Wow! A whole year gone?! Already?
It was a hard year - but it was a lesson, well-learned.
Lost a lot of famous people, the unbelievable happened, and just...everything that could go wrong, DID.
Right now, for me...is a time to reflect what I got accomplished and what I need to work on.
Got a lot done this year:
-cleaned up my credit
-got a new car
-stuck it out with the job (until something better presents itself)
-went back to my home church
-learned how to be quiet and LISTEN
-spent boocoos of time with the little boy (y'all, he is a trip!!!)
-better to be seen...and let God handle the showing and the telling
But with good, comes bad, and there were some bad that was pointed out:
-habits I've dealt with most of my life have been brought to the forefront for me to settle, once and for all
-behaviors that I've passed off as my own special "quirks", that caused the separation and breakup of a...friendship(? - still working on that)
-stuff I let go of, and shouldn't have, that I need to pick back up again (like this blog)
-make amends and repair the relationship with the love of my life
I don't know what 2017 is going to bring. My prayer for the next year: that God bring me wisdom to be better and DO better, understanding to know what to do with the wisdom, and knowledge to help me overcome what I don't know. I need to learn how to stay silent, until I hear God speak - THEN, move. And that's it's okay to play the background - who I am and what my abilities are will shine when needed and necessary - and that's cool, too.
I know what 2016 taught me: to embrace and love who I am, to feel what I feel without shame or condemnation - for after all, they are MY feelings (right and wrong), and not always feel the need to express it, but when I do - state it CLEARLY.
Like Petey Pablo stated: "I been workin' at it ever since I came to this planet/And I ain't quite there yet but I'm gettin' better at it."
I didn't like you, 2016, but you made me better.
Thanks (I think).
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
What I Will and WILL NOT Miss About 2016....
2016 shall go down in INFAMY, as far as I'm concerned.
2016 was the year that decided: "y'know...I'on e'en care! I'm fend to be TRILL!!"
And, in true TRILL fashion - 2016 came and showed it's bright red hind end quarters! We can't even ask for a "do-over"...
Do I understand that there are still 2 months, 60 some odd days to go before it's over?
Yes.
Do I understand that BECAUSE it's not over, it's gonna keep on with the effery?
UNFORTUNATELY, Yes.
Right through here, however, I give the same amount of care that 2016 gave me: 0 F's and D's.
It's not even about the PERSONAL ish that I had to deal with this year, that made it unbearable.
It was the stuff happening errywhere else that was keeping me in my feeling this year!!! Can I take a Ambien and sleep the rest of 2016 away?
Anyways, here's my list....
WHAT I WILL NOT MISS!!
-Orange. Satan. ('nuf ced.)
-Political Advertisements rehashing the grabbing of female genitalia (nope, bye!)
-White Privilege, White tears, White washing.... (oooh, I need y'all to hit the bricks!!!)
-All the damb obits this year!!! Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, Maurice White, Daryl Coley, Phife Dawg "The 5 ft. Assassin", Alan "Severus Snape" Rickman, Gary Shandling, Natalie Cole, Anton "Chekov" Yelchin, Gene Wilder, Patty Duke, Elie Wiesel, Tommy "You Ain't GOT no job" Ford, Bill "Radio Raheem" Nunn, Vanity, Nancy Reagan, Harper Lee, Glenn Frey....there's more, but I'm not going there!
-Y'ALL...we ain't even get a chance to say goodbye to PRINCE, they just buried him with no drama and pomp and circumstance (W.T.F. - I wanted my doves and Purple casket!!)
-all the Black men and women that were killed in 2016 ALONE...I can't even put the names on here...may shoot the screen if I did. #itstooMUCH
-Them emails, tho'... #comeyyousnitch
-these "new" Black people who have never experienced racism: yeah, I'm side-eyeing you Lil Wayne and Cam Newton...
-Ryan Lochte...just gwan embarrass yo' country sommore....
-The police. Not the band, the national organized gang in blue... not all of you, either, but some of your "bruhz in blue" need to rest a spell or 10... #blacklivesmatter
WHAT I WILL MISS
- PRESIDENT Barack Hussein Obama and his beautiful wife, FIRST LADY Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, and their beautiful, well-mannered, smart and gifted daughters: Malia and Sasha Obama, and Grandmother Marian Robinson and Bo and Sunny Obama. (Can we get 4 more, please?)
-Clapbacks and Receipts!! Whoooooooo!!! Errbody was handing 'em out left to right! And it was needed and necessary!!! I look forward to what the new year will bring...
-BLACK PRIDE!!! We as a people came thru - and aimed HIGHER this year. We are now HELL BENT ON IMPROVING OUR STATUS QUO. That's a good thing.
IJS.
2016 was the year that decided: "y'know...I'on e'en care! I'm fend to be TRILL!!"
And, in true TRILL fashion - 2016 came and showed it's bright red hind end quarters! We can't even ask for a "do-over"...
Do I understand that there are still 2 months, 60 some odd days to go before it's over?
Yes.
Do I understand that BECAUSE it's not over, it's gonna keep on with the effery?
UNFORTUNATELY, Yes.
Right through here, however, I give the same amount of care that 2016 gave me: 0 F's and D's.
It's not even about the PERSONAL ish that I had to deal with this year, that made it unbearable.
It was the stuff happening errywhere else that was keeping me in my feeling this year!!! Can I take a Ambien and sleep the rest of 2016 away?
Anyways, here's my list....
WHAT I WILL NOT MISS!!
-Orange. Satan. ('nuf ced.)
-Political Advertisements rehashing the grabbing of female genitalia (nope, bye!)
-White Privilege, White tears, White washing.... (oooh, I need y'all to hit the bricks!!!)
-All the damb obits this year!!! Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, Maurice White, Daryl Coley, Phife Dawg "The 5 ft. Assassin", Alan "Severus Snape" Rickman, Gary Shandling, Natalie Cole, Anton "Chekov" Yelchin, Gene Wilder, Patty Duke, Elie Wiesel, Tommy "You Ain't GOT no job" Ford, Bill "Radio Raheem" Nunn, Vanity, Nancy Reagan, Harper Lee, Glenn Frey....there's more, but I'm not going there!
-Y'ALL...we ain't even get a chance to say goodbye to PRINCE, they just buried him with no drama and pomp and circumstance (W.T.F. - I wanted my doves and Purple casket!!)
-all the Black men and women that were killed in 2016 ALONE...I can't even put the names on here...may shoot the screen if I did. #itstooMUCH
-Them emails, tho'... #comeyyousnitch
-these "new" Black people who have never experienced racism: yeah, I'm side-eyeing you Lil Wayne and Cam Newton...
-Ryan Lochte...just gwan embarrass yo' country sommore....
-The police. Not the band, the national organized gang in blue... not all of you, either, but some of your "bruhz in blue" need to rest a spell or 10... #blacklivesmatter
WHAT I WILL MISS
- PRESIDENT Barack Hussein Obama and his beautiful wife, FIRST LADY Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, and their beautiful, well-mannered, smart and gifted daughters: Malia and Sasha Obama, and Grandmother Marian Robinson and Bo and Sunny Obama. (Can we get 4 more, please?)
-Clapbacks and Receipts!! Whoooooooo!!! Errbody was handing 'em out left to right! And it was needed and necessary!!! I look forward to what the new year will bring...
-BLACK PRIDE!!! We as a people came thru - and aimed HIGHER this year. We are now HELL BENT ON IMPROVING OUR STATUS QUO. That's a good thing.
IJS.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Dedication to Your Passion
I like to write. I like that I have a creative mind, and sometimes I let it off the leash.
There's a quote that says if you love doing something and you get paid to do it, you will never work a day in your life.
Now, if I can get the ideas out, and get this book out.
IJS
There's a quote that says if you love doing something and you get paid to do it, you will never work a day in your life.
Now, if I can get the ideas out, and get this book out.
IJS
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Mark Your Words
I like to laugh and be funny. I like the clapback portion of events. I like giving the witty and clever comeback line. It's one of my more charming traits.
One of my friends told me that right now, I am on 0 chill, because of the debate and the trumping of Orange satan.
Which is true, I am very geeked about it. I have not held back shade or tea. I have been quite vocal about certain current events, even on this blog and elsewhere on social media.
But what happens when well-meaning humor and shade-throwing descends into degradation, embarrassment and humiliation? What happens when funny starts being malicious?
How far is too far? Do we even know if we've gone too far?
Case in point: the Miss Universe contestant who was dragged publicly for gaining weight while during her reign. Now we find out she had an eating disorder. And the words that were thrown at her during this time were hurtful, malicious and straight out wrong. Is the person who made these remarks to her, who we want sitting in the most powerful seat in the world?
I know what it's like to be embarrassed by someone pointing out my foibles, mistakes and ineptitude.
In public. In front of 40+ people. Loud, and very pointedly.
The person who did it, wanted to make me an example. And she did so, very vocally, to the point, ya'll I had to go in the bathroom and cry and ask God to help me please.
Why? Because one part of me was sooooo embarrassed, I never wanted to show my face again. And the rowdy part of me wanted to toss caution to the wind and give her....well, you know....THE BUSINESS! I think that was the part I was praying more for, so I would keep my cool.
The outcome? Let's just say that karma will run you over, in the end.
Two weeks later, she made the recommendation that cost me my job.
But it paled in comparison, to what happened to her and her family. I would never wish what happened to her, on my worst enemy. I don't work like that. That does not make me happy, and I didn't rejoice in it. I prayed for her. To this day, I still pray for her and her family.
I speak on some things, hold my peace in others. I will comment here and there.
For me, you get dragged when what you've done has caused HARM to those that I love, or who are DEFENSELESS. Don't bring kids and the elderly into this.
And if you're wrong, you're just wrong.
If you want correction, go to God, and ask Him for it. He will be more than happy to do it for you. Ask me how I know.
Some of the most painful lessons I learned were when God had to show me my errors through my embarrassment, my pride, my shooting off my mouth when not needed or necessary (especially when I was pointing out others' errors).
But when correction came, it made me understand that I could have all the fun I wanted, but in the end, what matters is how I made someone feel. And if it were caused by my words and actions, then I needed to deal with what was missing in me that made me do it, say it, or speak it.
Ladies and gentlemen, your words count. They can maim, they can cut, they wound and bruise. Take some time, and reflect on what you say. Think, then speak.
And sometimes, you don't need to comment on every. Little. Thing.
Hard lesson learned.
IJS
One of my friends told me that right now, I am on 0 chill, because of the debate and the trumping of Orange satan.
Which is true, I am very geeked about it. I have not held back shade or tea. I have been quite vocal about certain current events, even on this blog and elsewhere on social media.
But what happens when well-meaning humor and shade-throwing descends into degradation, embarrassment and humiliation? What happens when funny starts being malicious?
How far is too far? Do we even know if we've gone too far?
Case in point: the Miss Universe contestant who was dragged publicly for gaining weight while during her reign. Now we find out she had an eating disorder. And the words that were thrown at her during this time were hurtful, malicious and straight out wrong. Is the person who made these remarks to her, who we want sitting in the most powerful seat in the world?
I know what it's like to be embarrassed by someone pointing out my foibles, mistakes and ineptitude.
In public. In front of 40+ people. Loud, and very pointedly.
The person who did it, wanted to make me an example. And she did so, very vocally, to the point, ya'll I had to go in the bathroom and cry and ask God to help me please.
Why? Because one part of me was sooooo embarrassed, I never wanted to show my face again. And the rowdy part of me wanted to toss caution to the wind and give her....well, you know....THE BUSINESS! I think that was the part I was praying more for, so I would keep my cool.
The outcome? Let's just say that karma will run you over, in the end.
Two weeks later, she made the recommendation that cost me my job.
But it paled in comparison, to what happened to her and her family. I would never wish what happened to her, on my worst enemy. I don't work like that. That does not make me happy, and I didn't rejoice in it. I prayed for her. To this day, I still pray for her and her family.
I speak on some things, hold my peace in others. I will comment here and there.
For me, you get dragged when what you've done has caused HARM to those that I love, or who are DEFENSELESS. Don't bring kids and the elderly into this.
And if you're wrong, you're just wrong.
If you want correction, go to God, and ask Him for it. He will be more than happy to do it for you. Ask me how I know.
Some of the most painful lessons I learned were when God had to show me my errors through my embarrassment, my pride, my shooting off my mouth when not needed or necessary (especially when I was pointing out others' errors).
But when correction came, it made me understand that I could have all the fun I wanted, but in the end, what matters is how I made someone feel. And if it were caused by my words and actions, then I needed to deal with what was missing in me that made me do it, say it, or speak it.
Ladies and gentlemen, your words count. They can maim, they can cut, they wound and bruise. Take some time, and reflect on what you say. Think, then speak.
And sometimes, you don't need to comment on every. Little. Thing.
Hard lesson learned.
IJS
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
By Any Means Necessary!
I have a very short and simple message today. If you are over the age of 18, have not
committed a felony, and can read, and you have not done so already:
GO AND REGISTER TO VOTE!
Deadline is October 11th. You have more than 2 weeks. Get. This. Done.
Websites to use:
IJS.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
The Morning After
I cannot even BEGIN to explain the joy in my soul this day.
The con artist was caught dead-handed.
The joker LITERALLY got trumped. (see that?)
The emperor was exposed for having on NO CLOTHES (and no brains) last night.
And over 100 million people were witnesses to that fact.
The pundits are talking, the analysts are debating, and so on....
The fact-checkers did their jobs. TREMENDOUSLY, I might add.
But the best comment that I heard was this one:
"A debate isn’t a reality show. It’s a job interview. What Trump’s and Clinton’s performance Monday tells us about their possible performance in office."
So, in that order:
Job Interview for the President of the United States - Applicant #1
Sniffling ALL during the interview: REJECTED
Talking over the interviewer: REJECTED
Not answering the question: REJECTED...
Appearance: REJECTED x 1000
Insulting the other applicants: REJECTED
Qualifications: REJECTED, with receipts (how many bankruptcies?)
Overall ruling: not today, Orange satan, not today, tomorrow or EVER.
Job Interview for the President of the United States - Applicant #2
Greeted the interviewer and the other applicants: CHECK
Stayed calm and composed, even during accusations: CHECK
Answered ALL the questions, even the ones that HURT: CHECK x 1000 ("I made a mistake")
Appearance: other than them kitten heels, CHECK
Fact-checked the other applicant so hard, he stumbled for the rest of the debate: BODY. CHECK.
Qualifications:
Senator - CHECK ONE
Secretary of State - CHECK TWO
Wife of a FORMER PRESIDENT - CHECK THREE
Overall ruling: Y'all... I'm With Her.
IJS
The con artist was caught dead-handed.
The joker LITERALLY got trumped. (see that?)
The emperor was exposed for having on NO CLOTHES (and no brains) last night.
And over 100 million people were witnesses to that fact.
The pundits are talking, the analysts are debating, and so on....
The fact-checkers did their jobs. TREMENDOUSLY, I might add.
But the best comment that I heard was this one:
"A debate isn’t a reality show. It’s a job interview. What Trump’s and Clinton’s performance Monday tells us about their possible performance in office."
So, in that order:
Job Interview for the President of the United States - Applicant #1
Sniffling ALL during the interview: REJECTED
Talking over the interviewer: REJECTED
Not answering the question: REJECTED...
Appearance: REJECTED x 1000
Insulting the other applicants: REJECTED
Qualifications: REJECTED, with receipts (how many bankruptcies?)
Overall ruling: not today, Orange satan, not today, tomorrow or EVER.
Job Interview for the President of the United States - Applicant #2
Greeted the interviewer and the other applicants: CHECK
Stayed calm and composed, even during accusations: CHECK
Answered ALL the questions, even the ones that HURT: CHECK x 1000 ("I made a mistake")
Appearance: other than them kitten heels, CHECK
Fact-checked the other applicant so hard, he stumbled for the rest of the debate: BODY. CHECK.
Qualifications:
Senator - CHECK ONE
Secretary of State - CHECK TWO
Wife of a FORMER PRESIDENT - CHECK THREE
Overall ruling: Y'all... I'm With Her.
IJS
Monday, September 26, 2016
The Boycott Plan
Y'all, help me out a minute....
I know that on today, we were asked by Isaiah Washington to not go into work, and not spend any money today, as a boycott for all the police murders and abuse of Black men and women that have transpired over the past 2-3 YEARS.
I'm sorry, but unless you have your own business that you run, or you have a job where you can arbitrarily can just take a day off (like civil service jobs) - if you, as I do, work in the private sector - you cannot take a random day off without consequence of reprimand or loss of job and income.
Does this mean that I don't support the movement? Not at all.
I just wished they had planned it better.
So, to the authors, architects and constructors of the boycott, here are some ideas for the next boycott:
1) Make it tangible - not spending money in places that don't give a damb about us, I'm all down for it. But if you REALLY wanna send a message: stop going to football games, stop buying overpriced coffees and lattes, stop going to the fast food restaurants and sit-down restaurants, stop going into clothing stores that don't cater to our sizes and our culture, and for GOD's sake - stop going to concerts and watching TV shows and movies that the actors/artists/singers/musicians are not WOKE!!(yeah, I'm throwing shade at you, Fantasia!!)
2) Make it a day that is historical in our minds, and give us some warning time before we do it. Because if you're gonna ask me to take a day off from work - it needs to be memorable. Example: somewhere around the Juneteenth celebrations. Make sure that if I am going to take a PTO for this, I'm doing something with it: marching, building up my community, reaching out. I don't wanna be sitting at home with nuffin to do.
3) If you're gonna boycott the holidays, give some alternatives: if there is a Black-owned food company that can cater Thanksgiving/Christmas turkeys, hams, ribs and ALL the fixings for us, set up a website, make it affordable and get it out on social media. That way, Black $$ go back to Black businesses. And if we necessarily have to go to a grocery store, give us a list of proscribed companies that we can go to that have been approved. Myself, I think I may start going to the farmer's market for some of my food items.
This is in an effort to ensure: we make our UNITED voices HEARD, instead of a few just screaming out in the wind to no avail.
IJS
I know that on today, we were asked by Isaiah Washington to not go into work, and not spend any money today, as a boycott for all the police murders and abuse of Black men and women that have transpired over the past 2-3 YEARS.
I'm sorry, but unless you have your own business that you run, or you have a job where you can arbitrarily can just take a day off (like civil service jobs) - if you, as I do, work in the private sector - you cannot take a random day off without consequence of reprimand or loss of job and income.
Does this mean that I don't support the movement? Not at all.
I just wished they had planned it better.
So, to the authors, architects and constructors of the boycott, here are some ideas for the next boycott:
1) Make it tangible - not spending money in places that don't give a damb about us, I'm all down for it. But if you REALLY wanna send a message: stop going to football games, stop buying overpriced coffees and lattes, stop going to the fast food restaurants and sit-down restaurants, stop going into clothing stores that don't cater to our sizes and our culture, and for GOD's sake - stop going to concerts and watching TV shows and movies that the actors/artists/singers/musicians are not WOKE!!(yeah, I'm throwing shade at you, Fantasia!!)
2) Make it a day that is historical in our minds, and give us some warning time before we do it. Because if you're gonna ask me to take a day off from work - it needs to be memorable. Example: somewhere around the Juneteenth celebrations. Make sure that if I am going to take a PTO for this, I'm doing something with it: marching, building up my community, reaching out. I don't wanna be sitting at home with nuffin to do.
3) If you're gonna boycott the holidays, give some alternatives: if there is a Black-owned food company that can cater Thanksgiving/Christmas turkeys, hams, ribs and ALL the fixings for us, set up a website, make it affordable and get it out on social media. That way, Black $$ go back to Black businesses. And if we necessarily have to go to a grocery store, give us a list of proscribed companies that we can go to that have been approved. Myself, I think I may start going to the farmer's market for some of my food items.
This is in an effort to ensure: we make our UNITED voices HEARD, instead of a few just screaming out in the wind to no avail.
IJS
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Today Was A Good Day, Part 2
Here are the 90s...which was, to me, the last decade GOOD music was made.
90s R&B - Slow Jamz
1) Don't talk, just listen...
2) On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you...
3) My mind's telling me no....
4) How do I say goodbye to what we had...
5) Early in the morning I put breakfast on your table...
6) And no one, does it like me....
7) Treated me kind, sweet destiny...
8) And I can't stop thinking about, about the way things used to be...
9) I will love you any way, even if you cannot stay...
10) Let me do all things you want me to do, cause tonight, baby...
Bonus: To tha tick-tock, ya don't stop...
90s Dance
1) On the playground, you know, dat's where I saw this cutie...
2) Shot like an arrow thru my heart...
3) Do you remember, when we fell in love...
4) ...I just keep it on the down low, and nobody else supposed to know...
5) It's driving me outta my mind....
6) I wear tight clothing, high heeled shoes...
7) It's Friday, and I'm ready to swing...
8) I wanna take some time out, to think things thru...
9) I can't sleep at night, I toss and turn, listening for the telephone....
10) Whatever you want from me, I'm givin' you everything...
90s Rap/HipHop
1) You drew a picture of my morning, but you didn't make my day (HEY)...
2) 1989, another number, another summer...
3) Ride it, ride it, dip and slide it, that's the way, yeah, yeah you got it...
4) Just waking up in morning, gotta thank God...
5) 1, 2, 3 and to the 4, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at tha door...
6) Everybody shake your body, we don't ill, we chill at a party...
7) Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice, I say the darker the flesh, the deeper the roots...
8) Cash Rules Everything Around Me...
9) To all the ladies in the place with style and grace...
10) Kick this one here for me and DJ...
11) What'chall wanna do, wanna be ballers, shot callers, brawlers...
12) I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back
13) You on point, Tip? All the time, Phife...
14) Now you tease my Plug One style...
15) The ladies will kick it, the rhyme that is wicked...
90s R&B - Slow Jamz
1) Don't talk, just listen...
2) On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you...
3) My mind's telling me no....
4) How do I say goodbye to what we had...
5) Early in the morning I put breakfast on your table...
6) And no one, does it like me....
7) Treated me kind, sweet destiny...
8) And I can't stop thinking about, about the way things used to be...
9) I will love you any way, even if you cannot stay...
10) Let me do all things you want me to do, cause tonight, baby...
Bonus: To tha tick-tock, ya don't stop...
90s Dance
1) On the playground, you know, dat's where I saw this cutie...
2) Shot like an arrow thru my heart...
3) Do you remember, when we fell in love...
4) ...I just keep it on the down low, and nobody else supposed to know...
5) It's driving me outta my mind....
6) I wear tight clothing, high heeled shoes...
7) It's Friday, and I'm ready to swing...
8) I wanna take some time out, to think things thru...
9) I can't sleep at night, I toss and turn, listening for the telephone....
10) Whatever you want from me, I'm givin' you everything...
90s Rap/HipHop
1) You drew a picture of my morning, but you didn't make my day (HEY)...
2) 1989, another number, another summer...
3) Ride it, ride it, dip and slide it, that's the way, yeah, yeah you got it...
4) Just waking up in morning, gotta thank God...
5) 1, 2, 3 and to the 4, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at tha door...
6) Everybody shake your body, we don't ill, we chill at a party...
7) Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice, I say the darker the flesh, the deeper the roots...
8) Cash Rules Everything Around Me...
9) To all the ladies in the place with style and grace...
10) Kick this one here for me and DJ...
11) What'chall wanna do, wanna be ballers, shot callers, brawlers...
12) I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back
13) You on point, Tip? All the time, Phife...
14) Now you tease my Plug One style...
15) The ladies will kick it, the rhyme that is wicked...
Friday, September 23, 2016
Today Was A Good Day
Since today, we are starting to see some leeway in the rash of killings, I feel the need to do something fun.
In honor of my best friend, Jian, I have listed a few song lyrics that should take you back. I am an 80s-90s hip hop head, with a nod to the 60s and the 70s (cos to me these were the eras of GOOD music), and these lyrics will ahve you pulling up YouTube videos in about a minute:
60s
1) Like sweet as the morning dew...
2) The best things in life are free...
3) You and I must make a pact...
4) I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day...
5) Sitting in the morning sun...
70s
1) Automatic, systematic...
2) Time keeps on slippin' slippin'...
3) We got a real type a thang going down and down...
4) You don't know me, but I'm your brother...
5) Do you remember, when it was nice...
80s (since this is my era, I'll add a few more)
1) A hip, hop, a hip hippity hip hip hop, and you don't the rock...
2) Yo EMD? Yeah, whassup man? There go that girl they call...
3) ...there is none higher, Sucka MC'S should call me sire...
4) Well the party didn't start til I walked in...
5) Taking out all rookies, so forget Oreos and eat Cool J cookies...
6) They told you don't you ever come around here...
7) All alone on a Sunday morning...
8) Everybody's saying silly things, without knowing, that life brings a change...
9) I was alone, I was feeling rather low...
10) Walked in this place, surprised to see everybody gettin' busy ...
11) Get down pretty ladies, around the world...
12) I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
90s will continue tomorrow....but one that I couldn't forget about... and had to mention:
A MEANY MEANY MEANY MEANY (say what?)
In honor of my best friend, Jian, I have listed a few song lyrics that should take you back. I am an 80s-90s hip hop head, with a nod to the 60s and the 70s (cos to me these were the eras of GOOD music), and these lyrics will ahve you pulling up YouTube videos in about a minute:
60s
1) Like sweet as the morning dew...
2) The best things in life are free...
3) You and I must make a pact...
4) I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day...
5) Sitting in the morning sun...
70s
1) Automatic, systematic...
2) Time keeps on slippin' slippin'...
3) We got a real type a thang going down and down...
4) You don't know me, but I'm your brother...
5) Do you remember, when it was nice...
80s (since this is my era, I'll add a few more)
1) A hip, hop, a hip hippity hip hip hop, and you don't the rock...
2) Yo EMD? Yeah, whassup man? There go that girl they call...
3) ...there is none higher, Sucka MC'S should call me sire...
4) Well the party didn't start til I walked in...
5) Taking out all rookies, so forget Oreos and eat Cool J cookies...
6) They told you don't you ever come around here...
7) All alone on a Sunday morning...
8) Everybody's saying silly things, without knowing, that life brings a change...
9) I was alone, I was feeling rather low...
10) Walked in this place, surprised to see everybody gettin' busy ...
11) Get down pretty ladies, around the world...
12) I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
90s will continue tomorrow....but one that I couldn't forget about... and had to mention:
A MEANY MEANY MEANY MEANY (say what?)
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
IT'S TOO MUCH!!!
It's. Too. Much.
Apparently, he also had a gun.
I don't know what is worse: the fact that he was shot while reading a book, or the fact that he had a gun on him?
What is the crime: having the book or having the gun?
I guess both are illegal if you are Black in the USA.
Unlawful for a Black man to read.
Unlawful for a Black man to possess a gun.
You wanna talk about equality?
Shoot the next White man you see with a book.
Shoot the next White man you see with a gun.
I'll wait...quite possibly, a long time for that to occur.
We are at a breaking point in this country. This is not the land of the free nor the home of the brave.
Think I'll sit for a while too.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Makes Me Wanna Holla!!
It's been kinda hard to write these past few days...
The murder of Terrence Crutcher is breaking my heart.
The knot that kinda went away in May, has returned fivefold.
I am in constant prayer to "hold my mule" whilst dealing the other persuasion.
I have to have conversations I don't want to.
I have to tell my 17 (almost 18) yr old nephew why he needs to be careful when he goes to Homecoming next weekend.
I have to have a talk with my baby nephew in about 5 more years, explaining to him why he can't just point at people and say, "why?" (he's starting to understand the differentiations between Black and White people)
I hate that I worry about my brother, my brothers, my cousins, my male friends...who could be stopped at any given time, and shot and killed: for NOTHING.
I posted this on FB this morning:
When will the policing of the POLICE begin? There seems to be no accountability, no remorse, and no one coming forward to say: "we were wrong and we're taking measures to clean this up". Sad part: it won't happen until we make it COST THEM SOMETHING!! Bump administrative leave, bump being fired, take away their pension, and lock. THEM. UP. Make them understand what the price of ONE life means: FREEDOM.
I don't feel safe anymore. Our men are disappearing right before us, and we have a police force who seems to be making quotas on how many KILLS they can make for the month.
Marvin said it right: "makes me wanna holla, the way they do my life, throw up both my hands, this ain't living, this ain't living."
#IJS
The murder of Terrence Crutcher is breaking my heart.The knot that kinda went away in May, has returned fivefold.
I am in constant prayer to "hold my mule" whilst dealing the other persuasion.
I have to have conversations I don't want to.
I have to tell my 17 (almost 18) yr old nephew why he needs to be careful when he goes to Homecoming next weekend.
I have to have a talk with my baby nephew in about 5 more years, explaining to him why he can't just point at people and say, "why?" (he's starting to understand the differentiations between Black and White people)
I hate that I worry about my brother, my brothers, my cousins, my male friends...who could be stopped at any given time, and shot and killed: for NOTHING.
I posted this on FB this morning:
When will the policing of the POLICE begin? There seems to be no accountability, no remorse, and no one coming forward to say: "we were wrong and we're taking measures to clean this up". Sad part: it won't happen until we make it COST THEM SOMETHING!! Bump administrative leave, bump being fired, take away their pension, and lock. THEM. UP. Make them understand what the price of ONE life means: FREEDOM.
I don't feel safe anymore. Our men are disappearing right before us, and we have a police force who seems to be making quotas on how many KILLS they can make for the month.
Marvin said it right: "makes me wanna holla, the way they do my life, throw up both my hands, this ain't living, this ain't living."
#IJS
Thursday, September 15, 2016
SHEroes for today
Good Morning
This is not a complete list, they are not in any specific order, but I personally want to thank these women for being strong enough to make it "do what it do" (i.e. - being a Black woman in this country, being real, being strong and keeping it CLASSY while being SASSY):
First Lady Michelle Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Ava DuVernay
Soledad O'Brien
Donna Brazille
Mothers of the Movement: women who have lost children due to police brutality/altercations
Cicely Tyson
Angela Bassett
Lynn Whitfield
Nichelle Nichols
Taraji P Henson
Viola Davis
Octavia Butler
Erykah Badu
Janelle Monae
Jill Scott
Beyoncé
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Iyanla VanZant
The main SHEro I wanna give a shout-out to this morning is the fantabulous Rev. Faith Green Timmons, pastor of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint, MI.
Pastor did not think it robbery to reach back to the ancestoral "Rules of Conduct When Dealing With Idiots".
She gave ol' boy a chin check, a mollywhop, a straight-from-Big-Mama-slap.
Pastor Timmons CLEAN corrected and reminded Orange satan about what he was there to do, and kindly cut him off before he. Went. There. On. Hillary.
She did (as sisters are wont to do, when placed in this position) what some MEN in her position could never do: tell an idiot to be quiet and have a seat.
She gave him the Mama "not in MY house you don't!" speech. Exit, stage lef'. Tail tucked right betwixt his legs.
To you, madam Pastor....you are my SHEro for today...quite possibly forevermore.
You get all the WINS today!!!
This is not a complete list, they are not in any specific order, but I personally want to thank these women for being strong enough to make it "do what it do" (i.e. - being a Black woman in this country, being real, being strong and keeping it CLASSY while being SASSY):
First Lady Michelle Obama
Oprah Winfrey
Ava DuVernay
Soledad O'Brien
Donna Brazille
Mothers of the Movement: women who have lost children due to police brutality/altercations
- Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland
- Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis
- Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin
- Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner
- Lezley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown
- Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton
- -Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontré Hamilton
Cicely Tyson
Angela Bassett
Lynn Whitfield
Nichelle Nichols
Taraji P Henson
Viola Davis
Octavia Butler
Erykah Badu
Janelle Monae
Jill Scott
Beyoncé
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Iyanla VanZant
The main SHEro I wanna give a shout-out to this morning is the fantabulous Rev. Faith Green Timmons, pastor of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint, MI.
Pastor did not think it robbery to reach back to the ancestoral "Rules of Conduct When Dealing With Idiots".
She gave ol' boy a chin check, a mollywhop, a straight-from-Big-Mama-slap.
Pastor Timmons CLEAN corrected and reminded Orange satan about what he was there to do, and kindly cut him off before he. Went. There. On. Hillary.
She did (as sisters are wont to do, when placed in this position) what some MEN in her position could never do: tell an idiot to be quiet and have a seat.
She gave him the Mama "not in MY house you don't!" speech. Exit, stage lef'. Tail tucked right betwixt his legs.
To you, madam Pastor....you are my SHEro for today...quite possibly forevermore.
You get all the WINS today!!!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
It's CLAPBACK SEASON
For all you side-eye ninjas who succeeded at the old neighborhood game of "the dozens", your season has arrived!!!
Welp, it's been here for a minute, but it needs to be official: CLAPBACK SEASON IS HERE TO STAY!!
How so, you might ask?
Glad that you did.
Just yesterday, Jussie Smollet had to sit a troll down for coming at him...and I was like: "don't folks know he's learning his game from two of the all-time MASTERS of the clapback, both real AND fictional???" Terrence and Taraji have been schooling the young man. Click here for the story.
We have, since the inception of Orange satan's decision to run as commander-in-chief (insert laughter and side-eye slaying here), had a season of just...IDIOTIC COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY. A very small part of it, has been spot on.
However the HUGE (and I mean MONSTROUS) part of it has been, creeping up on the borders of "exactly what were you thinking when you posted/said this? You need a fact/spell/sense checker..."
But I digress.
There is an unwritten rule about talking about people, i.e. "throwing shade" - if you are going to come at a person, best make sure your house is not glass fortified. Otherwise, we throwing rocks.
For some of y'all, BOULDERS have left your hands.
Let's review the timeline that CLAPBACK SEASON began (at least for me it did):
1. June 16th - Taylor Swift/Yeezus/KK - Kim (who, if you don't know me, is famous for nothing AT ALL) showed Taylor "don't come for my man...he ran the lyrics by you, you said okay, NOW you wanna act all hurt when it comes out. No, heffa...I got proof!!" And. Posted. The. Message.
Award for Savage Receipts - goes to Mrs. Kanye West, Kim Kardashian!
2. July 18th - Melania Trump, in a display of epic FAIL, decided to steal portions of First Lady (of Style and Grace and these United States) Michelle Obama. FORGETTING that people actually LISTENED to Michelle's speech, and took notes. Jesse Williams (WokeBae4LIFE) instantly took to TWITTER and began a roast-fest of such epic proportions, the likes of which have NEVA been seen until recently. Which also begat the hashtag: #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
Award for Savage Hashtag - goes to WokeBae, Jesse Williams
3. August - The Olympics. Where the world decides to get past the BS and show the politicians - "it's really not all that serious." Simone Biles, Madison Kocian, Gabby Douglas, Alexa Morena and Aly Raisman straight killed the gymnastics world - it was cause for celebration. Three of them took to Twitter to show their celebration, not to mention their swimsuits - and then foolishness raised its' ugly head.
All people saw were three beautiful, in shape girls, celebrating their win at the Olympics. This troll decided to body shame them. And then, this beautiful girl named Crystal went for the ultimate clapback WELP!
First of all, Tiki - you can't throw stones at Colin. You, who left your 8 month pregnant wife, for a skinny intern. No sir, sitcho sef down in an high school auditorium full of seats.
Welp, it's been here for a minute, but it needs to be official: CLAPBACK SEASON IS HERE TO STAY!!
How so, you might ask?
Glad that you did.
Just yesterday, Jussie Smollet had to sit a troll down for coming at him...and I was like: "don't folks know he's learning his game from two of the all-time MASTERS of the clapback, both real AND fictional???" Terrence and Taraji have been schooling the young man. Click here for the story.
We have, since the inception of Orange satan's decision to run as commander-in-chief (insert laughter and side-eye slaying here), had a season of just...IDIOTIC COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY. A very small part of it, has been spot on.
However the HUGE (and I mean MONSTROUS) part of it has been, creeping up on the borders of "exactly what were you thinking when you posted/said this? You need a fact/spell/sense checker..."
But I digress.
There is an unwritten rule about talking about people, i.e. "throwing shade" - if you are going to come at a person, best make sure your house is not glass fortified. Otherwise, we throwing rocks.
For some of y'all, BOULDERS have left your hands.
Let's review the timeline that CLAPBACK SEASON began (at least for me it did):
1. June 16th - Taylor Swift/Yeezus/KK - Kim (who, if you don't know me, is famous for nothing AT ALL) showed Taylor "don't come for my man...he ran the lyrics by you, you said okay, NOW you wanna act all hurt when it comes out. No, heffa...I got proof!!" And. Posted. The. Message.
Award for Savage Receipts - goes to Mrs. Kanye West, Kim Kardashian!
2. July 18th - Melania Trump, in a display of epic FAIL, decided to steal portions of First Lady (of Style and Grace and these United States) Michelle Obama. FORGETTING that people actually LISTENED to Michelle's speech, and took notes. Jesse Williams (WokeBae4LIFE) instantly took to TWITTER and began a roast-fest of such epic proportions, the likes of which have NEVA been seen until recently. Which also begat the hashtag: #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
Award for Savage Hashtag - goes to WokeBae, Jesse Williams
3. August - The Olympics. Where the world decides to get past the BS and show the politicians - "it's really not all that serious." Simone Biles, Madison Kocian, Gabby Douglas, Alexa Morena and Aly Raisman straight killed the gymnastics world - it was cause for celebration. Three of them took to Twitter to show their celebration, not to mention their swimsuits - and then foolishness raised its' ugly head.
All people saw were three beautiful, in shape girls, celebrating their win at the Olympics. This troll decided to body shame them. And then, this beautiful girl named Crystal went for the ultimate clapback WELP!
Award for the Savage Twitterply - Crystal!
4. August 26, 2016 - Colin Kaepernick (my other other WokeBae) sits down during the National Anthem before his game with the Green Bay Packers. The chaos that ensued from that point... errybody and they great-uncle had something to say. However, the three images that I'm about to post are to show everyone: if you HAVE done dirt, and I mean of the MUDDY variety, you first need to have a Coliseum full of seats. Then, you have also forfeited your rights to come for anyone that DID NOT SEND FOR YOU!! Cases in point:
Tony Stewart, baby - just....no. No. NO. By the way, I mean NO!!
Ben, um, till you learn how to keep your hands to yourself - go sit in the corner. Do not come for Colin, who chose to sit for civil rights. Agree to that, please.
Award for the Overall SAVAGE Clapback Category: Twitter/Black Twitter....and dismount!
MORAL OF THIS STORY: If you are going to throw stones, make sure your target has the same amount of baggage as you do. Otherwise, leave them alont. Don't come for nobody that didn't send for you...
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Daddy's Girl
All my life, all I've heard is "Your Dad has you sooooooo spoiled."
To which I would reply, "no, he doesn't!"
Today, I had to reflect on that....
What does being spoiled mean? I get what I want? Point to something and say, "buy that for me?" Doing whatever and receiving no punishment whatsoever?
In no way, shape, form or fashion did my father even ALLOW that to happen!
-My father was a parent, first and foremost. I didn't get away with ANYTHING. Even when I thought I did, I didn't. He was the last line of discipline at home. The ONLY person I never wanted to get a whooping from was my dad - no mercy. He didn't do it often, mainly because I didn't like getting in trouble, but when he did - I never forgot it or the lesson it taught me.
-he has NEVER given me anything I didn't work to EARN. He comes from a family that hard work was valued. He worked as a little boy, a young man, a grown man, and he still works now. He doesn't believe it just "giving" things to you: you had to EARN it. Bad grades were not allowed, talking back? just, no...and if he said do something, he didn't mean tomorrow: RIGHT NOW!
So no, I am not spoiled in THAT manner. This is how I am spoiled:
-he talks to me, both then and now. His wisdom is so very key in my life. Lessons he taught me early on, are coming around now. I can come to him if something is bothering me, or if I just need advice, or his opinion. He'll let me come to my own decision, but it's good to hear another perspective.
-There has NEVER been a time when he was not there for me. When he had to go out of town to work, he always called home, took care of the bills, took care of our family, made sure we never went without - HE IS A PRESENT FATHER. He would come to football games, go to different events, take us on family trips, teach us how do different things around the house. If I needed him for an emergency: he was right there until it was over. And stays there afterward.
-He instilled a love for God that is still true to this day. He will not let me slide in my Christianity, and he makes sure that my integrity in that department stays 100. He is the reason my relationship with God is as powerful as it is: my earthly father taught me about my Heavenly Father, and His amazing, everlasting love for me.
-He loves my mother. They've been married for 55+ years. Nuf said.
-He loves me, my brother, and his kids. He disciplined me and Reggie, helped raise and care for my niece, he supports my nephew, and he and Jameir "talk" (smile). We know he loves us.
So, in material ways, no I'm not spoiled.
In emotional, spiritual and familial ways....I am rotten to the core spoiled by my dad. His love for me knows no bounds, and I get what I want - unconditional love.
Happy Birthday, Daddy.
Love, your Renee.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Because It Was A Good Weekend...
Some quick highlights...
* NEW SORORITY YEAR....yaaaaaasssssssss!!!! Happy to be working with my teen girls again!!!!
*BUCS WON YESTERDAY!!!!! 31-24....saying POW to the Dirty Birds!!!
*Hung out with my niece and MONSTER on Thursday night....which was very coo!!!
*Got a chance to talk with my best friend/aggie/accountability partner all weekend long (which is hilarious, given the fact that we talk almost every day DURING the week!!)
*Actually decided NOT to hang out this weekend... which is a change, but THIS WEEKEND, I'm in the WIND (ain't e'en tryna be homebodied)!!!!
Life is good. I am blessed. Like Ice Cube said: "today was a good day".
P.S. - to my accountability partner....check your inbox later today...around 8pm, I think.
* NEW SORORITY YEAR....yaaaaaasssssssss!!!! Happy to be working with my teen girls again!!!!
*BUCS WON YESTERDAY!!!!! 31-24....saying POW to the Dirty Birds!!!
*Hung out with my niece and MONSTER on Thursday night....which was very coo!!!
*Got a chance to talk with my best friend/aggie/accountability partner all weekend long (which is hilarious, given the fact that we talk almost every day DURING the week!!)
*Actually decided NOT to hang out this weekend... which is a change, but THIS WEEKEND, I'm in the WIND (ain't e'en tryna be homebodied)!!!!
Life is good. I am blessed. Like Ice Cube said: "today was a good day".
P.S. - to my accountability partner....check your inbox later today...around 8pm, I think.
Friday, September 9, 2016
The "CAN" Button Is Broke!
I am OFFICIALLY on a CAN'T rant today:
I CAN'T:
*take Ray Lewis and his Uncle Tom'ing self today. Have all the seats in Madison Square Garden, sir! This message also goes to: Cam Newton, Tony Stewart, Tiki Barber, Shaquille O'Neal and any other member of the NFL/NBA/MLB or any other sport who has the supreme audacity to cry out in protest of Colin Kapernick. If you are not part of the solution, gentlemen....
*listen to one more pundit talk badabout Hilary Clinton, but Orange satan still manages to do no wrong? His wrongness transcends business, politics, family, etc....
*hear one more person ask "is racism still alive?" You get shade!
*stop laughing at the fact that Wells Fargo has FINALLY realized they've been robbing people blind for the last 10 years?!?!? REALLY 'DOH?!?!?
*sit through another movie about something we have done as Black people without the "available" white person jumping in to take the credit....and they make the money off the movie. Yes, Johnny Depp, I'm talmbout you!!
*read another post, see another meme, watch another video, listen to another talk-show host, read us about bitter Black women. We ain't bitter. We THROUGH!
Read very clearly between the lines: I. Am. Tired.
And. Done.
(two fingers in the air) Bye Felicia!
I CAN'T:
*take Ray Lewis and his Uncle Tom'ing self today. Have all the seats in Madison Square Garden, sir! This message also goes to: Cam Newton, Tony Stewart, Tiki Barber, Shaquille O'Neal and any other member of the NFL/NBA/MLB or any other sport who has the supreme audacity to cry out in protest of Colin Kapernick. If you are not part of the solution, gentlemen....
*listen to one more pundit talk badabout Hilary Clinton, but Orange satan still manages to do no wrong? His wrongness transcends business, politics, family, etc....
*hear one more person ask "is racism still alive?" You get shade!
*stop laughing at the fact that Wells Fargo has FINALLY realized they've been robbing people blind for the last 10 years?!?!? REALLY 'DOH?!?!?
*sit through another movie about something we have done as Black people without the "available" white person jumping in to take the credit....and they make the money off the movie. Yes, Johnny Depp, I'm talmbout you!!
*read another post, see another meme, watch another video, listen to another talk-show host, read us about bitter Black women. We ain't bitter. We THROUGH!
Read very clearly between the lines: I. Am. Tired.
And. Done.
(two fingers in the air) Bye Felicia!
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Gone for a Minute...
I'mmmmmm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!
Your fearless writer has returned!
I've been enjoying life...warts and all, but all in all, glad to be putting fingers to the keyboard again!!
Some highlights:
*BOULE. WAS. THA. BOMB.
*Enjoying the HELL outta my new car!
*Still dateless, but the desperation has truly passed...
*Making changes to some places I go and people I choose to associate myself with...when God ushers people out of
*The BFF came to town, and got to hear him play with his band (3 chords, man, 3 chords!!)
*Made some realizations about the next phase of my life, and what I need to do to GET THERE!!!
Ready for the next phase...wanna join me??
Your fearless writer has returned!
I've been enjoying life...warts and all, but all in all, glad to be putting fingers to the keyboard again!!
Some highlights:
*BOULE. WAS. THA. BOMB.
*Enjoying the HELL outta my new car!
*Still dateless, but the desperation has truly passed...
*Making changes to some places I go and people I choose to associate myself with...when God ushers people out of
*The BFF came to town, and got to hear him play with his band (3 chords, man, 3 chords!!)
*Made some realizations about the next phase of my life, and what I need to do to GET THERE!!!
Ready for the next phase...wanna join me??
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Put The Eggs and Tomatoes Down!!
I know! It's been a good hot minute since I've blogged!!
To my single-digit number of readers, sowwy!!!
To my friend, Jian - I need to get back to it!
Between traveling, working, gettting ready for another GRADUATE funding program (this time, it's the nephew, RME)...been way too busy...
Good news, it's allowed the story fairy to leave nuggets here and there....
So, I may put up a story link sometime soon, and you may get to read some things...hopefully, the story fairy will keep sending me gifts.
To my single-digit number of readers, sowwy!!!
To my friend, Jian - I need to get back to it!
Between traveling, working, gettting ready for another GRADUATE funding program (this time, it's the nephew, RME)...been way too busy...
Good news, it's allowed the story fairy to leave nuggets here and there....
So, I may put up a story link sometime soon, and you may get to read some things...hopefully, the story fairy will keep sending me gifts.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
More Than A Number
114.
This is more than an arbitrary number.
This is the number that did it for me.
This is the number that ends my silence.
This is the number that should end yours as well.
This is the number that should make our President pay attention to this epidemic.
This is the number that should make every African-American get up and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
This is the number that is probably an under-exaggeration, because there were deaths that probably WENT UNREPORTED.
This is the number that cannot be argued.
This is the number that others can't dismiss anymore.
This is the number that politicians cringe at, because their jobs may be on the line for it.
This is the number that law enforcement agencies see EVERY DAY, and yet the number continues to GROW.
This is the number that history should look back on and say, "this was when they said 'enough is enough already'."
It's more than a number...it is an indictment to our country's "bury your head in the sand" syndrome...ignore the problem, and maybe it'll go away...it's not MY problem...it doesn't affect ME personally...why should I care...
STOP. RIGHT. THERE.
ENOUGH.
114 of my brothers were killed from behind the guns and badges of so-called "peace officers". That number should make you UNCOMFORTABLE.
#ijs #nojusticenopeace
This is more than an arbitrary number.
This is the number that did it for me.
This is the number that ends my silence.
This is the number that should end yours as well.
This is the number that should make our President pay attention to this epidemic.
This is the number that should make every African-American get up and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
This is the number that is probably an under-exaggeration, because there were deaths that probably WENT UNREPORTED.
This is the number that cannot be argued.
This is the number that others can't dismiss anymore.
This is the number that politicians cringe at, because their jobs may be on the line for it.
This is the number that law enforcement agencies see EVERY DAY, and yet the number continues to GROW.
This is the number that history should look back on and say, "this was when they said 'enough is enough already'."
It's more than a number...it is an indictment to our country's "bury your head in the sand" syndrome...ignore the problem, and maybe it'll go away...it's not MY problem...it doesn't affect ME personally...why should I care...
STOP. RIGHT. THERE.
ENOUGH.
114 of my brothers were killed from behind the guns and badges of so-called "peace officers". That number should make you UNCOMFORTABLE.
#ijs #nojusticenopeace
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
From Becoming to Being A Godly Woman
Ain't she beautiful?? Just in time for my birthday....
It feels like this has been my year of transition and transformation. I can't say that I understand all the changes, but they have been for my BETTER. I thank God for them.
So now, I'm wondering where else He's gonna make some changes. I know there are some internal things that are changing. And I'm writing and praying so that I can get a better handle on them. It's GROWTH. And I thank God for that as well.
There's a couple or five other things I'd like to get done...and those will be revealed as they happen. They are, for me, a reminder that HE is in charge of the changes being made. I want to move from becoming to BEING.
So when I saw the second image on Pinterest, it made sense for today.
I can be NOTHING without HIM.
But in HIM, I live, move and have my BEING!
Let the transformation continue.
#IJS
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Silence
My TV was in power down mode, and my phone was charging.
I realized, I have my TV on in the background, just for sound. I rarely watch it, unless there's a show that I want to watch. Other than that - background noise.
My phone charges, and I catch up with social media, news, etc., but it's background lighting.
Sometimes it's in the silence where I can let go and reflect on yesterday, find out where my mind is today, and plan for tomorrow (Lord willing). It is where I find peace - and pursue it.
Silence can be as loud as a buzzsaw; yet in the stillness and quiet, I can hear God whispering to my soul.
It is where I meditate, think on higher things, and allow baser things to be released. It is where I achieve my highest sense of being.
So, bye bye 'book, toodle-lo Twitter, ta-ta TV, and I'll catch u later Instragram... time for a return to silence.
(maybe I can finally type out this book! IJS)
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Back On My Grind
Been gone for a minute, now I'm back again...(Awesome lyrics, btw)
I've had the BUSIEST month:
*Teaching like a madwoman at church
*Running to and from meetings for Sorority Fundraiser during the past 3 weeks
*Created a souvenir booklet for said fundraiser (soooo glad that's done)
*THE ACTUAL FUNDRAISER!! (glad it's over)
*Father's Day (never a chore, but with all the running...)
*Pricing mailout for work - very INVOLVED
*Took work home to catch up
*Babysitting on off days (the little critter is getting BIG!)
*Trying to catch a spare minute to BREATHE!!
And the month isn't done....
But it's been busy enough to keep me from writing...and I GOTTA get back to it. My accountability partner is chomping on the bit, as he has stepped his game ALLTHEWAYUP (gotta catch up to my oneie). To him, I say WATCH. YOUR. BACK. SIR.
I think that I'm getting ready for some changes. Good ones. I welcome them into my life.
I've had the BUSIEST month:
*Teaching like a madwoman at church
*Running to and from meetings for Sorority Fundraiser during the past 3 weeks
*Created a souvenir booklet for said fundraiser (soooo glad that's done)
*THE ACTUAL FUNDRAISER!! (glad it's over)
*Father's Day (never a chore, but with all the running...)
*Pricing mailout for work - very INVOLVED
*Took work home to catch up
*Babysitting on off days (the little critter is getting BIG!)
*Trying to catch a spare minute to BREATHE!!
And the month isn't done....
But it's been busy enough to keep me from writing...and I GOTTA get back to it. My accountability partner is chomping on the bit, as he has stepped his game ALLTHEWAYUP (gotta catch up to my oneie). To him, I say WATCH. YOUR. BACK. SIR.
I think that I'm getting ready for some changes. Good ones. I welcome them into my life.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Busy, Busy, Busy....
Sorry, haven't had time to write, but hopefully, by the end of this month, that will change.
Meanwhile, here is where I find myself today: ever had a dream that seemed so real that when you were jolted awake by the REALNESS of it, you couldn't go back to sleep?
Happened to me. Wonder if there are some things I need to get ready for?
Meanwhile, here is where I find myself today: ever had a dream that seemed so real that when you were jolted awake by the REALNESS of it, you couldn't go back to sleep?
Happened to me. Wonder if there are some things I need to get ready for?
Monday, May 23, 2016
Monday....sigh
Yes, it has returned again....
My weekend was HOT! and not in the good way, either.
On a van that broke down, had to wait for an hour for a ride...sweated half to death.
Attend two church services yesterday, and BOTH air conditioning systems were broken...in Florida...where the average temp yesterday was around 85 degrees.
So, my weekend was long, hot, and tiring.
And now I'm back to Monday.
I need a weekend from my weekend.
My weekend was HOT! and not in the good way, either.
On a van that broke down, had to wait for an hour for a ride...sweated half to death.
Attend two church services yesterday, and BOTH air conditioning systems were broken...in Florida...where the average temp yesterday was around 85 degrees.
So, my weekend was long, hot, and tiring.
And now I'm back to Monday.
I need a weekend from my weekend.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Getting Seasoned (short one today)
I love older people. They have the best stories.
I wanna get to that age where, when I reminisce about some of the things I used to do, I leave young people in awe. "Dang, you used to do that?"
But it means, once again, gotta take of myself. Doctor's office again. Sigh...
But I'm happy that I did. May have averted a problem before it became one. I am doing what is necessary to prevent it from going any further, thereby avoiding the "terminal" diagnosis.
All in an effort to make it to 100. (Yes, I plan on being here for a century.)
Gotta make more changes.
But it's part of the seasoning process....so Imma marinate over here and do this for me and my 3 babies (1 niece, 2 nephews).
So I can tell them stories of survival, of peace, of hardwork, of happiness and joy, hard times and tears, but most of all: how I LIVED.
I wanna get to that age where, when I reminisce about some of the things I used to do, I leave young people in awe. "Dang, you used to do that?"
But it means, once again, gotta take of myself. Doctor's office again. Sigh...
But I'm happy that I did. May have averted a problem before it became one. I am doing what is necessary to prevent it from going any further, thereby avoiding the "terminal" diagnosis.
All in an effort to make it to 100. (Yes, I plan on being here for a century.)
Gotta make more changes.
But it's part of the seasoning process....so Imma marinate over here and do this for me and my 3 babies (1 niece, 2 nephews).
So I can tell them stories of survival, of peace, of hardwork, of happiness and joy, hard times and tears, but most of all: how I LIVED.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The Ultimate Playlist....
It has been raining blessings so far this week....gotta give God a shout out...so here's the playlist for "When God Is Blessing You"
Thank You Lord, For All You've Done for Me - Walter Hawkins
Lift Him Up - Hezekiah Walker
Total Praise - Richard Smallwood
He's Been Just That Good - Ricky Dillard and New G
Jesus Will - Anita Wilson
All The Man I Need - Whitney Houston
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday/Jennifer Hudson (the part that hits me about God "You're the best Man I've ever know, and there's no way I can go...I mean, there's no way, no no no way I'm living without you! I don't wanna be free....I'm staying, yes I am staying...and You, You're Gonna Love Me!")
So, what's your playlist for the Father today? Have you said "thank you"? How about "I Love You for You" today?
Playlist ready.
Thank You Lord, For All You've Done for Me - Walter Hawkins
Lift Him Up - Hezekiah Walker
Total Praise - Richard Smallwood
He's Been Just That Good - Ricky Dillard and New G
Jesus Will - Anita Wilson
All The Man I Need - Whitney Houston
And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday/Jennifer Hudson (the part that hits me about God "You're the best Man I've ever know, and there's no way I can go...I mean, there's no way, no no no way I'm living without you! I don't wanna be free....I'm staying, yes I am staying...and You, You're Gonna Love Me!")
So, what's your playlist for the Father today? Have you said "thank you"? How about "I Love You for You" today?
Playlist ready.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Words in the Key of Creation
If you know me, you know I'm constantly listening to music. It is one of the "sure" pleasures in my life. Music relaxes me. Music hypes me up. Music takes me other places in my mind. Music is...
And I'll leave it at that.
Writing, to me, is a lot like that. I capture snippets of my life and pen it on paper or type it onscreen. Sometimes it may be read, sometimes not.
But I am getting to the point where I've gotta DO something with it. I've got to create something with my words that will leave an impact.
So, I am going to attempt to write 1 chapter a day until I'm done. I may post excepts, or not. Depends on how I'm feeling about it.
But the message is clear - If I create and write it, it will be read!
Friday, May 6, 2016
Happy Mother's Day
I posted the first picture on my mother's 75th birthday. It was when she was teaching me how to walk. My mother was my first cheerleader. Whenever I thought I wanted to do something, she made sure I was ready for it, and pushed me to be the BEST at it.I posted the second picture when we were at our sorority's Regional Black and Bling Banquet. She has always been TOO fly...that picture just captured it. From what my grandfather (rest his soul in peace) had told me, she got it from my grandmother, who was style personified. They both believed in looking their very best. Always. As one of my girlfriends told me: "your Mama ALWAYS be hooked up!"
My mother is quiet at first meeting her. She is first, and foremost, a lady. She's very laid-back, and some people have mistaken this for being stuck-up or unfriendly. Not at all. In fact, she's very funny, once you get to know her. Her best friend said that she missed her calling for being a comedian - yes, she is THAT funny.
She's very serious when it comes to two things: God and her family. I never doubted for one second my mother's relationship with God. She's not a vocal Christian, she's an ACTION Christian. She will pray. She will help. She will teach. She will do what is needed and necessary. She will serve. I couldn't be who I was, if I hadn't watched her. She is FIERCELY protective of her family. You will not get away with harming my father, my brother, me, my niece and nephews without her addressing it in some fashion. She won't tell you off, but she'll convey her feelings in such a manner, you'll know you've gone TOO far with her loved ones.
My mother was a teacher for over 40 years. She was my very first teacher. Her fondest memory was of a bus trip, where a lady wanted to see who was the two-year-old reading all the signs (me in the seat with her). She says that teaching me and my brother before we went to school was her main goal. She didn't want us to go empty-headed. We needed to know some things: our ABC's, our colors, our name and address, who our parents were, our phone number. By the time we did get to school, we knew all that and more.
But the one thing that my mother taught me, and it's only recently that I've begun to realize this: she taught me how to handle adversity. Whenever she had illnesses (and it hasn't been that many, bless God), even though they seemed serious, she went through them with NO complaints. She didn't sweat the small stuff. She didn't even advertise it - no one knew (she's very private). Even when I thought it was serious, she was adamant in treating them like they weren't a big deal...and then it turned out that way. She taught me faith: that even though it may seem big, if she trusted God, He'd handle it. When I told her about some things the doctor told me, she said: "Oh, they say those things to scare you. You can't let it. Just keep going. It'll be alright. Pray and let God handle it."
So when I hear:
"girl, ooh, I love that suit, how'd you put that together?"
"I used to think you were kinda mean/standoffish, but girl, you are a nut! why are you so funny?"
"why do you enjoy helping out so much?"
"you know you love you some family!"
"your teaching style is unlike anything I've seen!"
"Renee knows everything" (my bestie Regina's words)
"how do you handle the tough times so smoothly?"
My response is very simple: I GET IT FROM MY MAMA!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Faith Instead of Fear
However, I REFUSE to let them swell up to that point!
How and why? you ask.
Simple.
How? by not feeding the fear it is trying to cultivate in my mind and spirit.
Why? "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Power, Love and a Sound Mind, never being ashamed of the testimony of the Lord."
Fred Hammond said it like this: "No! I won't be afraid of the terror by day, nor the hand of my enemy! I can stand my ground, with the Lord on my side! For the snares and the traps they have set will NOT succeed!"
You know the rest.
My Faith is BIGGER than my fear. That defeats the enemy. Every. Single. Time!
Plain and simple.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Good Hair (This is a SOAP BOX moment)
I had seen a picture of my hair on my phone from 5 months earlier, from where my hair was straightened, by heat and there was still a little bit of my hair that had perm in it.
It was thin and lifeless (i.e. unhealthy).
It was then, when I decided - no more perms/relaxers for me.
I was going natural.
Being a good black girl, I knew I had to do something with my hair for the time being.
Say it with me: "braids are a black girl's good friend."
So at the end of November 2014, I started the transition back to natural.
I kept my braids until about April 2015. I took them out, and did a final perm chop. That picture is the first time I had not had any chemicals in my hair in a long time.
And I loved it. It looked HEALTHY.
It's still that way today. I've cut it, braided it, weaved it, crocheted it, etc. But it was still my hair with very little or no heat at all.
And to me it is beautiful.
"Well, where is all of this coming from?" You might be wondering.
Glad you asked.
I had, about year or so earlier from this picture, watched this movie called Good Hair, which was hosted and produced by Chris Rock. In the movie, he discusses the extent that black women have gone through to embrace the so-called "European" look (weave, perms, relaxers, wigs, blowouts, etc) all with one purpose in mind: to be beautiful by the world's terms.
If you know me, I don't even KNOW HOW TO DO WHAT THE WORLD DOES! The Sheila E. timbali drummer that beats Motherland solo in my head is loud, and I can do my own dance to her rhythm. Not a follower.
Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder. And truth be told, I think brothers of all colors would appreciate the feel of soft hair, whether curly, kinky or straight.
But the most disturbing thing about the need to have "straight" (read: GOOD) hair is the chemical process to get it that way. Scientists are now finding out that the chemicals being used to get our hair "straight" has been the main cause of fibroids and tumors, which are especially prevalent in: African-American women.
The mere fact that there were chemical burns and scabs on my scalp after the process told me: "sumthin' bout this process isn't healthy" - not anymore. So I stopped. I haven't had the "headache" (ladies, you know what I mean) since getting my last perm over 2 years ago. And then when I realized I had BALD SPOTS from where the scabs from the burns were, I said: that's it. I'm done with this nonsense.
Good hair, to me, means healthy hair. Who says "bone straight" hair is best for African-American women? I think my natural sisters look too cute: kinky, curly, twisted, blowout. And the babies?? OMG - the babies are too cute!!!
My personal opinion is this: do what makes you feel good, but not at the sake of your health. Find other options (and, yes, they are out there!) to get the straight look, without frying your hair! But most important: find something that makes you look and FEEL good!
Just my two cents for the day!!
P.S. - if you thought this was going to be a comment/rant about "Becky with the good hair" - I couldn't care less - all Imma say on that is: Beyonce is GREAT at marketing! IJS
Friday, April 29, 2016
Tired...But Thank You, Lord!
I was gonna let go and discuss how weary in spirit, mind, and body I was. But then, I just started to say: Thank You.
I'm not homeless. I'm not starving. I have a car to drive. I have the use and activity of my limbs. The blood is yet running warm in my veins. I am in my right mind. None of my loved ones called to say they were sick or dying. I have a job. I have people that love me. After each one of those statements, I said - "Thank You".
Walter Hawkins had a song called "Thank You", and it's the chorus that is helping change my perspective today:
It could have me (Thank You)
Outdoors (Thank You)
With no food (Thank You)
And no clothes (Thank You)
Without a friend (Thank You)
Or just another number (Thank You)
With a tragic end (Thank You)
But You didn't see fit (Thank You)
To let none of these things be (Thank You)
'Cause everyday by Your Power (Thank You)
You keep on keeping me (Thank You)
And I wanna say - Thank You Lord for ALL You've done for me.
You may not be in the best of circumstances and situations. Everything may look like it's going south. People, things, whatever may bring stress to your life. You may feel as if no one understands. But in all of these things: God is bigger than all of it. Begin to say "Thank You" for the good, the bad, the ugly, the in-the-meantime and the in-between times, the up, the down, the SIDEWAYS.
Thank you, Lord for ALL of it. And I praise You for it.
Watch the day get better.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Stay In Your Lane...pt 2
I think I said in part 1, there would be a part 2 coming...
Here it goes:
To the daft and entitled young man that works in my CSR department, who feels that just because he's next in line to become a Sales Representative, he can do whatever the hell he feels he wants to because HE'S. ABOVE. THE. LAW.
Brown-nosers and kiss-assers deserve their own reserve seat in HELL!!!
STAY. IN. YOUR. LANE!!!
Just a'cause you want the privilege of becoming the next Sales Rep, does not give you the RIGHT nor the PLACE to just treat people any ol' kinda way!
Throwing people under the bus - NOT COOL!
Always running to do things fast and first - PETTY!
Calling yo' mama to bake cookies because I've always ordered them for the sales meeting: HOW OLD ARE WE, 3????
Snitching - well, y'all know the rule about snitches....
When you came here 2 years ago, we were friends. You listened, you asked questions, you respected the position that I was in and learned from me. 2 years into it, and you wanna act like you're my manager, and tell me what I should be doing, all the while, you're knifing me in the back???
"Be careful who you step on up your ladder of success, you can meet them same people on the way down." My own addition: "and we'll watch you fall...with a smile."
You are hereby awarded the "TANK" award - for bulldozing your way into a position and running over the WRONG people to get there! KUDOS to you!
I'm. Just. Saying.
Here it goes:
To the daft and entitled young man that works in my CSR department, who feels that just because he's next in line to become a Sales Representative, he can do whatever the hell he feels he wants to because HE'S. ABOVE. THE. LAW.
Brown-nosers and kiss-assers deserve their own reserve seat in HELL!!!
STAY. IN. YOUR. LANE!!!
Just a'cause you want the privilege of becoming the next Sales Rep, does not give you the RIGHT nor the PLACE to just treat people any ol' kinda way!
Throwing people under the bus - NOT COOL!
Always running to do things fast and first - PETTY!
Calling yo' mama to bake cookies because I've always ordered them for the sales meeting: HOW OLD ARE WE, 3????
Snitching - well, y'all know the rule about snitches....
When you came here 2 years ago, we were friends. You listened, you asked questions, you respected the position that I was in and learned from me. 2 years into it, and you wanna act like you're my manager, and tell me what I should be doing, all the while, you're knifing me in the back???
"Be careful who you step on up your ladder of success, you can meet them same people on the way down." My own addition: "and we'll watch you fall...with a smile."
You are hereby awarded the "TANK" award - for bulldozing your way into a position and running over the WRONG people to get there! KUDOS to you!
I'm. Just. Saying.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
A Change Gon Come...
I'm quoting a song today, from the incomparable Ms Tamela Mann:
This is the song that I listened to on my drive into work. It's one of those songs that will slip up and have you lifting your hands and praising HIM for where you are now rather than where you were before.
I believe that God is about to make some MAJOR changes in my life. I've been caught in this loop of "lose, gain, lose more, gain less, lose again, gain nothing - except wisdom on what NOT to do."
In order to change the pattern, I gotta change something about me.
I always wanted to get a tattoo (right shoulder blade) that said "Daughter of Heaven, you must never forget - what you focus on, is what you get."
I have a couple of book ideas and a screenplay somewhere inside of me. And I am determined to get them out. Thank God I gotta friend (hey Jian!) who is making sure that I keep the writing bug going (btw-did you practice? XD).
My mind is focused on this blog. This is my effort at keeping the creative juices flowing. This is how I know change is coming: I want it. I've never been here in this place. Jian said something last night that hit HOME: "I'm tired of mediocrity." Amen, sir. Amen.
It's been a long-time coming...and I know, this time, Imma get it right...and the change will come.
There's a place in God where we all can be free
A place where God can get the best out of me
There's a secret place in God where He covers me
Never knew my heart could feel again
Never knew the pain would let me stand
Never thought my tears could go away
Till I found Jesus, I never thought I'd be in this place
Oh, I'm glad I'm living my life in this place
- - "This Place" Tamela Mann
This is the song that I listened to on my drive into work. It's one of those songs that will slip up and have you lifting your hands and praising HIM for where you are now rather than where you were before.
I believe that God is about to make some MAJOR changes in my life. I've been caught in this loop of "lose, gain, lose more, gain less, lose again, gain nothing - except wisdom on what NOT to do."
In order to change the pattern, I gotta change something about me.
I always wanted to get a tattoo (right shoulder blade) that said "Daughter of Heaven, you must never forget - what you focus on, is what you get."
I have a couple of book ideas and a screenplay somewhere inside of me. And I am determined to get them out. Thank God I gotta friend (hey Jian!) who is making sure that I keep the writing bug going (btw-did you practice? XD).
My mind is focused on this blog. This is my effort at keeping the creative juices flowing. This is how I know change is coming: I want it. I've never been here in this place. Jian said something last night that hit HOME: "I'm tired of mediocrity." Amen, sir. Amen.
It's been a long-time coming...and I know, this time, Imma get it right...and the change will come.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Adulting...Win?
This will be a very short post today.
My current situation is in Mickey D's with the 2 yr old....and we are at an impasse.
He wants ice cream.
I want him to finish his nuggets.
There is, obviously a breakdown in communication. However, he has made very plain, his dissatisfaction with the fact that he. Does. Not. Have. Ice. Cream.
No, he isn't crying.
No, he isn't throwing a tantrum.
He's actually being very civil about it all. He's just doing everything ELSE except that.
Yes, like most parents/caretakers of small children, I find myself laughing on the inside and trying to keep a straight face in front of him.
His single-mindedness is breathtaking. However, I've been an auntie a lot longer than him. His mother, my niece, had these same moments, and it's hilarious to see the similarities in the two.
My point today, is that there are days I wish I could stand irretractably and declare, "No! I am not doing this today!" And not throw a tantrum in the process. Just decide that, nope, I'm doing everything ELSE except what you want.
Unfortunately, life dictates that I must adult on these days. And, just like with him, life wins.
My current situation is in Mickey D's with the 2 yr old....and we are at an impasse.
He wants ice cream.
I want him to finish his nuggets.
There is, obviously a breakdown in communication. However, he has made very plain, his dissatisfaction with the fact that he. Does. Not. Have. Ice. Cream.
No, he isn't crying.
No, he isn't throwing a tantrum.
He's actually being very civil about it all. He's just doing everything ELSE except that.
Yes, like most parents/caretakers of small children, I find myself laughing on the inside and trying to keep a straight face in front of him.
His single-mindedness is breathtaking. However, I've been an auntie a lot longer than him. His mother, my niece, had these same moments, and it's hilarious to see the similarities in the two.
My point today, is that there are days I wish I could stand irretractably and declare, "No! I am not doing this today!" And not throw a tantrum in the process. Just decide that, nope, I'm doing everything ELSE except what you want.
Unfortunately, life dictates that I must adult on these days. And, just like with him, life wins.
Friday, April 22, 2016
My Heart Will Go On (Part 1)...
I have the cutest little nephew. He is 2, and has his own personality and intelligence. I make sure that I spend as much time with him as I can. It made me realize that I needed to start planning ahead, look towards my future and his. So, in an effort to be around to see him walk across the graduation stage, and other lifetime memories, I am getting healthy: fiscally, physically and emotionally.
Emotionally, it means spending more time in God's presence. Letting go of past hurts and things that have blocked me.
It also meant doing some things I don't necessarily like or enjoy: turning down my favorite foods (french fries!) and sweeets (bye Skittles, so long, Snickers), eating healthier (put the Coca-Cola down, girl!), drinking more water, walking/exercising, and (shudder) - going to the doctor.
<<<<grooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn>>>>
Right.
So today, was the 2nd part of the dr's visit I had on yesterday. After a 45-minute SNAFU, I finally get in for the ultrasound and EKG (called an echo for short). The very nice young lady who was the Radiology Technician, talked me through the procedure while she was doing it.
It was, in a word, amazing.
She started to hit some keys and, BOOM: there it was, my living, pumping, heart onscreen. Blood flowing in, blood pumping out. Fragile, but tough.
What amazed me is our discussion about the heart. She said, "How people can look at this, and not believe that God doesn't exist."
AH! A Believer!!!
She said, "it's a wonder why we say 'oh, you broke my heart' and it's probably the strongest living organ in the body. With all of the beats and work it does, keeping the blood flowing through your body, how can you let one insignificant person make you believe that they have THAT much power over you?"
She was right. We talked about that for a few minutes, and then it dawns on me: how many times do we talk about someone having broken our "heart"? After watching my heart on this computer, I began to realize, that's not a true statement anymore.
People may have hurt your feelings, wounded your pride, made you think that you weren't good enough. But they did NOT break your heart.
The truth was pumping right in front of me.
To those of you that are suffering from a "broken" heart, may I suggest this: take back your power. You don't have to STAY there. If it's not working for you...leave. You'll be alright. They will, too.
I have to allow God to lead the man that he can entrust that kind of power to, to find me. I still believe in Love, despite what I've been through. No one has the power to take that away from me. I'll be wiser next time.
This is a two-part series...the second will be later on this evening. Take care, sweeties!!
Remember: Love God, Love your family and friends, Love this Planet He's blessed us with. But most important: Love Yourself.
Emotionally, it means spending more time in God's presence. Letting go of past hurts and things that have blocked me.
It also meant doing some things I don't necessarily like or enjoy: turning down my favorite foods (french fries!) and sweeets (bye Skittles, so long, Snickers), eating healthier (put the Coca-Cola down, girl!), drinking more water, walking/exercising, and (shudder) - going to the doctor.
<<<<grooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn>>>>
Right.
So today, was the 2nd part of the dr's visit I had on yesterday. After a 45-minute SNAFU, I finally get in for the ultrasound and EKG (called an echo for short). The very nice young lady who was the Radiology Technician, talked me through the procedure while she was doing it.
It was, in a word, amazing.
She started to hit some keys and, BOOM: there it was, my living, pumping, heart onscreen. Blood flowing in, blood pumping out. Fragile, but tough.
What amazed me is our discussion about the heart. She said, "How people can look at this, and not believe that God doesn't exist."
AH! A Believer!!!
She said, "it's a wonder why we say 'oh, you broke my heart' and it's probably the strongest living organ in the body. With all of the beats and work it does, keeping the blood flowing through your body, how can you let one insignificant person make you believe that they have THAT much power over you?"
She was right. We talked about that for a few minutes, and then it dawns on me: how many times do we talk about someone having broken our "heart"? After watching my heart on this computer, I began to realize, that's not a true statement anymore.
People may have hurt your feelings, wounded your pride, made you think that you weren't good enough. But they did NOT break your heart.
The truth was pumping right in front of me.
To those of you that are suffering from a "broken" heart, may I suggest this: take back your power. You don't have to STAY there. If it's not working for you...leave. You'll be alright. They will, too.
I have to allow God to lead the man that he can entrust that kind of power to, to find me. I still believe in Love, despite what I've been through. No one has the power to take that away from me. I'll be wiser next time.
This is a two-part series...the second will be later on this evening. Take care, sweeties!!
Remember: Love God, Love your family and friends, Love this Planet He's blessed us with. But most important: Love Yourself.
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