The SEQ/HOPE Mindset Blog

My Natural Hair Journey - Part 3

2011-11-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

In this video I give you all an update to my Natural Hair Journey as well as a funny story about the lady who SWEARS that I'm bringing the "jheri curl" back.....

#TeamNaturalHair

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™
All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Self Love in the midst of Suicide......A Blog from The SEQ

2011-09-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

"Self Love in the midst of suicide"

By: Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™

I remember when I used to cry at night about Kurt Cobain. Though we had never met, I was in love with Kurt Cobain and the band Nirvana. Listening to them kept me sane and out of the state of depression which I had made my home as a teenager. I cried because I would have never thought that Kurt Cobain was in mental pain.

Often we never know the inner purgatory that other people dwell in. This past weekend a friend and mentor of mine by the name of Trey Pennington committed suicide in front of his family church. He had been depressed due to a divorce and although people said that he seemed to be doing better, there are many people who have no idea about chemical imbalances and the battle with depression.

Sometimes, it's difficult to have Self Love while you're in the midst of so much hate and discord. You think back to the times of happiness and ask yourself how it ever got so bad that you now found yourself in the midst of chaos and confusion. When you are the type of person who thrives in happiness, the downward spiral of dysfunction can be detrimental to your health. When we second guess our abilities to deal with trials and tribulations we lose sight of the reason we go though such things.

I think about each and every person I've read about who has had some sort of success in life. 9 1/2 out of 10 will tell you that at the moment they thought to give up they gave in and the breakthrough came. Most of us don't know how to love ourselves through the pain. We think that if God really loved us we would somehow be able to experience the pain easier but this is not reality. Sometimes, you must experience pain the exact way you experience it to learn a lesson or to teach a lesson to someone else.

My name is Dawn, and I'm a suicide survivor. It took me many years to talk about this simply because I was embarrassed that I didn't know how to control my depression. As a teenager I experienced life a little different than other people and I found myself living with relatives that "hated" me when I was 14. Imagine living somewhere where you know you're not wanted or appreciated....That was my teenage life.

My first suicide attempt was unsuccessful because I knew I really didn't want to die. It took me years to really understand that no matter what people say about me, how people feel about me, and no matter what people's perception is of me, I had to love myself for who I was despite the opinions of others.

Often the root of depression and suicidal thoughts lies in the condemnation we hold over our heads based on the way other people (who may or may not be worthy of us even caring) think about us. I will tell people in a minute; "Your personal opinion of me is none of my business." Loving yourself while dealing with depression can sometimes mean NOT dealing with other people. Some people don't know how to be empathetic to your pain. Some people don't care to know. It's not your job to try and explain depression or how you feel to someone else.

I personally believe that most people don't let go and let God often enough. We hold on hoping that we can make sense of "this mess" when in reality God isn't asking us to make sense of it at all. He simply is asking us to allow Him to have his way so that we may teach someone while we learn ourselves.

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the "victim" mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn "The SEQ" uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today's leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn's mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You're certainly welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info [at] selfesteemqueen.com

How my busted tire reminded me that I'm not in control

2011-08-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Last week I was driving down a dark and really busy freeway in California when my tire busted. I was in the fast lane and it was 5 am. I had to swerve all the way to the right side of the freeway on a busted tire and did I mention that this is a major freeway where trucks travel between states?

I panicked a little when I realized that there wasn't a large enough shoulder for my car to fit in and that I would be right in the path of numerous 18 wheelers. There was no one to call. There was no one who could help me. I sat helpless on the phone with AAA praying that a truck didn't bump my car right off the cliff.

There I sat. Nothing to do but ponder my thoughts. As time went on and the trucks continued to swerve around my car honking loudly, all I could hear was my dad calling my name. I listened. He called out to me louder. It came a point when all I could hear was my dad calling my name. I stopped and closed my eyes. I no longer saw the trucks. It was as if angels came and encamped themselves around my BMW.

Then, after an hour of waiting the two truck driver came and rescued me from my car. He told me I was lucky to be alive since my car was so close to the edge while being in the way of the trucks driving down the freeway.

As I sat in the tow truck the sun began to rise and I saw just how close to death I was. No need to exaggerate the truth. Had one 18 wheeler truck bumped my car I would have been sent over the edge of the cliff to my death.

I realized that without God, I would not have been able to sit comfortably in my car waiting on someone to come and rescue me.

I realized that without God, I might not be writing this blog right now.... That's all I have to say at the moment.....

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

Spending time mentoring with Hill Harper's Manifest Your Destiny Foundation

2011-08-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday!

For the last few years I have helped mentor kids through Hill Harper's Manifest Your Destiny Foundation. This years students were a lot of fun and I have pictures so you can get a sneak peak of what happens at the Summer Empowerment Academy held each year for 35-40 lucky incoming freshman.....

I am currently finishing the curriculum for my own boot camp for teens in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas. This book camp will take teens through a journey of self exploration on a quest to get them back to a good healthy self esteem.

More information will become available soon, but it's evident that our teens need us and I'm here to make a difference when I can and where I can.

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™
All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

It’s time to LET GO By: Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™

2011-08-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

It’s time to LET GO
By: Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™

It’s time to let go.

Let go of the need to heal other people instead of taking the time to heal yourself. You spend so much time worried about the pain others endure without looking at the toll is takes on you. Your anger, depression, and internal pain could be because you choose to neglect yourself in the process of taking care of someone else. You say to yourself, “If I don’t take care of this/him/her/them, then who will?” But who takes care of you?

It’s time to let go.

Let go of the pain passed on from generation to generation. You don’t have to be like your mother or her father’s mother or anyone else in your family. You have to remember that a generational curse cannot be passed down to someone who recognizes it and

Some of us seem to drown ourselves in the pain from our past. We get fixated on what we think our life is supposed to look like and we forget to live in the now. We forget that we make up our future based on our mindset from our present. If you spend your present living in your past you’re sure to repeat that past in your future.

We just can’t let go.

We don’t take the time to heal from past hurts before piling new ones on top to mask the old. Our minds become an episode of Hoarders as we hold on to this past hurt from an associate, a friend, a relationship until we can’t enjoy anything healthy because our minds are focused on what could go wrong based on the past. It’s this type of dysfunction that keeps you in bondage to yourself. STOP IT.

It’s time to let go.

Let go of toxic people who come into your life to cause you harm by way of mental, verbal, and emotional abuse. You deserve more than the horrible words someone wants to place upon you. You deserve more than a guilt trip because you choose to not give your all to someone who is not worthy. You have the right to say goodbye to anyone at anytime for any reason. You owe no one an explanation for your decision to let go of an abuser.

Let Go of those who stunt your growth by telling you what you cannot do, who you cannot be, what you cannot see… THEY don’t know you, so how then could they speak this into your life with your permission.

Let go of the need to allow anyone to tell you who you are NOT by first knowing WHO you ARE.

Let Go of every single thing that you think or believe is the key to your success if it isn’t working.

Let Go of every situation that stunts your growth; your branches were made to spread wide, not to be plucked by the unworthy and untrained toxic individuals who you have around you.

I know it hurts to Let Go.

I know it hurts to let go because: He/She loves me, I can’t live without him/her, he/she will change, I gossip for entertainment….and all the while – these things, these excuse you make to pacify self, turn into your crutches that bare too much potential to be collecting dust the way you are allowing!

Please take some time and let go.

It’s so necessary. It may be the first time you actually have felt relief in months or even years. It may scare you half to death because it’s so unlike you. You may be afraid that people won’t recognize the “new you” but what you don’t realize is every time you make a decision to harm yourself, that’s not the “real you” but some façade of who you are supposed to be. Your freedom should be your priority. Your freedom from mess, stress, gossip, lies, pain, frustration, ego, pride…. Your freedom is your birthright and you are supposed to exercise your right to freedom daily. When then, my love, are you holding yourself in this emotional purgatory?

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™
© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to
info [at] selfesteemqueen.com

Whale Watching and all that jazz....

2011-07-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went whale watching in Newport Beach. I've never been sea sick a day in my life.

I was excited about taking the Boy Wonder on a boat since it was his first time but wondered silently to myself if he would get sick from being on the boat since he doesn't like roller coasters.

At the beginning of the of the trip, things were looking great for me! I was feeling great, happy to be on the ocean....I even smiled for a few pictures!

The SEQ and Momma SEQ

SEQ and The Boy Wonder

I was able to snap some shots of the sea lions.....

I was able to snap some pictures of the beautiful houses on the water.... I was feeling the energy of the ocean and the sun combined with the great company...

Made sure I had The Boy Wonder snap a picture of where they shot the deserted scene for Gilligan's Island...

Made sure The Boy Wonder was able to capture the beauty of Newport Beach

Then, it happened. That smell. That smell that makes your stomach jump up to your throat and snatch your tonsils. That smell was the smell of old oil and sea water. See, when I got on the boat I got on first so we went straight to the top. I didn't know that they would be serving "snacks" on the bottom level. That smell was indescribable and all I can say is that my stomach couldn't take it.

After a few high waves and 25 minutes of swaying on that boat, my stomach lost the tug-o-war it was playing and erupted..... This was the end result

At then end of the day I was able to get this picture of The Boy Wonder and the he got this amazing sunset so that made it all worth it!

Oh yeah, we never saw any whales but I did hear there were dolphins. I was too busy throwing up to notice!

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™
All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Afternoon Hair Spruce Up - Natural Hair Beauty

2011-07-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday Everyone! I wanted to take a moment and show you all my hair today! This was my mid evening "spruce up" - All I did was take my water bottle and spritz some water on my head. Then, I used a little more of the Abba Conditioner and BAM - nice curls! OMG Natural Hair Heaven and right now I'm having hair envy of my own hair! Self Love is IN the building!

XOXO

SEQ

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively,

nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

My Journey back to my Natural Hair - Part 2 / L'Oreal Products

2011-07-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to update you all on my hair journey and let you know that today I am loving my hair. Though there are some moments in some days where I want to chop it all off, I am convinced that I am feeding my hair the nutrients it needs to grow out healthy and I'm looking to chronicle this journey with you all.

Last month I went and got my hair deep conditioned at a salon and that was cool until the dude tried to hit on me and I decided I could deep condition my hair myself!

I used good ole Olive Oil, Honey and some conditioner.

My hair felt great after and has been really soft! I was surprised at how healthy my hair started to look immediately after the deep conditioner.

So, someone I mentor told me I should get L'Oreal Sulfate Free Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. I used both today and I must say my hair looks AMAZING! So excited to share some picture with you all!

I thank ALL of you who email me with new products to try and for those of you who email me and cheer me on during this process. I have more great moments with my hair than not, and I'm excited to see it grow by the day!

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ © 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Why I love my Life Coach - and his hearty laugh!!

2011-07-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and I hope you're having a great day. It has been a hot day in California so I've been inside getting some writing done for my upcoming book on dysfunction.

The last several years some of you have seen my business expand tremendously. Throughout this time, I have experienced many growing pains as I step more into my purpose. Spending years dedicated to helping save teenage runaways and teenagers from all over the World has been an adventure and would have been a hard thing to do without the help of a Life Coach.

If you've been on this journey with me the last several years, you know that I have many coaches and mentors. I have coaches who specialize in certain areas of expertise like speaking and marketing, and then I have mentors who help guide me along the process of being a business owner, a philanthropist, and a mentor to others.

There has been one Life Coach that I've had since 2004. He's been the driving force behind my desire to teach people how to be BETTER Human Beings, he's the reason my business continues to expand beyond what I could ever imagine, and he's the reason I sit here today and teach thousands of women and men yearly how to eliminate toxic people and places from their lives.

If you've never had a Life Coach or a mentor, you are missing out on the accountability of a lifetime. God is amazing in that He has sent me numerous coaches and mentors to guide me along the way - This is the story of JuJu...

My Life Coach "JuJu" is one of the most amazing men I have ever met. In the course of 8 years he has changed the way I see others and how I see my purpose on earth.

We met at a grocery store one day when JuJu randomly started to rub my head telling me I needed to take some of the pressure off my brain. From there, JuJu became my Life Coach. He has coached me through all sorts of life and business changes in the last several years that I know I couldn't have made it through without his guidance and accountability. Through it all, I have learned some of the most valuable lessons from JuJu . He taught me how to love others as I want myself to be loved and he also taught me NEVER to settle for anything less than what I know I deserve.

Most important, JuJu has taught me to be a Better Human Being and I now teach others how to do the same thing. It took someone teaching me in order for me to teach others. If you can invest in handbags, cars and expensive shoes, you should do yourself a favor and invest in a Life Coach or Mentor. You will thank me later.

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

A Message to my Father: So many tears

2011-06-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

I thank God for allowing me to have such a wonderful father. I was one of those kids who didn't know who my "real dad" was until I was about to enter the 8th grade. Prior to that, I thought my dad was a man I seemingly was named after, and a man who never took the time to call me or check up on me as an adolescent. I found out through eavesdropping on a conversation that my dad was another man I had grown up around and thought was my "play uncle". No one had told me any different. I imagine there are many kids who grow up similar to me. This "revelation" didn't change my love for my dad when I found out that he was my dad. All it did was cause me to want to know my dad even more, and I was happy to stop calling him my "uncle". This is what some of you will call "dysfunction".

Throughout my life, my father was in an out of various California Penitentiaries for various crimes associated with alcohol abuse. He would write me letters, and I would never write back. He would tell me to stay in school, to take care of my mother, and to make sure I was respectful at all times. He would remind me of Exodus 20:12, "Honor thy mother and thy father..." and I would read and re-read his letters and ask myself how come he didn't love me enough to stay out of jail. Then, one day, my dad got out of jail and said he wasn't going back. He didn't.

From that day on, my dad and I were inseparable. From drives up the coast, jazz concerts, walks at the beach and trips to sight see in San Francisco, my dad became my best friend and one of the sources of my strength. His knowledge and wisdom came in every conversation, in every lecture, in every moment he rescued me from a situation only to tell me, "You know you were wrong for that, right?" My dad was the epitome if what every young lady needs in her life: A Man who will tell her the truth no matter how much it hurts her. One of the reasons I've been able to maintain a certain level of success in my professional life I owe to my father who told me, "No one will see your excellence if you yourself don't see it."

My dad died on January 24, 2009. My heart still hasn't healed from the pain. My mind still cannot wrap itself around the thought that my dad is no longer able to call me, listen to music with me, share my secrets and triumphs with me, or just available for a listening ear. I miss my dad daily and sometimes hourly. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't feel like calling my dad. He meant that much to me. No matter what my father had done in his past, he made my future BRIGHT by being my father and by being the true definition of a "dad".

It saddens me to get on social networks and read comments from people who have nothing great to say about their fathers. My heart hurts for the men who want to be a father to their children but are prohibited from doing so by spiteful women. My heart hurts for the women who bash men in front of their kids thus teaching this lesson to impressionable young minds who don't know the difference between a fact and fiction. I don't want to jump on a soapbox today; I just wanted to let you all know how much I miss my dad. He was my amazing.

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Why I decided to grow my hair back (NATURAL HAIR WOMEN STAND UP)

2011-06-13T01:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

I have been waiting to tell you all about this amazing decision I made to grow my hair back out. Most of you don't know I used to have long hair. I loved my hair but had gotten to the point of being very VAIN which wasn't good for a queen like myself.

FAST FORWARD to today ~> I had been talking to my friend Tam from London, and she is growing out her hair. When she showed me pictures of her long hair, I was amazed at how gorgeous her hair was and how BOLD she was to cut it all off.

Here I was thinking I was the only one who would do something "crazy" like cut off all their hair. I remember people used to actually get mad at me because I'd decided to cut my hair (like they were seriously hurt as if it came from their heads).....

My friend Tam inspired me to grow my hair back.....after I had said to people I would NEVER have long hair again.

I now will never say never again...... So, the journey begins. I will be blogging this journey for all to see. There will be moments when I will be embarrassed no doubt BUT I want you all to see the journey and the process I will take to have healthy natural long hair. I'm excited! Thank you all for coming on this journey with me.

This is my hair with no chemicals. Sometimes it can be a little dry.

This is my hair pre-leave in conditioner

I mixed the Olive Oil and Parnevu Leave in Conditioner together to make the concoction I call a "Hair Moisturizer"

I love the way it made my hair look, but it's too darn oily!

In the end, I think I used way too much Olive Oil because all day Sunday I would go to touch my scalp and I felt like the guy from the movie Coming To America......Just let your soulllllll Gloooowwwww!!!!!

I will keep you updated on my next mixture of products. I will be purchasing some products and letting you all know how they work on my hair! Until next week!!!!!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Why I mentor - Spotlight on Studology101 and The "We All We Got" Movement

2011-05-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Why I mentor:

Studology101 and The "We All We Got" Movement

Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person.

The person in receipt of mentorship may be referred to as a protégé (male), a protégée (female), an apprentice or, in recent years, a mentee.

"Mentoring" is a process that always involves communication and is relationship based, but its precise definition is elusive. One definition of the many that have been proposed, is

Mentoring is a process for the informal transmission of knowledge, social capital, and the psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to work, career, or professional development;mentoring entails informal communication, usually face-to-face and during a sustained period of time, between a person who is perceived to have greater relevant knowledge, wisdom, or experience (the mentor) and a person who is perceived to have less (the protégé)".

Studology101's Mission: To bridge the gap between gays and straights! Founders of the "We All We Got" Movement!

The "We All We Got" Movement's mission is to promote and recognize LGBTQ talents of all kinds.

In 2010 in the midst of a bad relationship, I was searching the internet looking for answers. I stumbled upon some YouTube videos of Pookz and DZ, better known as Studology101. I decided to reach out to these two experts within the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer) Community to help me bring closure to this relationship. After I sat and watched their videos, I couldn't believe that they were so young yet so on fire and so passionate about serving others.

My initial interaction with them was separate; I talked to Pookz on the phone before I had ever talked to DZ, and it felt like I was talking to my long lost kin. It is rare that I interact with young adults and have this feeling. I immediately knew after talking to DZ that I needed to be a part of their lives. The similarities in how the three of us communicate, articulate our words, and subjects we were well versed on....I knew this was the moment I had been praying for.

Pookz (Left) and DZ (Right) of Studology101

See, I've mentored / been a Life Coach to "celebrities" in various industries for over 8 years. There have been times when I felt like nothing more than a paid part of the entourage and other times where I've had to refund money because I couldn't see the difference I was making.

As someone who has been involved in / co founder of / head consultant for various movements over the last 11 years, I look for certain criteria when mentoring people who have movements:

Criteria # 1 - IS your Movement MOVING?
Criteria # 2 - Are you doing this to be popular or to make a difference?
Criteria # 3 - WHO are the people that surround you and encourage you to keep PUSHING?

The list goes on, but most people who come to me looking to be mentored don't get past these three mainly because they believe that if their name isn't a part of the "movement" then they somehow won't be recognized for their part.

With Studology101 the impact was made upon our first interaction......

I was SO impressed that I flew to Atlanta to meet them. We had been interacting and I'm big on Human Interaction (capital letters on purpose), so I flew to Atlanta and knew immediately that they weren't supposed to be there. The environment by which they were surrounding themselves was enough to make my spirit boil. IMAGINE THAT: I was going to have to give Studology101 "constructive criticism" on our first face to face.

Most people wouldn't be able to handle it. I've been known as a real "hard core" mentor and Life Coach. What most people don't realize is that I mentored myself through a life of abandonment and teenage prostitution from the age of 14 until I graduated from a Prestigious Jesuit University in Los Angeles in 2000. Many people cannot take my straight forward, no chaser mentality. I was born to mentor. I was bred to mentor. I love to mentor.

Pookz and DZ took the lessons with stride. They accepted what they already knew and moved back to Dallas to continue the movement. I was so proud that they had the ability to resist the temptation to look at their brief Atlanta visit as a failure and instead chose to learn from the experience to provide even more to those who follow them.

I am blessed and beyond humbled to say I now mentor two of the brightest, intelligent God loving, motivating LIFE CHANGERS in the Gay Community. Pookz and DZ of Studology101 are celebrities who haven't realized that they are celebrities. I want to share my story because I want you to know how amazing these two young studs are. Not only am I their mentor, they are in turn my teachers. I learn as much from them as they learn from me and their intelligence surpasses that of people in their 40's or 50's. This is what just a few of their supporters have to say about them:

The video below is an example of just how God Driven these two are....

I was so proud of my mentees when they were contacted by the best selling Lesbian Magazine in the nation, Curve Magazine which has a predominantly older Anglo demographic.

With this partnership, Curve Magazine now have the ability to cater to a younger urban crowd thus showing how strategic Studology101 are, how open the Universe is to their accomplishments, and how driven they are to really bridge the gap within the LGBTQ community.

A lot of straight people don't understand that Gay people have to encounter prejudice from within their own community AS WELL AS the opposition from those in the straight community. Being gay is hard enough but imagine not having anyone to turn to for advice and guidance - that's where Pookz and DZ come in.

Did I mention they're ONLY 22 years old?

They were also hand picked to be a part of the Brown Boi Project, a community of masculine of center womyn, men, two-spirit people, transmen, and our allies committed to transforming our privilege of masculinity, gender, and race into tools for achieving Racial and Gender Justice.

Listen below as Pookz talks about her experience......

In late 2010 there were numerous reports of teenagers in the LGBTQ community committing suicide due to bullying.

We immediately came together and founded ImGayNowWhat.com as a call to action from another project called "It Gets Better".

With over 12,000 hits in under a year, ImGayNowWhat.com has become it's own mentor program with Ambassadors in The United States and abroad.

All of this in less than 1 year......And so the We All We Got Movement continues to move and is now joined by The SEQ/Hope Movement to collectively bring ImGayNowWhat.com, free of charge, to all LGBTQ teens and their allies, to let them know that it DOES get better and WE ARE a team devoted to the well being of each and every teen who has ever been hurt, picked upon, discriminated against, to every teen who has been afraid to come out or has been shunned because they came out....We are here to make a difference not make a name for ourselves. Our actions will speak louder than our words.

ImGayNowWhat, a website dedicated to the teen LGBTQ members who need a positive, SAFE, inspiring place to go online.

We have come together because we understand the NEED for a Teen LGBTQ community with no agenda other than to be a safe haven for mentoring & motivating LGBTQ Teens.
Suicide is NOT an option.
We want to HELP.
For FREE.
WE CARE and LOVE EACH & EVERY LGBTQ Teen Worldwide!

I don't know what the future holds but I'm blessed to know WHO holds my future. I am so thankful that I've had the opportunity to mentor these two bright Soldiers.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™ I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!! Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Love, Life Lessons and Letting Go: 21 Days of Fasting for God

2011-04-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Love, Life Lessons and Letting Go: 21 Days of Fasting for God

A Blog from Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™

It's a blessing to be so favored by the universe that even the hard times are exactly what you need, and it may be hard to accept that while feeling the heat of the purge all around you. Be sure, in your heart of the prayers and meditations placed over time. If you asked for change, be comforted when it occurs. The difference is the evidence that you are being heard. ~ The Floacist

I have written and rewritten this blog several times. I really have so much on my heart and I feel that someone needs to read this today. Please accept my apologies for the run on sentences, the incorrect diction, and the rambling. I spent 21 days fasting, and although this was not my first fast I saw miracles being formed in my life and in the lives of those around me. My heart is heavy as I type this. So many things happen when you fast. They say that "all hell breaks loose" when you fast, and for me this has been my plight. Here are some of the things that I learned during my fast about myself and others...

I need to stop trying to replace my dad. My dad was my best friend, my "road dog". When he passed away, I felt a void in my life that I can only describe as dense NOTHINGNESS... it has been 2 years and I am still in pain. I don't know when it ends. What I do know is that I've not found a person to replace my dad. He was the only human who I feel ever truly loved me and was in love with me. I need him more than ever now, and he's not here to talk to, ride in the car with, joke with, tell my dreams to, or hug me. I cry endless tears weekly. Even people like me who are experts in grief have to grieve. I've spent so much time helping others to distract myself from coming to terms with my dads death, but this fast brought the issue to the forefront of my life and I had to address it in my personal space. No one, NO ONE - loved me like my dad. No ONE.

All people who say they're "authentic" / "conscious" really aren't - Watch actions and IGNORE spoken words. I've learned that people will take a tag-line or a popular word and use is, misuse it, and then use it again. We must learn to hold people accountable for their actions lining up to the words they speak. We allow people to speak to us and we tend to believe everything they say. Sadly, there are so many adults who have not outgrown habitual lying and I had to find this out the hard way. Social networking allowed me to see that people are as fake as a six dollar bill. I've taken the time to get to know people who were "conscious" and "authentic" only to see them do and say things that were the direct opposite of those two words. I often ask myself why people do things like that and the only conclusion I have come to is: Some people just never outgrow habitual lying. But, as a follower of God, I cannot be around anyone who worships the father of lies.....

Some people are meant to stay in the past. I fell in love last year only to have my heart broken by someone who I thought was my friend. The pain wasn't so much over the inevitable breakup, but more so over the fact that I allowed myself to once again compromise my life for someone who ultimately didn't care about the compromise. I had to ask myself during my fast, "What's wrong with me? How come I'm in alignment in all areas of my life except for the relationship area?" God let me know that as long as I continue to try and pick my own mates that I would continue to be unhappy. That was a hard pill for me to swallow. I felt like I had let God down. A year with someone you're not yoked to is like a century. I am going to say this and it is going to hurt a lot of people - Leave those old friends/flames alone that you "reconnect" with on social networks. I learned that when you part from people after school days, you can't pretend that you know them years later. All this time has passed and you're meeting them as a new person - NOT the person you knew in school. Allow yourself to be cautious when running into new/old people. Remind yourself that if you've not stayed in contact with them over the years then they are not your friend. They are a stranger. You should treat them as such. In time, you will see that some of your old comrades need to stay right in the past with those good memories......

God gives us all thoughts and, if we don't act out on them, He will show us someone who will. This is not called copying, it's called God's Will. I have mentored some really wonderful people that I have met online. Some of them I mentored for free and some of them paid me for my services. Of those people, there were a select few who took the time to pick my brain and then proceed to implement things that I told them about. Then, when it was time for me to do the same, I was accused of "copying" - LISTEN: there is no such thing anymore as an original thought. When you are given a thought that you don't act out on, then what you need to know is that God will put someone else in your place to act out on the things that you are not willing to. We forget that we are all put here for God's purpose and that when we don't act on our purpose God will put someone else in our place who will. As adults we must stop taking the energy on of competition. This energy is toxic and negates the whole "there is more than enough for everyone" theory. No one can copy me because I have no competition. No one can do what I can do better because they're not me. You should feel the same way about yourself. Imagine if one of the big tennis shoe giants stopped making shoes because they had competition......No bueno.

I will never be loyal to drama. There are too many people who are addicted and loyal to drama. It honestly makes me sad. People spend so much time and energy looking to find someone to talk about, looking for some show to make fun of, or spend time in relationships that are filled with self induced drama. I can't. I really can't. There are so many people who want me to mentor them yet they don't understand that they are the cause if their drama. Some people don't care. I've learned this as well. Just because you want to "keep it 100" with people doesn't mean you have to bring drama to all situations you are involved in. Not only is the loyalty to drama sad but it's so unhealthy that I can't stand to be around it. For that reason I'm going back to being a hermit. I will allow my assistant to update my social networks and I will peek in from time to time but I no longer wish to deal with people and their drama. My first step was to delete the people I follow on Twitter and then I closed down the wall on my Facebook page. There will be people who won't understand and I can't be bothered with that - I am about god's business not drama.

Real Christians don't condemn other Christians just because they are walking a different God route. So, last week a woman who I actually liked punched me in the nose and then proceeded to insult the God in me. She did so by saying that the holy spirit was speaking to her but all I heard coming out of her mouth was hate. She then proceeded to tell someone we mutually know how much she doesn't like me and THEN she accused me of sending subliminal tweets to her when I don't even follow her. All of this under the guise of being a Christian. What saddened me is that she used God as a way to insult and degrade me and I never struck her back. Some asked me why and my answer was simple - It's not Godly. No matter how angry you get with someone remember this - the moment you say you worship God and then your actions are in direct contradiction to that statement, you are doing God a huge disservice. There have also been Christians who have condemned me for starting a motivational website for gay teens even though I was taught to believe that God loves us all and we all deserve to be loved by someone while we are on Earth. Let me say this - I am not here to prove anything to anyone but God. When He gives me an assignment, I go to work. I don't question God. I don't try and lean to my own understanding. I do, however, allow people to show themselves and when they do - I take notice. Beware of the false Christians who speak in tongues but act like they worship satan. I'm just saying.

I don't require anyone to like me, to love me, to validate me, or to agree with me. After being condemned this last few weeks I realized that I could care less about the opinions of people. If you're not God, Jesus, or The Holy Spirit then I have to say that if you go to sleep at night bitter with me, it will NOT stop my night of rest. I will no longer continue to try and make people understand me. I will no longer spend time focused on the reason people don't approve of me, love me, support me, or agree with me. If your happiness rests in the validation of others, please be prepared to be unhappy. People will continue to misunderstand you, let you down, and treat you as you allow them to treat you. It takes a strong person to look past the naysayers and people who don't like you but I am here to tell you to PUT ON YOUR ARMOR and boot up......We are here to be loved by God, not by humans.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™
All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Day 6 : It's NOT personal: Fasting with Purpose

2011-04-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

This message is dedicated to my good friend and Brother in Christ

Dr. Walter Sims, The Minister of Motivation

I'm overwhelmed at God. He continues to speak to me and through me in ways that I cannot explain. Today, I want to talk about something that is on my heart - this is a message that so many need to read and digest.

Today's message is: It's not personal.

We've become used to pain. As Humans, we were put on Earth for His pleasure however we spend a lot of our God-Given time worried about how other Humans view us. In the process of being concerned about the opinions of others I find that people tend to focus their energy on things that just don't matter. Answer the following 4 questions honestly:

How many times have you taken offense to someone driving because you SWEAR they've gotten in your way on purpose?
How many times have you taken constructive criticism to heart when you knew someone was just trying to help you be a better person?
When was the last time you got angry at a complete stranger for not saying "excuse me" when you felt they should have?
How many times have you asked to "speak to a supervisor" when your customer service representative was rude to you because you believe they were only rude to you and no one else?

Let me tell you this today: Stop taking things so personal. The reality of life is that most people are not doing things to hurt you... Strangers don't always have a hidden agenda to hurt you. Life is all about learning to let go of the need to point the finger at others. Stop taking things so personal. There will be people who will never understand you let alone know how to treat you. Don't take it personal. There will be people who will attack your character when you know you are doing God's work. Don't take it personal. There will be people who try and tell others about your walk when they've never tried on your shoes. Don't take it personal. You will have family members who still believe you're that troubled youth even though you know you're far from that. Don't take it personal. When people don't use manners, when people accuse you of things that don't matter in life, don't take it personal.

Learn to LET GO..... Let go of the need to take things that other people do personally. Learn to understand that people who are hurting will always hurt other people. The pain they cause you is NOT personal. There are other times when people aren't even trying to hurt you and, because you're hurting, you take everything the wrong way. Sometimes, you need to understand when you're the one who's hurting. Sometimes, you need to learn to let go of the need to prove yourself right and let go of the need to put someone else in line - that's NOT your job. At all.......

Have a great day.

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Back to Basics: Forgiving those who "wrong" you... A Blog from The SEQ

2011-03-21T16:29:00.000-07:00

Ahh so we're back to basics. With new followers, some of you have not been privy to Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ and how I operate so I am going to introduce myself to my new followers and give a re-introduction to those of you who do not remember… It is no secret that God uses me on a constant basis. My endless blessings are a testament to this, my awards and accolades are a testament to this, and my gratification when educated and humbled simultaneously by God give me what I call "Godfirmation" that I am on the right path.

I have learned that when you are on this path, it is almost a certainty that there will be those who come and try to cloud your shine. I am used to it. I know people who I have helped tirelessly with my time, money, vehicle, expertise, etc...only for them to blaspheme my name in the end. It takes a strong woman to walk away from the drama and it takes a strong woman to realize that someone else’s anger, or denial of such, is merely a personal problem that has nothing to do with me.

How I learned to understand forgiveness better
Someone once gave me a book called
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and it changed my life while helping me to see the path to forgiveness on a larger scale

For those of you who have not read this book, it would really behoove you to take a look. In this powerful book that has remained on The New York Times Bestseller List for over eight years, Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. When we are ready to change these agreements, there are four deceptively simple, yet powerful agreements that we can adopt as guiding principles. The Four Agreements® offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

• BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

• DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

• DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

• ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

© 2009-2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Rest in Peace Ronn Raymond - Valley View High School

2011-03-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got a phone call from my 9th Grade English Teacher that my ASB (Associated Student Body) teacher and personal friend Ronn Raymond had passed away. I was driving and had to pull over on the freeway. In life, pain is a part of growth but yesterday I was not ready for this news. Death and Dying is something I studied in college for my own personal growth. Learning to deal with people passing away has become something I help others with because of my expertise in the area but even experts have moments when they break.....

If you really knew me, you would know that Ronn Raymond was one of the reasons I became an activist for social injustice.

If you really knew me, you would know that my involvement in ASB in high school helped me to deal with severe depression as a teenager.

If you really knew me, you would know that my 9th and 10th grade high school years formulated my life and Mr. Raymond was a part of what you now see today.

Often, people will ask me how I can remain so positive amidst what seems to be trial after trial - I tell them simply - faith. Ronn Raymond is the reason I was able to do this....

And the CATALYST behind this EVENT soon after......

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!! Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Sincerely, Really???: A Tale of Two Cities: But Things May Not Always Be...

2011-03-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Sincerely, Really???: A Tale of Two Cities: But Things May Not Always Be...: "Despite my new years toast, Christmas cheer, and my “by all means ignore the hacking cough gesture” handed out to neighbors or the passersb..."

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.ABOUT THE

AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World.One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Mentoring - Hill Harper's Manifest Your Destiny Foundation

2011-02-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone!

I spent this past weekend mentoring the kids from

Hill Harper's Manifest Your Destiny Foundation.

This weekend was "Vision Boards 101" - Over the summer we went over Vision Boards with the teens, but now that they've entered the 9th grade we wanted to spend a whole session dedicated to their dreams and aspirations.

One of Hill Harper and Manifest Your Destiny's loyal supporters Tameka Jeffers sent me gift cards, jewelry, and some Hello Kitty goodies for the teens. I want to give Tameka a heartfelt SHOUT OUT for her love and support! Tameka gives tirelessly and effortlessly where others would scoff and complain about the economy. She's an "A+" in our eyes and we LOVE HER!

Below are some photos along with a couple of short videos I've put together to show you what we do. We are REAL LIFE superheros who carry our OWN reality cameras.....Somehow, all this goodness never makes it to your Idiot Box - We wonder why?

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end)

Just Believe - Wisdom Wednesday

2011-02-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

This message is for those of you "going through it" right now. Happy #WisdomWednesday If you don't follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you should today.....

"Just Believe"

Just believe that the process you go through is meant to grow you in some area. Learn to embrace change because change grows you up to be a better person.

Just believe those who love you don't want to see you sad and bitter.

Just believe REAL love SHOULD NEVER involve hurt to either party involved.

Just believe that when one door closes, it's because the next door that opens will be what you really wanted and didn't have in the last experience.

Just believe that when you are accused of something you didn't do by someone who claims to care about you, it's not because you are wrong; it's the hidden inadequacies and insecurities of the accuser coming out to lash at you, and your job is to forgive.

Just believe that VERBAL ABUSE is NEVER okay...NEVER - it's really a bad look on anyone who practices it.

Just believe that if you would just TURN OFF THE TV AND READ as your source of information (AND NOT THE INTERNET), you would actually know more about what's REALLY going on around you...

Just believe that you are here on Earth for a purpose, and it's up to you to live that purpose.

Just believe that your 8-5/9-5 doesn't prohibit your entrepreneurial dreams.

Just believe you're not that tired to keep working on your passions when you get home from your 8-5/9-5.

Just believe that you are a better person when you don't gossip about other people behind their backs.

Just believe "being the bigger person" is really about non-verbal communication - YOUR ACTIONS show just how "big" you really are.

Just believe FORGIVENESS HEALS YOUR SOUL. Practice this trait on a hourly basis when dealing with your trials.

Just believe that if you really don't want to be like everyone else you would stop making excuses for your lack of success and blame it on the real culprit you let attack your life - laziness.

Just believe you can overcome laziness just like you overcame your desire to smash out the window of your ex-lover when it got sour (again for some of you lol).

Just believe you are fabulous and you deserve happiness.

Just believe that happiness starts with you.

Just believe if you don't like hanging out with yourself chances are other people don't like hanging out with you either.

Just believe that I believe in YOU.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™ I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!! Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2011 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info(at)selfesteemqueen.com

Rest in Peace to Teena Marie - Are you living in today?

2010-12-26T20:03:00.000-08:00

This morning I pulled out my Teena Marie CD and tweeted about how her music was melodic and soothing to my soul. I tweeted that her music was like church for me. I then got on Facebook and talked about how much I loved her music and how music these days was nothing in comparison... I took a nap, woke up, and found out that Teena Marie had passed. Too often we are consumed with needless fear in life until we find out someone has passed. Then, we take the moment to talk about how we should live each day to the fullest, but how many of us are actually doing just that?

On Twitter yesterday, I found out that a popular publicist has passed away after just tweeting....the reality is that social networking brings us so close to those people we love, and we now no longer have to wait for the television news to give us information on death. There comes a time when we have to STOP talking about how we are going to live life and instead start living.

Life is meant to be lived. Each day is a chance to get it right. Each day is a chance to get "it' right. You are in control of your happiness. You are in control of your present. You should NOT continue to deal with past as if it's your present as this will affect your future. These are all statements we say we know YET, we complain about needless things. We get online and have the nerve to say things like, "I'm Bored", "I Hate" and all things negative. I don't recall ever reading Teena Marie's timeline and seeing her say anything about being bored or hating anything.....My heart is heavy....

I found this online and wanted to share this with you

I love this song by Teena Marie and Gerald Levert

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ © 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

The SEQ turns 32!

2010-12-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

I turned 32 on December 9th and wanted to celebrate in a way I had never celebrated before. The truth is that I've never celebrated my birthday. Often, I'm working on my birthday and the mere fact that for years I thought I didn't have any friends are two factors that kept me from having fun. Sometimes, friends are those people who love and support you in the way that no one else can - I'm so happy that those who came to spend my day with me are people I consider to be either business partners, my students, my teachers, or my friends. Enjoy the pictures!

More pictures to come in my newsletter tomorrow. Are you signed up for it? If not, go to www.SelfEsteemQueen.com and be sure to sign up so you can get important information on when I'll be speaking and how you can come join me!

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ © 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for SEQ International, LLC. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With a knack for bouncing back when faced with the most difficult adversity, Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ has quickly become known for her ability to get people out the “victim” mindset immediately. An Internationally Recognized Rescuer of Teenage Prostitutes and Runaways, In Demand Speaker, Author, Mentor and Spiritual Life Coach, Dawn “The SEQ” uses her experience with trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on Teen Mentoring, Self-Esteem Enhancement, and Servant Leadership, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Wow is all I can muster

2010-10-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am so DISTURBED by this. You should be too. It's time to realize that some are merely motivational speakers who happen to speak on God. That's it. Whew.....

When The Self Esteem Queen Speaks, the crowd listens...Valley View High School

2010-10-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, I made a special trip to Moreno Valley so I could once again speak at Valley View High School. As an Expert on grief, sometimes my job is to bring a bit of joy and hope when situations arise with students in high schools and colleges. In April of this year, I spoke at Valley View in the wake of the death of a special teacher and friend to many students - Brenda Kincaide. Breast Cancer took her life, and I wanted to come and bring a message of HOPE to the kids and teachers....

Over the summer, one of our fellow Eagles was on her way home from Summer School and was found 5 days later murdered. Her name was Norma Lopez.

I was disturbed that after seeing countless news cameras and trucks saturate the campus - NO ONE had voluteered to come and speak to these kids about DEATH.....I then found out that 2 more teachers passed away over the summer, so I knew I had to do SOMETHING.

Some people talk it, but I CHOOSE to WALK it...I got in contact with both Deborah Abry, my 9th grade Honors English teacher (who I love more than words can express).... and Ronn Raymond (who is the most nonchalant amazing man ever), my ASB Teacher to make it happen!

A month later, I found myself in the middle of a football stadium with 3000 high school students staring at me from both sides of the field....

I started by simply asking a question as I had done in April - "By a show of hands, how many of you have every been in a traumatic situation?" Hands shot up all over the football stadium which reconfirmed that I was supposed to be there at that EXACT moment.

If you know me, you know that I don't plan my keynotes. I feel led at all times by my inner spirit which has never led me wrong. I called down a friend of Norma Lopez to speak because I wanted these students to see what their fellow peers are going through mentally as they pass by in the hallways....What happened after that was truly amazing...

I cried as I listened to the story of a girl who found it hard to cope with life. I listened to the voice of a young girl so choked up that I was in awe at her strength to speak to the whole student body about her pain. When did we stop caring about our teens? When did people stop offering to help grieving students AND teachers? I went IN on bullying, being popular, reading books, turning off the TV, and so many other things...

When did we stop taking the time to HUG our students? I cry as I write this because I'm saddened I'm not helping MORE students. I'm sad BUT determined to make a DIFFERENCE.

Sometimes, it pays to just be real and tell your story. Teenagers are not stupid. They respect the truth and know when you're telling them a lie.

When I was in the 9th grade, Mrs. Abry gave me this card when I was having a rough time in school:

When I went to her class, she was clearing out some things (SHE'S RETIRING!!!) and found this poem from my freshman year!!!!!!!!!!!

My life is always a 360 - the poem eventually got me into the California Thematic Interpretation Championships where I went on to win 6th place in the state of California in 1996 at a WHOLE different high school!

That same poem won me a 1st place Novice Trophy at a Speech Tournament at Loyola Marymount University where the President happened to be sitting in on my final presentation before I was named the winner, and eventually invited me to attend the University which I did!

This day was also made possible because wonderful people like Robert Brough, Dean of Students and Jennifer Castillo, Assistant Principal, care so much about the students that they went out of their way to ensure that this event went on with pure ease, precision, and absolutely not one mishap...

I want to thank each and every student and teacher in attendance. I am committed to continuing to assist with mentoring in the near future at Valley View High School.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Acedemy, ImGayNowWhat.com™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

An Open Letter to the EVERY Rapper, Athlete, and Television Personality from Dawn The Self Esteem Queen

2010-09-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

An Open Letter to EVERY Rapper, Athlete, and Television Personality from Dawn The Self Esteem Queen

I am not one to blog about people who are in the media however I must speak out against the ridiculous behavior that we continue to see. Without naming names (because unfortunately there are so many) I can go down a list of "celebrities" who have fallen short of losing their freedom, been given a slap on the wrist; only to turn around and commit the same crime again. As a mentor to teenagers and a rescuer of teenage runaways and prostitutes, I see impressionable teenagers who want to be like their favorite celebrities so they drink, smoke, and have promiscuous sex....When I ask them for reasons as to why they do these things, one of the reasons amongst others is the fact that they see people they admire in the media doing it and don't think it's a "big deal".

It doesn't help at all that some celebrities obtain wealth before knowledge and have a slew of lawyers to get them out of cases they catch as a result of being irresponsible, a slew of accountants who mismanage their money and leave them to answer "Uncle Sam", a slew of girls who will give them almost anything they want for a chance to say they've "been there" and "done that" (pun intended)....yet, you don't seem to see anyone from their "posse" doing anything more than hanging out....partying, clubbing, and enjoying "the life"...Where are "THEY" when you get pulled over, arrested, charged with a crime, fail a mandated drug test, get caught snorting cocaine in a bathroom right after a performance, get caught with guns as a felon, are charged with domestic violence or rape by someone you know or don't know.........

I feel obligated to share a poem by the wonderfully talented and REAL TRUTH SPITTER Nikki Giovanni. The poem is called "Iverson's Posse" and should be read by every single person who wants to be a "celebrity".....Long ago, Nikki said what WE say ALL the time - YOU WILL become the company you CHOOSE to keep...

Iverson's Posse

Here is a free piece of advice which you know what it is worth because you know what you paid for it: Send your posse to school

They say they love you and are your friend but what have they done for you lately

It's not that you need the car you can buy another car and another and another until your knees give out or your back gives out or you land on the wrong side of your foot and your ankle gives out but none of these things will happen Allen because you are young and talented and beautiful so if they love you they should show it - isn't that what you tell the girls but baby how do I know unless you show me

So let them show you

OK OK you say they are not all that smart and what good will school do them and frankly son I don't know...maybe they are dumb and maybe school cannot do anything for them but school can do something for you because you don't seem to trust anyone but your posse and you don't seem to want to be with anyone but them and maybe you're scared of them maybe you think if you find new friends they will just shoot you down or rape your mother or whatever it is that men do to each other when they are afraid of being left behind I know what they do to women so maybe it's the same thing but they say you are their friend and you have proven you are their friend but what have they proven to you

Send your posse to school

If they are out of high school send them to college and please don't tell me they can't go to college because even I know many many colleges who will take anyone even your posse and the money you will save sending the three of them to school will be immediately realized and what is more you will get a posse who can offer you some real protection

Have one of them major in pre-law so that you can get the proper representation you need when the other folks start coming at you and when your team tries to trade you and they don't want to honor your contract and they find some crazy Black woman or crazier white one to say you have raped her or looked at her like you wanted to and you have embarrassed our team for the last time and things of that nature you will have your own friend to represent your best interest and not be like poor Mike Tyson who gets screwed by everyone because he didn't have a posse to help him out though he did have Tupac but they murdered him

Have one of them major in accounting or finance or business and please don't tell me they can't major in mathematical-based studies because anyone who can measure milligrams of things and anyone who can figure out how much water with how much powder and anyone who can flip a wad of bills and tell if it is short or not can do the math and they need to do the math for you instead of against themselves and certainly you need to Have one

Major in religion so that one will be able to go anywhere at anytime park anywhere and hear everything and still be able to testify to your good nature and how much you are beloved by the Beings who look after us

And someone will say How silly those boys don't need to go to school but they do Iverson because right now they are little more than domesticated dogs who sit around waiting for you to bring your light and no one should be in the dark because someone else is out working so send your posse to school

It's the right thing to do.

Nikki Giovanni
From her book "Blues For All The Changes"

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

The SEQ Remembers and Continues to update you on Mitrice Richardson

2010-09-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

ONE YEAR ago today, MITRICE RICHARDSON entered Geoffrey's Restaurant in Malibu, was Arrested, and never seen again by her family RIP MITRICE. www.BringMitriceHome.org

Dawn The SEQ grilling Los Angeles Michael Genacco, Attorney for the Office of The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's Office of INdependent Review. We are STILL seeking JUSTICE for Mitrice Richardson.

Part 1 - Interview with Michael Richardson, Father of Mitrice Richardson

Part 2 - Interview with Michael Richardson, Father of Mitrice Richardson

We will not forget. I will not forget.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

A few words from The SEQ....

2010-09-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday. I'm filled with so much gratitude today I wanted to drop you a line and talk about learning to step AWAY from your computer and ENJOY life. Rescuing kids isn't easy let alone kids who have been abandoned by their own families, some of them not even being reported missing. Often, there are things about my personal life that I don't tweet. I've never needed a camera crew for validation, and I've never sought to be "famous" because I rescue teen prostitutes and teen runaways.

Doing God's work teaches you that there is ALWAYS enough work. So many people are hurting wanting to be healed from this or that. Some people come to me and have the privilege to be in my private space if but for a moment, and they leave feeling inspired to BE BETTER.

Doing God's work also teaches you that balance is important. Between helping youth, coaching adults, mentoring people in the LGBT community, and volunteer work, I still happily manage to squeeze in time for my family. Stepping away from my work is something new for me. This same time last year, I was contemplating ending my relationship because work was more important. God helped me to realize the flaw in my thinking and the consequence to leaning to my own understanding.

As I expand my company and step into this new space, I am always amazed at how grateful God allows me to feel through the love, support, acknowledgment, and sincere gratitude shown to me from people like you all. I thank you, and if you see me away from the computer with my family, PLEASE do me the favor of respecting my personal family time. NOTHING is worse for my close ones who want to remain private to be bombarded at the table while we eat. :) I write that with love!

Enjoy your weekend. I'm picnicking with my family - go outside and enjoy your LIFE. Put down the phone, stop worrying about your updates, and LIVE your LIFE.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

How Social Networking helped me find my Missing Uncle - A Story of HOPE.

2010-09-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

I want to take this moment to really talk about how Social Networking helped me to find my uncle who was missing the middle of last month.

My uncle has Dementia, and he was with a "friend" of over 30 years when he went "missing". Now, that wouldn't sound so out of the ordinary, BUT this "friend" had "lost' my uncle before, so his story of my uncle walking out of his house in Garden Grove struck a nerve with me. My uncle went missing on a Sunday, but I didn't find out until the following Tuesday. I was devastated having just spent a year searching for Mitrice Richardson, and to then be told my uncle was missing was more than I could really take.

BUT,

in less than 9 hours after posting my original video on YouTube, Twitter,and Facebook - we found out that my uncle was safe at Kaiser Mental Health in Chinatown. We found out my uncle was in Playa Vista on a construction site (he was a carpenter) which is FAR from Garden Grove were he allegedly went missing, but he was safe!

Then I get a telephone call from Officer Miraglia last Friday:

The SEQ with Officer Miraglia and Officer Noble of LAPD; Pacific Division

In a time when you hear about horrible things happening to innocent people, I am blessed that these two officers were the ones who found my uncle and made sure he got somewhere safe so that we could find him. When people ask me how I can travel the World giving HOPE to others, I tell them simply, "In order to teach HOPE you must have HOPE and in order to teach FAITH you must have FAITH." I am a firm believer that I will use every opportunity to have FAITH and HOPE......

"Where you been, SEQ?" An update on my Summer Adventures (with pictures and videos)

2010-08-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Monday! I've been so on the move this summer that I've neglected my loyal friends who read my blog! Here is a small peek into what I've been doing the last several months:

I RE-Launched www.SelfEsteemQueen.com with a new look, a new vibe, and a new sense of WHO I am.

I spoke to over 2,500 students at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley about life and the amazing part of this talk was that I got to thank my 9th grade teacher, Mrs Abry, for believing in my when no other teachers did....

I became the Los Angeles Director of Project Better Days, an International Project aimed at helping people to live better lives. As the Director of the Los Angeles Chapter, I offer TRUTH to those who want and need it in their lives

I started SEQ Radio (Sundays at 3pm PST or 7pm PST)

I ended up giving away over 6 bags of luxury duds to some worthy folks - regular Humans...

I stood alongside Hill Harper and his Manifest Your Destiny Foundation as a mentor for Hill's Summer Empowerment Academy

I spoke with Coach Kerri Smith in collaboration with The California Lesbian Project, Ladies Touch Entertainment, and Dewberries Boutique/Lounge (A MUST go to for all my Los Angeles friends)

There is so MUCH MORE, but coming in September (A FEW DAYS) I will introduce you to my NEW Exclusive Coaching Program, My NEW LGBT Project,more videos of me in action, me speaking again at Valley View after the death of Norma Lopez, and a Conversation about Relationships with Lisa Nicole Bell

Some people are busy talking, but I spend my life walking........Be part of the solution. SEQ is out!

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™ I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Don’t Make Excuses, Make Adjustments

2010-07-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

Don’t Make Excuses, Make Adjustments

Close your eyes and seek what you believe. ~Goapele

Picture yourself in a field. There is a wide open target with a bull’s-eye in the middle of the target. Your goal is to hit the bull’s-eye. You pick up a bow and arrow and take aim and stop. You hear this small voice say "What if you miss?" You tell yourself to focus but now the focus of succeeding is replaced with not failing. If you continue to doubt yourself, you will never hit the bull’s-eye. Your aim will continue to be on what might go wrong and your sense of failure.

I spent many years underestimating myself because my focus stayed on what was wrong with me instead of what was right with me. I pictured the girl who as a teenager made more money than most women will make in their lifetime. I pictured a young girl who grew into a mature woman and became insecure and believed that if people knew of her past, they would shun her. The reality is I was way off target. I knew I had the potential to be great, but I continued to let people around me tell me how much of a failure I was in comparison to everyone else.

I remember working in a sales position for a company that made you write yourself up every week when you didn’t hit your numbers. You were made to sit in a room with your peers and humiliate yourself by saying you failed. I remember thinking every week when I knew I wasn’t going to hit my numbers how much of a failure I must be. I saw everyone else hitting their weekly numbers, and it made me wonder how come I was so horrible. Then it came to me a few days later. This job and these people could never define my success. My focus was on everyone else’s opinion of me instead of me focusing on myself. I wondered was I doing the best according to my potential. Was I taking ownership over my mistakes and improving from them? Based on my answers, the fact was no one was in control of my desire for greatness. From that point on, I always strived to break down the barriers that people put around my dreams.

Here are some tricks I have done and continue to do to make sure that I am always aiming for and reaching for peak performance as I unleash my greatness:

1. Transfer your goals into affirmations
Your goal is a mental picture of what you want. Take the mental picture and turn it into reality by writing it down in the present tense as if it were already accomplished. People used to (and still) laugh at me because I carry around a dream book. My dream book has my debt reduction plan, my dream cars and homes, my favorite quotes, and my yearly goals. I pull this book out at least 7 times a day and flip through it. It serves as a constant reminder to press on when I feel the need to give up or complain about where I am now in my career or personal life.

2. Read your affirmation aloud.
I constantly tell myself positive things to make my dreams a reality. This works in my personal and professional life. I tell myself, “I can be in healthy relationships” or “I can change the world one person at a time”. These are my own personal mantras.
Let’s face it – we live in a jaded society. We cannot always count on someone else to motivate us. Sometimes, you have to be the best motivator you know. I still wash my car instead of taking it to a car wash because I know that I can take my time and make sure that every part is washed. In my mind, I know that I can wash my car better than anyone else can because I know where it needs special attention.

Surround yourself with people who will support your goals and aspirations. More important, surround yourself with people who will support you, hold you accountable, and give you healthy constructive criticism when it’s needed.

3. Picture the results you want.
I mean this verbatim. Get physical pictures of cars you want. Go to open houses in your dream community. Take pictures. Go test drive your dream car. Have someone take your picture behind the wheel. Then, take these pictures and put them on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator, your bathroom door, and your front door. Seeing these on a constant basis will remind you of your goals. I have never been much of a television watcher. I’ve never had cable, and I have a sign on my TV that says, “Do not feed the idiot box”. I have small pictures of my “dream things” all around the TV, so when I sit down to watch a show I can remind myself that I can’t accomplish my goals if I don’t work hard. This may be a bit much for some, but it can be done at a different extreme to suit each person.

4. Track and measure your progress.Someone once told me, “Do not make excuses, make adjustments”. When you find a flaw in your current plan, you must be able to adapt to a new strategy. We often get so caught up in rebelling against change in our lives. When we put our energy into adapting and not into rebelling, change will come with ease. It’s still a struggle that I work through one day at a time. There are some days when I want to stay in my comfort zone and I fear being any bigger than I am now. Write down your goals and the solutions you know will help you accomplish each goal. I started with 1 week goals. Then, as I began to accomplish these small goals I moved up to 3 week and then 3 year goals. Once you see you can accomplish small goals, you can parlay them into long term goals. Always remember: you are being counterproductive when you say that you are busy but nothing is getting done. Having a goal system will help you to be more observant of your actions while helping you to physically see what needs to be done to accomplish your goals.

5. Visualize your successI must admit something to you all – I used to be my own worst critic. I would be too hard on myself because I expected so much out of myself and when I don’t accomplish things in my projected time frame, I would feel frustrated. I have to remind myself that I am a work in progress, and I am growing day by day. I don’t let other’s rate my greatness, but I also do not allow myself to be my worst critic. If you let someone else rate your greatness, you will not ever know how great you are. Be hard on yourself and demand nothing but the best because that’s what you know you are worthy of. You must be able to define what happiness means to you. For some, happiness is having a nice car or a nice house. For others it’s not having debt or having a nice family. Perhaps happiness is having a good spiritual foundation. Create your own definition of happiness instead of buying into what society says happiness is.

Final Thought
In life, you are either an owner or a victim. You can live your life making excuses for why you aren’t where you need to be, or you can be accountable for your actions and make a conscience decision to create each day. To successfully unleash your greatness you must hold yourself accountable for your actions. Focus on what you want to do, not on what you don't want to do. Only one target remains until you reach your goal. Pull the arrow back and let it go!
Act as if it were impossible to fail. ~Dorothea Brande

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ © 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Corporate America isn't seeking Competence

2010-06-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

*****************************************************************************

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ © 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Getting over the pain of losing a loved one - A Short Note from The SEQ

2010-06-08T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent some time reflecting on the last 10 years without my best friend. It has been difficult to navigate through the World without that one person who knew me better than I knew myself. There are times when my tears don't seem to end, and then there are other times when I feel her close to me as if we're in the same skin.

The pain of her not being here doesn't go away. For the people who will tell you that time heals all wounds, I'm here to say that this isn't the case for all people. In my case, time assures me that one day I will see her again, and it also reminds me how disloyal people are these days. I never had an argument or fight with my Best Friend. I never had to convince her that I was a good person, and she never paid attention to the thoughts and opinions of others who also knew me.

When my best friend passed away, I lost a part of me that, after 10 years, I still don't have back. Here's to all those who know what it's like to have that one friend it's difficult to live without.

Rest in Peace Desi - I can't wait to see you again.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

For someone special in their time of need.....I love you from The SEQ

2010-06-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Our biggest challenge is to find some relief - a place of stillness in the midst of the storms that rage in our lives, sometimes... Abraham, from their eternal compassion, make it possible for us to take in their words and to find therein the warmth that we need. May these words bring exactly that to those of us who need it most today.

"Sometimes when you are in the midst of a situation, you struggle to find any positive aspects within it, we know that. Some things are intolerable, some things are so big and so bad that it does not seem possible for you to find any positive within it. But that is because most of you are trying to decide what action to take that would correct it, and sometimes you are in a situation where there isn't any action that seems appropriate, you feel pretty much in a corner.

What we're wanting you to always remember, is that while there may not be a positive aspect to your action in this moment, while you may not be able to figure out what to DO that would make you feel better, you ALWAYS can figure out how it is you want to FEEL. In other words it is a matter of coming back, coming back, coming back, coming back, or another way of saying it would be to draw inward, inward, inward..."

- Abraham-Hicks -

>

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

What happened to Ephesians 4?

2010-06-03T19:00:00.001-07:00

What happened to Ephesians 4?

^{Eph 4:19}Having lost all sensitivity; they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

People have become callous and are less concerned with getting to Heaven and more concerned with pleasing themselves materially while on Earth. This saddens me. I watch our society get caught up in the lives of others and the debauchery that they conduct, then thirst for more episodes of dysfunction to fill their cup. It’s no wonder we become that which we indulge in. We are no longer sensitive to death because we watch television shows that glorify death, we spend countless hours making sure that we are up to date on the latest fictional show while neglecting hours of our own life that we STOP living every time we sit and watch someone else.

· When did television become our sanctuary?

· What happened to prayer and meditation?

· What happened to putting off impure things?

Just because you don’t participate doesn’t mean its okay to sit, watch, and then talk about they dysfunction of someone. Gossip is impure. YES, I said it. Someone had to say it.

^{Eph 4:22}You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I have learned that people don’t always practice what they preach. There’s a reason that so many young people are leaving the Christian Church – they are looking at how their elders treat one another, and it’s scaring them away from the ACT of “being” a Christian. As someone who has seen the consequences of following the wrong leader, I have learned that there are basic fundamentals that we must hold strong to. I received a telephone call from my Pastor, and he told me I needed to focus on Ephesians 4. I found this to be my Godfirmation since I had just read Ephesians that morning. The difficulty of being a Christian is NOT remembering the quotes from the Bible, the difficulty is in your HABITUAL ways of living. You forget that when you lead others to your way of thinking that you then have to repeat those actions that make you "holy" I'm seeing a lot of false prophets, and it's sort of sickening.

^{Eph 4:31}Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Bible says to get rid of bitterness yet we have this fascination with keeping an eye on our “haters”. We name them, we subliminally talk to them on social networks, we slyly follow them and secretly wish for their demise, and then we lose sight of the fact that all this attention we take to focus on “them” takes us off the focus of “us” and then we’ve wasted something we can never get back – TIME. We get so angry that we spew verbal attacks on people we’ve never met that have “wronged” us in an online “friendship” without recognizing that this is NOT okay nor is it in accordance with His word. These shifts in malicious attacks on people while we subsequently preach about church on Sunday is absurd and it’s a wonder we question why young America is becoming more agnostic. You teach, yet you don’t practice.

More coming soon...This was just an intro for my new followers..... Welcome to my World!

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Quote of the day - take note......no, really - TAKE NOTE.

2010-04-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

There is tremendous benefit to you to interact with those who see in you what you want to see in yourself.

But, in like manner, it can be very detrimental to your self-appreciation to have those in your experience who do not see in you the things you are wanting to see.

- Abraham-Hicks -

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss
to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.
H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

A Blog for a distant friend - From The Self Esteem Queen

2010-03-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

It's Friday (one of my favorite days of the week) and I feel the need to blog on something that can't wait.

This may be the realest **** I ever wrote.

I am humbled that you are taking the time to read this.

If you really knew me, you would know: I used to be very depressed and suicidal. I was sad and didn't know why. I could have taken the time to figure it out, but I was too consumed with being depressed. I would wake up and my mind would automatically go to the reasons why my life sucked. I attempted suicide at a young age and then again when my best friend died. I got accustomed to being unhappy. It took a long time for me to start looking at life different BUT once I got on the correct path and was in alignment with my Source, I was able to see the positive in what we call negative. I am here to be educated and humbled simultaneously from God while helping others to cope with trials and tribulations in their lives. I am honored at this task bestowed upon me. I now realize that I had to go through the storm in order to understand what those who I am here to help have been through.

If you really knew me, you would know: I wish people who think they have faith really had faith. When I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, most people didn't believe me when I said I would be healed. I had those who thought I was in denial because I said I wasn't on medication, I had doctors who felt I needed to be institutionalized because I didn't opt to take man made medication to heal.....No one really had faith. See, faith is that thing you have when you don't know how you are going to survive after looking for a job after a layoff.....Faith is that thing you have when you REFUSE to WORRY about ANYTHING. Unfortunately, most people don't have faith. This is evident in how people carry on about their day. One thing I do on a regular basis is delete people in my social networking circles who are negative. If I see a negative status update or tweet, then I know that I'm not equally yoked to that person. Some people take it personal...It's not meant to be. I CHOOSE to set boundaries in my personal spaces where I interact with people, and I want to continue to enjoy my experience.

If you really knew me, you would know: Binge eating took over my life for several months. I didn't try to blame it on anything or anyone. Life happens. You do things to serve a purpose. For me, eating was a way to avoid dealing with some things in my personal life. Let me say that at one point I had been a size 16-18,and then I lost the weight all on my own. I went to the gym, changed my eating habits, and worked out as a way of life. I was happy when I one day went shopping and was a size 2! Then I started eating all the time and not exercising. At first, I couldn't fit into my size 4's.....Then it all went kinda downhill for me at that point. One day I went to put on my fabulous True Religions, and they didn't fit. When I say they didn't fit, I couldn't put a thigh in AT ALL...AT ALL.

It was hurtful to my own self esteem, and then the eating continued. Now I'm looking to get back into my jeans and I would love for you all to join me. If you are in the Los Angeles area, email me and let me know where you are so we can connect! I am journaling my experience and humbling myself by starting over.

If you really knew me, you would know: I make a lot of lists. Lots. I have so many thoughts in my head, and while the lure to become "rich" is in front of me, I want to take my time and act out on each thought I have thoroughly, so that perfectionism causes me to be agitated at my own thoughts. I can't seem to act out on them all at the same time. I sometimes don't understand that the list can sometimes take longer than a day a work to complete. This is something that I'm working on.

If you really knew me, you would know: I am emotionally drained from the work that I do. To whom much is given much is required. To know my purpose at a young age was really hard for me. I've known my purpose since I was a kid. That's why when my peers were playing, I was reading. Some of my peers hung out at each others houses...I hung out at the library. I have always taken the time to perfect my craft. I have always taken the time to learn how to have empathy for others. I help the following people currently:

Teenage Runaways and Teenage Prostitutes
Domestic Abuse Survivors
Sexual Abuse Survivors
Suicide Survivors
Substance Abuse Survivors
Molestation Survivors
Entrepreneurs who are looking for balance in their lives
Women who want to be mentored in business

It's hard for me to get out of my zone and deal with others. I don't know what to talk about if it's not centered around my overall life purpose which is helping people. It may sound selfish, but it's not really....

If you really knew me, you would know: I get so many emails that I just cannot answer them all. I feel bad when I am bombarded with them, and I want to answer them all, and this used to be really easy before so many people started emailing me with questions and requests, etc....I am authentic. I don't have my assistant to answer my mail and pretend to be me. I am just busy! I work a lot and I don't always have time to check my mail....not to mention I have like 5 different places where I check my mail.....it can get overwhelming. I am trying to find a way to please every one....I will continue to strive to help those who ask for it....But please do not take offense if it takes me a while to get back to you.

If you really knew me, you would know: In high school, I was sad that I wasn't popular. I had so many emotional problems and self esteem issues that I really didn't connect with anyone my age. In the middle of the 10th grade I switched schools and it was really a tough period for me. I clearly didn't fit in. It was hard for me to adjust to the new school and it was hard for me to trust people. I didn't really like people asking me a lot of questions so it was hard to really keep friends who wanted to know more about me. When I got to college, I still wasn't popular. That was hurtful but as I came to know myself I realized I've been "different" since a small child. It's only appropriate then that I didn't fit in. I've always been on a mission that only I could understand. I learned early to love my own company, so being "lonely" was not really a problem for me. Interpersonal communication with people my age just wasn't something I was good at. I didn't like confrontation. I didn't like anything that caused me pain. I spent a lot of time by myself. My sadness came from not being able to tell people about the lifestyle that I was living. How could I tell people that I was selling my body for money without them judging me? Having to keep such a big secret at such a young age was very hard for me and caused me to sacrifice a lot. I believe now it was all worth it.

If you really knew me, you would know: As an adult, I could care less about being popular UNLESS it has something to do with helping the World HEAL. I see people on social networks not networking at all. Some people still have that high school mentality where they feel the need to play popularity contest all over again. I have learned that being popular is not always a great thing. Too many people are looking to others to be validated. No MAN/WOMAN/PERSON can validate me. My work validates itself. I am constantly adding and deleting people from my stream of friends for this reason. I am opening up my heart and mind for people who are attracted to what I have to say; not to people who live to critique others.....Not my thing..... I am here to HELP people become better Human Beings. That is my job. If you don't like it, I say don't follow me and I won't be offended.

If you really knew me, you would know: Sometimes, even I want to give up. There are moments in my day when I really want to throw in the towel. It is truly a task to be on focus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year. I rely on God to give me instruction and sometimes I fall short of self esteem and need to be replenished myself. I have said many times that even cheerleaders need cheerleaders! I don't know many people who think like me. From a child I knew I was "special". I knew when I staged hunger strikes at 4 years old that I was "different". There are not many outlets for people like me. This is the reason I rely on my FAITH...I have faith and I know that what will be, will be. My job is to continue the fight. People MUST know that you can get through anything and you don't have to be drugged up to cope with life. All you need to do is CHANGE YOUR MINDSET. Your mind is such a powerful tool and yet most of us don't utilize it for all it can do for us. If you would take the time to understand your worth on a DAILY basis, remind yourself of ALL that you have to be grateful for starting with your senses. Do you stop and show you're grateful for the ability to see, to walk, to smell, to taste, to hear? Perhaps you should start. Reminders are a part of life. Most of us could change a lot of what we deal with internally if we would take the time to NOT DEAL with things that don't mean us any good. But, that's another blog!

I H.O.P.E. that by sharing a little of myself, you all can see that I'm human just like you. More to come. I wrote this for someone in particular. I know she's reading this......

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to
HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™ ~ The SEQ

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Are you an Entrepreneur of a Followpreneur - A Co-Authored Blog

2010-02-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR OR FOLLOWPRENEUR?

A Co-Authored Blog

I co-authored this blog with the wonderful Lisa Nicole Bell - Read with an open mind and look within to see if you are LEADING or FOLLOWING! SEQ

Dawn…

As an entrepreneur, I have found that in the past few years it’s sometimes very difficult for me to meet other entrepreneurs without feeling a sense of compassion for those who have gotten into this field by default; they were laid off or reassigned, they made a decision that they wanted to work for themselves without realizing all the work and dedication being self-employed entails, or they have always had a dream of being a perceived expert in something.

Lisa…

I too have observed a trend of what I call “haphazard entrepreneurs” and “followpreneurs”…these are people who lack a passion for business and all it entails. They leap into entrepreneurship as an escape from some unpleasant reality in their previous work or for the pipe dream of endless money, homes, cars, fame, and more under the title “entrepreneur”…and yet these same people often fail to realize the incredible amount of work and dedication that goes into being an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word – a creator, an initiator who assumes risk. After all, entrepreneurs help our capitalistic society thrive. Being an entrepreneur has almost become a buzz word. In spite of so many professionals, self-employed persons, and followpreneurs claiming the title, how many are maximizing their gifts? Ralph Waldo Emerson accurately asserted that “Imitation is suicide”. We are each put on this planet for a specific reason. We all have a mission to carry out during our time here. To attempt to carry out another’s mission is an insult to what our respective personal purposes.

Dawn…

Don’t get me wrong – I am all for entrepreneurship in a country that gives me all of the resources I need to be successful. I have had the opportunity to become financially wealthy by being dedicated to my craft and also by being a vessel for those in need. I have found my “niche” as an entrepreneur, and that niche doesn’t entail making others “financially rich”. I have never desired to be in competition with anyone simply because I was always taught that I have no competition however I feel like there is a growing trend of unnecessary competition in the field of entrepreneurship. I am finding that there are people who come into entrepreneurship with a sense of urgency because it’s their last ditch effort to make a living. With desperation comes deceit, and with deceit come dishonesty.

Lisa…

And with dishonesty comes a lack of service and with a lack of service comes the deterioration of entrepreneurship and the most fulfilling aspects of beginning and growing a successful enterprise. Ask yourself how often you collaborate with other entrepreneurs to create synergy and leverage? Entrepreneurs past and present who have realized exceptional levels of success are almost always in alliance with other entrepreneurs who have similar missions and visions. Competition is cancerous to your success as an entrepreneur. Yes, you will compete for your ideal customer’s attention at some point, but truthfully, there is abundance in the universe. There’s enough for everybody. There is no need to be needy or desperate in any attempt to be successful or make money. The best version of you will inevitably yield amazing levels of success in your personal and professional life.

Dawn…
I’m hoping that through writing this I can bring this issue to light for those who are new to being entrepreneurs and also those who are “veterans” in this awesome field. Only in America have I found that I can have the freedom to coach so many people from the comfort of my computer.
An entrepreneur should want to be a LEADER, not a FOLLOWER.

Blind Trust
Going into business relationships with others without doing any background checks on the person and their business. Call me anal retentive, but I apologetically like to know WHO I’m going into business with before I make a decision to do such. Often when someone in our field goes to a seminar, boot camp, or workshop we are faced with the daunting task of meeting a number of people who want to collaborate on a joint venture with us. Most of the time when you go on enough of these websites of people in the same circle, you start to see the exact same people giving testimonials to the same exact people and the ABOVE AVERAGE person should really wonder: When did it become popular to have canned testimonials and canned copy as an entrepreneur? When did this trend start to sweep across the internet? I am baffled at the number of people who follow along with this trend because even if people outside of our field never peruse the internet and see this, it is still an act of dishonesty and should be avoided. Getting canned testimonials is not only dishonest but it shows the growing trend of people who are following which leads me to pose the question: Are you an Entrepreneur or are you a Followpreneur?

Lisa…
You should not have to pay to play! Period. An investment in your education as an entrepreneur is one thing, but paying simply to get into the circle of certain people is unwise. After all, you are viewed as a customer, not a colleague, when you pay for the opportunity to be acknowledged. You are enough just as you are! There is no need to believe that one person or a few people hold the key to your success. You are responsible for your own success. Yes, you need a strong network, but you don’t need to be a follower to win. In fact, being an entrepreneur flies in the face of following the crowd by default! Own all the power and originality inherent to entrepreneurship. I don’t care how people spin it; your talent, knowledge, and expertise can and should make a way for you without you having to pay thousands of dollars to join a congregation of people who believe they’ve found the way. Too often, those who are trying to sell the dream are the same people selling philosophies on how to attain the dream. Business can be a dog eat dog world; you have to come in with your eyes open and be certain of who you are and what you will and will not accept.

The SEQ’s Philosophy on Business…
A person should come into your life “Average”. In grade school we have a grade system that ranges from ‘A’ to ‘F’ with “Average” being considered a ‘C’. I believe it should be the same when you get into a professional relationship with anyone. My opinion is that you shouldn’t take what someone says to you. A person should either work themselves up to an ‘A’ or ’B’ or work themselves down to a ‘D’ or ‘F’. Professionally, people should not be trusted unless they can prove some key things for you: Did (s)he really go to college; did (s)he really graduate and obtain a degree, are they living what they speak (lifestyle, morally, ethically) or are they “fakin’ it until they start makin’ it”? There are many folks who have become “Internet Celebrities” and it was their marketing that got them the money before they really had it. Before you dish out any more money on impulse and emotion at a boot camp, seminar, or workshop, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What type of proof do I have of this person and the things that they say on a website are true?
2. How much of an expert is the person you’re doing a joint / affiliate venture with?

The Inspiration Icon’s Philosophy on Entrepreneurship…

You are more than enough! You don’t need the stamp of approval or validation of a guru or personality to get out there and make your dreams a reality. Be deliberate about what you choose to invest in because your investments will yield things – good or bad. Much in the way a seed yields a certain kind of fruit, you will become like those you choose to follow. Decide now who you want to become and what you want your enterprise to be and then hold to that with unwavering dedication. It’s always better to be a first rate version of yourself in all of your brilliance than a second rate version of someone else. Be inspired by others but resist the temptation to become a carbon copy. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Don’t follow the trail; blaze it!

The Self Esteem Queen’s Philosophy on Entrepreneurship…

Deep inside each of us is the ability to be, do and create anything that our minds can think of. The reality is that most of us never flex our brain muscle and therefore never understand that all you need to manifest your dream business is already inside of you. Instead of following someone else merely to become their clone, take time to understand that just as there is more than one way to skin a cat; there are many ways to become a successful entrepreneur without compromising your morals and ethics and becoming a carbon copy of someone else who is merely a carbon copy of their mentor or coach. Learn to be Above Average. Learn to read more and spend time DOING instead of talking. Forge a way where there was no path. Seek to be better than the ONLY competition you have: Yourself.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss
to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2009 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™/ Lisa Nicole Bell™ - The Inspiration Icon All rights reserved.
H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™, the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Lisa Nicole Bell is a published author, award winning filmmaker, and socially conscious entrepreneur. Her company, Inspired Girls, teaches teen girls how to become successful women. Lisa is also a media personality who hosts her own weekly show, Inspired Life Radio, and has been featured on a variety of news outlets. Lisa continues to expand her enterprises teaching people to live inspired lives from the inside out.

Remembering my Father - The Self Esteem Queen

2010-02-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

It was a year ago on January 24th that my life changed forever - my dad died. I have been trying to write this blog since then, but I have not been compelled to do so. You all know me as someone who is ALLways upbeat and happy and positive. What you don't know is that I had not really mourned the death of my dad until November of last year. Instead of dealing with his death, I worked. I spent the beginning of last year working harder than I have worked...EVER. I spent time allowing people to exit, I spent time working on my business, I spent time helping teenagers, I spent time speaking, I spent time mentoring, I spent time coaching..........I spent time writing......I spent time NOT TAKING CARE OF ME......And it all came to a head in November of last year.

I sat helpless in my best friends bed and cried. I realized that I missed my dad. He would have been 51 years old, and he was my close friend. I talked to my dad EVERYDAY or at least 5 times a week. My dad and I loved to spend time together. He was the only man I can say has every truly been "IN LOVE" with me. My dad was amazing, and I was devastated that he was not here. I cried for days. It has taken until now for me to understand that my mourning period is over. My dad will ALLways be with me :)

My dad and I were thick as thieves. He would come to see me all the way from San Jose just so we could ride back to the bay in my car up the 101. We LOVED being around each other. We sometimes fought and wouldn't speak for a few consecutive days, but my dad would always call me and say with a laugh, "I don't care if you're still mad at me you better call your daddy...I love ya" Here are a few shots of me with my father - NEVER take for granted the fact that you can call your parents whenever you want. Some people don't have that luxury. My father was a great man and I miss him daily.......... SEQ

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss
to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved

H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

Questions for The SEQ

2010-01-24T00:03:00.000-08:00

"Thought control is the highest form of prayer. Therefore, think only on good things, and righteous. Dwell not in negativity and darkness. And even in moments when things look real bleak - especially in those moments - see only perfection, express only gratefulness, and then imagine only what manifestation of perfection you choose next."

~ Neale Donald Walsch ~

Happy Sunday my dear Friends,

I have been receiving so many emails that I have felt overwhelmed with thoughts of how to answer so many in such a short period of time. I have decided that the best way to do this is one email at a time. I am humbled that you all trust me with your truth and I am happy to say that with whatever time I have available, I am just going to start answering you so that you can get the GOD HELP that you need. ALL-ways remember this: I am BUT A VESSEL...I ALLOW God to USE me and I invite you all to do the same. Today's question comes from someone who asks,

"Question: How do you love yourself when you don't even like yourself? The bigger question is, why can't I stand to be alone with me? Why is it so hard for me to accept my flaws and shortcomings with love and compassion for myself?"

ANSWER: In life, we sometimes FORGET who we are meaning - we are born with no flaws. Little by little we are shown our "flaws" in different ways - the loss of a friendship, conflicts with someone we love, arguments where someone will say something out of anger.....All of these occurrences, when kept bottled up in our mind, manifest into self-hate. We start to ask ourselves questions like, "What's wrong with me?", "Why can't I get this right?".....

Then, in a total curse to our self-esteem, we start to compare ourselves amongst people we don't even know. We look around and we see an illusion in other people because GUESS WHAT: People LIE. Everyday. All day. They lie because you don't know their TRUTH. SO, you feel incompetent knowing your truth while listening or watching someone else who may be living a lie. We don't want to believe that those around us are living a habitual lie - BUT THEY ARE.

WE get caught up in unreality and FORGET WHO WE ARE. You are a King. You are a Queen. You and ONLY You and in control of WHO YOU WILL BECOME. Learn to take value from only one person - YOURSELF. Learn to only believe the TRUTH you know you display on a daily basis. Learn that GOD is in control of YOUR MIND.....Learn that God in in CONTROL of YOUR MIND....Do you listen to God? More next week.....and next week is coming pretty fast..........

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss
to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2009 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.
H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com

The pain of being molested - By: The Self Esteem Queen

2010-01-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world."

~ Marianne Williamson

My name is Dawn....You know me as The Self Esteem Queen. I am a survivor of an incestuous "relationship" with my uncle that started when I was young and has shaped me to be who I am today. Before there was a movie named "Precious" I was LIVING this nightmare...

If you REALLY KNEW ME, you would know that writing the above statement just liberated me, and I have been waiting to write that for years. My family has chosen to be dysfunctional by keeping this family "secret" in the closet. It has caused me so much grief that I have decided to let it out, not because I want to cause pain to my uncle (he probably is in hell everyday) but because in life, we must learn how to liberate ourselves. Secrets and skeletons cause illness, depression, anger, anxiety, and for some people - death. It all started when I was a little girl, and my mother would take my sister and I to my grandparents house to spend the summer.

Before I knew was "good touching" and "bad touching" was, I was being lured into a relationship with my uncle. He took my innocence from me and left me confused, depressed, and obsessed with orgasms. When I realized that what we were doing was wrong some years later, I was so addicted to the sensation that I didn't want to stop. I felt like a freak. I felt like a demon. I was depressed. I was uncomfortable. I realized that I unknowingly had grown up way too fast. I was 12 when I came to this realization. I believe that this is why I was so outspoken as a pre-teen. I felt like my mother was to blame, my grandmother was to blame, and my uncle was to blame. I didn't feel like there was a safe place to tell anyone that I was dealign with this frustration, so I held it in for years. By the time doctors had a chance to talk to me, I had buried my TRUTH so deep that they continually mis-diagnosed me with bi-polar disorder. I refused then and refuse now to believe that this is my issue. Had these doctors taken the time to really ask me some questions, they would have realized that nothing about my mood swings had anything to do with a "disorder"........

If you REALLY KNEW ME, you would know that I forgave my uncle years ago. I sat down with him one day and we talked about what he did to me. The problem is that I don't think his apology was sincere. I think the only reason he did that was because he knew that I was about to expose him for the molestor he IS. I have tried to have a relationship with him since he's only a few years older than me, but his dysfunction within his own marriage has caused me to not want anything to do with him. See, it's one thing for him to admit he's a demonic being. It's another thing for his wife to REFUSE to believe the TRUTH. I don't deal with him, his wife, or his children. I also don't deal with one of my other uncles because I don't believe that he cares that his brother is a pedophile. This uncle has 3 girls. I'm not at all concerned about this blog hurting any of them because they could care less about what I do for a living. Let me also mention they only live about an hour away from me. They have NEVER seen me speak, they have NEVER purchased one of my books......and I have NEVER been invited to a football party, birthday party, or holiday gathering at either of their houses. These are my mother's brothers.....I have long since STOPPED referring to them as my "uncles".

The pain has nothing to do with the act for me. The pain has to do with my innocence being taken away. The pain has to do with the fact that my career as a "girl of the night" is a direct result of my uncle taking away my childhood. The pain has to do with the recurring nightmare that I have about my uncle. That nightmare has not went away. I am 31 years old. The nightmare keeps me up at night, so much so that for years I didn't sleep normal hours. I only took cat naps and at night I would take caffeine pills to stay awake.

Then, one day............I decided to LET GO of the pain. One day, I decided to live again. I decided that although this had happened to me, I was NOT going to be a victim of someone elses dysfunction. It was on this day that I began to live again. In life, KNOW that you cannot pick your relatives, but you can CHOOSE your family. This is just the beginning of the revelations you will hear from me in 2010........Thank you for reading.

In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss
to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!!

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2009 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved.
H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Collection Clothing, H.O.P.E. Platinum Coaching™, Sessions with The SEQ™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program.

NOTE: You’re certainly welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as its contents remain unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@selfesteemqueen.com