Author: JustAskMaia

I have finally come to my senses and sought professional help. All of my anxiety issues and obsessive compulsive issues have been temporarily laid to rest. I have found clarity and now realize, like I tell my clients, I cannot do it all by myself. No matter how much I want to, need to, or think I have to, I just cannot. It has been destroying me trying to go at it alone because as my plate gets full, things are also falling off. I have been missing opportunities left and right and that is no good for my brand.

So I have gone to who I always run to in the times that I feel overwhelmed, my good friends Nikki and Jennifer with STS media. I feel like a commercial but let me tell you, these ladies are amazing. I am so grateful that they not only exist but are awesome, welcoming ladies as well.

I cannot lie, while I have something crossed off of my to do list I still feel overwhelmed and I can honestly say that most days I do kind of feel like superwoman, but today I hung my cape up. I did not get one thing accomplished besides this blog and I absolutely must close out a client contract before bed.

To be honest I don’t even feel like blogging anymore. Sooooo

-Rush

Today I go through trials, tribulations, and tested faith just like anyone else but I have learned to go through them differently. I have found that simply pushing through is not always the answer, it just will not suffice because in addition to this you must incorporate love and gratitude. Although this seems to be a hard thing to do, I assure you that by shifting your focus to giving love to someone else and showing gratitude even when there seems to be nothing to be grateful for. I stumbled across something I wrote two years ago and I would like to share it with you. So many of us feel the weight of life resting on our backs to the point where we can no longer stand up straight, but you MUST stand up straight. Let no man, woman, or life occurrence force you to hang low. It will get better. Do you want to know how I know? Because it is already better, you are just resting in it. Look up and see. Smile. Say hello to a perfect stranger. Hug your child. Feel better soon my loves. #PositiveVibesOnly

Nothing lasts forever

Good morning. You know I never really have a topic, I just start typing. Today nothing really comes to mind.

I told you already some of the struggles my family has endured. I don’t want you to think that it’s smooth sailing now because it isn’t. We still have bill collectors knocking on our door and we still have children that need things. I’m not talking about materialistic things; I am talking everyday bread and butter. Everyone struggles sometimes. Everyone falls short of where they thought they would be. You shouldn’t stay there. It’s hard. I know it’s hard. But you have to find that place within to remember that nothing lasts forever.

Trials are like a whirlwind. You can feel the winds blowing and you can feel when they get stronger, you must first know that the eye is coming and to brace yourself. When you are in the eye of the whirlwind it may beat you up and you may come out a little bruised. But you are stronger for it and when it passes you will be proud of yourself. You will be more confident of yourself. And that’s what it’s all about.

You can look back and see how far you have come and it will give you a sense of accomplishment because while you were in the storm you thought you would not make it, yet here you are; standing.

I am not going to sit here and tell you that life will be better after that whirlwind because it won’t be. Storms will come and go, but they get easier to bear every time. And what’s better is you will be able to encourage someone who will go through the same thing. You will be placed in a moment of life where you have the opportunity to uplift someone from your heart because you have been there and that reminiscent moment will make you smile when you realize just how far you have come.

So no matter where you are today. No matter what you are doing, no matter what your struggle; someone else has been there and they made it through. You will as well. Know that you are a strong person. Know that you can endure. Know that you will win.

Hang in there. Be encouraged. Be encouraging. And smile. You can do it.

-Rush

I have worked just about every job known to man. I have started my own companies to catapult me to where I desired to be and then stopped. I have done mlm companies,  you name it I have done it more than likely. I have written a book, no you cannot read it because its from another chapter in my life, like chapter two and I am now on chapter seven. I have worked 2, 3, and even four jobs simultaneously to get my life on order and keep it there.
I have been im several long term relationships.  I have been married and divorced. Repeat. And now at 37 years old I have finally managed to do it. I am finally exhausted. I have reached my point of beat.
Lately I have been working until five in the morning and getting up at eight. Homeschooling, building other peoples businesses, managing my own, doing my books (accounting) working on another book I have already contracted, looking for a new home, trying to manage a new semi vegetarian diet and getting to the gym, potty training, packing, general cleaning, planning a New Year’s event, planning the next Heels&Hustle event, and trying to learn the stock market. I should be 22 trying to do all these things but I waited to long in life and now I wanted to do everything so God has made it so that I am. I am not at all ungrateful because I prayed for God to fill my plate, and He did. Now I just need him to enlarge my plate. I am literally tripping and stumbling over these blessings and trting to keep up is exhausting. So I took a moment ro say hello and now back to the grind. Keep your head up and prayers made known, He hears you. Just be ready or you’ll be tired like me, see.
-Rush

Hello lovely people of the iRush world! I hope your day has been not only an eventful one but a productive one as well.

I have a couple doses of good news for you guys but I am unsure whether or not to disclose this super news. You know how people say don’t jinx yourself? Well, the thing is I am not superstitious at all but I do not want to leave anything to chance. Ugh, I just don’t know! I want to share but hubby says no anyhow. But I will say, when you wait for God to move he will absolutely move! So many blessings in my personal as well as my business life. Sometimes you just have to be still and trust God. I know sometimes it gets hard because, though you may feel discouraged you never want to feel defeated. That is the time to trust God, it s also the hardest time to.

Do you want a million dollar business? Then you need to stop walking around with a hundred dollar mindset! I am blogging to prove to you that all that you ever wanted to do in life is possible. I am actual living breathing proof and I have opened my life up to you like a book. I have had major setbacks and disappointments in life and even sometimes in my current life as well but you must keep pushing. Accept what is now and move forward to greater. I have been raised in a single parent household, then a stepfather. I know what its like to not have your biological father around or even care. I know what its like to go without food, lights, and basic necessities. I have been verbally, mentally and physically abused by loved ones and strangers. I have been sexually assaulted, raped, humiliated. I have been married and divorced. I was in an extremely abusive relationship. I have lost a daughter, I have lost  parent. I have been skinny, I have been fat. I suffered from bulimia and anorexia. I have self mutilated (I used to pierce different parts of my body as a way to release pain and frustration. I have been in custody battles I have lost a child temporarily in this matter. I have run businesses. I have built businesses. I have done mlm. I have strained relationships. I deal with rejection and pain. I deal with low self esteem. You name it, I pretty much have been there. And through it all I have always known that I am bigger than it all.  I said all this to say, I have been there. And I know it will work out.

I love what I do and I love the fact that I can help other people do it too. It feels good to know that God will continue to use my pain for encouragement.

I said all of this to say, Get you a Me in your life. I am honest and dependable and all i want to do is see you succeed.

-Rush

Hello and good morning.

There is so much I want to say and so much I cannot at the same time.

I have been pushing my company Rush Consulting Firm. I think I am going to give it a rest for a moment. A lot of people say running your own business is time consuming while others will argue that it is worth the time and effort because the more time you put in it, the better off financially you will be and while I wholeheartedly agree with that statement, sometimes you just do not have the time. And that is where my company comes in. So I will still market, not like I have been but I will.But my focus right now is on helping.

My family is not your typical family and we do not celebrate holidays like everyone else. We do not do Christmas commercially and our Thanksgivings are now big breakfasts and family time; OUR family time. Birthdays are celebrated with family dinners to the birthday person’s place-of-choice. Easter and New Years is celebrated at church.

A lot of people believe we deprive our children of enjoying being a child by doing holidays the way we do but I strongly disagree.

We do not allow our children to play with any type of armory device and the action figures with guns and the like attached to them is not allowed in our home. We do not allow them to watch cable television and we still pray together. Every day.

Some say our children will grow to be resentful for being so strict.

Let me tell you about my babies.

They make good grades. They are never in trouble for being in fights and were never  suspended from school. They keep their chores done and are very content with what they have. If they want something they have to earn it. My son wanted a smart phone upgrade. I told him if he brought in straight A’s he could have one. He goofed around in school and brought in all A’s and a B. He did not get his upgrade.

When they argue with one another we put them in ‘couple’s therapy’ so that they can talk out their issues as opposed to just being angry.

My philosophy is this, I am raising black boys who will become black men; Strong black men. They will learn to express themselves without anger or aggression. They will be respectful to those who respect them. Those who do not respect them, they will know they are not worth their time. They will open doors for their wives. They will be great fathers to their children. And they will know that every goal they set for themselves will be achieved.

My girls are raised with pride and humility, self love and empowerment, gentleness and kindness. They have a father who treats them like they are the princesses of the house because they are. Therefore a man who steps to them will have very large shoes to fill. The first guy who says you are pretty they will not fall infatuated with them, because they are told often and they already are aware of how beautiful they are. Money and jewelry will not buy their love because they will know that they are independent enough to acquire their own riches. They are instilled with the values of family and grace, confidence and respect.

Too many African American homes are filled with one parent struggling to make ends meet, no time dedicated to family, anger and resentment for what they thought they would be by now, and heartache. Too many of us are allowing our children to fall in the fallacy of becoming rich like the man or woman on television. We let our children listen to the garbage that is put out in the music world allowing them to believe that they can live that life, but what is that life? A grown man rapping (lying) about the things he has while half naked women crowd around him being degraded for their 15 minutes of fame not one time saying something genuinely positive or saving any money for when he has been washed up.

We have to do better as a generation because it will only get worse. Instill in them the greatness that you see in them that they cannot see yet. Teach them that struggle is a word and not a destination. Show them that family means love; honesty and integrity are still alive and pride is to be handled with care.  Most importantly let them know that they are somebody just the way they are.

-Rush

This is old to me, but new to some of you.

Without letting depression set in, I often think about my baby girl who died before I could wish her happy first birthday.
Without letting depression set in, I hear the whispers of my name when you speak hurtful things about my weight.
Without letting depression set in, I remember the little girl who was touched inappropriately by a family friend.
Without letting depression set in, I cannot forget when I slept at the local gas station picking through the trash to feed my only son.
Without letting depression set in, I still feel the fear of being told I could die of ovarian cancer.
Without letting depression set in, the tears still come when I think of my stepfather dying and no one comfort my pain because he was not my “real” dad.
Without letting depression set in, I cannot forgive myself for dropping out of law school to hide from my abusive ex.
Without letting depression set in, I wonder who is my friend when so many have stabbed me in the back.
Without letting depression set in, I pretend not to notice that you treat me different because I put my family first and cannot hang out with you.
Without letting depression set in, I think of how I have to raise my brothers daughter while they act as if she does not exist.
Without letting depression set in, I remembered how you slandered my name to your friends when you felt like I should have gone another way with my decisions.
Without letting depression set in, I worry about you and the decisions YOU make.
Without letting depression set in, I still feel the words of my mother putting me down without knowing the whole story and when she did learn it, no apology was given.
Without letting depression set in, I remember it all and it hurts so bad. But with a smile on my face and a pep in my step you will never know my story.  You will never feel my pain. You may never care. But remember this, as I continue to rise to the top like the perfectly kneaded dough, I will smile. As God lifts my spirits, all of the hurt, pain, and abuse will go away. I will come out smarter. Wiser. Happier. And richer. You will still talk about me. So I will not let depression set in because nothing is worth taking my happiness.
-Rush

You can’t help but be happy if you were made to be happy.

What is holding you back from being happy? We need to reevaluate the people and the things that bring us down. No matter how much we love or respect someone, nothing is worth you walking around filled with misery.

Perhaps you feel like you cannot be yourself around certain people, whether friends or family. We need to learn to lose the negativity in our lives. Even if you take baby steps, do something daily that makes you happy. Slowly remove yourself from the lives of people who infect you. We all must know we were made to be happy not miserable.

Find small things that will make you smile daily. Find an investment where you can watch your money grow even if it’s just cents per week.

We need to not allow the happenings of life get us so down, not everything is unavoidable, but it is overcomable. ß that is a made up word but you get my point, right.

If you are anything like me you are just tired of being bogged down with worries and cares of life and how people see you, you are tired of beating yourself up about how you are not where you want to be in life. There is still time for you to achieve your goals, even if you have to tweak it a little bit. You have to know that you are worth it. You are worth more than that! Who told you that you could not? Someone sewed a seed of doubt in your mind and now you carry around a tree. A tree of worthlessness. A tree of fear.  A tree of shame. Give yourself the right to chop it down. No one is going to stand for you the way you will. No one knows you better than you know yourself. No one knows your capabilities. Dig deep and regain your YOU.

Stay strong. Stay focused. Stay determined.

-Rush

Good afternoon gems and jewels.

I have a question for you.

Why do we feel the need to validate or prove ourselves? I used to find myself doing it sometimes. We have come a long way from being sure we are presentable to ‘I hope they like how I look/act/dress’. We get lost in the emotions of how someone else will feel about us in some aspect that we oftentimes lose our selves. Does that make sense?

Take social media for instance.

We post something on insta-gram or face book and we check to see who liked it, heaven forbid someone puts a comment or we get an alert about it, we turn into children that just want to be accepted.

Sure you bought that dress or suit because you thought it was nice but when you put it on to go somewhere it has to be perfect from every angle down to the last detail. Why?

Some of you may say well I just like to look nice, and there is nothing wrong with that but I assure you that if some of us look deeper we will see that we have the automatic thought process to wonder as we walk past someone who looks at us to think “what were they thinking about me”.

I used to find myself sometimes walking into a room and if two people are talking and happen to look at me (could be because I just walked in the room), I instantly start to wonder if they are talking about me. In a sense it is vain to think that every conversation that doesn’t include you is ABOUT you. But on the other hand it is a set in sense of insecurity.

I think that on some level we all need to sit down with a shrink and find our core of happiness so that we can carry it around with us, that way if we are feeling down, broken hearted, lonely, inept, broken, or torn, we can remember that core and remember that nothing else matters. Why live your life to someone else’s standard, hopes, and dreams? Why are you on the back burner of your life? What about your standards, your hopes, your dreams? Doesn’t that matter to you anymore?

Every day you go to work and force yourself to smile, to be happy, to even say good morning. But why? Why should you? Why WOULD you.

-Rush

Forgiveness of yourself is pivotal in the positive progression of life.

Remember that time you did that very shameful thing? That one thing that you try your best not to think about because it makes you sick to your stomach. Could you believe you did such a thing. You would never tell anyone about that would you?

The feeling that memory gives you shows you that you have not forgiven yourself and you need to.

One way to have peace within is to forgive yourself entirely. Now I’m not talking about the fact that you slept with your best friends spouse but you are still smiling in their face. No, that is not a past mistake that is deception. You have to also ask for forgiveness and even if they do not forgive you that is the first step you need to make. Inner healing is the key to prosperity. By continuing to hold on to the guilt of the past you disallow yourself to move forward because in your subconscious you do not feel like you are worth the blessings that are in store for you.

Don’t allow the shame and guilt you feel to hold you back. You woke another day to continue in the path of fulfilling your destiny. Someone/something thinks that you are worth it. If you were not meant to continue on you wouldn’t have arose this morning with the eagerness and willingness to carry on.

Take a moment at sometime today and think about what you did that makes you feel so shameful. That’s right think about it hard. Revel in it until it makes you cry. Absorb it in your mind. Make it the last time you do it. Now write down all the reasons you should forgive yourself. Carry that list around with you if need be. YOU ARE WORTH FORGIVENESS. Know that. Say that. Over and over and over again.

We must realize that we all make stupid, childish, ignorant, unmentionable, shameful mistakes.  And that’s okay, we all do. We learn and we grow from it… we GROW from it.

Do not allow yourself to be held captive by the thought in your mind. Learn self control and when the memories return that you’d rather forget, counteract them with positive thoughts, more directly, say to yourself ‘ I am worthy of my own forgiveness.’ Because you are.

When you overcome this small hurdle, help someone else. It will reaffirm your positivity.

Hold your head up, stick your chest out, but remain humble.

-Rush