Mood Making 101

Written By: Saeeda Ruffin

Life happens, and when it does, you may find yourself kind of deep in your feelings. T here are times when you just feel less than wonderful and need a bit of an attitude or outlook adjustment. Queens go through sometimes, too. You feeling this, Boo? The thing to remember is that while it is alright to hit a bump, you don’t want to stay down or let that bump derail your life and intentions. If you feel that happening, Sis, get yourself back right with the quickness! Let the Izzy and Liv masterclass on creating a positive mood help you to refocus and pull your spirits all the way up. Welcome to Mood Making 101...

Listen

Turn that thing around with the right tunes. Music soothes the soul and can melt away stress and anything that puts you in a funk. It’s almost like magic, for real. Sis, you don’t need a whole bunch of people. You can get lit all by yourself! These four favorite songs will have you jammin’ and squashing any negativity that comes your way:

• Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder
• Run The World (Girls) by Beyonce
• I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
• I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston

Watch

Plant seeds of success in your own mind. Watch as the sistas in these four movies win, win, and win some more. Yes, they go through some tough spots along the way. But, they don’t stop, and neither will you. These films will put a warm feeling in your heart and a smile on your face. Sis, go on and use your Izzy and Liv diary to take a few notes (to reflect on later) as you feast on these cinematic gems:

• Queen of Katwe
• Hidden Figures
• Sarafina!
• Sylvie’s Love

Read

5MARCH 2021Build yourself up by grabbing a hold of a great book. These four books could be instrumental in bringing things into perspective in your life with their positive and mind-shaping messages. Through the pages of these books, you will learn lessons of resilience and perseverance from our beautiful ancestor and legend Cicely Tyson and from the amazing Michelle Obama. Shonda Rhimes and Adeline Bird will give you the ammunition that you need to blast away self-doubt as they encourage you to celebrate the fabulous person that YOU ARE. Sis, grab your Izzy and Liv booklight, and start your reading regime with your very own copy of Just As I Amby Cicely Tyson, both of which are included in this month’s Brown Sugar box. You’re winning already! Here are the other three titles that you will totally want to devour:

• Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
• Becoming: Michelle Obama by Michelle Obama
• Be Unapologetically You by Adeline Bird 

These tools are proof positive of the power of words, thoughts, and music. Use them to positively impact your mood and your life. Class is adjourned!