May 2008: Catresa Meyers
	Age: 35 Location: Philadelphia, PA Occupation: Attorney/Playwright Status: Single Children: 0 I met Catresa several years ago in Los Angeles and I asked her to be a DivaSoulSista of the Month. I met her in Los Angeles while we were both pursuing our careers in screenwriting. Both of us left LA about two years later, Catresa returned to her hometown and to her career as a lawyer, but she never lost sight of her dream. While her writing always expressed her strong faith, in Philadelphia, she found a way to make her dreams a reality. She founded the Parable Players and wrote an produced an updated version of Cinderella - with a Christian spin. I have always appreciated Catresa's faith and her passion.
1. What is your biggest accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment to date was producing my first play “It’s Your Season, Cinderella” –I actually directed and produced it.  It was a big deal for me because I had no clue what I was doing.    I had to walk into a room full of people (a cast of 10) and sound like I knew what I was talking about.  They seemed to buy it.  I found that at every turn the Lord provided everything we needed and turned this play into something far bigger than what I imagined. 2. Name your favorite movie. Independence Day – It could be because I saw it for the first time in New Orleans during the Essence Festival or just because it combines everything I love in a movie:  action, big-budget special-effects, humor and a little bit of romance. 3. Describe your personal diva style. The best answer I can come up with is:  I don’t see myself as a diva and I don’t want to be.  I consider myself to be low maintenance. 4. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? I’m a pack rat and I can never bring myself to throw things away.  I was swamped with mail –my own and other people who used to live in my house.  I was complaining about it to my hairdresser and she told me to put a little trash can right by the door and get rid of that mail as soon as you walk in the door.  It may sound trivial but it was like an enormous revelation for me.  Clutter makes me feel stressed so anything I can do to de-stress my life is definitely a blessing. 5. You look mah-valous! What is your secret?? I try to take time to laugh whenever I can.  I also believe in stealing away for prayer and meditation.  The benefits are that they reduce the worry and increase the peace which keeps you looking young and fresh, instead of tired and worn out. 6. What's one dream you look forward to having come true? I dream on being bi-coastal.  Having lived on both coasts there are things I love so much about both.  It is my dream to own at least one home on each coast (with my one of them being on the beach).  Of course, this means that when this dream comes true, by definition I must also be insanely wealthy –and that would be a good thing too. 7. If a movie were made about your life, what actress would play you and who would be your leading man? If we’re talking about now, I would say: Kimberly Elise (just because I think she’s a really good actress and would and play me well) and Idris Elba (that cutie pie from Daddy’s Little Girls and The Wire)   For me in my 20’s I would suggest Zoe Saldana and Columbus Short as my leading man (though I’ll take him in my 30’s too. 8. What 3 adjectives would your best friend use to describe you? Positive, easy-going and spiritual. 9. What makeup/beauty essential can you absolutely positively not live without? A good foundation can mask a multitude of flaws. 10. What’s playing on your CD or MP3 player right now? My MP3 player truly reflects me.  I have a wide variety of tastes and my mood changes from day to day so I have John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, JZ (American Gangster) Beyonce (B-Day), A Tribe Called Quest (greatest hits) Carlos Santana (Shaman) Faith and Mary J. Blige.  But at work, I play a lot of gospel (Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Kirk Franklin etc.) 11. What is one thing you wish more people knew about you? I think people tend to think that because I’m upbeat, smile a lot and I don’t cuss  they see me as delicate or fragile(or prissy—as one described me), but I’m a lot tougher than people think.  I’ve had to endure my share of trials and heartaches.  The smile I wear is a badge of honor --my testimony that even though weeping may endure for a night, joy really does come in the morning. 12. What, in your opinion, is the formula for success? 1. Seek God first 2. Surround yourself with a good team (people who know what they’re doing and work well with you) and 3. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. 13. What motivates you? Contentment.  I just want to be at peace.  I get this restless feeling, sometimes it keeps me awake at night.  When that feeling comes I know there’s something missing something I’m supposed to be doing then I get busy: praying and seeking God’s direction.  When I know what I’m supposed to be doing—and start doing it, my peace returns. 14. Complete this sentence: "One year from now I would like to... One year from now I would like to have my book published, happily married and lounging on a secluded beach watching the sun set and sipping on a banana daiquiri. 15. Sum up your personal philosophy. A scripture that came to me at a very dark period of my life is Numbers 13:30 “Let us go up at once and possess the land, for we can certainly do it.”  It carried me through that difficult time and on some amazing adventures since then.  To me, that scripture means: if God places a dream in your heart, go for it with all your heart.  Don’t let anything stop you.  Let nothing hold you back. Want to find out how to become DivaSoulSista of the Month? Click here.

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