Women begin dreaming about their big day as little girls. Planning extravagance and preparing for one of the most special days of their life.

There are approximately 2.5 million weddings a year. Everyday someone gets married. The wedding industry is a 30 billion dollar industry.

In the US we are used to witnessing the announcements of celebrities nuptials. This was no different when this weekend, pictures of the style icon, DJ, and artist, Solange Knowles emerged. Something was a bit different though...people went crazy over the pics, in an awe-inspiring way.

The photos were symbolic of so much, but in an effortless manner, Solange was the embodiment of beauty and the value of simplicity. There was no large wedding, over the top location or dress. Everything was simple. She wore a beautiful customized pants jump suit with a cape. All of her wedding party wore simple white dresses of their choosing. Her and her husband departed the scene on two white bikes. Simple.

The classic simplicity is what really has people buzzing about the event, but even more so, it’s a reminder, you don’t always need “more”, “bigger” or “better.”

It’s in the pursuit of appeasing our ego that we often lose sight of what values and people in life matter most. Applying matters of simplicity to all areas of life can contribute to balance.

Pressure is great. Wanting more, keeps you moving and growing. Desiring to obtain as much as you can get is proof that abundance is always available. Yet in all those desires and environments that may exists, they don’t make up for the intangibles like emptiness, loneliness, love, joy, and health.


Anyone that follows Solange, knows she's an earthy, simple, and au naturale woman. She is truly an ambassador of self love because she often talks about people learning to become comfortable in their own skin, embracing their individuality, and living a life of passion. Values that are simple and lead to so much gratitude.

So next time, when you feel discontent, truly consider your blessings. Take time to consider the difference between things you really want vs. need. When it comes to bigger, better, or more, could you be simple and still be satisfied? Consider, what would really make you joyful? Not artificially happy, but joyful from your core. 

BE Simple~
Written by: Tiffany Wright

Whenever you need inspiration or guidance in life, look first within yourself and look secondly to nature. Imagine that when everything is going well, you feel great. Like that of the summer, clear skies, warm weather, and the sun glistening on your skin.  But it is truth that every summer is different. A typical Los Angeles summer is different from an Orlando, New York, or Cabo San Lucas summer. Some summers are perfectly pleasant, other have seemingly unbearable heat, while others experience dangerous storms and hurricanes.

Even when everything looks good, trials and challenges will be come about. Right now in Los Angeles, we're experiencing an abnormal heat wave. Granted, 90 degrees may not be hot for some of you, but humidity and high temperatures are not normal for LA. It's uncomfortable.  Yes it's beautiful outside. Yes we have the beach, but this weather is so uncomfortable,  people don't even want to be outside. Just as in life, there are different seasons, and some are more pleasant than the other. But just because you may be in your season of summer, it does not mean you will not face discomfort and challenges. Just know,  there's only so much you can control. You enjoy what you can, and be patient and understanding of the rest. Go with the flow and realize every season will not go according to your expectations.  You are powerful but there is a greater power than you, and you just have to be OK with that.

Look to nature.  Seasons, climate, animals,  plants, water, etc. all serve as great teachers to understand the power of change, growth, flexibility,  flow, strength, purpose, love, and so much more.

BE Love,
By: Tiffany W.

There is a lot going on in the world and the media is having a great August so far. Story after story about international combat, death and violence; national story after story about police brutality, suicide, violence, and racial discrimination. These stories are powerful and the words used to report tell as much of a story, as the commentary the public has about them. Todays edition of "What We Can Learn From Wednesday" is dedicated to power of story telling! There's too much going on, that I don't feel justice is singling out one event or person.
One of the major premises of BE! lies in the power of story telling. Sharing of your mind and spirit to others or even back to yourself in reflection is powerful. Life is defined my transformation. To have life means that one organism is birthed,  serves a greater function,  duplicates, and passes along. From the amoeba, to the rose, to the elephant, to the human. We have the elaborate gift of communication, higher thought,  and extravagant invention and innovation.
We as humans depend on one another for everything.  Food, labor, and most importantly love. The lives we live are never just for ourselves.  No matter how selfish or introverted one may be, we are connected and of course we get to choose how to embrace those connections.  Story telling is truly utilizing the power of words to connect us to one another; to connect the past to the present and the present to the future. There are power in your words, no matter what others say.

There's many idioms that seek to play down the power of words.

" Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Talk is cheap."

" Its not what you say, its what you do."

With anything in life, its just not that black and white.  Those statements are not only inaccurate but absolutely contextual. It depends on the culture, the person, and the context of the situation.  Words are powerful.  Words create wars, fights,  relationship conflict, job terminations,  and total shifts in people's self esteem.

Why am I bringing up all of this? Well I've had an overcharge of words since the weekend, which is partly why I hadn't wrote a post. There are so many stories currently circulating about death, hate, depression, rape, abuse, and violence! International, national and local news, everywhere, and it's become a little overwhelming. It's overwhelming because the words used to describe the incidents are so pensive; the stories told along with such incidents, spirit arousing. There power in words.
Make sure you understand the power of your words. The power of life's story. Do you share to heal and help, or hurt and spread hate? Do you know that your story, any story, of your life can change someone's life? There's so many stories I remeber from childhood that my elder family members , family friends or whomever else would probably never remeber sharing with me. There's power in words.
Because humans respond to matters of sex, violence and negativity, our society is really good about promoting anything along those lines. It gets people going. Likewise, social media perpetuates those storylines as well, but what if more people just shared themselves? Shared their true lives? Decided to be transparent every now and again,  o how this world would change. It's began to happen with transparent figures like bloggers, vloggers, instagram, twitter, and facebook superstars!
The power of our words and stories can transform the world. It's been done time and time again. Words can bring about revolutions,  healing, deliverance, joy and so much more.
When you speak, consider your words. When you want to speak about someone, consider your words. When you entertain someone speaking negatively about another,  consider the words they're speaking. When you overcome or go thru a trialing period, consider the worss you can share.

BE Empowered~
Written by: Tiffany Wright

What can we learn from Claire Leeson?

BEauty is not only in the eye of the beholder but it's also uncomfortably perfected in the mind of spectators. BE is all about self love and choosing relevant stories in pop culture that teach the importance of self love are extremely easy to come by. Today, we can take a lesson from the BEautiful BEing that is in the picture....She has made headlines this week for spending $30,000 on cosmetic procedures and enhancements to look like Kim Kardashian. Claire Leeson said that she struggled with confidence but admired everything about Kim, and figured if she could look like her, she would feel better about herself.

We all want to feel comfortable in our skin. We want to feel comfortable in our clothes.  We want to look at ourselves in the mirror and believe we are beautiful. Every one is entitled to such reflections but they don't necessarily connect to such realities.
Beauty and perfection are not new concepts. From an evolutionary standpoint beauty is parallel to a trait that allows a species to survive. Beautiful people are often granted opportunities others wouldnt be. Beauty fosters a general purpose, mating and reproduction . There is an actual science to beauty, but what happens when people are obsessed with manipulating science to become more beautiful?

Nowadays one can practically restructure their entire body. Whatever you choose to do, to be happy,  by all means its your life and you are granted that freedom. I just want to provide some ideas. The interesting idea floating around is that the concept of happiness is a result of external choices, when in fact you realize at some point its a purely intrinsic, mental, and physiological driven process. For most people, I believe happiness is a choice, but as someone with a background in mental health, and with personal experience with depression, there are true chemical imbalances that no positive thinking can overcome. This is also why I understand self love, self esteem, and self image for some, are 3 very challenging concepts,  but I want to offer some insight. 

When over judging how beautiful or perfect you are, consider the following:

1. You didn't ask to be born, nor did you have power to request your physical features
   Taking into consideration that you are able to practice good hygiene, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and manage stress, you appear how nature intended. Your height, eye color, width, color, and natural build is not wrong or right, it is what it is. Learn to accept that nothing can be wrong with a thing if that is its' nature. How can a red rose be mad it's not a yellow rose...that's what nature intended for it to be. What happens around you, what you take personal, and what you let get to you to influence how positively or negatively you view yourself, is your choice.

2. Health, wellness and hygiene will make a difference.
  When you feel your best on the inside, what you look like doesnt matter. Your love and confidence is a direct reflection of how you feel. Live food like fruits and veggies give you energy,  mental clarity, and keep you going. When you have alertness you're more likely to work out. Working out produces endorphins, or " happy chemicals" in your body. You're more
likely to be positive and stay in route to doing things that make you feel better.  Food and exercise also help manage stress, which can take a physical toll on your body on the outside and inside. Your diet and hygenie also affect your skin, which is a major area of concern for people

3. Self Love is the outcome of a cycle.
When you know you're taking care of yourself and living your best life, you love yourself more. When you're doing positive things, thinking positively, and are around positive people, you feel better about yourself and see beauty as an intangible force.

4. Few people look perfect
Consider this. If Kim K didn't have botox, breast implants, and the extensive diet and fitness regiment she does...she'd look a whole lot different. Someone spent $30,000 on an image that doesn't  even exist! She's not the only one. Numersous shows on TV show us how often non-celebrities go under the knife to look like the people they admire. Again there's nothing wrong with shooting to look your best but consider what the journey involves, and how it affects your idea of yourself, in your most natural form. Even everyday women who don't get cosmetic procedures obsess over idolizing other's perfect bodies. Wake up...people sculp their bodies with exercise. 6 packs, flat tummies, sculpted butts, thighs and arms...don't exist without effort and continuous effort. It's not natural, it's effort. Even myself, I have a natural athletic build,  but if I don't work out at least 20minutes a day 3× a week, keep low stress, and really manage food, I blow up really easily. There are people who don't need to exercise for aesthetics, and that's very few people. Most of us need to do it for health, and if we want to maintain certain shapes but again, it's effort.  You love others looks...enhanced looks. Not their natural selves. How they look after being done up or edited in print. Don't obsess over what is not real. Open your minds.

Think twice before praising what seems like the celestial beauty of another whether its face or body. It really is the soul, spirt and heart that shines thru our eyes, reflects in our actions, and radiates in our presence that really makes us "attractive".  It's the confidence, strength, peace, and love of people that make them seemingly more beautiful. It's their aura...something completely unduplicatable by procedure or application.

BE Beautiful~
Written by: Tiffany W.

There is value in history. There is emotion in history. There are lessons in history. So from now on, I'm going to participate in my own version of Throwback Thursday. Honoring events, people, movies, music of the past that in someway or another represents the BE! core value: Self Love.

Today's feature is none other than Lady Day herself, Billie Holliday. Billie Holiday is one of the most pivotal icons in music, blues and jazz. She had an iconic voice, and graceful stage presence, always known for wearing a fresh Gardenia in her hair and was popular between the 1930's-1950's.

Billie had her challenges, as we all do, but she resonated a strength that could only come from pain and heartache. Her songs celebrated the ups & downs of love and life. She was the epitome of the Blues. In life, there's no such thing as perfection. Challenges will arise, as well as sadness, but the greatest strength is to find a reason to celebrate life, love yourself despite the imperfections, do you and BE you. When I was young, I was obsessed with her famous song, "Ain't Nobody's Business." Which is basically an ode to her living her own life, not giving 2 cents about your opinion. Whether she gave all her man her money, he beat her, she went out Saturday and to church on Sunday, her life was her prerogative. Now of course, some of the message isn't the most healthy or fully reflective a total love of one's mind, body and spirit, but the level of tenacity of understanding, accepting, and being satisfied to a certain degree with your own life decisions, is a major lesson that many of us attempt to understand. Amongst her many popular songs was also her rendition of the poem, Strange Fruit, and emotional piece of work about the lynching of a man. The soul that emanates from her voice, is nothing short of powerful. When anyone gives of themselves, to impact others, that is Love. There is no greater manifestation of love than the gifts you give to others.  As many creative spirits, it was easier for the Lady to shine her heart thru her art as opposed to seeing the light in her life. She unfortunately took her own life, but her legacy and message to Love you and your life no matter what others think, is a powerful message that will never go out of style! We love you Lady Day!

BE You~

Written By:Tiffany W.