation. 

At the end of the day, the health and consciousness of the planet lies in the health and consciousness of the si"star" hood, how we care for ourselves and each other. I'm committed to the idea that women set the standard to be cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their power and genius.

What You Deserve & Who You Are

T  H  E     C  H  A  T     H  I  G  H  L  I  G  H  T  S 
​
Little Girls ​& Women Embrace Your Insecurity
2:02 min. 
"Having a sense of self-worth is reliant on realizing that you're always going to have insecurities,
so don't focus on eradicating them but acknowledge, accept and value yourself despite them.
No need to gloss over them, sort them out or ​fix them. 

I would tell her to value herself for the right reasons and make peace with her
insecurities and to not lead with them. Create a relationship with them that's healthy. ​
When you build the right relationship with yourself, everything springs from that." 

"It is very, very important for women to be
very, very ​clear about what they deserve
​and to be very clear about who they are." 

6:10 min. 
Nourishing Rituals For Growing Self-Worth
"I stay in clear communication with myself, I check-in and clear my mind clutter."

On a practical level....
E A T I N G 
"There's a strong connection between the way that I feel and the way that I eat.
Eating nutritious and listening to your own body instead of imposing some set rules on yourself based on some philosophy. Learn what you feel most nourished by, what makes you feel good, what doesn't. I'm focused on high-quality food that I also enjoy."

H A V E   A   C R E A T I V E   P R A C T I C E 
"...that's not necessarily tied to what you do or your work. 
Sometimes when you make your living that's tied to your creative outlet it's an amazing gift in life but it can change your relationship to it when it's tied up in commerce or business or the real world.
It's nice to have a practice that's not necessarily about your work." 
​
​

Thanks for reading and listening. 
​
♡ ☆ ♀
Akua

​Day 1 of 12/13 Moons 
New Moon in Sagittarius

In this series I ask some of my most beautiful, creative, wealthy, entrepreneur "girl crushes" how they create a life where they are cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their genius in their respective areas of talent and mastery. 

The #iAmHer360 series is an affirmation and celebration that the beauty, brilliance and benevolence in other women is also within us as well as having compassion for aspects of ourselves that give us the experience of various levels of pain, fear and isolation. 

At the end of the day, the health and consciousness of the planet lies in the health and consciousness of the si"star" hood, how we care for ourselves and each other. I'm committed to the idea that women set the standard to be cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their power and genius.

Diana Ross, Aunties ​& Haters

T  H  E     C  H  A  T     H  I  G  H  L  I  G  H  T  S 
​
4:05 min. 
Working With Ms. Ross
"Larger-than-life figure who is down-to-earth, fabulous, patient and regular.
At the end of the day, people are people, it's the way others treat them that makes them seem like their different, unapproachable and untouchable." 

7:24 min.
Wisdom For My Daughter
"I'd tell my daughter to be a thinker, be your own unique person,
don't subscribe to what everyone else is doing. 
Be confident. Be educated. Be fierce. Don't be like the rest." 
 
"People judge you by the way that you look.
Always carry yourself in a way understanding that others are always
going to be looking at you and they're going form a perception of you." 

"Always dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.  
Perception . . . persona is everything . . .
it's all about what you project." 

8:31 min. 
Daily Declarations
"Make positive declarations over your life everyday.
Make a list of what you want to see change and improve in your life.
Everyday recite these declarations and soon it'll start manifesting itself." 

10:00 min. 
Who Everyone Needs In Their Life
"Everyone needs someone in their life that's going to tell them the truth. 
Align yourself with someone who's going to be authentically real with you." 

ON Haters
"Everyone has an opinion and everybody's not going to like you and
everybody's not going to hate you. It's just how life is."

"If you're down and out, first of all you've got to believe that you are not what people say you are. You've got to believe in yourself. You have to know that. When somebody tells you something that makes you feel a certain way, "consider the source."

15:50 min. 
Girl Stop Lookin' Like An Auntie
"In this day and age there's no reason for anyone to be fat and ugly.
You can look like a celebrity, on a budget. When you look better you feel better." 

"I see a whole lot of women out here lookin' like aunties.
You don't have to look like an auntie, I mean look at Diana Ross,
Diahann Carroll, Tina Turner, Sophia Loren, Sheryl Lee Ralph."

"You don't have to look like an auntie but you have to be willing to be
uncomfortable to get the change . . . most people that are mediocre,
that are average, that are not disciplined will not endure
that part that it takes, that separates you from the rest."
​

Thanks for reading and listening. 

♡ ☆ ♀
Akua

​Day 27 of 11/13 Moons 
Waning Crescent

I hope you had a chance to listen to and read my chat On Abundance, Worthiness & Poverty Mindset with Tracy Neely in yesterday's note.

Today continuing on with another chat in the #iAmHer360: SuperWomen & Goddesses Series. 
#iAmHer360 speaks to seeing other women as yourself and the celebration of every way that any woman chooses to express herself. 

In this series I ask some of my most beautiful, creative, wealthy, entrepreneur "girl crushes" how they create a life where they are cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their genius in their respective areas of talent and mastery. 

The #iAmHer360 series is an affirmation and celebration that the beauty, brilliance and benevolence in other women is also within us as well as having compassion for aspects of ourselves that give us the experience of various levels of pain, fear and isolation. 

At the end of the day, the health and consciousness of the planet lies in the health and consciousness of the si"star" hood, how we care for ourselves and each other. I'm committed to the idea that women set the standard to be cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their power and genius.

Get Michelle's iiT Factor Guide to A Haute Brand & Happy Life: 
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Spontaneity, The Enlightened "No" ​
​& Growing YourSelf

T  H  E     C  H  A  T     H  I  G  H  L  I  G  H  T  S 
​
:05 sec.
On SPONTANEITY
"That's what the soul wants.
What can we do that makes us feel most alive?
How can I surprise myself with what my soul wants."

4:12 min.
"The ENLIGHTENED "No"
"...is saying and sharing my enlightened "yes" and "no" unapologetically with love and elegance.
What do I really want to be doing in this situation?
I take care of myself when I share those "nos.." it always comes out in an amazing way."

12:00 min.
On HAVING MORE & GROWING YOURSELF
In order to find and grow that amazing relationship,
to get clear on what that business is and grow that, you must grow yourself. 
Get excited and be a life/soul scientist about working on yourself." 

15:01 min.
On SOULFUL TRAVEL
"...a wonderful way to grow yourself, a tool to get to know
yourself deeper and a great way to also move energy.
Ask yourself questions. Observe your life and be curious. Who are you really?"

18:28 min.
On HAVING TOUGH CONVOS
"Closure conversations to stop, clean, clear energy leaks and blocks." 

23:45 min. 
On SACRED ACTIVISM
"Expressing more of our humanitarianism is the new thought leadership.
Grow your business while growing your consciousness,
nurturing generosity and being of service."

​Thanks for reading and listening. 

♡ ☆ ♀
Akua

​Day 23 of 11/13 Moons 
Waning Crescent

Today I'd like to introduce the #iAmHer360: SuperWomen & Goddesses Series. 
​
#iAmHer360 speaks to seeing other women as yourself and the celebration of every way that any woman chooses to express herself. 

In this series I ask some of my most beautiful, creative, wealthy, entrepreneur "girl crushes" how they create a life where they are cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their genius in their respective areas of talent and mastery. 

The #iAmHer360 series is an affirmation and celebration that the beauty, brilliance and benevolence in other women is also within us as well as having compassion for aspects of ourselves that experience various levels of pain, fear and isolation. 

At the end of the day, the health and consciousness of the planet lies in the health and consciousness of the si"star" hood, how we care for ourselves and each other. I'm committed to the idea that women set the standard to be cherished, appreciated and paid top dollar for their genius.

Abundance, Worthiness & Poverty Mindset

T  H  E     C  H  A  T     H  I  G  H  L  I  G  H  T  S 

1:10 min.
Her Ritual To Release Money Blocks
You'll need: Money Manifest Mist
Sweetgrass
Palo Santo


2:05 min.
ON ABUNDANCE
"Abundance flows to and through us because it goes out.
Money isn't something you hold on to in the scarcity
mindset because you don't know when you'e gonna get it again.
It brings more of that lack mentality, that lack vibration into your being."  

3:33 min.
ON BEING WORTHY
"You Are A Light Unto This World
And You Are More Than Enough By Just Being You
Never Make Less Of Who You Are So That People Feel Good About Themselves"

4:50 min.
YOUR FOUNDATION
"Find something that you're passionate about and connect with something greater than yourself."

"People will not value what we do and pay us top dollar for what we do unless we value ourselves."

6:29 min.
HOW TO TRANSFORM A POVERTY MINDSET
"Nothing is going to change or transform until we are aware of that thing.
Writing down what's going, your story, your beliefs about money is the beginning of your awakening which then leads to your transformation."

Thanks for reading and listening. 

♡ ☆ ♀
Akua

​Day 22 of 11/13 Moons 
Waning Crescent