Own It: Showers’ Blessing Inspires

There was a series of commercials back in the day that was always followed by a tag, “Beatrice” on a red background and the words spoken, “We’re Beatrice”. Unbeknownst to me this was my first awareness of superb branding. The products were as dissimilar as they could be, but the tag is what always grabbed my attention and made me want to know who is this “Beatrice”.

Apparently, those commercials not only sparked an interest in me, but they also sparked an interest in the chairman of the TLC Group Reginald F. Lewis. Several years later after the death of Lewis, I garnered more knowledge about Beatrice, but even more about Lewis when I read his book, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun.”

In l987, TLC Group under Lewis’ leadership masterminded one of the largest buyouts when it acquired Beatrice. The part that intrigued me the most was that Reginald F. Lewis was an African-American. Yet, most people I knew then and now have not heard of this man who grew up on the streets of Baltimore and became one of the wealthiest men in the world. Needless to say, he is one of my heroes.

In these times of economic insecurity, you have to reach deep down and realize what you are made of as Lewis did. Although it appears as though things are dismal, this is the time when God performs the best. There are so many out there with ideas and business acumen waiting to be unleashed. These are your passions and your dreams, in essence, your intellectual properties. More than likely, at some point when you were young you tapped into them and you have to tap into them again. Many of you are entrepreneurs.

What are you waiting for? Not God! He has already given you all the necessary wisdom, counsel, understanding, might, and knowledge for you to be successful.

Lewis had many things working against him as a young kid growing up in Baltimore, but he didn’t allow that to stop him. One thing I’ve come to realize is that fear is going to be there and you just have to proceed forward anyway and just do it. FEAR poses three options—Face Everything And Remain, Face Everything And Run, or Face Everything and Rise! I propose you select the latter.

It amazes me when I pose the question, “Who is Reginald Lewis,” the majority of people, young and old, are clueless. Our children need to know that they can do more than sing, dance, and play sports; they have to know that they can own it all as business owners. Not only our children, but we have to know it as well.

You see, the days of working 30 years and receiving your gold watch are gone. In the lifetime of a career, you can expect to have at least five jobs or more before you retire. After having been let go many times because of downsizing, right-sizing, or whatever they wanted to call it, I’ve come to realize that you have to have more than one revenue stream of income. You have to use your God-given skills and talents to amass wealth within the legal framework of our society. Your confidence and loyalty have to be in God and not man.

In celebrating Black History Month, I celebrate those who would never give up. I celebrate those who, against all odds, overcame to excel in arenas that had been closed to African-Americans. Lewis was one of those. We have to teach our children about the Lewis’ of the world. We have to teach them that just because of the color of their skin, or whatever the perceived limitation, they can excel against all odds. We have to teach them to pursue owning their businesses and becoming business owners so they can truly make a difference through influence as an entrepreneur. We have to teach them that true wealth comes from God. He has given each of us the gift of the power to get wealth. Each of us must exercise the gift every day by making money and generating wealth to fulfill our Kingdom assignment—which includes owning our own business.

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur? Do you want to take your business to the next level? Don’t know where to start? Join me for a complimentary coaching session @ The ME Place Mentor Empowerment Institute.

Scriptures

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deut 8:18 (KJV)

Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. Prov 24:3-4

Wisdom is better when it’s paired with money, Especially if you get both while you’re still living.
Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner. Eccl 7:11-12 (MSG)

But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. Eccl 11:2 (NLT)

Plant your seed in the morning, and don’t let your hands rest until evening. You don’t know whether this field or that field will be profitable or whether both of them will {turn out} equally well. Eccl 11:6 (GW)

Prayer

Father, I will no longer be afraid to become the entrepreneur You created me to be, but I will seek Your guidance to lead me down the right path for success. I am tapping into the wealth of resources You have placed inside of me for me to own and operate my own business. I will also encourage young people to realize the greatness within them and teach them that they can become entrepreneurs as we glorify You in the marketplace. Amen.

Christ Puts the Merry in Christmas | Jacqui Showers

Inspiration for Marketplace Influencers

In an award winning essay a young boy expressed his desire to have a Christmas tree. His mother would not allow him to have one because of the connotations of idol worship. This young boy made his case by outlining how his mother had taught him about Jesus and he understood the true meaning of Christmas. His prayer was that his mother would let him have a Christmas tree.

I was touched by the young boy’s earnest and sincere plea. You see, all too often we grasp a hold of something and stand on it as gospel. How many of us worship Christmas Trees? Not many, if any.

Perceived idol worship can be visualized in many forms. You see many of us take pride in wearing designer clothes and other paraphernalia. Is that worshipping them? This young man made a valuable point that if he completely understands the meaning of Christmas as being the birth of Jesus Christ why would he be denied having a tree.

You see, Christmas is a sacred time. Although our society has commercialized Christmas beyond recognition, you must always keep at the forefront what Christmas is all about. It is about a selfless act of love that God bestowed upon the earth with the priceless gift of His Son, Jesus, so we could not only have an abundant life here on earth, but we would have eternal life as well.

I ran across an article in the World NetDaily by Gary DeMar that identified some key elements to reinforce this young boy’s debate.

“Just because pagans might have used trees to worship their gods does not mean that we can’t use them to teach us something about God who has given us the “indescribable gift” of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15). The Christmas tree, as it is now designated, is an evergreen that reminds us that we have “eternal life” in Jesus Christ (John 6:40). The shape of the tree reminds us that we are “born from above” (John 3:3). The needles on the branches remind us that Jesus was “pierced through for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5).’

The lights hung on the tree remind us that Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and through Him we are to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The ornaments we hang on the tree and the presents we place under the tree remind us that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).’

Instead of condemning the Christmas tree as some pagan object brought into our homes from the pagan cold, it can be used to remind us that God promises us “the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14).”

Apparently the mother had done a good job in teaching her son the meaning of Christmas. Yet, she did not have faith in her son and trust in what she had poured inside of him.

During this Christmas season, we must use it as an opportunity to share its true meaning. This is the time we celebrate God’s ultimate gift to mankind, the birth of His only begotten Son so the breach for our eternal existence would be repaired so we could have the right to everlasting life. God who loved us so much gave the ultimate gift for us to be free of the limitations of this world.

We don’t celebrate the Christmas tree, but we do celebrate the One who created the trees. We celebrate the one who gave man wisdom to design a Christmas tree so we can use it to share the blessing inherent in the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and the gift of eternal life.

Will you share the symbolism of Christ inherent in decorations to others in the marketplace? Can you see them yourself?

Scriptures

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jer 10:3-5 (KJV)

But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. Jer 10:10-11 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, This is such an awesome time of year for me to share the goodness of the birth of Your son Jesus. What a gift You bestowed on humankind to redeem us as Your own so we can enjoy eternal life with You and Your son. Bless us not to squander this time, but to use it wisely to share the good news to a hurting world in order for them to be reconciled so they too can receive the same gift of eternal life. Amen

 

Visit http://www.jassaipublishing.com to purchase Prayers for Success: Igniting the World to Achieve Success, Affirmations for Success: Daily Affirmations for the Marketplace, and I DECIDED: Move from Resolution to Execution.

Praise in the Marketplace | Jacqui Showers

Inspiration for Marketplace Influencers

Anyone who knows me knows if there is any dancing to be done, I will do it. Praise is simply what I do. I’ve been told that I replicate the dance of David. In essence, I simply enjoy playing with my God.

Praising moves beyond the act of dancing to a state of being. You see, it is more than a dance or running around the church. It is a lifestyle. Every day we praise God with what we do—with our vocations and interactions. This is even more apparent for those of us who work in the marketplace. How we manage ourselves has more to do with our praise than we think.

It is beyond the words we say to encompass the life that we lead. Every single day we go out into the marketplace and encounter people as we meander throughout our day. Our praise has more to do with our interactions with those who come into our spear of influence. How we treat them. The words we say to them. A big-gee is how we act when we think no one is watching.

How well we do our respective vocations provides praise because we realize that we don’t work for men, but God. Everything we do it is to praise Him. Regardless if someone is standing over our shoulders or not, we work heartily unto the Lord because we know that He is watching. It is as exhilarating as when I dance across the floor. Your adrenaline increases and an excitement explodes inside energizing you to keep dancing and never stop praising.

Our vocational praise translates into how well we do our respective vocations. It has nothing to do with if you are a business owner or you work for someone else, everything we do we do it with a spirit of excellence. Excellence always ignites praise!

Praising God with your talents and gifts eliminate procrastination, lack of confidence, and a host of other things that prevents you from praising your way to success. I encourage you to get up and dance…to praise as though you are out of your mind. The more you praise God, everything you do will succeed.

Are you praising God in the marketplace with unbridled excellence of spirit? Or, are you afraid to praise Him with your skills, talents, interactions, and commitment to Him?

Scriptures

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:22-23 (KJV)

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 150:1-6 (KJV)

Prayer

Father, I am praising You not only in the dance, but in my praise in the marketplace. Every skill, talent and encounter I will praise You so others experience Your glory. With unbridled joy I will praise You with a spirit of excellence executing a precision of rhythmic movements leading to success.  Amen.

 

Visit http://www.jassaipublishing.com to purchase Prayers for Success: Igniting the World to Achieve Success, Affirmations for Success: Daily Affirmations for the Marketplace, and I DECIDED: Move from Resolution to Execution.

Celebrate Memorial Day In Remembering Our War Heroes!

Greetings,

After May 2013, Memorial Day has never been the same for me. My sincere celebration of the holiday has taken on new meaning. Before I  celebrated Memorial Day more for the time with family than truly honoring the millions of fallen soldiers who gave their lives so we as Americans can enjoy freedom as no other nation. Now, I truly have an American Hero to celebrate.

My sister and best friend, Major Patricia Holmes-Ellison, led a command of soldiers, 273rd Military Police Company, in the 1991 Gulf War–having been one of the few women allowed to maintain leadership of a coed squad in combat. Early morning on May 14, 2013, she succumbed to lingering wounds from Desert Storm. She was a soldier’s soldier. Through her life, commitment to this country and death, I realized that these soldiers, even those who lost their lives, would fight again if given the opportunity. That is not to say that our country has always honored their efforts, commitment and ultimate sacrifice. I witnessed my sister fight for benefits that were rightfully hers being forced to prove that she was ever in combat.

Our patriotism for those who fight and sacrifice so much, even their lives, for us is grossly under celebrated. Not long ago I can remember the patriotism of America for those who had given their lives. Flags hung from houses as we were proud Americans honoring our war dead. In school we learned the battle and celebratory songs of this country in celebration of our country and those who gallantly served this country with honor and dignity. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance with pride knowing it united us not just as a nation, but as a country committed to God.

Today, most of our children don’t know those songs because of cuts from our music departments and we don’t sing them at home like we once did either. The majority of them don’t know the Pledge of Allegiance because God is mentioned and we are more concerned about offending rather than uniting in a corporate commitment to our country and our freedom.

Many of Americans are clueless about why we celebrate Memorial Day. Most of them feel it is another day off work; when in actuality it is a time for us to celebrate our war dead. These are the women and men who unselfishly gave of themselves and sacrificed the ultimate in battle, their lives, so we can have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Join me this Memorial Day to celebrate the millions of women and men who gave their lives so we as Americans can enjoy freedoms unlike any other nation. Pray for the strength of their families who lost their loved ones, some during battle and others later from wounds acquired during battle. Let us join together with pride knowing that their efforts and sacrifice will never be forgotten and they will never be in vain. We salute each of them throughout the history of America for their bravery, their courage and their sacrifice for us to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Enjoy a blessed momentous Memorial Day

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Chief Encouragement Officer

Safely Enjoy Your Christmas!

This year has been extreme! As we continue to be shuttered away from celebrating with family and friends in person, we learn to improvise in our celebrations. Last evening, I had a great time celebrating with my family via Zoom in our traditional Christmas Eve Gift Exchange.

Last year we were shuttered away from family and friends because of the pandemic. I recall not missing a beat when it came to coming together with my family. We celebrated our beloved holidays, not being together, yet we were together. Thank God for technology that affords us the ability to still connect with family.

After almost two years of uncertainty, we find ourselves still battling an invisible foe. It seems as though when we think that it is just about winding down, it rears its ugly head again. Most of us thought that we would be enjoying our families without trepidation of a killer virus that has taken so many. Yet, we continue to be in that place. Unlike last year, we are not shuttered away. Unfortunately, the numbers of those being afflicted by the virus, and even succumbing to it is on the increase.

As we celebrate this holiday season, let us remember why we do it. It is because a loving God gifted us with His only son, Jesus Christ. In an unselfish display of love, God gave His only begotten son that we would have eternal life and experience an abundant life here on earth. I believe beyond belief, that abundant life included us uniting together in the face of adversity. We are facing one of the worse adversities of my lifetime. A pandemic that appears to be relentless.

We have to be just as relentless and vigilant in our efforts to ensure a different outcome for Christmas 2022. It begins with each of us exhibiting that same unselfish love God demonstrated. It begins when we love each other enough to do what is right for ourselves and others. I continue to wear my love mask, even though I have been vaccinated and received the booster. These are love gestures in my commitment to living the two greatest commandments—to love God and to love my neighbor as I love myself.

You see, I want everyone to experience an awesome Christmas with their loved ones. It is my desire that there will not be an empty place at the table when families sit down because their loved one was snatched away by COVID. It is my hope and desire that our children will be able to attend school mask-free, without fear of catching a virus that they can potentially take home. I look forward to the day when we can gather together without fear of events becoming super spreaders.

Every time, I put my mask on, I envision the day when I won’t have to wear it. Until then, my love gift is to put it on so others and myself can live. During this holiday season, let’s continue to demonstrate love by doing what is necessary to annihilate this disease.

Have an awesome Merry Christmas as you safely enjoy your family and friends!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Celebrate Memorial Day!

Greetings,

Every Memorial Day I remember my sister, Major Patricia Holmes Ellison, and her bravery, courage, and sacrifice. I witnessed a long painful process of sickness and disease from wounds when she served and was the only woman to lead a coed command in Desert Storm that ultimately caused her death.

Join me today and every Memorial Day as I remember, salute, and honor my sister and the countless women and men who gave their lives. These are the women and men who unselfishly gave of themselves and sacrificed the ultimate in battle, their lives, so we can have the right to the pursuit of happiness, liberty, and justice for all.

Let us pray for the strength of their families who lost their loved ones, some during the battle and some years later from wounds inflicted during the battle. Let us join with pride knowing that their efforts and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Today celebrate them for their bravery, their courage, and their sacrifice.

Enjoy a blessed momentous Memorial Day

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Chief Encouragement Officer

Happy Mother’s Day!

Celebrate Loving Your Mother!

We pour out our love in all the accoutrements associated with Mother’s Day—cards, gifts, dinners and more. Nothing compares to the present of our presence and our enduring love for our mothers. These two Mother’s Day where we have not been able to participate in the traditional celebrations, it causes you to truly reflect on this day.

For me, it is remembering my Mother’s love for each of her bunch of kids—as she referred to the 10 of us. For those of us whose Mother has transitioned from this word to eternity, our memories have become our priceless companions. For those whose mothers are still with you, love on your Mother every day as if the very heartbeat of your life depends on it. In many ways, it does.

Celebrate Loving your Mother every day of your life!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Chief Encouragement Officer

Embracing a New Year!

Happy New Year!

Even as we enter 2021 there is still a lot of uncertainty, but there is so much optimism that at the cessation of 2021 we will have moved closer to the normalcy we once knew and will have experienced awesome success in each of our endeavors. Normalcy in 2020 has been redefined. As much as we may long to resume our lives before COVID, we will never fully embrace that normalcy again.

There is a normalcy that each of us experience every day in some capacity. Even though sometimes we feel that it is not there. The love of God is always a part of our existence. Even amid the adversities and chaos of life, His love for us is forever present. No doubt God and His love will also be there with us throughout 2021. Regardless of what the vicissitudes of life my bring, God and His unconditional love is the greatest constant of our lives. The same constant of His love for us, each of us must be committed to that consistency of love for each other.

We awakened this morning in a new year. Some of the same issues are confronting us. Together, in love, we can conquer them. As we move further from the holidays, incorporating love, compassion, and grace into our lives becomes even more paramount. I am committed to love God, others, and myself in bringing about some semblance of normalcy as we knew it. I do hope you join me in that commitment as we face another year united together with love as our cornerstone to increase our faith and hope for a prosperous and successful year.

Have a Happy Blessed New Year!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Chief Encouragement Officer

Celebrating Family Love @ Christmas!

Celebrating Family on Christmas Day!

This year has been extreme! As we continue to be shuttered away from celebrating with family and friends in person, we learn to improvise in our celebrations. Last evening, I had a great time celebrating with my family via Zoom in our traditional Christmas Eve Gift Exchange.

We sang. We laughed. We played games. We reminisced of Christmas past. We exchanged gifts in our usual fashion of storytelling. Most importantly, we loved on each other. Although we could not physically be with each other our traditions continued, and it did not lessen our celebration as our love for each other is stronger than ever.

During this time, be creative in how you reach out to your family. Love is demonstrated in so many ways. More than ever, this year, we have had to creatively love family and friends at a distance. I have come to realize that enduring this separation for a little while, pales in comparison to doing what I need to do to ensure we will come together face-to-face once again to celebrate so many more Christmases.

Is it difficult? Yes, and no. Perspective is everything.

Jesus came to dwell in the earth for a little while. God knew he would not be here forever, but God wanted each of us to experience the special love He has for humankind. So, He sent his only Son to come to earth so we would not have to be restricted to the limitations of this world, but to live an abundant liberated life and to live with Him for all of eternity. Such an awesome act of love for a life-long and eternal reward.

We find ourselves in that same situation. Such an awesome act of love as we separate for a little while to experience each other for a lifetime. Thank God for creativity! He provided us with creative resources through technology to still connect with family and friends. We may not be able to touch them physically, but our hearts continue to be intertwined in love regardless of the distance.

As you celebrate this Christmas creatively with family and friends, enjoy distance, yet closeness, of a family’s love. Remember, it is only for a little while and then we will all be physically together once again.

Have an awesome Merry Christmas!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach

Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Embracing Love!

Love is such a powerful word. Every day, even more this year, it has become even more of a driving force for me. These past several months have been some of our most trying as we are in the midst of a pandemic that has taken so many lives and affected so many others. We have grown weary of political rhetoric that divides more than unite us together in the face of battling an invisible foe. Everything that we have had to contend with has brought us to a place of thanksgiving. This year Thanksgiving is different, yet I feel it is stretching us to love even more.

I’m sure you recall the biblical story about the Good Samaritan. On his way to Jericho, a Jewish man was attacked and left on a deserted road half dead. Before long, a priest came by, saw the man and crossed over to the other side without offering any assistance. Not too long afterwards, a Levite came and got close enough to look at the man and kept going. Again, not offering any assistance. Many of us see firsthand our brothers’ and sisters’ plight, but just like the Jewish man and the priest we have elected to overlook it and do nothing.

Then along came a Samaritan—someone who, including the battered man, was despised because of his ethnicity. The Samaritan immediately attended to the man’s wounds and took him to a nearby inn where he nursed him through the night. Prior to leaving the next day, the Good Samaritan paid the man’s expenses in advance and promised to pay any additional expenses on his return. This act of humanity illustrates a commitment to love others as we love ourselves.

The Good Samaritan exemplifies a worthwhile character to emulate. He confronted a challenge and did not walk away from it. We face a similar challenge in battling this invisible foe. Refusal to do our part by simply wearing a mask demonstrates us walking away. The price is too high to walk away. We have already paid a high price in the thousands of lives lost, the strain on our health system, and the negative economic impact it has had.

My concern, as I hope is all our concern, is to do our part in combating this invisible foe. We cannot walk away and do nothing. We have a responsibility. “We need to remember: We’re at war with a virus — not with each other,” said President-Elect Joe Biden.

I am reminded of Jesus when he didn’t think it was beneath him to gird himself with a towel of servanthood and wash the feet of his disciples. I can only imagine how dirty those feet were from walking in the unpaved streets shared by humans and animals. Yet, Jesus humbled himself enough to wash those dirty nasty feet.

The towel of servanthood for us this Thanksgiving is a little smaller. It is a mask. Just like the towel Jesus used represented love for others, the mask that we wear today also represent love for others. I am amazed at how such a small piece of cloth has caused so much division when we desperately need to be united in this battle.

Every time I am reminded of the hundreds of thousands of lives lost and even more that are suffering, it causes me to love a little more and just wear a mask. I am grateful to be able to do my part in combating this noisome pestilence. You see, how can I say I love my neighbor as I love myself and I am not willing to demonstrate that love by not only helping to save others’ lives, but my own as well.

Love is patient, love is kind, and love is not selfish. We must love fervently. Love must be the guiding force for us this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season. President-Elect Joe Biden sums it up this way, “This Thanksgiving — and in anticipation of all the Thanksgivings to come — let us dream again. Let us commit ourselves to thinking not only of ourselves but of others.”

Have a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

Jacqui Showers

The Bold Encourager
Business Encouragement Coach