Yesterday as I perused my local Half Price Bookstore, I stumbled across a bright red book exhibiting large Greek letters.  Although they weren’t the letters of my specific sorority, my curiosity compelled me to stop and take a look. As I flipped through the book, In Search of Sisterhood: Delta Sigma Theta and the Challenge of the Black Sorority Movement, I ran across this quote, which in itself made me purchase it:

“I have been so disgusted with the endless bickering, the pettiness, selfish motives, and lack of cooperation which continue to persist in Delta to the detriment of any constructive program…  Of course someone must carry if we are to justify our existence and live up to our high purpose, but does it not follow that in all these years we would have learned the elemental lesson of cooperation?”

–Osceola MaCarthy Adams -Delta Sigma Theta Founder

As read this blunt and thought provoking quote, I couldn’t help think that this statement rings true to not just individual organizations, but to Greeks as a whole.  There comes a time in every community when there is a need for self-appraisal; when a member steps up to make a declaration about the troubles brewing.  A statement that may not be what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.  The statement may not offer an immediate solution, but is meant to incite ideas and inspire change.

The parts of MaCarthy- Adams’ statement that stuck with me the most, were the ideas that we need to justify our existence and live up to our high purpose.  Justification is all a matter perception and respect.  It’s hard to justify the positive attributes of Greek life when they are constantly negated by public perceptions; specifically the perception of our respective organizations as a collective whole.

This negative perception came to my attention as I tried to hand a girl a pamphlet about Greek Life during the student activities fair.  She said, “Why would I want to join a community where everyone hates each other and are more concerned with trivial popularity?”  Although I was a bit taken aback, I began to give her this spiel about how I have friends in every organization and list the events we co-sponsored.  Her facial expressions told me she still wasn’t buying any of what I was saying.

My natural reaction was not to care about her opinions, but when I think about it, she isn’t alone in her feelings about Greek Life.  To be honest there is a lot of truth in her comment.  We as Greeks are often guilty of pointing out the negative differences and publicly disrespecting each other.  The cattiness has to stop because it’s a poor reflection of who we are.  How can we grow as organizations or as a community, if we can’t display mutual respect?  So this is a call for action.  Let’s change the faux perception of unity and make it a reality. We will be of better service to our community when our organizations can unite.  Let’s not forget that we share common ideals: sister/brotherhood, service, scholarship and purpose.  To quote High School Musical, “We’re all in this together”.

Weight Loss and Massage Therapy: A Winning Combination

Was your resolution for the New Year to lose weight and work out more? Like many of us, it’s the one healthy habit we strive for. Unfortunately sometimes our bodies just aren’t prepared for the strenuous work it takes to achieve that goal, we opt for the “BIggest Loser” style of workout instead of gradually introducing our bodies to this new regimen causing us to spend hours in the gym working hard to burn every calorie possible. Not knowing that most of the excess weight is caused by unhealthy levels of cortisol being released in our system when we’re stressed. Sure we may feel proud that we’re able to push ourselves, but our bodies pay the ultimate sacrifice the next morning with aches and pains that are too much for us to handle so we give up and deem the pain not worth it.

Well don’t give up just yet, try adding massage therapy into your weekly regimen. While most believe that massage therapy is a luxury, it yields many healthy benefits and make your gym sessions more productive. Recent studies have shown that massages can be an essential weight loss tool, by improving your muscle nutrition, increasing joint flexibility and speeding up recovery time. However these aren’t the only benefits, massage therapy can be therapeutic by manipulating visceral and the parasympathetic nervous system.Viceral manipulation regulates digestive, lymphatic, integumentary, nervous and endoctratic systems, which restores the body natural ability to function properly , heal and disease prevention. Manipulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, puts the mind and body at the most relax state by reducing anxiety, stress levels and blood pressure.

In closing, focus on a more healthier you this year mind, body and spirit. Contact us for a Wellness Consultation today and begin your journey of reaping the benefits from investing in an indispensable healthy habit of consistent therapeutic bliss!

Wise Bits from the #BakerPreneur: Operating in Your Passion

In the last blog, we spent some time talking about not asking permission to do what you want in life. Today let’s continue on that same wavelength and discuss operating in one’s passion. Tony Robbins once said, “Passion is the genesis of genius.” It was Thomas Edison’s passion that motivated him to continue to invent despite his many failures. Passion is the key to unlocking your full potential.

Operating in your passion simply means, that every day you should be doing something that brings you joy. We have often heard the saying, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” but how many of us actually follow that advice. As children, we are taught that when we grow up our goal is to find a decent job with benefits. A job that is safe and stable. However, often we get stuck in this life of status quo. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to get stuck in a stable job that doesn’t add to our happiness. That sense of convenience it provides is what keeps people from operating in their passion. It’s what causes you to lose your will to pursue that dream job or travel the world.

However, when you operate in your passion you will find the courage to follow all of your dreams. We here at CaLM encourage you to make a list of everything you want to accomplish in life. Now take the necessary steps to make those dreams come true. The fulfillment you will experience will be life changing. That investment you made in yourself is one the most sound investments you will ever make. Operating in your passion is one decision in life you will never regret

From old classics of Elvis Presley to any other tape she could find, once her tiny fingers were able to insert the tape into the deck of that 1982 Chevrolet truck, the music never stopped. Her father still drives that truck around the farm and although the tape player is now gone, her love for music has never faded.
Victoria Laine, a native of The Grove, Texas, has embraced many opportunities in her pursuit of a career in music. At an early age, Victoria fearlessly stepped into the spotlight performing Amazing Grace at her elementary school’s PTA Talent Show. She shocked the audience and astounded them with her mature voice. Only a few years later, she was invited to join the Central Texas Sportsman Band in Belton, Texas. Victoria, the youngest member to ever perform with the band, sang lead vocals with jamboree band for 6 years proving that alongside her passion was tremendous talent. Taking a bold step to break out on her own, Victoria came to Nashville, TN in 2004 to record her first debut album at Bayou Recording, Inc.
Since then she has made numerous other recordings in and around Nashville with her most memorable being in RCA Studio B. “Having the opportunity to record in RCA has been the highlight of my career. Once I walked through the studio door, it hit me that all my heroes like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Dolly Parton had recorded there. I really wished the walls could talk; it truly was a dream come true.”
With a love for country, oldies, and gospel music, it is easy to recognize each of these influences in Victoria’s music and vocal style. She chases her dreams with the constant reminder of lyrics from the song “Without a Song.” The lyrics explain that “Without a song the day would never end, without a song the road would never bend. When things go wrong a man ain’t got a friend, without a song.” Wherever she is, Victoria is sure to carry with her an unshakable determination to make her mark in today’s competitive music industry.