"When they go low, we go high." ~Michelle Obama
This week, we said goodbye to the Obamas and a lot of us are terrified about what comes next. Some of us may be excited. Some of us may be sick to our stomachs. And others of us may just be numb. Whatever that feeling is, you should lean into and feel it. And then get to work in whatever way works for you. We need your work, as my friend Shenee reminds us.
Now more than ever, it's important for us to realize the impact each and every one of us can make to our immediate circle of friends, our families, our neighborhoods, our cities. You have the power to make change even by doing something as simple as finding your purpose and living in it. Or getting that passion project off the ground. We are doing ourselves a disservice if we are not living our lives in a way that feels right to us or stifling the fire inside us. Find your version of happiness. And then extend it out to the rest of the world.
My happiness is being able to help you pursue your passions or start your blogs or build your businesses and giving you the resources and tools to do so. I don't want you to feel defined or trapped by circumstances whatever they may be because, with determination and hard work and support, you can transcend them.
And speaking of support... I asked last week and you answered. You are a big fan of #jesspicks and love getting them on Saturdays. It's really great to hear that you find these issues helpful as I do enjoy putting them together.
In other news, I passed my Cisco exam! (and had a celebratory pear martini for the first time ever which was delicious) This test updated all of my Cisco credentials, which means, I will continue to be Cisco-certified until January 2020 when I'll have to do it again! Thank you so much for all of your support and good vibes. xoxo
On to the picks for the week!
P.S. Lately, I've found solace listening to the Hamilton soundtrack. The Hamilton Mixtape just takes it to a whole new level.
The Inspiring Life Lessons You Can Learn From Michelle Obama — thezoereport.com This one is my fave: "Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story—because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are."
Never Be In Awe Of Anybody – An Idea For You — medium.com
I didn't consciously realize I was doing this until I read this post. Something I need to work on for sure. -->"Over the years I’ve seen too many people allow their “awe” of a person to make themselves invisible — they hide their skills, miss their opportunities, and slow their development."
7 Productivity-Boosting Apps for Busy Entrepreneurs — www.entrepreneur.com
There are some GREAT tools in here and some of them I haven't heard of. Definitely planning to look into Timely for appointment scheduling and GMass which is basically like mail merge for your GMail (woo hoo!).
#headsup
Free Books. This weekend only! — glose.com
Atria Books is offering 7 books celebrating the spirit of women FREE this weekend only including Issa Rae's "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl." You are able to read the books on Glose - a new social reading platform which looks pretty cool. S/O to Kandice Cole for the link.