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Defining Success for Yourself

Excerpt of Principle 5: Defining Success for Yourself

“Any time you begin to stuff yourself into a box to fit a mold that has been preset by standards you did not create and cannot control, you will become uncomfortable and eventually unhappy. Our work life should be an extension of ourselves that allows us to contribute to the success of a company in a way that feeds us, not one that drains us of our energy. Many people believe that having a job or career that we actually enjoy doing is a luxury set aside for a select group of “lucky people.” Out of fear, we settle for the security of what is familiar even if it is unpleasant or does not meet our needs. When choosing a career path, the first objective is to know your skill sets, strengths, and personality traits. Then seek out a position that allows you to be authentic without having to shrink or deny the best part of who you are. If you don’t, those concessions will begin to eat away at you and infect other areas of your life whether you realize it or not. Too many of us die a slow death, hidden behind job titles that have become work prisons, and slowly, but surely, the glimmer in our eyes begins to fade. We live for the weekends or our two-week vacations, when we can breathe again and become alive for a spell, only to get depressed when the time comes to go back to our prison cells. The classic rat race pervades our society, leaving many disgruntled people with heavy hearts and shattered dreams.”

What does SUCCESS look like to you?

All too often we lose sight of our truth when we stop listening to our inner voice and become bombarded with ideals of success from external sources. If your life feels out of balance because you spend more time listening to the people around you instead of the voice inside your heart, then it is time to get still and turn inward. Everything we need to find peace, passion and love is right inside of us. Everyone has their own path and the definition of success varies from person to person. Don’t spend your energy chasing what others say is the standard for success, do the things that bring you joy and define success on your own terms. Many people who have acquired “success” in the worlds standards are still miserable because it is not a one size fits all. It is unique to each of us. Through communion with the spirit within, our steps will be divinely ordered leading us down the path that will bring us into alignment with the perfect will of God. There is no better place to be. In Principle 5 I explore the definition of success and I will challenge you to rethink some of your thoughts that may have you living beneath your privilege and give you the tools you need to tap into the courage to live your TRUTH!

My Crown and Glory will launch on September 1, 2012 and will be available to purchase on Amazon for $14.95. Currently I am offering a special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping for a personalized autographed copy. This offer will end on August 31st so take advantage of it today. To show my appreciation as a BONUS, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”


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Sandra Empowered Shot
National motivational speaker and singer, Sandra Dubose is the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem.
BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com
Follow me on Twitter@SandraDubose

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By sandra
— August 25, 2012 at 12:32 am

The Practice of Forgiveness

Excerpt of Chapter 4: The Practice of Forgiveness

I was happily married and my life was headed in a positive direction. I felt good about me and proud of all the work I had done to finally love myself enough to cultivate the healthy and loving relationship I always wanted. I felt like my past was behind me, until it ran up on me one afternoon while I was walking in my old neighborhood. I was headed to my mom’s house for Sunday dinner and some quality mother-daughter time, which I always enjoyed very much. She only lived 15 minutes away from me, so I took advantage of the opportunity to indulge in her home cooking when my favorite dishes were on the menu. On that particular Sunday, I made a quick stop at the check cashing place near the candy store.

As I parked my car and locked the door, I saw a familiar face walking down the block. It was my childhood boyfriend. He was my very first heart break and the boy I lost my virginity to. I had not seen him in years and that was just the way I wanted it! He was heading in my direction, and he had the audacity to be looking at me as if he intended to approach me. Our eyes met and I quickly turned my head to avoid his gaze. Shaken and confused, I hurried into the check cashing place. How dare he even look at me! I had half a mind to go back outside, run up on him, and slap the taste out of his mouth, just because he had it coming to him for years. The site of him made me so angry that I wanted to retaliate for the years of hurt I suffered because of his actions. I stood in the checkout line wrestling with all of the emotions from the bad memories that flooded my mind at the sight of him.

The Path of Forgiveness

Principle Four of My Crown and Glory is a lesson in forgiveness. Forgiveness is the most powerful action you can take to align yourself with the flow of blessings in your own life. No one is perfect and one day the forgiveness you give will be the forgiveness you need. There is no way around it. To get to the land of freedom, you MUST walk down the path of forgiveness. Once you do, you will find peace, love and the joy you have been searching for.

My Crown and Glory will launch on September 1, 2012 and will be available to purchase on Amazon for $14.95. Currently I am offering a special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping for a personalized autographed copy. This offer will end on August 31st so take advantage of it today. To show my appreciation as a BONUS, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”


Autograph Name



National motivational speaker and singer, Sandra Dubose is the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem.

Sandra Empowered Shot

BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com
Follow me on Twitter@SandraDubose

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By sandra
— August 16, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Tapping the Spirit Within Excerpt

“My Crown and Glory; It’s NOT About the Hair!”
Six Fundamental Principles to Heal Emotional Wounds and
Build Healthy Self Esteem
By: Sandra Dubose

Excerpt of Chapter 3: Tapping the Spirit Within

I finally had a mental handle on alopecia and I chalked it up as my personal cross to bear. Everyone has one, alopecia was obviously mine. But one morning I woke up to find a black and blue bruise on my leg. It did not hurt to the touch but it sure looked like it did. I thought back to my activities from the previous day and I was perplexed because I knew that I had not done anything to cause that kind of bruise on my body. “Honey, did you punch me in my sleep?” I joked with my husband. He smiled denying the accusations but sharing equal concern for the sudden bruise discoloring my beautiful brown skin. It was weird but I felt fine so I did not think too much of it. The bruise faded away within a few days but then a new one appeared on my arm immediately afterwards. It was a repeat of the same scenario and by the third bruise I knew it was an issue I needed to look into. My health generally was good and although I did not have any pain, my body was clearly telling me something was out of balance.
I visited my primary care physician who drew my blood right away to check all my numbers. After looking at the results, he expressed concern and told me that I needed to see an oncologist immediately. I did not even know what type of doctor an oncologist was but I agreed to go. He gave me the address and the nurse made an appointment for me within that same week. On the day of my visit, I put the address in my GPS but I did not do any prior research about the facility. I pulled up to the address and the sign on the building read, Cancer Treatment Center. I thought I had come to the wrong location. Why would my doctor send me to a cancer treatment center, unless…………..

Spiritual Beings

We are spiritual beings having a human experience and our purpose here on earth is to facilitate the evolution of our souls. There will inevitably be challenges in our lives that we feel are beyond our emotional and mental skill level to handle. These are the moments when we understand the most why it is imperative to have a spiritual practice in place and a relationship with God. The greatest form of self esteem is to know who you are as a child of God and understanding that you were perfectly created in his image and likeness. In Principle 3, Tapping the Spirit Within, I will share my own revelations on the topic of spirituality and offer some guidance on how you can begin to build your spirit and subsequently your self esteem.

My Crown and Glory will retail for $14.95 when it launches on September 1, 2012. Currently I am offering A Special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping. As a BONUS to show my appreciation, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”


Autograph Name



*Sandra Dubose is a Motivational Speaker and Singer affectionately known as the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem. Visit her website to learn more about her speaking topics and to BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com
Follow me on Twitter@SandraDubose

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By sandra
— August 11, 2012 at 11:57 pm

Owning Your Power Excerpt

“My Crown and Glory; It’s NOT About the Hair!”
Six Fundamental Principles to Heal Emotional Wounds and
Build Healthy Self Esteem
By: Sandra Dubose

Excerpt of Chapter 2: Owning Your Power

If you have been diagnosed with ANY disease you know how difficult it is to resist the temptation to Google it and find out what the worst case scenario could be. It is important to be an informed patient but sometimes too much information can cause unnecessary anxiety which will not help matters at all. I had to satisfy my curiosity and learn more about this autoimmune disease that was stripping away my confidence with every missing strand of hair. I took to the World Wide Web in search of answers and comfort from others who may be going through the same experience. I found websites and articles with pictures that made my stomach hurt with fear. I saw photos of all races of people that were young and old with big patches of hair missing and it looked like a disease. It reminded me of a globe with islands of land surrounded by bodies of water. Some people were completely bald! I could not decide which one was worse, having some hair or no hair at all. There were people with no eyebrows or eyelashes and my heart went out to them. It broke into pieces when I saw pictures of little children with alopecia that looked like they were going through chemotherapy even though they weren’t.  I was grateful that this disease did not start for me when I was a child. I don’t know how I would have managed that with all of my other emotional issues at that time. At this beginning stage of the alopecia journey I only had patchy hair loss and I was petrified at the thought of becoming one of those bald people. “Oh God please, don’t let that happen to me” I prayed. “I can’t handle that Lord and this is not fair. Don’t you think I have been through enough in my life already,” I questioned. “I will do anything God just PLEASE don’t let me lose all of my hair!”

I waited for an answer………

More hair fell out and he gave me strength.

I prayed for healing and eventually he gave me a new perspective and peace of mind.

Awakening to the Power Within

In Chapter 2 of “My Crown and Glory” I discuss the principle of Owning Your Power. We will all have our share of life’s challenges whether it is due to illness or otherwise. The important thing to remember is that we have control over how we handle those experiences and our attitude about it. We are powerful spiritual beings and we have the ability to create a new reality simply by shifting our perspective and deciding to rule our emotions and not be ruled by them. In this chapter I talk very specifically about what the experience was like for me to go bald as a result of Alopecia Universalis. More importantly is the lesson I want to share with you that helped me to move from wearing wigs and feeling depressed to becoming a Bald Beauty Queen and feeling more confident and beautiful than I ever have any day of my life with a full head of hair. Are you ready to turn the lemons in your life into sweet lemonade?

Well, with just 4 weeks to my launch date of September 1st I encourage you to go ahead and take advantage of the limited time offer to get your autographed copy of My Crown and Glory sent to you at a discounted price.  Look out every week for my new blog as I count down to launch day by sharing a sneak preview of what you will find inside the next chapter! No matter what challenges you face remember that everything you need to overcome it, you already have inside.

This book will retail for $14.95 when it launches on September 1, 2012. Currently I am offering A Special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping. As a BONUS to show my appreciation, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”


Autograph Name



*Sandra Dubose is a Motivational Speaker and Singer affectionately known as the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem. Visit her website to learn more about her speaking topics and to BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com
Follow me on Twitter@SandraDubose

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By sandra
— August 5, 2012 at 1:27 am

Healing the Inner Child

“My Crown and Glory; It’s NOT About the Hair!”

Six Fundamental Principles to Heal Emotional Wounds and
Build Healthy Self Esteem
By: Sandra Dubose


Excerpt of Chapter 1: Healing the Inner Child

I had an awful habit as a child of having to use the bathroom often. I did know why but no matter how much or how little I drank, I could not seem to hold my liquid. Admittedly it was quite frustrating for my parents. Traveling with me on long road trips especially was a nightmare because we seemed to spend as much time at the rest area as we did driving down the road.

One Sunday morning during church service, my mom excused me from my seat to make my normal rounds to the potty during praise and worship. I was around 8 years old at the time. Proper church etiquette required that once the preaching begins, all traffic must stop and everyone is to be seated quietly in reverence for the word of God. I wanted to reverence the word of God but as he began to preach I felt that strong urge to tinkle again. “Mom, I need to use the bathroom again” I whispered in my mother’s ear. “No, you already went to the bathroom. The preacher is preaching so you have to wait” she whispered back to me. I heard the words that came out of her mouth but that did not stop me from feeling uncomfortable. I started wiggling around in my seat praying that God would take the sensation away. I waited a few minutes for the miracle to happen but he did not answer. I knew I was pushing my luck since I had already reached my bathroom quota but I sincerely needed to go again. “Mom, I really have to go to the bathroom” I said. My mom had a very low tolerance for foolishness and compassion was not her strong suit, discipline was. “I said no! You have already been to the bathroom now you sit there and hold it until he is finished preaching!” I knew it did not make sense to her and it did not make sense to me either. I would love to be able to hold it and avoid pissing momma off in church but this one was a red alert. It was no time for momma to be stubborn! If she knew what I knew, she would let me tip toe my little self quietly down those stairs to the bathroom. I only wished the Lord would give her a heads up because she was not listening to me.

Taking a look Back in order to move Forward

In Chapter 1 of “My Crown and Glory” I share a couple of stories from my childhood experiences in hopes that it will jog the memories of your way back when. Everyone has a story and our self esteem begins to take root starting with our early childhood experiences and the things we were we told about ourselves. There may have been significant people in our lives that helped to build us up or tear us down. In order to move forward into freedom we must first look back with new eyes of understanding and identify the sore spots that may still cause us pain. Through the self work exercises I provide, you will have an opportunity to apply the principle to your life and begin the process of removing any emotional baggage that you may have been carrying around unconsciously.

With just 6 weeks to my launch date of September 1st I encourage you to go ahead and take advantage of the limited time offer to get your autographed copy sent to you at a discounted price.  Look out every week for my new blog as I count down to launch day by sharing a sneak preview of what you will find inside the next chapter. This is the freedom train, get on board!!!!

This book will retail for $14.95 when it launches on September 1, 2012. Currently I am offering A Special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping. As a BONUS to show my appreciation, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”

Autograph Name

*Sandra Dubose is a Motivational Speaker and Singer affectionately known as the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem. Visit her website to learn more about her speaking topics and to BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com

Follow me on Twitter@SandraDubose

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By sandra
— July 27, 2012 at 12:12 am

My Crown and Glory Book Excerpt

“My Crown and Glory; It’s NOT About the Hair!”

Six Fundamental Principles to Heal Emotional Wounds and Build Healthy Self Esteem

By: Sandra Dubose

Excerpt of Introduction:

I decided to make a run for freedom or die trying! I took my cue and walked backward slowly out of the room. He did not look up at me. I could not read him. I just had to make my move. I headed slowly for the door quietly and listening intently for his footsteps. I knew that at any given moment he could change his mind and come running to snatch me up in a wrath of anger. This was the defining moment and it played out like a horror film.

My heart was pounding and my adrenalin was pumping. I made it to the front door and then to the elevator. He lived on the 8th floor in a project building in Brooklyn. I was a long way from the Bronx and the train station was a few blocks away. I knew that if I could get to the train, I would be safe. As I headed out the door I did not stop to wait for the elevator. I walked directly to the staircase and sprinted down the stairs in the race for freedom.

I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me thinking that he would surely come after me with the gun in hand for an encore presentation. His bedroom window faced the front of the building. I could make it down the steps but there was a chance that he could be in his window like a sharp shooter ready to take me out as I ran across the street. I was running for my life!

A Book of Healing

I have been in labor for months now giving birth to my debut book that will be released on September 1, 2012. I am making it available just in time to kick off Alopecia Awareness Month. The title is “My Crown and Glory” but as you can see from the excerpt of the introduction page, it is NOT about hair. This book is about healing emotional wounds so that we can establish healthy self esteem and experience true joy and freedom in our lives. My challenges with self esteem did not begin when I lost my hair. It dates back to my childhood experiences that left me wounded. I believe that if we truly want to live free, we need to undo some of the things that may have been done that are holding us back from true self love and self acceptance. In this book I am going to deal candidly and transparently with issues such as sexual molestation, teen domestic violence, depression, grief and unwanted to changes to our body image.

I believe there are six fundamental principles that are essential building blocks to establish healthy self esteem. Those principles are:

  1. Healing the inner child
  2. Owning your power
  3. Tapping the spirit within
  4. Exercising the power of forgiveness
  5. Defining success for your self
  6. Developing an attitude of gratitude

Setting The Intention

My intention is that after applying the principles of this book to your life, you will experience greater joy, peace and freedom to be all the way you and create the life of your heart’s desire. Whatever pieces of you have been stolen or given away, it is time to take it back and become whole!

It is just a 7 week countdown to my launch date of September 1st so every week I will give you a sneak preview of what you will find inside the next chapter. If you know this book is for you, go ahead and pre-order your autographed copy today. I would love to personalize it for you and mail it to you hot off the press in September! While you’re at it, get one for your girlfriend too. You know she needs it!

Your healing awaits you. I am taking off my earrings, and applying Vaseline to my face on this issue of low self esteem. lol. So if you’re ready, I’m ready to get it on! It’s time we fight for your joy and freedom. I got your back!

This book will retail for $14.95 but for your generous support today, I am offering A Special PRE-ORDER Deal for ONLY$10 plus tax and shipping. In addition to show my appreciation, I will send you A FREE MP3 Download of my original song, “Thank You” from the “My Alopecia Experience, Project Liberation Soundtrack.”

Autograph Name


*Sandra Dubose is a Motivational Speaker and Singer affectionately known as the Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem. Visit her website to learn more about her speaking topics and to BOOK her for your next event!

www.SandraDubose.com

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By sandra
— July 18, 2012 at 12:59 am

My thoughts on the Beauty Queen who shaved head wins Miss Alaska

I read an article in the news this week by the Associated Press about Debbe Ebben, the newly crowned 2012 Miss Alaska.
This was the 16th pageant she has competed in and I can only imagine how hard she has worked to prepare for this victory. As many pageant organizations require of their contestants, she participated in a public service project. Ms. Ebben successfully raised more than $4,000 when she shaved her hair off to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization that donates money to childhood cancer research. The hair cut took place three months prior to the pageant so she did not actually participate bald. She had a cute, short pixie cut that grew in just in time for her to compete and win the crown.
Although I believe her intentions were ultimately good, admittedly I was a little unnerved by the lack of sensitivity the subject of hair loss was dealt with in her interview. I can imagine that voluntarily shaving off your hair for anyone would be met with a lot of fearful emotions. After all, so much of how we identity ourselves is often defined by our hair and physical appearance. Most people, especially women would never attempt to cut off their hair even if it was a temporary look for a great cause. I give kudos to her for stepping up to the plate especially as a pageant contestant, to challenge the one dimensional standard of beauty that is often represented as having long flowing hair. That act in and of itself was a victory that she should be proud of.

My Reality

As a woman with Alopecia Universalis, I have spent the past 13 years of my life challenged with hair loss and I have been completely bald for the past 10 years. Medically the likelihood of my hair growing back is slim to none so I had to learn how to be comfortable in my skin as a hairless human. I wonder if Miss Alaska truly understands the implications from the statements in her interview. She is quoted as saying “Losing one’s hair should be special — whether it’s voluntary or not. I wanted to put meaning and emotion behind it, and let them know why I’m doing it — for the kids,” she said. “I’m not shaving it to get attention. I’m not shaving it for publicity. I’m not shaving it because it’s a really easy hairstyle to go with. I’m shaving it for them.” She went on to say, “I don’t want to be branded as the ‘bald beauty queen.”

Ouch. This is where my toes were personally a little bit stepped on. As “The Bald Beauty Queen of Self Esteem,” I want to go on record and state the following: “If any woman had to experience involuntarily hair loss like myself and the millions of other people that I represent, they would take pride in being branded as The Bald Beauty Queen.” It is a blessing to be able to get to a place where you can stand up and reclaim your inner and outer beauty that may have been compromised by disease. So many of us experience unwanted changes to our self image and lose a part of ourselves stuck in the memory of how it used to be. Taking back your power and moving forward in spite of the differences is a path for a warrior. It is a challenge that you can only appreciate when you have had to look in the mirror and struggle to truly accept the person staring back at you. That accomplishment is deserving of a crown with hair and without and to be publicly acknowledged for it is an honor.
I am not a pageant girl but I challenged myself to compete and was crowned 2011 Mrs. Black North Carolina. I made history by becoming the 1st Bald Beauty Queen of North Carolina. My title was not a gimmick or a publicity stunt. It was not a required gesture to serve my community. It is my divine platform assigned to me through my life experience. It is my passion and my purpose revealed to help others embrace their inner royalty and experience personal liberation in spite of their challenges. I wish Miss Alaska all the best with her reign and her participation in the Miss America pageant in 2013. I hope she will continue to serve her community by supporting organizations like the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. It is important to show America that a real beauty queen will stand out in the crowd in spite of the length of her hair just as she bravely did. But as a woman and fellow queen, I simply want her to understand that a real beauty queen can also stand out with no hair at all and turn a negative into a positive.

Post your comments and thoughts on this topic. I would love to hear your feedback!

Join my e-mail list and Stay connected with me on Twitter, Facebook and my You Tube Channel.

For more information, visit my website : www.SandraDubose.com

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By sandra
— June 23, 2012 at 7:45 pm

Father’s Day Blessings

My Dad came to visit me last night and I was so happy to see him. His unexpected visit came at the perfect time as it always does. I have not seen him in so long that some days it feels like he is a figment of my imagination.

I was sitting in a cafeteria alone. It was more like a drab breakout room that you find at your job. There was a table with just a few chairs, an old television set probably donated from somebody’s house and a vending machine. I was sitting at the table and when I looked up he was walking down the hallway corridor intentionally headed right towards me. He was wearing a beige trench coat. He looked peaceful and calm but he did not say a word. I stood up in shock and disbelief just watching him as he walked towards me anticipating his embrace. It was like a scene found on those you tube videos of a child whose father is a soldier and they get a surprise visit from them at school when they return from war. In that moment, I felt like a little girl and all I wanted was for my daddy to pick me up and hold me. I could not believe my eyes. Was it really him? Where did he come from and what took him so long to come back?

My daddy walked over and hugged me as I screamed with joy crying like a new born baby. It was an uncontrollable sob from my belly with streaming tears that had been held in for too long. I felt like my knees would buckle releasing all of the emotions I had stuffed inside for years. I held on to him tight and I did not want to let go. I was safe in his arms finally and again. He never said a word, he simply held me. He came to let me know that he is still here, watching and loving me through it all.

My dad has been deceased for 18 years now. I was only 20 years old when he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, with complications from the autoimmune disease Lupus. I never had the chance to say a word of thanks, or I love you or even I’m sorry. But love, like our spirits never dies. It is eternal and even 18 years later love can show up in the middle of the night in your dreams like it did for me. It wakes you up just to say, “I am still here.” It comes to give you a hug when you need it most from the only man in the world that makes you feel totally safe and secure. Love says, “Hold on princess, everything is going to be alright.”

Fathers, like mothers have a huge impact on their children’s lives. To a little girl, Daddy is the ultimate Prince Charming and her point of reference for her beloved Prince to come. Our self esteem is directly impacted by the way we are cared for by our fathers and the men in our lives. As children, they teach us our worth and as women we often have to undo the damage that may have been done by the wounded men in our lives. So in the words of John Mayer, “Father’s be good to your daughters.” We suffer a great loss when men do not take their rightful place as leaders in their home and in their community. Without a king in the castle, the ripple effect is felt throughout the land for generations to come. It takes a brave heart to break the chain and give someone the kind of love you may have never received. I celebrate the brave hearts like my dad and my husband who made the choice to become the father they always wanted.

As we celebrate Father’s Day around the world, I want to wish each and every father a Happy Father’s Day. Thank you for being there when we need you in life and even in death. Your love is priceless and unforgettable. May God continue to bless you as you rule your kingdom with love under the direction and guidance from our Heavenly Father.

I would love to hear from you so leave a comment and share your thoughts and Fathers Day wishes!

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By sandra
— June 7, 2012 at 12:43 am

2012 Get Radical Conference Experience

Radical Woman AwardOn March 30th thru April 1st, 2012, several hundred women gathered together at the Hyatt Regency in Reston Virginia for the 4th Annual Get Radical Conference.  It was presented by Radical Success Coach, Doreen Rainey and attended by women of all ages, from all walks of life, hailing from all over the world. The keynote speakers included, Doreen Rainey, Suze Orman, Jillian Michaels, Monique Greenwood, Ali Brown, Christine Jones and Lisa Nichols. The entire event was amazing from start to finish and I am proud to announce that I won the 2012 Radical Woman Award!

This honor means so much to me because I have been recognized by successful women that I personally admire just for being my authentic self and having the tenacity to pursue my dreams. It is the sweetest pat on the back that makes the hard times all worthwhile. Winning this confirms for me that I am headed in the right direction and it is a source of motivation for me to continue moving forward in the most radical way. I am truly humbled and grateful for this honor.

There were so many pearls of wisdom that were shared by the speakers at the conference that enriched my life. I have pages of notes and even now my heart is still overflowing from the loving energy that permeated the conference all weekend. When women come together on one accord n the spirit of sisterhood and set the intention to create a radical transformative experience, it is a powerful thing! I highly recommend attending this conference in 2013 to any woman that is serious about moving to the next level in her life and wants to surround herself with like minded women and leaders who can guide her along the way.

There were so many take a ways of truth spoken that resonated for me that have literally changed my life. Below is just a few of the nuggets that were shared in the general sessions. I hope that you will be inspired to Get Radical about your own success in a bold and courageous way and I look forward to seeing you at the conference in March 2013! www.getradicalconference.com

Doreen Rainey- Radical Success Coach (pictured with me above)

“Stop whining and looking over the fence at what other people are doing. Put your focus on what you DO have and what DOES work and work that. If you don’t like something, do something about it or decide not to. If you decide not to, then you have the LOST the right to complain about it. “

Monique Greenwood-former Editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine and author of Having What Matters Monique Greenwood

“Do the work that honors you and fulfills you. Success is subjective so define success on your own terms. When you have financial freedom, you have true freedom.” (pictured with me to the right)

Ali Brown

Ali Brown- Entrepreneur Business Coach (As seen on ABC’s Secret Millionaire)

“These days, SAFE is the new RISK!  You may never feel totally ready to start your business venture but if you take the first step, things will begin to happen. Start with a passion for your business and figure out how to turn that into a profit. Your business needs to make money or your dreams will fail.”

Suze Orman- Internationally acclaimed personal finance expert

“You will never be powerful in life until you are powerful OVER your own money. You are the obstacle for not being where you want to be in life. Power attracts money, powerlessness repels it. Debt is Bondage!”

Jillian Michaels- Top Fitness Trainer, Health & Wellness Expert (As seen on the Biggest Loser)

“Have patience and trust that life is always preparing you for the right time. Don’t be impulsive. Live in the pause. You can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow. (Quoted from Warren Buffet) “Never give up, be the last man standing.”

Lisa Nichols- Breakthrough Specialist (As seen in “The Secret”)Lisa Nichols

“Live a breathtaking life. Serve others from your overflow so you do not get depleted. Give from your saucer, not your cup. Align your life so that the tongue in your mouth and the tongue in your shoe are not going in two different directions! Yes, YES!!!”

Lisa Price

Lisa Price owner of Carols Daughter Natural Beauty Products and the 2012 RADICAL Impact Award Recipient.

(pictured with me to the right)

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Categories: My Life.

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By sandra
— April 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm

Diary of a Bald Beauty Queen Blog

Cute shot with sash The Making of a Bald Beauty Queen

2011 was hands down one of the most exciting years of my life. It was a whirlwind that blew me from one part of North Carolina to the next, promoting Alopecia Areata awareness and healthy self esteem for women of all ages. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share my story and use it as a source of inspiration for others. Becoming 2011 Mrs. Black NC USA, has allowed me to experience huge leaps of personal growth and increased confidence in many areas of my life. Stepping out of my comfort zone and doing the thing I thought I could not do, has been the secret to my success.

I think back now to the weeks before the pageant when I was still uncertain about participating. I had signed up but I really felt like I was in over my bald head. I thought the process was supposed to be fun. For me, it was an emotional roller coaster. Although I love to perform, I hate to compete. My nerves can’t handle the stress and pressure of being judged and having to measure my gifts against someone else. It is not my favorite thing to do. I pushed past the knots in my stomach because I understood the significance winning would have for me and for others like me. It was worth fighting for and the victory has repaid me in ways that far outweigh the inner turmoil it cost to make it happen.

The Reign Will End but the Legacy Will Live Forever

On March 24, 2012, my reign will officially end and I will crown the new 2012 Mrs. Black NC USA. Having made history and subsequently national headlines by becoming the 1st Bald Beauty Queen of North Carolina, I am proud to say that my legacy will live on forever. Of all the great things that resulted from winning, having created a legacy for my family to be proud of is my greatest accomplishment. When I allow my mind to look into the future, I imagine my children’s, children talking about Nana Sandra who won a pageant back in the olden days of 2011. My crown and sash will then be a family heirloom my grand babies will want to try on in remembrance of me. Connecting to my warrior spirit, they too will know that they are kings and queens with the ability to make a mark in history all their own. To be able to inspire generations even after I am gone is a priceless gift and the stuff life is really made of. This is the potential we all possess to impact the world in our own special way with a crown and without.

My Most Memorable Experiences

When I think back on some of the most memorable experiences I have had throughout my reign thus far, there are a couple that stick out for me the most. The first is the Project Liberation Movement Tour when I visited public libraries in 8 different cities within the state of North Carolina. I showed my documentary film, “Project Liberation, My Alopecia Experience” and afterward facilitated a dialogue about hair loss with the audience. We created a safe space where people of like mind came to get information and share their testimonies. The healing that took place for me and for everyone was life changing. There were cleansing tears, laughter and new friendships formed. There is a power that lies in coming together and sharing your story. Seeing the beautiful faces and connecting with people who came from all over the state filled my heart tremendously and solidified for me what this journey and role is really all about. Being a Queen is not just about some pretty dress, or about wearing a crown, it is about servant leadership.

Another great moment took place on November 2, 2011 at the Charlotte Convention Center. I participated in the North Carolina Governors Conference for Women. I was invited to sit on a panel discussion for a breakout session on Personal Branding and was also the featured soloist during the luncheon. I had the honor of performing my original music before 1500 women including Governor Beverly Perdue, the Mayor of Charlotte, Anthony Foxx and Valerie Jarrett, the Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. It was the highlight of my career thus far and I was honored to contribute to such an amazing day of sisterhood and empowerment. Like the scripture says, “your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great men and women.” Proverbs 18:16

“You never know where life will take you when you follow your heart and your dreams. I can tell you that the road has not been easy but it is worth it and the story is just beginning for this Bald Beauty Queen!”

Join my email list to receive blog updates and the latest information about the Spring 2012 release of my book, “My Crown and Glory, It’s Not About the Hair.” In this memoir, I candidly share very personal life experiences from my childhood up to adulthood that taught me valuable lessons in overcoming low self esteem. This tell all look inside my life is sure to leave you entertained, informed and enlightened.   

To check my availability for bookings as a motivational speaker and professional performing artist, visit: www.SandraDubose.com

Visit my You Tube Channel to see video footage of my performances and connect with me personally on Facebook and Twitter.

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By sandra
— March 19, 2012 at 2:12 am