The average human being has 70,000 thoughts every day. Many of those thoughts are mundane, they float in and out of your mind, never finding a place to settle. A few of them jolt you upright, they evoke emotions that are hard to ignore.

The thoughts that matter most are reoccurring, they keep you up at night, demanding that you to grab a notepad and commit them to paper. It is your intuition forcing you pay attention but many elect to ignore those visceral thoughts.

Every human discovery, movement, innovation and entity began as a thought. Your thoughts have the power to spark action but the choice is ultimately yours. When you feel it, take notice then take action. You’ve found your path.

A word of advice: Never confuse opinion with truth. The key to walking your true path lies in carefully selecting who to take advice from, when to take it and when to follow your true path.

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

As a young girl growing up I was lucky enough to have a Mother who possessed the notable qualities of intelligence, dedication and drive.

She exposed my sisters and I to other brilliant women in the world who were making their mark. Determined women like poet and humanitarian, Maya Angelou, who has led one of the most colorful lives imaginable and who I’ve had the honor of meeting. Brave women like Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State in the US, who showed us that you can succeed in life any time you so choose (she began her career in politics at age of 40). Adventurous yet graceful women like Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut in space, who made a STEM career a possibility for many.

These women created paths in uncharted territories and lived lives no one before them thought was possible. Their stories taught me an important lesson – choose role models that inspire you to do more and be more than you imagine you are capable of.

Sally Ride, you will be forever alive in our history books and the stories we tell our daughters. Rest in Peace.

Sally Ride 1951 - 2012

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

The road to any goal you feel is bigger than yourself is fraught with ups and downs. It wasn’t meant to be easy, if it was everyone would do it. But you have been called to a higher purpose in your life, we all have. Your goal is yours to accomplish. The journey will make you reconsider your commitment and contemplate quitting. You may even hit a plateau and find that despite all your efforts, you aren’t seeing the results you expected.

These are the moments that build your character and dictate who you will be for the rest of your life. If you can push forward the universe will open up. It’s strange but true, the right path isn’t always easy but when you find your purpose in life, nothing can stop you.
 

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

Back in November I wrote a blog post for the Daily Muse’s “Lessons To My Younger Self” series:

When you’re young, you tend to think you have everything figured out. You move along at a mile a minute, blazing your path and achieving your goals. You hear advice from those older and wiser than you, but you might not really listen to it. You hear those common adages, those words of widsom packaged in clever clichés—and you roll your eyes and get back to doing your thing.

And then you get older, and you realize that there’s a reason those clichés exist: They’re true.

In my life, there have been some ups and downs—but if my younger self had paid a bit more attention to some of those sayings, well, I think it would only have made her stronger.

There’s a lot that I would tell my younger self, but most importantly, I’d tell her to pay attention to those words of wisdom she heard oh-so-often, and yet still overlooked. And these are the ones I’d want her to remember the most:

1. Be Ready to Work Hard
Some things will come easy for you, but many things you will have to hard work for. And that’s OK—you will treasure what you earn much more than what you don’t.

2. Be Good to Everyone
They’re just like you, going through their own lives, facing their own challenges, and creating their own stories. Forgive easily and try very hard to forget.

3. Be in the Moment
Don’t be in such a hurry to get where you’re going. Savor the moments of your youth—homecomings, walking home from school, and firsts of everything. Let go of any negative emotions as quickly as possible, and hang on tightly to the positive ones. Also, write. Keep a record of your positive memories—they will help you through the times that aren’t so peachy.

4. Be Able to Let Go
Remember that everything passes. Always welcome change in your life, and don’t get too attached to any present circumstance. It’s all part of a never-ending cycle.

There are 10 Lessons, Click Here to Read the Rest.

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

I started attending courses at Landmark Education in 2008. Landmark is an organization that teaches what I consider “life education” courses. Of the many things Landmark has taught me, one of their most profound beliefs is that we are all perfect, whole and complete as we are right now.

We all have things we’d like to fix about ourselves. In a world where we can never have or be enough, Landmark emphasizes living in the now because this moment is all that exists. Isn’t it strange how your emotions in one moment can dominate your perspective, making you feel helpless? Knowing that you are perfect right now, as you are, has the power to remove any self-doubt that you might be feeling.

How amazing would it be to have the ability to jump right back on course when you feel like you’ve fallen off? The next time you feel you could be better than you are, say this – “I am perfect, whole, and complete. Just the way I am.” And share with us how it shifts your world.

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

You’re probably rolling your eyes and thinking but what about______?

Here’s the thing. We’ll always have hurdles in life. Times where it feels like nothing is within our control. If you can get a different perspective on the matter at hand, you will see your way around what seems insurmountable. Go for a jog, meditate or just play for 20 minutes. Then focus your lighter happier self on creating a solution. When you are ready, willing and open, magic happens.

You’re the only one that can stop yourself. This week believe it and apply creativity in achieving your goals.

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.

Earlier this year I received a tweet from Zac at Suburban Collection, Mike McClure had recommended my participation for the Suburban Collection’s #socialtestdrive.

By participating I would receive a vehicle for the weekend and share my experience via social networks.

The real question was – which car should I drive? The sleek and elegant Chrysler 300 sounded like the best choice for me.

I picked up my black on black shiny toy for the weekend from Suburban Collection on an unseasonably warm Michigan winter day.

At first glance you’ll notice the sleek interior, chic leather upholstery with a neon-lit dashboard, luxurious woodgrain and chrome accents.
The Chrysler 300 is a roomy big body vehicle with plenty of seating for you and your lucky passengers.

“Starting the car might take some getting used to,” Zach explained as he walked me through starting the vehicle. With one foot on the brake and the keys in my pocket, I pushed the start button and my sexy ride for the weekend purred to life.
(Even cooler, no more lock outs! The doors won’t lock if your keys are in the car.)

%linktext% «%title%»

I peeled out of the lot (kidding!) and began my full weekend with a meeting at Los Galanes in Mexicantown which concluded with sugary goodness from La Gloria’s (try the Churros).

Next, we dropped into Emily Thornhill’s Homeslice showcase at the Detroit Artists Market. Founded in 1932, the DAM showcases emerging and established Detroit and Michigan artists.

I attended my awesome friend Amanda’s Birthday Party at St. Cece’s in Corktown.

And concluded Saturday with a late night drive by Bucharest Grill – the BEST shawarmas in town.

Sunday began with a Brunch meeting at Mudgie’s Deli in Corktown.

The Goodyear Blimp came out to say hi.

Imagine yourself driving during a warm sunny day with blue sky framed in the panoramic moonroof. It made looking up, even during bleak weather, enjoyable. The moonroof is double the sun and double the fun.

I didn’t fully realize the impact of the now infamous Chrysler commercial till I drove downtown. When you drive a Chrysler 300 in Detroit, people notice.
Parting on Monday was quite difficult. Still I dream about the push to start button, the roomy interior and panoramic sunroof.

Thank you Zac @ Suburban Collection and thank you Chrysler for my #SocialTestDrive! I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Sola Powa - Online Marketing Strategist. Undercover Geek.