Tag: love

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The Allure of Love

Rose-symbol of love
Is it hard to wonder
why people shy away
weather like lightning and thunder
resembling romance and all its blunder

Being swept off your feet
Knowing love is there
Dreams to never give into defeat
To commit is something concrete

When you know it is so fun
Romance is beautiful and serene
Shining bright like the sun
Don't let overcast think it has won

Image by Shirley Mwanje from Pixabay

The Allure of Love was written in response to a word prompt by Sammi Cox. The challenge is to write a piece using the word commit in exactly 64 words.

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Things; Simple

Things; Simple

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! 💕🥰

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Info Self Awareness Topic

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

pink ribbons on pink surface
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com
Video message-Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some things you can do would be to get screened by having a Mammogram. Also, perform home self-breast exams. Show you support by being there for loved ones, friends and family. If you choose to make monetary donations to a foundation or organization that is great, too. We can show support by being a listening ear, lending a hand and checking in on those who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Thank you for watching.

Stay well and be blessed.

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Topic Words of Wisdom

Too Young or Too Old for Marriage

Too Young or Too Old for Marriage

Video message-Age limit for marriage

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. 🧡

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Topic Words of Wisdom

Just Because

Question, why?

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.

Ideas to get you started

  • Send a nice gift or a card to a loved one.
  • Pay it forward by paying for someone in the line either ahead or behind you.
  • Treat yourself to something nice that you have been eyeing for a while.
  • Call a friend or family member just to say hello and see how they are doing.
  • Spread the word on social media. Let people know about this special day and many people can get in on it. The more the merrier.
  • Bake a cake from the box mix if you have a sweet tooth. Remember as a child, licking the bowl of batter mix 🙂
  • Wear mixed matched socks.

Just Because

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.

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Tell a Joke Day-August 16

Tell a Joke Day

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Got jokes? Show your chops and tell a joke on August 16. Help keep the love and smiles coming by spreading the joy of a joke. Share funny memes or gags on August 16 to celebrate.

Laughter is the best medicine. Today we can make each other laugh and smile by sharing bits of humor. Want to brighten someone’s day by making them smile? Try telling a joke. I’m always up for a good laugh, how about you?

Telling jokes is harder than you might think. Comedians everywhere make it look so easy. Something that you might find funny and get tickled by the next person may not find funny at all. It’s that moment you deliver the punchline, and you hear crickets? After telling your joke, the last thing you want to hear is silence. Instead, go for laughter and smiles. A rupture of laughter, smiles and stomach-holding is the reaction you want to go for.

Personally, I look at the delivery of the joke. Two people can tell the exact same joke but if one of them is very monotone and robot-like and the other is more animated and livelier; usually the more effective delivery method to illicit laughter is the livelier of the two. What do think makes the best way to tell a joke?

Have you ever tried telling a joke and it was a bust? If so, how did you recover from that and how did you change your strategy? Also, do you think someone who has a more serious personally can effectively tell a joke and make others laugh?

Thank you for reading. Stay well and be blessed!

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Poem- Until That Day

Until That Day

The inspiration for this poem is my dear father, may he rest in peace.

Emptiness is creeping in
Knowing that missing piece is no longer there
Gone
Never to return

Until that day
Waiting to see
Waiting, waiting, just waiting

Time is passing
How can I fill the void
The void of the man who made me
Until that day
Still, I wait

When you look at me, what you don’t see
The depth
My soul
Aching
Begging for a glimpse of half of me

Nostalgic father

I am nostalgic

Until that day

The other half of me, where does it come from?
My slanted, crooked smile, my complexion
The Boricua in me, ¿dónde está Papi?
In heaven is where you be

Until that day, I wait

My mom instilled in me
Black, resilience, humility
Black, resilience, humility
She is the half of me
Empty inside? How can this be?

Nostalgic father

I am nostalgic

Two people came together as one
To create me
She is her and he is him
She is here and he is there

Forever encapsulated in my heart you will remain
Thoughts of you never bring feelings of disdain
Although my heart is heavy
Until that day, until that day
That we reunite
The anticipation, anticipation brings me pure delight

Until that day

Nostalgic father

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Until That Day- Spoken Word

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.

Categories
Topic Words of Wisdom

Choose Love and Drop the Ills

Choose Love and Drop the Ills

If you are ready to drop some ill talk or action on someone, stop and drop some good will or cheer instead. For example, if you are about to say something foul to someone, especially someone that you love or who loves you. Stop and say something nice instead. It can be so easy to take those closest to you for granted. Those closest to us, sometimes do not get the best of us. This is because we figure, I see this person on a daily basis, so I do not have to be on my best behavior or give my all.

If you are going to say something that you know is hurtful to your loved one, give a complement instead. Forget about the argument you just had. Let it be. After you have decided to say something nice and complementary, it will make the other person feel good and you will feel better as well. Try it. What do you have to lose? Ok, I will tell you. By saying something positive about someone, you lose stress and anxiety. Ill feelings that increase cortisol in our bodies. You want to release dopamine and endorphins, the feel-good hormones.

Lose the negativity and grudge feelings. Love rules over everything. Be slow to anger and quick to love. Becoming angry is so easy and that is exactly why we must challenge ourselves. Embrace love and forgiveness.

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Blended Families and Discipline Rules

Father’s Day Series, Part 3.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Please know that you are seen and appreciated for all that you contribute and do for your children. The dads who take the responsibility seriously and do what they need to, in support and love of their children. I hope you smile today and every day knowing in your heart that you are special, important, loved, needed and cherished.

Blended families and discipline rules

Blended families exist and they can be rewarding but also come with some demands. Meaning, that the non-biological parent in the family may face some opposition when trying to discipline a child in the home. The child may feel like they do not have to abide by rules of someone who is not their biological parent. You know how defiant kids can be. So, that brings the question of what the rules are with discipline. Is it okay for a parent other than the biological mother or father to discipline a child?

One thing I think most of us can agree on is that children require discipline. The method of discipline varies greatly and is a personal preference. Nonetheless, it is a necessary part of a child’s growth and development.

Some families are blended, and some are strictly nuclear. As such, it creates a situation where the biological parent is either the mother or father but not both. I pose the question of whether or not it is okay for a man or woman other than the biological parent to discipline the child?

Let’s look at dads who take on the responsibility of another man’s child with his girlfriend or wife. Do you feel that he should have a say in what the child does and whereabouts of the child? Should he be concerned with things relating to household chores, school and extracurricular activities? At the very least, he should feel respected by the child, no matter what. After that I think if he helps support the child, he should be able to apply discipline strategies. Whether that means taking away privileges, punishment where they are restricted from certain activities or getting a beating.

What’s Your Take?

In my opinion, I believe that the parents should come to an agreement and understanding of what that discipline should look like. And stand firmly on that without veering away from those rules. Of course, it will be different for every household but as long as the parents of the house are on the same page, I think it is possible for blended families to work and it can be so rewarding. What do you think?

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Do Fathers Get the Credit They Deserve?

Father’s Day Series, Part 2.

Do Fathers Get the Credit They Deserve?

The countdown is on. Only 1 week left to show those men how much they are appreciated. Do fathers get the credit they deserve? Fathers are very important and sometimes they do not get their deserved credit. People may say that they are supposed to be there for their children and take care of them. Indeed, but why not give them their flowers too?

Afterall, we all want to feel appreciated right? Yes, we do.

In honor of those special men, think about what they mean to you and the role they play in your life. What is special about your father that stands out and makes you want to extoll him? I’m sure you can come up with a few. Thinking about the moments in life that you and your father shared, how can you express your appreciation? Make sure that he knows what those moments mean to you. Additionally, remember to extend that gratitude long after June 16, 2024.

Is there is a memory or time that you most cherish with your father? It would be nice to recreate that moment and relive it all over again. If you cannot physically be with your dad, call him up and reminisce about that memory. I’m sure it would make him smile to know that you remembered it too and cherished the time just the same, if not more.

Dads don’t ask for much, they just want to know that their efforts are not in vain. It is nice to get a ‘thank you’ from someone. It lets them know how much they enjoyed an event or moment spent together. Although, we think they already know how we feel, nonetheless, say it anyway. Even if your dad is not be the sentimental type, and he likes gifts and/or gestures instead. Well, do that. He might want something as simple as watching a sporting event on television. He might want you to just spend time with him. And for the dads who like to receive gifts, make it possible for him. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant.

Some ideas to get you started on a gift that your dad will love:

  • Music lover- headphones or earbuds
  • Formal dresser- new tie, cologne, or cuff links
  • Carpenter types- new drill or tools for his tool box
  • Business man- new briefcase, new desk accessory, monogrammed pen set
  • Sports fanatic- tickets to a sporting event, personalized sports gift

Do fathers get the credit they deserve? What are your thoughts on the subject? Leave a comment and share your opinion.

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What Qualities Make up a Good Father?

Father’s Day Series, Part 1. What Qualities Make Up a Good Father?

Father’s Day this year, in 2024 is on June 16th. You still have time. Do not forget about this celebration. Fathers are very important and are a much-needed part of society and family. Sometimes, they do not get the recognition and are not celebrated like they should be. There is time to change that.

Also, the month of June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. Urge the men in your life to get a checkup. Even if they feel fine. Some medical conditions do not show up by symptoms and they may feel ok. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Part 1 of the Father’s Day Series is about what qualities make up a good father. A loving man who demonstrates the love of their child, a good listener, the man who shows interest in their child’s goals in life. Discipline and structure are also important.

Is it the one who is there emotionally and physically? The one who listens and talks to their children. The man that attends extracurricular activities. The one who actually spends time with their children.

Or is it the one who provides financially. He is the one who can buy clothes and food. Provide a home. But he is not around. He doesn’t invest time and/or effort. The father who writes the check but is absent otherwise.

What do you think is more important?

Of course, the child’s basic needs should be met. Is it too much to ask that the father provide and be there emotionally?

Fortunately, there are men out there that do just that. It doesn’t matter if the child lives in the same household or not. The man makes an effort to see his children and provides financially too.

June 16th let’s not forget Father’s Day. The day is coming up, there is still time. Show the dads out there that they matter and are loved and appreciated.

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Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

Did You Talk to Yourself Today?

Did you talk to yourself today as a reminder of how blessed you are? Tell yourself that no matter what happens you are still here. If you didn’t have the talk yet today, there is still time left.

Talk to yourself.

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Info Topic

Leap Into February, 2024

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. 2024 is a leap year, so we have 29 days to show our pride. Reflect on the contributions of African Americans. Consider where we came from and where we are today.

Alexander Miles created automatic elevator doors. Making for a safer elevator experience by lessening fatalities from people falling down the elevator shaft. Mary Van Brittan Brown co-invented the home security system. A much-needed necessity in the world today, which gives peace of mind, both while at home and away. Other inventions like the ironing board, traffic light, caller I.D. and call waiting are just some of the inventions by the Black community.

Superbowl Sunday

February 11, 2024- Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers

Watch Your Heart

February is Heart Awareness Month. Take time to pay attention and watch out for your heart health. Exercise and healthy diet are two ways to maintain health.

Along with heart health, in February there is Black Love Day and Valentines Day. February 13th celebrate Black Love Day with your sweetie and remind them just how much they mean to you. Not only romantically, but also BLD highlights love for the Black community as a whole. Don’t forget about friends and family.

Valentines Day is on February 14. Another way to guard your heart health with displays of affection. Show your love for your partner and include family and friends.

International Week of Black Women in the Arts

February 7-15 is a week to recognize and celebrate Black women in the arts. This includes movies, art and music. Women are still facing equality issues as it relates to compensation for their talents. Black women are still not being paid in equal amounts like their peers.

Art by African American women is not displayed at exhibits the same way it is for people of other demographics. Women who are performers in music are underpaid in the industry. Even though they have made great strides in this area, it is still not equal to actresses of other nationalities.

If you are interested in learning more, research Black artists. If you have a favorite artist, share with people you know. Another way to support Black female artists is to buy pieces of art by them. Spreading the word is a way to support their contributions and achievements.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Aquarians and Pisces.

Image Credit: Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Categories
Self Awareness Topic Words of Wisdom

The Season for Celebration

The Season for Celebration

**1/7/24 post updated: The Hannukah celebration by the Jewish community is not widely celebrated due to security reasons. The current state of affairs of the war, in no way is meant to imply that the Jewish community is the cause. My sincerest apologies to every and anyone who may have been offended. **

The time of year is here. The season of celebration, thankfulness, giving, family and reflection. We have all heard of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Among those, people also celebrate Diwali and Three Kings Day. I know there are other celebrations being had across the world. Hannukah is a celebration by the Jewish community. Unfortunately, due to the current state of war these may not be celebrated as widely, because of security reasons.

The point I am getting to, is that no matter what part of the country you live, we all have something to celebrate and be thankful for. The world is not perfect but we can all find at least one thing that is worthy of celebration.

Family

Family is a reason to be thankful. We do not always see eye-to-eye and agree on things, but family is a good reason to be thankful. Maybe, this time of year family can bury the hatchet and squash old beefs in the name of renewal for the new year. Release the weight and be free from the hold. You will feel so much better and be glad that you did.

Health

Celebrate health. If you are ambulatory and have full use of your limbs, celebrate that. You might be thinking, so what that’s nothing to celebrate. Just think if you couldn’t walk on your own. Having to depend on others to do for you. You will appreciate the use of those legs to drive a car, go to work, play with your small children. Taking a walk or even exercising.

Love

Love is a reason to celebrate. If you are coupled up, whether you are married or have a boo. Celebrate that love. Whatever that thing is that brought you together, reflect on it and celebrate in your own way.

The Season for Celebration

Every culture has their holiday rituals and traditions. If you are not in a celebratory mood, try to get out of that funk. It won’t be easy but find a reason to smile. If you haven’t been practicing your religion, go back to that. If you haven’t talked to your friends/family in a while, do that. The things that bring a smile to your face and make you feel good inside, revisit that.

Giving

Let me not forget the season for giving. It is not always about money. Give someone a smile or a compliment. If someone asks for your advice, give them true and sound advice. Hug yourself and say something nice. If you do participate in giving for the holiday season, give with a whole heart and not expect anything in return.