Your Power Lies Within

My strength is woven into the threads which have held my 61-year-old life together. I certainly did not feel strong at the time. It is only when I reflect on what I have survived I realize it took strength. We all face adversities. For some, it may be family dysfunction, financial insecurity, employment barriers, illness in your family, or other real life roadblocks that stand in our way. The situations are all different—and so is the strength we need to persevere. Consider this. Your journey is as unique as you and it is your story to tell. Find the strength to give it a happy ending.

Lipstick Artist Creates Beauty with Every Kiss

At the sight of a kiss print, you might feel an overwhelming amount of positivity, passion or even empowerment. It symbolizes femininity and beauty — a mark usually given out of love and adoration. This is the mission behind every work of art Alexis Fraser creates from her vibrant collection of lipsticks. Residing in Sarasota, Florida, Alexis has been working at her craft since 2012 when she was first challenged to create a portrait of Marilyn Monroe using a nontraditional artistic method. Using shades of lipstick and her kiss prints, she suddenly found a technique to be proud of. This moment in time, six years ago, is what motivated Alexis to launch an entire art brand called “Lipstick Lex.”

You've Already Been Crowned in Purpose

Anyone else out there desperate to find the purpose/calling/meaning of your entire existence? This is pretty much at the top of my hobby list. Everyone in my family seems to know exactly why God put them here, and I’m over here taking interest inventories every few months to see if there’s some magic answer that suddenly pops up.

Crowned with Independence

Let’s begin with a bit of self-evaluation. Would you consider yourself to be independent or dependent? If you aren’t sure or you’re thinking maybe you fall somewhere in the middle, that’s OK. Perhaps you answered that question without hesitation, knowing your personality type full well. It took me years to nurture a spirit of independence, so feeling on the fence about the subject is totally normal. We all develop at different speeds and walk very different paths in life, so only time can truly tell.

Wearing a Crown of Confidence

Confidence. Maybe we’re born with it, maybe we’re not? How do you know you have it? Is it something instinctual or learned? Maybe it’s a mixture of both. Think back to one of the moments you first recognized your own power. Was it someone in your life telling you they believed in you or maybe the first time you spoke up in class? Perhaps it was making your first friend on the playground or even more recently getting that promotion you’ve been working hard for.

Embrace the Ankle Weights

I remember it so well. Mom and dad’s face showing such confusion as I told them what my Christmas present request was. They both replied at the same time, “Are you serious? Ankle weights?” Before you think I was a little weirdo, let me explain. I was in eighth grade and obsessed with getting better at volleyball. I was a side hitter, so I wanted to be able to jump as high as possible. The higher you were, the better you would hit that ball. I can almost feel it all over again!

Creating Isn't Always Artistic

Creating is not just for the “creative” or “artistic” but it’s an inherent part of you. The mere fact you were created inside of your mother’s womb is proof that creation exists within you. As humans, it is our destiny, our purpose to create. Whether you know it or not, you’re a creator — let me show you.

A Word From Our Founder

From the very moment, one has an epiphany, it seems as if nothing else can consume their every thought. This is exactly what happened to me when I decided I wanted to launch my own blog. One thought spiraled into another which led to a business name I adore. While I had a long list of potential names and words I liked, the one word I couldn’t shake was “crowned.”

Current Blog series: Purpose