Recently I decided to finally do what I had been feeling urged to do 2 years ago.  I had felt the need to do a inner cleanse of my body but I wasn’t too thrilled about it.  I mean, honestly I love to eat and a part of me didn’t want to give up all of those things I enjoyed, especially the ones that aren’t good for me.  So it was a battle of will and mind over spirit.  My gut knew that I needed this but my body/mind wanted to do something else.  So I listened to my body and mind.  I don’t have to tell you how many times that has gotten me into major trouble (lol).  Anyway, I decided to blog about my spiritual/physical cleanse as a part of the release process.  Maybe someone out there will relate or like to share their experience if they have traveled down this particular road.

I had been told by others who have taken a similar journey with cleansing their inner bodies that you feel a huge release when you do this.  Much which are toxins as well as other things from the body that it no longer needs.  Some say there is a huge increase in energy levels and others feel more alive than before.  Another noticeable aspect from this type of inner body cleanse is that many have stated that they released a lot of emotional trauma/baggage in the process.  It’s been said that sometimes when the mucoid plaque is removed from the colon forgotten incidents with emotional trauma will then be remembered and also released.  Now, I don’t know for sure yet how this will affect me but I will take all of what I just mentioned above if that is a possibility in my experience with this cleanse.  Time for a fresh new start.

DAY 1

So here I am with my cleanse.  Got my stuff and off I go.  I’m so psyched and ready for this now.  I feel good about it and want to release everything that doesn’t belong in my body and as well as anything else energetically that has to be released.  I am determined, excited, a bit nervous but committed.

So far so good with cutting back my meal portions (as prescribed in the first three days).  I had already started that along with daily exercise for the last two weeks before this cleanse and lost 8 lbs. already.  I feel good so far and eager to see how the rest goes.

Worked out today and felt sore and a bit sluggish.  I notice my muscles are coming alive again….been asleep from not being consistent with a work out routine.

Noto a fan of swalling pills of any sort so taking the herbal capsules is a doozy indeed!  YUK!  The Toxin absorber has a fruity dirt taste to it. LOL  I’m suppose to drink this everyday?  Oh God, what am I in for???

I press on.  Wondering what to expect…….well let’s say the bathroom is my haven at this point.

DAY 2

I am in Day 2 now.  The first 3 days (pre-cleanse) are scaled back with my diet (3/4 of my organic meals eaten along with taking the toxin absorber before a light organic dinner and digestive stimulator before bedtime and LOTS OF WATER in-between).   I felt like I was cheating by eating meals but that’s what I am suppose to do until Day 4.  From then on it will be liquid diet for 5 days and on the last day a reintroduction of food back into my diet.

This morning……spent time in my haven …..so obviously things are working.  I am noticing that I feel more lighter mentally.  I had lots of lucid dreams last night (in Jamaica for some reason and other places with people I’d rather keep to myself).  I did notice certain things I had to make a point not to dream about – dismiss them from my dreams rather.  Strange how that can occur when one is in a lucid dream and something/someone injects themselves into it and you can dismiss it.  I kinda like!  Wish it was more real-time applicable more often. LOL

Working in an altered state feels different today, I feel I am tapping into a person’s essence more intensely.  I am noticing that as I work with people today its a strange vibration/ringing feeling.  Strong feelings/mental connections and a person’s thoughts are always a part of that process but they feel heightened today.

Had a light lunch…..back to the Haven…..stomach is moving alright…must drink more H2O…challenged there but its a must!

Gonna resume workout routine this evening and have a light dinner and follow protocol.  Will pick up blog in the morning.

DAY 3

Didn’t have the time to post daily due to schedule and in-person event for two days that followed among other things.

Was uneventful but felt the pangs and desire to eat the stuff I shouldn’t- boy was it kicking in.  This is my last day of solids before I go onto liquids.  So I am ready but then again I’m unsure how this will go.  I’m keeping dications on my recorder and will write on the blog when I get the time.  So far so good.

DAY 4

First day of all liquids and I am psyched but wonder how I will manage to get through the next 5 days of this.  This afternoon as a parent volunteer I was at the pre-game luncheon at my son’s High School.  Today, they had 3 kinds of pasta (Spaghetti, Lasagna, Linguine with Chicken in White Sauce, Garlic Rolls, and a healthy salad with peppers and the works).  Of course, I am serving the boys and going WOW where did this catered food come from?  One of the other parent volunteers told me (Pasta Max Cafe) and I thought to myself, OK as soon as this is over I am gonna have to check out this pasta joint! LOL  I mean I cook mean pasta myself but this was not your ordinary pasta, I could see and smell the ingredients and tell from the sauce consistency, etc.  OK I digress! LOL  Anyway, I suffered through it, constantly telling anyone who would listen how I was on this fast, yada yada yada in attempts to gain pitty and/or divert my attention from this delicious food.  Needless to say the young men and coaches, devoured the pasta and I was like OK…I made it through this episode.  Now, I have to get through the game tonight.  That was another story altogether.

The night wears on and I am cooking and preparing dinner for my other remaining kids at home before the game starts.  I pack my kids lunches everyday and cook for them so it was a challenge to smell the savory chops I was preparing, along with the other meals. I’m drinking my herbal cocktail and wonder “what the hell was I thinking to start this right before Labor Day??”  Anyway, I suffer through it relishing on the day its over and how I can get together with friends to celebrate my process.  With that thought, I forge ahead.

Get to the game later that evening and I am hit with all these goodie smells coming from EVERYWHERE!  Candy, Hot Dogs, French Fries, Coke products, Icey’s….I mean Snow Cones, hell all of that.  I sit in the stands focused on the game and my son’s team (who by the way took a whipping but not without a fight).  It was an emotional game nonetheless and if it hadn’t been I think I would have been nuts watching what seemed like EVERYBODY eating something tasty and tempting!

Make a few visits to the temporary haven – getting use to this more than frequent routine.

Make it home and can’t wait to get to drink that herbal cocktail (thinking to myself its a healthy shake to shape my mind, body, and soul) and off to bed I go.  Lots of lucid dreams are happening with me.  Hoping I can manage tomorrow as I have an in-person event to do this weekend.

DAY 5

I am noticing that as I go through the cleanse I am feeling lighter, my skin appears to be brightening and my head feels clearer, literally.  As an mild to moderate allergy sufferer, I am noticing that I don’t have to take a allergy medicine as I normally do during the week.  I take the Children’s liquid no-name brand because that’s all it takes to knock it out and me at times as far as sleep.  But no-can-do or no-need-do rather this week.  The morning of the Fair and I am psyched.  I haven’t seen many of the people that came through today in YEARS!!  It was nice to see some old and new faces.  I worked through the day, unscathed.  It wasn’t that bad because I was busy most of the time and didn’t have any food except that damn bowl of chocolates Dwayne had at the front table, tempting me by saying, its healthy chocolate and not your normal run of the mill! LOL  Well, I didn’t doubt it but I refrained and drank my pure water and tried to put it out of my mind.  Thankfully the clients helped me do that as I had a chance to finally meet many of the people I had read over the phone but had never seen.

Get home have more herbal cocktails and call it a night.  My teenage son’s (LUV THEM) had prepared dinner and had already taken care of the day’s essentials so I rested easy that night.  Off to the next day!

DAY 6

Another day at the FAIR and the weather is absolutely gorgeous again!  I LOVE this time of year when it starts to cool down, the trees are slightly edging that turn stage but still lush and green and you can sit out on a porch somewhere just taking in the scenery.  Another uneventful day (THANK GOD) and I muddle through it.

Although later that night, I am fiending for some food.  I am allowed to have veggie broth (liquid only) so I am swallowing it like nobody’s business.

Take more of my herbal cocktail and ready myself for bed.

DAY 7

OK I am ready for this to be over!  It’s Labor Day and being that I AM NOT COOKING there is no drama and cravings to entertain with food.  My oldest Teenage boys took care of that by deciding what they and the other kids would eat and I decided to catch up on rest that I needed after having to work this past weekend.  I had my herbal cocktails and just rested throughout the morning and later went to grocery shop.

I am noticing that my dreams are becoming more lucid and clearer and strange.  Dreams with cats,  shape-shifters, secret societies, etc.  I’ll just leave it at that for now.  But I also saw people in my dreams that I know personally who is alive and some who are no longer on this earth plane and a few celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Benicio Del Toro (who I think is absolutely a tall dark drink of water on a hot summer’s day) LOL  There was a tribute to Reese  Witherspoon of some sort and Benicio, well let’s say there is a sexy dark side to him.  Anyway, I am feeling lighter and have shed a few more pounds.  I think I can get use to doing this cleanse more often now that I am almost done with it.

The haven is my best friend at this stage!  Who would have thought one is suppose to go all the time like this.  Guess I was overdue for this cleanse!

More of the great tasting (actually apple flavored sand grit) flavored concoction and I am off to bed for more dreams and interactions.

DAY 8

Wow……almost done at least with the liquids.  Woke up thinking I was finished and checked my log and a rude awakening – 1 more day left of liquids.  Darn!  I will get through the day, got lots to do so will drink the herbal cocktails knowing that soon I can reintroduce food back into my system tomorrow.  I can’t wait!  I feel good and will have to figure out a new regime of exercise and diet to maintain this feeling.  I haven’t done any strenuous exercise since I started the liquid portion.  But will start back my walking and low impact aerobics tomorrow.  Want to look HOT this holiday season – feeling I am getting my swag back! Well pulling it down off the shelf is more like it…LOL

On with work and going to try to get some writing done, I am so overdue for that project!  Will update more later today.

It’s nice to have a moment to blog my thoughts, feelings and experiences lately.  This morning I happen to pass an accident on a two lane road I travel frequently.  Within the last three or so months, I’ve had to be detoured around accidents on this road.  The strange thing is that this time the accident that I passed moved me to write about it.  I’m sure many of you reading this have had your share of witnessing car accidents on the regular.  But this morning, I was a bit saddened to a deeper degree by what I saw.

This pickup truck, which happens to be the only vehicle I managed to peek at upon passing (the officers were trying to move people along as quickly and efficiently as possible through a nearby subdivision) was totally destroyed.  The truck was completely roofless and propped up on wooden beams.  There was debris and what appeared to be sheets on the ground.  I’m still not certain if anyone lost their lives but from the look of that pickup, if they survived it was a miracle.

My heart immediately sank because it did feel like someone didn’t make it but then again, I am not certain.  I am hopeful that no one died.  Immediately, it hit me – why are we all rushing around like rats on a sinking ship?????!!!!  Now, I don’t know if these folks were rushing or not but from the looks of that truck, it appeared to be traveling at some high rate of speed and possibly had turned over.  The damage was just plain eye boggling.  Who knows, part of the appearance could have been the Firemen using a saw to release the victims out of the truck from the roof.  At any rate, the previous accident I happened to pass prior to this one (just a few weeks actually) was late at night on that same two lane road and also appeared to be so bad they had to block the street and detour folks.  I’m thinking…what’s going on?

Every morning (and I KNOW this is happening still) in my area, people are rushing frantically around trying to get somewhere.  Either because they are late, there was an accident or road work and they don’t WANT to be late or they just simply like to speed and rush in their cars, or a slew of other reasons.  But WHY risk your life and others just to get somewhere?…..or you hope to get there in tact…….and safely…..MAYBE if you’re lucky!  People always say and think its FATE if someone happens to get into a car accident.  As though it was destined or meant to be or something.  I say, yeah…..sure……BUT you most certainly are hedging your bets when you set in motion (by your free-will and choice) to RUSH and drive perhaps recklessly and at risk, HOPING the other drivers on the road have excellent defense mechanisms.  All while you bob-and-weave your way through them (most of the time WITHOUT turn signals) – YA’LL KNOW WHO YOU ARE! LOL

And all in hopes to arrive safely to your destination ON TIME no less, yeah OK!?  Now if you screw that up along the way (the odds gets jinxed) cause somebody can’t respond defensively to your driving methodology and causes a chain reaction accident with others or you do this all by yourself – perhaps because you loose control of the car.  Or you were simply not paying attention, putting on that makeup or texting on the phone, or dialing the phone to let whoever know you are going to be late!  That….my dear….changes the whole outcome each second you are making those decisions and acting on them.  And you set that ball in motion!  There were no “demons” or other things that put that cause and affect in motion but you.

So consider this………there are a whole lot of other “YOU’s” on the road doing the same thing at the same time….and its a train wreck or shall I say car wreck waiting to happen.  Believe me I have to catch myself from doing it too.  I’m no saint but damn!  I don’t relish the thought of causing harm to myself or my children or anyone riding in the car with me.  And I also don’t like the idea that I am contributing to possibly taking somebody’s life because I am consciously being reckless and rushing and taking a huge risk doing certain things.  My friends sometimes would tease me about how I drive compared to the majority on the road (which is at speed limit most times or slightly below) and I say because I am carrying precious cargo!  Plus, I don’t enjoy speeding tickets or the idea of causing an accident to myself or someone else.

Anyway, slow down.  The job will be there….matter of fact, if you unfortunately leave this earth plane due to an accident or can’t work again because you are always rushing to get someone….they will likely replace you.  Meanwhile, you or your family or someone else’s family could possibly loose a child, parent, brother or sister.  All for what?  Because we just have to get where we are going at the risk of everything?  Please….it’s not worth it.  Be safe, try to be on time and if you are not, don’t risk yours or anyone else’s life because of it.  Jobs come and go (and we know this to be the case without car accidents) but you and your loved one’s only come through here once per lifetime.  Try to enjoy this one as long as you can and make it count for something.

Anyway….you get the idea…and that’s just ONE version of looking at how we all contribute to these things….car accidents in particular.  But my point is……If you’re late, you are gonna be late.  Try not to contribute to the odds of cause and effects working against you.  You do have some control, ya know.

Macon’s a Diamond in Disguise

Ya know, I had to share with ya’ll one of the best kept little secrets –  its Macon, Georgia!  Another of their little “hush hushes” – The Casserole Shop.  Me and my kids a month ago was down in Macon, just seeing what we can see and happened across this little gem.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE sight-seeing and getting off the beaten path in little towns and cities to find out the secrets of the locals.  Considering that I consider myself an “almost local” to that particular area, I thought I’d just see where the road would take us.  When it comes to fine dining (which is rare these days) and food in general, it’s my passion.  Many people (unless you are close to me) don’t know this about me but I do consider myself a self-proclaimed Chef/Cook (minus the education/formal training) LOL.  No seriously, I’m pretty darn good at it!  I’ve always wanted to have a bistro or cafe or dining establishment.  Even made a video (about 3 years ago, yeah I know…can you imagine LOL…I still do when I watch the shows) to send to Food Network ……  Who knows…….I may get around to that dream this lifetime…….Ok I digress a bit…  Back to the blog.

We took advantage of visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum.  It was interesting considering I didn’t even know there was one and the tour was over a bit faster than I would have liked.  It wasn’t very big and didn’t have a lot to see in it at the time but we still enjoyed it.  We also stopped by the Museum of Arts and Sciences and even had a chance to check out the Mark Smith Planetarium (which was way cool!).  They were preparing for the World of Giant Insects  which wasn’t showing yet (which we plan to go back and see before it ends in October).  My boys are so psyched about that exhibit!  My daughter (gotta laugh and love her), she has NEVER flinched at bugs and can’t wait to see it.  Hell, she would be the first to get a bug (as I don’t care much for the critters – no matter what kind they are) out of the house and away from me.  And Me, well after having a recall/dream experience of being in Egypt as a sacrifice of twelve with a giant non-terrestrial 8′ Preying Mantis (by the way who was actually HIGHLY intelligent and telepathic in that dream) doesn’t necessarily make me feel all warm and fuzzy to spend the day at that exhibit!  LOL Ok…not to spook folks but ya’ll Mothers/Parents out there know that at times….. you have to “take one for the team”  when it comes to your kids and that kinda stuff.

Anyway, we happened across this little gem of a place called The Casserole Shop by Dooga and the Duchess.  And seeing that it was getting late in the evening and time for dinner, I decided to pick up something and take it home to prepare.  I had already felt that it was going to be good – Intuition was already ahead of me!  Shall I also just say that the food was very good and homemade specific!  What I mean is that it was scrumptious as though one’s Mom or Grandma had prepared it from scratch.  We had the breakfast casserole for the following morning and the Chicken Pot Pie for dinner that night.  For desert we splurged with the pound cake.  Now if you were born and raised in the the south, YOU KNOW about pound cake for REAL down here.  It just isn’t southern without pound cake!  Needless to say, I had to walk for days (still walking folks) for the pure sacrifice  of that little piece of heaven.  If you’d like to check it out for yourself if you are in the area or passing through just go to www.casseroleshop.com.  It was frozen and all you need to do is pop it right in the oven until its ready to eat.

I usually cook 6 out of 7 days a week so its always nice to have a break and have HOMEMADE good food that you don’t have to prepare yourself sometimes.  When I do have the opportunity to go out to dinner with friends and family and eat out, its nice to explore all types of cuisines.  I usually like to reverse engineer the food I eat at a restaurant in my head and go back home and make it myself.  I’m pretty good with that and end up adding something else to it that I think would make it better.

I guess food’s on the brain……had to share!  Below are the links to check out a couple of the places we saw down in Macon.  It appears to be other things I want to check out there (live music and events/ jazz bars/festivals,  etc.).  There is also lots to do for the  grown and sexy folks.  Definitely a lot going on in a place you would least expect.  A must see!

www.casseroleshop.com

www.tubmanmuseum.com

www.masmacon.com

www.maconga.org

Yesterday, I took my kids to the Veteran’s Wall of Honor and it was very overwhelming for me and very enlightening and REAL for them.  I have to admit, I definitely have a different perspective of the world I live in now than I did only a few short years ago.  I had a variety of emotions that is very hard to put into words.  But if I may try, I would use humbling, numbing, sadness and thankful as adjectives.  As for my children, they don’t really understand the mechanics of war, the mechanics behind war, or any other logistics associated with it.  I guess in a way, I really don’t either – even now at my age.  In the past, I have looked at it always surface level and from two perspectives.  On the one perspective it was for freedom, liberty, protection, what history books have always given as reasons (in some cases excuses), what has been filtered through the media outlets, etc.  After all, I like the majority of US citizens was not actually at the helm of the table of Directors, Chief Officers and Government officials to REALLY know the TRUE skinny of all the “WHY’S and AGENDA’S”.  On the other perspective, it was all a part of politics unfortunately.  Many people have lost their lives for the reasons of “good”.  There are people who are still laying their lives down today for that very same cause.  People in your communities protecting and serving everyday, citizens who fight for justice and equality, and so on.  That is what this blog’s  focus is today, expanding the commemoration of ALL of those individuals who have fallen, whether serving in our armed forces or in our own communities.

After taking in the information and pictures on the wall, me and my children did come to a collective expression of “awe” about that experience.  You see, as an outsider (as most of us are) it’s one thing to read about wars in the history books, hear about it in the news, or speculate what is going on, etc..  But to talk to former Veterans, or be at a place like the Veteran’s Wall of Honor puts a lot of things into perspective.  And considering I have four son’s  – it really puts it into perspective for me.  I wonder and often worry (a habit I strive to break) about the world for their generation and future generations at times based on the current energy and direction it’s going in.  But then, in that same moment, especially looking at that wall of honor, it gives me hope and encouragement that the generations to come can and perhaps will change their futures based on their past.  I suppose its a dychotomy of sorts.

Nonetheless, I don’t like wars, don’t care for them and feel that as human beings we are capable of creating a world that can do without it.  It’s hard to fathom I know, but if many others didn’t fathom the visionary ideas, cutting edge thoughts and acted on them, we wouldn’t be as advanced (in many ways) as we are today. No, I think we (or those in power) choose that path of less resistance.  It’s easier to create chaos and a whole slew of negative possibilities and perhaps more profitable (oh boy getting into some dangerous territory here).  However you want to spin it, my opinion is that it just simply boils down to this, despite opposing opinions.   Just as there are so many creative, eloquent, ingenious and crafty ways one can create chaos, negative mass thought processes, innuendos and scenarios in this world; equally and just as effectively and perhaps more efficiently can one create positive counter scenarios, options, cutting edge advancements and positive changes.  OH, wouldn’t it be a better world if WE ALL “would” just imagine it and make it so verses accepting the “this is how it is” mind set?  It sometimes can be a small few to make a difference.  Not too long ago in our history and even now we have people who did imagine things to be so and made it happen.  And in many cases, they appeared as little ants up against giants.  Today, we still have those options and power to make a difference as a collective consciousness despite how it appears.

BELIEVE THIS!…if there wasn’t a collective consciousness that is battling for a positive direction and   outcome today for mankind, you can bet we would be FAR WORSE and EVEN FURTHER behind than we think we are now.  Ton’s of examples in our history and yet ton’s of examples today that show a struggle still at play.

In closing of my thoughts on remembering those who have fallen – take the time to breathe in and exhale and realize that you are here today with options to truly make a difference in our world.  And most importantly, remember those who have fallen because they took action and made all the difference in our world.

Yours In Spirit,

Christmas

To all the Mom’s who give all they have and more – Thank you!  For without you the world would be a much more difficult place.

Its after 11 PM and I am settling down for the night (early for a change) – Ok not early enough for my tastes but early than lately.  As I showered I had this burning urge to write about the importance of making time for those you love.  I’m thinking, OK its been a long day, I’ll get to it in the morning.  Well, I know how my inner spirit works and usually I regret not moving on things when urged.  So here I am passing this message to those who will listen.

I was reflecting back over the summer months, even further than I would imagine my mind traveling in this brief moment before I found myself sitting at my computer to share something with you.  I recalled the visit from my sister recently and the time we spent with our children together.  The smiles, the laughing, the late night talks the good food and sharing.  I also found myself looking at how my children are growing up so fast!  In less than a couple of years my oldest will be considered an adult (by age standards) and my twins – oh how they have grown. 

I remember going every day to the hospital holding them, singing to them, praying over them to hurry and grow so they could come home because they were born early at 30 weeks gestation.  Now at 10, they are healthy, strong and thriving.  Actually my oldest twin made honor roll TWICE!!  His sister missed it but made higher testing scores (go figure).  I can say the same for my youngest son who was also a preemie but looking at him, you wouldn’t have known it.  I swear his intelligence and common sense floors me.  He’s definitely an old soul.  My second oldest, the gentle bear of the family.  He’s the most loving and nurturing young man I know for his age and they all make me so proud.

I thought to myself, you know – I don’t care how tough it gets – I am blessed and the luckiest person in the world.  We don’t have a lot of flashy things but we have what matters most and that’s love and respect for one another.  Don’t get me wrong, we are NOT a perfect family.  We have our days and then I have my own outside of the days with them.  No matter how much I count the three (ok two) nerves I think I have left, I make time and wouldn’t trade what I have for nothing in the world!  The grass IS greener from where I sit.  Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with our loved ones that we trade them in for something we think is different.  Sometimes we act as though they don’t exist.  Sometimes, we even look them in the eyes and treat them so – as though we don’t want to make the time for them.

Sitting down having meals with my children (which is 98% of the time), watching their faces, listening to their conversations and opinions makes me grateful for being able to do so.  Yes, I am a single parent with five children and Yes its not enough time in the day (believe me I know this better than anyone).  BUT, I make time for what’s important. I make time for me, although I’d like more of it.  Wait a minute (sending message to the universe as I type to double ME TIME).   I make time for my children, my family, and my friends. We all should make time for the things that matters most to us, don’t you think?  I certainly do.

One day I was speaking with someone who was deathly ill and they shared something valuable with me.  They said that if they could do anything differently they would wish that they made time for the people that mattered the most to them.  They would not have wasted time letting ill feelings take so many years away from them and their loved ones.  They said they wished they had said I’m sorry.  They wished they had not made excuses for not spending time or attending their children’s special events and acknowledgements.  How many of us are already feeling this way and to our knowledge – isn’t knocking on death’s door?  Why wait for that day?  Who say’s you will know before hand if you will get that chance or time.

Take a moment to reflect back and see where you can improve in the areas of your life where you can make the time.  Are you chasing the all mighty dollar to the point you have lost your direction on the road to what matter’s most?  Are you making excuses to not listen to your child’s excitement over the things that matters most to them?  Even if its how they figured out how to ride a bike you weren’t there to witness.  How many times did you spend time with the fella’s or your girl friends when that special someone could have used your opinion or support on something that was troubling them?  How many would rather stay late at work to avoid going home and making time for what’s needed of them there?

There are so many reasons why there isn’t enough time in the day but there isn’t nearly enough reasons not to make time for what matter’s most.  School starts in my area shortly (yeah – I know for many who are wondering that’s a short summer).  And I was shopping for clothes for the kids early (and you all can imagine shopping for five on a tight budget what that’s like – running to every sale and store who has one with all of the kids in tow).  Well, what stands out in my mind to share with you about this is how my youngest two son’s were persuasively suggesting that I buy these cool shirts they saw that came with little radios.  They were cheap little radios that left me wondering if they really would work AFTER you bought the shirts.  For the life of me, I couldn’t get them to let it go and wondered why they would want the little pieces of junk (or at least in my mind). 

But then it occurred to me, that’s kids for ya!  They don’t care about cost (even tho these were El-cheapo), whether it might work for a minute or a week later.  They just thought it was cool and wanted it.  I said, OK like a sucker (LOL), well the $10 bucks sold me.  Anyway, they wanted to open the shirts with the toys up immediately.  I said no, wait until school starts.  I don’t know why that came out of my mouth (LOL).  They looked at me like I was crazy and said why?  Then it occurred to me, why make them wait to enjoy something today that may not be promised tomorrow.  It made me think about that fact that nothing is really guaranteed or promised to any of us.

So back to my point.  Whether its something mundane as the example I just gave or something more serious.  Make the time for what matters most.  Enjoy those you love and cherish the time with them NOW.  Watching the joy in their little eyes and excitement of hearing Beyonce on the little radio with other songs thrilled them to death.  Yeah, I know a month from now those little radio’s may be in file 13 in a corner of their room but I am enjoying them and their happy time right now. 

Don’t wait until its too late.  Once today is gone, you know you can’t get that time back even if you wanted to.  Don’t consciously create your regrets when you have power to act in the moment.  Remember every moment does eventually count, so make the time and enjoy doing it with those who matters most.

Have a good night!

Are you really happy with YOU?

Are you finding yourself feeling good about your life, the people in it or your circumstances?  If no is the answer for any reason, then a self-check is in order!  I’ve always talked about how important gratitude is for manifesting your heart’s desire but what if you really don’t like the skin you are in?  What then?

Well I’m not one to try to tell anyone how to be something they’re not.  Because I know all too well how futile that really is in the end.  But what I can share with you is that it takes time and practice to become happy with yourself and it’s not the quick fix that some portray it to be or an overnight sorta thing.  In order to get there, one must have some sensibility about this process in understanding that first, it’s indeed a process.  It is a process of self-discovery, self-analysis, acceptance, forgiveness and unconditional love.  Then and only then  can you take it step by step, thought by thought, moment by moment in constructing this “new you” that you can be proud of and happy with.  As I’ve always said, at the end of the day – you have to live with you, what you did and choose to do.  So why not start out feeling good and at peace about it.

If you are not happy then the first thing on the agenda is that YOU need to do something about it!  Not your Momma, Daddy, Husband or Wife, Kids, Neighbors, Spiritual Advisor or Jenny Craig.  Now, don’t get me wrong, because any of the above formentioned can be extremely beneficial or supportive to you.  Hell, I like that Jenny Craig program personally.  However, my point is that YOU are the one who has the power and control to change any circumstance, situation or decision that YOU make.  You can’t control anyone EVER, not the banks, not the people around you and so on and so on.  And if you are “seemingly” in that position of controlling others now, I can promise you it’s only temporary.  You can only control YOU.

Loving oneself can be one of the hardest things to do from a position of balance (no ego trips), confidence and self-understanding.  Why do I say this?  Because I see it all the time with folks.  For one, I know from experience.  And two, because it’s natural to NOT LIKE something about ourselves initially.  But we learn to fully embrace ourselves with FULL ACCEPTANCE.  We can easily lie to ourselves, can’t we?  And oh the lies we tell ourselves and everybody else who would buy what we couldn’t truly sell to ourselves in this regard.  But in the end, it’s how you really feel about yourself, what you do and how you do it which tells the true tale isn’t it?  Not what you’ve tried to convince yourself of.

Learn to embrace your uniqueness because you are truly that.  There is a saying that great minds think alike.  But what I know for sure that is truly unique about that statement is that no two great minds are exactly alike.  Diversity is a beautiful thing and we are amongst a wide variety of that with each other on this planet, in our creativeness, personalities, appearances, talents, tastes, etc.  Who wants to be exactly like someone else?  I know I don’t.  I like many of you appreciate those I can look up to and take some positive direction from but I know and understand that I am one of a kind, just as you are one of a kind.  We all are here to make what’s unique about our individual selves more beautiful to ourselves with the opportunity to strive beyond measure if we so choose.  No need to keep up with the Jones’, Smith’s, or the likes.  Do YOU and be the best at it!   There are tons of role models and people who have made great contributions to society, humanity, the planet, etc. But there isn’t another like YOU that can bring a different perspective, twist or approach to your life, your world but YOU.

Learn to love yourself, accept yourself, embrace your whole self and be proud of yourself.  From the little things that seem insignificant to the great things that make a difference.  You are here to be the best you can be.  By doing that, you have to experience some things that you don’t like to know the difference, to learn to accept them or to change them to what you do like.  Understand that no one is perfect but breathe in that realism and embrace it rather than hear it and then later judge yourself by it.

Embracing YOU is an ever changing process because you are always changing, stretching, evolving and growing.  So there will never be a one-way, one-view, etched in stone road map to the multidimensional self – called YOU!  So pick up your paintbrush and paint more of the beautiful self that you are, that you want to be and strive to grow into this new you while loving every morsel of experience along the way.

Here’s to YOU  – All that you are and to all that you will become!

Yours in Spirit,
Christmas

The Power of Unity in Action!

Last night was a very historical moment for the WORLD! Americans in the United States of America elected the first African American President in our country’s history. Last night wasn’t just about pride for people of color although I am EXTREMEMLY proud. As a woman of color reflecting back on where my race has come from, I am in awe, excitement and encouraged even more about the healing progress we all will make together.

It wasn’t just about beating the opponent or any political argument that we are hearing recapped on the news or in the papers. This was about CHANGE the WORLD wanted. This wasn’t just an American election and ballot poll results, this was the WORLD as a dominant energy answering the call for CHANGE in general. Change for peace, Change for economic balance, Change for equality and opportunity, Change for well-being.

As I looked at the TV screen of all those countries, cities in the US and just of people hopeful and excited – You could see that they knew in their hearts and minds that this defining moment was the ushering in of the winds change. It was absolute proof of how the dominant energy took the lead. The message was loud and clear from everyone to the universe and we now see the results.

Everyone benefits from the great new beginning we all will be embarking upon. There was a point in President-Elect Obama’s acceptance speech last night that brought tears to my eyes. He told the story of Ms. Ann Nixon Cooper, the 106 year old colored woman here in Atlanta. I thought about my grandmother who died a few years back at 103 years of age and how she had witnessed so much in this country too from the eyes of an African American woman. The stories she told and the things she had witnessed. So indeed, if there is any doubt that no matter how dire things may appear we all have the power and ability to make change for the better!

I am glad for all of us, young and old, rich and poor, black, white, Hispanic, gay, straight whoever you are – we are coming together positively in a unified way. Most importantly, our children and those to come after us will definitely benefit from the changes we set positively in motions today. Remember, as human beings we all rise and fall as one.

Today, we are rising to our true nature and higher selves. And as we continue to do this the dominant energy will continue to take the lead for the better. Yes, we can and we as a people – all in the spirit of unity – definitely will.

As I look around me lately and reflect on my life as well as the many conversations I participate in daily with others – there is one word that I have been hearing constantly – silently in the background, temperance. I see it everywhere, I feel it and I hear it in my thoughts. So of course, I know the signs of repetition when I see it. I then decide to slow down and listen inwardly. Today I share with you a little bit of what I have digested.

For me, I am definitely beginning to appreciate what it means to have temperance. Don’t get me wrong, as a single mother of five children there is hardly any room for overindulgences (believe it or not) of the typical kind or of any kind for that matter. Perhaps in some ways I could be a wee-bit more indulging (time wise) to myself. However, what I have since learned is that overindulgence can be in non-typical ways in general. Wasting time and energy on the wrong things or people is one example.  Being wasteful on valuable resources and with money as a whole is another.   One doesn’t have to be a shopaholic, vanity oriented, material driven, workaholic, substance abusing person either to learn to master temperance. Although these are good examples of why someone like this should.  On the contrary, anyone who desires balance can really benefit from this very spiritual and rewarding everyday tool.

Time is one my learning curves and temperance with it across the board is my fun challenge. It certainly seems like it’s not enough of it to go around. Believe me, I am working on my perception of this.  Very soon I expect to enjoy spending that time I deserve doing whatever I desire.  On the other hand I could say that temperance is a lesson but then again for some of us, we have learned it but simply aren’t practicing it effectively as often as we should. I certainly have “learned” that once you acquire a new skill or something in general doesn’t mean you will act on that knowledge all the time or at all in some cases. A very costly lesson or two it has been for me in this regard (rolling my eyes as I write this). So, it behooves us all to LEARN, MASTER and USE this spiritual tool on the regular.

What does it mean to temper? It means you incorporate, add to something to bring balance or in some cases the blending of two extremes or opposites in my view. Think about it from a broader perspective for a minute. There is indeed mastery at work in the latter. Sometimes we think that two extremely opposites are likely not to blend or mix. BUT if balanced going in and then tempered they form a synergy that makes the combination even more powerful as a whole. This is what many people seek in a Life Partner. We are all here to evolve, grow and learn from one another. Certainly some of us are on one extreme end of the fence and some on the other. Yet, we are learning to co-create, co-exist, interact, accept, learn from, blend and evolve – tempering our individual and uniqueness of our perspectives, life experiences, soul experiences and many other things into our consciousness to do so. We are a living embodiment of Temperance in our spiritual evolvement at its best in this perspective. Unfortunately, we often fail to utilize this tool to maintain balance in our everyday lives and choices.

The absence of temperance can easily lead to a negative extreme which absolutely leads to a lack of control and HEAR ME WHEN I SAY in some cases a clear desire – to have no self-control. It amazes me when some folk will do something very hurtful and harmful to another – KNOWING full well what they are doing and say, “I couldn’t help myself”. Believe me, I look at people’s spirit and inner natures all the time and in most cases of this example – I am not referring to those who are struggling with chemical dependencies or those of an enabled emotional/mental nature. I am referring to those who CHOOSE to act in this regard their nature and desire is simply because they can. In some cases, this extreme can and often does lead to death. And not always death in the physical sense. Death can take place in one’s perception of their reality from a negative to a positive. In this sense, that side of self or Ego dies to make way for the new and balanced self. This is a good thing if we are speaking of letting go of what doesn’t work because it can be harmful and unhealthy for you.

Oh yes, we are experiencing many deaths at this time to give birth to the balanced and the new. We are re-examing what is important and building a foundation of what is real and lasting and most of all adds positively to our well-being. Out with greed and hoarding, vanity and superficial because we all know deep down it doesn’t fill us up. It’s like empty calories but in a more harmful way in the long run. Our old ways must die, our old ways of experiencing the extremes can’t stand on its own any longer – which has been a foundation of uncertainty and global unsustainability. But there is always choice, human will and action on our parts to lend change for the better. On the positive side of these, when living a life of temperance you will experience harmony and balance at a minimum. There is fairness, diplomacy and abundance for starters. There is tolerance, understanding, clarity and patience. We can all benefit now from this one tool of mastery.

So I ask you as I am often found asking myself lately – Are you exercising temperance in your life? If not, today is a good day to start or perhaps today is your first day to get back up and brush your knees off and try again. No matter where you are – you can choose to act on temperance at any time. In the end the benefits far outweighs your fear of its conformity.

Our world as we know it is undergoing major changes and has been for a long time. What we now physically see is a reflection of what we have been spiritually and energetically expressing within – for a very long time – an absence of Temperance. Each of us is intertwined, energetically from a micro level to the macro level – contributing to the whole of our world and what we see today. What we feel, think, and eventually do always takes place first energetically in spirit (within) and then plays out energetically in the physical world. Our environment is asking for temperance from each of us. Consider this priceless and powerful ally in making your world a more balanced place.

 When the student is ready – the Teacher Always Come

  Are you growing and moving along swimmingly on your journey or with a lot of resistance?  When we find ourselves experiencing resistance, I like to think of it as the grand opportunity to learn and experience from a different perspective.  I know it doesn’t always feel good. I also don’t believe we enjoy knocking our heads against a brick wall all the time.  Eventually we begin to notice the pain or that we are not getting anywhere and then start to pay attention.  I’ve always believed that when the student is ready the teacher always shows up.  But we sometimes don’t recognize when we are in student mode.  Having resistance isn’t always a bad thing either.  It’s the red flag for slow down, caution ahead!  But it’s our human nature to push full steam ahead because we want to plow through the muck.  You know, that muck is meant to slow you down from doing MORE damage.  Aaahhh eventually we get there.  When you are walking through life and it appears that the scenery hasn’t changed, the people may have (sometimes not) but the situations haven’t or that there is that inner void of “something’s missing”  then you may likely be in student mode.  You can pretty much expect the teacher to show up shortly thereafter.  So I caution those who are finding themselves in “student mode” to really pay attention because this is an opportunity to really change your life for the better and likely through someone you least expect.

Life is a teaching atmosphere – no qualms about it.  And the sooner we understand that the better off we will be.  The Syllabus goes a little something like this……. 1) there will be varying degrees of learning – meaning every angle you can think of, 2) You are guaranteed mistakes – don’t worry you will have time to make more to learn from, 3) If you fail to participate, you will redo the class lesson – again and again, 4) MY FAVORITE!! <grin> You are responsible for your own efforts and what you contribute and 5) Repeat number 4 over and over until you are clear and 6) You can’t go to the next level until you do 1 through 4.  <smile>  Ok, I know it seems rough but I have to laugh because some of you already know what I am talking about and are already in the amen choir on this.  These are just to name a few of the requirements but I can’t leave out the benefits which includes but are not limited to: 1) Creating the very best experience that one can imagine and actually enjoying your life, 2) Having fun during the lesson, and 3) Taking away knowledge that benefits everyone while taking yourself to the next level, etc..  Now this is music to many of our overworked, under-paid, over-stressed, under-appreciated, and losing faith in the economy, wondering what’s going to happen next ears!  But hold on a second; don’t drive off the road yet.  We must ground ourselves with the knowledge that like it or not we are “learning” from the very experiences we are having and that fortunately change ALWAYS happens.  But we must shift our energy (although in some cases it feels KO’d in the 3rd round) to the perspective of moving ahead with strength and determination, otherwise we are letting ourselves down.  No one will do it for you, for me or anyone else.  But yes We Can Do It – each of us can make it if we try!

When we think of Life as a school and I’m sure many of you have heard this many times before, we immediately skulk and think that we are in for the worst.  Why?  Because of how we have witnessed other’s not use their power of creation and lean towards the negative outcomes or we contribute to the negative by our own thoughts, beliefs and actions.  We thereby shoot ourselves in the foot from the start of having what we want.  But I find it interesting that some are amazed when those who refuse to buy into that thought process or let their “situations at the time” get the better of them - go on to do great things.  We unfortunately tend to think only the “select few” get those privileges to overcome or they have some special favor with God or in some folks mind perhaps sold themselves to the devil.  Hardly!  I say we ALL have this ability to overcome and God/Spirit has no favorites.  Some of the most difficulties others have experienced and have sacrificed for  – have brought a greater awareness to the rest (I hope) of us and inspiration for change – for the better.  Helen Keller once said, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow” and she is so correct.  Those who overcome and learn from their experiences and take themselves to the next level do just that – they don’t lose faith; they persevere and are determined to overcome.  I think of times when it’s been really difficult as a single Mom of five and my mind goes into this state of “Failure is not an option” and I keep pushing.  I know its hard for many folks right now but this too shall pass and change.

Being the student is a big transitional role because if you give up or give in to failure, you have to not only redo the lesson, you may have to at a larger expense (financially, emotionally, or physically).  So when you find yourself being in the student role, take stock, review your lesson and thank your teacher.  They have afforded YOU an opportunity to grow and move forward.  Some of the people you least expect are offering themselves as a mirror to help you – help yourself!  Once you know, you can never have that knowledge taken away and it will be a platform for greater things! I heard somewhere that those who learn – teach.  We are all students and then teachers.  So ring the bell – class is in session and for those who are graduating – may you go on the master your next level to become a teacher to someone else in need.  Pay it forward!