I normally take this time to have a conversation with someone to bring a truth and the light to you for inspiration, motivation and insight. I thought that at the close of my journey in 2007, that included my experiences with you and all that I interviewed since our launch in March 2007, it would be appropriate to bring a truth & light about me (Ingrid). Not in a way that would suggest vanity, but in a way that gives you insight into the person that has been questioning others as if to unwrap a gift for you. I too have been unwrapped by experience and wish to share with you the gift in me. I hope this glimpse into me as a person will help to further engage you into my purpose and mission to canvas the world bring people to life for 2008 and years to come.

Self Check: What is important to you today 1st, 2nd & 3rd?
Ingrid: 1st: it’s important for me to be true to self. I am at a point in my life where I understand I have to become what I want to receive. If a want love, become love. If I want life, live it. I have spent so much time thinking about the fact that I was a “genie in a bottle” that I lived my life that way. It took one key experience in my life back in December 2006 to release me from that bottle so now it’s no turning back. 2nd: it’s important for me to “do me”. As a good friend told me, “when I do me everyone around me is blessed.” 3rd: it’s important for me to put God before all else…seeking Him first. With Him all that is possible “IS” and all that is impossible “IS”. He is my everything…

Self Check: What is your mission today?
Ingrid: My mission is to canvas the world and much like a painter uses paints and oils to bring people, place and things to life, I do the same with a pen and paper.

Self Check: What/Who inspires you today?
Ingrid: God inspires me beyond what I can think, feel, see or do. That’s first. My mother inspires me I call her my Angel. She not only gave me the foundation of being a true lady and now woman, she continues to be an example to me of how to give, love life and others beyond your problems, their faults and without limits. My Dad inspires me to be much like the slogan for Secret Deodorant. I need to be strong enough to support the men in my life, but be true to the virtues I am made of as a woman. Too many women have forgotten the power of femininity and work too hard to complete with men and dominate men verses, supporting men and encouraging men in a manner that unlocks their treasure and yours. Last but not least, David Brown inspires me. He was someone that came into my life with a purpose to work together to bless children and their families during the holiday season. About a year after knowing him and experiencing his heart for giving, I was blessed to come to know him in a greater way. I don’t think I ever told him just how much of a catalyst he was in December 2006 in releasing me (the genie) out of the bottle, but he did. To this day, his determination, compassion, passion, energy, focus and creativity are contagious. I find myself saying things that he has said to me to motivate myself and drive me through life’s twists and turns. I will ask myself, “What have I done today to progress?” I say he is “the truth” in so many ways. He’s the truth for me with no chasers. You need people like that in your life.

Self Check: What is important to you as a woman today?
Ingrid: Living the Good life! Loving like never before, taking risks beyond man’s limitations, embracing life no matter what it dishes, stirring up my gifts to live passionately and playing my role as a “queen” only. As a single woman, often times you find yourself play both roles (king and queen) to maintain your household, finances, etc. I am at a point in my life where I just want to be the “queen”!! The wonderful thing is playing both roles had not tainted me to think I don’t need kings in my life. I am wise enough to know that I do and welcome it. A queen doesn’t mind submitting to a king when she is presented to one. What did Neyo said, “I’m good all by myself, but I’m a force when were together.” (smiles)

Self Check: What scares you?
Ingrid: Thinking that I won’t birth all that God has deposited in me in its appointed season. I know fear is “false evidence appearing real” so I don’t focus on it too much. I am learning to let go and let God. When you’re in His will, you can’t mess it up or not do something required because it’s not in your control anyway. When I let go and let Him do His thing, He always shows me that He doesn’t need my help. It’s like He’s saying, “See I got this. All I need you to do is work your faith and not your mind. If you would just put you faith into action instead of all they things you thing you need and/or don’t have, your journey to the promise won’t seem so long. In reality, when you give it to Me, it’s always worth the wait and the wait is never as long as the season you went through to get it.

Self Check: How important of a role does God play in your life?
Ingrid: God is my first, middle and last in all that I am, do and have…period!

Self Check: What are your thoughts on life and love?
Ingrid: Life is abundant, love is limitless and I’m ‘bout it ‘bout it. I am learning to let go and experience them both outside of the box. As a dear friend on mine (Erica James) said, “Take life by the horns and enjoy the ride no matter where you end up. At the end of the day, even if you find it was a wrong road, you don’t back up you simply take the next right turn.”

Self Check: When you hear the words “the power a femininity” what comes to mind?
Ingrid: A virtuous woman, that knows what she wants, deals in truth, understands the anointing of being quiet, is firm yet yielding in all the right ways, loves herself to much, she demonstrates not demands, nurtures not nags, encourages instead of an ego (easing God out) and lifts up all around her instead of tearing them down. She is love.

Self Check/Signature Question: You have a blank sheet of paper to express yourself “free style”. What would you say to the world so we can feel the real essence of you?
Ingrid: 2008 gives us all an opportunity for a new beginning. Throw out your rules, thoughts and old ways. Just like a blank sheet of paper, your slate has been cleaned. Don’t carry unnecessary baggage, release people from carrying your issues and insecurities, love like never before and “DO YOU” no matter what it takes. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from reaching for your dreams, even if reaching is one step/day at a time. Start with what you want not with what you think you need. More than likely, what you think you need someone else has planted that seed in your garden instead of you. Don’t have a “door step” mentality. You still have to take actions and reach for what you want. Even if he ended up at your door, if you don’t get up to answer it (action) he will walk away.