Who determines your self-worth?

God Bless,

Tiffany Dejon

Saying Goodbye to 2009…

This year has been a roller coaster ride for me with plenty of up’s and down’s but most importantly, this year has been a year of transformation. My journey began volunteering at a homeless shelter for women in New York City. I wrote and facilitated skin care workshops and discussed the importance of maintaining a skin regiment along with a well balanced diet. I met wonderful women in the shelter who were open and candid about how they found themselves abused, lost and homeless. On the other hand, I met a woman who managed to pull herself out of the homeless shelter system and became an entrepreneur selling her skin care products online. The entire experience was fulfilling on so many levels. I am appreciative of everything life has to offer because I know it can all be taken away in a matter of seconds. I encourage all my readers to be thankful you have a home to call home, be thankful you have food to eat, be thankful you are surrounded by loved ones, and be thankful for the little things. As we enter into 2010, think of the things you are thankful for and not New Year’s resolutions you will most likely break. Focus your energy on thankfulness and continue to be encouraged as we begin 2010.

God Bless,

Tiffany Dejon

Thanksgiving Day...

Thanksgiving Day is primarily celebrated in the United States and Canada. Families come together this day to give thanks and express gratitude. I love the concept of Thanksgiving, but more often than not we over eat during this holiday. I was one of the millions of American’s who would stuff our faces until our stomachs hurt. American’s are struggling with problems of obesity. We are an overweight nation and the statistics are alarming. 3.8 million people are over 300 pounds, over 400,000 people (mostly males) carry over 400 pounds. On Thanksgiving Day, we should eat more healthy snacks and side-dishes. Remember, we are here to love one another, give thanks and express our gratitude. I no longer stuff my face, during this holiday. I fill my plate with more fruits, veggies and less turkey. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and sharing time with loved ones. The food is just the backdrop

The National Center for Health statistics has been tracking America’s obesity problem for over four decades. The following statistics support the growing concern regarding the obesity problem in America.

- Between 1962 and the year 2000, the number of obese Americans grew from 13% to an alarming 31% of the population.
- 63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0.
- 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0.
- Childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled in the past two decades.
- According to the U.S. Surgeon General report obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.

God Bless,
Tiffany Dejon

Forgiveness…

When I think of the word forgiveness, the words human experience follows closely behind. It’s the human experience to make mistakes, fall down and get right back up. It’s the human experience that humbles us to take the necessary steps towards forgiveness. The human experience is an experience of growth, learning and conscious development. I’m sure you have heard stories of people holding grudges for years. In this case, it’s the human experience that suffers because it is being stifled and forced to do something against its will, which is grow to develop it consciousness. It doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong, there is no such thing as right or wrong. The unresolved issues are in control. When you take back your power by seeking forgiveness, you are in control and you have grown and learned from the human experience which is the understanding of the word forgiveness.

God Bless,

Tiffany Dejon

Dating 101 to find friends in the NYC...

I met two ladies from the West Coast on the East Coast a few weeks ago. Sky & Sunshine are roommates in the trendy and ever so popular neighborhood not far from Hell’s Kitchen. There small yet quaint one bedroom apartment is perfect for one person with a not so perfect $2,000 dollar a month price tag. Sunshine referred to living in New York as bitter sweet moments. She misses the San Francisco bay area weather, the people, and admits finding genuine friends in the NYC is like finding a needle in a very large hay stack. Sunshine & Sky have been living in New York for two years and have not been successful with finding new friends in the city. Sunshine believes living in New York and finding friend is “Dating 101” gone terribly wrong. Sunshine met a young lady one evening at a popular restaurant in the city and Sunshine was asked a series of questions.

1. Are you single?
2. Do you live in the area?
3. Are you straight, bi or gay?
4. Where do you work?
5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. Do you have other cool friends and what do they do for a living?

Sunshine politely answered all the questions and they agreed to meet again for drinks the following week. Next week rolled around and Sunshine’s soon to be BFF was a no show. A couple weeks later Sunshine saw her soon to be BFF at a trendy hot spot in Hell’s Kitchen. Hey remember me, said Sunshine? The women politely replied yes, how have you been? Then much to Sunshine’s surprise her soon to be BFF asked the same series of questions.

1. Are you single?
2. Do you live in the area?
3. Are you straight, bi or gay?
4. Where do you work?
5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. Do you have other cool friends and what do they do for a living?

Sunshine realized the answers to the first set of questions did not meet the “friendship criteria” in the Dating 101 rule book and she is apparently not someone who is cool enough to hang out with.

There are more than eight million people living in New York City. Maybe these women are expecting the worst and getting the worst. What would happen if the expectation of meeting friends changed, would that change the outcome? They assured me, I will soon change, and living in New York City changes everyone. I knew Sunshine’s words were coming from a place of truth, her truth, not mine. I do not believe people change. I believe people adapt to their environment to survive and protect what matters most. I believe the core of who we are is written in our DNA, which is unchangeable. Nothing great happens overnight and if we need to search through several large hay stacks to find special life long friends, I believe it’s worth the search and worth the wait.

God Bless,

Tiffany Dejon

Change is a good thing…

Its official, I’m moving to New York City. The Big Apple hasn’t allowed me a peaceful night’s sleep since January 09’. I’ve been dreaming about the bright lights in Time Square, the vegan restaurants, and the vintage boutiques. There was something in the New York air that gave me permission to let my creative juices flow. I felt alive in the city, and that feeling felt amazing. I’ve been told the city allows you to reinvent yourself, actress’s come looking for their first big break, opera singers dream about one day singing at The Metropolitan Opera also known as “The Met” and ballet dancers practice non-stop just to be considered one of the elite performers at the New York Ballet. New York is considered the Mecca of all things including publishing.

I often hear my father's words in my head, in particular his quote about youth "the world hasn't touched you yet", was one of his quotes. When I was younger his words never made sense, it was though he was talking in circles. Now that I am an adult his words make perfect sense. I’m not looking for the world to touch me; I’m looking to touch the world with my words. I believe there will always be apart of me that the world will never touch and that’s ok.

God Bless,

Tiffany Dejon

Staying positive during difficult economic times…

One of my favorite authors Deepak Chopra wrote in order to be totally free, free from stress, worry and anxiety, we must look at freedom as an idea that exists in the mind. Chopra believes we allow external things such as, homes, cars, status at work, wealth and other labels to define our freedom. These things are an illusion of freedom according to Chopra.
Most of us are unhappy with our current job situation and during lay offs at work the environment can get down-right ugly. It’s a stressful time for the persons who are laid off and the ones left behind to pick up additional work. In December 2008 I was laid off from work a week before Christmas. This was the second time the same company had downsized my position. I held onto Chopra’s words of freedom. I knew my job, was just that, a job! It did not define who I am as an individual or determine the level of my successes, only I can do that. I am truly thankful I have a supportive network of friends and family. My advice would be to find a supportive network and fill your day with tasks you enjoy. There are several volunteer opportunities, Boys & Girls Club of America, Project Homeless Connect and assisting the elderly.

God Bless,
Tiffany Dejon

Boys & Girls Club of America http://www.bgca.org/

Feeding Hope- Food Bank http://secondharvestnashville.org/?q=node/12

Project Homeless Connect
http://projecthomelessconnect.com/HomePage/index.php/home.html

Welcome Ministry of San Francisco- Feeding the Homeless
http://www.welcomeministry.org/involved/

The Volunteer Center- Serving San Francisco and San Mateo Counties http://www.thevolunteercenter2.net/org/1268399.html