One Word Nation

"Life always gets better when you take control. Don’t let anyone steer you into the direction you..."

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:13:52 -0400

“Life always gets better when you take control. Don’t let anyone steer you into the direction you aren’t destined to follow. You matter.”

- So inspiring!
Simply amazing. :) we all matter, each individual person is important.

An Inspiring Story...Support Whitney Kropp!

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:27:00 -0400

An Inspiring Story...Support Whitney Kropp!

A day in life of my Life Planner…. In the show we’ll...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:12:17 -0400

A day in life of my Life Planner….

In the show we’ll talk about the importance of loving your organization system! Well mine is monogrammed and complete with a pattern that I think is adorable! I love this planner because of the convenient weekly layout. Morning/Day/Night divisions make it super easy to keep my day in check! The monthly view helps me keep major events and dates in mind!

Oh the joys of apartment living! The bathrooms are bare-bones....

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:59:43 -0400

Oh the joys of apartment living! The bathrooms are bare-bones. No shelving under the cabinets, no wall shelving, nothing. I have a lot of perfumes, hair products, etc. so I purchased this white shelving unit from Bed, Bath and Beyond for $30. Voila! Organization and aesthetic appeal!

My makeup is another area of my life that is very chaotic. I have way too many brushes and too many eyeshadows. In fact, I don’t get to use most of my eyeshadows because I can’t see them in the abyss of my makeup bag! So I grabbed a glass jar for $1 from the Dollar Tree and added glass aquarium rocks to make a very pretty brush holder. As for the eyeshadows…thank you again Pinterest…

$5 picture frame, $3.47 magnetic dry erase board, $0.57 acrylic paint, $1 stencil, $1.47 magnetic strips. I painted the dry erase board (for cute purposes of course!), and painted the frame to match my bathroom colors. I used scissors to cut the magnetic strips into squares and attached them to each container of eyeshadow. I pried the edging off of the dry erase board and placed it into the frame. Add eyeshadows to the dry erase board, and ta-daa!! I can now see all of my eyeshadow and it’s easy to clean up faster while applying makeup in the morning!

I have so many accessories!! Earrings and necklaces are my...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:51:49 -0400

I have so many accessories!! Earrings and necklaces are my weakness, and organizing those can be such a nightmare! Thanks to Pinterest I was able to employ these effective and adorable organization methods for my jewelry!!

I took an old shutter (yes, off of the house) and cleaned it off and spray painted it silver. I hung it on my wall upside down and hooked my earrings on each rung of the shutter. It makes it super easy for me to see all of my earrings when getting ready and it makes for a great wall decoration!

My necklaces tangle and many times they are too long to simply hang from something on a tabletop. Instead, I took a small curtain rod and mounted it on the wall in my closet above my chest of drawers. Then, I placed shower curtain hooks on the rod and hung my necklaces on the hooks. The benefits? My long necklaces can hang freely, no tangled or broken jewelry, I can slide the hooks to browse and choose my necklace for the day, and I can always add more hooks if I obtain more necklaces!! Genius!

Navigating the Chaos of a Busy Life

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 15:44:19 -0400

Life is hectic. That’s a pretty obvious statement. Things are absolutely crazy and everyone has a thousand things going on at one time. Most of us spread ourselves too thin, take on too much, over stress and over exert our resources…but that’s all part of the norm nowadays. Once we accept the fact that we cannot simply “do less”, we can start taking steps to manage the chaos that comes with everyday life. The first and most key component of getting it together is ORGANIZATION.

Some of the busiest people I know are also some of the most efficient…because they stay organized. I’ve learned that I can handle just about anything, as long as I keep it all in some organized fashion. I love organization!! I love perusing the aisles of Target just to get ideas of all of the wonderful products available to help me compartmentalize my things. Pinterest is one of my favorite resources for organization ideas, check out my pictures of all of my organization fun in my new home!

What is so special about organization? It comes in a billion forms: to-do lists, calendars, planners, folders, accordion files, filing cabinets, baskets, drawer dividers, sticky notes, electronic reminders and alarms, and more. Organization is also extremely personal. Everyone is different, so our organizational preferences will differ greatly. Some people prefer to use their smart phones for all things organizational, others need that written reinforcement in order to carry out a to-do list or a calendar activity. However you choose to stay organized, just know that there are some basic things we can all do to keep our hectic lives in check!

I operate most effectively off of a to-do list. Everyday I create a list for that day, and as I complete my tasks I cross them off—there is no more gratifying feeling!! I have to be able to see each day in its own space, as well as in relation to the rest of my week, so I rely heavily on my planner. My Erin Condren Life Planner is literally my everything. I use each day for writing out appointments, major tasks that need to be completed, and school assignments. I use my monthly view to write important dates and events, so that I can visualize my month and identify any conflicts that may arise. I just LOVE everything to do with organizing. I can be messy and I tend to get scatterbrained when life picks up the pace. This is why it is so important for me to set aside the time to have a good system in place. I am more likely to keep my things organized when I have a system concreted.

This week on One Word Nation Radio you can hear my interview with Amanda LeBlanc, of the Style Network Show “The Amandas”. She is an organization genius! Amanda’s tips are great for a starting point for all of us, because let’s be honest-Who couldn’t use a boost when it comes to tidying up a little?

Also this week on One Word Nation Radio, I will be interviewing Erin Condren of Erin Condren Designs. Erin’s Life Planner is the key to my personal organization…If you know me, then you have heard me talk about my planner more than anything else. It is my life!

Tune in Monday September 17, 2012 at 3:00 EST for a little inspiration on what you can do to get organized!

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2110/one-word-nation-radio

Hazing and Bullying: What's the Difference?

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:51:28 -0400

Bullying is a buzz word in the media. We hear about it all the time and it seems that everyone wants to take a stand in the fight against bullying. This is a fairly new movement, with the first news stories of bullying breaking primarily in the last few years. But hazing, that’s age-old.

Seniors kidnapping freshmen, older team members destroying the property of younger team members, forcing new members to perform embarrassing acts and subjecting them to an array of humiliation and mental torture. From this description, it seems difficult to tell the difference between hazing and bullying. Both involve power, both involve the establishment of a dominant player, but most importantly—both involve absolute degradation and humiliation of a “weaker” prospect.

In my opinion, bullying and hazing are actions born of the same intention: to feel more powerful by degrading others. The emotional effects of bullying are similar to the emotional effects of bullying, but there is one key difference between the two issues: the relationship between aggressor and victim.

Bullies do not have any “good intentions” in their actions. Bullies bully because they want to harm their victim, either physically or emotionally. Similarly, victims of bullying usually (not always) have no desire to become friends with their bullies. A victim of bullying fears their bully and only has a desire to escape the abuse. In instances of hazing, the opposite is true. The victim subjects themselves voluntarily to the group, and subsequently the hazing, because they desire to become a part of the group or to become friends with the aggressors. Hazing is seen as a “rite of passage” and many times those who are doing the hazing have no ill intentions. They believe that they are somehow “enriching” the moral code of the victim, helping them to become a stronger member of the group, or even forming stronger bonds. None of these things prove true in hazing instances. The results of hazing are the same as bullying: destruction of personal property, physical abuse, mental and emotional distress, humiliation and in the worst cases, death.

It is important to talk to your children about these issues. All it takes is one person to stand up to a bully to stop the situation. If one person takes a stand against hazing, the group will follow suit. You do not have to be humiliated, degraded and harmed in order to be friends with someone.

For more information on hazing and bullying tune into One Word Nation Radio today at 3:00 PM EST! We will be talking to Pete Smithhisler, president and CEO for the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) as well as Dr. Susan Lipkins, one of the nation’s foremost experts on hazing and bullying.

Tune in today at http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/64101/inside-hazing-the-myth-the-solution

How Far Can We Go To Stop Hazing?

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:34:55 -0400

How Far Can We Go To Stop Hazing?

'Tis the Season!

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:25:43 -0400

No…it isn’t Christmas time…It’s Back to School! ‘Tis the season of crayons and markers, highlighters and #2 pencils, .7 or .5 mm lead, college or wide ruled notebook papers, binders or folders, car rider or bus, sack lunch or school lunch….There are so many things to think about when you think about sending your child back to school again.

Purchasing school supplies is usually the first thing we think about when we think about going back to school. Meeting your child’s teacher, getting “the list” and heading for the Office Depot, Office Max or Wal Mart near you. Then the battle in the store-this folder costs $0.67 but your daughter thinks it’s ugly and absolutely has to have its Justin Bieber counterpart for $1.75. Ah, the joys of school supplies. Personally, shopping for school supplies always has been and always will be my favorite thing in the world. New paper, new pens, organizational supplies…there’s nothing in the world quite like it!

At my age, shopping for school supplies tends to be a thing of the past. Thankfully, I was recently accepted to law school and so the school supply shopping begins again! As you get older, the supplies change, but the fun never does. If you are not familiar with law school, here’s a very brief overview: more reading than any one person could ever complete, more information to memorize than the brain could hold, books that belong on a bookshelf as decoration, and an entirely new language to learn. My school supply shopping started with textbooks. Parents: be thankful that your child’s textbooks are provided for them at school! I entered the University bookstore with my class schedule, and 15 minutes later I left with $1,200 less in my account.

To brighten my mood after such a hard hitting purchase, I headed for Office Depot where I relished in my favorite tradition: buying school supplies. I picked up highlighters in every color available and every size, color and shape of PostIt note available. The store was full of school aged students and their parents, grabbing supplies and checking off lists. Seeing the chaos from an outside point of view made me think. It had never before crossed my mind, but what about the parents?!

When we go back to school, all eyes are on the student. Will they like their teacher? Are they safe at school? Is it safer to ride the bus or for Mom to take them? How are their classmates? Are they nervous? Can they do it alone?

But what about the parents?

Your schedule has been upside down all summer. Kids are out of school, but you still have to work. School brings about an entirely new set of responsibilities for parents. It’s now up to you to make sure they get to school on time, lunch in hand, backpack attached and full of homework and signed forms. You have to ensure that schoolwork is completed each night to the teacher’s specifications, and projects are completed in time for presentation day…and then the extracurriculars! Susie has ballet at 6:00 but Johnny has football at 6:15. Who drives Susie but picks up Johnny? And who stays to watch Johnny’s practice? Who will volunteer to be team Mom?

Don’t worry parents, we sense your stress and we feel your pain! We are here for you! Tune into tomorrow’s show at 3:00 PM Eastern Time to hear us talk about Back to School. We will be giving 10 things to do before school starts, talking about our own Back to School experiences, and as usual we have great interviews for you! We start with with Dr. Borba who will help you handle the stress of back to school for your child and for you! Then we hear from JT and Leanne Thompson, parents of three teenage girls who also host Married with Mikes in the morning on Mix103 Montgomery.

Tune in and tell us what you think! Comment and tell us your back to school worries, woes, stories and tips!!

"We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather..."

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:16:31 -0400

““We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service relationship to humanity.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Social Media--Good, Bad or Ugly?

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 19:02:32 -0400

Our radio show next week focuses on Social Media and Social Networking. We are looking at the good, the bad and the ugly. The amount of information on the show is incredible, I learned so many things about technology that I never knew, but it definitely brings to light a very good question: is social media good or bad?

I don’t personally think that question can be answered so simply. Overall, social networking is great. But like all great things, it has its downfalls. Social media can be dangerous for children and even adults—you never know who is out there reading your personal information. It is so important to guard and monitor what you decide to put out for people to view. Social media has cost people jobs, scholarships and even their marriages…what you post does matter.

This has little to do with censorship, but everything to do with image. In your life, you represent more than just yourself. You are a representative of the company that employs you, the organizations in which you participate, the people with whom you associate, and more. Every post from you reflects on these groups—things that you need to consider when posting inappropriate, offensive or damaging content to public social networking sites.

It sounds like a scary world to navigate, but social media is all in all a great thing and, when used properly, can be very beneficial to its users. Twitter and Facebook allow companies and individuals to post constant flows of information in seconds. This gives users and followers access to constant, instant and quality information at the tip of their fingers. Pinterest and Facebook allow businesses and individuals to share their creative ideas with thousands of people, giving them the opportunity to go viral and reach potentially millions of users and potential clients. I love social networking—it allows me access to information that otherwise would not be available in real time. It also affords us 1000% more potential business connections than face-to-face networking alone.

Human interaction is not dead though, please don’t think I believe that. The value of person to person interaction is greater than email or tweeting alone. Handshakes don’t translate as well on Twitter. (insert laughter here)

Bottom line? I love social networking, obviously since I’m writing this post and loving tumblr. I just think people need to be more careful with the things they post. We need to better educate ourselves about the ups and downs of the sites we use and use better judgment in the use of these sites. Provided that you use it responsibly and safely, social networking is the internet of our day and age—it changes everything!

To hear more about social media, our opinions and some great information, tune in to One Word Nation Radio on Monday at 3:00 PM eastern time!

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2110/one-word-nation-radio

Today My Word Is...

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:25:00 -0400

Motivated!!

I have a to-do list a mile long and deadlines all over the board, but slow and steady wins the race! We have so many awesome projects coming up for you! I can’t wait for you to see them all. My excitement and determination make meMOTIVATED today!

What’s your word? Productive? Happy? Blessed? Strong? Come on people! Let’s hear them!

How We Can Make Each Other Feel Like Rock Stars

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:04:00 -0400

How We Can Make Each Other Feel Like Rock Stars:

Women are often our own worst enemies—we criticize and tear each other down far more often than we try to help one another. Our behavior towards other women, and our views of ourselves are tainting the views that young women have of themselves and each other. What can we do to help them learn to be kinder and help one another? This is a great article!