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2023 Pearls: MOY Summer Working Plan

Happy Mid-Year Point of You in 2023!

It's July 1, and we are at the midpoint of the calendar year for you and your goals. I know we are in the seasons of weddings, graduations, family, and vacations, but have you been on point with your goals? If you haven't, let's not panic but work to get back on track. While developing that plan to get on track, including some aspects of softness into your life by implementing my 4 Cs this summer. BIPOC women can showcase their Strength, Resilience, and Sparkle! while embracing Confidence, Charm, Compassion, and a sense of Completeness this summer through the following actions:

Cultivate Compassion and Connection:

Research published in the Journal of Positive Psychology titled "Compassion-focused reappraisal, benefit-focused reappraisal, and rumination after an interpersonal offense: Emotion-regulation implications for subjective emotion, linguistic responses, and physiology (Witvliet, 2010) indicates that engaging in compassion-focused reappraisal can lead to increased positive emotions and overall well-being. Compassion toward oneself can foster a sense of completeness and encourage more constructive responses to challenging situations (Leary et al., 2007).

  • Extend compassion to yourself: Be gentle with yourself and acknowledge that everyone has ups and downs. Treat yourself with kindness and forgiveness when facing challenges or setbacks.
  • Empower and uplift others: Support and uplift fellow black women in their journeys. Share your successes and encourage others to celebrate their wins as well.
  • Seek community and connections: Connect with supportive communities, friends, and family members. Engaging with like-minded individuals can provide inspiration and a sense of belonging.
  • Advocate for change: Use your voice to address social issues and contribute to positive change. Advocate for justice and equality, and empower others to do the same.

Embrace Self-Affirmations and Resilience:

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology titled "Self-affirmation facilitates minority middle schoolers' progress along college trajectories" (Goyer, 2017) demonstrated that self-affirmation techniques can improve resilience and confidence in minority students. The study showed that affirming one's values and strengths helps individuals cope with challenges and persist in adversity, ultimately leading to higher academic achievement and overall well-being. (Cohen et al., 2009)
  • Set clear goals: Define your goals and aspirations for the summer. Break them down into manageable steps and celebrate each milestone achieved. This sense of accomplishment will boost your confidence and resilience.
  • Engage in self-affirmations: Remember your strengths, capabilities, and accomplishments daily. Embrace positive self-talk to build self-confidence and self-love.
  • Embrace your unique charm: Celebrate your individuality and charm. Embrace your personality, style, and quirks, as they make you who you are. Confidence in being yourself is incredibly empowering.
  • Cultivate resilience: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. When faced with setbacks, focus on bouncing back and finding solutions rather than dwelling on the obstacles.

Celebrate Successes and Practice Gratitude:

A research article in the Journal of Happiness Studies titled "Gratitude and Well-being: A review and theoretical integration" emphasizes the positive effects of practicing gratitude (Touissant & Friedman, 2008). Expressing gratitude for one's achievements, blessings, and experiences can lead to increased life satisfaction, positive emotions, and overall psychological well-being. Celebrating successes and acknowledging the good in one's life can contribute to feelings of completeness and contentment. (Wood et al., 2010)
  • Practice gratitude: Focus on the positive aspects of your life and express gratitude for them. Gratitude can foster a sense of completeness and contentment.
  • Embrace joy and fun: Allow yourself to have fun and experience pleasure. Celebrate the summer by engaging in activities that bring you happiness and create beautiful memories.
  • Pursue meaningful activities: Engage in activities that align with your passions and values. Finding fulfillment in your work adds to a sense of completeness and purpose.
  • Celebrate wins, big and small: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Give yourself credit for your hard work and dedication.

Remember that each Pearl's experience is unique, so it's essential to consider your personal circumstances and preferences in applying these principles. By integrating these practices into our lives, BIPOC women can exude Strength, Resilience, and Sparkle! with the 4 Cs: Confidence, Charm, Compassion, and a sense of Completeness while celebrating our wins and embracing our unique identities during the 2023 summer season.

Celebrate Yourself, Pearl!!






Cohen, G. L., Garcia, J., Purdie-Vaughns, V., Apfel, N., & Brzustoski, P. (2009). Recursive Processes in Self-Affirmation: Intervening to Close the Minority Achievement Gap. Science. https://doi.org/0400

Goyer, J. P., Garcia, J., Binning, K. R., Cook, J. E., Reeves, S. L., Apfel, N., Sherman, D. K., & Cohen, G. L. (2017). Self-affirmation facilitates minority middle schoolers' progress along college trajectories. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(29), 7594-7599. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1617923114

Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Batts Allen, A., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 887–904. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.5.887

Touissant, L. and Friedman, P. (2008) Forgiveness, gratitude, and well-being; the mediating role of affect and beliefs. Springer Science and Business Media B.V. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-008-9111-8

Witvliet, Charlotte & Knoll, Ross & Hinman, Nova & Deyoung, P. (2010). Compassion-focused reappraisal, benefit-focused reappraisal, and rumination after an interpersonal offense: Emotion-regulation implications for subjective emotion, linguistic responses, and physiology. The Journal of Positive Psychology. 5. 226-242. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439761003790997

Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clinical psychology review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005

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