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Copa Style Magazine
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  • FASHION
    • TROY ANTHONY BY KRISTINA CHRISTOPHER
    • GRACE LEMON BY KRISTINA CHRISTOPHER 1/16/23
    • LIZETH ALVARADO GATSBY SHOWCASE 2022
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS GATSBY 2022
    • DR. MOBI 12/30/22
    • CHIC NOUVELLE MODEL MANAGEMENT
    • LAURA FOTE THE GATSBY FOUNDATION 2022
    • KRISTINA CHRISTOPHER 12/23/22
    • JAY MARTINEZ, WINNER "2022 WORLD TOP MODEL DMV-USA
    • LEZLIE DAY REPORTS ON THE GATSBY SHOWCASE FASHION SHOW
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS REPORTS ON THE GATSBY SHOWCASE 2022
    • GAYLA BYNUM DAVID YURMAN FASHION SHOW PART 2
    • DR. MARCHETTE LOCKETTE-SMITH INTERVIEW 12/18/22
    • DR. MARCHETTE LOCKETTE - SMITH "WIGS"
    • CULTURA FASHION SHOW 11/21/22
    • JENNIFER WAKFIELD USOA PAGENT 10/25/22
    • LIZETH ALVARADO EPIC BEAUTY Rx
    • MARTINA MYERS 10/27/22 WORLD TOP MODEL 2022
    • SOBEIDY VIDAL LATIN FASHION WEEK 10/11/22
    • raMONA DESIGNS
    • AUTHENTIC BEAUTIES 10/30/22
    • DMV FASHION WEEK 2022
    • CARLA DIAZ DELEON 10/12/22
    • KALENA EVERETT
    • LAVISH CROWN PRODUCTS (CHINA WILSON)
    • ANDRES AQUINO (DESIGNER)
    • Jana Love Sedlokova & Lamont Easter HOSTS OF WE MODEL USA 5/16/22
    • PATRICIA WATTS & PHOENIX WEMODEL USA
    • ARETHA BAILEY (REE REE THE MODEL)
    • AMARIS JANELLE (MODEL)
    • YANA ZIOLKOWSKI
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS (INTERVIEW) 4/28/22
    • CRYSTAL NICOLE
    • JEANANNE ROBERTS 3/28/2022
    • SIMON BECHARA 4/1/22
    • CARLA DIAZ DELEON
    • YOLANDA STENNETT MRS. INTERNATIONAL
    • MARQUISHA FITZGERALD
    • MARQUISHA FITZGERALD
    • MAQUISHA FITZGERALD
    • MARTINA MYERS TEEN FASHION CORRESPONDENT
    • JORDAN WILDER
    • CINTIA HULLEN 1/20/22
    • PRESHANT GOYAL HERITAGE INDIA FASHIONS
    • SAVANNAH RABIN (WORLD TOP MODEL DMV WINNER)
    • CRAIG KELLEY (MODEL) 12/31/21
    • ROWENA KAY (CHIC NOUVELLE MODEL MANAGEMENT)
    • JOSIE VALDEZ 12/27/21
    • CYNTHIA JOHNSON
    • GATSBY SHOWCASE AT THE MANDARIN HOTEL (DC)
    • MALCOLM STAPLES 10/21/21
    • RONKE OGUNMOKUN
    • MIRANDA FRAZIER
    • JENNIFER ZIEGELBAUER, MODEL
    • PATRICIA WATTS WORLD TOP MODEL 11/6/21
    • CINTIA HULLEN MODEL CORRESPONDENT
    • TATIANA COLE PART 1
    • MYLANTA SIMPSON
    • JUDITH BARNES
    • CYNTHIA JOHNSON MODEL 9/25/21
    • WILLIAM CALLWOOD
    • CARLTON HART 8/15/21
    • BLAQUE BARBIE BOUTIQUE
    • JACQUELINE MIMS
    • CHEYANNE JENNAE 8/22/21
    • MYRNA (HAZELEYES) PITTS 6/4/21
    • SHOE FANATIC by SHEILA
    • CYNTHIA JACKSON
    • ANYA BY VIVIEN BRIDAL 2021
    • SHENETTA MALKIA 5/15/21
    • YELENA'S MAKEUP COLUMN: "A CINDERELLA STORY" 4/10/21
    • VASHTI GRAY BURGESS 4/23/21
    • MOZELLA PLACE 4/21/21
    • YELENA SCHEIDLER
    • LASHANDA THURSTON (SHANDA GRAND) 4/21/21
    • SAMRINA LEM LEM
    • ULYCIA GREGORY
    • ROWENA KAY (MODEL MANAGEMENT)
    • SABRINA SEOUL "YING YANG LEATHER SWING COAT" 2/8/21
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 3/19/15
    • SARA BEE
    • BRINETTE (ALCHEMY CLOTHING
    • LUPITA ANEZ "2020 MODEL OF THE YEAR" 11/17/20
    • NISHA SHETH MUMBAI BOUTIQUE
    • NAKIA HARDY
    • NADIA NALIINI NEUBERT
    • TATIANA COLE DESIGNS
    • SABRINA SEOUL "STYLE" COLUMN 12/7/20
    • HEAVEN HIGHTOWER
    • DEBRA STORY
    • CONSTANCE BELL
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 3)
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 2)
    • SELAMAWIT YIRGA
    • CYNTHIA PRESS "Le Billet D'or"
    • LISA BUSH 7/10/2020
    • SABRINA SEOUL (Part 1)
    • HOPEZ
    • MRS. SABRINA KAS FLANAGAN
    • MALCOLM STAPLES 5/29/20
    • DELTA VIRTUAL FASHION SHOW
    • NICOLE DANIELLE 8/12/20
    • LIZ NGUYEN'S INTERVIEW WITH COPA STYLE MAGAZINE
    • TONYA BROUGHTON 3/6/20
    • ANYA BY VIVIEN 4/14/20
    • CARLA FELIX-CLAURE
    • DANIELE COOKE
    • MIKELL REED CARROLL AT MILAN FASHION WEEK 3/6/20
    • SYDNEY WEBB TEEN MODEL
    • ALYSSHA SHANKS 3/8/20
    • LORD & TAYLOR (DC) HOST DELTA SIGMA THETA INC. FASHION SHOW/FUNDRAISER
    • RONALD BYRD DCFW 2020
    • BEHIND THE SCENES AT NYFW WITH HiTech MODA
    • TORI SOUDAN FOOTWEAR
    • MICHELLE WISEMAN
    • COPA STYLE MAGAZINE SALUTES GAYELA BYNUM AT LORD & TAYLOR
    • SHEKIRA RAMDASS
    • ZJAY KAYCI
    • MAYA CLARK
    • SABRINA YOUNG
    • PARIS FASHION WEEK 2020
    • LIZ NGUYEN
    • MELVIN LEE WALKER
    • HAITI ESTELLHOMME
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON
    • RONALD BYRD DCFW
    • LISA BUSH DCFW 10/9/19
    • STEPHANIE WHITE NYFW/THE POWER OF FASHION
    • RENEE ALLEN HOSTS THE "POWER OF FASHION" SHOW
    • EAN WILLIAMS: THE UNTOLD STORY
    • DUR DOUX
    • TREMAINE POLLYDORE
    • DUR DOUX PART 2
    • BUSINESS OF FASHION
    • CALI TYLER
    • SAROSH TAKES FOCUS ON FASHION AT THE TOWER
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON
    • CLYOPATRA COUTURE
    • DELL SCOTT
    • IFEOMA ONYIA DMV FASHION WEEK
    • JANELLE JOHNSON 6/30/19
    • RICHARD SENKBILE
    • LENZI BAZAAR (PHOTOGRAPHER) TAKES FOCUS ON COPA STYLE MAGAZINE'S 8TH ANNIVERSARY FASHION SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR
  • EVENTS
    • GAYELA BYNUM: DAVID YURMAN FASHION SHOW TO BENEFIT WWSC
    • JENNIFER WAKFIELD "SINGLES IN THE CITY"
    • DR. SOY RICHARDS "TEACHER FESTIVAL"
    • DMV FASHION WEEK 2022
    • TICKET FOR COPA STYLE MAGAZINE BLACK TIE AWARDS AT UNION STATION
    • SYLVIA TRAMORE MORRISON PORTRAYS JACKIE MOMS MABLEY
    • FELICIA'S FUND, VIVIEN ANYADUBA AGBAKOBA - FOUNDER
    • FOXTRAPPE REUNION 2019
    • KAREN MARIA ALSTON COVERS THE DAVID CHAPPELL PRIVATE AFTER PARTY
    • DC SWIM WEEK 2019
    • GEORGETOWN FASHION SHOW 2019
  • CUISINE
    • JESSE SEWARD CHEF EXTRAORDINAIRE
    • JEMMALYN HEWITT
    • LOUBNA ENNADIR "Thermomix"
    • UTOKIA LANGLEY
    • GRACE COLLINS INTERVIEWS PACO CARRASCO
    • SWAHILI VILLAGE
    • JENISE'S KITCHEN AND WWSC CELEBRATION OF LIFE EVENT 2019
  • CULTURE
    • SISTERS 4 SISTERS NETWORK INC. 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
    • BARRY MORGENSTEIN 10/20/22
    • CHRISTIE BYNUM (WE WILL SURVIVE CANCER)
    • GIGI RILEY 7/26/22
    • MICHELLE VAN HAAS FITNESS TRAINER
    • ERIKA TEMPRO DETOX MESSAGE
    • CONVERSATIONS WITH MINGO 5/9/22
    • New Page
    • BELINDA QUEEN DISRICT 6 CANDIDATE PART 1
    • DERRICK CONYERS (SU'COY (PART 2)
    • THE COPA STORY
    • DANILA RODRIGUES FITNESS MODEL 1/4/22
    • KEN ROCHON, WWSC FUNDRAISER AT LAMBORGHINI
    • WALTER KIRKLAND 1/7/22
    • KEVIN WILLIAMS, 2020 "ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR"
    • ASK TIA! (TIA COLLINS ADVICE COLUMN) 12/16/21
    • LAVISH CROWN
    • JAS BOOTHE 11/16/2021
    • DERRICK CONYERS (SU'COY)
    • GWEN HURT
    • SIA M. FINOH 9/29/21
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD CELEBRITY POLO & JAZZ 7/19/21
    • GILDA SYMEONIDES
    • ARIANA VARGAS (BLACK BARBIE)
    • NANCY ALERT
    • CHINA WILSON ATTORNEY AT LAW
    • TRESSY SHEFFIELD
    • JULIANNA YATES
    • JILL BRADLEY
    • KEMBA
    • ALLISON SUTHERLAND
    • KAROLA CAVAGNA Scout & Cellar Wines
    • TIA COLLINS ("The Real Modes of DC"
    • RASHAD MUHAMMAD
    • KNOIR
    • JESSICA M. GRAHAM
    • ROBIN PHILLIPS
    • HOW MUCH DOES THAT DOG REALLY COST IN THE WINDOW?
    • YA MINKO
    • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA PART 2
    • ELIZABETH FELLOWS
    • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA
  • PEOPLE
    • CARA & WILLIAM WEDDING
    • RON WEST 1/17/2023
    • LEZLIE DAY COVERS WORLD TOP MODEL 2022
    • JENNIFER WAKEFIELD PAGEANTS - AN INSIDE LOOK 11/22/22
    • ANGELA KALENDER, HUMANITARIAN
    • DARRYL SIMS, PUBLISHER
    • NATAKI SUGGS
    • BARRY MORGENSTEIN 2
    • SISTERS 4 SISTERS 20TH ANNIVERSARY 12/12/22
    • DR. NIECY FUQUA 9/1/22
    • CYNDI-LOU CARSON, MODEL
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD 8/31/22
    • CECE ASHE ENTREPRENEUR
    • MUBASHER FAZAL (DR. MOBI)
    • DR. MARCHETTE LOCKETTE-SMITH
    • REARDON D. SULLIVAN FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
    • DR. RENEE ALLEN 10/5/22
    • CANDACE JOHNSON (MY DIAMONDS SHINE)
    • ALICIA PRYOR, DNA FINANCIAL
    • ANITA HOPE (DANCE INSTRUCTOR)
    • PAMELA R. BROWNE
    • ARETHA BAILEY
    • DR. ESSIE MCKOY 1/2/22
    • JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
    • CHRISTIE BYNUM WSSC
    • FLORENCE KING
    • REV. DR. D. AMINA B. BUTTS
    • WALA BLEGAY (DISTRICT 6 CANDIDATE)
    • ARIANA VARGAS TEEN MODEL 12/24/21
    • DR. BO BEST
    • JEMMALYN HEWLETT POOLSIDE COOKIN/WECARE
    • CHERYL SHIVER 9/18/21
    • Untitled
    • ALLISON SUTHERLAND 8/3/21
    • DR. JAI 8/21/21
    • LORI CONWAY RAY
    • ANGELEE L. ALSTON
    • DR. SARAH RENEE LANGLEY
    • TRAE MCLEAN
    • LAURA DORSEY
    • THE HUNGERFORDS, 2021 COUPLE OF THE YEAR
    • SYLVIA TRAMORE MORRISON PORTRAYS JACKIE 'MOMS" MABLEY 6/10/21
    • SUSAN YOUNG 4/10/21
    • KYMBERLY KNIGHTON TAX PROFESSIONAL
    • ALEXANDRA LEVINE 5/8/21
    • ALYSON WILLIAMS
    • JANETTE OBENSON-AROGUNDADE
    • PANDEE CHI
    • ALESHA BROWN
    • SHARON JACKSON BULLOCK "Embracing My Sexy Sixties"
    • SABRINA WOOTEN
    • DANA HICKS-HUNGERFORD 10/26/20
    • TIA COLLINS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
    • TAYLOR MADE
    • DIANA L. BROWN 10/19/20
    • FRONT ROW PHYLLIS
    • CHRISTINA BRICE
    • GAYELA BYNUM 7/8/20
    • JOAN ACHONG
    • MAYA CLARK "Indubitable Fitness" 8/10/20
    • SUSAN SMALLWOOD 7/24/20
    • DR. AVIS DEVEEVER
    • MIKELL 5/12/2020
    • THE SPECTRUM CIRCLE 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
    • ERANA & JAMES TYLER 2020 "COUPLE OF THE YEAR"
    • THE EUBANKS SIBLINGS
    • TAYSHA SHAW-DAVIS 5/30/20
    • CHELLY ROY
    • KATHI MUHAMMAD
    • JOHN WARDELL PHOTOGRAPHER
    • YOLANDA NELSON INTERVIEWS CHRIS THOMAS OF "RAP CITY"
    • TRACY LOVE 4/17/20
    • MICHELLE GREER 1/31/20
    • GWEN HURT SHOECRAZY WINE COMPANY
    • CHERYL SHIVER
    • CONNIE AMOS-PARSONS
    • DR. JOANNE CAREY VETERINARIAN
    • MIKELL REED CARROLL
    • SABRINA YOUNG
    • MAYA ROCKEYMOORE CUMMINGS
    • ANNA DEBOSE-HANKINS
    • GAIL KING 10/23/19 "All Roads Lead to Gratitude"
    • MARRIAGE CAN WIN
    • DR. RONNIE SIDDIQUE
    • JOAN ACHONG
    • SHARON PARKER
    • GAIL MARGARET KING
    • LEONARD DESHIELD
    • JANELLE JOHNSON 9/12/19
    • SETORIA
    • CARLA HOLMES COVER STORY
    • GIGI RILEY FOR MAYOR OF SEAT PLEASANT
    • EMMANUEL O. IRONO
    • SOFIA PELLEGRINO
    • KIMBERLY HICKMAN-BEY
    • MARGARET P. BEAN
  • JAZETTE
  • SOPHIA DAVIS
  • TIM BRADLEY
  • ALICE DOLL PART 2
  • THE REAL SOUTH AFRICA PART 2
  • GAYELA BYNUM AND WWSC'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
  • ALICE DOLL'S BEAUTY SHOW PART 1
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE 2019
  • KATRINA RAINEY
  • J. DE LOS SANTOS
  • RON COOKE
  • KAS FLANAGAN
  • SALOME AUTOLINO
  • NIKEA MARIE
  • DEBRA CHANDLER
  • LINKS LUNCHEON
  • WIPS UNSCRIPTED CHRONICLES
  • GRETA CHAPIN MCGILL 2/4/19
  • ERENA CHEBES
  • RICHARD FLEMMING
  • KEVIN GRANT
  • JAZETTE LANE-ENGLISH
  • HAZEL MITCHELL-BELL
  • CHEF MIA
  • LISA BUSH
  • GEORGE DINES
  • MARNIE IRENE JOPP 1/8/19
  • DR. RENEE ALLEN 2/10/19
  • SYLVIA TRAYMORE MORRISON 2/1//19
  • JIMMY LEE COMEDIAN
  • LAKESSHIA SLAUGHTER
  • MARK & KRYSTAL
  • DR. SHARON HARGRO PORTER
  • JANELLE JOHNSON 1/11/19
  • GIFT HUGHES
  • CARLTON HART PT 1
  • RYANN KELLY
  • FOCUSED MARRIAGES
  • CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
  • "GOSPELTEK"
  • VIVIEN ANYADUBA AGBAKOBA Part i
  • ANYA BY VIVIEN PT 2
  • CARLY MEEK (Cover Story)
  • JANELLE JOHNSON 10/22/18
  • HANNA JORDAN KENT
  • PATRICK AMARA
  • JESSICA SHIFFLETT
  • TRACY LOVE 9/12/18
  • BARRY FREEMAN
  • JANELLE JOHNSON
  • TRINA LOVE COVER STORY
    • MELANIE WEBB (PATE)
  • DANA DAYNE THE GIZ
  • ROSE HUNT
  • TRACY LOVE, IMAGE CONSULTANT
  • KENNEDY J GILBERTSON
  • TRINA LOVE
  • BILL HART TAKES FOCUS ON WEMODEL USA 2018
  • EMILY KENNERLY GONZAGA
  • Q ALLEN KING
  • CARLA
  • LIZ N
  • DR BERNIDA THOMPSON
  • MARNIE IRENE JOPP
  • MAIMAH KARMO
  • ANDREA ROANE PT I
  • JOSIE VALDEZ 7/8/18
  • YOLANDA & TARUS NELSON (STRIVE)
  • STEVEN GAFFNEY PART I
    • STEVEN GAFFNEY PART II
  • AMANDA LINTON 4/17/18
  • JAMAL ASHOUR
  • ANTWAIN DONTE' HILL
  • ROLL CALL CREW RCC
  • GAYELA BYNUM 1/6/18
  • JOSIE VALDEZ
  • MB DESIGN GALLERY
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE AWARDS LUNCHEON 2018
  • MICHAEL LOMBARD
  • THERESA R. PROCTOR
  • NEW YEAR NEW ENGAGEMENT STEPHANIE WHITE 3/19/18
  • MONICA JONES DESIGNER NANALOLA COUTURE
  • ANCA BALINISTEANU
  • CATHERINE MARIE
  • KAREN MARIA ALSTON 2/6/18
  • STEPHANIE WHITE 2/22/18
  • TERRI JONES 2/2/18
  • JULIAN BRITTANO
  • CHERYL SHIVER 2/17/18
  • DANA DAYNE 1/17/18
  • BRIAN BENSON ACTOR
  • MARK MCKINNON
  • DR. MELANYE MACLIN, M.D.
  • DORIS MCMILLON
  • AARON CROUCH
  • JACKIE HICKS
  • LISA SPODEN 12/1/17
  • ERICA MAHONEY 12/11/17
  • GAYELA BYNUM 12/1/17
  • ELSA W. SMITH ATTY.
  • ANTONIO MCKAY
  • SANDRA SANTIAGO, ACTRESS
  • LISA SPODEN 10/13/17
  • MILAN 10/18/17
  • MELANIE GAMBLE Pt. I
  • SSB CREATIONS
  • GAYELA BYNUM 10/13/17 MISS GLOBE
  • SUZETTE MANDULEY: CYBER TIPS 10/1/17
  • THE OVERDUE RECOGNITION ART GALLERY
  • DANE E. CONNER ACTOR
  • ELISABETH'S BOUTIQUE
  • MARTA BOTA 1/28/16
  • FACIALS 8/4/15
  • NAKIA WRIGHT 9/1/17
  • LISA SPODEN 9/1/17
  • LISA SPODEN
  • GAYELA BYNUM 8/25/17
  • TRACI FOWLKES
  • MARTA BOTA 8/25/17
  • RONKE 8/25/17
  • DAWN HARVEY
  • REGGIE BELL
  • DANA DAYNE 7/20/17
  • JOHN MENSAH
  • "STAR POWER 2017"
  • VIKKI JOHNSON 4/17/17
  • THE SAVVY FASHIONISTA
  • LOLLY'S LOCKS
  • THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC
  • DANA DAYNE 4/17/17
  • ARTYCE DOZIER 4/17/17
  • LAWANNA HARROD
  • FELICIA GRAY
  • MARTA BOTA 3/9/17
  • VIKKI JOHNSON "REMEMBER TO BREATHE"
  • PAMELA REAVES 2/16/17
  • CHRISTINA
  • MARTA BOTA 1/17/17
  • GUISELLE RL 1/13/17
  • CHERYL WOOD PT 1
  • CYRENE RENEE
  • STEPHANY DEBERRY
  • RENEE ALLEN 11/8/16
  • ASHLEY CLOUD: 6 GREAT TIPS TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL FASHION BRAND
  • JEREMEY PAUL
  • MELBA MOORE 9/25/16
  • JUDITH LEDBETTER
  • ANGELA STRIBLING
  • SERENE CREME
  • GAYELA BYNUM 7/12/16
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 6/19/16
  • MARTA BOTA 6/16/16
  • SOBE RESTAURANT
  • FOREVER MOORE
  • LATIN FASHION WEEK
  • TOURAINE LYNCH
  • We Will Survive Cancer honors Touraine Lynch as a 13 year Cancer survivor at a special Mardi Gras dinner at McCormick & Schmicks
  • DANA DAYNE 5/16/2016
  • MRS. DC AMERICA 2016
  • JOSEPH BRAXTON
  • GUISELLE RL
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 3/16/16
  • WARREN SHADD
  • SPECTRUM CIRCLE
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER 2/19/16
  • SYLVER LOGAN SHARP PT2
    • SYLVER LOGAN SHARP PART 1
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 2/7/16
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PART 4
  • KATYA AVDEEV
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 1/17/16
  • MARTA BOTA 12/24/15
  • ASHLEY IVEY
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 12/18/15
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 10/30/15
  • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PART 2
    • WARREN CHRISTOPHER PT 1
  • DANA DAYNE
  • SUSAN SMALLWOOD
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 10/12/15
  • SIMON BECHARA
  • MARTA BOTA 10/31/15
  • LEGAL TALK 9/29/15
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 9/21/15
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 9/22/15
  • MARTA BOTA 9/17/15
  • IRINA MOLOGOKO
  • PERNITHA TINSLEY 8/28/15
  • KEITH MIDDLETON Pt. 2
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS 8/29/15
  • WERNER WESSELS
  • VIZCAYA SWIMWEAR
  • TRU BLACK 8/21/15
  • 50+ AND FABULOUS
  • PAM REAVES 8/9/15 "THE WHOLE TRUTH"
  • BOB PAFF
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 8/6/15
  • FLAMINIA GARIONI
  • GAYELA BYNUM JUDGES THE MISS UNITED STATES PAGEANT
  • MICHELLE GREER 7/23/15
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA 7/23/15
  • BILL HART
  • PAGEANTRY 2015
  • A TRIBE CALLED FABULOUS
  • BRETT JOHNSON ATLANTA
  • LOVE OF DANCE
  • PAM REAVES 6/24/15
  • HAROLD HAYLEY
  • TALYA VIKRAM
  • BRETT JOHNSON
    • BRETT JOHNSON'S TRUNK SHOW AT NEIMAN MARCUS
  • SHERRON WASHINGTON
  • TINDERBOX
  • ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL Pt.2 w/ KIMBERCY MARIE 6/11/15
  • RICHARD WRIGHT
  • SHANDA SOFABULOUS
  • CASSIE GAINEY
  • MEKEDA
  • ASHLEY JEFFERSON
  • SASHA HAILEY
  • MARTA BOTA "FOUNDATION"
    • MARTA BOTA "BROWS"
  • PAM REAVES 4/17/15
  • MARCELLA MOLLON WILLIAMS. CREATING YOUR PERSONAL LEGACY DAY 4/17/15
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA "CONFIDENCE" 4/17/15
  • ATLANTA SPRING EVENTS!!!
  • ANN ATKINS
  • ALVIN JONES
  • KAREN ALSTON
  • HEATHER FRITCHLEY SHUE
  • AARON D. SPEARS
  • TribBey
  • VALERIA
  • PAM REAVES 1/4/15
  • MARTA BOTA, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES 3/4/15
    • MARTA BOTA'S BEAUTY TIPS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
  • KIMBERCY MARIE INTERVIEW
    • KIMBERCY MARIE
  • CHERISSA JACKSON
  • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 1/26/15
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE 1/21/15
    • INGRID CAMPBELL WHITE
  • BOB PAFF 2/25/16
  • ELENA
  • JENNIFER BRANDE
  • DARISE DEAL ON TWITTER
  • SEAN FOSTER
  • XMAS IN NEW YORK
    • MARTA BOTA BEHIND THE SCENES >
      • RED CARPET MAKEUP
      • MAKEUP MAGIC
      • MAKEUP FOR TRAVEL
  • HAYDEN
  • THE FASHIONABLE WORLD OF PAMELA REAVES
  • SARAH D. BELL
  • DUBAI
  • PREMIERE OF CITY OF LOST SOULS
  • JANA SEDLAKOVA
  • JEFF GALLO
  • GREGORY TAYLOR
  • FELICIA FLAHERTY
  • MICHAEL LILLY
  • METAMORPHOSIS
  • MONEY 10/7/14
  • MARSHA REEVES JEWS
  • PAMELA REAVES 10/7/14
  • SYLVIA TRAYMORE MORRISON
  • MONICA SCOTT HAYNES
  • PATTERNS 102
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In this hectic world we sometimes get caught up in all of the frantic action and not take time to stop for a minute to evaluate the situation so we can get back to finding a way to simply being happy.
Picture
Jana Sedlokova (Photo Credit: Mike Foster)

"A Happier You"

By Jana Sedlakova
Happiness is The Flow of Letting Go

 

We live in a world of constant pressure sorting through a lot of information everywhere we turn, at work or in our personal encounters. There are so many demands on us, which we must meet with very little time on hand. From our employer wanting higher productivity, to our households demanding our time and energy, our friends wanting to share with us their ups and downs, to even bigger demands from corporations trying to sell us their products. Stress is wearing off our mind and body as we try to keep up with every account subscription we have, every bill we need to pay, every event we have to plan, and every deadline we must meet. We might be questioning: where are the happy days?

 

With the push for individuality over the past few decades, our culture seems to turn people into stressed and disconnected human beings. We seem to have lost touch with ourselves, our inner joy, and our livelihood. We all want happiness but where do we find it? We often look for the outside word to give it to us, other people or things to entertain us and make us feel good. So we go to parties, or watch sitcom, or drink alcohol, chase celebrities, shop, overeat, take stimulant drugs, and so on. We rely on these external factors to bring us happiness, or to be exact, feel-good moments. But all these are temporary; as the stimulus wears off so does the happiness. And we are left feeling empty inside, looking for the next thing to bring back those feelings.

 

But what is happiness? Is there a type that doesn’t wear off? Is it possible to have a sense of happiness every day? Or is happiness only moments of fun and joy? If you google “happiness”, you will find a definition describing it as “a state of well-being and contentment”. Now, a good question to ask is: who or what is responsible for our contentment? 

 

For each of us, happiness means something different. One person may define it as spending time with family, another person may find happiness in eating chocolate, some are happy spending time in the nature or working out, others find happiness in animals, shopping, playing music, visiting historic sites in Europe, etc. We establish these “happiness triggers” earlier in life, mostly in childhood. When we saw something that made our parents or friends happy we conditioned ourselves to associate those things with happiness. For example, if your best friend growing up was always happy playing with her dog you would likely think of dogs as a source of joy and happiness too. These types of associations happen subconsciously and get imprinted in our brain through our observations. But if we reflect on our habits, we may realize that some of those things we consider to bring happiness don’t really work for us, it’s not who we really are. This reflection is the first step to self-discovery and this is where the key to real happiness lies.

 

When we detach ourselves from preconceived notions of what should bring us happiness, it opens up room for creating our own definition and understanding of happiness. Have you ever asked yourself what truly makes you happy? Sometimes we don't even know. We try to recall our happy states, usually related to other people or things. Does a new car make you happy? Should it? What is your definition of happiness? How do you feel when you are happy? Who creates your happiness? Now is a good time to take a pen and a paper and start writing. I encourage you to do this exercise because it will bring you a new perspective. Next, think about this: do you have a choice over your happiness? This is an important question because it will detach you from the subconscious reactions to the external factors. If you think you have a choice over producing your happiness, what are your choices? What actions can you take to create happiness? Is it buying a new couch, dating someone new, or getting a promotion? What if your happiness is not tied to these external factors? Can happiness be tied to yourself? What exactly about yourself can make you happy? These are questions that will open up your mind to new possibilities. So take some time, think, and write down your thoughts!

 

Research shows that we feel good when four types of chemicals are produced in our brain: dopamine, serotonin, endorphin, and oxytocin. For example: 1) Dopamine is produced when we achieve our goals; 2) Serotonin is produced when we feel important and appreciated by others; 3) Oxytocin is produced when we have trustworthy relationships and trust ourselves; and 4) Endorphin is produced when we are laughing or exercising. To feel happy and feel good, it is important to get a balanced dose of these chemicals in our brain. Here are a few quick tips how to get them.

 

Achievements: Yes, buying a new car can bring us happiness if we think of a new car as our achievement. Does it mean if we don’t get the car our life is unhappy? It doesn’t have to be. The good news is that our brain has incredible flexibility to rewire. We can shift our association of achievement away from a new car and choose different goals to achieve, such as volunteering, learning something new, making something, growing plants, or other simple joys you can achieve on your own. So think about it, what do you want your achievements to be? They can be small, simple goals that you can achieve every day, smile about it, and enjoy a flow of dopamine. 

 

Feeling Appreciated: Everyone wants to feel important and have a meaning in life. Some people find this in their children’s “I love you” or in an award at work or in a recognition for doing something good in the community. If you feel you are surrounded by people who don’t appreciate you, maybe it’s time to make new friends, get involved in a new volunteer group, change your job, find people who value your efforts. However, you can also change your thoughts on being appreciated. Instead of looking for others to appreciate you, you can appreciate yourself. When you are doing something great and you know it, give yourself a big thank you and feel how wonderful you are. Being appreciated by yourself is more important for your inner peace than being appreciated by others.

 

Relationships: This is probably what people struggle with most. Friendships, family, and romantic relationships always seem to involve emotional ups and downs, challenges, and disappointments. How can we improve them, what makes relationships good? We feel our first happy moments in childhood. When our parents smiled at us and held us close, we felt security and protection. We learnt to trust them, which generated the bonding hormone oxytocin in our brain and it felt good. As we grow up, we look for similar bonding in all our relationships so we can experience those good feelings again. When our trust is broken relationships hurt, because instead of producing oxytocin our brain produces pain hormones. The good news is that our thoughts can control that. We can react with anger, argument, name-calling, or even violence, which are all primitive hormone-driven emotional reactions. But this is where our brain can give us amazing power. Instead of emotional reactions, we can switch to the type of thoughts that will make us feel better. Do we really need to rely on people who betray our trust? Does reacting emotionally help the relationship? Should we set our expectations on others? Yes, it feels good to surround ourselves with people we can trust, but more importantly, we must trust ourselves. And in order to trust ourselves, we must build our independence and self-reliance. Practice it by making your own decisions rather than asking others, read and watch videos to improve your skills so you don’t have to rely on others. But also reevaluate if it’s time to let go of certain people and certain thoughts that make your happiness dependent on them.  

 

Healthy Lifestyle: It is not news that healthy eating and exercising are good for us. Realize what an amazing person you can be and are about yourself so much that you won’t let yourself become unhealthy. Take small steps to build habits of exercising regularly and not caring about pizza or burgers so much! Think of the function of eating as something that satisfy hunger and provides nutrients to our body. So get some green veggies and protein and fiber when you feel hungry. Sprinkle in a balanced level of positive music, laughter, and hobbies too to live a healthy life.

 

Our brain is always in charge. We know what works for us if we pay attention. And repetition of what is good for us will build good habits. We also need to revisit and reorganize the old, preconditioned thoughts and habits that hold us back from enjoying our present life because we filter the present moment through old information in our brain. Just like we empty a trash can, we need to empty our mind and throw away negative thoughts to make room for new learnings. You are either the creator or the victim of your reality, and the choice is yours. The choice is about how we build out brain.

 

Being alive and experiencing life is an amazing miracle and our journey can be a fun adventure of figuring out its lessons. If we can sustain the flexibility of our brain to take each experience as a building block of our life rather than a cause of our troubles, we will never get bored learning new things. Happy people see the good even in the most difficult situations and challenges. They always stay on the side of positivity even though they have the choice of complaining and being unhappy. But they choose to learn even from the toughest times because life gives us exactly the type of experiences we need to learn something we didn’t know. So choose not to live in a muddy state of mind. Rather, appreciate every experience and ask what you can learn from it. In fact, make learning and self-improvement a lifelong goal to achieve. You will have many learnings and achievements along the way. And while doing that, play the song we all hear on the radio nowadays; go ahead and sing along to the uplifting music and lyrics:

 

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you

 

Sing in the face of challenges and learn to dance in the storm. Keeping yourself positive and grounded, trusting yourself, and seeking to learn from every experience is the way to reshaping your brain for good. Let go of the memories, things and people who are not contributing to your happiness. Stop repeating the type of thoughts that generate pain hormones in your brain. Clean up your mind and switch from complaining to doing and learning, because learning is fun! Over time, our experiences literally reshape our brain and change our nervous systems. We can cultivate this plasticity of the brain and shape it with positive experiences and positive thoughts so we get more of the pleasure-producing chemicals in our brain. We have the choice to be the creators of our lives and our own happiness! So create more of what is good for you by evaluating your thoughts, your reactions, your habits, and how they came to be. Then recreate your mind and watch your life blossom! You deserve to be happy and it is in your hands.

 

 

 

 

By: Jana Sedlakova, Founder of YouSuccessfulYou

For personal coaching, please contact me at info@yousuccessfulyou.com

www.yousuccessfulyou.com

 

~Copa