tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34586289510161434762024-03-12T21:07:17.072-04:00Come on SistasJaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-60739711118036478282011-03-05T09:31:00.007-05:002011-03-05T09:49:20.679-05:00LOVE (140 characters or less)I have a new rule: If you're tweet/topic is over 4 tweets long- go blog about it. It's no longer a "twittle tweet." It's something worth blogging about. We have different mediums for a reason. <br /><br />Here are a few tweets (a whopping 7 tweets) that I shared on Feb13, 2011. All in the name of love. I'm not sure what inspired the thoughts but here it goes:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iPJfu5JNm06dDL8puard8vq4VhoyYDW0fkqXe-CV_uhd5_Adaul5JmdTK1pra9so2uSaXmqZV8q-V-GZXYDbvi_F4uruqbX_MgbD_G9tyh8BKwE17XZlepGAi2tRI2IXg0Z1Dv2bCcc/s1600/hearthands.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iPJfu5JNm06dDL8puard8vq4VhoyYDW0fkqXe-CV_uhd5_Adaul5JmdTK1pra9so2uSaXmqZV8q-V-GZXYDbvi_F4uruqbX_MgbD_G9tyh8BKwE17XZlepGAi2tRI2IXg0Z1Dv2bCcc/s320/hearthands.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580607848889685234" /></a><br /><br /><br />"all everyone ever wants is love.<br /><br />the 1st energy in motion: love. the "felt in the womb" love. that umbilical love. that "sight unseen, but knowingly present" love.<br /><br />-that "evidence of a source" love. that "there's something beyond me" love. that "connection to all things" love<br /><br />- that "fuel to your passionate fire" love. that "reason to waking up" love. that "gift to the world" love. that "must be shared" love<br /><br />love. our gift to the world. no limitations. doesn't run out. doesn't expire. shared in innumerable ways. the core of us all- "us" meaning<br /><br />-any thing or anyone with life/blood/breath etc. it knows no language. doesn't discriminate. transcends time and space.<br /><br />...and if no one has said this today: I love you. I love the you that even you find hard to love. peace."<br /><br /><br />I still firmly believe this. It's that simple, basic yet extremely powerful force. I challenge you to love! Love yourself. Love your brothers and sisters. Give love in every moment for as long as possible. Don't be distracted by noise- because that's all it is and all it will ever be is NOISE. <br /><br />Not only GIVE love, but learn how to RECEIVE love as well. <br /><br /><br />That's it for now.<br /><br />Peace & LOVE.<br /><br />-jJaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-37252941946791343972011-02-09T15:41:00.005-05:002011-02-09T16:09:27.006-05:00The Almighty To-Do list<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGuxrTlk1OTn4ng6wdLRKsSciWL6uqnGTG00Va3aCQ9xQj3jwUIyctXifZirSRdkM_nlZmrGfDP8WaeqssKayOvWfvkuhc0puX90-tI7AWvaJr3xA2ueIXL-cMt7BqX5Ocinrg_jzJMw/s1600/to-do-list.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGuxrTlk1OTn4ng6wdLRKsSciWL6uqnGTG00Va3aCQ9xQj3jwUIyctXifZirSRdkM_nlZmrGfDP8WaeqssKayOvWfvkuhc0puX90-tI7AWvaJr3xA2ueIXL-cMt7BqX5Ocinrg_jzJMw/s320/to-do-list.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571799714776609106" /></a><br /><br /><br />'ello my lovelies, <br /><br />My newfound obsession is the to-do list. Many people are equipped with these internally but I am coming to adore the physical version. Of course, I've done this before. Of course this is not ground breaking information but in this time/space in my life it's doing amazing things. "It" as is writing new items, checking them off, repeat. I love this process. I love the sense of accomplishment when my day's tasks are complete. <br /><br />Some people write, others remember, many use technology to assist. Whatever the method I think it's massively helpful to your goals. There's so many types! Long term, short term, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. It can be fun. And it WILL be rewarding when you actually complete the items. <br /><br />TWO THINGS!<br /><br />1) I usually do my hardest item first just to get it out of the way- everything else will seem like a walk in park once that MAJOR item is taken care of. Test it and see. <br /><br />2) The last item on EVERY daily to-do list is "Make tomorrow's list"- going into the day with a plan sets you up to 'hit the ground running' and not waste valuable time making a list ON the day you're to complete it.<br /><br /><br />That's it for now.<br /><br />Peace.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-90957611676256465282010-12-11T13:07:00.003-05:002010-12-11T13:20:52.631-05:00Serenity PrayerThis is a little something that my mother introduced me to years ago. Not sure if you've ever heard/seen it, but it can be applied to SEVERAL circumstances. Some (crazy) people have it tattooed on them. Just buy a poster! lol<br /><br />Sometimes we get lost in thoughts, emotions, situations, people etc. We have to be wise enough to know "when to say when." That place where knowledge stops and wisdom begins...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U-BSriN7dyTRsdhKzyi_BLJe4mLMlODd38MMdex86yRf2K27pfMCM86QMD2D4CChWZp39x6wKdx_nCeu1fUeCGIc-gzLPBpXWu5kE1zLnXdebepZrwMm3fNsSJhYUCYgT00NByvi2qY/s1600/serenity_prayer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U-BSriN7dyTRsdhKzyi_BLJe4mLMlODd38MMdex86yRf2K27pfMCM86QMD2D4CChWZp39x6wKdx_nCeu1fUeCGIc-gzLPBpXWu5kE1zLnXdebepZrwMm3fNsSJhYUCYgT00NByvi2qY/s320/serenity_prayer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549488169395401506" /></a>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-30338681800707211932010-12-01T10:19:00.006-05:002010-12-01T11:54:04.231-05:00#TeamNaturalHere is an amazing news story on going natural.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HugPZDEX8DY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HugPZDEX8DY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />I immediately thought of this when I saw the little girl in the story <br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/enpFde5rgmw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/enpFde5rgmw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />THEN tie in this performance and ALL THINGS <a href="http://www.blackgirlsrockinc.com/">Black Girls Rock! </a>(including but not limited to: the mission statement, the award shows, the impact, and global coverage thus far)<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JxMk-6ZfQOE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JxMk-6ZfQOE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />It's a good day to be a black girl. There is hope for my future daughters yet. :) (Well there's always been hope but it's refreshing to have these images shown on a national scale in this day and age)<br /><br />Peace Beauties.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-494304162104185162010-11-18T09:15:00.006-05:002010-11-18T10:03:40.451-05:00The Beauty of Vulnerability<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdQWI3S_GTkaPu97C0gqjYScSe_-CWcMU61QEdfLuJiOwuvl4OWKRzcsMhjHw4yLQT_dVjHBrn7jqGGQ_mn0G1G5vuHJhY2z9gYsoVlYOJf21bzmPzAzE5aT7NcUG6OOhQCHn-lPftg4/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdQWI3S_GTkaPu97C0gqjYScSe_-CWcMU61QEdfLuJiOwuvl4OWKRzcsMhjHw4yLQT_dVjHBrn7jqGGQ_mn0G1G5vuHJhY2z9gYsoVlYOJf21bzmPzAzE5aT7NcUG6OOhQCHn-lPftg4/s320/Picture+3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540904825498277490" /></a><br /><br />Peace my darlings...<br /><br />Let’s talk about vulnerability. Here’s what it is ...and what it isn’t. <br /><br />Vulnerability is….<br />Freedom<br />Love<br />Truth<br />Strength<br />Openness<br />Release<br />“The Powerful Unknown”<br />Self<br />Awareness<br /><br /><br />Vulnerability is not….<br />Fear<br />Naivete<br />Negative/Bad<br />Weakness<br />Threatening<br />Powerlessness<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Truth</span>: All human emotions/vibrations are based on either love or fear. Nothing else. No grey area. One or the other. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Truth</span>: Love & fear can’t exist in the same space. <br />Poor vulnerability, always getting a bad rep (or is it rap?). It’s looked at as a weakness when it is quite the contrary. I think we’ve wrongfully associated vulnerability with fear when it’s actually one of the purest forms of love. The negative connotation associated with vulnerability is purely fear-based. Fear, essentially, is a four-letter word we’ve assigned to the negative feeling/vibration (False Evidence Appearing Real, or so, somewhere I read).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WALL SHATTERING</span><br />We’re TAUGHT to put up walls. (What baby YOU know has animosity or a grudge or a chip on his/her shoulder? Lol). Walls are born from personal experiences, hearsay, eye-witness accounts, expectations, age, media, “the norm,” rumors, stereotypes, generational/familial influences...and the list could go on and on. It is our RESPONSIBILITY as mature, self-aware adults to teach ourselves to take them down. These walls (self-protection methods) cause more pain and suffering than there absence. Walls are quite debilitating, if you think about it. Don’t mistake them for strength. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">..::THINK ABOUT AN ACTUAL WALL::..</span> <br />It’s strong, sturdy, provides protection, creates barriers, it keeps things inside (preserve) meanwhile stopping (deflect) others from entering.<br /> <br />Think of YOUR “wall” as an emotional dam. You are single-handedly stopping the flow. The flow of: possibilities, experiences, love, freedom, strength, truth, self and many other aspects of your well-being. Negative energy is released when walls/guards are let down. It opens up the space for a free flow of pure, boundless, filter-free love.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The importance of awareness in the equation.<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />You need be aware of yourself, your thoughts and your emotions. In most cases, you naturally/instinctively are vulnerable then you ALLOW fear to interject, THEN the “protection” arises. Walls are build. Relationships slowly and unconsciously become relationshits. *shrug*<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The importance of resilience in the equation. <span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Shit happens! We have to be able to repair self in order to move on. AGAIN, a little (or a lot of) introspection never hurt anybody. Be truthful with yourself. Take accountability for your faults. Learn from them and move on to the next lesson. <br /><br /><br />Let your guard down. Break your dam. Allow yourself to BE. Be vulnerable. Be free. Letting go is essential to your happiness, peace of mind, and overall well-being. It can be uncomfortable. In my mind, it’s supposed to be. Nothing worth having comes easily. Vulnerability comes natural to us, we just have to make the CHOICE to embrace it. Homework: I’d like for you to be aware of your emotions and thoughts as they arise. Notice when fear is present. Notice your “auto-self-protection” mode that you habitually enter. Intervene. Choose vulnerability. Choose openness. Choose freedom. <br /><br /><br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />JJaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-8925997189170143432010-11-08T08:40:00.010-05:002010-11-17T13:57:29.030-05:00"Jahkil" lol. :)From me to you, <br /><br />..::Dear readers, please excuse me while I put a smile on my King's face while I'm away::..<br /><br />Baby, I love you and can't wait to see you!!!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/odyjo87JXtA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/odyjo87JXtA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />but wait, there's more....<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7oNQ_YfQrYQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7oNQ_YfQrYQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-47456606892675883602010-10-07T13:00:00.006-04:002010-10-07T13:30:06.754-04:00Long time! I miss thissss!!!I miss blogging! I really do. <br /><br />Life happened. I don't normally blog about me, but I'd like to offer an update/reason for my absence. And the only reason I haven't deleted the entire blog is because I believe knowledge&wisdom is infinite and has infinite possibilities. I personally, don't like seeing "stale" blogs so I'm just splashing a little sparkle on mine so it's not AS stale...<br /><br />I'm working. Starting a business. Most of my life is spent eating, sleeping, working, researching. I love all my blog followers, visitors and net surfers who land on the site. <br /><br />Little tid-bit. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcCy_ojMImkzZA-8_nZ4vwLkyizu-ugOKyL3p2i-oAnIGV-zZPhNsJ8ZAySCDa12PUFfnaaiQwkQsyC9z5EfqxQpGwt937RTN_ynxlyV4XVhoL5gkMD8jWMbIfIHfs5uYp8ppjraDJSQ/s1600/thezodiac.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcCy_ojMImkzZA-8_nZ4vwLkyizu-ugOKyL3p2i-oAnIGV-zZPhNsJ8ZAySCDa12PUFfnaaiQwkQsyC9z5EfqxQpGwt937RTN_ynxlyV4XVhoL5gkMD8jWMbIfIHfs5uYp8ppjraDJSQ/s320/thezodiac.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525357122747836674" /></a><br /><br /><br />If you ever want to know more about yourself, I recommend you check your birth/natal chart. It is an astrological tool that requires information such as your date, TIME and location of your birth to tell you things about yourself. NOTHING like the daily horus-scopes. It's like your fingerprint... It will only be about YOU! It's based on how the stars were aligned on the day & time you were born ALSO intertwined with the longitude &latitude of that manifestation (birth). POWERFUL STUFF! THEN, do the knowledge about what it means when which planets are in which sign for YOUR chart. DEEP!<br /><br />TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER by keeping up with the planetary alignments and shifts as then happen. Prepare for them. Notice their effect on your mindset, emotions, sexual drive, moods, etc. <br /><br /><br />Point is.. it has opened up a new realm of "understanding self." It's our ancestors knowledge and I stand by THAT any day!Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-45538598613574859862010-05-27T20:32:00.004-04:002010-05-28T23:05:37.054-04:00The Art of Letting Go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4sunpJ1Y5493AMYqCvFwNMkWeiDdSt5K500IKWlVttfJWZ5zDgiVOWhz3FWMcoDCsZLsSISmZztXQtDwSVdhE832VdFSNGMsUSLU1WTHp_hx1uv9KLcBpU3PoM357bgI9jEoDTlQx0M/s1600/balloons.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4sunpJ1Y5493AMYqCvFwNMkWeiDdSt5K500IKWlVttfJWZ5zDgiVOWhz3FWMcoDCsZLsSISmZztXQtDwSVdhE832VdFSNGMsUSLU1WTHp_hx1uv9KLcBpU3PoM357bgI9jEoDTlQx0M/s320/balloons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476112783008200114" /></a><br /><br />Peace, <br /><br /><br />There are events in our lives that we wish never happened. We've all been there. I just want to remind us that it is perfectly fine/normal/encouraged to "LET IT GO."<br /><br />The pain may remain, but the event is now long gone. It's time to learn from it, grow from it, and become a stronger, wiser individual from here forward. I'm not saying there shouldn't be time to mourn our loss and/or pain. But that "time" definitely expires.<br /><br />In an earlier post, I talked about the word regret and how we shant use the term. Im still a firm believer in this. We have to embrace all situations that are brought into our lives as lessons, without any exceptions. <br /><br />How do you "let it go"? <br /><br />Simple: Accept it as a lesson. Honestly, accept it as a lesson life wants/wanted to teach you. You have to believe this in your heart of hearts in order to move on. From there, you can dissect it to see what lessons are being revealed. Get creative. Big lessons, little lessons, they're all in there. NOTE: the lesson may not reveal itself immediately, but it will in due time. In the end you'll be thankful more than anything else.<br /><br />OK....<br />that's my "living in a rosy world"/piscean answer.<br /><br />But the truth of the matter is, each situation is different. Each person is different. There are MANY variables in the process of letting something go, both big and small. The core of my advice is 1) introspection never hurt anybody and is the key to self- mastery and 2) life provides lessons that we tend to overlook.<br /><br /><br />That is all...<br /><br /><br />Here's a few expressions we all know and love/hate:<br /><br />1) Don't cry over spilled milk.<br />2) Build a bridge and get over it. <br /><br /><br /><br />How can you drive a car forward if you're always looking in the rearview mirror?<br /><br /><br />Peace. <br /><br /><br />PostQuotes: <br />“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss<br /><br />"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward."- Author Unknown<br /><br />"Some think it's holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it's letting go." - Sylvia Robinson<br /><br />“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham BellJaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-86212282488259838722010-03-27T13:21:00.005-04:002010-03-27T13:28:31.332-04:00You Can Be a Star!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hey Lovelies, </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Janelle's Monae's beautiful and smooth voice can lend some inspiration those for us who need it. You may not want to be a singer or even a celebrity per se, but this is still a source of inspiration. Apply this to whatever you have brewing inside of you: any goal, aspiration, passion, and/or dream you may have. I know you have one...or a few! We're born dreamers! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Enjoy!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wLtRstijVoc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wLtRstijVoc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-71671259565378278012010-03-19T20:27:00.007-04:002010-03-19T22:05:40.833-04:00AHA Moment: Perspective<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPmZ4VaOdhe8B-F5jn1t0rRH9GBctlfwmHLdIYFT4iP9sR5Ate7mhPkWhsDkSnT5169QdD8MlB6MBalDTTt6OfW-wr-HRxaAz8YIrEVwuecZrZ6eir6pvM_-b29jRgpX-Tsx7bdkYWsQ/s1600-h/lightbulb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPmZ4VaOdhe8B-F5jn1t0rRH9GBctlfwmHLdIYFT4iP9sR5Ate7mhPkWhsDkSnT5169QdD8MlB6MBalDTTt6OfW-wr-HRxaAz8YIrEVwuecZrZ6eir6pvM_-b29jRgpX-Tsx7bdkYWsQ/s320/lightbulb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450529677558962514" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Queens,</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had to share this with you all.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So my book club is reading Hill Harper's "</span></span><a href="http://www.huemanbookstore.com/NASApp/store/Product?s=showproduct&isbn=9781592404759"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Conversation</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">." A book about black relationships. This man drops gems "all up & thru" this book. Pick it up! I'm not sure if I'm late or WHAT! But this message resonated with me. I've heard it several times from several outlets but this time it was heavy!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the chapter "The Language of Men," Harper mentions how his friend wasn't raised around men so she may not be able to speak "the language of men" with ease.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Aha moment happened just in that small reference. I, too, was not raised around men so this makes SO MUCH SENSE. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have a limited perspective on "the language of men," the way in which they communicate, small idiosyncrasies, etc. Things that make men, men. The types of things a young girl would notice, recognize, learn, absorb, then subsequently understand as an adult woman. As an adult, I now realize that this "language of men" may be confusing, misleading, or foreign, but as long as I am cognizant that there IS an inherent difference, I open myself to possibilities, growth, understanding, and love. There ARE differences. No one's better or worse, just different. THIS is what I admire, respect, and appreciate. And in some ways, find beauty in. *swoon*</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is where I come to you all to spread the word that we have to be knowledgeable of where our point of view/awareness/understanding has its limitations. It will alleviate so much (potential) pain and confusion. From this, we can gain understanding and consciously push ourselves to have more patience with our brothers.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There is beauty in our differences. We just have to be willing to learn what they are, understand them and show compassion. THEN we can move forward, grow, create legacies and take over the world...but I digress. :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Books like "Act Like a Man, Think Like a Woman" and "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" are sharing a similar message, but for some reason that small reference hit me in a special place. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Whether I'm late or not, I'm glad to have made this discovery/epiphany/overstanding. Life is all about those anyway, right?!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Fam!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">xoxo</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-41147289401164026242010-03-14T16:23:00.007-04:002010-03-14T17:24:43.137-04:00Choose Happiness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_pbdLd0ciCJzUcuBnJqN03NGIyrBR9tz85Omvmh6cu1GAn6Y3j2cIMdL0cEvPXMW7-5mHJt9_2KEAIxyMdXU_I6-81tkhviRqi6wn336iuiZVOQO61_MSyVSykassBZ6k0muMjdnOpU/s1600-h/Picture+7.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_pbdLd0ciCJzUcuBnJqN03NGIyrBR9tz85Omvmh6cu1GAn6Y3j2cIMdL0cEvPXMW7-5mHJt9_2KEAIxyMdXU_I6-81tkhviRqi6wn336iuiZVOQO61_MSyVSykassBZ6k0muMjdnOpU/s320/Picture+7.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448601927941097362" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Greetings everyone!!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just a simple reminder for you to choose happiness. Whatever that means in your life. Choose it on a small scale as well as a large scale. I ascribe to the philosophy that if you choose happiness in the smaller decisions in life, you will undoubtedly create happiness in the long-run. It makes logical sense. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">..::side note::..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Re)examining or discovering what makes you happy may be a good idea</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Metaphorically speaking, if you're following driving directions correctly, you will DEFINITELY reach you destination. If you get distracted and/or deviate from those directions, the journey may become difficult, it will delay reaching the destination. And if you stray far enough from the "plan" or directions, you may never reach that destination (in this case happiness).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope that made sense. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Always remember that happiness is a conscious choice, it doesn't come automatic in life. You have to work at achieving it. There are ways to seek, cultivate, and maintain it. This is all relative to each person's life. To each her own....really. I recommend finding it within yourself rather than relying on someone/something else to provide it for you. This is to ensure it's sustainment. People and things come and go, but the woman in the mirror will always be there! :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That's all for now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Love yourself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace</span></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-72947266499352139402010-01-14T13:15:00.010-05:002010-01-29T13:23:15.296-05:00No "Good Black Men" Revisited<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARe1zkQruc-guWI_v8gfEzlnPfIz4lsGptbzkJi5LXdHA_-vcF7FWR2nq0GU4tG9O2KXFgL3l0A_V71e-YOqizPBfpghzxO7780UrWyAeToYjdoSG_x-GEAboYBjnBZ_DCzi2crtD1Oo/s1600-h/strongblackfamily.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARe1zkQruc-guWI_v8gfEzlnPfIz4lsGptbzkJi5LXdHA_-vcF7FWR2nq0GU4tG9O2KXFgL3l0A_V71e-YOqizPBfpghzxO7780UrWyAeToYjdoSG_x-GEAboYBjnBZ_DCzi2crtD1Oo/s320/strongblackfamily.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426663088749951522" /></a><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', serif;">Sistas,</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Before we form our mouths to say “there are no good black men” we need to look at this from a different perspective. Here, we’ll visit the socio-economic factors then we’ll go into personal accountability.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">BUT FIRST: It’s one thing to want a man that meets your “standards” aka requirements and it’s another thing to have unattainable standards. Reevaluate those first. Accountability.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is fact that black men make up the MAJORITY of the prison population (in comparison to any other race&sex) and the MINORITY of the college population. So while you’re getting your master’s master’s, he has been going day to day being “a black man in America.” With this comes a lot: racial profiling, glass ceilings, being over-looked for “good jobs,” “driving while black,” street influences, pressures from every-whicha-way be they psychological, physical, emotional etc. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You HAVE never, and WILL never, walk a DAY in the life of a black man so beware of how you speak of these Kings. Being the advocate for personal accountability, I recommend that we be more conscious of the prejudices we place on our brothers. Check yourself before pointing the finger at anyone.</span></span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXijW0s8ZYq-HLLEWL7-3Nj1qdHUQp85viJrELGRCoyfUcnUm9e2_nOSS7LoC-xzzxVBPbicMCG0x84biLKF198085X2NVREDNMWltjLPz1YuiBOiZHlxlbPeZqmAItVsAUemVb91d1FU/s320/strong+black+man.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426663523842797586" /> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maybe you get “dogged” because there is something in YOU that allows that to happen in your Queendom.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maybe you can’t find “a good man” because of the places YOU’RE looking. Being uber-selective is a gift and a curse. Blinders can only leave you blind; blind to someone good for/to you.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You should know what a good woman is BEFORE you go looking for a “good man.” Know how you should be treated and why you deserve it. That will weed out SO much. Build yourself up before seeking your reflection. BE a Queen if you want a King.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maybe YOU’RE not ready for what you’re looking for (emotionally, psychologically etc.) </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I say all this to say, we should be more conscious of our thoughts, words and actions in reference to our brothers. The “easy way out” is to point the finger. Think about all the of the circumstantial factors before making such a powerful statement about the men with whom our legacy is dependent. There is no us without them and vice versa.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace & Unity. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px">This is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCFVbaYdvI&feature=related">video</a> I came across. I'm not in TOTAL agreement with all of the claims in this video, but I dig where the brother is coming from. Take a look.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjCFVbaYdvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjCFVbaYdvI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-39929995828184337012009-12-30T19:20:00.008-05:002009-12-30T22:04:01.718-05:00What I Want for Us...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2icURrCNCV7FlenNi9OAF9btw2zZC2_q1bxXztpG9MxcoYSrxIGKdJGArqj5AJ14eAFc2ZOBXtbfx6t079niw4Mx8FS2S5pA2OBvnxlRblJZplpqgJv2vMk4abBJeMXCyzqMhfiOUXU/s1600-h/egyptiangoddess.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2icURrCNCV7FlenNi9OAF9btw2zZC2_q1bxXztpG9MxcoYSrxIGKdJGArqj5AJ14eAFc2ZOBXtbfx6t079niw4Mx8FS2S5pA2OBvnxlRblJZplpqgJv2vMk4abBJeMXCyzqMhfiOUXU/s400/egyptiangoddess.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421228434834651554" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Queens,</span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As the (calendar) year comes to a close, I'd like to share my wish/dream/hope for us. These come in no particular order, but they all stem from the initial thought of "health, wealth and knowledge of self." </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For my sisters, </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I want you to be in-tuned with yourselves: physically, mentally, spiritually.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Take time for introspection. Figure YOU out-at this point in your life. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Make THE BEST decisions. period. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Carry (and use) your own condoms. (it had to be said.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Find/Create your happiness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Be purpose-full.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Be positive. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Open your mind.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Support black owned business first. (I had to splash that in here too)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Invest in your health. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dare to dream. Don't mistake improbable for impossible...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Read more. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Learn more. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Grow more. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">BE more.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.::these are for you as well as myself. I am well-aware of my perpetual "room for improvement"::..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is not a comprehensive list. I could go on ...forever. I honestly want the absolute BEST for my people, specifically my sisters. You/me/i/we make the world ...(go 'round). I think there is SO much potential within US, our existence, our enlightenment, our collectivity, our love. We just have to wake up and have a sincere interest in ourselves, our families, our community and our legacy. I chose to post this entry now because this is a time when most people actually think about their lives: reorganize, reevalute, "reboot, refresh, restart." This is something to consider this New Year's Eve/Full Moon/ Lunar Eclipse.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">..::sidenote, really quick::..You=Moon (we share a 28day cycle, do the knowledge). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Full Moon= fullest potential. Sip on that. :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace & Prosperity Queens.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PostQuote: "Live your best life"</span></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-61563809899103532502009-12-18T07:20:00.004-05:002009-12-18T07:26:49.096-05:00To My Queens<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is for all the Queens, Mothers of the Earth, Womb-of-men.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just in case you need a reminder...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre; "><dl style="box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;width:426px;background:#FFF;border:solid 1px #B1B1B1;font:11px Tahoma,sans-serif;color:#373737;overflow:hidden"><dt style="padding:0;overflow:hidden; height:344px"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Zbn7Khv8zM&feature=youtube_gdata&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0Zbn7Khv8zM&feature=youtube_gdata&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></dt><dd style="padding:4px 6px 5px 8px;margin:0;background-image:url('http://www.tsrocks.com/images/youtube.bottom.gif');background-repeat: repeat-x;font:11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;">Read <h1 style="display:inline;margin:0;padding-right:3px; font:bold 11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;"><a href="http://www.tsrocks.com/i/india_arie_texts/beautiful_flower.html" style="text-decoration:none;color:#373737;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold!important;border:none;background:none;">Beautiful Flower Lyrics</a></h1> here.</dd></dl></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-20215871507007002152009-11-30T00:03:00.003-05:002009-11-30T00:08:25.009-05:00More on Baggage...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I just wanted to share this gem..</span></span><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">"[Relationships] do not cause pain and unhappiness. They bring out the pain and unhappiness that is already in you" -The Power of Now</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px;font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Think about this as a possibility.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">..::INTROSPECTION::..</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace.</span></span></span></div></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-49406649876276972602009-11-28T12:49:00.014-05:002009-11-28T14:03:40.025-05:00Pack light<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCgl3t55FcoZayMyggenVOIuDrApQx6hJIDfqBrYNkYwz7bD40tSWQv_-FvQGGP4OyjEkaA2DpAz_ypnGPaxwqF36w73RCB7bJLhZNXSkshHe31gw1WjWAtptCSeNUjXxjhx9oszMKlc/s1600/bag+lady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCgl3t55FcoZayMyggenVOIuDrApQx6hJIDfqBrYNkYwz7bD40tSWQv_-FvQGGP4OyjEkaA2DpAz_ypnGPaxwqF36w73RCB7bJLhZNXSkshHe31gw1WjWAtptCSeNUjXxjhx9oszMKlc/s400/bag+lady.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409226227742768178" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I send greetings to all, and to all I send greetings.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'd like to talk about the idea/issue of "baggage." What this term has come to mean? How to recognize it and how to "pack light" as the Queen Erykah Badu puts it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">WHAT IS BAGGAGE?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's simply emotional remains/scars/prejudices that are left on a person (male or female) after a relationship or an event. It can be small and have a small impact or heavy like the physical weight of baggage and have a long lasting effect on a person and their future relationships. Some argue, that baggage is a self-defense mechanism to ensure not getting hurt by the next relationship. I vehemently disagree. There is absolutely NO room for baggage in order for a relationship to be successful.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Baggage comes in all shapes and forms, to the point where some people don't know they have it. We're only truly cognizant of our own "baggage" when we have done introspection. This takes humility, an open mind, and truth. You need to humble yourself so you can see yourself for who you REALLY are (or have become). There is no room for pride or denial in this process; otherwise, you will not learn to know the TRUE YOU. An open mind is necessary for the new information you may reveal to yourself ABOUT yourself that you're not used to seeing. And finally, being true TO and WITH yourself is the only way to self-discovery. In this case, discovering the "baggage" if any.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">HOW TO RECOGNIZE BAGGAGE?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Before I answer that, the first thing that comes to mind is "all men are dogs." If this phrase is a part of your speech at any given time, THAT'S a sign of baggage. Secondly, "baby mama drama" is not baggage unless the man allows it to be. HE has t-o-t-a-l control over that situation, or should. Ok, to answer the question: whenever you feel prejudices toward men or the man you're with: THAT'S baggage. NOT ALL MEN ARE ALIKE. Some may be SIMILAR, some may REMIND you of someone else, but they are as unique as fingerprints. They are not clones. The source of the baggage is your past experiences/relationships. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">..::"but I don't want to get hurt again"::..</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The source of the pain is no longer in your life. You can't blame and/or punish ManX for what ManY did. ManX has done no wrong. Even if ManX REMINDS you of ManY, he (ManX) is still NOT ManY: the source of your pain. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Packing light...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My personal trick is like the grade system in school. The day you walk in, you have 100%, it's up to YOU to bring it down. That's how I treat men. They have 100% of my trust and compassion until THEY mess it up...IF they chose to do so.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You can't expect a man to KNOW you've been hurt before, and it's quite unseemly to tell him. Let your past be your past. Keep your third eye open because THERE IS a fine line between not carrying "baggage" and not being naive to situations. Resilience is also key! Stay strong, be optimistic. And finally, introspection can illuminate and eliminate. Think about it...literally. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Y'al!! xoxo</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"I betcha love can make it better" (love of self)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">..::image courtesy of </span><span><span><a href="http://www.dawnokoro.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Dawn Okoro</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">::..</span></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-26736752608216259272009-11-02T22:51:00.008-05:002009-11-28T15:27:37.539-05:00Life: A Puzzle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUaz1cGjkVMqwalM-nasgoMjJ8LKMJHcFJwaszbCRUMLI6qZKwQc5NJ5_Novd9u6hmhMoPECGxVq2YagbSMkzzBPOOkKjLpwuAX3IZgcMn6vi0WvkJRh9xLz1dtMfLowf5wEKnbKUb5g/s1600-h/Life_Puzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUaz1cGjkVMqwalM-nasgoMjJ8LKMJHcFJwaszbCRUMLI6qZKwQc5NJ5_Novd9u6hmhMoPECGxVq2YagbSMkzzBPOOkKjLpwuAX3IZgcMn6vi0WvkJRh9xLz1dtMfLowf5wEKnbKUb5g/s400/Life_Puzzle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399726000514387138" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace & Positivity beautiful people!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This one is just piggy-backing off the last post, in reference to puzzle pieces.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I often compare life to a puzzle. Everything we do, see, experience etc makes up the puzzle of our respective lives. Every piece in the "puzzle box" serves its purpose and makes the big picture of who/what we are: past, present and future. Furthering that, everything happens for a reason. The "creator" of the puzzle put THAT many pieces in YOUR box for you to do, see, experience etc. Also, (like fingerprints) no two people's puzzles are alike even if they were raised in the same household, born on the same day, share the same bloodline. You can see this within your closest cipher. I firmly believe in this metaphor.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Every person we meet fits into this puzzle; whether it be a life-long love or a "random" stranger on the street. Everything we experience makes up the person we are today. If we've been pampered all our lives or beaten and battered, our puzzle reflects our pieces.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though the "creator" of the puzzle put these pieces in our box, WE have the ability to determine whether a piece is significant or not. With that, we have to ability to create the picture that the puzzle is creating over time. Meaning we have the ability to kick some person/thing out of the main image into the "sky" part of the puzzle, where that piece is less significant and less recognizable....and vice versa. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Keep this metaphor going. I'd love to hear your perspective...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-26407002475594650252009-11-02T21:52:00.004-05:002009-11-02T23:38:48.383-05:00You Are Everything...and Everything is You. *side eye*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Family, </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There was a point in time where I wanted to be my man's "everything." I wanted him to depend on me for everything he would need. I would pride myself in being able to BE that homie, lover, friend, girlfriend, counselor, roll-dog, advisor, psychologist, Bonnie to his Clyde etc etc. I would seek to be ALL of these out of my/our nurturing nature. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nowadays, I have to reconsider that line of thinking. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, I consider it a turnoff to be a man's everything. No more "You're my world" "You're my everything" "You complete me." My reply: You, my friend, need to be complete within yourself first, as I will be the same.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A man (like a woman) has specific needs that CANNOT be fulfilled by one person. You need different interactions with different people on a regular basis to be socially balanced. Your bff and/or opposite sex friend will give you different energy, different perspective, bring a different light than your mate and vice versa. Neither is better than the other, but both are necessary for a social balance.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I would MUCH rather be a piece of the puzzle (that is his life) than then ENTIRE puzzle. Being the entire puzzle is definitely a turnoff because it's a sign of dependency. Dependency is, arguably, a sign of weakness. Dependency is for children, not for grown, mature men. I think, it's much better to be wanted rather than needed. Compliment rather than complete. I'd rather deal with a "complete" man rather than "half/incomplete" man still seeking 'wholeness.' </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I say all that to say, being a man's "everything" is not all it's cracked up to be when you break it down to what is really being said. A complete woman complimenting a complete man: that's LOVE.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Weigh in on this one... Your thoughts are definitely insightful and appreciated.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace.</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-26223196887927982472009-10-18T19:09:00.012-04:002009-11-28T15:34:31.979-05:00A Lesson I Learned from Brown Sugar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NM5mckGG1UXlCSO4Zg5wKDF4i85jwSn5bySx-wUIU0Y9dSRxAx0SeWPkCqykxRNXYs4rkdhgMnKpxVNhJy9EQ6qCIsSOoOXdeDMrNImF7spKxQ7kaapmCdT7AVwBueiBNl1fMpVQd_k/s1600-h/brownsuga.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NM5mckGG1UXlCSO4Zg5wKDF4i85jwSn5bySx-wUIU0Y9dSRxAx0SeWPkCqykxRNXYs4rkdhgMnKpxVNhJy9EQ6qCIsSOoOXdeDMrNImF7spKxQ7kaapmCdT7AVwBueiBNl1fMpVQd_k/s400/brownsuga.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394090978936734018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace my people,</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">LONG Time! I know! I'd love to fill you in about my whereabouts in my absence but this blog isn't about ME. Let's get to it! OK? OK.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In "the life & times" of Janine, I tend to find mini lessons in most of my daily activities and would like to share one with you.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I recently bought a bike (featured above). Her name is Brown Sugar. On one of our many adventures, we ended up on the Brooklyn Bridge. I usually ride her to the Manhattan side and then RIGHT back. The "lesson" came to me on one of our journeys.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Coming back from Manhattan is quite a task. The uphill is steeper than leaving Brooklyn. I found </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">the (life) lesson in that very trip.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I noticed that I HAVE to continue to pedal while riding up the steep hill otherwise I may become stagnant or even drift in the opposite direction. So I thought: the same goes for life. If I have a goal that I'd like to reach-whether big or small- there is no time for deviation from that plan, no breaks, no side-tracking from that mission.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While biking, I can stop for the beautiful view or to admire the architecture. But, in reference to my "goal" it's a waste of time. I can simply glance at the view and/or enjoy the pleasant weather while still moving forward. It is all a part/the beauty of the journey.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtRdceU3GvBrxlnQddpcMbOsuLv8DOoO8VUkjLMc-1ElGyZQXYRgbStdeoVTZreXvh9e1OkP3qGYyDvTLK-g3m8tAGvvyOq5YAnrzyJmh8i3Iqj2YibpmnR5FnbE55HmSTEbaW8Mj62E/s320/brooklyn_bridge_wirednewyork.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394090197653325266" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SIDEBAR: Months before I got Brown Sugar, I would rent bikes to go around town. One day another biker flew past me as I was "coasting" and yelled back to me "Never stop pedaling." I find this extremely relevant for this metaphor. As to say, never stop going for that goal/dream/aspiration. Keep pedaling until you achieve it.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ALSO!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While on the bridge, there is a place for walkers and a place for bikers. These walkers don't know your beautiful struggle and probably don't/won't understand it. Their path and pace is different from yours. They take their time to reach their destination and that's their choice. You two are in two different lanes: not better or worse, just different.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I say ALL that to say (1) Never stop pedaling; and (2) Find the lessons that life reveals to you on a regular basis. The saying is "you learn something new everyday." What if that "something" is about Life or about Self?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just food for thought.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace people. :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PS: this metaphor can extend in SO many different directions. I tried to keep this short and concise. Feel free to add to the metaphor.</span></span></div></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-43031531837916318342009-09-06T12:26:00.007-04:002009-10-18T20:08:12.564-04:00Your Revolution Will Not Be Televised<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peace Earths,</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Listen to the original and the Queens' version. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I heard these back in college but they seem to have new meaning in my "new ears." Timeless pieces.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gil Scott-Heron- The Revolution Will Not Be Televised</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><dl style="box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;width:426px;background:#FFF;border:solid 1px #B1B1B1;font:11px Tahoma,sans-serif;color:#373737;overflow:hidden"><dt style="padding:0;overflow:hidden; height:344px"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FlmE7HP9xQY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FlmE7HP9xQY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></dt><dd style="padding:4px 6px 5px 8px;margin:0;background-image:url('http://www.tsrocks.com/images/youtube.bottom.gif');background-repeat: repeat-x;font:11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;">Read <h1 style="display:inline;margin:0;padding-right:3px; font:bold 11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;"><a href="http://www.tsrocks.com/g/gil_scott-heron_texts/the_revolution_will_not_be_televised.html" style="text-decoration:none;color:#373737;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold!important;border:none;background:none;">The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Lyrics</a></h1> here.</dd></dl></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sarah Jones- Your Revolution Will Not Be Televised</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><dl style="box-sizing:border-box;-moz-box-sizing:border-box;width:426px;background:#FFF;border:solid 1px #B1B1B1;font:11px Tahoma,sans-serif;color:#373737;overflow:hidden"><dt style="padding:0;overflow:hidden; height:344px"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pCZxepRgMlo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pCZxepRgMlo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></dt><dd style="padding:4px 6px 5px 8px;margin:0;background-image:url('http://www.tsrocks.com/images/youtube.bottom.gif');background-repeat: repeat-x;font:11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;">Read <h1 style="display:inline;margin:0;padding-right:3px; font:bold 11px Tahoma;line-height:12px!important;text-align:left;text-transform:none;"><a href="http://www.tsrocks.com/d/dj_vadim_texts/your_revolution.html" style="text-decoration:none;color:#373737;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold!important;border:none;background:none;">Your Revolution Lyrics</a></h1> here.</dd></dl></span></div></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-46588112925314339202009-08-14T07:39:00.006-04:002009-08-14T08:55:46.673-04:00Speak Positivity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EkBp_O8k6M8Lw_gjgFs62UGHi5noW5W7SGmXFh_LSWGt2cYRqrr7CSJdRwriwXRyz8AdoPSafWOo-kQ2lwUsQl-T_CLR2VZFHHTs17VNrj5-SimVrPSIdeCxmLNoaL4M3DS_wfmEbIQ/s1600-h/half+full.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EkBp_O8k6M8Lw_gjgFs62UGHi5noW5W7SGmXFh_LSWGt2cYRqrr7CSJdRwriwXRyz8AdoPSafWOo-kQ2lwUsQl-T_CLR2VZFHHTs17VNrj5-SimVrPSIdeCxmLNoaL4M3DS_wfmEbIQ/s400/half+full.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369802003910098370" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Wisdoms, </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There is so much healing power in speaking/thinking positively. Our words-both written and spoken- have immeasurable power whether we feel it or not. There are several dogmas that subscribe to songs, spirituals, verbal chants, and/or recitations: all positive messages. Most motivational speakers encourage you to tell/feed yourself positive messages- sometimes in repetition. They know that ONE positive message can go a long way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Positive messages create/build/maintain faith. They can create peace. Positive messages have strengthening power and have physiological AND psychological healing powers. Positive messages incite MORE positive messages. We feel better when we receive positive messages, the same goes for when we give them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thinking and speaking positively is most effective in times of adversity. No matter how bad the situation my seem, there is ALWAYS a positive that lies within. It can be teeny-tiny and hard to find, but it is definitely there. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I try to make a habit of discovering the "at leasts" in every seemingly bad situation. I was in a car accident last night (I'm perfectly fine btw). The accident was in no way my fault. I could have been livid based on the costs of the damage, the possible insurance premium increase, the fact that my plans were deterred. But I chose to stay positive. I even offered my step-father's services as he does auto-body work. Instead, I went down my mental list of "at leasts."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-At least...I can drive away unscathed. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-At least...the car is still drivable. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-At least...no one was hurt. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-At least...I'm still alive and well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And this list could go on. And in some situations the ONLY at least will be "at least i'm still alive." And that's just a part of life. The purpose of this blog post is just to open your eyes to the immensely powerful "at least." Find the positive in everything you encounter. It's there! I can guarantee that!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PostQuote: "When you're back's up against the wall, be happy you're standing" -Me</span></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-21850781020391573912009-08-09T21:21:00.009-04:002009-08-09T21:56:50.079-04:00Talk to HER<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP1gSmUnaFQuHR4OCJNlN5WqiTGOdXmpLTU63Cb0cUnoUG0a5_JBYR8G7op81sh9tSTqXGNUTA7DIcUUy5Ar4Q9LYVzNfEcxwnMIzwdtZP207AvpGy8KwfsyQqZ6mGPmhqse_h9M2fDY/s1600-h/reflection.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvP1gSmUnaFQuHR4OCJNlN5WqiTGOdXmpLTU63Cb0cUnoUG0a5_JBYR8G7op81sh9tSTqXGNUTA7DIcUUy5Ar4Q9LYVzNfEcxwnMIzwdtZP207AvpGy8KwfsyQqZ6mGPmhqse_h9M2fDY/s400/reflection.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368143861427010562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnXpyLNM4PLM3rrcRccAUOZtlrqjYUkQbeI45-eMojVBQeVAe7fOW0tN561zawkRg3t-MQsMXjSMlLJCkG8vwGk9jC7P3r1n3OYRsKggu0xOV0VvjLGFohB2kEiKXZco2vZ4H0_LzRj0/s1600-h/reflection.jpg"><br /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Peace Everyone!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just a quickie.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I would like everyone to make it a practice of looking in the mirror and speaking to their beautiful reflection. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her she is a Queen. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her she is ab.so.lute.ly beautiful (inside&out).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her she a kind, caring person. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her how proud YOU are to BE her.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her you love her dearly and unconditionally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her you appreciate everything she IS and everything she's NOT.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tell her all the wonderful things she is. SHE/YOU deserves it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In life we're simply GIVEN messages....SOOO many messages via tv, magazine, radio, internet etc. We hardly make time to MAKE our own messages. Check in with yourself some time. Show YOU how much you love yourself. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We usually get messages from the media that work opposite our best interests-being the best us. We see women who we're subliminally taught to envy, look up to, want to be etc. Meanwhile losing sight of the beauty that greets us every morning. There are SO many wonderful aspects of US, I think, in today's society, it's easy to get caught up in everything/everyone else. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us reinforce the positives about ourselves a little more often. We're definitely worthy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;">Hotep family.</span></div><div><br /></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-46708165754459239032009-08-03T19:20:00.005-04:002009-08-03T19:35:56.502-04:00BIG CHOP's Big Feature<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFeDowC_Tv1oYzRESPd81riicuYZEO8SGszmFUnmQc2BW-8p4S23HyJoFkJa4i9eFdzTl_l16fI5VxuqleLPzfNxtr8hZy6xJjS71X-cGvr2V-Cqyrunm9ykEtnbCvGUo2Bdu5zPiVWA/s1600-h/announce.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFeDowC_Tv1oYzRESPd81riicuYZEO8SGszmFUnmQc2BW-8p4S23HyJoFkJa4i9eFdzTl_l16fI5VxuqleLPzfNxtr8hZy6xJjS71X-cGvr2V-Cqyrunm9ykEtnbCvGUo2Bdu5zPiVWA/s320/announce.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365884896992580978" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5sxde1POAJcFLxY7Bfe4GOSs4Svd4P_vrMdW7IC8fNthfgEbYwGugDsy2oKzJH63Ihg6Jp50zUlhO5NaPZG8CIvA_BZipYKFTJQMRGKvb6t5lAr-7XogOx7LWn_cXZbI_P-Qgy72Wfw/s1600-h/announce.jpg"></a><br /><div>Peace Queens, </div><div><br /></div><div>I just wanted to spread the news. I reached out to an amazing website <a href="http://www.coarsehairdiary.com/">(www.coarsehairdiary.com</a>) to post my BC. If I have a platform to tell my story, I most definitely will. I know there is power in sharing a story so I chose to be another voice. I was so elated that there were even interested. So I'm spreading my joy by re-posting what they posted! Enjoy. If you like my blog, you'll LOVE these sistas site. Check them out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the feature: <a href="http://www.coarsehairdiary.com/2009/08/natural-profiles-big-chop-caught-on.html">http://www.coarsehairdiary.com/2009/08/natural-profiles-big-chop-caught-on.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks Belle!</div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-71279709917086041882009-07-17T10:24:00.004-04:002010-01-17T11:08:53.234-05:00Live your LIFE!!! (*whispers* "ay ay ay ay ay ay")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7enMB9QtXi3YcjcHvVUmX4kQY6wz4vb_JyHZvG9Swm8Ya8dumyAagIDG-zyqimR8y_7vW8okkXa1ifsu_5uyhnrh_fIficd0ctEe9g3BBgIGyksJOWwH1S5UHcbifWZZK8uGkeLuIv3I/s1600-h/time.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7enMB9QtXi3YcjcHvVUmX4kQY6wz4vb_JyHZvG9Swm8Ya8dumyAagIDG-zyqimR8y_7vW8okkXa1ifsu_5uyhnrh_fIficd0ctEe9g3BBgIGyksJOWwH1S5UHcbifWZZK8uGkeLuIv3I/s400/time.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359435034545369122" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace Queens, </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Simply stated: You only get ONE. Live it to the fullest. Be your absolute best, at all times. Make wise decisions. Be the best YOU possible.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you realize you/me/we will never again see another June 1, 2009. There will never be another February 14, 1999, or March 29, 1989, never a “yesterday”...or even 5 minutes ago. Those days have come…. and gone. NEVVVVER to return again. We have GOT to make the most of our lives in EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. After reading The Art of Happiness a few years ago, I contend that the purpose of life: find happiness. PERIOD. No matter what that means to you individually, find it, do it, BE it. Bottom line.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We can’t waste time in a job/career we detest, in a relationship with someone who “just AIN’T IT”, around “friends” who don’t have our best interest at heart, following in parent’s footsteps when we REALLY don’t want to. Basically making decisions that hurt more then help. It’s all wasting TIME! Taking away TIME that you don’t have to waste. Again, you only have ONE LIFE. You have to make the most of it-whatever that may mean in your world. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As women, we are naturally nurturing/giving. Beware not to give SO much of yourself, that you lose sight of who you are, what you want, and your happiness. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>Peace Family,</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">PostQuote: Time can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s all about how you use/utilize it. -Me</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458628951016143476.post-40537056672629008632009-07-17T10:16:00.003-04:002009-07-17T10:27:12.223-04:00"Regret"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXUBo8MJxAQuwXdOLN4PxUiWWbqECTEXzJCtLTYv2XTYstwn_ARVpVQruAqo8bQ0ll00l9IXpk_VQFZZWEb9bd9GLOKR4HBr1bs4N2I7vi0MUWuEoEfSUBQfWVfcHLh6zDzOiaYMId6Y/s1600-h/regret.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXUBo8MJxAQuwXdOLN4PxUiWWbqECTEXzJCtLTYv2XTYstwn_ARVpVQruAqo8bQ0ll00l9IXpk_VQFZZWEb9bd9GLOKR4HBr1bs4N2I7vi0MUWuEoEfSUBQfWVfcHLh6zDzOiaYMId6Y/s400/regret.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359433838573006322" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Try to eliminate this word from your lexicon. I petition for an end of its usage. It’s such an ungrateful word.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I personally think that “regret” is a metaphoric “spit in the face” to whoever’s in control (God, Allah, Krishna, Creator, Universe, etc) of your life. You went through every single thing in your life ON/IN PURPOSE. From low self-esteem, promiscuity, family deaths, and that secret abortion to prom night, bible study, soccer practice and slumber parties (all are random to enforce a point). You most likely won’t know the purpose of it WHILE you go through it, but the reason will reveal itself in due time (if really want to know). </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sometimes it’s hard to “see the forest beyond the trees.” That is understandable. But regret?! It’s a meaningless pity-party. You should be grateful that you’re going through these things because it ultimately means GROWTH in the end. You are supposed to learn a lesson from everything you go through. If not, my guess, is you’ll keep experiencing similar situations until you understand the lesson beneath it all. Hindsight is always 20/20 when you are ready to receive that lesson.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I want the best for everyone reading this and wallowing in past “mistakes” is not an option. Love everything that you’ve experienced- the good the bad and the unspeakably ugly. It was a gift. Be thankful </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Peace.</span></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09153031935167788805noreply@blogger.com2