Tina C. Hines, not only feels deeply for others, she is clear about the importance of maintaining her own self-care as well. She inspires to help other women discover their own power on their own journey to the peace she now enjoys. See how being a single mother, Corporate America and the women she reaches inspired the person she is today.
Work removed, who is Tina at her core?
Work removed, Tina is a mother, a daughter, and someone who practices all that she preaches to others. I am a very picky eater. Where some people like sauces and all the extra ‘stuff’ that cooks like to put on their food, I will settle for plain food. I always say I like to see what I am eating and if you cover it up I have to be surprised. I don’t like surprises.
I enjoy traveling to the Caribbean. In the past it felt like to the place to be because there was fun and excitement. Now I view the Caribbean as a space that brings me peace. I wasn’t always in this space of peace. I used to enjoy going to clubs with my friends, being extra silly at times, and just good, wholesome fun. But, after by battle with depression, there was a transformation. Now I enjoy meditation, quiet music and just feeling free. As I was recovering from depression, I discovered I was an empath. I am highly sensitive and can sense the emotional and sometimes physical pain of others (primarily women). Some call it a curse, but I call it a gift because I have the ability to use my gift to help others.
Tell us about your family/pets?
Pets, I don’t have any. I love the option of getting up and going without worrying about who will care for the pet in my absence. My immediate family consists of my son and I. He is part of the reason I am the woman I am today. Being a single parent, I pushed myself personally and professionally in order to create a safe home where he would not want for the essential things in life. My son, Devin, is my heart. He has a learning disability that I have learned to comprehend. For example, structure and routine is important. If there is a chore to complete in our home, it must be in alignment with the day that is scheduled for certain chores. For Devin there is not gray area. It is either black or white. Through Devin’s eyes I have discovered that sometimes what makes me upset is not worth holding onto. I always tell people that I was chosen to be Devin’s mother. In regards to the balance of my family, I am an only child. My mom was the oldest of 10 and with her caring for her siblings; I can now understand why I am an only child. However, I am the first born grandchild of our family and close in age to my aunts and uncles. Therefore it always felt like I was their sister instead of their niece.
As you inspire women to awake all that is within them, tell us when you realized you yourself had dormant areas and how you transformed into the woman you are today? How did you discover your own inner peace and unlock your passion to help others do the same?
As I sit here preparing to answer this question, I feel that for the most part I did not feel dormant. When I was 25 I declared that I would travel outside of the US every year. It was part of my self-care. For 22 years that declaration has been upheld. There have been times when I’ve traveled more than once a year. However, when I think about my desire to pursue my degree that is one time I felt dormant. Why? Because it was a challenge, as a single parent, for me to focus on helping my son through school and work. Just the thought of it is overwhelming; which is why I delayed my education until he was in high school.
As I mentioned, I discovered my own inner peace as I was dealing with my depression. Visiting the island of Anguilla created the perfect space for a little soul searching. I spent days sitting on the beach having internal conversations about what I was supposed to do. After many enlightening experiences, conversations with friends, meditation and reading The Power of Mentorship, Finding Your Passion, I discovered that I was placed on this earth to serve women just like me. I was supposed to serve single professional mothers who take on their fair share of balancing work and family and desire to feel worthy.
Everyone should always remain open to new knowledge. While you connect with many, tell us about a time you did not connect and how you worked through it and what you discovered about yourself in the process.
I recall talking to a potential client who made excuses for everything that transpired in her life. She even made excuses for other people and their shortcomings. As I tried to explain (and give examples) how she cannot be held accountable for the shortcomings of others more excuses were shared. I recognized that this person was stuck in a place that exceeded my ability to help her. My discovery, after much thought, was Tina you will not be able to help everyone that comes to you. Get comfortable with that feeling and know that you put forth your best efforts.
Your experience in corporate America helped form your experience. Tell us about an experience where the environment was not positive towards yourself or another woman and how that provided an “aha” moment.
Now this is a good question because I remember this experience as if it happened yesterday. Starting out in my administrative career, there was an executive assistant (EA) who reported to the head of our department. One day my manager was going on a trip and decided to depart early. This meant I had to obtain the slides for his presentation earlier than initially requested from our consultants. The EA overheard the conversation between me and my manager and proceeded to tell me (in a high octave voice) that the consultants work for us and I needed to make them understand the importance of meeting the ‘new’ deadline. Now 22 year old Tina was not as nice as 47 year old Tina. I informed the EA (in a curt but direct tone) that if she felt the need to yell she should walk away from my desk. She continued to talk in the same tone, I interjected with my same stance, “If you need to yell, please walk away from my desk!” She walked away from my desk. I proceeded to do the work my manager and I discussed and all ended well. Later in the day, she returned to my desk to explain her actions. I calmly informed her that although I was young I will never accept someone yelling at me. If you want me to respect you, there is a certain way I expect to be treated. That was one of many moments that I discovered we fail to treat other women in a kind and respectable manner. A manner that would not make us feel less than.
What is the last book you read?
The Woman Code by Sophia A. Nelson
Tell us about your services, workshops and retreats.
All that I offer to women is to guide them towards embracing who they are outside of being a parent, professional or just overall everything to everybody. My private sessions provide us with the opportunity to focus on one specific area of your life at a time in order to make the transformation you desire. You will be amazed of the results you can achieve when you narrow down your challenges to just one. The rest systematically falls into place.
The workshops offered create a safe and intimate environment for women to relate to other women who are experience the same challenges. One of those major challenges is the self-defeating behavior of fear. It’s not always easy to admit in a group your fears. However, when one woman chooses to candidly share, it creates a domino effect.
The Caribbean retreats are very special to me. It is a sacred place where I found tranquility and the women who attend have a similar experience. The Remember Me retreat caters to women on their journey of self-care and self-love. During our time together discussions and activities are infused with messages that inspire women to nurture their inner child. The retreat has taken place for four years and each experience has been unique. The women return home relaxed and rejuvenated. More important, they take out a new lease on life and start living.
Tell us about a time when past issues held you back?
I don’t feel that issues hold a person back. I feel that fear of the issue holds them back. Honestly cannot think of a time when an issue held me back from doing something in my life.
Tell us about your mantra of self-love and self-care?
As women we were shown how to care for others but we were rarely taught how to care for ourselves. Self-care is nurturing your inner child. Feeding her the essentials that make her feel good internally. Coupled with self-love, you discover that you are worthy of all you desire and more. Self-love can often be a challenge which is why I share simple instructions for women to love on themselves. I encourage them to take a self-love bath using their favorite bath oil or gel, soft music and candles. During the bath, the women cup the warm scented water in their hands and allow it to drip over their body. They should relax in the water for 15-20 minutes and allow their mind to drift. Once the bath is completed, they are instructed to write in their journal any emotion that revealed itself. From what I have heard from women who have tried the self-love bath, there are a lot of tears because they never enjoyed a bath where they focused on cleansing themselves internally.
We have asked you this previously but what makes you a connected woman now in this moment?
When I think of connected, I think of women in business I have had the opportunity to meet. I discover their great qualities and share them with other women. We made be good at some things but we are not great at everything. Therefore if another person shares a need that I am unable to fulfill I know there is another woman in business that I can refer. That’s what makes me connected. The willingness to connect with others in order to assist them in their success.
What five words summarize your passion?
Peace, tranquility, authentic, loving and nurturing
Where can our readers reach out to you?
Readers are invited to visit my website www.tinachines.com and join my mailing list to receive inspiring messages as well as updates on my workshops and Caribbean retreats. They can also connect with me via social media. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
What’s long-term goals do you have for your blog or online presence in terms of using it to reach women?
I would like my blog to continue to inspire women to reclaim their power. They possess many strong and positive qualities but often suppress them out of fear. The messages they read on my blog will encourage them to step outside of their comfort zone and experience something different.
All photos provided and owned by feature.
