As women of color, we do it all.  We are mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, cousins, aunts, girlfriends, and friends.  All of this, while having careers, holding down the household, and taking care of the ones we love.  As if we were Superwoman, we tend to take it upon ourselves to do it all!  Even though, while doing this, we neglect ourselves.

In education for about 14 years, Chrishirella has graduate degrees in educational leadership, and her work is based on working with young people in grades K-12; something she loves. 

It was an unexpected bout with fibroids that woke her up and made her realize that she needed to pay more attention to her health.  “When I had those fibroid tumors, it scared me to pieces!”  Now, she makes sure that she does what she has to do to prevent those fibroids from coming back.  She takes a shitake mushroom extract and certain herbs on a regular basis, but it’s the frame of mind that’s most important for her.  Addressing her whole self; mind, body and soul, is what has helped

Mind – Every morning Chrishirella wakes up and meditates on an affirmation.  She finds something that speaks to her and takes hold of it and meditates on it.  It’s what helps get her day going. “It helps me to focus my day, it quiets my thoughts,” she explained.  “Because when you wake up in the morning, you’re thinking about the millions of things that you have to do.”

Taking care of her mind is one way that Chrishirella relieves stress.  Spoiling herself is another.  Whether it’s going to the movies by herself or indulging in a luxurious bubble bath, this diva loves doing her and spoiling herself.  She doesn’t expect others to treat her to those special things; she does it for her!  She even has a little acronym for stress:

It’s a

Sister’s

Time to

Rejuvenate,

Exfoliate those negatives, and get in the

Spirit of

Self!

Body – Not only does girlfriend take care of her mind, but she’s exercises to take care of her body.  Chrishirella has been doing Fat Burning Pilates for four or five years. “Its high energy and then I can do the routine!  I don’t feel like I have two left feet!” she laughed.  Chrishirella also makes sure that she eats the right foods. The vegetarian is now incorporating raw foods into her diet.  She credits her vegetarian mother for making sure that she knew the value of nourishing her body with good food.

Soul –

The most important friend that Chrishirella keeps close is God.  She grew up knowing to ask the Lord to give her strength. The power of prayer and the fact that she allows God to order her steps is what keeps her spiritually healthy.  “I am very aware of the Creator and the power of the Creator.  I recognize that and that’s where I get my strength,” she said.

At the end of the day, Chrishirella Warthen uses the analogy of a flower to describe herself.  “I like to be in bloom!  I love me when I’m radiant!”  Radiant she is and this diva knows what she’s got to do to keep blooming.  Because for her, everything is in divine order.  When asked to give our girlfriends some advice, the answer that resonated the most was:  “As sisters, we are queens and we need to act, speak, and behave in that way towards ourselves and each other.”