This blog was created to serve as an inspiration to all who read it..........to aspire, to love and to live a life of purpose.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Red Carpet Fashion + Full List of Winners: 2014 BET Awards

The BET Awards is being held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California this evening. Check out the stars that graced the red carpet.
 Tiwa Savage
 Tamera Mowry
Nelly :)
Michelle Williams
 Adrian Marcel
Bria Murphy and Shayne Murphy
 Adrienne Bailon
 Ashanti
 Eva Marcille
 Faith Evans
 Juicy
 Kerry Washington
Paris Hilton
 Amber Rose
 Pharrell
Tatyana Ali
 Bobby Jones
 Casyo Crept-Johnson
 Christian Keyes and Christian Keyes Jnr.
 Gugu Mbatha-Raw & Nate Parker 
 Holly Robinson Peete
 Jeannie Mae-Bet
Jennia Fredrique
 Jennifer Freeman
 Judge Greg Mathis and 
 Juicy J
 Karrauche Tran
 Keke Palmer
 Kem
 Kenya Moore
 Kierra Kiki-Sheard
 Latarsha Rose
 Ledisi
 Lil Mama
 Nadine Ellis
 Ne-Yo
 Nhlanhla Nciza
 Raven Goodwin
 Sage the Gemini
 Shayne Murphy
 Stephen Bishop
 Travis Barker and kids
 Trevor Jackson
Zendaya


BET Awards 2014 Winners — Full List

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Viewers Choice Award: “I Luv This,” August Alsina feat. Trinidad James
Best Group: Young Money
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Pharrell Williams
Sportsman of the Year: Kevin Durant
Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Video of the Year: “Happy,” Pharrell Williams
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Drake
Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Best Gospel Artist: Tamela Mann
Best New Artist: August Alsina
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lionel Richie

Sources: HollywoodLife and DailyMail.

www.nwavic.blogspot.com|||dearnwavic@gmail.com |||Twitter & Instagram @nwavicesq

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

7 Tips on How to Be There for a Friend in Crisis

If there's anything sure about this life, it's change. Sometimes, it's good. Sometimes, it's bad. Sometimes, it's unimaginable. That's the thing about life. There's the high. There's the low. Then, there are the unexpected blows....sickness, death, break-up, job-loss, divorce, and the like. As is natural, the older I've gotten, the more I've witnessed more lows both for myself and people I love. This is not because life's misfortunes didn't occur during childhood, it's more so that I was more protected as a child.

What I've noticed is that misfortune not only creates pain for the person experiencing it, it creates awkwardness for some friends and family. Granted, difficult times show who true family and friends are, because a good number of people disappear. However, there are a select few who disappear not because they don't want to support you, but because they don't know how to. They fear they'll say or do the wrong thing. They feel like they are powerless to help. What they don't know is that they don't have to do too much. It's the little things that count.
In that sense, this post is dedicated to inspiring how to support people going through difficult times.

1. Reach out: The first step to take when you hear someone is going through a difficult time is to call, text, email or offer to visit. Even if you can't visit, there's nothing as precious as letting them know you are thinking about them, praying for them and that they are not alone.

2. Be proactive: Beyond making contact, actually DO something. Send a card, bring food or drinks, send money, run errands, show up and help around their house. Ditch the "Let me know if there's anything I can do". This generic offer almost never yields any actual help. Your friend or family member, in their state of loss, will hardly remember that they even need to eat or clean or pay the bills, talk less of actually remembering that you are available to help.

3. Listen Good: You don't have to say much especially when someone is grieving. Actually, say as little as you can. Stay away from talking about yourself or tying what your friend/family is going through with what you went through, unless they ask. Sometimes, all a person needs is company to listen.

4. Be there no matter what: If you can, visit and just be. Night time is usually the toughest for people who are going through a crisis. Spend the night if you can afford to. I remember when I lost my dad, one of my friends would show up almost everyday to just lay with me. If I wanted to eat, we'd eat together. If I wanted to listen to music, we'd do that together. If I wanted to watch TV, we'd do that. If I wanted to cry, she'd bear with me. All I needed was her presence and it went a long way.
5. Be Mindful of your words: Dont claim to know how they feel. Every situation is unique. Don't argue. It makes the situation worse. Be sensitive to triggers. Some special words or experiences may trigger sadness so don't dwell on the details of their incident unless they are driving the conversation. Use encouraging words/sentences. For e.g. "You will get through this" and "You are strong beyond your imagination".

6. Supportively Guide Them Back to Normal: After a couple of days/weeks (depending on the crisis), gently start encouraging your friend or family to go back to basic functions...eating regularly, going to the gym,  or maybe taking a walk. Key word "Gently". Again, don't push, just suggest. Let them be the one to make the decision.


7. Don't Judge: Be patient. Pray with them. Have emotional empathy. Judgment can cloud or even preclude compassion. Not everyone grieves the same way. Let them cry if they need to. Scream with them if thats what they want to do. More so, If you want to give advice, ask permission. Only Advice but don't push. Give options but don't insist, instead give reasons for your decision.
There you go! It's never my prayer for you or people around you to go through pain or struggles, but this is life. And it happens. When it does, here's how to be the best friend/family you can be.

Stay Inspired!

www.nwavic.blogspot.com|||dearnwavic@gmail.com |||Twitter & Instagram @nwavicesq

Monday, June 9, 2014

Dear NwaVic, Should I Tell My Friend Her "Diamond" Engagement Ring is Fake?

Dear NwaVic,

I have secretly read your blog for a while now and never thought I would be writing you. But I need input and loved your response when you responded to the letter from the girl who wanted to tell her friend she was marrying the wrong guy. Great job on the blog, by the way. One of my best friends recently got engaged and we (all of us in our group of friends) are genuinely happy for her. She's been showing off the ring so much, on all social media...its on Twitter, Facebook, BB, Whats App, Instagram, etc. It's a nice ring but here's the thing... we all know it's not a real diamond. But she thinks it is because she's been raving on social media about how big and beautiful it is and how her hubby did well. A couple of people have told me, "ah why don't you tell your friend that her man is deceiving her and save her this embarrassment?" I'm afraid it has become the topic on the grapevine and people are laughing behind her back. Should we tell her the truth or shut our traps?

Sincerely,
C
Dear C,
Thank you for writing Nwavic at dearnwavic@gmail.com.  I've been in your place before. And by being in your place, I mean, noticing something that is none of my business. And what did I do? I told the truth believing that I was doing so for the sake of a friendship or what "I thought was one". And what did it cost me? A friendship, or rather what "used to be one" (you get the point). Consequently, permit me to be a bit brash here.

I've learned to look straight and keep looking straight, except my attention is diverted. And how can my attention be diverted? If I am asked! I'll say it one more time...when you notice something that is none of your business, you pay it no mind EXCEPT when, and only when, you are asked "directly".

So, here's my short answer...A girl's engagement ring is very sensitive to her. Unless your friend says to you, "Hey C, do you think my ring is a real diamond?", you should shut your trap. And even if she asks, don't immediately shout "It's fake!" Instead, you should say you can't be sure and advise her to check with a diamond retailer/specialist, seeing as though you're not one. Because in the long term, in this case, the value of giving her unsolicited advise is 0. This is different from the letter from the girl who wanted to tell her friend she was marrying the wrong guy because your friend is already engaged and the size of the ring is of no consequence on the quality of her future marriage. It's the symbolism of the ring and her happiness that matter.

Oh, and about the people telling you about "your" friend, why are you entertaining others talking about "your" friend? When next someone mentions it to you say, "I'm not a diamond specialist, neither are you. And if it's bothering you so much, you should tell her yourself".

Best of Luck!

NwaVic

www.nwavic.blogspot.com|||dearnwavic@gmail.com |||Twitter & Instagram @nwavicesq