How do you get your doses of happiness? Whatever brings a smile to your face and puts some joy in your heart; do that! Life is hard enough.
Thank you for watching! I have attached a previous article titled, Canopy of Protection. Where Do You Find Peace? Hopefully, you can find something that will help you if you need calmness in your life. As always, thank you for reading
How do you connect to your true self?
Do you get back to an old hobby? Maybe do the things that once made you feel most alive. The list below are some things that come to mind. Can you relate to any of these?
Saying no and not being a people pleaser
Taking time out for self care
Checking in on how you are feeling, really
Being intentional about nurturing relationships
We have to be connected with ourselves before we can begin to connect with others in a meaningful way. 
Stay well and be blessed
Thank you for reading!
The way we think about money determines how we move in life. If you feel that you should spend every dollar you make maybe it is time to change your attitude. Prices are skyrocketing on just about everything and this trend does not seem to be slowing down. Spending for housing, food, education and definitely commerce with the tariffs being assessed, puts a strain on finances.
With that in mind, it never hurts to have some kind of financial cushion. Do you save every time you get paid? If so, then you are heading in the right direction. What about investing? This one is a little tricky. It depends on whether or not you are willing to risk financial loses, along with returns.
Are you a chronic spender? Purchasing things that you don’t really need but want, just because you have money. Spending this way leaves you vulnerable in times of an emergency. If you spend, spend, spend and have no savings, try to work on putting something aside. Some people feel that they worked for their money, so why save it.
The best way to ease financial stress is to first create a safety net. If you know that you have money set aside, you will not be so overwhelmed and stressed when those emergencies arise.
Living paycheck to paycheck is a reality for some people. A shift in attitude can turn that around. Start to budget your money and eliminate things that you don’t need. Before making a purchase, stop to ask yourself if this is a necessary expense.
The tax return refund is often a missed opportunity. Use the refund for saving and put it towards your safety net/emergency fund. Instead of spending it before you get it, put the money aside. At least, most of it. You would be surprised how this can jump start your savings journey.
Look for other ways to cut back on your spending. Little things add up and quickly. Start to keep track of your daily spending for two weeks. Review it and see where you can cut unnecessary spending. The economy is so uncertain in today’s time. If banks are unfavorable to you, do what works best for you to find alternative means of saving.
Yes, it takes work to change our financial situation. Attitude is the ingredient to making the change we want to see. No one else can do this for us. Start small and build from today. You can do it!
Image by muqadas Muqadas from Pixabay
“Hate is too great a burden to bear. Hate injures the hater more than the hated. “-Coretta Scott King
Life is so precious. Why live with hatred in your heart?!
Stay well and be blessed
Do you prefer to network in person or online? Maybe a combination of the two is more like it. Of course, the more connections you make the more opportunities present themselves.
Are you a people person who prefers the more personal one-on-one approach? Some people find that the in person strategy is most effective because you can look at the person you are speaking with and gauge from their response, if they are interested in your collaboration or not. Another clue would be their energy. The person may not seem enthusiastic in what you are saying and unsure about how to let you down easily or relay the disinterest.
On the other hand, some people find great success in networking online. I think it depends on the kind or business you have and are trying to grow. Building your brand and networking online gives you a reach of people that in-person networking cannot achieve. The trick is making sure to align with people interested and building in your field of interest.
So, what is your networking style?
As always, thank you for reading! Stay well and be blessed
—Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. —
Change is upon us every day. Whether we are ready for it or not. It happens. Sometimes in that changing, we get stumped. We may not know what direction to take or what exactly we need to do.
It is not easy to change things about ourselves. The uncertainty and not knowing what will happen next. I just implore you to follow your heart. Love yourself and others.
Stay well and be blessed. 
You see her walking down the street
Purpose in her eyes
Meaning in her walk
Strut like you have never seen
Delicate flower, she be
Wearing her armor of protection
The look in her eyes lets you know
Back up or I will cut you
A face that tells you she means business
She ain't here for the games
Delicate flower, she be
Like the weeds that grow in your garden
The dandelions that grow in the empty lot on the corner
Growing in between the cracks in the ground
She rises up
Delicate flower, she be
Having the nerve to go where you wouldn't expect
She stands tall and firm
There are years that ask questions and years that answer
Looking at her reveals both; question and answer
Delicate flower, she be
Hard pavement of the concrete
Matches the hard look on her face
Meeting your gaze she stares back
Not a smile anywhere to be found
Delicate flower, she be
Inside she is just waiting for someone
Someone that sees her and brings out the smile
Simultaneously holding her delicately and firmly
In full bloom as delicate as can be
Delicate flower, she be
Delicate Flower, She Be is written in response to the W3 Prompt #148: Wea’ve Written Weekly. Violet Lentz asks us to write about elements of the human condition and include at least 1 of 3 quotes in her guidelines.
Human condition elements I wrote about are emotions, social interaction, resilience and growth. How people can look so hardened on the outside but are really loving and kind on the inside. A smile is just bursting, waiting to come out at the right circumstance.
The quote I chose is by Zora Neale Hurston, “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
Image credit: by Josch13 from Pixabay
As always, thank you for reading! 
In the salon chair
Close your eyes let your cares fly
Fly far away and down the drain
Tears chasing thoughts
Thoughts undealt with for years
So relaxed in the salon chair
Not caring who hears
Hears you release pain, regret, disappointment,
Hurt, dreams unfulfilled
Like water, let it flow freely down your cheek
After all who will notice
In the salon chair, scalp being massaged
Forgetting where you are you begin confessional
Spilling details most dear to your heart
In hopes that those hands can relate
The hands of the person in your proximity
Letting you be free with your truths
She or he listens with understanding
Empathy, caring and non-judgement
They know this is your time
Time to let your hair down
Relax, talk, cry, listen
In the salon chair
Where best kept secrets are kept
Never revealing the tears that wept
The smiles, the laughs, the shared tea
Moments at the salon that involve three
The chair the stylist and me
No other entity compares
In the salon chair
Like therapy in many ways
Going in one way and leaving another
Altered both emotionally and physically
Hair looking fresh to death
Feeling and looking your best
You smile and your strut beams confidence
Suddenly you remember to keep your head up
Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay
Come with me for some tips about sharing. Also, things that we should not share. Enjoy these everyday reminders about why we should be mindful about sharing certain personal care items.
Thank you for watching! Stay well and be blessed
Life is full of exciting things. What is it for you that makes you excited? Do you wake up every day and get excited to see another day. Yes, this is a valid reason to be excited. Are you excited to be working in the career of your choice? Not everyone is fortunate to have their dream career. Maybe it is your children. It is such a blessing and joy to be able to hug, smile, teach, and watch them grow into adults.
Retirees may excite in the fact that they are no longer on the clock. They can leisurely go about their day. Romance is another reason to be excited. The thought of having your person knowing that someone loves and accepts you.
Can you answer this? What excites you about life? Life brings so many reasons and opportunities to get excited. What does it for you? Maybe you have hobbies in life that excite you and motivate your life.
This question I ask because a lot of times we go about our lives and master the routine. We don’t often, stop to think about what excites us. We need to revisit some of these things and take a detour to bring the spark, smile, sense of humor and love back in. We can still live in our daily routines while enjoying those exciting things too.
Renewal of Hope
A difficult task at times
Times of natural disaster
Floods, fire, tornadoes
Hope is tested
Even unthinkable
Suddenly you realize
Tomorrow is here
The dawn of a new day
The sun kissing your face
Laughter, smiles and hope returning
Knowing you have survived, hope renews
Image credit: Pexels from Pixabay
Awakening of Rejuvenation is written in response to the prompt by Sarah David.
As always, thank you for reading! 
Ever wonder if your words leave a lasting impression on people? The short answer is, yes. So, it is with this video message I am talking about how to mind your words. Be mindful of how you speak to others. If you approach someone in a disrespectful or condescending manner, you most likely will not get the result you want. Words heal and they can hurt.
As always, thank you for stopping by! Stay well and be blessed 
The article today, titled The Unveiling of You. No More Thread, No More Glue is strictly for women who are frustrated in the dating game. They are looking to make a romantic connection but are feeling left out. The ones who feel like they should receive all the attention. The women who feel that they are attractive but are being passed over for simple, plain looking women who do not measure up, in their opinion. Let me explain.
If you are trying to make a meaningful connection, one of the things to do is to distinguish yourself from everyone else. Enhancements we add to our overall look can determine whether we blend in or stand out in the crowd. Wondering why men pass right by you? It might be because you look exactly the same as every other woman in the room. Present yourself in a way that is different from the others.
Try surveying the room and see if you are looking at the same image as yourself, do you wonder why? Everyone in the room is wearing the same style weave or wig, layers and layers of makeup, long false eyelashes, extra-long fingernails and 5 inches of “baby hair” or edges and plumped-up lips. Before anyone gets upset; there is nothing wrong with wearing wigs/weave/hair extensions.
Unglue and unsew and see what you discover. Just try it. You might just love who that person is underneath the false eyelashes, weave, extra-long fingernails, layers of makeup and exaggerated plumped lips. Do you even recognize her anymore. Don’t get me wrong, there is no crime in looking good and feeling good about yourself. All I am saying is when is it too much. Do you spend a small fortune on all the enhancements to still be lonely.
Women who refer to themselves as “pretty” are pretty frustrated. Again, I am only addressing the ones who are in the dating game. Despite the things they do, the pretty women feel like the simple, basic looking women are the ones receiving the attention. Possible reasons below may reveal the barrier to meeting that special someone. Think about the things below:
Do you have the attitude that you are better than everyone else in the room? If you are attending an event and turn your nose up at everyone else, because you think you are the best looking one there…. Guess again. No one is discounting the fact that you may be attractive, but an attitude like that makes you appear ugly to others. Remember, every person has something unique to offer. Just because you are attractive, does not mean that every man will automatically approach you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Are you approachable? Are your face and lips twisted? Do you have your arms folded? Is your back turned? Do you look friendly and smiling? Are you slouching? Body language is an important cue that we sometimes miss and do not think about. If you look like you do not want to be bothered and have a mean look on your face, who will step to you? Think about it for a second. If men are passing you by and going over to other women, take a moment and check your body language and posture.
Unglue and unsew, remove the false eyelashes and wear your nails short to medium length. Do away with the long edges/baby hair and use lip wear that does not contain plumping ingredients. Why blend in with the same look as everyone else? Do something different so that you do not look like everyone in the place. You would be surprised at how much money and time you can save from paying for that expensive weave and sitting in the salon for hours on end. There are so many styles you can do with your natural hair, no matter how short or long it is. You might even like your natural hair much better.
Are you materialistic? Do you don designer apparel from head to toe? The purse cost $800, shoes $250, outfit $400. If you present as someone who is donned in all designer apparel, men may shy away from you. The reason is that they see their pockets getting empty already. Before they speak a word, they know they are going to be broke. You may not be materialistic, but strangers do not know this. The man may see this and think that you are going to drain his money. The saying, ‘not to judge a book by its cover’ comes to mind. Although it is not fair, it happens all the time.
Give someone other than your usual type a chance. If the type you normally go for approaches you, so be it. Carry on a conversation it doesn’t hurt. Alternatively, try giving the men you normally do not go for a chance. Don’t shoot them down before they can finish the first sentence. You might be surprised at how much you have in common with him and what a deep connection the two of you share together.
Try an experiment for two weeks or a month. Unsew and unglue. Reveal the person underneath all the extra stuff. See if any of these changes make a difference in how you feel and/or improve your chances of making that special connection that you are seeking. The simple, plain looking women are looking for that special connection the same as you. Do not be mad at their approach. Find what works best for you.
Full disclosure: I can speak to this because I was guilty of some of these things in the past. I have either experienced these first-hand or have observed these behaviors. And before anyone jumps to conclusions, there is nothing wrong with wigs/weave. I too have wigs and have had my hair braided with added hair. No judgement. The information contained here is to illustrate a point.
Love yourself and all that you are. If you don’t who else will? 
Thank you for reading!
Happy New Year! 2025 is here and I am grateful to see another year! I hope that this year brings everyone what they need. Whether it be love in your life, understanding, a roof over your head, financial blessings, mended relationships with family, friends, or loved ones Wishing this in abundance for you all.
The Six Triple Eight is a movie, inspired by true events. It pays homage to the black women who showed great strength, grace, beauty, humility and resilience. For those who are familiar with the story, what did you take away from it? A must see for those who have not seen it.
Much respect to the people who were there and served in the Six Triple Eight. Thank you to the producers, actors and everyone involved for telling the story.
Weighing in on Criticism and Praise. Criticism and praise are very important forms of feedback. Use them both to make improvements. Criticism has its pros and cons and so does praise. How do you weigh in?
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay