A Conversation w/ Author, Mercedes Warrick

By Assistant Editor
Dee Thompson

“Love transforms, transcends and transmutes all...

everything!” ~ Mercedes Warrick

Mercedes Warrick, businesswoman, intuitive, and author of the book The Soul Inspired Tune Up, has a passion in life for helping people help themselves. “Every soul has its own journey,” she was told when she was growing up. Those are words she lives by today, as she helps others on their journeys to personal and professional fulfillment.

Mercedes’ journey began in Canada. College brought her to Nevada, and she ultimately settled in Las Vegas, where her husband worked. After finishing school, Mercedes became a successful marketing professional, and she thought life was OK, until one fateful day several years ago...

Mercedes was at home, and thieves invaded her home, tied her up, and robbed her at gunpoint. That traumatic incident started her most recent journey. “When I was on the floor being robbed, I took three deep breaths and surrendered,” she explains. “I went to a place of peace. The energy in that space changed. The robbers asked me if I could breathe, if my hands were tied too tight.” When she later told the police about the transformation, they were shocked. Mercedes knew, however, that the terrifying experience had been a turning point in her life.  She took time off to regroup, and in the process found herself changing her entire way of thinking. She became convinced that “Love transforms, transcends and transmute all, everything!”

One person at a time was not enough, and Mercedes found herself writing the book The Soul Inspired Tune Up, a process she found deeply satisfying and healing. She is an intuitive, a person who relies on information she believes comes directly from God. She clarifies, “I am just God's ink pen. I have to incorporate these spiritual musings into my life as well and I am human!” She starts each day with a conversation with God.  Peace is the ultimate goal. “When you get to that place of peace, you can conquer the world. Peace is the steady calm. When you are totally immersed in your personal peace, an incredible envelope of peace, that is when you begin to design an authentic life."

 Click & Buy The Soul Inspired Tune Up 
by Mercedes Warrick

She also feels that success is a sacred right we all have.

How does one achieve success? Is it money, possessions or fame? Not necessarily. After she was robbed, Mercedes spent a lot of time suffering from the aftereffects of the trauma. Success for her became about small steps back to normalcy, such as getting out of bed every day and facing life. She kept learning and growing, even while going through a bad divorce.

“The first step is to release anything between you and the Source. Negativity, fear, lack, worry, doubt – those all come between you and the Source. When you release those it creates a space. The universe abhors a vacuum, and the space can be filled up again with Love. You can choose to live the path of Love.”  Love is an energy source.

Breathing intentionally is a cornerstone of Mercedes’ belief system, and she can teach people how to improve their breathing, and that in turn can improve one’s life.  “There are nine breaths for conscious living, and I talk about this in my book. You take three breaths to connect to the earth, three to connect to the right to claim your place in humanity, and three to claim yourself in the universal world of higher thought, to align your relationship with a higher source greater good, higher power.”

That is only the beginning of the breathing process. There are other techniques she teaches individual clients. What is the ultimate goal? She doesn’t want clients to have to keep consulting with her the rest of their lives. She gives them tools to help themselves to be in a better place. Many of her clients are in crisis mode – foreclosures of homes, divorce, loss of money. These are the very serious issues with many of her clients.

The national economic downturn has hit Las Vegas especially hard. However, Mercedes feels that redirecting conscious energy towards inner strength works in outward ways, too.  A huge issue she sees with many people is that they are controlled by their fears. “People don’t like to admit they are afraid, so they can’t heal.” She helps them to realize that it is okay to say "I am afraid, today." The Soul Inspired Tune Up then allows them to release and move towards infusing a more positive energy into their thinking and activities. Mercedes tries to get clients to believe, as she believes,  that “Success is my sacred right. I am success.”

I asked Mercedes if one had to believe in the soul tune up she discusses in her book, and her answer surprised me – no. “You don’t have to believe to do the tune up. What you do have to believe is:

1) You have to show up – in other words, take 5 minutes to simply be present in your day.
2) You have to believe in a higher Source – whether it’s God, Buddha, Allah, the Universe, etc.

For Mercedes Warrick, achieving success is a spiritual goal that impacts one’s business and professional life, and all other aspects of life. Finding and eliminating fears and coming to a place of peace are the most important tasks we face today! And, according to Mercedes Warrick, we should face it bravely!~

Mercedes Warrick is a spiritual intuitive with a business background. This combination of spiritual wisdom and pragmatic intelligence has guided people through the changes they have wanted to make in both their business and their lives. She leads people through a process of connecting with their Divine Guidance called, The Soul Inspired Tune Up. Mercedes’ soul level intuition began to emerge as she recovered from a 2005 home invasion. Her work has aligned and centered people through prayer, meditation, breath and energy healing. Her main focus is to IN-Power people to have direct and spiritual conversations with their higher Self and their Higher Source. <Click & Learn More About Her & Her Work Here!>

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Women Who Inspire Us!

Carrie Redwine, Atlanta, GA.

By Asst. Editor,
Dee Thompson

"I always say that I feel like a hottie despite the fact that I'm not a size 2!" ~~Carrie Redwine

As I’ve gone through life I have been blessed to encounter some ladies who inspire me, because their inner beauty and qualities always shine through. I met my friend Carrie Redwine when my son started playing on the tennis team with her son Clay. Carrie is a tall, Rubenesque lady who has an indefatigable warmth and a generosity of spirit that makes her a delight to be around.

An artist and mom, she has three children, works in marketing, and has a lovely home that is always a warm and welcoming place. She makes the best macaroni and cheese in America!

Carrie always says she feels like a hottie despite the fact she isn’t a size 2, which is a great attitude. I was delighted that Carrie agreed to share some of her wisdom with us.

Tell me a little about where you were born, and your early life.

 I was born in Athens, Georgia at St. Mary’s hospital.  I am an only child.  My parents had both been married previously when they met.  My mother was told in her early 20’s that she would never be able to bear children, and she was married to her first husband for 10 years and never used contraceptives, and never got pregnant.  She and my father married in their mid-30’s, and were talking about adopting when she found out she was pregnant with me!  My mother had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy when I was born, and almost died.  At the time (1961), I was written up in several medical journals of the day as a “miracle baby”.

My mother was one of the few career women of the 1960’s, holding down a position at The Institute of Government at the University of Georgia for 20+ years.  My father was a salesman and traveled all over the southeast. 

My parents were not the types to sit on the floor with me and play a game, go camping, or take me for a walk in the park – I was expected to “entertain myself”.  I’ve always loved drawing, even from an early age, and art became my favorite activity.  My father built me a large desk in my room, with shelves to accommodate my art supplies and give me a place I could use for my projects.  In elementary school I excelled in art, my fourth grade teacher even framed a clown I painted and it graced the walls of her classroom for decades. 

Tell us a little about your life now.

I’ve been married for 24 years to a wonderful man.  We have 3 beautiful children, twins Claire and Carly (17) and Clayton (14).  I never wanted an only child, and God blessed me with the twins right off the starter line.  My kids are truly the best thing that ever happened to me!

My husband, Stan, is a successful video engineer.  I work part-time in marketing.  I enjoy having time during the week to spend with the kids, and we love going places and doing things.  I have always been very active at my children’s schools, and when they were in elementary school, in 3 separate classes, I always went up on Halloween and carved 3 big jack o’lanterns for the 3 classes.  I have always been very teary-eyed and sad with every stage that passes with the kids, it has gone by so fast, and I have loved every minute!  With my parents deceased and my husband’s parents deceased, we are a very close little family.  I have so much I am looking forward to – college and weddings and grandchildren!

What do you feel is your best quality?

I’d have to say personality and confidence. [I can second that – Carrie has never met a stranger and she is always an interesting and lively conversationalist!]

How do you want your daughters to feel about their bodies as they mature into young women?

I have always struggled with my weight.  In high school and college I starved myself to be thin and remember being dizzy from not eating.  It was not until my mid-20’s that I accepted myself and embraced my natural body type.  My daughters are naturally thin and have their father’s metabolism so it is extremely doubtful that they will be overweight.  I have always encouraged them to be their own person and look their best and be confident, and most of all have self respect and treat others well.

What does it mean to you to be sexy?

To me being sexy is feeling pretty and exuding that to the world!

Do you feel the media puts a lot of pressure on women to be unnaturally thin?

Yes!   The media has turned many people into superficial assholes, judging people on how they look, rather than what the person has to offer, intellectually or otherwise.  There is beauty in every single one of us!

You’ve been married for a long time – what’s the secret?!

I get asked this a lot.  The answer will surprise you.  TOLERANCE!

What’s your passion in life?

Creating a loving home for my family.  I love and cherish my children more than words could express.  I also get great satisfaction out of doing for others – as an only child, I have always loved doing nice things for other people, it is very satisfying.

Who inspired you, growing up?

My mentor from the 3^rd grade until now – my art teacher Michael Pitts in Watkinsville, Georgia. 

How does your art influence your life?

My art IS my life really.  I live my life in an aesthetic way from the way I arrange my home, from the jewelry I wear, to the landscaping in my back yard.  I am very detail oriented in many regards.  My best friend always comments on my style as “successorized”.

If you could say anything you want to the women in America, what would it be?

Be confident in who you are and present yourself as the beautiful woman you want everyone else to notice.

Is there a woman that you know who inspires YOU? We would love to hear all about it & possibly feature her in an article or have YOU tell us Herstory! Please contact us at talkthattalk@live.com.

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A Brotha's Perspective on Real Beauty

By Christopher D. Sims, Edited By Dee Thompson

"My current female friends are very instrumental in the way I look at & treat women. Those connections are sacred."



I have given a lot of thought to what makes a person beautiful, and through my poetry and my writing, I try to transmit my thoughts about real beauty. Through my work as a Writer, Poet, Activist, Open Mic host, and traveler, I continually seek to deepen my understanding of beauty, and how to nurture an appreciation of real beauty in children and young people.

I am single and I have no children, but I have had significant relationships that helped me grow as a man and taught me a lot about love and how to treat women. My current female friends and associates are very instrumental in the way I look at and treat women. Those connections are sacred.

However, when I truly think about beauty from a brotha's perspective, I must first recognize the three beautiful black women that raised me. I grew up on the west side of Rockford, Illinois. The three women who were instrumental in the person I am today are my mother and my two sisters, Della Sims, Marquetta Alexander, and Kimberly Sims.

Their presence instilled in me a light that will always glow and attract positive energy. Their warm smiles and affection helped me harness the real beauty that I possess as a man and as a human being. I took their love and held it and nurtured it inside me until I beamed just the same on the outside. It takes a conscious man to understand this, and to be able to share it with others in a positive and productive way.

When I was nine, I began to really find myself. I became a lot smarter, more social, and dug into my creative energy. I could feel real beauty from the inside. I know it made me stand out amongst my peers. This light, this internal beauty, became my guide through my life. Real beauty is internal beauty. It starts inside. I had an early start, so I shine brightly because of this. I've never recognized external beauty as the real beauty in my life.

As someone who “dresses nice”, I tell others my clothing is an extension of how I feel internally. I hope the people I share this with understand it. Materialism has never been the core of my being. It has never pushed me to compete with others or to enhance my status amongst my peers or other groups of people. Even in the era of Michael Jordan tennis shoes and jump suits, I held on to my internal beauty and let my real light shine.

I still believe real beauty is not a man's shoes, a man's wardrobe, a man's haircut, or a man's nice car. These things are not long lasting and they add no real value to one's life.

I've focused on knowledge, wisdom, education, friendships, and family to strengthen the beauty I possess. I've made many friends and have had countless enriching conversations. These experiences have empowered me and kept me focus on what is real, wholesome, and worth cherishing. I am beautiful because knowledge, wisdom, education, my friends, and my family are beautiful. This is real and can never be taken away from me.

We are pressured in a society that encourages us and pushes us to focus on external beauty. We are taught and brainwashed to believe we must show beauty from the outside and not focus on our true selves, our true beauty.

In my poetry, I am asking us to take a look at ourselves, especially when it comes to black women and men. I am asking us to remember where we came from, who we are, and what we have to offer the world. This can only be accomplished through remembering we are moons and stars. We are born to beam internally first. We are universal people who possess so much culturally. This culture is another form of light.

This  quote from one of my poems, is a constant mantra that reminds me of who we really are: "...we are forward peoples from nation after nation of achievers, believers, gold breathers, and deep thinkers..."

As a black man, as a brotha, I have a duty to shine, to be truly beautiful. I want (black) children to see their light within and use it to be the best they can be. They will rise to be powerful and beautiful adults if we help them realize real beauty starts within. The fights at school, the competition, the arguments they have with peers, these are often a result of the being taught to be very critical of others’ clothing, shoes, or hairstyles. They forget that we are beautiful inside first, and that physical appearances can separate and wreck our friendships and connections.

If young people are reading my poetry and listening to my hip-hop music, they are not hearing me speak about how I look or what I possess. They are reading and hearing about the stories I have to tell, the way I use words to elevate others, and the attention I give to simply being an artist. I won’t waste my time speaking about things I may or may not own. My inner light and beauty won’t allow me to do so. I am using my gifts, just like Maxwell, to show where real beauty can take us.

I want us to pause and consider our true light and real beauty. As a child, I did a lot of this. That knowing child has grown into a man who is respected because he is beautiful internally and it shows externally. Someone once told me “The best thing you can give someone is just being yourself.” Knowing this is a testament to real beauty.

Be you and be beautiful. ~

Christopher D. Sims is an internationally known poet, spoken word artist, collaborator, and educator. He is also a community organizer and activist. He is a leader in the spoken word and open mic circuit. He educates youth on the art of writing and performing poetry. He has a growing Facebook presence where he is actively involved in bringing artists together. He travels as a performer and is always willing to perform or speak at coffeehouses, cafes, and the like. For more info on his work visit:
http://www.mixcloud.com/UniverSouLove
http://www.youtube.com/UniverSouLove
http://www.twitter.com/UniverSouLove

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Body Outlaw

An Interview with Author & Body Activist, Ophira Edut --By Editor, Xina Sy

"I believe in radical self-acceptance... accepting what IS & what ISN'T about your body & self in the moment."

She is one in a set of identical twins, but she seems to have carved out a unique identity for herself as author, speaker, body-activist, astrologist, & creative-free-spirit. Ophira Edut, author of several bestselling books including, Body Outlaws: Rewriting the Rules of Beauty and Body Image, & Adios Barbie: Young Women Write About Body Image and Identity, is a leading expert & radical change agent when it comes to women's issues & challenging mainstream concepts about women & beauty. Speaking around the world & sharing her views with millions of women, Ophira has become widely known as a voice that women can trust & identify with in a real way, as her message is genuinely personal & making an impact on the way women view & define themselves. Here are some of the thoughts she shared with The BBB--->

XS: You have done a lot in the field of body image...what has been the project that has really stood out & meant a lot to you personally?

OE: I love speaking at universities, because the students are so engaged in questioning everything, and open to becoming activists (if they aren't already). Their passion is so inspiring. The website I co-founded,AdiosBarbie.com, also has a special place. We started it in 1999, and it's still going strong. My co-editor Pia Guerrero and our new editor Sharon Haywood have been awesome with updating the site and tweeting daily, so we're really able to spread the message in a fun way. What I love is that we're one of the few sites to address body image from a multicultural and multi-identity perspective. We're interested in how body image "intersects" with all the other facets of peoples's lives, be it their race, sexual orientation, economic class, ability, age, and so on. That can sound very serious--and it is--but we also try to inject humor and irreverence into the tone and design. 

XS: Body Outlaws? Why? What did it mean to create that particular project? Was it rebellion against mainstream media?

OE: I came up with the idea when I decided to wear a bikini at size 14/16. I knew I would feel self-conscious, so I decided to do it for a greater cause of changing the world (in that very small way) by example. I realized that I had to walk my talk--I couldn't preach self-acceptance unless I was willing to sit in the hotseat myself. Baring my cellulite and stomach for the first time was scary, but I also felt empowered by the notion that maybe people would see a woman walking proudly in her swimsuit (fake it 'til you make it) and think, "If she can do it, maybe I can, too."

In the old West, outlaws were willing to break society's rules in order to change the culture and set people free. They were sometimes harassed, ridiculed and misunderstood, but they did it for a higher purpose. The average person sees 400-600 ads a day (and that's an older statistic -- it's probably more now). So, the world needs a few brave souls to take that chance. I love Glee for that reason; I feel like it's packed with body outlaws, but done in a very funny and palatable way.

XS: What does loving & accepting your whole self REALLY mean to YOU?

OE: I believe in "radical self-acceptance." In other words, accepting what IS and what ISN'T about your body and self in that moment. For example, when I gain weight and my clothes feel tight, I might try to squeeze into the uncomfortable ones or wear the baggy "schmattes," as my mom calls them. After all, why buy something new if it's not going to fit, right? Wrong. Radical self-acceptance means I get to look and feel great at the high, low and middle size of my range, because all there is is right now. It's about living in the present, settling INTO my skin. Not easy or automatic, but it's do-able. Even if I want to change something about myself, it has to come from a place of loving what is, rather than hating or rejecting it. That way, change stems from a self-affirming place.

Identical Twins, Tali & Ophira Edut

XS:  You are an identical twin? How do you define your OWN self image?

OE: Oh man, my sister and I have been compared our whole lives. It's normal to want to distinguish between twins, but we've both gone through phases where people have actually identified one of us as "the bigger twin." It used to trigger body image stuff a lot more for us, and when we were younger, we'd police each other's diet and exercise habits. What if--gasp--someone thought I had HER flaws?

XS: And, what of your Jewish culture? How does that affect your self image?

OE: To me, being Jewish has always been aligned with women’s empowerment and multiculturalism. As the daughter of an Israeli landscaper (dad) and an American rabbi (mom), I grew up believing that cultures could coexist, and women could be whatever we wanted. 

XS: How Does your work as an astrologist play into identity & self image?

OE: I 've pondered that for years. I think it all comes down to my commitment that people know and accept themselves, "flaws" and all. Understanding your chart and your sign can actually give you tools to work with, information that helps you play to your strengths. I definitely put empowering advice into my horoscopes (please check 'em out at www.astrostyle.com).

XS: What tips do you have for women learning to truly love themselves? Some simple steps?

OE: Catch yourself. Catch your mind when it's about to spiral into the depressing, self-hating tunnel to nowhere. All we can do is cultivate that consciousness, learn what sets us off, catch it and affirm our worth before we tumble down that rabbit hole. Is it a TV show? A fashion spread? The way a relative looks disapprovingly at you or comments on your body? We can't necessarily change those outside influences. But we CAN change how we respond to them.

XS: How do you define real beauty for your SELF?

OE: Being of service and knowing that I've made a difference for someone is what makes me feel completely beautiful. Our light comes from what we have to contribute to others, not from getting the perfect face to stare back in the mirror. Make your life meaningful. What are you here for? How can you serve the world? Connect to life, and the feeling of beauty flows from a divine source.

XS: What's in the future for you?

OE: More media projects that empower women. I'm working on an e-book series for my astrology biz, and we plan to create some cool materials for Adios Barbie, too. I just became a mom in October 2010, so I'm inspired by my daughter Cybele even more to create a world where little girls aren't sexualized and taught that their appearance is what's most important about them. 

XS: Side note? What does your name, Ophira, mean?

OE: My name means "goldmine," which I kind of love. In the Bible, it was a goldmine belonging to the wise Queen of Sheba. (Thanks for picking that one out, Israeli Dad!)

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In 1992, Ophira co-founded HUES, a national, multicultural women’s magazine, which was published until 1999. Ophira is also the editor of Body Outlaws (Seal Press, 2000), and its "outlawed" first edition, Adios, Barbie. Her website AdiosBarbie.com has been a resource for women since 1998. She has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines, including Ms., the New York Times, and Entertainment Weekly. Ophira also lectures at colleges and conferences nationwide about body image and the media. For More info on Ophira & her work, visit: Ophira Dot Com and on twitter @adiosbarbie.

My Sensual Self

Photo by Pieter Seinen

By Xina Sy

"Being sensual is simply a by-product of loving my whole self; spirit, mind, & body!"

I love to dance...I love the way my body moves to beats & drums & rhythms; the way music makes me feel. Dance & movement is just one of the ways to implement sensuality into our worlds. There are many things that we can do & many more ways that we can be...but truly being sensual requires being fully accepting & loving of our whole selves. 
     During The BBB TeleTalk Series: Explore The Sensual Side of You, we discussed some of the ways that we can begin to implement more sensuality into our lives. Fiona Zedde, author of 6 very sexy novels, chimed in with tips on how sensuality contributes to her creativity. Dr. Tonya K. Freeman, author & editor of Awakening The Diva Within Blog, shared with us about adding color & fragrances to our lives to create an amazingly sensual space. I spoke on utilizing sensuality to attract clients & promote our businesses through the power & use of sensual words, colors, & descriptions. In continuing in our efforts to give our readers more tips on sensuality & to encourage further self-exploration, we wanted to give you a few amazing resources to assist you on your journey...Enjoy! Click to Listen to Q & A of that Call Now--->


 Indulging in Dangerous Pleasures:
Mayson and Renee are best friends. Two women who’ve known each other for a lifetime and are as close as they are different. Mayson is a free-spirited lesbian and very much wanted by the ladies in and around her hot Southern California community. Renee, straight and seemingly innocent, is a woman just getting out of a painful divorce and looking for an escape from that pain. While Mayson slips in and out of affairs, taking pleasure where it bites the sweetest, Renee steps into a dangerous game of anonymous sex-by-dark that transports her to places she’d never dreamed. But the worlds of these best friends are heading for a dramatic collision. At the end of it all, will they or their friendship remain standing? Click 2 Read Excerpt & then Click 2 Buy The Book!

Finding Bliss: 

From the outside, Bliss Sinclair's life seems very glamorous—a high profile job with a publishing house, a fashionable boyfriend who looks good on her arm, and ultra-chic parties where the come-ons are as hot and thrilling at night as they are empty as an air-kiss greeting the next day. It's a world Sinclair moves blindly through, all the while craving more. And she finds it in the most unlikely of places.

Embarking on a series of carnal adventures with a notorious bad girl as her guide and playmate, Sinclair opens herself to every new experience and every taboo. In abandoned warehouses, private fetish clubs, even her own office, Sinclair is skating on the thin ice of desire—until her world comes crashing in.

Now, broken and abandoned, Sinclair decides to spend a summer in her birthplace, Jamaica, where she hopes to reconcile with her estranged father and rediscover herself. There, in a land of lush ripeness, Sinclair will discover what she didn't know she was missing. It's a journey that will awaken every one of her senses and take her to the edge of known pleasure and far beyond it, to a love that is as sexy as it gets, and more surprising than even she can imagine. This is her journey to total bliss. Click 2 Read Excerpt & then Click 2 Buy The Book!

A Taste of Sin:

Desiree Nichols is no stranger to heartbreak, but when her hot, young boyfriend abandons her after two years of being together, Dez's foundations begin to crumble. To make matters worse, a family crisis is calling her home to face the people she left behind, the ones who never accepted her as anything but trouble. Fine. If that's how they see her, she'll rise to the occasion. Miami's hot, sultry nightlife offers plenty of opportunities for a girl to drown her disappointments, and Dez wastes no time hooking up with her old friends. Together, she and her girlfriends prowl the town, attending private parties where every fantasy can be fulfilled, every desire satisfied with no strings attached. The last thing on Dez's mind is finding bliss in the arms of a seductive new partner who couldn't be more different from her ex—and who awakens in her a hunger she tries to deny. But that's exactly what happens.

Now, in clandestine couplings at four-star restaurants, sizzling explorations in downtown sex clubs, and private romantic dinners where sensual boundaries are pushed and hearts are laid bare, two lovers will awaken in each other an intense, soul-deep passion that could change their lives forever. Click 2 Read Excerpt & then Click 2 Buy The Book!

Make a Shift to Bliss:

Shift To Bliss: Dancing Meditations and Visualizations takes you on a journey of self awareness where you are encouraged and inspired to feel into your True Essence - by feeding and fueling yourself with loving vibrations daily...

By taking a few minutes as often as possible, daily is preferred, you will notice how easily you can shift your perspective of yourself, your relationship with others and how you see life. The more you tune into the right frequency, your Soul Song, you begin to shift your consciousness to new heights and depths.

Sometimes it might seems as if you are taking to long to arrive at your destination. That usually stems from trying to fit into the box of expectations that you allow society, friends and family to place upon you. Click 2 Learn More  & then Click 2 Buy The CD!

Fabulously Fierce!

Author, Claudia Moss, Photo by Zenpressions

By Author, 

Claudia Moss

"Today, I’m fabulous, fierce and 53, and I can think of no greater place to be." 

40! That’s passé! Can we say, yesterday? 

Today, I’m fabulous, fierce and 53, and I can think of no greater place to be. There isn't a doubt in my mind. I am a good-lookin’ Momma, primarily because I feel good inside, where it counts the most. In the mirror, morning, noon or night, I peer at my reflection and love what I see smiling back at me. 

     Undoubtedly, I feel sexier than I've ever felt in my life, and I have always glided with an intense awareness of my sexuality and sex appeal, although previously I didn't much act on it sexually. And as such, I have worn my share of invisible habits and nun’s headgear. Yet these days I am clearly sensing an internal shift. Call it the bite of an adventurous bug. Call it curiosity. Call it inquisitive. I don’t mind. Fact is, I feel sexually, sensually alive!
     With each breath I take, Beloveds, I reinvent the notion of ‘Fine over 50.’ I don’t give a who-who if popular women’s magazines rarely extend those charts of women, famous and otherwise, in different age groups that range from the 20’s to the 40’s, ostensibly omitting women in their 50’s and upward. Wouldn’t you think they would know to hop off the Hollywood Bandwagon? Women, same as men, exist after 40. And if a Sean Connery can co-star with a young sizzling siren, so too, can a Diva from the same era…with a siren or a stud?
    Can you hear me? Come closer. I’ll let you in on my truth…. I love me. And I love my body. I absolutely adore and respect it, how it works and how it responds to the loving care I offer it. I refuse to settle. Not placing myself on anyone’s option schedule. My Ms. Sensational is out there! Article continued below pic--->

Author, Claudia Moss,  Photo by Zenpressions 

The body is our temple, and we should treat it as such. Not only do I honor my Taj Mahal, I adore the way I move in the skin I’m in. The sensuality of dance, a silky sway of the waist, a ripple of the abdomen, the bump and quick wiggle in the hips, arms raised and angled just so, head tilted provocatively---my body is distilled art. I am fascination in motion, evidence of an imaginative power in the Universe. As long as I keep myself moving and dancing and walking and running and pretzeled and prancing, I hope to be vibrantly present well into my silver years. My sensual body makes it paramount I pamper my muscles with ample periods of rest and relaxation. As well as daily exercise to include muscle-building routines.
     My eyes savor the caress my Fabulous-50 self. I embrace me, all of me. A thousand halleluiahs I didn’t succumb to the breast augmentation I pined for years ago at a time I frowned on my hiccup-sized cup, dreaming about a sumptuous décolletage. Breasts have forever enthralled me. They are indeed the Divine’s handiwork! Half-dollar sized, a doll’s pectoral glands, mine were shotgun teeny in my teens and early twenties. A road map, they pointed straight ahead. Not a salute. A poke or a prod might be more like it. I cherished them on most days; on others, I fantasized about waking up, magically, in my friend’s Maiden Form or in a Victoria Secret’s lacy number with an equally sexy name or reeling under a pair of traffic-and-speech stopping double D’s.

     My sisters---truth be told---we’ve all been there, and if it wasn’t our breasts, it was another body part, i.e., thick thighs or a derrière out-to-there, before J-Lo or Janet posteriors were stamped approved by those outside of our beauty standards.

     Today my breasts are more than a handful. Perhaps a buck and some change and two handfuls. I find them enchanting, in or outside of a bra. On my bathroom walls or inside the shower, there isn’t a waterproof placard reminding me to self-check them for lumps or signs of change. I do that naturally, adoring me reverentially.
     Hairy legs. Hmmm. I used to boast (what some folks dubbed sexy) hairy legs. Compliments coming consistently, I stopped bowing to some of my Sister-friends’ beauty standards---of flawless stretches of smooth legs under booty shorts, short skirts and don’t-hurt-‘em dresses. But over time I fell, plummeting so far past go, I never found my way back to my hairy legs. One day I fell in love with shaved legs, and…oh well. We win some, and release others.

Claudia Moss, 53 & Fabulous!

 India Arie floats along over there, a bit beyond my enlarged, well-lit monitor, declaring, "I am not my hair~~" And, I know why she’s here, if only in my momentary imaginings. She’s come to remind me that I am more than my parts. And she is correct.
     I am more than my Sisterlocks, trimmed and cut and colored, if I should so desire. I am the Love that wells up from within; for me, others and the Universe. I am much more than the clothes I select to adorn my form, garments that honor my freedom to honor my sex appeal. I am the willingness to help others, even as I open to Spirit’s generosity in manifesting my dreams. And I am indeed far more than the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired over 53 summers of being present on this plane. For I am the Knowing that what I seek seeks me, when I desist wanting to tell the Divine how my day and life should go. In the final analysis, I know I’m Fabulous. No boast intended. Only self love and self confidence. And self knowledge of healthy living!

CLAUDIA MOSS is an author, who resides in Clarkston, GA. Her new novel IF YOU LOVE ME, COME makes its debut this month, in April 2011. Visit her website at www.claudiamoss.com and www.claudiamoss.net. She blogs at www.thegolden-goddess.blogspot.com. Claudia can also be reached at www.Facebook.com/claudiamoss,  & www.Twitter.com/theLadySiren.

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Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

Body Building Champion, Denise Richardson

An Interview w/ Bodybuilder, Denise Richardson & Editor, Xina Sy

"When I was growing up, we were called 'tomboys,' but I didn't care! I am who I am & have always just been me!"

At almost 55 years old, the 2x Ms. America, bodybuilding, fitness dynamo is positive about who she IS. And, after speaking to her for just a few minutes...you'd be pretty sure about who she is & what she stands for too! She is a no- nonsense, straight-no-chaser, tell it like T-I-is kinda woman! But behind the heavy New York accent & super-stronger than normal, muscular structure, is a gentleness that gives way to the true Spirit behind her confidence: her Faith.

Denise Richardson, born in New Bern, North Carolina, always had a love for sports; any sports. She would "play" anything: basketball, track, & even touch football. "My grandparents, David & Eva Richardson, would have me jump fences for the neighbors," shared Richardson, "I guess I just always liked putting on a show athletically." That love for performing paid off BIG for Richardson during her professional, competitive career as a bodybuilder, winning her not one, but two, titles as Ms. America in the Physique category. And, although she credits dedication, hard work, & discipline to her success, there is another obvious component that comes into play: Confidence.

I had the honor of speaking with her recently about her career, being a female, professional athlete, & her faith in God & in herself & her seeming ability to master anything & everything that comes her way. Below is a bit on that conversation...

XS: How are women viewed in your industry?

DR: In terms of competition, it really depends on the “mood,” whose show it is, and what show it is. For example: In many instances, the judging criteria changes almost similar to that of clothing fads. The standard is to look for symmetry, muscularity, overall conditioning, posing finesse (to music), and overall stage presentation. The judges that particular day, month, season, or year, may give higher scores in bodybuilding to very muscular women, tall and leaner women, short and not very muscular, average height and ripped muscle, tall model type and the variables continue.

XS: How does that impact your performance?

DR: It is “tres importante” that we do not try to fit into the “fleeting mood” or mode of the industry. Build and Sculpt as you feel and see FIT, (pun intended). Use wisdom but have fun and enjoy the better health benefits. YES, it is important that my posing performance is seen as SPECTACULAR by judges and MY AUDIENCE! However, it is still of utmost importance for me to call the shots and set the standard for my own physique. Hey, I’m part of the bodybuilding community because I enjoy bodybuilding, not to fit someone's mold of what I need to be.

XS: Has the industry & competition changed you?

DR: My profession was in Public School Education before I stumbled into DARBY PARK, and still is, long after after I won back- to- back titles of the prestigious Ms America in 1997 and 1998. I was truly blessed to excel in this arena for many years. I determined how I wanted this physique and frame of mine to look, feel, and speak!  My desire was to tell a  story whenever I stepped on any stage, at any time, and any place, worldwide!

XS: What are some of the prejudices you've faced as a female athlete?

DR: Politics and favorites at shows is always a bummer. Uninformed/misinformed folk who still think women should not workout---let alone have fabulous muscles, are fewer these days! One compliment I used to get over and over was, “And you don’t look like a man!” Clearly some still think it is not feminine to train and compete in Physique Competitions. As in anything else, women are unique and have zillions of looks, styles, "swaggas," etc! Thank GOD more people are coming to realize this and actually embrace a firmer, more toned healthier version of previous self!

XS: How does your faith come into play in your career as a bodybuilder & fitness trainer?

DR: I love and support others and encourage and train them to succeed. I am empowered through my relationship with God and it is ONLY through that relationship, the one with my Abba Father, that I can accomplish anything at all. I am STILL amazed at the Power of the Word manifest in and throughout my life. The bodybuilding is only representative of the faith building in my life!

XS: How have you cultivated a body-positive image for yourself?

DR: I designed and sculpted my body based on my decisions…Enhancing what gifts and genetics I had already, then building and training from head to toe, as this is what bodybuilding is all about.

Denise Richardson in Exhibition

XS: What tips for building body-confidence do you have for women struggling with their own self image?

DR: Presently, I mentor and train women (and some men) in the gym, on the phone, online….Most need encouragement and a boost or a jump-start to begin living a healthy lifestyle; to get fit and stay fit. Many simply need to be told, "You can do this and I will HELP you!” Many need to just MOVE and BEGIN…some know how, but need to take time out and make time for themselves. This is Y/our health. Definitely seek out reputable people; certified trainers, fitness educators, and other professionals--including your physician’s clearance to get started in any serious fitness program. Be sure to take precautions when joining the local gym…SAFETY is first, beloved! Once you get started, I promise, you will enjoy the many benefits! Pursue a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE…Feel good, LIVE WELL…LOOK good from the inside out…that is B E A U T Y….true beauty baby! Can I get a witness?

 For more information on Denise Richardson & her fitness programs, follow her on FACEBOOK or email her directly at: MsAmerDR@aol.com.