TRACIE MOMIE
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Pricing
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • Shop
    • Books for Sale
    • Writer Resources
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info

Tracie's Blog

5 Ways to Find Joy During the Holidays

11/30/2015

0 Comments

 
They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. – Tom Bodett
Picture

The holiday season is here again! It seems the older I get, the holidays come around faster and faster.  It's hard not to be overwhelmed during the course of a normal month or week but adding the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to the mix makes us all a little more “anxious” to say the least.  So much to do, so little time.  It’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important during the holidays, we’re usually shouting, “Joy to the World” but not feeling very joyous.

Here are some ways to find joy this holiday season and all year long:
​
1.  Do something for someone else.  Volunteer, bring in the neighbor’s trash can from the curb, donate items to a local shelter, help an elderly relative, etc. Bringing a smile to someone’s face is a sure-fire way to experience joy.

2.  Spend time with a child.  Even if you aren’t a parent, take your niece/nephew or godchild to a park or museum.  Children are the least cynical people you’ll meet and they will open your eyes to seeing the world in a different way.

3.  Laugh.  Watch a funny television show or read a funny book or hang out with friends who tickle your funny bone.  Laughter is the best medicine to lift your spirits.

4.  Reflect.  Did you wake up this morning with the ability to see, hear or think?  Do you have the freedom to go where ever you want and be whoever you want to be?  Because there are millions of blind and deaf people in the world and people from other countries flee their homes everyday for a taste of the very freedom you might be taking for granted. Smile and rejoice simply because you can!

5.  Let it go.  Let go of anger, fear, jealousy and any other negative feeling that keeps you from experiencing joy each day. You’re a unique manifestation of God and what God has for you. . .is for YOU.  Be happy with things just the way they are before you think about changing them.

Picture
0 Comments

5 Steps to a Successful Vision Board Party

11/23/2015

 
vision board party
I hosted a Vision Board Party on Saturday, November 21st. And by all accounts it was a success!  In the event you've been living under a rock and aren't familiar with a vision board- it is basically a visual representation of your goals or aspirations. First, you start off with a blank poster board or sheet of paper (you can also create virtual vision boards) and then you look through magazines for words and images that best represent your goals.

For example, if you want to travel more in the upcoming year, then you would look for photo's of airplanes, or certain destinations like a beach, Las Vegas, London, Rome, etc. Or keywords like "adventure" or "journey". You cut out these images from the magazine and arrange them on your poster board in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to you and then glue them on to the board. Once you are done you hang it in your office, bedroom, closet, kitchen, etc. wherever you will be more inclined to see it and be reminded of your goals.

​The owner of the venue where I had my event said something really profound in regards to vision boards: Visualization leads to manifestation!  I think that pretty much sums it up!

Here are some tips for pulling off a successful vision board party:

1. Venue- You need to find a venue for your vision board party. Determine if you want to have it at your home, clubhouse, library or other location. TIP: Of course your home would be ideal depending on the number of people you're hosting but most public libraries will let you use their rooms for free. I hosted my event at The Woman's Earth, a wellness studio in my city where I am a member. You get discounted rates on space rental. Wherever you decide to have the event, make sure the space is open and can accommodate your guests and everyone has enough room to spread out and make their boards.

2. Guests- If you are doing a small group, I would suggest only inviting people who you know will be inspired or can serve as an inspiration. You can have as few as 3 to 5 people or upwards of 20. Just make sure all in attendance feel like they are getting something out of it and they have enough time to create! Be mindful: vision board parties are suppose to be positive and uplifting, make sure you invite the right energy into the space! Don't invite people who will bring in negative vibes.

3. Invitation- Once your guest list is written down, create a fun invite and send it to your guests. I actually did my entire guest list through Facebook after creating my invite. If you have enough time and plan the event far in advance you can also get cute invitations printed and mail them out to people who may not be on social media. Also, for me I chose to charge a small fee ($15) it helped cover supplies and refreshments but it was also to solidify a commitment from attendees. When you have a "free" event (unless it's all family) sometimes people will RSVP and not show up. But usually when people pay a fee, they are more committed to attending and participating. 
vision board party
vision board party
4. Supplies- I subscribe to three magazines, so I usually have old magazines laying around. Most of the time I stack them up and take them to the recycling center but since I knew I was going to be having a vision board party I started saving the magazines. I also picked up free community magazines from the grocery store and got a few from the dentist office. You can also check the recycling centers or doctors offices, nail salons, beauty salons for extra magazines. And depending on how many people you're inviting-- if it's a really small group-- you might just pay for a handful of magazines or ask your guests to bring some if you aren't charging a fee. I also purchased little notebooks with inspirational covers and put them in a gift bag along with chocolates so that the ladies had a parting gift.  AND I purchased a copy of Cheryl Strayed's Brave Enough along with The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes and did two giveaways at the party.

5. Agenda- Even though most of the time will be spent scouring through magazines, you don't want there to be a lull in activity. I opened the party with an ice breaker to introduce everyone and to get them thinking about their goals for 2016. I had soft music playing during the event, walked around encouraging everyone and gave everyone a sheet entitled "2016 Intentions" to further help them streamline their goals for the upcoming year.

One thing I didn't mention above was that I planned this event a month out. So, I sent the first save the date for the event around October 21st. You want to be sure you allow yourself enough time to get everything together. It will probably work even better if you enlist someone to co-host, pick someone who is going to take it seriously and hold up their end of the responsibilities. 

And that's all there is to it! Just be sure as the host/hostess you enjoy your self and make a vision board as well! 
vision board party
vision board party
The finished boards! Some of the ladies got up and talked about the images they selected for their boards. It was very inspiring! 
Picture

My Reading List

11/20/2015

 
reading list
 In addition to being a writer, I am an avid reader. Here is a look at the books on my reading list (so far). The books I've already read are in bold:
​
  • Before We Met- Lucie Whitehouse
  • The Woman Destroyed- Simone De Beauvoir
  • Eleanor & Park- Rainbow Rowell
  • The Power of Now- Eckart Tolle
  • Orange is the New Black- Piper Kerman
  • The Gifts of Imperfection- Brene Brown
  • First Phone Call from Heaven- Mitch Albom
  • Where'd You Go Bernadette-Maria Semple 
  • Starting from Happy- Patricia Marx
  • What Alice Forgot- Liane Moriarity 
  • Someday this will be Funny- Lynne Tillman 
  • Silver Sparrow -Tayari Jones
  • How to be Good- Nick Hornby
  • Girl on the Train- Paula Hawkins 
  • Crazy Rich Asians- Kevin Kwan
  • Friendswood- Rene Steinke
  • My American Unhappiness- Dean Bakopolous
  • Maximize the Moment- T.D. Jakes
  • Long Drive Home-Will Allison
  • Me Before You- JoJo Moyes
  • The Hard Thing about Hard Things- Ben Horowitz
  • Me, Inc.- Gene Simmons
  • Be Happy- Patrick Lindsay
  • My Name is Ferdinand- Simon Fellowes 
  • Winning- Jack Welch
  • Outrageous Openess- Tosha Silver
  • Switch- Chip & Dan Heath
  • Never, Never- Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
  • Don't Even Think About it- Sarah Mylnkwoski
  • Loving Donovan- Bernice McFadden
  • Life Is Short but Wide- J. California Cooper
  • Tuesdays With Morrie- Mitch Albom
  • The Power of 100- Shaun King
  • In Search of our Mothers Gardens- Alice Walker
  • Unapologetically You- Steve Maraboli
  • Life changing magic- Marie Kondo
  • Where She Went- Gayle Forman
  • The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty- Amanda Filipacchi 
  • Pleasantville- Attica Locke
  • Native Son- Richard Wright
  • One Plus One- Jojo Moyes
  • Queen Sugar- Natalie Baszile
  • Moving Forward- Stephane Ike
  • In Every Way- Nic Brown (purchased)
  • Happiness for Beginners- Katherine Center
  • Start with Why- Simon Jinek
  • The Status of All Things- Liz Fenton
  • Soul City- Toure
  • Straight man- Richard Russo 
  • Then We Came to the End- Joshua Ferris (purchased)
  • The Status of All Things- Liz Fenton 
  • Adultery- Paulo Coelho
  • A Little Something Different- Sandy Hall
  • Stuart Scott Autobiography
  • Make it Happen- Lara Casey
  • Jill Scott poetry book
  • After You- Jojo Moyes
  • Us- David Nicholls
  • 48 Laws of Power- Robert Green
  • Alice I Think- Susan Juby
  • We were Liars- E. Lockhart 
  • That Part was True- Deborah McKinlay (purchased)
  • Shake down the Stars- Renee Swindle
  • How to be Interesting- Jessica Hagy
  • Freeman by Leonard Pitts Jr.
  • The Perfect Find- Tia Williams 
  • A Brief History of Seven Killings- Marlon James
  • Everything I Never Told You- Celeste Ng
  • The Science of books....- Wallace Wattles
  • Brave Enough- Cheryl Strayed
  • Love Handles- Gretchen Galway 
  • Adventures for Your Soul- Shannon Kaiser
  • I Almost Forgot About You- Terry McMillan
  • Mr. Loverman- Bernadine Evaristo
  • The End of Average- Todd Rose
  • Take Your Soul to Work- Erica Brown
  • I'm Judging You- Luvvie
  • Kindred Spirits- Rainbow Rowell
  • The Warrior of the Light- Paulo Coelho
  • This Thing Called You- Ernest Holmes
  • Rework- Jason Fried & David Hansson 
  • The Year of Yes- Shonda Rhimes
  • One Plus One- Jojo Moyes
Have you read any of these titles? What are some books on your reading list?
​
Picture

Book Review: The Girl On The Train

11/17/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture

If you are a writer, especially a writer who wants to become a published author, I don't think it will be possible unless you are first a reader.

You have to be a lover of the written word and books in general in order to tell a good story. I am a reader, a voracious reader and had the opportunity to finish, The Girl On The Train last week.

In a word it was captivating. It has been a while since a book has held my attention in such a way. I felt drawn into the story with the imagery and every time the train was mentioned I felt the rumble of the car traveling down the tracks.

I've always been a fan of multiple POV's (point of view) in stories because I like knowing what all the characters are thinking and the motivation behind their actions. I've said a time or two that I'm not a big fan of mysteries but this "suspense" genre is quickly becoming my favorite. This is the second or third book I've read where I was certain I knew who the culprit was and I ended up WRONG! Lol! But that's a good thing, I like the twists and turns and having to continue reading on until I get some answers.

The only thing I didn't like about this story was how the main character Rachel, let her ex-husband manipulate her. But that is so indicative of real life, there are some women who allow men to totally wreck havoc on their self esteem/well being and then when the relationship ends they are irreparably damaged.  

A quick synopsis: Rachel Watson is a commuter on a London train. Everyday she passes a neighborhood where a row of houses face the track. When the train stops at this spot, she spies on the inhabitants of one house in particular, as they sit on their patio. She starts to feel like she knows the couple and imagines what their life must be like but she has NO IDEA what's really going on and that the fantasy she created in her head is not even close to reality. She is eventually drawn into their lives after a tragedy occurs and finds herself at the center of a murder investigation!

Don't delay, go and pick this book up today!! The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. If you've read the book, what did you think?
Picture
2 Comments

Best Advice I Ever Received

11/13/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

I thought about the best advice I’d ever received and I always come back to the same words:

“Just because you’re having a bad day doesn’t give you the right to take it out on everyone else.  It’s not their fault.”

These words were handed to me from the branch manager at the bank where I was a teller. At the time, I was very young and had a chip on my shoulder and the words went in one ear and out the other.  But over the years I recalled those words whenever I dealt with people.  I never wanted to be known as the “girl with the attitude”, so I regardless to what was going on in my life I always made a conscious effort to temper my responses, remarks and attitude when dealing with other people. Even now,  I try to focus on being positive, helpful and friendly.  I think maintaining this type of outlook has helped me immensely throughout my life.  I think we’re all on a very unique journey and we make it difficult for our fellow travelers when we project our issues on to them.   Lest we forget, the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
​
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    Picture
    Writer. Reader. Designer. Creative Spirit.

    NEWSLETTER
    SIGN UP
    Nothing I Can Say
    LATEST RELEASE

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    My Reading List

    Picture
    Visit My Shop for Cool Tees!

    “I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.”
    —Harper Lee

    Picture

    Book Recommendations

    Tribes

    Picture
    BLM Girls
    Picture
    Brown Girl Bloggers

    Archives

    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Ad
    Advice
    Ageism
    Art
    Audio
    Authenticity
    Author
    Backup
    Blogging
    Book
    Books
    Bucket List
    Business
    Business Tips
    Challenge
    Change
    Charity
    Communication
    Community
    Creativity
    Criticism
    Curated Stuff
    Decisions
    Design
    Dinner
    DIY
    Dreams
    Education
    Encouragement
    Enthusiasm
    Entrepreneur
    Event
    Events
    Excellence
    Expectations
    Expertise
    Fashion
    First Book
    Food
    Freelance
    Fun
    Girlboss
    Giveaway
    Goals
    Graphics
    Growth
    Hacks
    Happiness
    Health
    Holidays
    Htxaab
    Human Resources
    Humor
    Ideas
    Inspiration
    Inspiraton
    Instagram
    Jealousy
    Joy
    Life
    Limits
    Marketing
    Meditation
    Motherhood
    Motivation
    Move On
    Music
    Nbbf
    Netflix
    New Year
    Nothingicansay
    Parenting
    Passion
    Peace
    Periscope
    Photography
    Problem Solving
    Procrastination
    Productivity
    Purpose
    Random
    Reading
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Resources
    Review
    Routine
    Selfcare
    Shop
    Snippet
    Social Media
    Success
    Summer Blog Series
    Support
    Tbt
    Teamwork
    Television
    Tips
    Travel
    Vacation
    Video
    Vision Board
    Waxing Poetic
    Wearebooked
    Web Design
    Wordless Wednesday
    Workshop
    Writing
    WWM

SITE MAP
Home
Books
Design
Shop 
​Events 
​
About+Contact 

​Tracie Momie Creative | ©2012- 2021  
​All Rights Reserved

Term & Conditions
Press Information 
My Reading List
The 52 Week Experience

    Join our mailing list!

Subscribe
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • HOME
  • BOOKS
  • Design
    • Services
    • Pricing
    • Work
    • Testimonials
  • Events
  • Shop
    • Books for Sale
    • Writer Resources
  • About+Contact
    • Press Info