Top 3 Reasons to Give Back Now

I just wrote and sent the following press release on behalf of PWAP; I found it fit very well with what’s on my heart these days, so I am also sharing it here on my blog. 

Until next time,

Josephine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Josephine Nicholas

734.385.6170 or pwap2009@hotmail.com 

Top 3 Reasons to Give Back Now

Ann Arbor, MI October 16, 2009 – “There are three major reasons why now is the time to give of yourself to charities,“ said Josephine Nicholas, who, together with three of her siblings, is a successful local entrepreneur, founding several companies; as well as the charity event group called Party with a Purpose (PWAP). 

1 – Better Resources Available

“Contrary to what you may think at first glance, you have better resources available to help you help others in this recession than you would have had before,” continued Josephine.  “Due to the strain put on you in this economy, you may not be using your talents and resources to the best of their ability – so, using those skills in the interest of local or national charities is a perfect way to give back.  My company used to travel the country, putting on events; our team now takes the same event equipment, and our event planning skill sets, and hosts benefit parties for charities.  Why should all these excellent resources sit there when they could be put to good use for worthy causes?”

2 – The Need is Greater

“You are not the only person suffering right now,” said Josephine.  “Yes, your economic problems may seem insurmountable – but, what about those who just lost their job and are forced into soup kitchens? The needs everywhere are greater now than ever before; the economy has caused so many tragedies and now is the time to get out there and help non-profits, or those in need.”

3 – More People Participating

“We all remember what happened after 9/11, when, for one moment, the country – top to bottom – seemed united beyond anything we’d ever seen,” continued Josephine. “In this economy, we are now seeing that happening across the board, from companies like Macy’s gathering icons to represent their non-profit Come Together campaign, to local food banks like Food Gatherers who distributed 4.6 million pounds of food to 150 non-profit programs that serve hungry people in Ann Arbor, MI.”

“Awareness to help your fellow man has increased across the board in these tough economic times,” said Josephine.  “Whole Foods, Olive Garden, and others have come alongside our team as we teamed up with Macy’s for our next dinner party on October 24^th.”

PWAP and Macy’s: Come Together is being held on Saturday, October 24^th and begins at 6pm.  Everyone 21 and older is welcome, and attractions include: wine tasting provided by a local wine wholesaler, salsa dancing/lessons (provided complimentary by B’lal Inspirations), DIOR makeup counter featuring complimentary Dior make up stylist, Hors D’oeuvres, refreshments, and dinner graciously contributed by local establishments, including Olive Garden and the Washtenaw Road Whole Foods in Ann Arbor, MI. The party is hosted at the Ann Arbor residence of the Nicholas Family.  Media is invited.

Entrance fee is just $35/individual, $60/couple, and must be pre-paid by Wednesday, October 21^st. Pre-registration instructions can be found by clicking on this link: PWAP and Macy’s: Come Together.

About PWAP: PWAP is the brainchild of Nicholas siblings, Josephine, Jaad, Jihan, and Gibran. PWAP events feature various activities. Join us, enjoy the activities, broaden your social network, and participate in the charity causes some of our events support. These aren’t just any parties – each is a Party with a Purpose!

Press Contact:

Josephine Nicholas

734.385.6170

pwap2009@hotmail.com

 

Scotsman Guide Feature Article

I have always wanted a feature article in Scotsman Guide, a mortgage industry publication, which gets distributed to over 35,000 professionals. They just featured one of my articles both inside and on the front cover of their September issue! I’ve put below the cover of the magazine and my article, as seen inside.

Keep on dreaming big – you will achieve those dreams!

Until next time,

Josephine

To read the full article, click on this link: http://josephinenicholas.wordpress.com/press-releases/

Scotsman Guide Feature Article

 

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea

As I was working on my laptop the other day, I glanced up to see the continuous play of some of my family’s vacation pictures on my PCs screen saver. Flashing on the screen that particular day were the above pictures taken of me swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

The pictures caught my eye because I was really captivated by my unrestrained smile. My day suddenly came to a stop as the thought struck me, “What caused that unrestrained smile? And, what would happen if I lived my whole life in the same frame of mind I had when the pictures were taken?”

In order for you to understand the full impact of that question, I’ve written below some of the thoughts causing my unrestrained smile, and how they apply to my life now.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “This is THE amazing and huge Mediterranean Sea and I am swimming in it; it is truly a gorgeous sea, surrounded by towering, beautiful mountains.”

Application to my current life: Truly, life itself is a “huge sea”, and the mere fact that I am swimming in the sea of life causes me to stop and think. This is a big world, and there are people dying (physically, spiritually, and mentally) all around me; then, there is the economy, which is causing its share of virtual “deaths” every day. Yet, here I am, swimming in this vast “sea” of life; and I am above water, not drowned, but still up and swimming vigorously – isn’t that very fact worth a pause in my day? I know that you are also a survivor in some way, shape, or form; why not stop your day right now, and reflect on how grateful you are that you are even alive?

Further, I asked myself, what if I was to look at each day as though I am surrounded by a gorgeous sea and surrounding mountains? Let me explain…

For me, the towering mountains are symbolic of my amazing brothers and father, who have strength of heart and soul, and are always there for me; the gorgeous sea is like my beautiful sisters and mother, who are endless in their loveliness, steadiness, and depth, and who allow me to “swim” through their lives on a daily basis. What are the mountains and sea in your own life for which you can pause a moment today and be thankful for?

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “My brothers and sisters are here with me in the Mediterranean Sea, and this is a moment we will remember for the rest of our lives.”

Application to my current life: The experience of being in that sea was an immensely unique – almost surreal – experience, and I was sharing it with those who I loved most on this whole earth. As the pictures flashed across my screen, I had to pause while I was struck with the fact that I have the opportunity to daily experience my life with those I love the most – my siblings and my parents. Every day, I can take each moment I’m living, and appreciate it as its own unique experience, while sharing it with those I love.

No matter what you’re facing in your life right now, no matter how busy you may be, take the time to really appreciate the moments in your day with those people in your life that mean the most to you, and really capture in your heart what is happening right now.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “My God is pretty good to me that He’d give me this moment in time to cherish.”

Application to my current life: I didn’t get to that moment in the Sea all through my own efforts; indeed, I believe in an omnipresent God, the Creator of the Universe, my Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who brought me through all the good times and bad, to that one specific point in my life where I was able to have the privilege of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea; and it is He who brings me to each specific moment I have every day. I encourage you to take a moment today and thank God for where you are in your life right now; even if you are facing difficult times, because, somewhere, on the other side of this difficult time, there is a “Mediterranean Sea swimming” experience.

On my mind while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea: “I didn’t get here without intense, hard work – literal sweat, blood, and tears.”

Application to my current life: I wasn’t able to experience an extraordinary moment like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea because I was handed life on a silver platter; rather, I, and others throughout my life, poured blood, sweat, and tears into my life in order for me to even get half way across the world, let alone swim in that sea. For years, my family and I worked together to create companies from scratch, and then grew the companies to their success by putting our all into the effort. In order for me to experience that intense moment of joy in the Sea, my family and I had to make many sacrifices, and disregard many naysayers.

As I looked at the pictures, I thought to myself that one doesn’t get anywhere in life without that kind of sacrifice in some way, shape, or form. I then started thinking about what sacrifices I can make today, and in what areas of my life, so that I can experience that same depth of joy. I encourage you to ask yourself what sacrifices you need to make in your own life in order to get to the places in your life where you desire to be.

Until next time,

Josephine

 

My Interview on CBN News

Big news: This morning, I was interviewed by CBN News via Skype; the interview will be aired on CBN News Online between 12-4 ET today.  The interview is featured on the front page of their Finance section: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/.  The direct link to the interview is as follows: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2009/July/Expert-Women-Are-Great-Business-Owners/

 

Press Releases Page Updated

I’ve brought on some new PR clients.  I love the PR field, and am enjoying wearing the press agent hat.  I just uploaded some new Press Releases I’ve sent on behalf of one of my clients.  These releases, which have been very successful for my client, can be found at the following link: http://josephinenicholas.wordpress.com/press-releases/

 

Are You in the Right Room?

I’ve had many memorable experiences throughout my travels across the world. One particular memory always makes me laugh.

It was a couple years ago, I was with my family at one of our CMPS Live! Events.

We generally host our events at hotels and our attendees rent rooms at the same hotel.  To show their appreciation to us for the business we give them, the hotels generally give our family three hotel suites at the same price of a normal sleeping room.  The suites are normally each on a different floor and we always gather in one suite at the end of each day to recap the day’s happenings. 

The particular night of my story, we had decided to meet in my parents’ suite.  I informed everyone I was going to run to my room, change to my pajamas, and then meet them in my parents’ suite. Everyone else continued on to my parents’ room.

When we know we’re gathering, it’s customary for us to leave the bolt on the hotel room door open, in order to block the door from closing.  Then, when the last person enters the room, they shut the door completely and lock the door. This way, we don’t have to constantly get up to open the door for everyone who comes to the room.

It was a long day, so, after getting into my pajamas, I took my time walking down the hotel’s fifth floor hallway, where my parent’s suite was located.

Upon finding my parent’s room, with the door open as always, I walked in with my head bent in thought.  As I entered the room, I turned around, faced the door, shut it, locked the bolt on the door – and turned around towards the room to find I was smiling at a middle aged man whom I didn’t know.  This man was on the bed, reading.  I quickly realized this was not my parents’ room and I had entered the wrong room!

The man on the bed looked up at me, with his reading glasses halfway down his nose, and didn’t say a word.  I immediately started walking backwards, towards the door, repeatedly saying, “I’m so sorry, wrong room…so, so sorry sir…I’m so sorry…” I reached behind me, while still facing him, and unbolted the door; I then opened the door, backed out slowly, never stopping my constant babbling of, “I’m so sorry, sir.”  The man on the bed never said a word, just kept staring at me, shocked and flabbergasted by me, the crazy lady, walking into his room uninvited. I just kept backing out, until – finally – I was out of there; leaving the bolt open just as it was prior to my entrance.

Needless to say, I’ve never lived down that situation. 

Whenever I tell this story, I think to myself how much that situation is such an analogy to my life.  Let me tell you how…

In many instances throughout my business and personal life, I have entered “rooms” (places, situations, relationships) that I don’t belong in, simply because all the signs pointed to the fact that it was the correct room.  I have literally entered “rooms” and then later realized I didn’t belong there, because I was not paying full attention to where I was and into what room I was entering.  Can you relate to that?

I’ve also considered that my entering a wrong room on occasion has not only affected me, but has also affected the others who are watching me enter the room – or even those in the room.  For example, I later found out this man in the room was married with three children – well, imagine the reaction of his wife if she had seen me entering or exiting that room in my pajamas!  How have I affected others by entering or exiting an area where I didn’t belong in the first place?

What about the reasons I entered that room?  My reasons weren’t fundamentally wrong; I mean, I wasn’t purposely trying to enter an area where I didn’t belong.  However, it was a long day, and I had let my defenses down, becoming quite relaxed. I think I oftentimes enter into a situation where I don’t belong – not because I am purposely trying to do something wrong, but because my defenses are down.  I sometimes think I’m in a safe spot, or that I’m in complete control of myself and my situation – when, in reality, I am just about to enter the “wrong room”. Can you relate to that?

If you can relate to these things, then, next time you’re ready to enter into a situation or “room”, remember to check yourself – make sure it’s the right room, a place where you know you belong.

Until next time,

Josephine

 

Jacksonville Business Journal Features Article for Published Daily

The Jacksonville Business Journal picked up my article about entrepreneurs and featured it as a guest column in their May 1-publication.

Here is the copy of the article:

 

It can also be found at the following link: http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/05/04/smallb5.html

Until next time,

Josephine

 

The Mel Robbins Radio Show Live Interview for Published Daily

I did a live interview today with a nationally syndicated radio show, The Mel Robbins Show:

(http://www.MelRobbins.com) about the latest Published Daily Press Release I sent out, which you can find at:

(http://josephinenicholas.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/4-7-09top5reasonsentrepreneurswillsucceedinthisrecession.pdf).

You can find a copy of the Radio Show interview at the following link: http://www.box.net/shared/od5ld481cg.

Until next time,

Josephine

 

Australian Radio Interview for Published Daily

I did a live interview today with Australian Radio show, The Mike Jeffrey’s Show: (http://www.radio2cc.com/content/view/30/56/) about the latest Published Daily Press Release I sent out,

(http://josephinenicholas.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/4-7-09top5reasonsentrepreneurswillsucceedinthisrecession.pdf).

You can find a copy of the recording at the following link: http://www.box.net/shared/hrrnhve4t7

Until next time,

Josephine

 

PR Page Updated and PD Newsletter Link

I wrote and sent a new Press Release for Published Daily and Party with a Purpose for Lebanon – I’ve added both of those Releases to my Press Releases Page, which can be found at this link:

http://josephinenicholas.wordpress.com/press-releases/

Also, check out my Published Daily Newsletter at the following link:

http://www.publisheddaily.com/newsletter/josephinenicholas.

A new personal blog entry coming soon.

Until next time,

Josephine