Tag Archives Oprah

Take That, Mrs. No-Target

Years ago, I volunteered on the entertainment sub-committee for my job’s annual summer party. One of my tasks involved coming up with giveaway prize ideas: a few high-value “grand” prizes, and enough door prizes so that almost everyone left a winner.

Before purchasing the prizes, my committee shared our ideas with the larger planning group. The list included gift cards from Target as a few of the door prizes.

One of the alcohol sub-committee members wrinkled her face at the mention of Target.

“Target? Ha! Does anyone shop at Target? Do you think anyone’s gonna want that? I don’t even know where a Target is!”

Everyone fell silent. Even the crickets in the potted plants went mute.

Does anyone shop at Target? Is she for real? It’s only one of the most popular superstores in the country. Where she been?

Raffle Tickets Photo cr: Alyson Hurt, flickr.com | The Girl Next Door is Black
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Around the conference table, people hid grins and stifled chuckles as Mrs. “I don’t even know where a Target is” scanned the room looking for validation and found none.

Finally someone piped up:

“Uh, yeah. shop at Target. I love Tar-zhay! Who doesn’t?”

A woman from the food committee added, “I go to Target  for ONE THING and I always leave with 10 other things I’m not even sure I need. They just have good stuff!”

Heads nodded.

It’s relevant to mention that Mrs. No-Target lives in a posh area of Los Angeles, near the beach in a spectacular home with a long winding driveway. L.A. has no fewer than 10 Targets. They are kind of hard to miss. Maybe she never has to leave her compound. Perhaps she has staff who take care of menial duties like shopping at discount stores. Is that what it’s like to have serious money? You don’t have to bother with knowledge of plebeian shopping centers?

It reminded me of Oprah, when she taped a camping episode of her show, and her amazement at discovering the existence of REI. She couldn’t believe an entire store dedicated to recreational equipment and sporting goods existed. I love Oprah, it’s an REI, not a cat café.

In the end, we gave away several Target gift cards at the party. The recipients loved them! One even did a little jig. At least that’s how I choose to remember it. Take that, Mrs. No-Target!

As a thank you to all of my readers – the loyalists, the newbies and everyone in between – I have partnered with several other bloggers to offer you the opportunity to enter to win a Target gift card of your very own! Thank you for your comments, encouragement and kind words, readers!

Giveaway ended 4/8/15

Target Giveaway March 2015 Banner from The Girl Next Door is Black

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: $400 Target Gift Card

Co-hosts: Jenn’s Blah Blah BlogMemoirs of a Clueless WomanThe Nerdy FoxTaffeta & TulipsDressing DallasMichigan Saving and MoreAllisonleighann.Simply StineThe Fashion Stir FryJ. FrancesPeanut Butter and WhineTheItMom.comThe Girl Next Door is BlackHere We Go Again Ready •  Artwork by JMA Medic’s WorldChasing My HaloVirtually Yours

Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck! (Please email becky@ohmygoshbeck.com with any questions.)

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 4/8 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

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Being Kind to Myself

We all have our moments of doubt, where we feel like we’re not good enough or pretty enough or whatever-it-is enough. This starts so early, this self-doubt. It becomes like a shadow that follows us around to rain on our parade from time-to-time. Trip us up. Cause us grief.

Sometimes we spend too much energy focused on what we don't like about ourselves, and not enough considering the positive. Here's what happened when I made it a focus to give the latter a try. | Read more on The Girl Next Door is Black
I wrote myself a cheesy love letter
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I decided rather than doing what is all-too-easy and focusing on what I don’t like about me, I’d take some time to think about what I do like.

I took an objective view (as much as this is possible) and considered what other people see when they meet me. How my friends feel when they are around me. What my dad thinks when he sees the woman I am now. What my younger sisters think when they think of their big sister. I’m someone’s aunt.

I wrote an ode to myself. I wrote about all the traits, qualities, experiences and inherent me-ness that makes me Keisha. As I reread it, I finished with, “You are beautiful.” And I believed it.

Of course, this is nothing new or groundbreaking. We’re told all the time to love and appreciate ourselves. But, this time, I wasn’t just repeating an empty mantra after watching a very inspirational episode of Oprah. I meant it.

I took the time to assess who I really am and how far I’ve come, and in the end concluded that I have a lot to be proud of, grateful for and to like about myself. I truly like who I am, the good, the bad and the shameful. I’ll never be perfect, as hard I may try, but I think this woman full of imperfections is pretty cool.

Try it. I’m curious to hear your results.