I got up that day and set the intention, and even dragged along my laptop as I ran the day’s errands.  That evening, at the park with my daughters, I decided: This is the perfect place to shoot the video.

Sometimes, intuition…isn’t.

#CaseInPoint

Clearly, the Universe is suggesting I skip the formalities. And so I shall.

THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THIS PROJECT

Let’s do a Meetup! Well, sort of…

I want to produce a “Skype-umentary” that shows each of us giving various bite-sized statements centered around the completion of one sentence:

WHEN MY LIGHT IS ON, …

The answer to the question will be asked to each of us three times.

One response should be related to the work you do.
One response should be related to your personal life.
One response should be related to your life as a Woman.

I was inspired by .. beautiful work around the “Feminine Enough” movement.
Have you seen it? (click to view)

HOW WE’LL DO IT

Here’s the link to my calendar (click to view)

Please schedule yourself in for a 10-minute meeting.
At your confirmed meeting time, log in to Skype (my handle is Execumama), and get ready for me to ask you that one question three times. That’s all. I’ll do the editing and I’ll pull some gems from your website.

My goal is to introduce potential resources to the women/men/businesses in our group.

Questions?

Comment below and I’ll respond.

Thank you for trusting me as I allow this work to evolve.

Fiercely committed,
Akilah

Le Sigh.

I told you we needed a rich uncle (link to video) to get this project off the ground!

I jest! But still, I feel like I’m the only woman I’m helping in this project. No complaints on helping myself, but um…the whole 1000 Women element is incredibly important to me, but somehow, it feels like an upstream row.

In creating the LightCaster’s Project in February, I apparently sent out a cosmic call to the universe, alerting her that I was ready to share my commitment to Life Design in a much bigger way.  I’m talking speaking gigs, free out-of-state trips for work and for play, new clients, and several notable opportunities to help people in my circle with their own Life Design journeys.

I got exactly what I asked for! By declaring my Light “Officially On”, I made room for several brilliant means of lightcasting to emerge through me, and present themselves in various forms. #SCORE

But um…did I NOT send out the call on behalf of 999 other women???

Please don’t mistake my update for ingratitude. I am honored, excited, and committed to seeing the women already involved in the project shine their brightest lights too. But let me serve it up to you, microblogging style, so I can free flow my thoughts, and (hopefully) get your insight on how to proceed:

At least 8 women contacted me with lengthy emails affirming their excitement about The Project, but they’ve yet to submit their videos.

That left me realizing that the videos aren’t a viable option for everyone, including me, as I’m no longer able to commit the time to doing the videos. #LiveAndLearn

Fine. I can simply add a page for those who prefer to submit their commitment in writing, instead of video; but I haven’t done that (why the hell not?!)

In April, the CEO of a notable business here in Atlanta expressed interest in joining The Project and helping some of the women.  We spoke briefly, and she seemed uber-excited, only to fizzle out and not respond to my follow-up queries.. #WhyLadyWhy

I’ve sent out a few newsletter updates since the project’s inception, but most of the emails were unopened (as noted by my nifty MailChimp campaign reports), and of the ones that were opened, I received TWO responses to my what-do-you-think inquires!

There’s a lull in inquiries, and I’ve stopped gently nudging those who’ve yet to submit a video. I’m learning though, and I’m not giving up just yet, so here’s how I’m putting on “Keep it Moving” cap and forging ahead:

1. Shutting down the Fan page and instead, creating a Facebook Group. It’s easier for me to manage it all from my main account, and increases the chances of me posting more often.

2. Nix the idea of not using Execumama.com to promote The Project. That plan has NOT been successful, therefore, I’ll be blabbing about the project on my main site this month.

3. Post more often! I’ve been going against my own grain, and trying to be more formal on this site—that’s over! I know I’ll post more when I’m fully ME, and not worried about scaring off potential sponsors. #WatchOutNow

So, that’s what I’m doing to fail forward with The Project. It’s a divine assignment for me, so I know that I have to adapt and stay in flow. I await further insight on how to move ahead. Email me: details at her light is on dot com if you’re so inclined.

Summer Love, Bohemian Spirit Style!

Myisha of Bohemian Spirit Jewelry created a Summer 2011 line that radiates creative flow. Stacked bracelets in a variety of colors and shapes are available to complement any free-spirited LightCaster’s style.
Like her Light on Facebook!

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Styl & Culture: The Atlanta Edition

LightCasters VirtuousOne and The Traveling Foodista™ are bringing India, Morocco, and Dubai to Atlanta’s sunbeams with their July 23rd Styl & Culture event. Sponsored in part by fellow LightCaster Djennisa Sullivan of Kush and Kemet Revue, this is a perfect way to celebrate one’s self,  style, and palate.
See the event on Facebook.

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Sexy Food Therapy, EatRelateLove.com Style!

Click image for story and recipe.

LightCaster Shelley Chapman graced the pages of SexyFoodTherapy.com with a heart-wide-open styled message about her once-tumultuous relationship with food, and how she’s using psychology and soul to transform her relationship into one of love, support, and of course, deliciousness.
Connect with Shelley on Facebook.

To support any of the LightCasters above, please contact them directly, and let them know you learned about them from HerLightIsOn.com.

This past Saturday, I hosted a “Divine Gift Exchange” I call With Mom in Mind™ (WMIM). This is where women like us celebrate our health, food, self, and worth! It was such a wonderful exchange of love and light, and just like last year’s WMIM, I’m humbled, honored, and excited about knowing and sharing the incredible resources right here in my community.

I’m working on a recap video this week, but in the meantime, check out how Shelley Chapman and Kaysia Henry teamed up to cast their Light at WMIM!

Fortunately, we were nestled in a quaint little cottage, away from the heat and the bugs! But if we needed to protect ourselves from the sting-and-itch factor of our outdoor friends, Itiel McVay of Smell Goods ’98 would’ve been our go-to LightCaster! She’s got a discount code for us too, so check her out, mamas!

While I was making last minute preparations for WMIM, another LightCaster, Kerrie Cook aka VirtuousOne, hosted one of her popular Red Suitcase Travels™ field trips in the trendy Little 5 Points are of East Atlanta. Her field-trippers left happy and under budget, I’m sure!

GRAB YOUR SHADES & CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP.

Well, what do you think? Beautiful, right?!

How are you casting your LIGHT these days?

That’s the thought-provoking question Amber from Chicago emailed me last week, and I wanted my perspectives on this to collide with those of my fellow LightCasters so we can blast Light into this area of BEING QUALIFIED and of KNOWING.

On Being Qualified
I am not of the belief that I need a certification or degree to follow my interests, or to offer them to anyone in exchange for the energy of money. I qualify my efforts; they don’t qualify me. In other words, when I’m drawn to something–be it a person, an area of study, a pair of sexy sandals–I know that interest is based on something bigger than whatever I can see in that moment. That interest was placed there by Source for a reason. That reason may not even be to pursue that particular interest, but instead to bring my attention to some element of that thing that I can use as a resource in my life journey. How in the world can a piece of paper or an academic course measure up to Divine Placement? It can’t.

So, Amber in Chicago; to answer the first part of your question: I know the work I’m doing is meant for me because my interest in it is unwavering. I’ve qualified my efforts (not the other way around) by committing to my work, and deciding to love it in all its forms.

Ask Self This: This thing I’m doing with my days right now–do I dig it? Do I feel like me (or a higher version of me) when I offer this thing my energy and time? If the answer is in the realm of “meh, it’s okay, I guess” or “it’s better than not having a job” or “I’ve definitely had worse jobs”, then you can rest assured that it’s not THE WORK you’re meant to do.

On Knowing
That’s not to say you won’t have moments of doubt, resistance, and even WTF moments. We can know that this is OUR THING, and still be unsure about our process, our capacity, and our end goal. I’m a Life Design Practitioner, and it’s absolutely THE WORK for me. But I do get doubtful, I do get scared, I do get all “da hell is this?!” from time to time; that’s okay! One of my favorite e-muses, Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth wrote about loving your doubts, and I think it’ll give you some clarity.

So go ahead, follow the road. Take the course, OR NOT. Read the books about it, OR NOT. Sign up for the 25 related teleseminars, OR NOT. But if you can’t shake it, then it’s meant for you in some way, and if you can manage to commit to following it through, it will allow you to use it to SHINE.

It’s about addressing ourselves in the mirror on some #RealTalk vibe.

It’s about affirming your right to learn who you are and how you flow.

It’s about defining the type of life you want to live, and taking consistent steps in that direction.

It’s about designing a relationship with food that facilitates your mastery of a healthy relationship with your CORE SELF.

It’s about the Light, the Love, and the Deliciousness that is YOU, fully expressed.

It’s about each of us committing to a sacred space where we can simply be quiet and listen, or stand up and express ourselves. Either option is supported, we just need the energy of you in that space.

If you’re in the New York area, come through.

If you’re anywhere else in the world, please send us your best energy, and Shelley & I will be sure to accept it in gratitude.

Looking forward to catchin’ a tan in our guests’ sunshine…

Click the image to register…

Did you see one of us gracing the pages of Cuisine Noir magazine??

Yep, my longtime SiStar and fellow LightCaster, Shelley of eatrelatelove.com is getting all the way open about her relationship with food and self.

I’m honored to bask in her light by sharing it wherever I can.  This is a great opportunity for us to support each other as we grow.

HERE’S THE LINK. Check it out, share it, and celebrate her LightCaster status–and your own!

That hibernation period was no game! I really had an opportunity to soul-search, get radically honest, and put some less-than-awesome habits to rest.

How about you?  What are you determined to leave back with Winter, so you can truly shine this spring?

Look, this LightCaster’s Project is about three things: HONESTY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and SUPPORT.  I want you to make sure you think of that when you think of why you joined The Project.

Don’t wait for me to follow up with you. Instead, reach out! Whether to me, another LightCaster, or someone your gut tells you that you need to know.

JUST GO, Mama! Let your inner Goddess guide you, and if she’s buggin’ at the moment, holler at me, let me give her a few side-eyes and supportive hugs and see if she might want to play nice.

What are your goals for this spring?

How are you BEING the woman you’re meant to be?

What have you started that could use some light?

Who have you helped with whatever gift(s) you possess?

How will you mirror the sunshine this Spring?

How will you use The LightCaster’s Project to polish your shine this year?

I’m open and available. So are the women who joined The Project.

Don’t just lurk on the site, dude–GET BOLD, then BOLDER STILL, and let’s get you all SHINY and stuff!

Well…? *Taps screen* What’s your next move, Mama?!!

The City of Yonkers today announced a new city-wide program and business incubator (Y-Enterprise Business Center) dedicated to nurturing emerging enterprises. Yonkers, NY’s fourth largest city, is just 30 minutes north of NYC – so tenants can apply for full-service office space with proximity to Manhattan – but at a fraction of the price.

“We’re making Yonkers a destination for business and pleasure,” said Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone.  “The city and the Y-Enterprise Business Center are located less than 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan by train, making access to New York City faster and easier to than it is for many companies that are based in the five boroughs.  The future holds unlimited possibilities for our city.”

The program offers “Y-Innovate” for entrepreneurs in the start-up phase who have only one to two employees, at an estimated cost of $500 per month per employee, “Y-Accelerate” is for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their customer bases and who have from one to eight employees. Office space would range anywhere from $1,000 per month to up to $2,500 for space with Hudson River views.   “Y-Expansion” will help grow those companies ready for larger spaces to accommodate more than eight employees.

The combination of private offices and communal space also allow for the proliferation of the entrepreneurial spirit throughout the facility.  Cross pollination of ideas and business flow are an expected byproduct of the start-up environment.  Tenancy in the Y-Enterprise Business Center will also enable qualified businesses…READ MORE HERE.