Becoming Unstoppable: On My Way to the Top

I'll start over as many times as I need to. I'm determined and am going to put my head down and grind it out.

I'd rather spend 30 days in a world of my own so that I can aid my husband in providing a better life for our family in the future. What does this look like? Talking to everyone about a product and business I am PROUD of without fear of the "no."

I have a goal in mind. I want to be come a Sales Coordinator in my own Juice Plus+ business by April 2015 where my mission is to create wellness and economic growth for families across the nation.

MY TARGET: like-minded individuals - people who want to be healthy and make money at the same time.

I could paint a flowery picture and say, "I'm only involved in Juice Plus+ to get people healthy." But then, that would be a half-truth. I'm in it to get people healthy AND make money. See, this is one of the only franchise companies that I know of where at my very best, I can have full benefits. Not only that, but I can bring others to the top with me.

I'm going to get there. It's not a matter of "if" I get there, it's "when" I get there.

I'm learning to discipline my self-doubts and my disappointment in others because at the end of the day, God knows who needs the products and especially who needs the business opportunity. I'm no longer going to prejudge who my customers and team members are. I'm going to offer a business and products to everyone. How dare I withhold such an opportunity from anyone because I think they may not need it. They know best...not me.

With that said, I think this photo says it all!

Have a happy day, loves!

Mylah

"For You, Lord"

A six word poem...

Forgiveness of sins; eternity with God.

Copyright 2009 Mylah Stanton

#flowersinthewild From a Wildflower's September writing challenge. 

Get to Work!

Like most people, I have become really dependent on a nine-to-five. While I enjoy what seems to be stability, there is always that thought in the back of my mind about layoffs.

Working for myself means the only person who can lay me off is me. Yes, of course I love the idea of not having set hours, being there for my family, and not slaving away to make the boss's yacht or guest house payments, but mostly, I love the idea of having income that comes directly from my efforts. There is no ceiling and no one to tell me when I can make more and when I will make less.

My short-term goals are:

• Become a Sales Coordinator (SC) for Juice Plus+
• Build a better blog

My long-term goals are:

• Write a children's book
• Open my acne clinic

My heart loves to help others. I'd love to help everyone, but these groups of people come to mind when I consider helping someone make money each month (I'll never turn anyone away who wants help becoming better off financially).

• Folks who have lost their jobs
• Moms
• People close to retirement
• Students

I have finally found a way to supplement my family's income. I don't sell anything. I share everything. Basically, if you are ready to own your life and not live at any one's mercy, let's talk. My "job" now has been a God-sent and I know I can only do greater things from here.

Don't be discourage y'all. I'm here. Let's talk and make this happen. Let's pour into each other and exercise the gifts God has given us!

If you'd like to chit chat to see how I can help you, drop me a line at jpwithmylah [at] gmail [dot] com.

Let's spend our time together making a better living,

Mylah

What's Going On?

It's so weird how one minute I can come up with a bright idea about something and then within fifteen minutes (or whenever my coffee runs out) I don't follow through with it.

Take this post for example. I thought it would be a good idea to write a post giving you guys an update on my life. I turned on the computer and logged into my blog. The baby started to cry so I went to check on her. Now that I'm back in front of the computer, I don't feel like writing anything.

Funny how that happens. Being a mom means it takes me twice as long to do the things I used to do in only 20 minutes. But I'm pushing through because it's way past time to have a new post up here!

Some of you know how long I've been praying and searching for a focus for my blog. And guess what? I still haven't found it yet. So, I'm just going to keep writing until I figure it out. In the meantime, here's what I've been up to.

Baby Nailah

Nailah is just an amazing little baby. She, like Micah, has had issues with her digestive system. We finally went to the GI doctor and she seems to be doing better now. She smiles through it all. She's indeed my princess. While I was pregnant, I used to wonder how I would be able to love someone as much as I loved my firstborn Micah. I figured it out. God doubled the size of my heart.

Micah Man

Micah is now 3 1/2 years old. He is so smart. I'm sure every parent says that, but I'm especially proud of him. He pointed out a parallelogram and a trapezoid the other day and it totally caught me off guard.

Career

Wow. Do I HAVE to talk about this? It's been a really rough journey since my previous job laid me off September 2013. When I say rough, I mean rough. God has stretched me and grown me, so I really can't complain. I've learned to live on the bare minimum. I've learned to ask for help. I've learned to cook more. I've learned to prioritize. I've learned to budget better. But the blessing is that I have a roof over my head and my children are fed. I could be bitter towards the company that laid me off, but my spirit keeps me from feeling that way. Know why? Because they need prayer more than anything. So that's what I'll give. Besides, God is always going to bless the work of my hands as long as I seek His kingdom first.

Being laid off made me really understand the importance of having multiple streams of income. I learned about the Juice Plus+ Company and linked arms with a girlfriend of mine and things have been going really well! I'm so excited. My company and friends make me smile and that is a great feeling. No one can lay me off from Juice Plus+.

Shameless plug starts now (hey, it's my blog...I can do what I want). If you'd like to earn extra money, ask me how. Did you just sigh and call it a pyramid scheme? Yes, you did! But it's not like that at all. Trust me when I say it's not. So yeah, let me help you! It's been a total God-sent for me and my family. Check out this video I made.

Highlights of the week

• I lost one pound.
• I finally got the kids fully enrolled in a health plan (it was the fight of the century, but I did it God made a way).
• I learned what being a professional network marketer means.
• I ran out of butter pecan coffee cream and decided it might be good for me to lose the caffeine. Perhaps I won't buy more...we'll see.
• I had the most amazing phone conversation with a friend of mine. I haven't had an hour long conversation that made me laugh, cry, and love in such a long time. 

Welp, that just about sums things up. I don't expect anyone to leave a comment because most of you don't. But hey, if you feel like surprising me, go ahead and drop a line or two.

Blessings and more,

Mylah

Bellwether Fashion - Leaders of the Free

I started following Jermaine James on Twitter quite some time ago for three reasons: He's a Christian, an awesome rapper (rapping about nothing but the truth) and he's so incredibly funny!

When he mentioned his product line Bellwether Fashion, I thought, "Jermaine has a fashion line? Let me go check this out." Honestly, I didn't know what a Bellwether was...so I'm glad he defined it:

Bellwether defined:
1. A wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually wearing a bell
2. A person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.

Jermaine James, President and Founder of Bellwether Fashion

The thing that struck me most about Bellwether Fashion (besides how nice the fashions are) is the mission statement. Taken directly from the website, Bellwether's mission statement is:

To give people a brand that speaks volumes without being loud. We are careful not to be trendy because trends come & go but, Bellwether is forever.

Recently, Jermaine took the time out of his busy schedule to sit down for an interview with me. Yay!

MS: Jermaine, tell us about your company.

JJ: Bellwether Fashion is what I like to call a Classic Urban Brand. I launched the company online on Black Friday, 2013. I started with 4 hat designs and have expanded each month with plans of having a full line up by 2015.

MS: What are the reasons you began Bellwether Fashion and what has your journey been like?

JJ: Well there is no one reason why I started Bellwether to be honest. Bellwether represents everything that I've ever experienced in life and that's why you will see the phrase "Since Forever" throughout the brand. The journey has been just that...a journey. Full of ups and downs but nevertheless covered by the gracious hand of the True and Living God.

MS: Do you have any special business tips for our readers?

JJ: I guess I would just say that the Internet should be your best friend if you want to have a successful business in today's climate. Also, if you're not willing to work for it, you will never get "it". Lastly, keep God first!

MS: At the end of the day, what do you want Bellwether to be known for?

JJ: I would love for Bellwether to be known for rewriting the script; to be a leader/light in this world. I don't watch a lot of TV or keep up with celebrities for inspiration. The inspiration for the brand comes from a much different place. At the end of the day I want God to get the glory for the creation of His creation.

MS: Jermaine, is there anything else you'd like to add?

JJ: Quality is an important aspect of fashion and is at the top of our list of priorities as a company. I think sometimes it's easy as a Christian in business to try to only use our Faith as a selling point. For Bellwether, faith is the root (and that isn't going anywhere) but it's not a crutch. One of the things I'm most proud of only 8 months in is the number of repeat customers we have acquired. I encourage everyone to stop by our online store and read the "About Bellwether" section for more on the origin of the company. Thanks so much for the opportunity to interview and God bless you.

Here's how to find Bellwether Fashion!

Shop Online: www.bellwetherfashion.bigcartel.com
Email: bellwetherfashion@gmail.com
Twitter: @bellwetherlife
Instagram: @bellwetherfashion
Facebook: Bellwether Fashion

Had you heard of Bellwether prior to reading this post? What do you like about this line? What item can you see yourself rockin'?

Nailah's Debut

The last two weeks of my life have been a blur. My daughter, Nailah Elizabeth was born on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 10:30 p.m. She weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Her birth story was completely different than Micah's (my son). With my son, I went into labor naturally and labored at home for 14 hours. By the time I went to the hospital, I was 7 centimeters dilated. With Nailah, I was induced at 39 weeks and 1 day because I was already 3 cm dilated and from what the ultrasound tech could tell, she was already over 8 pounds. I was already contracting so my doctor, Dr. Jones, decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and induce me. I was at the hospital for 12 hours before anything remotely interesting happened.

I went to the hospital for my scheduled induction at 10:00 a.m. Because this was my first time at this particular hospital, the registration process was pretty lengthy. I had pre-registered which, to my understanding was supposed to cut down on the time it takes to officially register, but it didn't seem to help. While I was settling in to my room, I was answering what seemed like a thousand registration questions from religion to the acceptance of blood in case a transfusion was needed.

They hooked me up to the monitors, started and IV, and got the Pitocin going. I was still having the same contractions I'd been having for the last five days. They hadn't become more intense, but they were more frequent and more consistent. I got my epidural while I had the chance...just in case I was going to be there a while and the anesthesiologist got swept away before I could catch him.

The nurse checked me every couple of hours. If you could have seen the look on my face when at 9:00 p.m. I was still 4 cm and little Nailah was still a +4 station (how far down into your cervix the baby has moved...the goal is a -1), you would have seen the look of utter disappointment.

My doctor, Dr. Jones, came in and I remember him saying, "Ok sweetheart, I'm going to break your water now. Meosha is going to check you in another hour. If you haven't made any progress, we're going to take the baby via c-section." He broke my water and placed an internal heart monitor on my baby's head.

You guys, I didn't want a c-section to happen. I really wanted to deliver vaginally. Plain and simple, I was scared.

At about 9:45 p.m., Meosha (the nurse) checked me and said I was 5 cm! I was so happy to have made progress. This meant I was moving in the right direction and wouldn't need a c-section. God answered my prayers.

At around 10:10 or so, the nurse came back in because the baby's heart beat was going down. She called Dr. Jones and he ordered her to prepare me for an amnioinfusion (where fluid is added back into the uterus to reduce pressure). She had me turn onto my left side. As soon as I did that, I felt a lot of pressure down in the "nether regions."

I said, "Meosha, I'm feeling some pressure girl." She decided to check me and I could tell from the look on her face that she had good news. "Mylah, you're complete!" I went from 5 cm to 10 cm dilated with a -2 station in 12 minutes! She called Dr. Jones and the next thing I know the bright lights are on, the baby warmer is on, my legs are in the mile-high stirrups, and I'm ready to push.

Two pushes and Nailah was here!

She was beautiful and petite and looked just like her brother.

Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. Here is a side-by-side photo of Micah (left) and Nailah (right). They look so much alike don't they?

You're So Much Better Than Us

Did you know that there are trophies like the one pictured above in hospitals all across the United States just waiting to be handed to mothers who deliver WITHOUT an epidural (or any pain medication)?

Not really. I kid.

But it feels like there should be when I observe the behavior of some moms in my "mommy forums" across the Internet. Terms and phrases like, "I caved," "unfortunately," "so sad," "weak," and "shamefully" used in conjunction with getting an epidural during labor and delivery make me angry.

Why is getting an epidural so taboo? Does it make a woman stronger or better because she didn't get one?

It sounds so petty, but the conversation is real. But who cares? Bringing a life into the world is a beautiful miracle, no matter how it's done or what assistance you get while doing so.

There are so many women who are so disappointed in themselves when they get an epidural and didn't plan to get one. I can understand being disappointed because that wasn't your original birth plan, but being disappointed because you feel that getting an epidural made you feel you were a weak woman is insane.

Every woman has a different pain tolerance level. We should be proud that we went through nine months of sharing our body with a tiny human despite all of the changes they put us through (emotional roller coasters, heartburn, swollen feet, rib punches, I'm sure you can add more here).

My point is simple: A woman is no weaker than the next because she gets pain relief during labor. So let's get off of our high horses and stop putting people down because their delivery process was different than ours.

I say that a huge "CONGRATS" is in order whether pain meds were received or not! What say you?