Thank yous, shout outs, and props!

Today's post is a simple thank you for those who take the time out of their days to read my blogs (this one and The Saphyre Lounge). Of the many things you can do in a a day, including me doesn't have to be one of them; however, the fact that you do means a lot to me. When I initially began blogging, I didn't really embrace the comments portion of it as I thought that many were just commenting out of some form of obligation or to get a reciprocal comment. As time progressed, I realized that there was a sincere interest in what I was posting and I felt that I was networking in a way I'd never imagined could happen. Though I have a MySpace page, I don't feel the warmth and sincerity there as I do on Blogger (even though it arbitrarily acts the hell up). On Blogger, comments are shared openly and honestly with no hidden agendas (well, none that I've had). The inspiration, guidance, humor, love, etc., that is shared; though virtual, provides a connection that could become so much more. As I said in yesterday's post, I've made some real connections to people and those connections have opened doors that I wouldn't have otherwise received. So, without further babbling, I would like to take a moment to bow in your honor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Give back some of the inspiration, joy, comfort, and unity that you've given me. The list is in no particular order and if for some crazy chance, I've omitted your name, please do NOT take it personally as it was not intentional.

Meditations of a Broken Soul

- You are a great friend, a cool manager, a PITA at times, but I love you much.

Wide Lawns Narrow Minds

- SW, you were one of the first blogs I consistently read when I first got on Blogger. Your posts are long, but well worth the read.

Indigo Trail of my Thoughts

- Nikki, your blog has made me laugh more times than I can count. It's also given me rooom for pause and envoked some tears.

Slimm's Soliloquy

- Slimm, I happened upon this you by accident, but enjoyed my visits though you post sporadically.

The Butterfli Affect

- Girl, there's so much I can say about you, but most of it is NOT for public knowledge, so I'll simply say, our kinnection is so fly and thanks for giving me a reason to let my guard down.

Urban Butterfly

-UB, a special bow goes to you because you are such a beautiful person and your blog inspires me in so many ways.

The Cheap Seats

- I happened upon this blog while visiting another and boy was I ever impressed with it. Terry, you are a truly gifted and articulate man and I'm awed by your compassion and humanity. One day we shall meet and converse for hours.

Short Short Fiction

- Lehane, my fellow countryman. Your writing is incredible and your talents endless. I feel so fortunate to have made your acquaintance and I know it will bring forth great works.

The Master Cleanse

- This blog has assisted me in maintaining good health and well-being and provided information I could easily and immediately use.

Lovers Anonymous

- X, damn! What can I say? You are talented, creative, inspiring, giving, open, thoughtful to say the least. Making your acquaintance has been a wonderful occurance for me.

The Dancing Archer

- A recent find and certainly a well worth one.

Susan Abraham

- Su, you're an incredible writer and I look forward to reading your posts everyday. Your comments are always wise and insightful.

The Wandering Author

- Although I don't read this blog as often, it's still full of great stuff.

Post a Secret; Share a Secret

- All I can say is, check this blog out. Better yet, buy the books. This blog will definitely be of use and inspiration to you all.

More Than the Sum of My Parts

- Tiff, I happened up on yours by chance and you often provide information that I wouldn't ordinarily think about, which is great for making me see and think about things/life from another pov.

Miss(ed) Manners

- D, you're a freaking nut and that's what makes your blog such fun for me to read. Well, that and the fact that you reside in an area I'm completely familiar with.

The Mistress

- Girl, you are the damn truth! Your blog has expanded my sexual knowledge and your ability to be open and so vocal impresses me. You are someone I'd like to meet and hang out with one day.

The Fackin Truth

- H, just keep on doing what you're doing cause your blog gives it to me straight no chaser and with a little humor as a chaser from time to time. It's them darn kids!

Life in the Chocolate City

- Thanks for that sweet potato pie recipe; it's the damn truth. You ought to copyright it and sell it. That aside, the blog is extremely informative and G-Mo has a good side hustle going on if you ever need tix. Holla at dat boi!

JoJo Dancer

- JoJo, Little do you know that I'm a little scared of you, but in a good way. Your confidence, tenacity, and willingness to speak on issues I wouldn't have even given thought to gives me knowledge and awareness.

Black Blogs

- For allowing me to add my blogs to your site so more people can become aware of me.

JayHawk Fever

- Mom, your radiance shines through in so many ways and your strength as a mother inspires me and lets me know that things will be okay.

Woman On The Move

- For breaking it down in terms that a meaningful and for just being open on the way you look at things.

Fortress of Solitude

- Clark, for giving me reason to know that there really are superheroes out there.

Romantic Verses

- Sleek, you were another of the first blogs I began reading and I used to love to read the Hustler Diaries, but all those half naked women was a bit much for me, so I unfortunately quit you. But you came back to me and I love your new site. Can't wait for you to update it.

Everything In Its Right Place

- Iron, you are so missed. Your writing is incredible and I can't wait for you to return and grace me with your skills.

Glass Petal Roses

- Slump, you've written and continue to write some profound pieces and I enjoy stopping by your blog.

The Road to Redemption from Perdition

- Nique, you're a great writer and have so much potential,so please try to post more frequently.

The Copasetic Soul

- Copa, you exude such a beautiful energy and I always get a sense of tranquility when I visit you.

Honorable mentions because I haven't added you to my current blog roll yet.

Drum roll for the following:

J.C - you are not a blogger but have been a reader since day one and you get mad props for that. BZ, t.c, chele, snakebite, wendy, jenellybean, tethabile, ncnaynay, organized noise, so...wise...sista, debo blue, rastaman, barb, kaleidescope, lyricallyspeaking and brutha buck.

Life's blessings

It's said, that when one door closes another opens and I am experiencing the benefits of that. Lately, moreso; since this summer, some very profound changes have occurred in my life and though at one point it seemed like they'd get the best of me; a way was made for me to get through it.

While I struggled to deal with a long-standing painful issue in my life, I finally decided I needed to pen my thoughts/feelings to get it off my chest and let it go once and for all. As that door closed; another did open, but it was another trap door. I once again found myself struggling with an issue I had long suppressed that had decided to resurface. During that time, I was reunited with a dear college friend whom I'd lost contact with. As we talked to catch up and reminisce the issue sat on the forefront on my mind like oil on water. The issue came up in conversation between my friend and I and it was then that I realized my reunion was a part of the process to close that open trap door. I detailed the event that caused some hurt and confusion between us and my friend embraced me (emotionally) and let me know it was all good and that I could and should let it all go. My explanation helped not only him understand what really happened, but at the same time allowed me to finally lay it all to rest. Since that day, my friendship has amplified and you'd never think that we'd lost any time between us.

That has not been the only blessing borne of doors opening and closing and as the title states, Life's Blessings are in full effect in my life. I've made some really good contacts and friends through Blogger and my ability to write and take my writing further has been amplified; especially at a time when I questioned my ability. My friends and I started our own company and we've made and are continuing to make some really good and reputable contacts along the way. We've had a few hurdles, but they've helped us see where we're deficient and those hurdles are now catalysts to become better.

I recently received and accepted an offer to have one of my posts printed in an book which will be published and I've also accepted a writing endeavor with the very talented DBA Lehane. Please check him out when you have some time Short Short Fiction. Once complete, the story will be posted on our respective sites. Mine will be posted on my other blog The Saphyre Lounge.

At a time when I thought my usual kind regard toward humanity seemed to be dissipating, my participation in my company's annual food drive, restored my compassion to its fullest and I feel ever blessed to have made such a simple difference in someone's life. They looked at me and the others who delivered food with such grateful eyes, but it is I who feels the gratitude toward them for never relenting in their faith and hope for good things to happen; as it truly opened a door within my heart that I was fighting to keep closed. Not out of disdain or disregard, but because so many abuse their plight and I'd had enough of seeing, reading, or hearing about it.

I've said all of this to say, that the doors are there and they are waiting for you to walk through. Let go of your apprehension, fears, doubts, lack of faith, and allow the familiar doors to close in favor of new ones, as many of them were doing nothing but trapping you in a place you shouldn't be.

Rest on these words and they will open and close the doors for you...

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." - Hebrews 11:1

"Ask in faith, never doubting." - James 1:6

Be blessed and be well.

What's wrong with saying Christmas?

As I walk around my work site, I see the signs advertising the various "Holiday Parties" that will be taking place in and out of the building. A coworker questioned the use of "Holiday" as opposed to "Christmas" and I questioned the same. What is wrong with saying Christmas? All of a sudden, it's "politically incorrect" to say Christmas. WTF? I have an issue with that. What bunch of assclown morons in Washington decided that we can't use the word Christmas? Is that not what the holiday is? Who was offended? The Jewish? The Muslims? The atheists? Who? I said, who? Each of the aforementioned, save for the atheists have their respective holidays of which they celebrate accordingly and the names of each aren't being changed, so why was Christmas a target of such blasphemy? I seriously would like an answer because I refuse to accept saying anything but Merry Christmas, Christmas break, or any other Christmas derived theme.

All this so-called politically correct bullshit is just that; bullshit! They've changed so many things in the name of political correctness, but what the hell does politics have to do with any of it? I'm really more than sick and tired of some jacked up suit wearin, narrow lipped, sexually repressed, can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, limp-dick, assclown telling me what the fuck I can and can't say. Last I checked there was Freedom of Speech, (though we know what a joke that shit is) so I should be able to say Christmas if I want to. What the hell would I sound like if I walked up to someone on CHRISTMAS Day and said, Merry Holiday for "fear" of offending them? You know what, if you are offended, so damn what! Suck it up sweetie and get over it. What are they gonna change next, Happy Birthday?

With all the damn hoopla made of Halloween and Valentine's Day of which NIETHER is a friggin holiday, why the hell can't they just leave well enough alone? On a daily friggin basis we all say something that's not grammatically correctly, punctuated correctly, and so on; are we gonna start censoring appropriate speech next? I'm sorry, actually, I'm not; I'm going to keep saying Christmas. I'm going to continue to keep CHRIST in Christmas and not say Xmas. How is it that folk are offended when someone says, "Happy Turkey Day" and not Merry Christmas? That's because they're ignorant assholes who don't know shit from shortcake when it comes to things of real importance.

The irony is that the same assclowns who came up with this politically correct bullshit are the same ones saying "Thank you Jesus!" or "Thank God!" They better recognize the real validity in what they're saing instead of misappropriating their speech. How can you say "Thank you Jesus" and NOT want to say Christmas? Now that's some real confusing shit right there.

Is it just me or do you see some gaps in their thinking?

Still Thankful

As I contemplated this blog, I thought about all the things/people we gave thanks to and for last week. I wondered how many of those things/people we'd still be thankful for this week. I also thought about whether we'd still be giving of ourselves throughout the year and not just because it was Thanksgiving and Christmas is forthcoming.

As the many thoughts traversed through my mind, I read one of my favorites blogs In Rememberance and learned that a good friend of hers had passed. We later spoke on the passing and the reality that many of us take for granted is that we are all dying. For my friends friend Trish, she was only 24 and had a 10 month old daughter. Yes, only 24 years old! Trish was terminally ill; however, I learned she lived her life fully in spite of. She relied upon her faith in God to always be her guide and to not succumb to the illness prematurely. As we spoke, we both acknowledged that each one of us is living on borrowed time. Trish had the forewarning of knowing just how much she might have, while we do not.

I ask you all this, if you knew you only had a limited time to live, would it change how you live? Most of us will shout a resounding "yes" and that's where the problem begins. Why should it take the knowing of our demise to make us live better? It shouldn't. We all know that life is filled with ups and downs, but we can still find something to be grateful/thankful/mindful for. Life is not filled with one negative thing after another. We have to embrace the bad to appreciate the good, so on and so forth. Even if you aren't a church goer, I'm sure each of you have some beliefs and those beliefs in a higher power are what helps to guide and shape you. As my friend and I talked on, wee acknowledged a few Bible verses that have been a powerful source when all seemed dark. Romans 5:3, 4, 5 say the following:
"...And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience:
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abrouad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us..."

It is that kind of knowledge and guidance that we all need to adhere to. We're human and it's not easy to think past our immediate discomfort, but as it's said, "there is always someone worse off than you." In addition, I recall some of the lyrics to the song It's Gonna Rain, by Kelly Price
"It will rain (Oh...ho...)
There'll be pain (Only for a little while)
Trouble will come (Yeah, they will)
Understand (Ooh...)
Count it on joy (You gotta count)
Mornin' will come (After the rain)
The sun will shine (Yeah, yeah)
Keep your head high (Mmm, uh-huh)"

If we indulge ourselves with good energy, surround ourselves with good people, and keep a higher power in our lives, we can overcome much, appreciate everything, and live better lives. I do recognize it's all easier said than done, but sometimes you've got to do the hard things in life. If everything was a "gimme" we'd still find something to complain about because we'd want for more and more. I later read this blogger's (she suffers with depression) thoughts on the joys in her life and was again reminded how fortunate we are. In All Things Joy.

Each day is a constant reminder that we're blessed to see the day. We have to be thankful each and every day because people like Trish who only lived 24 years will never see her daughter grow and she'll never know what her life would have become, but she lived the life she had with joy and thanksgiving regardless. We are the ones living death's watch and maybe if we keep that in mind, we'd actually have more fulfilling lives instead of complaining about what we don't have, what we want, and so on.

I know this post might be a buzz kill, but it is what it is...the truth.

P.S...I wanted to thank all of you who posted last week. I unfortunately didn't have the time to go back and acknowledge comments, but please don't think I didn't read or appreciate those left. Without you all, my blog would be nothing. I appreciate the time each of you take out of your day to read and comment.