Tyra talk to us about what you do professionally, your bis-nistry (busines + ministry) if you will, how you got there and a bit about your busy, personal life as well.
I am the founder of Inspired Life. As a speaker and writer it is my mission to inspire hearts to live FULLY by delightfully obeying God, embracing the now moment and honoring the temple. I carry this out through sharing weekly on my blog and facilitating workshops and seminars. Being TOTALLY well, mind, body and spirit is my heart’s desire for everyone. I believe we are well mentally when we embrace the now moment, are well spiritually when we are in align with God and obey Him and are well in the body when we eat right, exercise and get proper rest. I used to be a corporate facilitator for a Fortune Top 20 Company but when I became a mother, I decided to put the corporate climb on hold to serve my family and I haven’t looked back since. I am also the Director of the Homemakers Ministry at my church where I encourage women to abide in Christ so they can effectively run their homes while ensuring proper self-care, ministering to their families and serving in their communities. All that being said my 1st job is that of Home Executive. I am a full-time mom to 5 children ages 12 and under and married to my “Boo” & college sweetheart for 16 years. I love me some him!
Tell us more about how each inspires you?
Any time I have the opportunity to follow through on what God has called me to do I am inspired. I am an encourager by nature so when I can deposit a seed of hope in an overwhelmed mother or share basic steps on how to begin eating healthy to an overworked manager, my heart is overcome with joy.
How would you explain the role of faith in your professional life?
For me the two are seamless. My faith is what compels me to do what I do. It is my faith that empowers me to do what I do given the demands of being a full-time mother, wife, ministry leader, speaker and blogger. So any professional opportunities that are afforded to me, I know are the result of my faith in action.
You certainly have a lot going on, so how do you manage and a maintain balance in the various aspects of your life -personal and professional- along with your relationship with God?
For me my whole life is lived in service to God so I do not separate the two. If I’m teaching a group of children about healthy eating or teaching a group of parents in a local school about motivating their children, it is all in service to God. My life is a life of full time service. I keep it all balanced by being obedient to exactly what God has called me to do. God has gifted me in other areas I could pursue and actually thrive in but if an assignment doesn’t directly align with my calling, I have to politely decline. I know this has helped me stay balanced and I’m able to best serve those I’ve been called to serve. Sometimes we scatter ourselves too far and wide when we’d have a greater impact if we focused our time, energy, efforts, talents and resources into the area we’ve been called.
What advice can you offer others who have similar interests in what you do, but don't have a lot of time because of other responsibilities or they just need some help getting started?
As a speaker and writer my advice would be to stay true to your unique voice. While we can try to emulate other engaging speakers or use lyrical prose like other writers, we would do a great disservice to ourselves, our community and to God by being like someone else. We’ve all been wired to deliver information in a way that is true to our makeup, life experiences, etc., it is only when we speak and write from this space that we can truly be effective in reaching those we’ve been called to reach. And specifically as it relates to time, I would say to examine how you spend your time. Ask God to show you the windows of opportunity to accomplish that which you’ve been called to do. If God is calling you to do something, He will show you when and how to get it done, but it DEMANDS DISCIPLINE on your part to carry out the work. I truly believe most people don’t have a time issue as we’re all given 1440 minutes a day.I think we have a time management issue, which requires discipline.
Just a few of Tyra's home-prepared plant-based dishes - looks so delicious and the presentation is wonderful! I say she should add chef and food stylist to her repertoire, as well!
Tell me about the any challenges you’ve faced, how you've endured and what keeps you committed to your assignment?
Enduring a tumultuous childhood equipped me from a young age to be resilient. From witnessing drug abuse as a child to losing a parent at a young age, I’ve had to overcome many hurdles. Even in adulthood, I’ve had to conquer feelings of abandonment and questioning if I’ve lived up to my potential. What drives me daily is living a life of thanksgiving. I’m so grateful that I can see God ordering my steps. I’m grateful for a husband who knows me, understands me, supports my vision and loves me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage and motivate my children and the people I’ve been called to serve. Being thankful and knowing I’m blessed compels me to pay it forward to keeps me wedded to what I do.
So let's move on and chat about style! Which clothing designers do you prefer? Any particular vendors or stores you lean toward and if so, why? Are there any new trends or concepts in fashion that’s piqued your interest?
I’d call my style Classic Americana so I wear mainly Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Talbots. My favorite look is a crisp white button up, heavy starch of course, and men’s influenced trousers but my favorite thing to wear is an structured A-line dress and pearls. It just makes me feel so feminine and ladylike. I was so delighted a few years ago when the look of the ultra feminine lady came back.
One thing that’s piqued my interest today is the African print maxi skirt. I love them! I bought myself one for my birthday a few months back. I was so impressed with the designers’ work. The cumberbund style waistline, pockets and amount of fabric used in the skirt elevated it to the highest quality. I’m waiting for just the right event to wear it to. I feel it so matches my personality. I’ve seen sisters rock them so beautifully with tank tops or chambray shirts but I’ll be wearing it with the white button up of course.
“What’s your Style Innuendo (the way you would like others to consider or view what your style is without you even saying a word when they see you)?
Crisp and Classic.
How would you describe your overall style – dress, education, personality etc.? How has this evolved in the past few years?
My overall personality is bubbly, effervescent and relatable but what’s funny about that is I feel my dress doesn’t always match my personality. I’m also academic; I’m always reading, studying, and learning. I am very energetic, so in my mind, that would translate to bold colors but my dress is quite the opposite. When I think of my style of dress, I think Michelle Obama and Jackie O. My style has pretty much been the same since the late 90’s with the exception of finally adding some color (don’t laugh, I already said I’m classic). Because I wear relatively the same style combinations, my husband calls it “my uniform”. But my style has changed drastically from my youth. I was very much the tomboy growing up.
This blog series is about transforming style from the inside out, therefore, how can one transform their style and faith in a positive progressive manner, and do so without compromise?
This is right in line with my mission at Inspired Life. I believe if we are well mind, body and spirit, we give ourselves permission to live as we were created to be without succumbing to external pressure to be something we are not. I believe our individuality should be expressed as we are uniquely fearfully and wonderfully made. I also feel that we are responsible to represent God in our behavior, dress and speech in a manner that would draw others to Him.
What’s next on the horizon for you and your business?
I’m planning to birth 2 babies this year; one natural baby, my 6th child and a book on raising Godly children. After a time of rest, recovery and bonding with the baby, I will continue speaking on health, wellness and parenting. It is my prayer that people will embrace TRUE abundant living. Living an Inspired Life is attainable when we nourish the mind, the body and the spirit. To neglect one is to neglect the others. But when we delightfully obey God, embrace the beauty, majesty and splendor of the now moment and honor the temple, total wellness and abundant living are in our hands.
For continued inspiration on living fully mind, body and spirit you can connect with Tyra:
Website: www.inspiredtolivefully.com
Facebook: Inspired Life
Twitter: @InspiredFully
Instagram: @InspiredFully
