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
Closed minds; bondage. Open hearts; freedom.
Let Freedom Lead is written in response to a word prompt by Shweta.
Saturday Six Word Story Prompt (6WSP) #114 – Nov 30, 2024 – My Random Ramblings
Thank you for reading! 
When you look around, what is in your view?
Is the vicinity one of beauty or chaos
Depending on how your eyes see can determine
Your feelings about the surroundings
A state of bliss brings beauty
Misery is a state that brings out chaos
Tell me what your eyes see.
Your Seeing Eyes is written in response to a prompt by Sammi Cox. The challenge is to write an original piece using the word vicinity in exactly 50 words.
Ever wake up and are not motivated? If this has happened to you, wake up with music. Try listening to music while you are getting ready for the day ahead. Sing along or dance. You will get your blood flowing and boost your mood for that much needed motivation.
Do you have a morning routine that helps you face the day? Share with those of us who may need help. We all have been there at one time of another.
Thank you for stopping by. Stay well and be blessed 
Image credit: CDD20 on Pixabay
When you see your mate
Just the sight of them realizing your fate
Are you greeted with a warm embrace
Or indifference instead
You know, like a frown or look of dread
Just the simple things
You get home stressed from work
Walking in your mate is wearing a smile
A smile that lets you know that they miss you
They see you
They are glad you are home
They love you
Just the simple things
All that can be said without saying a single word
Its time for bed, your mate gives your hand a squeeze
Gives you a hug
Utters the words, good night Baby
Next up is the forehead kiss
Just the simple things
A forehead kiss...
Wait a minute
If you have not experienced a forehead kiss
When you do, you will understand
It’s one of the most endearing forms of affection
Just the simple things
Love who loves you back
Want who wants you back
If you are met with attitude
Take no gratitude in the latitude of someone else's wrath
The magnitude does not matter
Just the simple things
Thank you for reading! 
Prayer is so helpful and freeing. Just know that God answers prayer. We have to also remember that we must prepare to receive our blessings. Work must be done beforehand. Be grateful for the receiving, no matter how long it takes. He is in control.
Thank you all. I appreciate you stopping by to read and/or watch my content.
Continued blessings to all 
Life is a funny thing. It is so unpredictable. It comes with joys, bumps and bruises. We go through ups and downs, but we still manage to continue to live on to see another day. Can you answer this? What is the best decade of your life?
Was it when you were in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond? Most people are still figuring things out in their 20s and having fun. Some of us were starting a family in our 20s and some getting married. Education was a front-runner for others, while family took a back seat.
Maybe your 30s was your best decade. Did you meet the love of your life in your 30s. That career you always wanted was front and center and you could not be happier. Reuniting with a long lost relative or friend has changed your life immensely; in a good way of course.
The 40s brought you a mended relationship with someone very special to you. You are now in the home you always dreamed of. Maybe, a goal that you set for yourself has come to fruition and you can be proud of the hard work you put in to obtain that goal.
Wherever life takes you is where you are meant to be. We can try to plot and scheme certain things but ultimately it is up to the creator who is always in control.
As always, thank you for reading!
Image credit: Image by Claude Mondestin from Pixabay
What is the proper age for people to get married? Is there such a thing as too young or too old? Undue pressures of society have us buying into unrealistic expectations. Who is to say at what age you find love. What is your take on the subject? Leave a comment and share your perspective.
As always, thank you for watching. 
Being of multiethnic/cultural heritage is great. You get to enjoy the best of it all. However, it can be challenging. Acceptance by your peers may present a problem.
How do you overcome rejection from one or the other culture? Do you try to fit in or just live your life. If you can relate and have experienced rejection of this kind, please share in the comments. Tell us a little about it. Your experience may help someone overcome it and move past it.
Image credit: Simp1e1 on Pixabay
National Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 and ends October 15, 2024. Even though, it is officially a month-long celebration, contributions are felt and made all year long. Many Latino and Hispanic communities feel a sense of honor throughout this special holiday. The timing of NHHM marks dates of independence for several Latino countries.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? If you are not sure what it is all about take some time to research more about it. Afterwards, you can share and spread the word about what you have learned. Use this time to learn Spanish, if you choose to. Check out some local events in your community. There are many ways to celebrate and show support for the Latino and Hispanic communities and all they have done for the betterment of America.
The theme for 2024 is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together
Let us take our hats off to those who have helped make positive strides in Latin American Countries and all over the world.
Thank you for reading!
Image by Ray Shrewsberry • from Pixabay
Thick skin in the creative process refers to your ability to let certain comments roll off your back. How you manage being judged on your creative work and/or projects. Especially when the comments are unfavorable.
Creating something artful whether it be authoring a book, singing a song or performing a dance and sharing it is putting yourself out there. It is such a rewarding experience. No matter the way it turns out in the end, the sheer experience is life altering. Being in the public eye leaves you open to scrutiny. You will have people who like and support what you do and others who will not. Please understand that everyone will not have the same feelings and/or opinions as you.
I want you to be aware that with those supporters come people on the other end of the spectrum. Both are equally important. The supporters should be appreciated and thanked for their support. Please let them know that you are grateful for their support. For the ones who dislike your creative pursuits, just know that it comes with the territory. You have to take the good with the bad.
Keep your focus on the supporters but also be aware of the ones who are not a fan of your work. The reason is that you can use the unfavorable comments, reviews or thumbs down to your advantage. It may inspire you to add a different element to your next project. Maybe you can take that feedback and incorporate something new into your next book, post, song or art piece. Turn that negative feedback into a positive.
Please remember that you cannot let those comments get into your head. The moment you do, you are done! Done! Because now the doubt, uncertainty and insecurities come out and you might think about quitting. It can be hurtful because you poured your heart and soul into it and then to have someone say something negative. Wow, what a blow. You know that you worked hard and did your best. Dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s. Rehearsed and proofread. You are satisfied with the end result, only to see that one negative comment/review.
What about the 10 positive ones? Do not forget about those. Focus on those but also keep note of that one because you can use that. Instead use that feedback to your advantage. Be aware of it but do not let it consume you. The love and support received from your work is motivating, it makes you smile and also keeps you on your toes. The universe is waiting for your next installment. The love and support outshine all else.
Think about it this way. You have a child and that’s your baby no matter what. No matter how old our children get, they will always be our baby. You better not say anything bad about our children, right. So, your creative project is similar in that aspect. It’s your baby, you love your baby and put work into it. To only have someone say something negative. Does that mean that you will stop loving your baby? Of course not. You get where I’m going with this?
Keep creating, keep pushing forward. Remember that the creative process is great, in that it teaches us, and we learn a lot from it. So many good things come out of it. It is therapy for some, hobbies for others, career driven too. No matter the reason, never stop believing in yourself. Continue on and let the thick skin in the creative process be your guiding light.
Thank you for reading 
Journeys begin in my head
Far away destinations
Some real some imagined instead
I pack my luggage no hesitation
I'm only going for 3 days
I need six pairs of shoes, 5 dresses
Shades and swimwear for the bays
No need to worry about my tresses
Sleepwear and slippers a must
What about my gym clothes
Oh yeah, pack those too
Glad my hair is braided, no need to fuss
Next journey will be lighter
No need for so many cases
Serene waters so much brighter
Sunglasses will help cover my bases
What's all the ruckus
I want to go where I don't need a car
Just hop on my bike and go
Cycle the scenic route 'til my heart is full
Nestling Journeys is written in response to Sadje's prompt.
Thank you for reading!
Image credit: Bernhard on Unsplash
L.M. Montgomery
Trying is the first step to discovery. Discovering your potential and finding out what is possible. Of course, in trying things in life we set out to win. Life does not always work out that way.
Failure, on the other hand is such a great teacher. When we fail at things, we learn how not to do something on the next try. Failing is one of the best ways to learn. It gives us another opportunity at our pursuits in life. We have the chance to rethink and redo our previous attempts.
Winning is what comes out of our previous failed attempts. If we always win, what will we ever learn or how will we ever grow?
Hope you enjoy! Thank you for reading!
August 27th is National Just Because Day. It is day to switch it up and do things, just because. Random acts of kindness are one way to celebrate this day. Do something out of the norm. Be spontaneous. You call the shots. It is a few days away, so put your thinking cap on and come up with things to do on this day.
You get the idea of what this day is all about. So, make it fun and do something just because. Don’t overthink it and do something without any rhyme or reason. You have a few days to plan something if that is what you want to do or just free style it and do what comes to mind on Tuesday, 27th of August.
Sharing a personal experience of speaking in front of a crowd. I challenged myself to perform an original poem about my father. Although, I was not one of the finalists for the talent show. it was a great experience. I learned that you could do anything you put your mind to. Even when you do not take home the prize it is still rewarding just for trying.
Hope you enjoy and thank you for watching.
