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.
Video Message- (Previously Recorded-11/21/24) Waking up with music
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 💞
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.
Video message-When We Pray
Thank you all. I appreciate you stopping by to read and/or watch my content.
Can You Answer This? What is the Best Decade of Your Life?
Joyous Life
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.
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.
Creative Pursuits
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.
Be Inspired
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?
Summary
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.
Voting season is here. As this election will be coming to a close soon, there was a monumental change in the running. The current president of the United States dropped out of the race for re-election. Consequently, the vice president, has decided to accept the nomination for office. In light of this some people may wonder if they should head to the polls.
Have you ever really stopped to think about the reasons you go to the polling place? Are you someone who thinks, why should I vote? If so, what makes you question the privilege of exercising your vote? Some will say that their one vote does not count and will not matter. If I vote, nothing will change.
Others will say that they vote in every election, it’s just what they do. It’s the American way to vote. It’s my civic duty to go to the polls. Do you feel that by not voting, the entire process will go away, and citizens will no longer be able to vote at all? I’m sure you have heard these sentiments at one time or another.
Numerous reasons will be cited for going to the polls to vote. Why do you vote? Is it a tradition for each election and something you just do. Do you want the free pen, button and sticker that says, “I voted”. Is it that you stand behind a certain candidate and are showing support. Do you cast your vote with the notion that it will make a positive change?
You Decide
It can be said that some people have a better sense of well -being when they participate in the process. Taking advantage of the freedom to vote holds a level of empowerment.
Voting is your way of standing for what you believe in and making your voice heard. The process of voting can positively affect the future of society. While the actual method of the way we hold elections may be flawed there are perks to voting.
I am not asking who you vote for or your political affiliation. I am just posing the question of your reason(s) for heading to the polls. What appeals most to you about the voting process?
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.
August is National Black Business Month. If you are a business owner this may be a good time to look for opportunities to boost your business. During this month consider marketing your business more. Showcase your services or products. Networking with others can give your business that added edge to increase revenue.
The month of August we celebrate and support Black businesses. You can also use this time to encourage aspiring business owners to start their entrepreneurial projects. Sharing and connecting with people who want to start a business is another way to network.
Being a Black business owner does not come easily. It is not all glitz and glamour. The extra work has to be done in order to make it possible to be able to work for yourself. A sense of accomplishment is felt when you can provide a product or service to help people and contribute to the successes of the economy.
Did you know?
The top three places with the highest numbers of Black owned businesses are New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
How do you celebrate National Black Business Month?
You can spread the word about any products or services that you like.
Shop Black owned businesses.
Research about Black entrepreneurs.
It is important because we can encourage these businesses to keep going and continue to contribute to the economic wealth of not only minority communities, but also the world abroad.
Do you ever stop to check in on yourself? Really think about how you are feeling. The video message highlights a few points to really get you thinking about how to be optimistic and look on the brighter side of things.
As always, thank you for watching! Stay well and be blessed!
Diverse and beautifully made with Blemishes that confirm your true existence Extravagance with your style of dress Authenticity in the way you deliver grace Unapologetic in your conviction for life Thoughtful when expressing strong opinions Intentional in your approach to love and kindness Flawed only to those who do not understand you Unique in your lens to the world Lavishly, loving life and doing it all with a smile Diverse and beautifully made, that's you, with all These colorful qualities wrapped into one
Image credit: Tom Barrett on Unsplash
Diverse and Beautifully Made is written in response to the prompt by Sadje, What do you see #243
Is Sisterhood a thing of the past? Judgements and criticism Are the reasons I ask Maybe it is due to stigmatism
Why not encourage and support Things that can only uplift and empower Let's form a coalition and abort Foul behaviors of those who cower
At the thought of us celebrating each other Knowing that love conquers all Lifting sister’s up one after another Silently they are hoping that we will brawl
Congratulate your sister, do not frown Judge not your sister, hold your horses Let us not divide with in-fighting, settle down Already are we deemed unfit by outside sources
Incapable of being amicable to our kin Women, sisters, confidant and friend I ask again, is sisterhood a thing of the past? Something so vital cannot come to an end
When you hear something scurrying about It is so tempting to open the door to investigate Only to discover when you do It is none other but the horned figure
The horned figure who is a chameleon Disguising itself as something other Other than the green-eyed bandit Just lying in wait ready to use their pointer
The pointer to out everyone but themselves When eyes are turned their way They start to retreat and hide away in the shadow Voice drops from 3 octaves down to one
One day they are dressed as a psychic The next as a black belt in karate Wonder what they will be the next time you see them Maybe that same horned figure in dirty crocodile shoes
It can be tempting but don’t answer the door Once the door is open the urge is hard to resist slamming it shut Let the horned figure stay busy trying to get in For they have nothing else to do
What does it mean to be a boss? Excellent! Outstanding! People have their own interpretation of the word. Some people take it to the extreme. Being a boss does not mean that you must be bossy. I know this is confusing. How can you be a boss and not be bossy?
Easy. Being a boss means that you have a level of control and stability. You have control over your circumstances and things that you do in life. You have stability in areas of your life that are important to you. What being a boss does not mean is bossing people around. Be the adjective of a boss and not the verb.
I am speaking to women on this subject. I think the colloquial term of being a boss, has gone too far. People are taking this out of context, and it is starting to have adverse effects. When you take your Boss self and start to do ugly things to people with your words and actions, do not be confused when people steer away from you.
You do not have to be bossy to let people know that you are in control. You do not have to be bossy to prove a point that you got this! That you are your own person. The boss in you will manifest itself. Others notice this and may or may not acknowledge it.
What a boss does
Loves herself
Says no without guilt
Is financially stable
Calls the shots
Has courage to ask for help
What a boss is not and/or does not do
Judgmental
Treat others badly
Talk down to people
Arrogant
Boastful
You can still be a boss, while simultaneously being a mother, wife, and sister. Please remember that you can still be outstanding and excellent without the negative undertones. Do not forget that you can still show your feminine side and call the shots. Stand your ground and be classy about it.
However, it can get lonely when you become too ambitious. A few people may fall out of your life while you are busy being a boss. Check in on people that you might not have seen or spoken to in a while. Remember that everyone needs someone.
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.
Women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. That is what Women’s History Month is about in 2024. Women are still having the same centuries old fight. It doesn’t make sense for it to be this way in such progressive times. But are we really living in progressive times?
“You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms.”
Michelle Obama
Let’s celebrate the women who are and have made a positive impact in the communities. Both local and afar. It takes courage and determination to answer the call to action. Forming comities, rallying together and just speaking on injustices is a great start.
We have women out there who have paved the way for advances we, as a country enjoy. Science, civil rights, film/theater, politics, sports, education, the arts and a plethora of disciplines is where women from all walks of life, have made their mark. Let us celebrate Ava DuVernay, Sally Ride, Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Susan B. Anthony and a host of others.
Without their activism, and strength to pave the way, we may not have been able to accomplish some of the things we have today. Staying the course and speaking out against inequities against women must continue. We deserve to be included and treated fairly, so let’s not forget the work of those before us and the women who walk with us today on this journey.
“There will be resistance to your ambition, there will be people who say to you, ‘You are out of your lane.’ They are burdened by only having the capacity to see what has always been instead of what can be. “
