Stephanie Linus Daily

Blog

  • Monday Quotes to get you out of a funk!

    Monday is still that day many people dread. After getting up to the things you like during the weekend, Monday seems to be a reminder that you have responsibilities weighing you down. It can be very uninspiring.

    But we can’t afford to approach the first working day of the week with gloom, can we?

    So, here are 11 ways we think you could express Mondays positively:

    *What you do on Monday can improve the rest of your life.

    *Mondays are the best days to rewrite your story. If you don’t like how last week went, create a new story every Monday.

    *Monday is a ceremony that rolls out the red carpet for you to step on and be anything you want to be (we hope you choose to be great).

    *A champion is that person who knows what to do with a Monday. If you figure Mondays out, you can easily figure out your entire life. Yes!

    *If you are serious about changing your life, Monday is the best place to start.

    *It is the hours you spend working hard on Monday that will buy you the freedom to live freely on weekends.

    *You are in control. Never allow your Monday to be manic. – Andrea L’Artiste

    *Monday understands success more than any other day of the week.

    *Stepping into Monday is like stepping into a cold shower. It will shock at first, but you will get use to the temperature and you’ll be all right.

    *Mondays offer you 52 ways to win all through the year.

    Embrace Mondays. Embrace success. Happy New Week.

  • Sisterhood: The amazing things women do for one another

    We are celebrating sisterhood – women who choose to nurture friendship and build wholesome and rewarding relationships.

    We ask three women the wonderful thing Sisterhood has done for them:

    “Sisterhood saved me. I was going through a separation from a relationship that took ten years of my life. I was depressed and didn’t think I had much to live for. My friends came together and built this safe nest for me where we spoke every day, we prayed together and they took me out of town to feel new again. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have survived that phase of my life.” – Ebube

    “I am 50 years old, and there’s so much I am learning from my younger relatives. They seem to have more wholesome friendships than we did. It is a beautiful paradox because they still prioritise personal needs. During my time, women compete, gossip wickedly and fight over ownership of men. But these days, these young women are prioritizing friendship and spending more time building sisterhood. I think they are wise. They have more fruitful relationships and lasting bond. I am learning.” – Rhoda Abiola

    “Sisterhood is that space where I can be vulnerable without fear or shame. When we come together, there are no judgments. My friends are my safe space – they are my sisters. I went through a hoe phase because I was so confused about many things. My two close friends didn’t judge me. It was easy to come out of that phase and fix myself because these amazing women didn’t look at me like a failure. They were the shoulders I needed at a desperate hour. I won’t trade this sisterhood for anything!” – Chinasa Eze

    Women, do you have any amazing stories about sisterhood? Share with us.

  • FAQ: What can I get my man for Valentine’s Day?

    As February 14 draws nearer, women complain it is hard to figure out what to get a man on a special day like Valentine’s.

    Well, we have your answer!

    Check out the list of cool and not-so-expensive options for men:

    Designer sunglasses (invest in a good pair).

    Special mug set (an exquisite mug he can leave on his office desk).

    Portable espresso machine (If he loves coffee, yes!).

    Leather wallet (you can never go wrong with this. His money and his ATM cards need a home).

    Laptop bag (Get a good quality one. He takes his laptop almost everywhere, right?).

    Cologne and men’s products (spoil him with men’s skincare and watch him glow). 

    Food delivery (spoil him with a platter on D-day. Yum!).

    Wireless Bluetooth portable speaker (an essential and thoughtful gift).

    Leather passport case (Aha! Smart gift).

    Airpods (something he can use everyday, very useful).

    Whiskey/Cognac (invest in a premium bottle).

    Expensive brand of coffee (If he is a coffee lover, he’ll smile).

    A phone (if you can upgrade what he already has, why not?).

    Beard grooming kit (if he has beards, definitely!).

    Sneakers (you can never go wrong with a pair).

    Will Smith’s book (WILL would be such a great gift!).

    We hope this helps!

    Go ahead and spoil a good man in your life.

    So, what gift will you be getting your man?

  • quote of the day

    Dear black women,

    Do not permit TOXICITY near you. Protect yourself from foul words, from negative impressions, from uncomfortable situations, and from people who defraud you of peace and kindness, and from moments that do not serve your interest.

    You deserve a life that is free of chaos. Learn to walk away from anything if it threatens your peace of mind. It may sound like a buzzword, but always try to PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. If you “lose your mind”, you lose everything.

    We all have very limited time on earth. Use your time wisely.

  • Affirmations inspired by Tems Grammy win!

    We see all the black women winning, and we are so proud!

    Here are 10 Affirmations curated for the season, for black women who constantly push the envelope:

    “Being ME is how I win.“

    “I inhale my dreams and exhale my fears.“

    “My heart and mind are open and ready for new experiences.“

    “I accept radical responsibility for creating the life I want.“

    “I tap into my magic by trusting my intuition.“

    “I honor my commitment to take care of myself.“

    “The chaos around me is no match for the calmness within me.“

    “I am energetically aligned to all I desire.“

    “My self-worth is high.“

    “I find new ways to come home to myself each day.“

    Congratulations to Tems for winning the Grammys.

    Congratulations to every black sister creating magic.

    Black Girl Magic!

    It’s a new week, be inspired Tribe.

    *affirmations culled from balancedblackgirl

  • FEB. 14: What do women want for Valentine’s Day?

    What are your plans for the big Love Day? Are you expecting any grand event?

    Five women share their expectations for Valentine’s Day:

    “I would like a lovely dinner after work. I would also like to receive bank alert. Afterwards, I would like to be left alone to sleep in a hotel for the rest of the week.” – Arin Davies, banker.

    “I want an engagement ring. That’s what I want. I’m 32 and I want to move to the next level of my life as a woman. I dated someone for three years and he broke my heart. I’m seeing this guy but it’s not a serious relationship. I can’t think of anything I want more than to find a man ready to settle down and get engaged.” – Blessing, stylist.

    “I will like a trip to Seychelles or Maldives or Zanzibar. A nice Valentine get-away, sipping Champagne and having mind-blowing sex. Those are my wishes.” – Ndidi Ugwoke, copywriter.

    “I would love to receive flowers and gift – a wristwatch and a perfume delivered to my office. The idea that my colleagues can see that I am loved would make me feel really special.” – Pelumi Oyerinde, customer care.

    “I’m a new mother and I’ve been married for four years, I have never been treated like a princess. I would like a full day at a spa. I would like a full day of doing nothing. Let someone else stay up at night while I grab some sleep. That’s all I want. Oh! And some chocolates. I love chocolates!” – Tricia Udom, digital marketer.

    PS: Readers, share your expectations for Valentine’s Day.

  • Meet Jessica Nabongo – the first black woman to travel to every country in the world

    Travel lovers, get in here!

    Have you heard about Jessica Nabongo?

    On October 6, 2019 – 35 year old Jessica touched down in Seychelles. This destination marked her record as the first black woman to travel to every country in the world!

    The daughter of Ugandan immigrants, Nabongo live-streamed her accomplishment on Instagram to her 130,000 followers, at the time, from six continents.

    It is important to note that there are less than 500 people who have travelled to every country, which makes Nabongo worthy of attention, especially as she is the only documented black woman to have achieved this.

    Her feat came with some priceless lessons you should know:

    “Most people are good,” she says.

    “We have more similarities as humans than we have differences,” she adds.

    Nabongo emphasizes the need for every race to experience the world, first-hand, because seeing the world through the eyes of the “white man” may not be accurate.

    Achieving this exploit, Nabongo states on her Instagram page: “I will never forget swimming with whales in Tonga, a late night road trip to Guinea, drinking fermented horse milk in Kyrgyzstan, all the late nights in the streets of London, walking across the bridge into Afghanistan, seeing the pyramids in Sudan, the cattle camp in South Sudan, roads trips through eastern Europe and southern Africa. There are just so many fun memories!!”

    We think Nabongo has lived an incredible life even before hitting 40!

    For every black woman out there contemplating whether to make 2023 more colourful by fulfilling a bucket list, this is the motivation you need. You may not travel the entire world, but let this inspire you to do something interesting in 2023.

    Jessica Nabongo captures her incredibly rich and meaningful experience in her book, ‘The Catch Me If You Can’, published by National Geographic.

    PS: Dear readers, what exploits do you plan to do this year?

  • The entire idea of LIFE is to conquer FEAR every day

    Nobody understands fear like black women.

    “Should I stay with him and work it out?”

    “How am I going to cope with being a mother to toddlers and running a business?”

    “Should I listen to people and have another baby?”

     “Will I be seen as aggressive if I share my opinions?”

    “Can I make good friends regardless of the stereotype of women hating on one another?”

    The difference between failing and winning is in DOING regardless of FEAR.

    This February do not give room for fear.

    Here are 5 of our favourite quotes on fear:

    “Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.” – Judy Blume

    “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

    “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda

    “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.’ – Marie Curie

    “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – Frank Herbert in Dune

    Happy New Month!

  • 7 Ways to Optimize Your work this Year.

    Happy New year, everyone! 

    People love to make New Year’s resolutions that they will end up breaking in just two weeks into the new year.  If you want to avoid putting yourself under pressure, here are a few tips to help you maximise your work this year.

    1. Set specific, achievable goals for yourself. This will help you to stay focused and motivated.

    2. Create a schedule and stick to it as closely as possible. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure enough time for all your tasks and responsibilities.

    3. Take breaks when you need them. Working non-stop can be counterproductive.

    4. Learn to say no. It’s essential to prioritize your task and not take on more than you can handle. It’s okay to turn down opportunities if they don’t align with your goals.

    5. Delegate tasks when possible. If you have too much on your plate, consider delegating some tasks to others. This will allow you to focus on the most important tasks that will help you work more efficiently.

    6. Stay organized. Keep your workspace clean and organized, and use tools like a to-do list and calendars to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.

    7. Stay Focused. Avoid distractions like social media and emails when you need to be productive. Try using tools like the Pomodoro technique to stay focused on your work.

    I hope these tips are helpful!

  • Stephanie Linus Anchors the African UN Ambassador’s Ball at the AU 20th Anniversary in Washington DC

    Last week, I was honored to anchor the African UN Ambassador’s ball, organized by H.E. Ambassador Hilda-Suka Mafudze, Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States to commensurate with the 20th Anniversary of the African Union which was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the organization of African unity. The AU is guided by its own vision of an integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

    The event recognized distinguished individuals who share the same love and commitment to OUR AFRICA, OUR FUTURE. The occasion was graced with dignitaries, including H.E. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General to the United Nations; Dr Hippolyte Fofack, Afreximbank’s Chief Economist; and other ambassadors representing the 55 member countries of the Africa Union. It also featured the Awards presentation to distinguished individuals who have shown exemplary Leadership and impact.

    The honourees are Dr Mae Jamison who was presented with the Mickey Leland’s Award, Rev. Jesse Jackson who received the Nelson Mandela Award, Hon. James Clyburn who received the Kofi Annan Award, and Mr Dikembe Mutombo who received the Global Citizen’s award.