What have you considered.....

After seeing "For Colored Girls", I started thinking, what do people really consider when the chips are down, they are disappointed, disgusted, disenchanted or downright depressed.  We all have issues, baggage, situations, and challenges that we deal with.  They can be simple or complex.  They can be easy to solve or downright near impossible.  They can make us want to buckle, bend or collapse under the pressure or at times they might make us consider giving up....At some point when we are "considering" what to do, we should stop and pray.  This will stop any immediate emotional or physical decisions or outbursts.  Yes, I said physical, (I'm keeping it real....)  When we stop and pray it allows God to intervene in the situation and will help us make a Godly decision.  Next, we need to adopt a mantra that will get us through.  Do you have a mantra that will get you through a situation.  Do you have a phrase, a Proverb, a saying; something that your Grandmother or Mother told you, that you can repeat in your head to "snap"  you out of what you were considering....Prayer coupled with positive thinking/positive phrases can help pull us through.  I strongly believe in mind over matter (I started to adopt this 12 years ago--when I delivered a 9.6 pound son with no drugs.)  Positive self talk and positive internal or external messages are essential.  You are what you think.  Even if your situation doesn't appear positive and you don't like what is happening, you can have a positive outlook on it.  Look deep within.  Know there is a reason for everything and a lesson to be learned.   There is always victory after a battle.  You have to fight to win.  Let me encourage you, keep fighting--victory is ahead.  Most importantly, tell yourself that giving up is NOT an option.

Friday Confessions-Beautiful Belly's

I must confess, nothing beats a not-so-good day at work, than a night of fun, laughter and dancing with girlfriends!  Something about laughing and dancing, or laughing while you dance, really cures what ails you, or me in this case.  I signed up for Belly Dancing.  Yep, I sure did and the cool thing is, as much as I've been working on getting a 6-pack; I am delighted to know that in the Belly Dancing world, a 6-pack is not required.  As a matter of fact, voluptuous belly's in their most natural or un-defined state are actually beautiful, sexy even.  Sure, small, thin belly's are in, but in the belly dancing world, big belly's are to be embraced and exposed!!!  I may have found a comfort zone for the belly!  Now, under normal circumstances, I would never consider exposing my belly, however, last night, a girlfriend said--"next week we should wear mid-driffs!"  As I laughed hysterically at her suggestion, I must confess I'm actually contemplating it.  You see, in belly dancing class, I could actually get away with wearing a mid-driff, but no where else!   As you become more seasoned in life (read: as you age) you do gain a certain amount of confidence that you didn't previously have.  However, with that, you have to be a little cautious that you don't get to over-confident and take it too far!  For example, if I do decide to wear a mid-driff for belly dancing purposes only, it will be worn to class, under another longer shirt, then exposed, and re-covered prior to exiting the dance class.  I am one who always "when in Rome--do as the Romans"...so, since I have the dance scarf with coins--shouldn't I add the mid-driff?  I want to encourage everyone on this journey with me, to get involved in something that will really boost your spirits (get your body moving) and add some happiness to your day.     Focus on the positive it will help to cancel out all the negative....be inspired and I hope you dance!

30 Days

I'm back!!! Football season is OVER and I can resume life as I knew it pre-football season.  Before I begin--Make sure you get out and vote.  Be heard, be counted.  Our ancestors didn't have the same rights we have and they paved the way for us-- make sure you do your part and VOTE!  If you don't know the candidates or the issues, check your State Board of Elections website-all the information is there.

Give me 30 days---30 days to re-focus, re-direct, re-charge and re-discover ME.  Football season and back to school causes me to shift most of my focus, time and energy towards my boys.  (it's easier to maintain more of a balance-in the off season)  While I still maintained an exercise routine and ran one race since the last time I blogged, football season leaves me with a ounce of energy and I use that for self-care and self-preservation.  I thought I could do it ALL, but somehow, I wasn't able to.  I learned a valuable lesson this football season.  I CAN do it ALL, just NOT all at once and definitely NOT during football season.  I also learned that when you make a promise to yourself, you should keep it....otherwise the regret isn't worth it.  I don't regret much, but I do regret I didn't keep a promise I made to myself prior to football season.   So, the next 30 days will be about me getting back on task, setting/readjusting some goals, and making some changes.  Anybody with me?  The changes can be whatever you want--and I bet after 30 days---the changes will stick!!! So, who is in?

I Think I Can!!!

I did something really kinda crazy the other day...and honestly, I'd do it again.  Saturday I participated in the Marine Corps Run Amuck-3.5 mile race.  Now, this is not just a run, it's a run with mud, obstacles and some Marine motivation to keep you going.  Now, I was somewhat prepared for the mud and I knew what obstacles would be included, but NOTHING could prepare me for Devil Dog Run.  The sign for Devil Dog Run greeted me as I entered the off road terrain, after I did about 1 mile.  The first mile included a few hills (oh my) on paved road, 10 jumping jacks, a run/jump/high knees thru tires, a run thru the 1st mud pit (wow my shoes are heavy now!) and a jump/climb/crawl over hay bails.  By the time I got to Devil Dog Run, I was thinking, I don't like the Devil, I don't like Dogs...and I'm really not liking this Run right about now!!!!  The off road terrain was comprised of more obstacles, sit ups, flutter kicks, pipes to crawl thru and hills, which really seemed like mountains.  And don't forget MORE MUD at least they said it was mud.  When I had to crawl under the barbed-wire portion--the mud had an odor that reminded me of well, let's just say, NOT mud.  I started thinking wow, people actually sign up for the Marines to do this stuff ALL THE TIME? oh, and it didn't help that they had Marines stationed at each obstacle and throughout the course to "motivate" us.  Ha, Motivate? well, let's just say, something about being yelled at thorough a mega-fone--is really motivating or really aggrevating--you decide!!!  I will say, as with everything, I thought long and hard and got a little philosophical... The sacrafices the Marines and other armed forces make for our freedom, is noteworthy, so while I was "running amuck" I did think about that and thought in amazment and gratitude.  I even tried to imagine how they run that trail in the dark...(no, I didn't start running with my eyes closed!)  All in all, it was a life changing experience and it not only really challenged my body, but it challenged my mind because at one point I had to revert back to the famous saying by the Little Engine that Could....I think I can, I think I can!!!   I pushed myself to step outside the box and into the mud--literally--and I can say, I have a really clear picture of how to overcome obstacles (no pun intended).  I encourage everyone to find something that will cause you step outside your box and overcome the obstacles!  Just remember, me, the mud and the Little Engine that Could!  You can do it!!!

Resilience & Willpower

I recently had an interesting lesson in resilience and willpower all in the form of getting rid of a reptile from my garage.  Yes, reptile seems extreme, but snakes are reptiles right?  Have you ever been challenged to the point where you either show resilience & willpower or you retreat?  My experience with my slimmy invader was that of resilience and willpower.  My strong will for him to leave and find residence elsewhere versus his resilient will to live and not retreat.  The "adventures" leading up to the snake adventure and those that followed were nothing short of comical, yes, another Lucy experience!!!!!!  Afterwards, when Calgon took me away, I thought about it, and said, wow that snake (Sammy) was resilient and had alot of willpower.  I attempted numerous extinquishing techniques and Sammy continued to raise up like, is that all you got?  I was like Glambo (Rambo, but glamorous) in my attempts.  The only thing that was missing was the Uzi and the combat gear!   I just wanted to stun him enough or "drown" him in my extinguishing cocktail, so I could get him OUT OF THE GARAGE!!!  (for all of you thinking, grab a shovel...it just wasn't that simple-Sammy was in a bucket; and for those who are saying grab the bucket and dump it, again--it wasn't that simple).  Suffice it to say, I ended up, running out of the garage, with a full bucket of my extinquishing cocktail and Sammy, and I HURLED it into the wilderness where it belonged!  Needless to say, my cape needs replaced and so does my bucket. All in all, I want to encourage all of you to learn from Sammy--you should rely on (God first) resilience and willpower to get through the journey and challenges of life.  Never give up despite people or circumstances trying to extinquish your will, spirit or your mission.  You have the resilience and willpower, you just have to use it!  The only retreat you should have is at a Spa!

Get a Life!

When we hear or say "Get a Life" it is usually for any number of reasons.  Sometimes we say it to someone or about someone---sometimes somebody says it to us.  Recently someone told me to "get a life" and to be honest, I was shocked and floored, because prior to them telling me this, I thought I had a life and a good one!  It is always interesting to have someone tell you their perception and opinion of and about your life.  Sometimes they have a good and accurate perception and sometimes they do not.  Sometimes we should take it under strong advisement, sometimes we should bank the information for later reflection and sometimes we need to discard it.  When I started to reflect on this declaration spoken to me--I started thinking that when we "get a life" it should be lead and directed by God, otherwise our lives are not worth getting.  I will say this, everyone is not going to agree on "your life", how you live it, where you live it, and who you live it with, but what is important is--how you live your life for and with God and are you walking towards His purpose for your life? Ultimately, would God agree with "your life"?  Yes, we make mistakes, we fall and we sometimes stay down too long.  However, it is essential to learn from our mistakes, our falls, dust ourselves off, put a band-aid on and keep it moving.   As we "get a life" we need to seek God and fall into line with His word and direction for our lives.   Now that we are into the second 1/2 of the year, think for a moment...do you need to Get a Life?  

Happy New Year!!!

Yes, I said Happy New Year!!! No you don't need to check your calendar or rub your eyes and say huh....It's time to re-evaluate, re-focus, re-commit and re-start or start our goals and items we would like to accomplish this year.  How often do we start off the year with a "gung ho" approach to tackling resolutions or goals we set for ourselves, and by mid-year the "gung-ho" feeling has turned to "ho-hum?" Do you have items or goals that you haven't started? It's not to late.  Look at those items and make a realistic plan of how to accomplish those goals.  Write it out--develop a road map to follow.   Get those ideas and goals on paper, it helps with accountability.  If you started something or several somethings and have fizzled or lost the gusto to continue--shift how you are tackling the goal(s), maybe you need a new approach or re-evaluate if this goal is still important and feasible.  Often times we start on a path to change and we have to change the path we are on and go in another direction.  We should always be evolving and improving.  Think about it.  Consider this a chance to start or start again.  Come on, grab those noise makers (and a class of champagne if you want!) and start celebrating a New Year and a New You!! Don't wait start today!!!