I Spy with my little Eye....

Eyes Speak a Language too.... 

Have you ever looked into a set of eyes and saw a person' soul?
Have you looked and felt their pain?
Their joy?
Have you understood what they were saying before they could speak?

Eyes are beautiful, for each set is unique.
Their color, shape, fullness and sparkle.
They see the world thru their eyes and determine a heartfelt interpretation.

What are your eyes saying too and about You?
This morning as I looked into the mirror, my eyes looked at me and saw
Strength
Love
Peace.

My soul is free because if in nobody else's eyes... I know God sees me!

See and understand, I do NOT come to bring harm, I want to bring and share Love
And to help others experience something so Devine.

Oh MY beautiful eyes, I Thank You for seeing ME when I couldn't see ME!
You saw behind my hurts, looked thru my fears,
And helped me to find my future self and bring her to light.

What's a vision if it's only blurred?
What's a voice if it cannot be heard?

My eyes.....
 You see this Woman who once was a Young girl....
A Young girl who once had a dream
And a dream that is now no longer deterred because for once
I'm seeing ME....

I look with anticipation,
I look with excitement.
As I look to the hills it's become clear...

All eyes are on ME
And I must
finish Strong.....

Signed,
 I see you Girl

I knew it would come....

Let's fight for Marissa Alexander

I knew the words would come, it was just a matter of when.  I'd been sitting on edge like the rest of America, just waiting. 10pm, Saturday night the world heard these words " Not guilty". George Zimmerman had been found Not Guilty.

I sat there and said, "Wow".. I mean, I didn't expect him to get 1st degree murder but I did expect at least manslaughter.  Only a coward would take the life of an unarmed teenager. If you really thought your life were in danger and you were told not to pursue him, then why didn't you just sit your happy tail still until a real Authorative Figure arrived? There's no sense in going over what I feel should've happened because America has spoken. 6 Mothers, who could've been on the other side of the law have agreed that he was not guilty. I cannot even began to fathom the feelings bottled up inside of Sybrina Fulton.

Normally, my daughter and I sit and talk about issues that we face daily. I remember the 1st time my organization, Women Who Network and my business KISS did our first Senior Citizen Holiday give back, she told me, " Mommy, I feel really good giving to the old people".  It made my heart smile because this is what it's all about.

When this verdict was read, Im quite sure she had questions but in my absence her Father did what I could not have done. Took her to a rally. And although I'm quite sure she didn't get on the mic and speak, I'm sure just being there, sparked feelings inside of her that we will surely discuss when she
returns from summer vacation.

There was a march in Dorchester Ma and my baby girl and her family were out there. So many times, we forget that we need to involve the little people. They have voices, they have emotions and they want to react. We have to remember as adults, they feed off the atmosphere we are apart of. If they see violence, they will react violently. But, if they see people coming together in a calm way peacefully, they will want to get involved. I salute my daughter and her big sister for getting out and standing for the youth in their families. The fire has been started and if we feed this fire with positive reactions, we could possibly be raising future policy changers/makers.

While this verdict has caused an uproar in the Black Community, it cannot just stop with Trayvon. We did NOT fail him as a people because his parents were raising him the right way. He was a great student, he was active and attended his local church. And although the media tried to display him as somewhat of a vigilantly youth, who smoked weed and used his middle finger; The system failed him. Thee system failed to protect him and the system failed to properly sentence the man that took his life. It's a good thing to protest in his honor but it's now time to fight for Marissa Alexander. He is no longer with us( which saddens us ALL) but in his honor lets fight for Marissa. The system has failed her but it's not the end.

I want to do something, I want to make my voice heard( aha, hence why I blog and write). Marissa, a Mother and wife who suffered at the hands of the man she honored to love and respect til death due they part. On more than one occasion he beat her, while pregnant. And 9 days after giving birth he
came to attack her again and she stood her ground and protected herself and her child. Unfortunately, 
for WHATever reason, she was dealt a card that even my WoRST enemy( if I had 1) does not 
deserve. A sentence of 20 years... What kind of foolishness?  I mean, she is in Florida and after the   
verdict GZimmerman received, we need to fight and unite to get her case the proper media coverage 
it deserves. GZ walks in freedom and Marissa deserves the same. She deserves to be with her child and she deserves to exercise her right to bare arms( she was licensed) and protect herself.

Here's our chance Black America..... What are we going to do?

Signed,
I Will make a Difference

RePosted Blog.... AYear Later and we Await...

We all have been glued to our television awaiting the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case. It has sparked many conversations and opened wounds within the black community that have not yet healed.. When will it end.. Below is one of my many blogs. This was originally written in March, 2012.... Read this blog and find encouragement as we await a decision... We pray now that God in Heaven allows Justice to be served....



I searched and searched and it's evident I did NOT own a hoodie. With what has been taking place lately, is it a good thing or bad thing? would I be an assumed target?

The message went out and my Pastor ( William Murphy,3rd) requested that the Partners of The dReam Center Atl stand in Solidarity, Support and Unity in memory of Trayvon Martin. For the ones of us who wore our hoodies, it was such a beautiful sight.

As Pastor bought forth God's word, " He's Still Making Away", It's evident that although "Minority" America has and will be forever attacked, there's still a glimmer of hope for us to eventually get off life support. What is life support? We're days away from the plug being pulled but as long as there is still breathe in our bodies, there's still room left to fight. God has not bought us out of slavery to return to slavery. We can no longer go down and be attacked. The world has the issue NOT US as the person.

What's embedded in us will always show itself forth, its just a matter of us taking/making a stand against what's wrong. How many times, have you looked at a person and assumed the worst? They don't look like me so something is obviously wrong. They talk funny, look even funnier and I swear the clothes they wear are the funniest.

It's very unfortunate that this young man, Trayvon Martin( 17 years old) was gunned down and killed and his "KNOWN" killer has yet to be arrested. In this day and age, when violence against black has somewhat become the norm, we do NOT have to take this laying down. If you have the energy, FIGHT.

Today's message "He's Still Making A Way", had two meanings for me.
1) Although I don't always see it, provisions are made on my behalf daily. I fail somedays, He's Still Making A Way
2) Although we're still struggling as a people "the Minorities" He's Still Making A Way

Instead of feeding off the negative that surrounds us daily, we must tap into our Spiritual being and understand that challenges come and go. They either make us or break us. There are stumps that just won't budge but right when we're at the end of our rope, there is a message just waiting to be revealed and made clear.

We have to sow into the ground/land in order to reap the benefits that have been set aside just for us. Because we are surrounded with violence we do not have to be the VIOLENCE. While some may view us as the problem, our individual PRESENCE is the CURE.

If 7 out of 10 people walk, speak and live in Peace;the other 3 will either see the good and soon live by those traits or disconnect themselves.

Fight to be the change, fight to be heard and understood. Our circumstances as a RACE does not determine our outcome as a Person. I will not allow my circumstances to kill me or run me away from what IS for me.

I choose to LIVE, I will not succumb to death. I'm on life support right now but it won't be for long. There is strength and Unity in numbers. If we began to portray ourselves in a positive light, eventually the dark cloud will soon break up and disperse.

My son, my nephews and cousins COULD be Trayvon Martin, BUT because of the seed I'm sowing into the ground, it's going to change the outcome of what could be DEATH. My determination is and WILL keep me on track. The world is expecting violence to attack this act but it won't. Together, we're standing unified and Solidified because enough is enough. W're taking back our lives and FIGHTING. There's a war going on and the ability to win starts with just one person.

It took the death of a young 17 year old boy to bring us back in alignment with God and the Fight. Today, I profess that We Are 1 and together the world will see us and Respect Us~~

Hoping your Sunday is gReat

A Mother's LOVE....

" I miss and love you so much, I miss the family and I want to come home, I'm having fun but I will stay"... When a mother hears or sees these words via text or a phone call, your first instinct ( well mine) is to make your child feel better.

My daughter is visiting with her Dad in Boston( our home town). He and I have slowly developed better co-parenting skills although we are two in different states. When he initially called and told me he wanted her to visit, I was okay. However, when he called back and told me he purchased her ticket and then told me the dates my heart sank. 5 whole weeks I thought? Well damn!!! That's the entire summer. I instantly wanted to find ways to change the dates but after I thought about it, I have her all year round and its only right to let him have his time as well. As the month of June approached, I began to feel sad. My daughter is my little BFF. We share laughs, she helps me to pick out my clothes, she's my Sunday photographer,she motivates me on my journey to be fit& healthy, she walks with me, she helps me to cook, she helps with her little brother and she gives really great hugs... How was I going to live without her for 5 whole weeks? Then reality slapped me, I have her throughout the entire year. And although I share each activity, experience, accomplishment and event with her father via text, phone call and pictures it's not the same. He too deserves to have memories with her and time to bond with her just as I do..

She has now been gone a little over 2 weeks. I'm okay with it but the void is there. I miss my baby's voice, I miss seeing her get dressed( for those who know Li, this is always a challenge. she has her own sense of style and sometimes its a bit out there.. lol) I miss her telling her brother to stop... okay I'm rambling!!!


This morning, her step mother sent me the cutest pictures( the collage you see above). Her step mother has a teenage daughter. When she could be out doing the things a teenager love, she took the time to take out Li's braids and wash it so her father wouldn't have too( Thanks Chey, you ROCK for that move)!! and Li even allowed her to style it and give her ponytails..... WAIT, HOLD UP... She would never allow me to give her ponytails. The love she has for her older sister is amazing. I was reassured that they both love each other equally.

While I will always be her Mother, it's okay for her to be loved by others. She has a Father who loves her just as much as I do and other family members too. This sharing my babygirl will definitely have to grow on me but as she spends more time away from me, it will help both of us grow BUT it will never change how much I LOVE HER.... A Mother's LOVE...... Now hurry up already and come on Li... No,, seriously I MISS You!!

Love always,
Mommy

Summer Breeze, makes me feel......

FREE!!!! There's something about the summer that makes me feel a certain way!!!!

Business wise, KISS has been beyond BUSY, a good busy though. Yes, still full of late nights and early mornings BUT I've learned how to make it work for me. I'm utilizing free time when I have it and I'm learning  that sometimes I just gotta let it roll off my back. I must admit, this am I was a little pee'd off but the MR always knows how to help me see the successes and pay less attention to what I deem as the failures.

For the last month or so, I've been toying with a lot of ideas for KISS. Theres nothing easy about a Nanny/Sitter Service. Clients will do 1 of 3 things:
Trust US with their kids
Trust US in their homes to provide services
Or
Trust ME enough to drop their kids to our KISS location in Sandy Springs. Business is based on the need and over the last 2 years ( will celebrate 2 years in September) the need has surely grown.

My thoughts are always, how can I grow KISS and how can I give back? I've encountered a number of clients who are single moms and because I was raised by a single Mother, I understand the struggle. There were plenty of days Mom worked 2 jobs to provide for us. I totally understand. And sometimes, because I understand so well I get caught up in my feelings.... Don't judge me.... If you  really know me, you'll understand that Women, Teens and Children are my heart.


Okay, okay.... So, I know you've noticed the beautiful KISS bracelet. Would you like to win it? Here's your chance. Purchase a $2.00 single raffle ticket or 5 for $5.00 and it will put you in the drawing for this amazing bracelet... I'm a firm believer of supporting those who have a dReam because someone believes in and supports me.

This bracelet qwas designed by the amazing Breana N. Rainge. She relocated to Atlanta after hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. She has been here every since. She's great at what she does and if you'd like to check her out, go to Instagram and type in polaroid_geek. Let's help her build a dream while she helps KISS.

If you'd like to purchase raffle tickets you can purchase them from me, other clients and pay thru pay pal. The money raised from the raffles will go towards a sit for a needy family who cannot afford it.

It's always a good feeling to give back and in all things it takes a village to support each other. I thank each of you in advance. Thank you for supporting KISS when I didn't always believe in it but even more, Thanks for helping me to help others!!!!!!

Love,
Cheneka

Simply Stated...

I haven't blogged in what seems forever. I thought with it being Summer Break, I'd have more time because I'm not being pulled every which way.... So much for thinking. My daughter left to go visit her father in Boston for a few weeks. I can't even began to tell you how hard that was. This is the 1st time in 9years, that she has been away from me for such a long period of time. My Mooda Pie is my little BFF, my partner, my fashion consult and more often than not, she's my photographer( I take lots of pictures on Sundays because that's the one day of the week I get to look super extra cute)... I MISS her so. She has texted me and called but its not the same as seeing her big beautiful eyes, her smile and those dimples!!! I miss her dancing off beat and her creativeness. My mind tells me, " Go get her early" but in actuality I know she deserves to spend time with her father and his family. I hate feeling like I have to share her but this is definitely what it has boiled down too. Sharing my Mooda Pie...

Up next, my Son!!! This little dude has surely stepped up his game in the drive mommy crazy arena. He's 2, I get it BUT boy oh boy was I NOT prepared for a son. My mother constantly tells me, "he's a boy, that's what boys do"... If I could say it with no feelings of remorse, I'd yell "SHUT UP NETTA". lol But I'm not that crazy to disrespect my Mom( although thinking it is the equivalent to saying it)..  How ironic, just as I'm writing about her, she calls. I love that woman. She's said to me more times than once," if you feel like we need to ride and get Li just let me know". My Netta girl, my other ride or die partner.

Let's see, Oh yeah I got braids!!!! Me with my big ole water apple head like Gina from Martin, got braids. I must admit they are cute though and I'm all for the cuteness. Lol

Weigh loss!!!!! Whoever knew it was such a challenge. But I'm motivated to keep going. I love the feeling I get when I complete my 2/3 miles. When I push myself to finish in lesser time than my last walk/run! There's a feeling that comes along with accomplishment and I'm riding the waves baby!!!!!

I'm trying to avoid rambling so I'll end it now..... But Simply Stated, life is good. I have a few days that are bad, more that are good, serve a God who Loves me despite of my mishaps and a family that loves each other more than a little bit. I have sister friends who have had my back, who listen and are not judgmental and that makes it all worth the while....

So here you go Nek. You blogged!!!! Yes I did and it feels Great!!

Tata Lovies