Fierce Fridays!!!!!! ~featuring ~ Stephanie Weaver-Rogers, O.D.

Happy Friday D.I.V.A's.  If any of you had a week like mine, this long weekend is right on time.  TGIF for real!!!  To continue in this exciting spirit, today I have the opportunity to introduce our first oD (original D.I.V.A), Ms. Stephanie Weaver-Rogers. I have the pleasure of working alongside this woman everyday and she has truly been an amazing co-worker, friend, and confidant.  So without further adieu, sit back and revel in the wisdom that is she.  

For all of you aspiring D.I.V.A.S there are some rules and past lessons that we Original D.I.V.A.S. want to pass on to assist on your journey to DIVAdom!!!

Most important and arguably the hardest task you will face will prove to be a life long struggle. Through our entire life especially as we grow and try to determine who we are and what we want out of life, we are constantly trying to prove something to ourselves and someone else. As children we want to please our parents, family, teachers and everyone that we hold dear and in high regard. In trying to do these things we have a tendency to try and be what they want us to be and lose sight of who we are and want to be. To be a true D.I.V.A. you must above all else, Be True to Yourself

Being True to Yourself, means being true to your own thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Just like you cannot love anyone until you love yourself, you cannot be true to anyone until you are true to yourself. Be who you are, accept yourself; love yourself as you really are, and not as others think you should be.

When you do things that are not in accordance with who you are, it comes across as fake, you are not happy and those around you know that you are not being who you really are, true D.I.V.A.S. are never fake.
When you are true to yourself you are demonstrating the respect you have for yourself, your individuality, uniqueness and independence which will allow others to respect you for whom you are. You can respect others opinions, thoughts and suggestions but you don’t have to conform to them; people will sense that you are a strong, capable individual able to stand up for yourself and your beliefs.

Being True to Yourself does not give you a free pass to be inconsiderate or disrespectful to others, it means you will define who you are and make decisions for yourself.

Food for Thought:
"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." Raymond Hull


Stephanie Rogers, MHS is a Sr. Program Administrator for the Rutgers University – CSUCL, Parents Academy. Her passion is working with parents to assist them in improving their skills to better their lives, the lives of their children and the community. She may be reached at slwr66@aol.com.