

When you look at beautiful superstars like Beyoncé and Solange, sometimes you wonder what their secret sauce is.
Where does Beyoncé get her fierce, yet graceful presence from to empower women since the days she was barely legal? Where does Solange's fearless attitude come from, as she continues to give us life by speaking her mind and her truth through her music and art? And where did they get their drop-dead gorgeous looks?
They get it from their mama!
Thanks to Instagram and the hit show on OWN, Black Love, Tina Lawson has made it into the hearts and screens of many.
What some may not know is that years ago, Ms.Tina was in the middle of a nasty divorce, with her then-husband and father of her children, riddled with infidelity and babies popping up left and right. Given the very once-protected and somewhat perfectly crafted image of her family, this could have been a stain on her legacy and naturally, the media ate the drama up. However, years later, she found love again at 59 with her now husband of three years, actor Richard Lawson.
With her glow-up in love, Ms.Tina teaches us a lesson through her will to keep pursuing happiness. A resilient heart wins over all adversity. In this game of love, whether you are trying to find it in a relationship, or the constant balance of loving yourself, you have to be able to get up off that floor, wipe your tears, and keep swinging! Without the mud, there is no lotus, and watching the trial and tribulations of Ms.Tina can teach us that whatever storm we are trying to weather, we will survive and will serve a greater purpose in the future.
Here are some lessons I learned from her contribution to the series Black Love:
It Is Easier To Find The Love You Deserve When You Take Time To Love Yourself
The cliché that no one can love you until you love yourself is simply incorrect, but the idea that you may not attract the healthiest relationships when your sense of self-worth is low is very true. However, the more time you spend on healing those parts of you that hold you back from looking in the mirror and actually believing the affirmation "I am beautiful and I am worthy" the more likely you will be to receive a healthy relationship.
Tina explains:
"...I said: 'I am a bad sista. I have done incredible things. I'm not so bad. I deserve somebody because I am great. And that's not an arrogant thing, it's just that all these years I have accomplished so many things but I have never even took in a look at them. I never owned them or felt good about them, so all of a sudden I felt good about myself, and I think that is how I was able to attract someone."
Simply taking the time to realize how worthy and valuable you are as a woman will help you understand that you deserve the very best and help you to not to settle for people, places, or things that are unhealthy for you. Though no relationship or person will be perfect because, like you, a partner is human and makes mistakes, it is possible to find a partner with the qualities that you are looking for, especially if you possess them yourself.
Choosing To Vibrate Higher Everyday Isn’t Easy But Necessary To Attract The Best Experiences Of Your Life
As her husband Richard Lawson so eloquently states:
"If you want something and you vibrate on the level of the thing that you want, the only thing that will happen is that you will get it. It is not philosophy, it is physics. It is energy."
Putting your best foot forward is one of the hardest things to do when the situation causes you great discomfort and pain, but fighting for your happiness and trying to find your purpose in life will lead you to the places you are supposed to go and the people with whom you're supposed to go.
It Is Never Too Late To Start Over
Though you would never be able to guess, Tina is a 64-year-old recently married woman living her best life, showing off pictures on Instagram for everyone to see, all while telling corny jokes on Saturdays. She teaches us that it is important to find a new beginning each day, regardless of your circumstances or even if you have to start over from scratch. It is better to give yourself a fresh start than it is to quit at life and love altogether.
In the words of her daughter Beyoncé:
"Mama, after all them years, we can start all over again. And now it all makes sense. Letting go is never the end."
Featured image via Instagram
New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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How Power Women Protect Their Finances With Smart Money Boundaries
No matter what it is, setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when those boundaries involve money. But if you want to sustain success and financial freedom, boundaries are important, both with yourself and with others.
Many wealthy successful women have mastered setting boundaries and prioritizing accountability so that they can ensure they remain that way. Let's face it: If you want a certain quality of life and you work hard to achieve that, you don't want to risk it by taking on habits that jeopardize your financial stability.
Be inspired to not only set money boundaries but keep them by taking heed to the common financial boundaries power women of today establish:
1. They pay themselves first.
Building consistent savings habits is important to wealth-building no matter how much you earn, and the practice is often one that continues even after you're well-booked and well-paid. Actress, producer, and philanthropist Queen Latifah has always been a proponent of this after learning from her mom to "save your money."
This is the epitome of the energy behind paying yourself first. You squirrel something away and take care of yourself by taking care of your future first, before paying any bills. You invest in yourself (within your means and with a budget in mind, of course).
2. They don't loan money without clear repayment rules and expectations are agreed upon.
It's awesome to be able to help people out by loaning them money, but when you don't communicate clearly about repayment (or what will happen if the money is not repaid) you set yourself up for a cycle of taking on other's debts and maybe even building more debt of your own.
Unless you're doing charity, set those boundaries early about when and how a loan will be repaid. And if you know you won't get the money back, rethink the loan altogether.
3. They create budgets that are realistic and reflect their current lifestyle.
In her book, What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey wrote, “I hope the way you spend your money is in line with the truth of who you are and what you care about.” This is key for many successful women, especially when they're budgeting and investing.
Issa Rae told Money.com, "I don’t splurge just because. I will never have 17 cars. I will never have expensive jewelry. I don’t spend that much on my clothes, or shoes. I will spend money on a stylist, and a makeup artist, because those things feel necessary for work. But material things? No."
There's a clear indication that there are clear value systems sustained by what matters to them no matter how much they make, and budgeting is a huge part of that.
4. They consider the long-term effects of a rash purchase before proceeding.
It's totally okay to treat yourself, but if you find yourself impulsively buying things you don't really need or always living check to check because you've maxed out your credit card to take that sixth trip in one year, there's a problem that might put a damper on those financial freedom plans. (That is unless your trip is part of how you make your money, and it's a worthy investment into expanding your prospects.)
Successful women are conscious of the long- and short-term effects of purchases, small and large. They're always thinking about how one action can impact the bigger picture.
5. They are givers and believe in the reciprocity of that.
Many of us are familiar with the famous quote, "To whom much is given, must is required," and there's that undertone of service and charity that is a common thread for wealthy, successful women, especially those who run businesses or lead brands. Involving yourself in acts of service not only enriches your development and that of communities, but it increases your exposure, network, and credibility, often leading to more opportunities to make more money.
Most leading CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals are big on giving back, whether it is through resources, a nonprofit, money, or their time. "As you become more successful, it's important for you to give back. Even if you can't financially give back, kind words and sharing about other businesses on social media mean so much. Every little thing counts. Help out your friends and family with advice, encouragement, and support," said Angela Yee, award-winning radio host and entrepreneur.
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Featured image by Charday Penn/Getty Images
Originally published on August 16, 2024