women power!

I watched a clip of The View when Michelle Obama was on there and couldn't help but chuckle at the uproar she apparently kicked off over the dress she wore. It was a simple, classy, and flattering dress that she bought for $148 at White House, Black Market; a store that sells only black and white clothing. I thought it powerful because so many women get caught up in buying such over priced outfits, when they can make an equally loud statement by wearing something less expensive. Apparently, Michelle Obama has increased the sales of this dress exponentially and the stores have sold out of the dress almost nationwide; forcing reproduction of the dress for future sales. Now, that's something to feel good about.

Here's a humorous thing...
O the powerful women in my life - Keep the faith!!!Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says..."Oh shoot...she's awake!!"

Let us see ourselves, not through the filters fo a sick society, but from a place connected to teh rhythm of nature that vvalues everything about being a woman and a Black woman, the first woman on Earth...excerpt from All About Love, by Susan L. Taylor.

I'm about to start reading this book and from what I've glanced out in parusing the book, I highly recommend it to others. Let's all strive to live in the true spirit of love and be a part of a global community of faith, peace, and understanding.

Have a truly blessed day.

Love!

Resourcefulness!

"A workable measure of your progress is how fast you can get free when you are stuck and how many ways you know to get free". Kathlyn Hendricks

I honestly have no idea who Kathlyn Hendricks is, but I love this quote. It made me really think about how I've come to be where I am in life. In a word; RESOURCEFUL!

Without going into explicit detail, I'll say that I've been through a lot of ish and some of it was emotional, mental, physical and in a few instances damn near life-threatening. There have been occassions where I've questioned "how did I get here" and I again, I came back to that one word; RESOURCEFUL! In the course of my life's adventures/misadventures, I've always found ways to get out of a situation. I've used my stealth, my wits, my faith, my friends, and whathaveyou in order to get out of dodge, trouble, relationships; etc.

I'm not sure how I learned that being resourceful would be the wind beneath my wings, but I'm more than happy that I passed that class with flying colors because without that lesson, I'd nothing short of screwed and less than the woman I am today. I never allowed myself to wallow in self-pity, misery, or without a way out. I'll openly admit I've unncessasrily put up with more than my share of the crap, but thinking back, I still always found a way get out of dodge; even for a little while. There was always a person, place, or thing to give me hope and strength. I've used what I've got; MY BRAIN and NOT MY ASS to get what I wanted, which was a better life and to be a better person.

In a recent conversation with my blog brother Xavier we discussed some of the mess we've respectively gone through in order to get where we are now and again the word RESOURCEFUL was resonated. It's funny how we forget that we're all capable of incredible feats if only we put our minds to it. We can overcome adversity, abuse, poverty, homelessness; etc, when we exhibit the drive and ambition to do so and, yes; you guessed it...be RESOURCEFUL.

Blogfriends, use what you've got (the right way) to get what you want. Be resourceful in the tools you have within and around you. If you're in need of something find a way to achieve it. Read to educate yourself. Try your hand at something you've never done before. Humble yourself when necessary. Not buying that $5 cup of coffee & bagel on your way to work everyday can save you $25 a week of which you can save for something else. You get where I'm going with this. Being resourceful manifests itself in a myriad of ways and certainly isn't limited to money and/or material things. Using people (in a positive way), places, and things is the epitomy of being resourceful and it's endless.

Love!

Out with the old

Well, it's the last day of 2007 and I have to say it's been quite a year. I've had my share of good and the bad, but all in all, it's still been a good year. Here's my list of bad/good list...

Bad...
Got a health scare
Good...
Said health scare brought me and mum back together

Bad...
Having major surgery
Good...
Realizing how strong I truly am

Bad...
Missing out on a relationship with my dad
Good...
We're no longer estranged and I have a place to stay everytime I'm in Jamaica

Bad...
Being a parent of a teenage girl
Good...
Knowing that I'm doing it pretty well and we're growing together

Bad...
Having friends treat you badly
Good...
Realizing it's their loss and making some really cool new ones

Bad...
Feeling lost/alone
Good...
Knowing that with Christ, you're never lost or alone

Bad...
Having a stepmom who's only 5 yrs older than me
Good...
She's great and it's like having another big sister instead of a mother

Bad...
Not getting the pay increase I deserve
Good...
Finding out that as a disabled Vet I can get tax free money from the government

Bad...
Knowing so many people suffer
Good...
Knowing I was able to give in order to relieve some of their suffering

I'm a better, stronger, and more confident woman is year than I was last year and I know I will be even better next year. Thank you all for your respective roles in my life and the contributions you've made through reading and commenting on my blog as well as by my reading yours. I wish each and everyone of you a fantastic 2008 and may we all be blessed in our rightful and respective ways.

Be safe out there and always give God the thanks and praise He so amply deserves.

Love!

Are You A Bad Influence?

I was tagged by jus.b.fli for a game of Are You a Bag Influence? I responded on her site and scored a 69 for any inquiring minds who might go check out the tag. Initially, I was going to respond to the tag and post it as my blog, but I've decided against it (my apologies jus); here's my reason why.

The tag really doesn't indicate whether or not I'm really a bad influence because what I'd be admitting to, does not affect anyone else; therefore, how could I be considered a bad influence? Being a bad influence constitutes having an adverse affect on those around me and I can somehow sway them into doing something they might not want to do. I have no such influence on people unless they themselves chose to follow suit with what I'm doing and if that is the case, then they're only doing something they've already wanted to do; and are now using me as an excuse.

See, that is what I see as the problem. Many people want to take chances, risk things, and/or do something on a whim. The problem; however, is that they lack the initiative to do it and use others as a catalyst and in some cases an excuse for themselves should they get caught/found out. I say, if you want to do something, just do it. For the most part, you don't need permission, an excuse, or someone else's influence to do something.